New Computer – Old Email, or How to Back up and Transfer Your Email
February 21, 2012 | 
Author If you have a brand new computer, or are thinking about buying one in the near future, one of the things that you will need to consider is how to transfer your emails from the old system to the new system.
At least once a week in my job as a help desk analyst, I am helping a customer set up Outlook Express or Outlook (there are other email clients that are used, but these two are the most popular) on their new computer. Once we are finished with the setup and they open it up to the Inbox the question is asked “where are my old emails?” The simple answer; “on your old computer”. Then of course the follow up question is; “how do I get them to the new computer?”
Easy or Hard
The easiest way to do this is to back them up to an external hard drive or a compact disc before you make the switch to the new computer and then copy them over to the new computer in the exact same directory. The harder way is in the case of a crashed computer or the inability to access the files normally. I cover a bit of that in another article called ‘Got Backups?’ which you can find at my website.
Outlook Express
With Outlook Express your emails/email folders are stored on your hard drive in a directory that is buried way down deep in the Operating System. Instead of me giving you the full path to get there, it’s easiest if you have Outlook Express open, click on Tools then Options.
Copy/Paste
Once you are here, click on the Maintenance tab and then click on the Store Folder button. This will pop another window with the location of your emails. Using your mouse, highlight the path and then right click and copy it.
You will then click on the Start button, then click Run, and then right click in the Open box and Paste the path. Click Ok.
This will open another window with your email files. Unless you have added other folders to your Outlook Express, the default folders will be here with a .dbx extension (Folders, Inbox, Sent Items, Deleted Items, and Drafts).
Backup
If you are going to write these files to a CD, you can burn them at this time by using your favorite burning software (providing that you have a CD burner installed in your computer).
To copy them to an external hard drive, you must now connect that device to your computer, create a folder on that drive (I usually call it Email Backups), copy the files from the old computer then paste the files into the Email Backups folder.
Import
Once you have the files copied to the CD or external drive, then you will go to the new installation of Outlook Express and import the messages. It would be nice if you could just copy them to the new OE and be done, but Microsoft doesn’t like you to do it that way.
Open up OE and then click on File, Import, Messages. This will open a new window called Outlook Express Import. Choose Microsoft Outlook Express 6 then click Next. Click in the circle that says ‘Import mail from an OE6 store directory’. Click OK. Then click ‘Browse’ and navigate to and select the directory you have saved them to. Click OK. The next window will give you a list of all of the email folders you have previously saved. Keep ‘All folders’ selected and click Next.
This will begin the process of importing all of your ‘old’ emails into your ‘new’ Outlook Express. Once it has finished you will have all of your old emails back! Cool, huh?
Outlook
The procedure to save and then import your emails in Outlook is similar, but different.
To start with, Outlook uses a file extension called pst, or Personal Folder File. Don’t ask me why it’s called that. Call Bill Gates and ask him.
Export
You will start on the old computer and with Outlook open, click on File, then ‘Import and Export’. This opens the Import and Export Wizard. Choose ‘Export to a file’ then click Next. Choose ‘Personal Folder File’ here and then click Next. In the Export Personal Folders dialogue box you have your choice of what you want to do. The easiest is to keep the default choice of just the inbox, but if you want your sent items and all the other folders, choose the top item (Personal Folders) and then choose the ‘Include subfolders’ option and then click Next.
The next window will have a default location listed
(usually C:Documents and Settings’your computer name’Local SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftOutlookbackup.pst). I would suggest following the same procedure as for OE (see above). Then click ‘Finish’ and let it do it’s thing.
Once you have your pst files backed up, move to the new computer and the import process will again be similar to OE.
Connect your external hard drive to your computer or insert the CD into the drive.
Import
Open Outlook, click on File, then Import and Export. In the Import and Export Wizard, this time choose ‘Import from another program or file’ then click Next. In the ‘Import a File’ window, scroll down and select Personal Folder File (.pst) and then click Next.
In the ‘Import Personal Folders’ window, click the Browse button and navigate out to the location of your backed up pst file, choose it and then click Next. Click ‘Finish’ and it will import all of your messages.
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Facts About Gallbladder Disease
Gallbladder disease is one of the leading causes of problems with digestion that result in hospital admissions. Did you know that around 10% of the population (on average) in most Western countries has gallstones? Most of these are “silent” but about 4% of patients with stones develop symptoms each year. For about half of them, the symptoms reoccur within 12 months. More men than women suffer from acute gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis), whereas more women than men experience gallstones (men have more kidney stones), and married women with children have more gallstones than unmarried women. The term “gallbladder disease” is in one sense a misnomer, for it is the liver, bile ducts and gallbladder that form the system that enables your body to digest fats and all are likely to participate in gallbladder problems.
I have always said that doctors generally see health problems as conditions with symptoms requiring drugs, whereas surgeons see health problems as conditions requiring the knife, and when a patient is admitted with abdominal discomfort surgeons are often keen to remove the gall bladder as it is believed that it ‘serves very little purpose’ and that the patient can “live comfortably without it”. This is a ridiculous and very untrue notion however, and I want you to think twice about having your gallbladder removed, because over half of people I have seen who had their gallbladder removed still had the same digestive problem they started with in the first place unresolved, yet now without their gallbladder. Once it is out that is it, it does serve a purpose like every organ you were born with and having your gallbladder removed will affect your health to some degree. For some patients, the removal of their gallbladder had a major consequence on their health down the track. For others, it was a minor consequence.
A surgeon I once spoke to many years ago mentioned that the gallbladder operation was one frequently performed in larger hospitals by the younger surgeon to “bring them up to speed” in the operating room. He said that it was a relatively easy operation lasting from thirty to forty minutes enabling them to gain surgical experience before they move onto “bigger and better things” as far as abdominal surgery is concerned. I can’t help wondering if all the gallbladder operations performed are really that necessary, because they are so quick to take it out these days. The apprentice mechanic will first be introduced to the engine by learning to replace the spark plugs before he is allowed to work deeper into the engine. If the plugs were removed, carefully cleaned and then replaced they generally last a long time. But then again, today more than half the stuff we buy is made in China and it is “chucked” as soon as it is even slightly defective!
What is the gallbladder’s function?
Your gall bladder’s main function is to collect and concentrate bile produced by the liver that the body uses to digest fats. Think of bile a bit like you would dishwashing liquid. Have you ever tried to wash dishes with fat or grease on them in water without dishwashing liquid? Not really effective is it? Not at least until you squirt a little dishwashing liquid into the warm water then they are clean in no time. Your gallbladder makes plenty of its own type of “degreasing liquid” called bile. Bile becomes up to twelve times more concentrated in the gallbladder (and hence much more effective) than it was in your liver. Think about this, with your gallbladder gone, your liver now has to produce, store and secrete bile. It can do this but not as effectively as it can without that little purse called the gallbladder hanging by its side.
The liver makes between 600 – 900 mls of bile each day, and what is not sent during meals to the duodenum (beginning of your small bowel) directly via the liver’s main duct to emulsify fat, it is diverted through a smaller duct (branching off the main liver duct) to the gallbladder for storage until required. When fat in a meal reaches the duodenum (where most of the food you eat is digested and absorbed), hormones enter the circulation and along with nerve signals, stimulate the gallbladder to contract. This contraction, assisted by the small intestine’s contractions, induces the gallbladder’s small round muscle and the stored bile is propelled into the duodenum where it mixes with food from your stomach and pancreatic juices from the pancreas by way of the pancreatic duct. If you eat a fairly fatty meal (fish and chips for example) your gallbladder can empty completely within one hour. It is this combination of bile and fats that can make one feel “queasy” at times after a fatty meal.
Bile itself is made up of water, salts, fatty acids, lecithin, cholesterol, bilirubin, and mucus and has two main functions. The first function is to help in the absorption and digestion of fats, and the second to eliminate certain waste products from the body, especially excess cholesterol and the haemoglobin from worn out red blood cells, which have an average lifespan of 3 months.
In particular, the bile
(1) increases the solubility of fat-soluble vitamins, fats and cholesterol to assist in their absorption,
(2) stimulates secretion of water by the colon to help move its contents along,
(3) is a medium for excretion of bilirubin (the chief bile pigment) as a waste product of destroyed red blood cells, other waste products, medical drugs and their degradation products, and other toxins.
Bile salts are in fact re-absorbed into the small intestine, and re-secreted into the bile after extraction by the liver. All bile salts in the body re-circulate some 10 to 12 times a day by means of this so- called enterohepatic circulation. In each circulation small amounts of bile salts enter the colon where bacteria break them down for excretion with the feces.
Who is the greatest at risk of gallstones?
o Female gender: women outnumber men at least 2:1.
o Family history
o Forty or more years of age
o 3 children or more
o Diet: low calorie, low cholesterol, low fat. (especially a diet like this after a diet high in fat)
o Diet: previously high in refined carbs, alcohol, chocolate, chips, etc.
o Smoking
o High cholesterol history
o Constipation history
o Rapid weight loss
o Obesity
o Food allergy history
o Dehydration due to not enough water
o Liver problems like cirrhosis or past hepatitis infection
o Sensitive to penicillin antibiotics
Signs and symptoms of gallbladder problems
I have seen many women in the clinic who have for years on and off never felt quite well in terms of their digestion. Many have experienced a low grade ill feeling, a digestive discomfort which was put down to indigestion, constipation or diarrhoea or even a “grumbling appendix”. They go on for years and years with digestive symptoms and never realise that they may be related to a gallbladder problem. That’s because they are so inter-related with other digestive symptoms and too easy for their doctor to say: “You are fine; there is nothing to worry about”. Constipation is one of the most commonly missed complaints, and so is farting. Don’t be embarrassed here, we all fart, some men (and plenty of smallish children) enjoy boasting about it but women do it too and are generally totally embarrassed. Flatus is most common in bed when you first lie down, during the night or when you get up. This is because your bowel changes its position and gas more easily escapes through the anus with the large intestine in a horizontal rather than in a vertical position. Don’t laugh, but do you sometimes feel fat, frumpy and farty and at times “sicky” after eating a fatty meal like fish and chips or chocolate? Does your partner joke about how much you “let off”? Then you may very well have a gallbladder issue.
The Four F’s
Have you heard about the four f’s? We learn when we study medicine that women who are “fat, fertile, forty and flatulent” are often the gallbladder girls. They are much more prone to having gallstones or a sluggish liver and gallbladder. The following list provided here may be related to gallbladder but please bear in mind that it could also be something else. The first four symptoms mentioned are the most indicative of gallbladder issues. It is not necessary to have all or many symptoms to have gallbladder problems but the more you have from this list, the more confirmation you have that your gallbladder is involved. Please note that it is still advisable to consult your GP for an accurate diagnosis.
Signs and symptoms of impending gallbladder problems (If you answered yes to the first four (with an asterisk) go to your health-care professional for a more accurate diagnosis.)
Pain or tenderness under the rib cage on the right side, could be central too*
Pain between shoulder blades, central but could be under the shoulder blades*
Stools light or chalky colored*
Indigestion after eating, especially fatty or greasy foods*
History of gallstones or gallbladder removal in your family
Weight gain after recent digestive troubles or after gallbladder removal
Frequent use of antacids
Nausea
Dizziness
Bloating
Farting
Burping or belching up gas easily after meals
Feeling of fullness or food not digesting
Diarrhea (or alternating from soft to firm)
Constipation (or simply skipping a day here or there)
Headache over eyes, especially right
Bitter fluid comes up after eating, could be a slight reflux and very subtle
Frequent use of laxatives
Being big is actually in itself a big risk factor in gallbladder problems, and women with a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or greater are more than double at risk than women who have a BMI of 25 or less. Although a decrease in weight reduces the risk of gallstone formation, there is a 15 to 25 percent increase in gallstone formation during or immediately following weight loss! I have seen this with several patients over the years; they have lost weight and are proud of if only to experience digestive problems and then a bad bout of pain within twelve to eighteen months after the weight loss. A major heart study in America discovered that women with Type 2 Diabetes were almost twice as likely (41.8 percent versus 23.1 percent) that non diabetics to have gallstones, and the risk was highest amongst the 30 to 59yr old group.
I always ask a person these standard questions when they come in with a (suspected) gallbladder dysfunction – “Did you loose weight recently, say in the past two years?” “Have you been on a fat free diet lately?” “What kind of foods/drinks do you like to habitually have?” By asking the right questions, you would be surprised how many will actually tell you what is wrong with them, and their answers can point right to the heart of the problem. In my observation, the main factors leading to gallbladder attacks and dysfunction are obesity (and rapid weight loss (for example1 pound a week); “fat-free” diets are especially bad.
Poor dietary habits – especially too many fatty and fried foods, alcohol, too much dairy food like cheeses and full cream milk, refined sugars and starches, high protein foods (in excess), food allergies, parasites, long-term use of birth control pills, and a sedentary (couch potato) lifestyle. The Atkins diet craze caused a lot of gallbladder problems, for example. Once these factors are operating, bile produced in the liver and flowing through the biliary ducts into the gallbladder becomes too thick, the bile ducts may then become obstructed, gravel and stones may form (90% of all gallstones are cholesterol), and the whole biliary system may become clogged. Other causative factors include insufficient water consumption, a weak immune system (increases likelihood of infection in the gallbladder), as well as diabetes and various liver diseases.
Prevention of gallbladder problems lies in controlling obesity, diet and adequate intake of consuming water, and the use of appropriate physical exercise. Louise Hay, an interesting lady who wrote the famous book “Heal Your Life” way back in 1976 with regard to how emotions can trigger physical problems, mentions that anger, aggressiveness, and bitterness can result in gallbladder problems. Keeping the immune system strong and the liver and small intestine healthy is very important too. Let’s look now at some non-medical alternatives once gallbladder problems are evident, and also how to prevent this problem in the first instance.
Food allergies
Often finding and eliminating food allergies can stop frequent attacks of gallbladder pain and prevent unnecessary surgical removal. In one study, avoidance of allergens relieved symptoms in 100% of 69 patients with symptomatic gallstones or post-cholecystectomy (after the operation) syndrome (uncontrolled trial commented on by Dr. Alan Gaby, USA). I’m not convinced just testing for antibodies in terms of food allergies is the way to go, try also: muscle testing, you may know somebody who does do electro-dermal testing. Either way, try going on an elimination or allergy diet, it may be the answer to your problems.
For recurring gallbladder pain – suspect food allergies in just about 100% of patients. On average I find that they are reactive to 4 or 5 foods, and according to Dr. Jonathon Wright, one of America’s most experienced natural medicine doctors, egg is generally always one of the prime food allergens involved. There are over 800,000 cholecystectomies (gallbladder operations) performed in USA per annum, they cost $5,000 US to perform. If you do the math here, effective preventative natural medicine treatment could spare 4 billion US dollars with gallbladder conditions alone. I can imagine how many of the operations are performed needlessly in NZ each year, and it is truely amazing how many people I have seen who have their gallbladder out only to find that it did not fix up the problem they originally went to the doctor for in the first place.
Other medical methods of handling gallstones in the gallbladder include attempts to fragment them with sonic shock waves (lithotripsy). Of course there are other times when surgery may become necessary, such as in perforation of the gallbladder (often from gangrene) or where for example non-benign tumours and cancers are present. All this is what I call “crisis medicine,” so common in the orthodox medical procedures used in the hospital system. Does it not make sense to prevent a gallbladder condition in the first place rather than waiting for disaster to strike and then to take action?
How is your back?
See your Chiropractor; you may have mid-thoracic vertebral subluxations. If you have back issues, your fourth thoracic vertebrae may a bit “dodgey”, you could be looking at a subluxations which means a slight dislocation (misalignment) or biomechanical malfunctioning of the vertebrae (the bones of the spine). These disturbances may irritate nerve roots and the blood vessels which branch off from the spinal cord between each of the vertebrae, and if this is what is happening around the middle of your back it could be affecting your gallbladder.
Gallbladder removed? – take bile salts
I always recommend that a patient who has had their gallbladder removed take bile salts (digestive enzymes) because fats & oils are not properly digested and absorbed by these folk. I always give bile salts when I give them fish-oil, or Vitamin A. Digestive enzymes are essential for those who have had their gallbladder removed, they will feel a lot better for taking them regularly. Their digestion will improve, their bowels will work better and they will feel less full and bloated. For patients who do not improve their diet following surgical removal of the gallbladder the removal leaves the person with an increased risk of colon cancer. Although fast relief of some symptoms can follow this surgery, the relief is often short-lived and the basic causes are still present. If you have lost your gallbladder, the regular use of bile salts at the start of meals can help substantially, including better processing of the fat-soluble essential nutrients such as essential fatty acids and vitamins A, D, E, and K. Probably the best way to tell if you are using enough bile salts is to monitor the colour of the stool. If the colour is lighter than the normal brown colour, or is even a light beige or yellow, this implies insufficient bile flow; with it’s under absorption of essential nutrients, and a need for more bile salts. Such a need for more bile salts will be greater after a meal with greater amounts of fats and oils. Talk to your Naturopath more here, he or she can recommend a product which should work well. I generally find that the digestive enzymes prescribed by your Naturopath to be stronger and much more effective than the retail (health-food shop) products. That is why they are classified as “practitioner-only” products. My website (see resource box) explains more about “practitioner-only” products.
Useful herbal supplements with liver & gallbladder complaints: Swedish bitters, milk thistle, chamomile, peppermint, greater celandine, gymnema, gravel root, dandelion leaf & root, chicory, rhubarb, burdock, cramp bark, ginger root, fennel, and turmeric.
Homeopathic medicine: one of the most specific homeopathic medicines is Chelidonium 30C, and I recommend this remedy for patients who complain of right-sided pains radiating through the back, pains radiating to the right shoulder blade region. It is mainly thought of as a liver remedy, but I find it fantastic for gallbladder disorders as well.
Diet
Eliminate refined sugar and other refined carbohydrates, because it is these foods which in particular increases the cholesterol saturation of bile. Gallbladder problems don’t generally happen in under developed countries, they are a phenomenon of the Western developed world. We call these sorts of health problems the “diseases of modern civilisation”. You will find that our Western diet is the highly refined one, most people eat foods from the supermarket and our diets are the ones high in the refined sugars, starches and flours. Foods and drinks to strictly avoid One of the worst beverages to drink with gallbladder issues is coffee whether decaffeinated or not, it aggravates symptoms by causing the gallbladder to contract along with sugar. So, sugar and coffee is not a good idea! I also tell patients to avoid chocolate, deep fried foods and saturated animal fats in general. Most tell me that they cannot tolerate these foods anyway, so listen to your body and avoid what makes you feel unwell or sick.
Gallbladder foods which have a particular favourable effect include beetroot, Brussels sprouts, fennel, sauerkraut, parsley, artichokes, pears, granny smith apples and the bitter foods such as rocket, endive, chicory, and capers.
Consume a little olive oil daily One way to prevent build-up of gallstones is to eat some oil, particularly extra virgin olive oil, daily; this encourages the gallbladder to contract and to daily “sand dump” its contents into the small intestine, preventing sludge from accumulating and forming gallstones.
Treatments
Warm castor oil packs. All you need is 200ml castor oil (try the chemist or supermarket), and old saucepan, an old cloth, and an old towel. Just warm the old cloth in the pot of oil until it is quite warm, squeeze it out and apply it over the region of the gallbladder – central a little to the right just near where your ribcage finishes. Cover with the old towel, place a hot water bottle on top for added warmth and lie down for fifteen to twenty minutes, then rub the area for 2 minutes with an ice cube in a cloth-repeat 3 times once daily for a week can sometimes dislodge gallstones, and is especially a powerful treatment if used in conjunction with the flush and dietary approach. Careful with castor oil, it can stain.
Liver and gallbladder flush
there are many different gallbladder and liver flushes that will work if you have had recurrent gallbladder problems and your diet has been typically Kiwi. You really need to work in with your health-care professional like your naturopath here. I have guided many patients through this procedure the past twenty years and have never experienced a problem, and to be honest have very rarely found somebody with a “gallstone too big to pass” as some may fear.
For a gallbladder “attack” try these recipes Here are a couple of tips to try with acute pain, if the pain doesn’t subside, seek medical opinion.
o Drink 1 tbsp of apple cider in a glass of apple juice (warmed). This should relieve the pain quickly.
o In a small glass add ¼ tsp turmeric, ¼ tsp cumin, and ½ tsp Manuka honey – top with boiling water, stir to dissolve and mix together, drink when warm. Take: 3 times a day.
o Citrus tea: have 3 glasses daily of tea made by boiling for 20 minutes in water the rind of a grapefruit.
Recommendations stopping future gallbladder attacks
1. Each morning, drink a “gallbladder attack flush”; 300mls Apple juice (or dilute with water), 3 cloves of raw finely chopped garlic, 1-2 inches of raw finely chopped ginger root, mix well in blender. This drink helps soften sludge and helps prepare your gallbladder to dump rubbish.
2. Liver & gallbladder flush. One simple flush is to drink 3 Tbs of extra-virgin olive oil with the juice of a lemon before retiring and on awakening for at least 3 days, or until no more stones pass. I have other flushes but tend to use them in a consultation with the patient only. This is one procedure in my opinion you are best not to do yourself at home without any guidance, but get the advice from a qualified Naturopath, preferably one with experience in this area.
3. Eat a well balanced diet of 50% raw or partially steamed foods and fresh juices, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts/seeds. This low saturated fat, high fiber diet is a must for healing gallbladder disorders. Flaxseed and olive oil are great additions to your diet for repair and prevention of gallstones. Bitter foods (see below) are a great addition, and will help prevent a build up in future. The two top foods to consume? – Lemon juice and olive oil.
4. Increased your intake of Vitamin C can help with gallbladder ailments. Replenish your vitamin C stores by eating plenty of vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Good sources include capsicums (red/green/yellow), berries, lemons, and broccoli/green leafy veg. I recommend a high grade Vitamin C powder daily for the prevention and maintenance of many conditions in the body.
5. Herbal detoxification products may be helpful in stopping and reversing a gallbladder attack. I suggest using formulas that use organic, whole herbs. There are some excellent products available, just ask your herbalist or naturopath.
3 tips for after the gallstones have passed
o Dr. Dick Versendaal, a Chiropractor from America recommends his “carotid-umbilicus technique”. For the best results, it is to used every 15 minutes for 1-3 hours as follows (it’s easier if someone else does it on you than you try to do it yourself ): using the index finger, apply a steady pressure into the belly button for 5 minutes, such as to depress the belly button 1-1 ½ inches (but avoiding pain). Do this once a day for up to 12 weeks after the stones are passed, it will help your gallbladder a lot.
o Firm rubbing for at least 30 seconds1-2 times a day of the neuro-lymphatic reflexes (these points may feel quite tender if you have gallbladder issues) between ribs 3 and 4, and ribs 4 and 5, just to each side of the breastbone, and between ribs 5 and 6 just under the nipple of the right breast can be quite helpful.
o Also softly holding (not pressing or rubbing) for at least one minute the neurovascular reflexes at the anterior fontanel (front of head the baby’s soft spot near crown of head- locate at tip of middle finger when the wrist crease of either hand is placed on the eye brows and the middle finger extended onto the midline of the skull) and at the hairline on the forehead directly above the outer corner of each eye. Look for the “tender spots”, you will find them.
10 Ways To Boost Your Credit Score
1. Deleting Errors in 48 Hours
This is the absolute fastest way to correct errors on your credit
report and raise your credit score. However, it can only be done
through a mortgage company or a bank. If you apply for a home
loan and find errors on your credit report, request the loan
officer to conduct a Rapid Rescore. But don’t mistake it for the
credit clinic tactic of multiple dispute letters.
The Rapid Rescore strategy requires proper paperwork. You need
proof that the item is incorrect. It must come from the creditor
directly. For example, a letter stating the account is not your
account, a letter stating the account was paid satisfactorily,
a release of lien, a satisfaction of judgment, a bankruptcy
discharge, a letter for deletion of collection account or any
relevant evidence.
This is the same documentation a bank or mortgage company would
require for the credit accounts anyways. The difference is, now
you can improve your credit score and receive a lower interest
rate. The results are not guaranteed and will run you about $50
per account.
2. Deleting Negative Credit
This is the infamous area where you’ve heard of all the scams.
Credit repair clinics charge “an arm and a leg” and promise a
clean credit report. Sometimes even a new credit profile! People
spending hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars for something
they can do themselves.
Removing errors is simple. Deleting negative credit that is
accurate requires advanced methods. But that is not the scope
of this report. So I’ll focus on the deleting the negative
errors.
Credit report errors easily disappear by using a simple dispute
letter. If you have the paperwork proving the error as mentioned
above in Rapid Rescore, send copies of that along with the
dispute letter. This will make the credit bureau’s job easier and
you will get faster results.
If you don’t have the documentation to prove the error(s), send
the dispute letter anyway. According to federal law, the credit
bureau’s have a “reasonable time” to validate your claim. They
will contact the creditor for verification of your dispute. Then
the account will be reported accurately – or deleted. It has been
generally accepted the “reasonable time” to complete this task is
30 days.
If you’re not the do-it-yourself kind of person. Or don’t have
the time. You could hire someone who is very economical.
3. PiggyBack Someone’s Credit
This is a fast and great little credit score booster. But it
requires a very trusting relationship. Simply put, someone else
adds you to their credit account. For example, when applying for
a credit card, you may have seen the section to add a card holder.
If your trusting person adds you, their payment history is now
reported on your credit report too. If they have perfect credit,
now you have a perfect account.
To make this more effective, use an aged account. Imagine if your
trusted person has a 10 year old credit card account with a
perfect payment history and a balance of only 50% of the credit
limit. Wouldn’t you love to have this on your credit report? The
easy part is your trusted person just calls the credit card
company and requests a form to add a cardholder. Once completed
and activated, their entire account history and future is now
firmly planted on your account. Imagine if you secured 3-5 of
these accounts – especially installment accounts. Your credit
score could sky-rocket!
The challenging part? Finding the trusted person. Since you already
have a low credit score and bad credit, how eager will someone be
to make you a cardholder? Even your parents don’t want you to
damage their credit. But, no one says you need to possess the card!
In other words, your trusted person could add you as a card holder
and never give you the card or PIN or any information. Since the
bills and all account information is still mailed to the trusted
person’s address, you won’t know anything about the account. This
scenario could land you many trusted persons. And you still benefit
with a higher credit score.
4. Playing Round Robin
This strategy is one of the oldest credit building techniques
around. It used to be accomplished with secured savings accounts.
But now, it’s much easier with secured credit cards. In fact,
I’ve used this method myself.
Here’s how it works: Take ,000 (or what you can afford) and get
a secured credit card. Once received, get a cash advance of 70%
of your credit limit. Get a second secured credit card. Once
received, get a cash advance of 70% of your credit limit. Get a
third secured credit card. Once received, get a cash advance of
70% of your credit limit.
Open a new checking account with the final cash advance. Use this
account only for making payments on your three new credit cards.
If you make your payments on time every month, your credit score
will increase because you now have three new perfect payment
credit cards. (Initially, your credit score might drop a few
points due to the rapid, multiple accounts being opened. However,
be patient because within 4 months of no new accounts or any
delinquencies of any account, you will see your credit score
increase. Mine increased 60 points in 60 days!!)
5. Pay on Time
This one is quite obvious. But after 12.5 years in the mortgage
business, I discovered it still needs repeating. Your creditors
were gracious enough to loan you money. Now pay your damn bills!
If you don’t, your credit score decreases. EVEN IF ONLY 30 DAYS
LATE!
That’s right folks. For some reason people think, “I’m only a
few weeks late. What’s the big deal?” Well, for the loan company,
if you pay late but consistent, they make a lot more money with
late fees and more interest (if a simple interest loan). For you,
your credit score is damaged. If you think long-term and credit
score, I’m certain you would not have a cavalier attitude.
6. Pay Down Debts
This seems like an obvious method, doesn’t it? But it is not as
transparent as you might think. Remember, we’re playing with
high-level statistics and probabilities which evaluates and
forecasts trends in your behavior. Here’s what you do…
Never pay off your revolving debt in it’s entirety! Isn’t that a
surprise? Think about it. Your credit score is a reflection of
your ability to manage your credit. Paying off your debt is not
managing your debt. If you have a zero balance, how can you manage
it? You don’t. It no longer exists. And you cannot manage what
does not exist, right? Therefore, in terms of credit score, you
have demonstrated your ability to swiftly pay off accounts to
avoid managing them. Thus, slightly decreasing your credit score.
One exception, of course, is if you’re over extended to begin
with. Pay off what’s necessary to make your credit profile look
great. Then manage the remaining credit.
7. Don’t Close Accounts
Even if you pay off revolving debts, do not close the account.
The longer an account is open with no negative reports, the
better it reflects in your overall credit score. This is due to
the weighted-average in the credit score formula. Many credit
experts suggest a balance of 30% of your credit limit. That’s
ideal. But you can go as high as 70% and still maintain a
healthy credit score.
8. No New Credit
You must be vigilant in your credit behavior if you want the best
credit score. Therefore, do not get any new credit unless it is
absolutely necessary. Each time you apply for credit, an inquiry
is added to your report. This usually drops your credit score
slightly. When you have fresh credit, there is no track record
how you will manage (or pay) this account. Therefore, it’s a
higher risk which results in a minor drop in your credit score.
Remember, your credit score is about risk assessment.
Here’s what you do: obtain credit for your housing, transportation,
college or continued education and 3-5 credit cards. That’s really
all you need for personal credit. If you want more credit, request
a credit limit increase on your current cards rather than apply
for new ones.
9. Maintain A Mix of Credit Types
If you show you can handle different types of credit at the same
time, you are rewarded with a great credit score. In other words,
get installment loans like vehicle, personal loan or mortgage.
Get revolving credit like credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, Sears,
Sunoco Gas, Costco. By mixing it up, you demonstrate you can
manage your credit because you will have short term and long term
credit with a fixed payment. As well as a “variable” monthly
payment on your credit cards.
Keep these accounts open with a balance of 70% or less and paid
on time and you will witness your credit score climb to great
heights.
10. Don’t File Bankruptcy or Foreclosure
Here’s the most obvious advice: Don’t file for bankruptcy or
foreclosure. These stay on your credit report for 10 years and
always decrease your credit score. The older the bankruptcy or
foreclosure account becomes, coupled with re-built credit
history, the less of an impact they play on your credit score.
Contrary to popular beliefs, you can legally delete a bankruptcy
and foreclosure. It’s not easy. But it’s possible. See the
advanced methods for that solution.
To quickly rebuild your credit history after a bankruptcy or
foreclosure, use the Round Robin strategy above and get secured
credit cards. Now you can even get a car loan or mortgage right
after bankruptcy.
© 2004 David Czach.
——– Editor’s Note ———-
Dave Czach has 12 years experience in the mortgage business and
a Bachelor‘s Degree in Real Estate. He can be reached at
http://myLoanHero.com/go.cgi/daveczach.
This article may be reprinted without compensation provided
there are no changes whatsoever to the article, the copyright
notice and the complete Editor’s Note. Any reprinting or
duplication without these conditions is copyright infringement.
——– Editor’s Note ———-
Bachelor Degree – What Is The Best One?
There’s no question that the best bachelor degree to get in college is one that prepares you for an actual career. This way, when you get out of college you have a definite path to follow and a more likely chance to land a job. So just what is the best bachelor degree to get? Is there a best degree? Answering this question is nowhere near as easy as asking it.
Before we do, let’s start by saying that there are some degrees that you can get that literally prepare you for almost nothing. It makes you wonder why they even offer them at all. Some people say it’s for those who just don’t know what they want to do. Others think it’s because some people can’t handle the more difficult curriculums of the degrees that are more precisely targeted to a specific field.
So what are these degrees that prepare you for just about nothing? The list is actually as long as your right arm but we’ll mention just a few of the more popular ones.
Psychology is a real favorite for many students. There’s kind of a cool thing to tell people that you’re a psych major. Unless you’re going to become a psychologist, which is really going to take more than just a degree in psychology, there’s really not much you can do with a bachelor degree in psychology. Sociology is another one that’s pretty high on the useless meter, unless of course you’re going to be a sociologist? Ever wonder what a sociologist does?
Then there are those who major in things like English Literature. You really have to wonder what somebody with a bachelor degree in English Literature is going to do aside from trying to maybe get a job in the theater or go into teaching.
That is what a lot of these kids do who take these courses that really don’t have a definitive path. They end up going back to school to get a masters in their chosen discipline or maybe even something else and then with a masters they can get a job teaching at a university. It was probably the last thing they wanted to do, but it’s a job.
The sad truth is, a lot of kids who get a bachelor degree in some obscure discipline, end up going to work at a Burger King. Maybe if they’re lucky, with their education, they do get a management position.
The truth is, the best degrees to get are the ones that prepare you for a definite field such as accounting. A degree in accounting prepares you to be an accountant, period. And with all the crazy tax laws changing all the time, we’re always going to need a good accountant. A bachelor degree in engineering is another good one. Pretty much the only thing you’re going to be when you’re done is some kind of engineer.
So while there may not be one best bachelor degree, practically speaking anyway, some are definitely better than others.
What Are the Highest Paying Nursing Jobs?
In general, the highest paying nursing jobs will belong to those who have chosen to specialize in a particular type of nursing and will often require education in addition to the usual Bachelor Degree in nursing which is required for an RN.
The top paying nursing jobs are those of the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, the Nurse Researcher, the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, and the Certified Nurse Midwife. The CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist) pays on average $135,000 a year. However, there are rigorous training requirements including an RN degree from a four-year school, a year in acute care setting experience and then the program itself, which can last from 2 to 3 years.
The lowest paid of the highest paying nursing jobs is that of a certified nurse midwife, which on average pays around $86,000 a year. Entry into this demanding program requires the applicant to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited school. The nurse midwifery program will award the successful graduate with a Master of Science in Nursing and after passing a state exam, they are qualified to practice as midwives.
The nursing situation is tight in the US as well as all over the globe. That means that sometimes hospitals or other facilities may end up short staffed for greater or shorter periods. This brings in the possibility of working as a travel nurse.
The highest paying travel nursing jobs are much like regular nursing jobs and the highest pays go to the nurse who specializes. Critical care nurses are in high demand among travel nursing companies. Nurses often work through a travel nursing service. In order to command the highest salaries it may be necessary for a nurse to sign up with several companies. In demand, nursing specialties may also negotiate salaries, and benefits with the nursing service.
It is an inescapable conclusion that even in the high demand field of nursing, the more education and specialization, the higher paid the position usually is. Not all specializations will necessarily require a commitment to a Master Nursing Degree program, an RN with 1750 hours of acute or critical bedside care experience and a current license may be eligible to take the Critical Care RN examination, which can give the nurse a higher salary potential and put them in demand as travel nurses.
Many nurses will begin with an associate degree in Nursing, which is 2 years, but for the highest paying nursing jobs a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and some certification and advanced education will be required.
Such responsible and high paying nursing positions as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist will have the nurse performing procedures that in the past were only the province of doctors or anesthetists and of course, they are compensated by way of some of the highest paying nursing jobs salaries for the increased responsibilities.
Travel nursing jobs for the specialist can provide the nurse the opportunity for travel, some of the highest pay in the nursing field and such benefits as top salaries, housing benefits and per diem expenses in some cases. For the qualified nurse who wants to travel at the expense of the company this can be the ideal position and provide the highest paying job salaries in nursing.
Product Position: Why Is It Important?
Product Positioning is very important in the marketing world. Think about a product, let’s say a car. Now try thinking about a clothing brand or a certain food. What came to your mind? The reason those products came to your mind is because of those product’s positioning. For some reason those products stuck with you, and that is because of the marketing strategies behind the products. Why is Product Positioning Important? It is important for long-term success for your company because it will make your product memorable and also make your product desired by your market segments.
A company will position a product, which means that they are trying to create an image or an identity in their targeted market’s mind. This can be done for their product, brand or organization. The company creates what they want their market to think and feel about the product, which establishes their perception of the brand image. Businesses do this so their segments become familiar with the product and recognize it based off of the position. This goes hand and hand with brand image because through positioning a company is creating a brand’s image.
However, the hard part is that a company needs to try to create a desired position. If this is achieved then the company has the position that is desired by the target market, which will most likely increase the success of the company. But if a company fails to create the desired position then the target market will not value the image and the product, and this could lead to losing consumers to a competitor that has a valued image.
A company needs to create a desired position for their product, brand or organization. This can be achieved through perceptual mapping. Perceptual mapping is a method marketers use to visually display and measure the perceptions of consumers or potential consumers to develop a product’s position. In general, the product’s position is displayed comparative to their competition. This is an important technique that should be used by marketers when deciding a product’s position. It is important because it identifies what the competition is doing, what consumers’ perceptions are of that market, and how one could successfully fit in that market to become desired by consumers.
Although the research needed for perceptual mapping might be extensive and time consuming, it is worth it. A successful product position could create long-term success for a company and produces continual desire for the product by consumers.
Passing the CIA Exam – What Does it Take?
When you have a goal, you do what you can to achieve it. Some will spend lots of money or time accomplishing their goal. Whatever it takes, you want to have confidence in yourself for what lies ahead. If you are pursuing a dream to become a certified internal auditor, you need to know the basics on what it takes to pass.
- Educational Requirements
The first set of requirements for taking and passing the CIA exam are educational requirements. The candidate must hold at least a bachelor‘s degree from an accredited university or college if you plan on applying for the CIA exam. As is customary, the candidate should submit proof of degree, such as an official transcript from the school.
- Reference Requirements
All CIA exam candidates must be referred by a current CIA (or CGAP, CCSA, CFSA). The candidate’s work supervisor or college professor will also be allowed to provide a letter of reference. The Institute of Internal Auditors provides the form for the referrer to complete.
- Relevant Work Experience Requirements
The final set of requirements for taking the CIA exam is work experience. At least two years of internal auditing experience is a minimum requirement to become a candidate at the Institute of Internal Auditors. The professional experience will validate the student’s ability while providing extra training in preparation for the test. The candidate must also complete a form that verifies the completion of the work experience requirements for him or her.
To pass the CIA exam, the student must correctly complete every one of the four sections on the test. Those four test components cover all of the relevant areas of internal auditing:
1) The internal audit activity’s role in governance, risk, and control,
2) conducting the internal audit engagement,
3) business analyst and information technology, and
4) business management skills.
The CIA exam is a multiple-choice test. Passing the CIA exam sounds easy until you realize that each of the multiple choices are skillfully arranged to seem like viable answers. Unfortunately, while most will seem like they could be answers, only one will be. Passing the certified internal auditors exam will require to be very knowledgeable on your material. Finding a software that will prepare you for the test is one of the best ways to see what it is like to actually take the test. The exact number of questions on the test changes slightly from test to test, but there will be approximately five hundred questions. Each one of the four sections has an equal number of questions. A passing grade is 75%.
How Do I Decrease the File Size of a PDF File?
There are many factors that can affect the size of a PDF file. If you know these factors it would be possible for you to get the smallest possible file size of the PDF document that you create. The factors that affect the size of PDF files are the way the fonts are embedded, the images resolution and image type, and the version of the PDF and level of compression.
To make your PDF file smaller, Adobe suggests that you use “Save as” instead of “Save” every time you make a change in the PDF document you are creating. When you use the “Save” changes you make are appended to your file and this of course adds to the size. When you use the “Save as” you will overwrite the entire PDF and you are saving just the latest form of your document after the change.
Another thing that could add to the size of the PDF file is the named destination, every ten or so named destinations could add at least a kilobyte to the PDF size. So if you think that named destinations is not that necessary in your PDF document do not include them.
You can also use Adobe Acrobat’s PDF optimizer to see which elements in your PDF document could take up the most space. To use the PDF Optimizer, click “Advanced” in the menu bar and select PDF Optimizer and then click on Audit Space Usage.
The elements in your PDF document that obviously add a lot to the total size of the final PDF are the images. as much as possible use vector-based graphics. Vector-based graphics are better than GIF in many aspects: they scale perfectly, look better, and take up lesser space. Avoid inseting bitmap graphics but if it could not be avoided, prepare it for maximum compression and minimum dimensions.
If you are creating PDF for the web and not for printing use RGB which has one less data channel than CMYK. As much as possible do not embed your fonts, fonts take up a lot of space.
Lastly, it is good to use newer versions of Acrobat because they have a more advanced compression system that can result in smaller PDF file size.
Effective Method of Negotiation
What is Negotiation?
Negotiation is the interactive social process in which people engage, when they aim to reach an agreement with another party or parties on behalf of themselves.
Negotiation is primarily a common mean of securing one’s expectations from others. It is a form of communication designed to reach an agreement when two or more parties have certain interests that are shared and certain others that are opposed.
- According to Shorter Oxford Dictionary, 1977-
Negotiation: To confer with another for the purpose of arranging some matters by mutual agreement; to discuss a matter with a view to settlement or compromise .
- Ginny Pearsom Bames sayes, Negotiation is a resolution of a disagreement using give and take within the context of a particular relationship. It involves sharing ideas and information and seeking a mutually acceptable outcome .
- The Pepperdine University of USA has developed an explanatory definition of negotiation:
Negotiation is a communication process used to put deals together or resolve conflicts. It is a voluntary, non-binding process in which the parties control the outcome as well as the procedures by which they will make an agreement. Because most parties place very few limitations on the negotiation process, it allows for a wide range of possible solutions maximizing the possibility of joint gains .
- According to Williams, Legal and Settlement 1983, Negotiation is a repetitive process that follows reasonably predictable patterns over time. Yet in legal disputes so much of the attorney’s attention and energy are absorbed by the pre-trial procedure and the approach of the trial, that they fail to recognize the important identifiable patterns and dynamics of the negotiation process
- M Anstey explains core elements of negotiation as follows:
1. A verbal interactive process;
2. Involving two or more parties;
3. Who are seeking to reach agreement;
4. Over a problem or conflict of interest between them; and
5. In which they seek, as per as possible, to preserve their interests, but to adjust their views and positions in the joint effort to achieve an agreement.
Broadly speaking, negotiation is an interaction of influences. Such interactions, for example, include the process of resolving disputes, agreeing upon courses of action, bargaining for individual or collective or crafting outcomes to satisfy various interests. Negotiation is thus a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
Characteristics of Negotiation:
o Negotiation involves two or more parties who need (or think they need) each others involvement achieving a desired outcome. There is a common interest that connects the parties.
o The parties start with different opinions or objectives. It is these differences that prevent agreement.
o The parties are willing to co-operate and communicate to meet their goals.
o The parties can mutually benefit or avoid harm by influencing each other.
o The parties realize that any other procedure will not produce desired outcome.
o The parties think that negotiation is the best way to resolve their differences (or at leas, a possible way)
o They also think that they may be able to persuade the party to modify their original position.
o Even if they do not get their ideal outcome, both retain the hope of an acceptable outcome.
o Each has some influence real or assumed over the others actions. If one party is completely powerless, negotiation will have little point for the other.
o The negotiation process itself involves interaction between people. This interaction might be in person, by telephone, letter etc. or it might use a combination, because it is personal, emotions and attitudes will always be important.
Conditions for Negotiation :
A variety of conditions can affect the success or failure of negotiations. The following conditions make success in negotiations more likely:
Identifiable parties who are willing to participate: The people or groups who have a stake in the outcome must be identifiable and willing to sit down at the bargaining table if productive negotiations are to occur. If a critical party is either absent or is not willing to commit to good faith bargaining, the potential for agreement will decline.
Interdependence: For productive negotiations to occur, the participants must be dependent upon each other to have their needs met or interests satisfied. The participants need either each other’s assistance or restraint from negative action for their interests to be satisfied. If one party can get his/her needs met without the cooperation of the other, there will be little impetus to negotiate.
Readiness to negotiate: People must be ready to negotiate for dialogue to begin. When participants are not psychologically prepared to talk with the other parties, when adequate information is not available, or when a negotiation strategy has not been prepared, people may be reluctant to begin the process.
Means of influence or leverage: For people to reach an agreement over issues about which they disagree, they must have some means to influence the attitudes and/or behavior of other negotiators. Often influence is seen as the power to threaten or inflict pain or undesirable costs, but this is only one way to encourage another to change. Asking thought-provoking questions, providing needed information, seeking the advice of experts, appealing to influential associates of a party, exercising legitimate authority or providing rewards are all means of exerting influence in negotiations.
Agreement on some issues and interests: People must be able to agree upon some common issues and interests for progress to be made in negotiations. Generally, participants will have some issues and interests in common and others that are of concern to only one party. The number and importance of the common issues and interests influence whether negotiations occur and whether they terminate in agreement. Parties must have enough issues and interests in common to commit themselves to a joint decision-making process.
Will to settle: For negotiations to succeed, participants have to want to settle. If continuing a conflict is more important than settlement, then negotiations are doomed to failure. Often parties want to keep conflicts going to preserve a relationship (a negative one may be better than no relationship at all), to mobilize public opinion or support in their favor, or because the conflict relationship gives meaning to their life. These factors promote continued division and work against settlement. The negative consequences of not settling must be more significant and greater than those of settling for an agreement to be reached.
Unpredictability of outcome: People negotiate because they need something from another person. They also negotiate because the outcome of not negotiating is unpredictable. For example: If, by going to court, a person has a 50/50 chance of winning, s/he may decide to negotiate rather than take the risk of losing as a result of a judicial decision. Negotiation is more predictable than court because if negotiation is successful, the party will at least win something. Chances for a decisive and one-sided victory need to be unpredictable for parties to enter into negotiations.
A sense of urgency and deadline: Negotiations generally occur when there is pressure or it is urgent to reach a decision. Urgency may be imposed by either external or internal time constraints or by potential negative or positive consequences to a negotiation outcome. External constraints include: court dates, imminent executive or administrative decisions, or predictable changes in the environment. Internal constraints may be artificial deadlines selected by a negotiator to enhance the motivation of another to settle. For negotiations to be successful, the participants must jointly feel a sense of urgency and be aware that they are vulnerable to adverse action or loss of benefits if a timely decision is not reached.
No major psychological barriers to settlement: Strong expressed or unexpressed feelings about another party can sharply affect a person’s psychological readiness to bargain. Psychological barriers to settlement must be lowered if successful negotiations are to occur.
Issues must be negotiable: For successful negotiation to occur, negotiators must believe that there are acceptable settlement options that are possible as a result of participation in the process. If it appears that negotiations will have only win/lose settlement possibilities and that a party’s needs will not be met as a result of participation, parties will be reluctant to enter into dialogue.
Styles of Negotiation:
There are different styles of negotiation. Style of negotiation is also a strategy. In some occasions the style reflects the attitude of the party and an experienced negotiator can guess the result from such a conduct of the party as becomes evident by the style. Negotiation style is reflected in communication skills, interpersonal behavior of negotiators, language, voice tones, choices, listening power, non-verbal gestures and judgment. Generally there are three main styles of negotiation. A brief description is given below:
- Co-operative Style :
In this type of negotiation style, strategies which are typically used include the making of concessions, the sharing of information and the adoption of behaviors which are fair and reasonable. Thus a co-operative negotiator typically explains the reasons for her concessions and proposals and attempts to reconcile the parties’ conflicting interests; her proposals are measured against standards which both parties can agree, such as the legal merits of the case and fairness between the parties.
The advantage of the co-operative style of negotiation is that it tends to produce fewer breakdowns in bargaining with subsequent recourse to litigation, and to produce more favorable outcomes for both parties. This leaves both clients and negotiators in a position where they can ‘do business’ again. However, the co-operative style is subject to certain difficulties in operation where the parties to the negotiation are unequal in wealth or power or where one party will not bargain for joint or mutual gain;
- Competitive Style :
Thus the competitive negotiator makes concessions reluctantly because they may ‘weaken his position’ through position loss or image loss. He tends to make high initial demands, few concessions and have a generally high level of aspiration for his client.
It is often suggested that this style leads practitioners into specific negotiation strategies, for example, never making the first offer, always attempting to conceal the client’s true objectives always being the person who drafts the final offer; and the use of exaggeration, threat and bluff to create high levels of tension and pressure on the opponent. If used effectively these tactics cause the opposition side to lose confidence in there case and reduce their expectations of what can be obtained for there client It is therefore, an essentially manipulative approach, designed to intimidate the opposing side into accepting a negotiator’s demands.
- Problem-solving Style:
A problem solving style to a dispute over access might be based on the assumption that whilst both parents want access to their children for some of the time, neither would, in practice, want access for the whole of the time. On this basis a negotiated settlement advantageous to all parties (including the children) may be effected.
The problem-solving style thus commence with both negotiators trying to ascertain the underlying needs of their clients. This can best be achieved through client interviews in which the lawyer explores with the client how he wants the dispute to be concluded in social, economic, ethical and psychological terms. Focusing on the actual (rather than the assumed) needs of clients leads to solutions often more complex and yet more satisfactory in terms of social justice than those which a court could order, or which could result form competitive negotiation.
The four basic tactics which Fisher and Ury describes as being essential to the process of problem solving negotiation are :
1. Separate the people from the problem; In the other words, separate the interpersonal relationship between the negotiators and their clients from the merits of the problem or conflict
2. Focus on interests not positions; that is, consider the interests of the clients so that is party’s motives, goals and values are filly understood by each side
3. Generate a variety of options; for example, brainstorm to develop new ideas to meet the needs of the parties
4. Insist that the result of the negotiation be based on some objective standard that is, assess proposed outcomes against easily ascertainable standard base on objective criteria.
Basic structure of the negotiating process :
It is important to note that there are some basic structures of negotiation process. These structure increase the ability and skills of negotiator also helps to create successful environment for the effective negotiation. The most essential structure may be described as:
Agenda-setting:
Unless an agenda has been agreed in advance you will agree with the opposing lawyer the practical issues of how the negotiation will be conducted, what the agenda for the discussions will be, recorded and minute
Clarification of the facts:
A possible first is for you, or your opponent, to identify and agree the relevant available facts of the dispute and the law relating to those facts. This could then be followed by your identification of and agreement on, any missing or conflicting facts, or difference in documentation. At this point you cold seek to resolve such difference through further investigation, and through listening to and questioning the order side.
Evaluation and repositioning:
- You will next assess alternative solution in relation to the needs of both parties (co-operative problem solving style) or you will make strong counter proposals to your opponents position (competitive style)
- You will eliminate unworkable proposals (co-operative problem-solving style) or use a variety of negotiating tactics to enhance your position and discredit that of your opponent (confrontational style)
- You will generate new proposals (co-operative problem-solving style) or identify trade-offs and concessions (competitive style)
- You will consider ending the negotiation if the tradeoffs are too high for both parties (co-operative problem-solving style) or if the trade -offs are acceptable to your side although not to the other(competitive style)
Closing:
Finally you will need to find a way of closing the negotiation. The alternatives at this stage include:
- Adjourning to obtain further information, and instructions from your client
- Adjourning to report a final offer from the other side to your client and seek his instructions
- Reaching a final agreement as authorized by your client
If the outcome is successful and a settlement has been reached, you will need to check your understanding of the settlement with that of your opponent to make certain that you are in agreement. You must next decide how the settlement is going to be made legally enforceable (if it is), and who will draft the terms of any written settlement.
Review:
Throughout the whole of the process referred to above, it is helpful from time for the lawyers to review the stage that has been reached in the discussions. This is especially recommended if you appear to have reached a deadlock, or there is an uncomfortable silence. A review gives each side the opportunity to compare their original objective with that has been achieved so far and consider how the negotiation should proceed. This can lead to one or other of the negotiators stating a revised or more innovative position as a potential solution to the problem.
Stages of Negotiation:
Stage 1: Evaluate and Select a Strategy to Guide Problem Solving
o Assess various approaches or procedures–negotiation, facilitation, mediation, arbitration, court, etc.–available for problem solving.
o Select an approach.
Stage 2: Make Contact with Other Party or Parties
o Make initial contact(s) in person, by telephone, or by mail.
o Explain your desire to negotiate and coordinate approaches.
o Build rapport and expand relationship
o Build personal or organization’s credibility.
o Promote commitment to the procedure.
o Educate and obtain input from the parties about the process that is to be used.
Stage 3: Collect and Analyze Background Information
o Collect and analyze relevant data about the people, dynamics and substance involved in the problem.
o Verify accuracy of data.
o Minimize the impact of inaccurate or unavailable data.
o Identify all parties’ substantive, procedural and psychological interests.
Stage 4: Design a Detailed Plan for Negotiation
o Identify strategies and tactics that will enable the parties to move toward agreement.
o Identify tactics to respond to situations peculiar to the specific issues to be negotiated.
Stage 5: Build Trust and Cooperation
o Prepare psychologically to participate in negotiations on substantive issues. Develop a strategy to handle strong emotions.
o Check perceptions and minimize effects of stereotypes.
o Build recognition of the legitimacy of the parties and issues.
o Build trust.
o Clarify communications.
o Stage 6: Beginning the Negotiation Session
o Introduce all parties.
o Exchange statements which demonstrate willingness to listen, share ideas, show openness to reason and demonstrate desire to bargain in good faith.
o Establish guidelines for behavior.
o State mutual expectations for the negotiations.
o Describe history of problem and explain why there is a need for change or agreement.
o Identify interests and/or positions.
Stage 7: Define Issues and Set an Agenda
o Together identify broad topic areas of concern to people.
o Identify specific issues to be discussed.
o Frame issues in a non-judgmental neutral manner.
o Obtain an agreement on issues to be discussed.
o Determine the sequence to discuss issues.
o Take turns describing how you see the situation. Participants should be encouraged to tell their story in enough detail that all people understand the viewpoint presented.
o Use active listening, open-ended questions and focusing questions to gain additional information.
Stage 8: Uncover Hidden Interests
o Probe each issue either one at a time or together to identify interests, needs and concerns of the principal participants in the dispute.
o Define and elaborate interests so that all participants understand the needs of others as well as their own.
Stage 9: Generate Options for Settlement
o Develop awareness about the need for options from which to select or create the final settlement.
o Review needs of parties which relate to the issue.
o Generate criteria or objective standards that can guide settlement discussions.
o Look for agreements in principle.
o Consider breaking issue into smaller, more manageable issues and generating solutions for sub-issues.
o Generate options either individually or through joint discussions.
o Use one or more of the following procedures:
o Expand the pie so that benefits are increased for all parties.
o Alternate satisfaction so that each party has his/her interests satisfied but at different times.
o Trade items that are valued differently by parties.
o Look for integrative or win/win options.
o Brainstorm.
o Use trial and error generation of multiple solutions.
o Try silent generation in which each individual develops privately a list of options and then presents his/her ideas to other negotiators.
o Use a caucus to develop options.
o Conduct position/counter position option generation.
o Separate generation of possible solutions from evaluation.
Stage 10: Assess Options for Settlement
o Review the interests of the parties.
o Assess how interests can be met by available options.
o Assess the costs and benefits of selecting options.
Stage 11: Final Bargaining
o Final problem solving occurs when:
o One of the alternatives is selected.
o Incremental concessions are made and parties move closer together.
o Alternatives are combined or tailored into a superior solution.
o Package settlements are developed.
o Parties establish a procedural means to reach a substantive agreement.
Stage 12: Achieving Formal Settlement
o Agreement may be a written memorandum of understanding or a legal contract.
o Identify “what ifs” and conduct problem solving to overcome blocks.
o Establish an evaluation and monitoring procedure.
o Formalize the settlement and create enforcement and commitment mechanisms.
o Judicial review
Influencing factors of Negotiation :
There are some influencing factors or elements of negotiation which are essential and plays vital role in making effective negotiation. A short description is given below:
- Negotiator: Negotiation process is influenced by various factors. The first such factor is the skill and ability of negotiator, his character and credibility. Another ability, which is a major factor in negotiation, is that the negotiator should keep control over the process. A negotiator should review the progress of the negotiation process; time and again endeavor to build bridges between the parties. He or She should try to create a positive attitude towards agreement. A great deal of skill and experience are necessary to control the entire process of negotiation, which can be gained by keen observation of strategies adopted by other parties, past experience and studying the best negotiation processes in the contemporary world.
- Parties: Parties are a major influence on the negotiation process. The parties, their interests and the way they react and respond decide the process. Parties to a dispute have their own mindset when they come to a negotiation table.
- Selection of the team: The team of negotiation should be selected basing on case and circumstances, so that each member contributes towards achieving the goal with productive working.
- Place of negotiation: Sometimes the place of negotiation matters. Unfamiliar surroundings may cause stress to the opposite party in comparison to a familiar place.
- Layout of the room: The layout of the room has an influence on the conduct of the negotiation to some extent. Ideally the layout should be chosen taking into consideration the circumstance in which the parties operate. For example, if the negotiation in with regard to any industrial dispute, negotiators should ensure that the distance between the parties is not too much. The seating arrangements should be such so as to encourage a relaxed mood. The design of layout should reflect attitudes and perceptions and issues being discussed in negotiation.
- Psychology in negotiating: Psychology of the negotiators, as well as the parties plays an important role in the activity of negotiation. The people involved in the process work with different attitudes, approaches and activities. According to Maslows’ ‘Need Hierarchy Theory’, behavior of people is influenced by their needs. People’s needs are classified by him into:
1. Physical and survival needs;
2. Security and safety needs;
3. Social needs;
4. Ego needs;
5. Self realization needs.
Effective Negotiation Skills :
The key to effective negotiation is clear communication. Communication involves three important skills: Speaking, Listening and understanding. You can’t have one skill work without the others–for example, you can’t have good understanding without good listening and speaking. Negotiation is most effective when people are able to clearly identify and discuss their sources of disagreement and misunderstanding.
Speaking:
Negotiation begins with a clear, concise explanation of the problem as each person sees it. Facts and feelings are presented in a rational manner from the individual’s perspective, using “I” statements. Communication between people will go more smoothly when statements such as “I become very upset when you “are used rather than more aggressive statements such as “You make me mad when you,” which blames the other person and puts him or her in a defensive position. Shared concerns rather than individual issues remain the focus of discussion throughout negotiation. The negotiation process will be most effective when people take time to think through what they will say. When possible, plan ahead to meet at a time and place convenient to everyone. A quiet, neutral spot where there are few distractions or interruptions is perfect for open discussion.
Listening:
Listening is an active process of concentrating all of one’s attention on the other person. Encouraging the other person to share thoughts and feelings, giving feedback on what has been heard, and maintaining eye contact are skills that show you are interested in understanding what he or she has to say. It is always helpful to simply ask, “I understood you to say Am I correct in this?” or “I hear you saying that you are that how you feel?” Active listening assures the other person that he or she is heard, accepted and respected. The ability to listen actively supports open, ongoing negotiation. Thinking ahead or anticipating the course of the discussion is distractions that interfere with listening. Poor attention and listening can lead to misunderstandings, inappropriate solutions and continuing conflict.
Understanding:
Before two sides can look for solutions; a common understanding must be reached. If two people do not understand each other’s problems and concerns, then the process of negotiation will either be broken off or will end with solutions that do not work. Active listening encourages understanding. It is important to pay close attention to what someone says as well as to how he or she behaves. Body language, including facial expressions, hand gestures and degree of eye contact, can provide clues about the other person’s thoughts and feelings. Observations, however, are shaped as much by the observer as by the person being observed. It is good practice never to assume to understand the other person without first asking, “Did I hear you correctly?” or “I have noticed that you appear” or “I sense you are under strain. Do you want to talk about this?” and “I’d like to hear from you about how you are feeling” are all good examples of statements that encourage communication and better understanding between people.
Best Negotiation Tips :
Generally negotiation depends on the ability, skill, technique and knowledge of negotiator. The tips of the negotiation are varies from negotiator to negotiator. Some best negotiation tips with example are given below:
- Be willing to negotiate in the first place:
Some people are too shy to talk about money. Others think it’s rude or demeaning. And in many cases they’re right. However, when it comes to doing a deal – and we all have to sometimes – being unwilling to engage in “money-talk” can be a very expensive business. There are a lot of experienced negotiators out there. If you’re buying a house or a car, or taking a new job, you can be sure you’ll have to deal with such a person. If they can see you’re timid about the whole business, many will take advantage of that fact. You also shouldn’t be shy about turning something that may not immediately appear to be a negotiation into one. If I’m buying a few expensive things from the same store, I’ll often ask them to throw something in for free or reduce the price. Just because there’s no sign saying you can do that, doesn’t mean you can’t. Often, simply by asking for something extra I’ll get a better deal
- Don’t get emotionally involved:
One big mistake many amateur negotiators make is to become too emotionally attached to winning. They shout, threaten and demand to get their way. This is all counter-productive. Most deals are only possible if both people feel they’re getting something out of it. If the person across the table feels attacked, or doesn’t like you, they probably won’t back down. Many people hate bullies, and will be more willing to walk away from a transaction if it involves one. Keep calm, patient and friendly, even if the other person starts losing their cool. Make sure you leave any pride or ego at the door. You are more likely to do well that way.
- Don’t get suckered by the “rules” trick:
When someone sends me a contract to sign, if there’s something on there I don’t like, I’ll cross it out. I’m also happy to write things I want added in if I think they should be there. Sometimes, the other party will come back to me and say “You’re not allowed to make changes to our contracts like that”. Oh really? Since I’m the one signing the thing, I’ll make any changes I want, thank you very much. There’s no law that says they’re the only one allowed to add things to a contract. If they’re not happy with my changes, let me know and we can work it out, but don’t simply tell me I don’t have permission. This highlights a common tactic used by experienced negotiators such as real estate agents, employment agents, car salespeople and the like. They know many people are sticklers about following rules. So they’ll make up official sounding pronouncements and insist that “this is the way it’s done” or “you’re not allowed to do that”. If someone starts trying to box you in by adding rules to the deal, ask them to provide proof that such rules really exist.
- Never be the first person to name a figure:
This is an expensive lesson to have to learn, but a good one. I do a lot of contract work, and one of the first questions I’m usually asked is “What’s your hourly rate?” This is a high pressure question, and I often found myself blurting out a figure that was lower than what I really wanted. These days, I’ve learned the importance of getting the other person to say a number first. Now, I respond to that question by asking “What’s the budget for this contract?” Often, I’m surprised to discover they’re offering me a better deal than I thought they were.
- Ask for more than you expect to get:
Once the other person’s given their figure, even if it’s much better than you expected, say something like “I think you’ll have to do better than that”. Don’t be arrogant or aggressive. Just say it calmly. When they enquire about your expectations, ask for more than you expect to get. Few people will walk away from a deal once it’s commenced, and you can let the other person feel as if they’re winning by lowering your “unrealistic expectations” a bit at a time.
- Just giving the impression that you’re willing to walk away can do wonders for getting a better deal. Always play the reluctant buyer or seller.
Person Centered Care – From An Institution To A Home
Recently, person-centered care in nursing homes has been receiving a great amount of attention. Organizations have developed with the sole purpose of advancing the philosophy and approaches of this model of care. More nursing homes have undergone culture change by using a person-centered approach. And, there is an increasing amount of publications written about person-centered care, person-first care, patient-centered care and resident-centered care in nursing homes. Although the philosophy behind this care model is not new, some of the specific approaches and methods used in nursing homes today are rather new and very exciting. It takes a total commitment, from the administration to floor staff, to make person-centered care work. If there has been some hesitancy in implementing this type of care in your facility, its time to get excited about the best way of delivering the most highly individualized care there is. And, yes, you can do it!
First of all, leadership must believe in the person-centered model of care. This is no easy task for some administrators and directors of nursing, who have been used to more traditional forms of care. It involves more than prettying up the facility with more home-like creature comforts. It is a philosophy of care that truly puts the resident in the center of the care process. Routines, schedules and tasks become secondary to the needs, desires and pace of the resident.
Second, leadership must get all employees on board with this type of thinking. Nursing, social services, activities, dietary, housekeeping and laundry, and therapies must be educated and shown the benefits of this kind of care in order to believe that it can and will work in their facility. Skilled nursing homes have traditionally provided institutionalized care under the old medical model that places medication passes, treatments, dinning schedules, and pre-scheduled activities before the needs of the resident. Leadership must emphasize that person-centered care essentially turns this old model of care upside down.
Third, leadership must get residents and families involved in designing, customizing and implementing person-centered care through active participation in one-on-one discussions, resident council meetings, and family focus groups. Administration and staff cannot make all the decisions that go into care without critical input from those they care for. Residents provide important information concerning care issues such as when they like to wake up in the morning and when they like to go to bed, what they like to eat and when they would like to eat, preference of a bath, shower, or some other bathing experience, preference of caregiver, and where they would like to live in the facility. Families offer details on their loved ones history, likes and dislikes, religious and spiritual preferences, past occupations and careers, and hobbies. All of this input helps staff to create a more unique and individualized resident-centered care environment and experience.
Fourth, leadership gathers all of the ideas and information they have collected from residents, families, and staff and rolls out their special version of person-centered care in their building. Their model of care may include breaking down long hospital-like hallways and corridors (which are very common in many nursing homes) into smaller neighborhoods or communities of 6 to 8 residents. They may wish to have caregivers assign themselves to each neighborhood and provide consistent assignments. They may want to provide cross-training for nursing assistants in activities and housekeeping and create a new position: the person-centered specialist. They may endorse natural waking and retiring, liberalized diets, easy access to outdoors, and spontaneous activities 24 hours a day. These are just a few ideas that facilities can include in their journey through person-centered care.
Last, all employees must feel person-centered care in their hearts. This is where real care from anyway. It can also be where true culture change comes from, turning their once traditional and institutional facility into a person-centered home where residents want to live, families want to visit and staff want to work. Employees must also understand something else very important about person-centered care: it is not an end unto itself. Instead, it is a process, a ongoing journey, and one in which mistakes will be made and processes changed in order to constantly improve not only the quality of care in nursing homes, but the quality of life itself.