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The garden tractors were invented towards the end of nineteenth century. The early one were driven be steam, engine. Just before the First World War, the diesel engine driven tractors appeared in to the scene. The tractors were immediately adopted for various farm works, such as digging, lifting the soil and putting it somewhere else. Farmers were highly benefited as this new technology helped them in reducing manual work in farms.

Selection Of Garden Tractors:

they are very beneficial for your garden. However, selection of tractor for you will depend primarily on the area you are going to cultivate or maintain with it. It would be wise to consider a small tiller with 2 to 3HP if the area is less than an acre. If the area is large, say more than 5 acres and the area has large boulders which you may want to move, you will have to go in for a large one with 15 to 20 HP machine. If you are looking for a garden tractor, for normal maintenance, then a smaller one will be ideal for you, provided the boulders are moved by an external agency.

Garden Tractor Pulling:

Garden pulling tractor is a very useful vehicle and considered to a one of the most important part of certain garden accessories. There are several factors and factor that makes a garden pulling tractor, an efficient vehicle. They are mostly cub cadet, built by International Harvester or the early MT-D models. The tractor is mostly equipped Kohler single cylinder K series or Magnum, Flat head (valves in block), cast iron engine block. These engines are packed with up to 16 horsepower (factory rated). Engine modifications include Billet cylinder head, billet connecting rod with a bearing insert, steel fly wheel, forged high performance piston, special ignition system, special stroked steel crank shaft, modified carburetor extended from engine block for improved fuel atomization, special steel camshaft, and intake and exhaust ports made larger with unrestricted intake and exhaust larger valves a long with stiffer valve springs etc. There are special clutch setup along with a stiffer pressure spring and hardened drive shaft material. There are special gears in transmission increased wheel base length, adjustable hitch etc. Up to 49 horsepower @ 7,500 rpm and 55 Ft.Ibs of torque @ 5,500 rpm on racing gasoline horse power is provided to garden tractor pulling.

One must operate garden tractors in a safe way. Most of the people work in their garden, unaided; hence, it is necessary to follow certain precautions in order to save oneself from accidents. Remember, that it may not be possible for you to contact your family members easily. So, adopt some safe practices as mentioned below all the time.

· The tractor that you are operating must be in a good working condition. Ensure that it is designed for work that you plan to do.
· Use seat belts while driving.
· It is always a better idea to walk around and see if any potential trouble exists that you are likely to encounter while going long distance on a new path.
· ‘Concentration’ is the key word. Do not get distracted while you are working on a tractor.
· Driving with extra riders on must be strictly avoided.
A garden tractor may sometime, move on its own due to gravity. Using hand brakes after stopping would be a great option to avoid this situation.

What exactly are the options for a mom to make money at home?

Unfortunately, there are scams everywhere – some you may have heard of sound too good to be true – and they usually are. Oftentimes, women lose a lot of money before they even find a legitimate opportunity, let alone one that they love.

Below, you’ll find a list of popular work from home options. They all have benefits and drawbacks. What may be great for one woman may not even be of interest to another woman.

And, of course, research thoroughly before signing any contract. Yes, there are bunches of great, legitimate possibilities out there waiting for you, but you might have to say ‘no’ to a few first before you find the perfect home business for you.

Direct Sales (MLM)
Why we love it: Where else can you get a business in a box? Seriously, the products have already been made and tested, all the marketing has been created for you, and you are set up on the road to management if you wish. You can see why Direct Sales can be a great way to make money, especially if you find a product, sponsor and company that you love!

Why it might not be for you: If the thought of sales makes you turn green from nausea, you might want to consider other options.

Internet Auctions
Why we love it: It doesn’t get much simpler than online auctions. Sell your worn clothing or used toys. Or, if you’ve got a knack for pricing, you might find some great items at a garage sale that you can turn over for a profit on online auctions.

Why it might not be for you: Is your house already too small for you and your family? If you don’t have room to store inventory, then online auctions might not be the business for you.

Start a Home Business
Why we love it: No matter what your interest is, you can start a business. Sell products or promote a service that makes life easier for other people. Whether you’re considering making crafts or becoming a massage therapist, if you’ve got the entrepreneurial spirit, then go for it!

Why it might not be for you: Starting from scratch can be a lot of work with little pay in the beginning. So, really invest a lot of time and energy into research, if you are considering this option.

Internet Marketing:
Why we love it: Low start up cost and a lot of flexibility. Internet marketing (selling products online, promoting other people’s products, or providing an online service) really is a great option for a lot of moms.

Why it might not be for you: Internet marketing has a learning curve, just like any other type of business. Anyone who’s ever had a website knows that “if you build it they will come” is not necessarily true. You have to promote, tweak, test, and learn constantly if you want to become a success in Internet Marketing. It is definitely possible and it is a great option, but don’t go into it thinking you don’t need to invest time and money in yourself and in your business. You do.

Surveys for Cash
Why we love it: Yes, there really are companies that will pay you to take surveys. In all honesty, you aren’t going to get rich taking surveys, and you’ll spend a lot of time for little money in most cases. But, if you enjoy hanging out on the computer and think it would be fun to do some surveys while you’re chatting with your friends on IM, then it isn’t a bad way to make a few extra dollars here and there. Just be sure to sign up with a free email account (like hotmail or yahoo) so you don’t get flooded with SPAM!

Why it might not be for you: If time is short or you need to make a lot of money for your family, then spend your time on something else. Surveys aren’t going to pay your bills. Also, there are some scams that charge you for a list of surveys. Be careful.

These are just a few of the many options to make money from home. Follow your heart. Start on the path today to make your dreams come true.

At some stage of your pet’s lifespan every pet owner will have to deal with the problem of fleas, ticks and mites. If left untreated they can take over your pet’s skin and coat so it is really important to keep it under control. It’s best to stop the problem before it gets out of control. Rather treat your pet for a few fleas than treat the whole house for an infestation!

There are some misconceptions about fleas. It is not something that only happens to dirty animals! In fact it is probably more common in clean animals because fleas prefer a clean coat. Coming into contact with other animals also causes exposure to the problem and can start a flea problem in your home.

Fleas, mites and ticks are parasites with a short lifespan so they reproduce quickly. Female fleas can lay up to 25 eggs a day. So you can see just how quickly the problem can get out of hand! They tend to prefer warm conditions so summer and spring are the most troublesome times for pets and owners.

The main thing is that you want to catch the problem early! This means brushing your dog often and inspecting their coat. Fleas, ticks and mites are tiny black, brown crawling creatures that can even look like dirt. It may help for you to examine the fur under their ears and arms/legs. Fleas like warm places. You can also sea flea egg sacks and flea droppings in their fur if you look closely. If you still cannot see the fleas try combing your dog on a bright surface, something like a piece of paper should work well.

This is a problem that needs to be treated right away. Instead of heading for the pet store to buy expensive over-the-counter treatments, sprays or dips you should rather seek professional help right away. It will save you time. Your vet should have some pamphlets or handouts about flea control. Some vets even prescribe oral treatments if the problem is out severe.

If you choose to shop for the products yourself you will need to read the labels carefully to check that you are not inadvertently poisoning your pet! Never allow your pet to ingest any of the products you use; they are highly poisonous. It’s also important to protect their eyes from these harsh chemicals. There is a lot of disagreement about whether or not flea collars work. They tend to kill fleas in a localized area around the collar.

It is important to treat your home for fleas as well. Fleas can survive in almost anything in your home-furniture, rugs and bedding. Any flea treatments will be pointless if the flea’s eggs or fleas themselves remain in your living space.

To clean your home properly you will need to sanitize and clean the areas where the pet sleeps. Depending on the severity of the problem you may need to throw away blankets that have become infested with eggs. Often – just washing the affected bedding in hot water and some flea shampoo should do the trick. Rather safe than sorry though – if in doubt toss the bedding. Having to have your home fumigated will cost a lot more!

Fleas can become a nightmare for any pet owner. Rather stop the problem early – check your pet everyday for fleas and regularly use a preventative product approved by your vet.

Copyright 2006 Stacey Zimmerman

With all of the weight loss programs and fad diets popping up almost every day. I would like to introduce you to a new common sense concept that can drastically improve your health & well being and as a terrific side-effect, help you quickly lose weight naturally and healthy.
 
How Natural & Organic Body Cleansing Works.
 
It works by cleansing your body naturally of harmful toxins that are stored in your fat cells like preservatives, pesticides, herbicides, steroids, antibiotics, chemicals and many other harmful things just to name a few that we inadvertently put into our bodies on a daily basis through the food we eat, air we breathe, water we drink etc. When your body is toxic it is much harder for it to metabolize food & function efficiently and at peak performance. Because of this it makes it more difficult for your body to lose weight.
 
The program consists of drinking lots of fresh spring water and flushing your body, eating proportionate, sensible, well balanced meals, and replenishing and restoring your body with super high quality natural and organic minerals, herbs, vitamins and essential oils derived from some of the best organic plants, herbs, roots, vegetables, etc. that this world has to offer. When you do this your body starts running like the miracle machine that it is.
 
What Are Some Of The Health Benefits Of Cleansing Your Body?
 
· Deeper & much more restorative sleep
· Greatly increased energy & stamina levels
· Dramatically clearer thought, mental focus & alertness
· Increased & much more efficient immune system
· Much faster recovery and healing time from illness, wounds, etc
· And these are just a few of the benefits!
 
Here’s What Some Health Professionals Are Saying About Body Cleansing
 
· “Body cleansing can help improve our mental and physical health, as well as have big effects on our emotional wellbeing. Isagenix is enriching lives with good health. I am excited about the results, as my patients are healthier and losing weight safely and fast”
Tom McNeilis, M.D.
 
· “Isagenix body cleansing nutritional technology has improved more lives in the past two years than I’ve seen in my medical practice for 12 years. My conviction is that everyone, regardless of age and health status, can benefit from this incredible technology”
Becky Natrajan, M.D.
 
· “The Isagenix body cleansing system has proven to be the most valued program that I’ve added to my medical practice.”
Dennis Harper, D.O.
 
· “By adding the [Isagenix] 9 Day Program to our “turnaround regime,” [my] clients achieve immediate results—and by staying on the products… they get long-lasting benefits of optimal health.”
Jay Williams, Ph.D. – Author of The 24-Hour Turnaround

·  “Isagenix body cleansing products are the key to living a longer, healthier life.”
Cynthia Watson, M.D.

You owe it to yourself to learn more about this exciting and new common sense approach to healthy weight loss. If you are tired of all the bologna flying around these days on weight loss and diets and have tried many things without much or any success, I invite you to visit my website for more information on this awesome concept that is literally transforming thousands of lives. I wish you all the best of success and health in your life.
 
Sincerely,
Stace Zimmerman

Creating good business requirements will go a long way towards ensuring the success of the project and eliminate design and development risks that result from poor business requirements documentation. Here are the Top 10 Tips for Writing Good Business Requirements:

1. Develop a clear understanding of the problems that the proposed software is being designed to solve. This will ensure that the subsequent business requirements document addresses those problems fully.

2. Identify all project stakeholders and involve them in the business requirements gathering process from the start. Work to build trust and establish credibility early on so you can maintain stakeholder support throughout the project. Learn the individual personality traits of each stakeholder in order to be able to better manage them during the requirements phase of the project.

3. Clearly document all business data including workflow, current problems, anticipated risks, and required performance metrics. Use project-approved tools and methodologies to ensure that the documentation conforms to the client’s requirements.

4. Use approved templates for all documentation. Ensure that terms used throughout all documentation either exist in the project dictionary or are added as required. No one reading the business requirements document should encounter unfamiliar terms that cannot be quickly resolved by reviewing the project dictionary.

5. Identify potential privacy and security issues early on so these problems can be mitigated to a level which satisfies the stakeholders that these risks have been managed properly. This helps to build trust and ensures that stakeholders remain committed to the project.

6. Make a concerted effort to identify and document all risks, the impact of these risks on the project’s costs and timetable. This will avoid unexpected project delays as well as help control runaway costs.

7. Conduct both group and one-on-one meetings to insure that all business requirements, risks and concerns are identified.

8. Present a draft of the business requirements document to key stakeholders for preliminary review and tentative approval. This helps to ensure that the final business requirements document will be more easily accepted by all stakeholders when it is presented.

9. Rewrite the draft business requirements document to address any issues discovered during step #8. This may requires repeating the stakeholder meeting process until you are sure that all issues have been identified and documented.

10. Present the completed business requirements document to all stakeholders in a formal meeting. Take notes in order to maintain the collective project memory and be ready to address any issues or concerns which may be raised.

The first thing you want to know is what you want to buy BEFORE you ever go out shopping! Let me make this very clear. Car dealer’s jobs are to sell you a car on your very first visit. A salesman/woman and their sales manager believe that if you walk into their dealership and do not leave with a car, you will never come back again. They are going to hammer on you until they either A) Make you mad and you get up and leave or B) Sell you a car. It’s the nature of the beast. Know it and accept it ahead of time.

What do you want to buy? Where can you get unbiased information on the auto? http://www.kbb.com and http://www.nadaguides will fetch you cost, warranty repairs, recalls,rebates and information on problems and tons of other related info beforehand.

Limit your shopping to three models. Keep it simple. Those will be the ones that you will shop for. More than three models is too time consuming and complicates your car-buying experience. Keep it simple.

Can you afford the car? You may think you can afford the car, but the bank may think otherwise! I have seen this so many times in my career.

Let me explain automobile economics 101: Take your gross monthly income (what you make per month BEFORE Uncle Sam taxes you) and remember, this income needs to be verifiable with provable-tax returns, check stubs
with taxes taken out or a W-2. If you are self-employed, you will need two years of tax returns with Schedule C’s. The schedule C is the income that you actually paid taxes on. Being self-employed can be
tough. You may need to combine a spouse’s income if you are self-employed.

Now with your gross monthly income figured out, tally up what all of your debts are that you have going out each month. Include everything…it’s listed on your credit bureau’s.

Example: Car note=$450.00 + House note= $560.00 + Credit card debt= $425.00 + Boat note= $310.00 + Charge-offs=$1200.00 (yes, charge-offs; these are
bills that you never paid and they were written off). Add all of your debts up. With just your obvious debts (including the charge-offs), you have $1805.00 per month going out. I arrived at that figure by adding
up all the monthly notes and taking 5% of the charge-offs. 5% of $1200.00 = $60.00.

We’re not through, though. Now we have to figure in
your cost of living=utilities. Each lender has their own algorithm for utilities but a good range to estimate would be to add $300.00. Now we have a total outgo of $2105.00. Next, add your car insurance payment. For this example, let’s use $100.00 per month. This is what you have to have to pay your current bills before you take on any other debt.

Almost all lenders will not allow your new car note to exceed 20% of your gross monthly income. For our example, let’s assume that your gross income is $5300.00 per month. To make it easy, take $2205.00 and double it. That would be $4410.00. That would leave you with disposable income of $990.00.

What the lender is looking at here is referred to as ‘debt-to-income’.They want to know if you have more going out than you can handle. This is strictly a case of numbers and provable numbers.

If your gross income was $4500.00 and you had $2105.00 in debts each month, you need to be prepared for one of two things; (1)add your spouse’s income and your spouse to the deal or (2)trade in the other open auto. If your debt-to-income is running too close to 50%, you’re
going to have a hard time getting a loan for anything. Make sense? The way the bank looks at it is like this: you can’t afford both cars so they assume that you are going to let the other (older) car go back to the lender=repossession. That’s their take. Debt-to-income is a HUGE deal.

In this case, your disposable leftover income is $990.00. 20% of your gross ($5300.00) would be $1060.00. Whoa! Let me be the first to inform you that you are NOT getting a car payment of $1060.00! Why? Well, you only have $990.00 left over for starters. Let’s be realistic here.

Most lenders will slice that in half which will equal $495.00. Your payment call should be around that figure, give or take a few dollars.

How expensive of a car can you buy on a $495.00 payment? Good question and one that you absolutely need to know so that you can pick out the correct car. One answer depends on the term of the loan. You can
finance for 36, 48, 60 or 72 months, as a for-instance. That equates to 3 years, 4 years, 5 years and 6 years.

I will tell you this: the worst thing you can do is extend the note out the longest amount of time in
order to get the payment where you can afford it. That creates a syndrome that now affects over 75% of car owners called being “Upside Down.” It means that you owe more on your car than it’s worth. It also means that you need more money down when you go to trade it in. The only way around that is a lot of money down or a short-term loan. If you will buy what you can afford and finance for the shortest term possible, you will be in a much better position to trade sooner.

You can again do a Google search for a ‘car loan calculator’. You will then punch in the loan amount you want to borrow, the term (48,60, etc.) and the interest rate. If you have not gotten approved already and know
what your interest rate is, you will have to guesstimate.

Here’s a rule of thumb for you-it’s not an exact science without knowing your credit, but it is a guide you can follow to get you close.

Let’s base the rate on your beacon score: that’s what the lenders are going to look at.

If your beacon (credit score) is in the 400 or lower range, you will need to figure your interest rate on a new car at 21% (state maximums differ-it could be 18%). If you are looking at a used car, figure on 33%.

If your beacon score is in the low 500 range, figure your new car loan as you would for the above-mentioned 400 beacon.

If your beacon score is in the mid to high 500-range, figure a new car at 18% and a used car at 27%.

If you have a beacon of 600 to 649, figure a new car
at 16% and a used car at 20%.

If you have a beacon score of 650 to 699, figure a new car rate at 12% and a used car rate at 16%. I may be
hitting too high on a few of these, but I live in a state that has the highest rates in the nation. Better safe than sorry.

With the car loan calculator, you will basically be backing into the payment. Punch in an amount that you believe you will be financing and then adjust to get it to the payment of $495.00.

In my next article, I will take you by the hand and personally walk you through the steps to get pre-approved online and get the check, negotiating, how to narrow down your three cars in a hurry, what NOT to
say or do at the dealership, what to demand before you sign and what to expect once you go into the finance office to sign.

Copyright 2006 Sharon Housley

Delicious is a social bookmarking system, that is notable, not only for its unusual web address http://del.icio.us, but for its unusual approach to content building that is becoming increasingly popular. In order to ease the burden of producing consistent stream of fresh content, publishers are turning to users to build, categorize and qualify content. While this is said to be part of the web 2.0 phenomenon, publishers realize the value of collaboration.

Social bookmarking allows users to qualify content. With Delicious, each “bookmark” of a specific webpage is seen as a vote of confidence. The more people who bookmark a specific webpage, the more credible the webpage is viewed.

In addition to bookmarking a webpage, users “tag” the webpage. The tags are simply single word keywords that relate to the contents of the webpage. The tagging associates keywords with the webpage’s content, making it easier to categorize and classify the content of the webpage. If everyone bookmarking a page uses similar keyword tags, the webpage will be classified as a credible resource in a specific category.

As a webpage receives more and more bookmarks from different Delicious users, the listing for the webpage becomes more prominent in the Delicious listings. Delicious users can bookmark and tag multiple pages within a website. Content can be tagged with multiple terms. As more users tag the content, it becomes easier to find similar topics.

How to Use Delicious:

1. Create a Delicious Account

In order to create a Delicious account, you will need to provide a valid e-mail address, login name and password.

2. Verify an Account

An e-mail will be sent to the e-mail address provided when the Delicious account was created. You will need to click the link in the e-mail in order to fully activate the Delicious account.

3. Login

Login in to the Delicious account in order to begin bookmarking and tagging content.

4. Post URL

Enter the URL of a webpage or website that you find to be particularly valuable or useful.

5. Describe & Tag

Enter a descriptive page title and description that relates to the contents of the bookmarked webpage. In the final field enter single word keywords that relate to the webpages content, these will be the “tags”.

Why Use Delicious?

Delicious can be used by professionals to share industry resources that are particularly useful. Delicious users store their favorite websites or resources online and other users can easily access bookmarks. Often websurfers will use Delicious to find resources that they consider to be relevant and qualified.

Delicious also takes advantage of RSS. RSS feeds can be used to syndicate user bookmarks or to aggregate content with the same tags. Generating RSS feeds allows users to syndicate bookmarks or to aggregate content that contains related tags. Users can also syndicate bookmarks that are created by other users using RSS feeds.

Bookmarks

Many users generate bookmarks that are all related as in this case of bookmarks all related to RSS: http://del.icio.us/rssfeeds or the RSS feed of the same bookmarks at: http://del.icio.us/rss/rssfeeds

Other user bookmarks don’t encompass a single theme as is the case with the following: http://del.icio.us/oreck or the RSS feed of the same bookmarks at: http://del.icio.us/rss/oreck

As publishers struggle to create unique content, they are turning towards web surfers to qualify and categorize content. As a result social-bookmarking is becoming more prevalent as users weigh-in.

Copyright 2006 Angie Hewerdine

It’s 10 am. Your morning is getting away from you. You’ve got to get on the phone and start prospecting. You know this…yet you’ve been busy all morning emptying the trash, washing dishes, tidying up around the house…you know…the important things. With each chore, the battle between you and the 1000 lb phone wages in your head. You know you need to…you know you want to…but you just don’t pick up that phone. Why?

It’s fear, plain and simple. It’s the fear of being rejected and of ultimately failing. This fear is not based in reality. These fears are embedded in our brains from influences stemming back into our childhood. We didn’t put them there, but we did internalize them and at some point come to believe them. These fears not only prevent us from moving forward, they rob us of our peace of mind and may even cause physical deterioration. It’s imperative that we get these feelings in check.

You can banish this fear of prospecting by taking steps to move yourself forward. Each time you do this, the fear will be replaced by success, and will eventually be totally eliminated because you will be building upon new feelings of pride and perseverance. You will create a new reality for yourself. Here are a few things that you can do to mentally and physically motivate yourself to move forward an conquer your fear of picking up that phone.

Take care of all distractions before you sit down. Make sure that the kids are happy and the dog has been let out. Pour yourself a fresh cup of coffee. Don’t make excuses about all of the things you need to do, just do what absolutely has to be finished before you can begin calling. The laundry can wait. The dishes can wait. Checking your email can wait.

Visualize success on the phone. See yourself as confident, a leader in your field who is infusing every call with integrity. Imagine yourself in a flowing conversation, involved in a friendly rapport with your prospect. Hear the conversation exactly as you would want it to go.

What’s the worst that could happen, really? They don’t like your business opportunity or product. Okay. They hang up midway through your presentation. No problem. How many ways can a person blow you off? How many ways can they decline your offer? Imagine a few of them…the hang up, the hesitant lead, the downright rude person who you wouldn’t want to join your organization anyway. Imagine yourself moving on with grace and tolerance, letting those people who snub you have their opinions without it reflecting on you or your attitude in any way whatsoever. If you believe in your business, these scenarios mean nothing to you. If someone is not ready for what you have to offer, let them go. You are looking for Aces, not Jokers.

No amount of mental preparation will move you forward if it is not immediately followed by action. The single most important step you can take is just picking up the phone and dialing the number. Conquer your fear. Take action immediately with no hesitation. You’ll find that after you have called a few people, you begin to relax and even make a game out of it. It’s like working out. Once you get to the gym, it’s easy and relatively fun. It’s getting in your car and driving there that’s the hard part. Same thing here. Once you get going, your fine. But first you have to lift that 1000 lb telephone as if it weighs an ounce. Reach for that receiver with a smile on your face and a song in your voice.

And finally, be sure to mentally congratulate yourself after each number that you dial, at least in the beginning. Remember that no matter how a call turns out, whether or not it results in a sale, each and every call is a success. It is a success because with every number that you dial…with every person you speak to, you are moving closer and closer to your goal. Each ‘no’ gets you closer to the next ‘yes’. Come from a place of integrity and pick up that phone.

Copyright 2006 Business Systems Manager

Very few businesses can claim to be prepared for the loss of key staff. Quite often it is an unexpected and unplanned for event that causes quite a bit of disruption to business as usual.

It is quite a gut wrenching experience to see someone you have worked with over a period of time leaving your business. Even if the parting of ways is on good terms with a period of handover, you just know that there is so much information walking out the door with your former employee and there is nothing you can do about it.

And this is only just the beginning…

While labouring through a period of being understaffed and overworked you are then faced with the task of recruiting a new employee to fill the vacant position. This is followed by the inevitable probation and training period where, hopefully the new recruit comes up to speed and is able to pick up where the former employee left off.

The problem is: What exactly was it that the former employee really did? They always seemed to be busy and on the rare occasion that they were absent due to illness, there were those problems that arose that were only truly resolved when they returned and took control and ‘cleaned things up’.

There has to be a better way…

Fortunately quite a bit can be done to minimize the impact of situations like this in our businesses. And like most truly worthwhile solutions the steps required to complete this part of your businesses development do take some effort on your part.

There is an established path that you can follow to get your business in order and the benefits to you and your people are much farther reaching than just minimizing the impact of key staff leaving you.

The following is by no means a definitive list of what is required. But it does give you some idea of the steps required.

- Create a flexible forward thinking Organization Chart defining the positions you require in your business.
- Determine what the responsibilities are for the positions in your business.
- Document key information that is critical to your business and make it available to your employees.
- Work with your people to define what it is they do, how they do it and most importantly how it could be done better. Record, optimize then implement the business systems you have identified.
- Assign the business systems to the relevant positions and monitor their use.

By consistently following these steps for all positions in your business you will insulate yourself from some of the problems that occur when key employees leave your business.

Arthritis, any of more than 100 different diseases causing pain, stiffness, and in most cases, swelling in the joints.Arthritis affects people of both sexes and of all races, socioeconomic levels, and geographic areas.Osteoarthritis is the most common type of knee arthritis.

Also called wear-and-tear arthritis or degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive wearing away of the cartilage of the joint. As the protective cartilage is worn away by knee arthritis, bare bone is exposed within the joint.

Knee arthritis symptoms tend to progress as the condition worsens. What is interesting about knee arthritis is that symptoms do not always progress steadily with time. Often patients report good months and bad months or symptom changes with weather changes.

This is important to understand because comparing the symptoms of arthritis on one particular day may not accurately represent the overall progression of the condition.The most common symptoms of knee arthritis are:pain with activities, limited range of motion, stiffness of the knee, swelling of the joint, tenderness along the joint, a feeling the joint may “give out”, deformity of the joint (knock-knees or bow-legs).

Rheumatologists, physicians who diagnose and treat arthritis and related conditions, use a variety of diagnostic techniques. The first step is a thorough history and physical examination, during which the doctor questions the patient about symptoms and medical history to learn about potential exposure to infectious agents or a family history of arthritis.

The patient is examined to determine the pattern of joints affected. With this information, rheumatologists are usually able to make a diagnosis. Laboratory tests are used to help diagnose inflammatory arthritis.

For example, a blood test called erythrocyte sedimentation rate measures how quickly red blood cells cling together and fall to the bottom of a test tube. When there is inflammation in the body, red blood cells sink faster.

This test lets physicians evaluate how severe the inflammation is. Rheumatologists also test a patient’s blood or synovial fluid for the presence of specific antibodies—disease-fighting agents activated in the body by infections.

The presence of rheumatoid factor antibodies, for example, is an indication of rheumatoid arthritis, and antinuclear antibodies can be an indication of lupus. The presence of these antibodies along with clinical symptoms help establish the diagnosis. Physicians may also elect to test for the presence of specific genes, such as the HLA-B27 gene.

The primary goal of treatment is to reduce joint pain and inflammation and to maximize joint mobility. To this end, rheumatologists work closely with patients and their families to develop a treatment regimen incorporating exercise and rest as well as pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs, and in some types of arthritis, drugs that slow the progress of the disease.

Low impact, regular exercise is very important in maintaining muscle strength and joint mobility. One of the best forms of exercise for people with arthritis is swimming, an activity that lets participants use muscles with minimal joint strain.

Arthritis sufferers benefit from physical therapy programs specially tailored to their age level and degree of mobility. Stretching and hot showers before exercise and applying ice packs to muscles and joints after exercise minimize discomfort related to exercise.

Rest is another crucial element of arthritis treatment. In addition to recommending at least eight hours of sleep a night, rheumatologists may also advise patients to use a cane, splint, sling, or special footwear to rest or stabilize affected joints periodically during the day.

Almost all drugs used to treat arthritis can have side effects and may not work for all patients with arthritis. Researchers are investigating alternatives to traditional drug therapy and other treatment approaches.

If joint damage is severe, patients with arthritis may need to have surgical treatment. Total hip and total knee replacements can significantly relieve pain and improve joint function. In some cases, surgeons replace damaged or deteriorating joints with artificial stainless steel or plastic components in a procedure called arthroplasty.