I have just uploaded another hot-off-the-presses article at EzineArticles.com. This article is in celebration of the upcoming April Weird & Wacky Holiday, Teflon Day. In it I share some simple ideas to make your business as easy as Teflon. Come on over for an informative read and share it with your fans. Better yet, sign up for the RSS Feed and grow your business savvy with Ginger Marks’ sage advice filled articles.
Filed under business, skills, technology
You can now get instant access to 1000s of downloadable self-help gifts at NO COST to yourself.
Yep, you heard me right…for FREE!
All you have to do is go here: http://selfimprovementgifts7.com/go/1564
So, if you have found yourself going round in circles time and time again just trying to improve things in your life, but find yourself getting nowhere fast, then I’m pleased to tell you that it is now easily within your reach to change things during 2013.
HOWEVER, just like anything in life there is a downside here – BUT don’t panic because if you act fast you won’t miss out.
The Self-Improvement Gifts Giveaway 7 hosted by Stephanie Mulac, Carolyn Hansen and Dr. Joe Rubino will only be open for a VERY LIMITED TIME… only a few weeks in fact!
So if you are serious about making 2013 the BEST year ever, then you need to jump on board as soon as the event opens on the 3rd of January.
Don’t delay because the doors close for good a few weeks later.
Here’s just a small sample of the 100s of gifts that are available for you to download instantly once the event goes live:
If you are ready to start the year off right, which I’m sure you are, and tackle EVERYTHING that is holding you back from moving forward in life, or if you just want to change things because you are looking for a sense of inner peace, then you need to go here RIGHT NOW:
http://selfimprovementgifts7.com/go/1564
You know, this is the 7th Self-Improvement Gifts Giveaway event and each year it just gets BIGGER and BETTER!
This REALLY is the largest collection of POWERFUL self help and personal growth gifts you will find on the Internet EVER!
Before you go I just have one question for you…
Now that you know about this potentially life changing giveaway, are you going to make the most of the opportunity, or are you going to sit back and let 2013 be a repeat of 2012?
The choice is yours, but I know what I’m going to do and that is FIGHT BACK and live life the way I want to….Are you with me?
Hope to see you there 🙂
Are you an entrepreneur who has been trying to do it all yourself to save yourself a little money? In today’s tough economy most of us feel like we are in the same boat. There’s just not enough time or money to get everything done. If that is not a problem for you, perhaps it is that you just don’t know how to do something that is critical to your ongoing success.
Are you a hands on entrepreneur? Do you attempt to learn every new technique that comes out? Maybe your issue is Search Engine Optimization (SEO) or even knowing where to start putting together a website at all. Whatever your dilemma, at some point you either have or will begin to feel like you needed some direction or help. Are you taking too much time away from your ‘first love’ and not gaining ground. If so, take a step back and evaluate where you have come from and where you want to go.
So, how do you know when it is time to consider outsourcing? Outsource when you:
There are definitely people out there that can ease your burden who have a whole lot of expertise in numerous studies. Perhaps you hate doing the tedious chores necessary to make your business thrive. Or could it be marketing as a whole that you deplore? Your time is better spent doing your key task of your business. When you are forced to do things you don’t enjoy you won’t do them well. Alternatively, when you have to learn something else that isn’t your main focus, you loose valuable time growing your business.
Let’s look at these reasons through the eyes of, say, a candle representative.
You are trying to learn how to design a graphic or create a video to add to your website but you just can’t get it together? After all, you sell candles. You love doing those house parties. But you have no clue where to begin or how to use the graphics or video editing software. Halfway through the project you begin to realize you can’t get things to work as easily as the ad said you could. You begin to get frustrated to the point you are ready to quit altogether. You know that your business could benefit if you could just get it done. Hire a videographer or graphic designer. They can most likely do the task efficiently and beautifully in less than half the time it took you to decide to seek help.
Did you see all the reasons that our candle rep would consider it time to outsource?
There graphic design, videographers, coaches and experts in SEO, marketing, blogging, and speaking, and there are also virtual assistants (Vas) that are eager and willing to help you. If you don’t know where to begin, ask a friend or trusted colleague if they know somebody that they would or are using.
Learning to delegate is part of the process of growing your business. A word of advice, don’t micromanage. Delegate and let them do their job. They know what it takes to get it done and your input, past the original delegation and instruction, will frustrate you and them. Even worse, it could make the end result your quality instead of a professional’s work.
***
Ginger Marks is the founder of DocUmeant, a family of Publishing and Design companies. For more information, visit DocUmeant Designs and DocUmeant Publishing Mrs. Marks has recently released her third edition of Presentational Skills for the Next Generation; and her third annual eBook edition of her Weird & Wacky Holiday Marketing Guide is also available through her website. She also offers insight into marketing solutions through her ezine, Words of Wisdom, available through her websites.
Filed under business, networking, personal development, skills, wisdom
Time has slipped by and I just don’t seem ever to be able to get around to posting my Swiss journal notes. So, maybe I should just go back to keeping you up to date on the happenings in the Marks household.
2011 is almost here and I am feverishly working on the Amazon launch of my third edition Weird & Wacky Holiday Marketing Guide. Currently I am seeking those who would be willing to help by donating and promoting the launch. If you are interested just let me know. I would be happy to welcome your support.
Happy Holidays to you and yours,
Ginger
Filed under Uncategorized
17 Aug 08, Sunday
This farm is wonderful. Silvia, Alfred, and company have been a joy to fellowship with each day. Instead of requiring our every energy, they are grateful for our help. They have three cats, one of which has recently given birth to three. The kittens are two red and one red, black & white. The 
two red are both males. There is a habit of calling red cats Ginger, and of course they hav e one red aptly named.
Yesterday we met Alfred, Sr. and although he doesn’t speak English he invited Philip and me to attend Sunday service with him. Yesterday Philip and he rode bikes to his late wife’s gravesite, near the church to place flowers. So, Philip, at least, had some idea where we were going.
After a quick breakfast, we rode in Alfred Sr’s car to his church. The Kappel (church) was grand in European style, however, cold. We were blessed by the music of an alpine choir of yodelers as well as a baptism of a little girl a mere few months old named Jessica.
After service we went on a carriage ride with Silvia and Alfred’s daughter, Regina’s boyfriend, while he trained a young woman to drive horses. It was a long, cool, bumpy ride through the countryside and wood. We bounced over the stone path a a gallop at one time with the cold breeze stinging our faces. Nevertheless, it was a wonderfully exhilerating adventure.
Tonight is the last night of the Zurich film fest. Because Silvia and Alfred’s son is the sound engineer for the production, he has secured five seats for us near the lake. I understand they do this once each year in August for two-weeks. Tonight’s movie is to be a comedy. Silvia tells me the screen will be on top of the lake and at the start will raise over the water into position for the showing. That in itself should be pretty spectacular. The movie title is Son of Rambow.
—
What a fun and funny movie! Son of Rambow! It was cold on the lake, but we totally enjoyed the movie. Even in the cold they gave every attender a choice of ice cream, bar or dish. We sat in bleachers near the production booth. Watching the screen come up over the water and then sitting and seeing the movie was an experience I’ll never forget!
Filed under organic farming, Switzerland, travel, WWOOF
15 Aug 08
We are now settled into our third and final farm. But before I go further I have to tell you about the last two or rather one and a-half days.
Xarah and I instantly recognized each other. It was like old familar friends meeting after a long absence. We had lunch next to the shop we met and then went on to tour the old-town area of Zürich.
Later in the day after shopping on the main shopping area, which I refused to pay ‘Rodeo Drive’ prices, we stopped for a quick drink. We waited for then minutes and after no service ended up at a trendy spot. We sat there for what seemed like an eternity as well and finally a new couple came to the table next to us. The waiter went to them instead of us, so Xarah asked them, in German, to order for us. We all had a laugh, but the waiter got the message.
After our order was taken we again waited another eternity. I am not joking; the couple next to us, when the waiter finally DID return, put in another order immediately!
Then Xarah and I walked along the Limat River and then back and down the Zürichsee. All along the promenade were only foreigners. We had an idea to take a bite for supper on the lake boat, but it was a four-hour, sunset cruise, so we decided that would have to wait for another visit. Instead we stopped at an Italian eatry and had pizza while Xarah had gnoche, small potato balls in sauce. Of course, then we had to go on for dessert and so back to the Limat River we stopped for coffee and chocolate mousse.
Xarah rode the tram with me back to the Maur depot. We said our farewells with the customary three-cheek kiss and off I headed for Maur and Philip.
When I got back Joseph was just turning off the lights and locking up. It wasn’t even dark yet! Thank goodness I wasn’t a second later!!
Philip was still in bed, but not asleep. I gave him some cold medicine that he refused to take, because he couldn’t find any information about it, nor could he read the package. The next morning I took the box, typed into my translator, online, and told him what the box said. It was only then that he finally agreed to take the medicine that the pharmacist had suggested I buy for him. Of course, he then started feeling better and was ready for a trip to Zürich himself. 😉
Since he was set on going and didn’t feel 100%, I went with him. We spent Thursday in Zürich as well. Philip took me to the hotel he stayed at on his previous trip and had a short conversation with the manager who offered to have the other young woman, clerk, show us the changes that had been made since Philip’s last visit, twenty years ago. Of course, that was not neccessary so we didn’t take him up on his offer.
Before we left the man gave Philip a card and told him to contact him if ever he had a need, even to bail him out of jail. We all laughed about that.
Then Philip and I went down the other side of the Lamat River to a COOP (Cope) to pick up a bite to eat. This was the trendy, artist side of the river. After we ate we headed back to Maur and a good night’s rist before hading out for Hauptikon.
Hauptikon is such a small Village that the train station in Zürich didn’t even have bus ticket to it for us. However, we did finally get on the right bus. I would like to say the trip went smoothly, but we missed our stop, so the bus driver took us on the return trip and we got off at the right stop the second time around. Alfred was waiting for us with umbrella in hand as it was raining here as well as all the whole trip.
This is a real farm, two pigs, twelve chickens, two horses, a bunch of cows and a garden too. Silvia and Alfred are both retired teachers. What a niche atmosphere they provide. They have three kittens, two red, that they call “Ginger”, and one black, gray and white. One of the ginger colored wil find a home in Zürich with a small child on Sunday.
Watching kittens can be very entertaining. So far, I have been helping in the kitchen and Philip helped by bringing seven cows back to the barn for the night and milking. (Not by hand.)
The computer connection isn’t working, so I can’t get online yet. Hopefully, tomorrow Silvia’s daughter’s boyfriend will be able to get it working.
Filed under organic farming, Switzerland, travel, WWOOF
Wed. 13 Aug 08
Life here is very relaxed. Even so, we are continuing to find things that need doing. I have been picking berries, canning and baking, while Philip continues to prepare the ground for planting and trimming (pruning) the grapevines. Yesterday was a rain day so we were stuck inside most of the day. However, I was able to grab some apples and make applesauce with them in the afternoon.
The laundry is done and it seems like one load takes forever in the tumble washer. This is a very modern version to give you an idea. Then, because there isn’t a dryer, and it is raining the close must be hung inside to dry.
Philip came down with a cold and so yesterday’s rain day allowed him to rest, which he badly needed. I tried to get him some cold medicine at the only shop in town. I went over and asked them for kolt medicine and they had no idea what I was asking, so I just sneezed. Seems that is the universal language for colds. 😀 Sadly, they didn’t have any that Philip would take so I passed.
In about an hour I will leave on the bus to visit and dine with Xarah, one of my online friends. Larissa, from Germany, won’t be able to join us until near the end of our tour.
Zug is approximately the same distance to Zurich as Maur so it should work out nicely near the end for Larissa to join us.
Filed under life, organic farming, Switzerland, travel, WWOOF
Sunday, 10 August 2008
No church to go to today. Philip was able to call Hans-Peter and we will be visiting them in Stäfa tonight. Yesterday was a touring day. Our host left for the film festival in Lugano and so we were left to our own plans. As the two day Zürich Street Parade is this weekend we wanted to avoid Zürich altogether. We decided instead to go to Rapperswill. It turned out to be a superb choice, with but one challenge. The bus vack we had to take only connected to Zürich–more on that later.
Rapperswill port, Switzerland
Rapperswill is a gort town near the southwest section of Lake Zürich. We tourned the “old town” area and saw the rose garden. We lunched at a Migros counter and had a really good sandwich they call a pizza sandwich. It was nothing like pizza, but instead had a soft semi-round bread with warm cheese and other ingredients. Mine was ham and tomato and Philip had just motzarella cheese. Both were quite yummy.
Just around the corner from the station is a marina and temperature display. The ferry was in and so after I checked with the crew to be sure our “Alla Zones” pass would be accepted, we decided to take the boat back. We actually took it three-quarters of the way around the lake because the 17th annual Zürich madhouse was in full swing when we reached Zürich. However, we ended up back in the Zürich depot in order to connect to Maur.
Zurich Street Parade 2008
What a madhouse! It was wall-to-wall weirdos! I am not kidding, young people dressed up in costumes with feathers and body parts clearly visible, that were better left hidden. 😉 I was glad to be on the bus back to Maur and safe and sound on the farm.
Mostly I have been cooking, picking berries and canning applesauce. The first batch was so well accepted that Reinhart Lüeder, our host, took a jar with him on his weekend jaunt.
Filed under life, organic farming, Switzerland, travel, WWOOF
This morning Philip & I went for a photo tour walk of the village of Krinau, where we are staying. We ended it with breakfast in the village’s only restaruant. We ordered tea and coffee and followed up with bread and jam. When the order cam it was more food than you could imagine! They served bread, jam, butter, several wonderful cheeses, sliced swiss cheese and ham, and orange juice. With our tummies filled and our appetite quenched we headed back to the farm.
All was quiet, when we arrived and we put the laundry on the line and another load in the washer before any sign of activity was seen. Now the sun is shining over the tree covered hills and a light breeze is whistling through them. This is truly God’s most beautiful country.
Aug. 5, 2008
Reinhart's Place
We arrived in Maur on Monday. The trip was uneventful. When we were heading out the door at Lisbeth Vogle’s house, Philip got an email from our next host, Reinhart, telling us that he was still in Tacino and wouldn’t arrive back until five or six in the evening. Nevertheless, arrangements had been made, so we embared on our journey.
Upon arrival we were met by a fine Argentinian young man, Isaias. He let us in and we settled down after three trips to the one local grocery. How funny though, that we travel all the way to Switzerland to meet someone and converse in Spanish! As neither Philip or I had used it in over 30 years, it was a little difficult, but we managed, nonetheless.
It turned out that he and his wife of four years, Cintia, were both dancers. He was unemployed because he wasn’t gay! However, his wife dances with the Zurich Ballet Company. She was photographed dancing for an advertisement piece and in the news. The ad is hung on the wall of Reinharts ecclectic dining room. It turned out that this was their last night at Reinhart’s before moving to a flat in Zurich.
For supper I made spaghetti bolenaise – with meat- and served the most flavorful ice cream you could imagine for dessert. Reinhart finally arrived home, about eight 0’clock. Philip and Reinhart had a good conversation that concluded with our instructions for the following day, they were to pick blackberries, which we did first thing in the morning.This task took all of about ten minutes, almost filling one bowl. How very different from Lisbeth’s.
About noonish we left for Neidlebad to visit with Rober & Hanna at their nuring facility. robert met us at the train & drove us to his nearby town and work. He gave us a wonderful tour of all the facilities, as well as, allowing us to see two bibles – one in the chapel translated by Martin Luther and copied in DMCCXX, and another from a very secret room, also translated by Martin Luther and commissioned by the then King, I believe, King William III. I can’t tell you what a privelage and honor that was to actually touch as well as see such a wonderful, beautiful, and precious piece of history.
Hanna was herself, the perfect hostess. She served us coffee and a homemade tart of 1/2 prunes and 1/2 apples from the grounds of the nursing home. Then Robert took us to meet with three gentlemen that work there with him. One young man is into computers and helped us find our schedule to return to Maur, and the other was an event coordinator, Jorge, who happened to be a tretired bio technologist in plant chemistry. He offered to help us by giving us the names of some compnaies, or groups, that assist, small to mid-size farmers with subsidies and such.
Then, after a quick bite with Hanna and Robert in the dining hall, Robert walked us to the bus stop and waited with us until we got on the bus back to Maur. Upon arrival back the man from India had supper with us and Philip and he chatted until very late. So late that I gave up and went on up the narrow stairs to bed.
The door to the bedroom bears comment here, it was solid oak, straight out of a midevil castle! I have never seen anything quite like it, but in this flat it certainly fit.
Filed under organic farming, Switzerland, travel, WWOOF
St Gallen Cathedral ceiling
While in St Gallen we toured the catholic cathedral which was also Baroque in style and extreemly ornate. It was amazing to stand under the painted ceiling and realize this was not a photograph. One of the first things I noticed was that in several places in the ceiling round the feet of some of the characters protruded out of the painting, as you can see in the photo. However, the photo just doesn’t do it justice. It is something you must see for yourself.
The tour guide who came through said there were two clocks in the church, but one was all I ever found.
The next day, Philip and I went to Davos, Switzerland. Philip told me it was world famous so I expected more than we saw. However, the train trip was worth the whole day’s tavel. Not only did we discover a stupendously awe inspiring area of Switzerland between Sagas & Weesen, but we met a man who was from Basel that had his PhD in Biotechnology. He worked with the city of Basel to bring Biotech companies to their city. It was a perfect opportunity to introduce him to GERON and Philip had an intellegent conversant. I couldn’t have been more pleased.
Filed under Geron, organic farming, Switzerland, technology, travel, WWOOF
Diamond Author, Ginger Marks’ articles
Words of Wisdom 