How to Compare LED Lights When Buying in Bulk

With the increase in popularity of LED lighting, many people are confused when it comes to choosing an LED lamp.

First we should understand that the quality and price of lamps are determined by four components: LED chip, LED driver, Heat Sink and Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

1. LED Chip

One of the two most important components of an LED lamp, chips come in a wide range of performance standards and consequently the price will vary depending upon the brand of chip used by the manufacturer. While high performance lamps use CREE or OSRAM; the price may be a little rich for most consumers. Instead, you may want to opt for a lamp with a chip from Bridgelux, Samsung or Epistar to name but three affordable, quality chips.Use of a good quality chip results in beautiful color, (as gauged by its color temperature and color rendering index - CRI), as well as high luminous efficacy (a measure of how well a light source produces visible light).

Chip lengths are measured in millimeters (mil) and one millimeter equals one thousandth of an inch. Generally, the larger the chip the better the performance. As specifications and claims by manufacturers tend to be over-stated, it is prudent to compare one lamp with another by determining which components are used in the manufacture of the products in question.

Many manufactures use SMD LED chips in indoor lighting, such as SMD 2835 in LED tubes, and SMD 3014 in LED panel lights. These low power LEDs produce fewer lumens resulting in a light that is easy on the human eye. Simply put, a lumen is a measurement of the amount of light emitted per second. High power LEDs are used in industrial lamps due to their small size and the result is a concentrated light that does an excellent job. Many LED high bay lamps are fitted with 45x45 mil chips and are used and packaged with a chips on board (COB) light source.

For your information, the numbers 2835, 3014, 3528, 5050, 5630 are the names of packaging process models. Another process with a very promising future is the previously mentioned COB light source, where chips are mounted directly on the printed circuit boards (PCB) as opposed to surfaced mount devices (SMD). As these light sources have a variety of features, it's recommended you take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with them in order to best satisfy your requirements.

As you have seen, LED packaging is closely related to its performance and manages a number of functions including heat dissipation, light distribution and varying the color temperature and CRI of the chip.It is interesting to note that a chip that produces white light has yellow phosphor added to it to change the original blue light it initially produces to white.

2. LED Driver

The second key component is the power system, commonly referred to as the driver. It is the limiting factor in the longevity of the LED lamp - while there is an urban myth that alleges the life span of a lamp is as much as 30 years; the driver might only last 1000 to 2000 hours. So ignore manufacturer claims of 50,000 hour of LED lamp life.

A reputable driver, such as Meanwell, can be expected to have 15,000 hours of life. However, the cost would be 80% higher than the average driver manfactured in China. Most manufacturers use their own driver. In these cases it is wise to ask if the capacitor comes from a reputable maker.

Another indication of the life is the warranty offered.

3. Heat Sink

LEDs are temperature sensitive making the heat sink an important concern. Most products use an aluminum alloy heat sink for its cost efficiency and while the specifications don't really tell us much, there are three items we should look at.

A. Thermal conductivity: die-cast 6063 aluminum is the most common material used. The better ones have anodized coating. B. Quantity and size of fins: the more and the bigger the better. C. Heat pipe is used in some high power LED lamps.

4. Printed Circuit Board

The material used and the design of a PCB is important as it connects the chip to the heat sink. A PCB with low thermal conductivity results in a hot lamp. Metal and ceramic core PCBs have a good heat transfer coefficient but most manufacturers choose fiberglass to save money.

Lightinstar is a China based LED lighting manufacturer, these are the website pages of our business, you may find more useful articles there.

11 Ways to Save Money Using Managed Services for Your Small Business Computer Network

What is managed services? Well, put briefly, managed services is what us IT people refer to as a service that is outsourced to another company that manages all aspects of that service so the end user no longer needs to. These managed services could be managing all of the data backup services for a customer to ensure that everything is properly being backed up, managing email services so that an organizations smart phones all operate and sync properly with the users email client, or managing all of the computer systems for a small business, basically operating as a help desk when a small business can't afford to hire that many people for their own staff.

What follows in this article are 11 ways that a small business can save money and maximize their IT dollars by utilizing the services of a managed services provider.

1. No unexpected, unbudgeted costs

When you team up with a MSP (Managed Service Provider), you will typically be paying only a monthly fee to take care of your entire computer network. If any problems are detected, they are fixed and taken care of as part of your agreement. This eliminates any unexpected project costs.

2. Any unanticipated issues with the system will be fixed as quickly as possible

When you work with an MSP, it is in both parties interest, both yours and the MSP's, to make sure that all problems that do arise get resolved immediately. There is no need for you to wonder if the service provider or technician is taking longer to fix or resolve an issue, just to pad an invoice. The quicker the MSP resolves the issue, the more available they can be to take on any other potential issues.

3. It can be used to complement any deficiencies of staff

You may already have a help desk staff member that takes care of any user's issues but can't be in all places at once, or maybe doesn't have the expertise to take care of more specialized aspects of the network. In this scenario, you can employ a MSP to take care of that specialized aspect, rather than handling all of the day in, day out routine user issues.

4. Eliminates a non-IT trained staff member from needing to be the go to person for all technical issues

Many small businesses have a person employed that holds a job function or title that is non-IT related but that still is required to handle all network issues because they 'know a lot about computers'. This may seem like a cost savings measure, but oftentimes it actually leads to more downtime for the organization. When this is the case, the staff member needs to take away part of their day (or week, or month) in what they would normally be involved in to take care of another issue. This time is compounded when the staff member needs to research how to fix any particular issue, thus causing even more downtime for all the other employees that need to access the computer network and causing them to reduce their productivity. When working with a service provider however, that 'go to' staff member can contact the service provider about the issue and have them resolve it in a timely manner and the staff member can go back to their regular job function.

5. Known issues and solutions for other businesses help benefit other business's issues

You can benefit from the experiences of many other small businesses and even find out some of the technologies that your competitors are using. While MSP's certainly won't share data and they'll protect the data of all of their customers, other small businesses have had similar issues to what you are experiencing and therefore there are known solutions to your issues. Also, MSP's can recommend technologies that will help your business by possibly automating a process that would normally take you or your staff much more time to complete.

6. Any security threats can be acted on before an issue arises

Along with services that are provided, often there is monitoring that is included with support. The MSP will install secure software on one or more of your network devices and that software can monitor all of your anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, etc. software and notify them or anyone you choose at your location with a report of any potential security issues and along with a recommended course of action to take to quickly resolve the issue.

7. Hardware can be monitored for potential issues that can be acted on before it causes any downtime for an organization

At many small businesses, it is a typical occurrence for a problem to arise on a user's computer. Maybe they have a virus, or their hard drive is failing, but these issues often go unreported because the user doesn't want to get in trouble thinking that they may get blamed for something going wrong. While a user could certainly cause problems on company owned computers, it is not typically the fault of the user, rather a failure of hardware or some other anomaly that may be causing performance problems. In any case, with MSP monitoring, you or any of your staff can be alerted to these types of problems so that they can be resolved.

8. All systems are up to date and current with any software updates

Many of the software packages provided by managed service providers include the ability to update all systems and software that need updates, including but not limited to Windows Update. I'm sure you're familiar with that nagging prompt that says something like 'updates ready to be installed'. These software packages inventory all of the software on all the computers on your network and have the ability to update the software that needs updates and also you can specify any exceptions. Sometimes a 3rdparty application vendor finds that an update interferes with your software and it can't be installed. With the MSP's software, you can add an exception for any particular update but allow for all other updates to continue to be installed. This greatly improves the security of your network.

9. Backup systems are monitored

Do you have someone on your staff that verifies you data backups? How do you know that everything is being backed up and stored properly? Let's consider this - you have a staff member that spends 10 minutes per day to go and check on the backup. That's 50 minutes in a 5 day work week, 200 - 250 minutes in a month. And then say that this person finds that the backup isn't being performed properly or that it's failing, what does it take to resolve whatever is causing the problem? MSP's can monitor this for you and notify you the moment something fails to be backed up or to let you know that it is being backed up successfully, also doing this in an instant, right to your inbox.

10. Any maintenance tasks that are currently ran manually can be automated to run in non-peak hours

Many small business computer users are told to defrag their computers, delete their temporary files, etc. MSP's can automate all these tasks with their software at off peak hours to ensure all of these types of tasks are run and to eliminate the need for the computer user to take time out of their day to run these tasks, along with making sure that they complete successfully.

11. Any unauthorized hardware or software can be monitored for

How many times have you worried that, after terminating an employee, they may have copied secure company data to a flash drive for their own use? Have you ever had an employee install software that caused other problems or that wasn't authorized to be installed to put you at risk? With the technologies that many managed services providers employ, these types of situations can be avoided and can be disabled before any unauthorized activity can take place. Also the methods that MSP's use can also report an inventory of all allowed software and hardware that exists on your network.

Chip Timm is an Information Technology for Small Business Expert with more than 15 years experience assisting small businesses with their technology. He is the President of TR Technologies, Inc., and IT Services Provider and his blog can be found at http://www.trtechit.com where he gives IT advice and tips to many small businesses.

As Bank Lines Get Scarce - Alternative Cash Flow Providers Get More Popular

In these tough economic times, bank lines of credit and small business loans are becoming increasingly hard to find. Some sectors have seen credit availability drop more than 30%, and existing lines of credit are being capped or closed without warning. These are especially bad omens for businesses hoping to increase their working capital through small business loans. Suddenly, small businesses that relied on credit backing to compete with large corporations are charged with finding their business capital through other avenues. Luckily there is a light at the end of the financial tunnel, and new/alternative forms of financing such as accounts receivable financing (factoring) are filling the void.

Invoice factoring, or the sale of accounts receivable for cash, is an ideal and even preferable substitute to traditional bank lending. In advance factoring, the business owner sells his receivables in the form of an invoice to the factor at a discount rate. The factor collects the full amount from the customers that owe the business in due course and pays the balance amount due to the business owner after deducting his commission and other charges. In maturity factoring, the factor makes no immediate advance on the purchased accounts;but sees to it that the customer pays the invoiced amount within the stipulated time i.e. on maturity. However, if the customer fails to make payment within the stipulated time, the factor makes payment to the client and proceeds to collect the payment from the customer.

Factoring companies are usually willing to assume more risk than traditionally cautious banks. While a customer must demonstrate a regard for his financial obligations, factoring companies don't require as long of history of good credit as banks often do. This is particularly good news for new businesses who haven't yet had the opportunity to build up a credit history but who need cash on hand to succeed.

When a business needs working capital, it generally needs it as soon as possible. With that in mind the application process with a factoring company is usually much quicker than with a bank. Whereas the processing of a bank loan could take months, factoring companies can process your application in a short time span ranging from two days to two weeks. This quick turnaround time allows small business clients to increase their cash flow when they need it most: in the present.

Invoice factoring companies also offer a number of services banks and traditional lending institutions do not. For example, credit services are available to check a future client, which helps to eliminate bad debt. Factoring companies can also assume collection management duties for you and offer back office support; allowing you to reduce collection and administrative expenses while improving your efficiency and bottom line. Best of all, because you are selling your accounts receivable, factoring is not a loan. This means that unlike a traditional loan, you won't be incurring debt while improving your working capital. Factoring companies are clearly one of the most accessible forms of financial backing in the corporate sector today.

Founded in 1969, Riviera Finance is a nationally recognized leader in the commercial finance industry. For over 30 years, Riviera has assisted growing companies with their financial needs through Factoring of Accounts Receivable.

Choosing Industrial Warehouse Racking For Proper Storage

Warehouse storage is one of the most integral parts of a successful supply chain. Without the proper storage of business products, these products cannot be sent out to customers that pay for them, which can cause issues that will cut into a company's revenue if they are not addressed. If you are looking for industrial warehouse racking that will help your organization store all of its goods effectively, there are several considerations to make so that you can pick the right racks.

Type Of Rack Required

There are many different types of racks that can be used in a warehouse setting, although most industrial warehouse racking tends to be designed to fit pallets, which are the standard method of shipment for a wide range of items in North American industry. Types of racks that can be used with pallets include:

· Structural pallet racks: these pallet racks have reinforced steel beams that are designed to keep your pallets sturdy and prevent accidents that could cause injuries

· Drive-in/drive through racks: These racks are designed to allow forklifts to drive directly into the racks, making them optimal for facilities that need to allow forklifts

· Cantilever racks: these racks are built to store materials that are long or do not have a regular shape

To determine which industrial warehouse racking you need, consider whether you need to have forklift access, how much space you have for your industrial warehouse racking system, and how big your goods are. Take measurements of your products and your area to be certain in your calculations. The type of industrial warehouse racking that you choose will vary based on the dimensions of your area and the things that you need to keep in your space.

Consider Relevant Safety Guidelines

Keeping your employees as well as your products safe should be foremost on your mind when picking a racking system. Government agencies have come up with guidelines that regulate safety standards on industrial warehouse racking components like catwalks, bolts, and support systems. For example, wire decking is commonly used in rack systems to support loads and to act as a safety net in case something is dropped or falls down.

Also, think about how seismic activity may impact your industrial warehouse racking. If you are in a part of the country that is susceptible to earthquakes, you may want to verify what the seismic rating is of these racks to ensure that you are protected. There are also rating systems created that will help you determine how susceptible your area is to seismic activity. The equipment that you use should be rated properly for the zone that your warehouse falls within.

Efficient industrial warehouse racking may not seem like one of the keys to successful business, but if it is not in place you will find it hard to keep your operation running smoothly. Quality racking maintains the integrity of your products so that your customers are satisfied with what they receive. Determine your own requirements and then compare your options to find the best available industrial warehouse racking that will suit your space, budget, and goods.

Lillian Castillo is a writer who specializes in Business articles and guest posts. For more online information, North American Steel Equipment is a recommended source to learn more about warehouse racking.

Understanding The Basics of Process Equipment

It would be nearly impossible to find anyone whose life isn't in some manner, impacted by process equipment even though you may not have any personal experience with the equipment.

What Is Process Equipment?

Businesses like chemical plants, that handle waste water, refineries, and dairy farms all rely on process equipment. The equipment has been designed to handle liquids for the company.

Are The Equipment All the Same?

Different companies use different types of equipment used for processing. For example, a dairy farmer wouldn't be able to use equipment from a wastewater facility in their milk production system. Nor would that farmer be able to use the process equipment found in the milk parlor to handle the waste their cattle produce.

Before a business owner starts shopping for process equipment, they need to know exactly what task they will be using the equipment for. In some cases, a piece of process equipment will only be one step in a series of processing steps that need to be completed before the business can sell their product to the public.

What Does It Consist of?

The equipment used to help businesses handle their processing can be quite elaborate. It's usually made up of several smaller auxiliary pieces, including filters and control systems that have been carefully put together to complete one task. A large tank is another requirement. Valves are needed to make sure that the liquid flows through the system properly. Once the business has acquired the process equipment it needs, they have to train a group of employees to use and maintain it.

The number one concern of those that manufacture the equipment as well as the businesses that end up using it is making sure everything stays as safe as it possibly can. In addition to plenty of alarms and safety devices, the equipment needs to be made out of a powerful material that won't corrode over time. OSHA has codes and standards that must be met before the equipment can be used.

How Much Does It Cost?

Calculating the cost of the equipment can be challenging. The final price depends on several variables including how much modern technology was needed to create the equipment, how large it is, and how high the demand is. Since the equipment can be complicated and the repairs costly, any company that needs to purchase process equipment should look for a retailer who includes maintenance work as part of the sale agreement. Any help the retailer offers, even for a small fee, will come in handy.

If a business is very lucky, they will sometimes find a used version of the equipment they need to process their liquids. While the purchase price of the used equipment tends to be a great deal lower than it is for the new equipment, the business owner needs to carefully inspect everything to make sure it's in good condition and be prepared to have to do more repair and maintenance work than newer equipment would need.

Matthew Wagner is enthusiastic about Business articles. A highly recommended source of information is Quadrocomil especially for those who want to learn more about process equipment.

The Importance of Roach Control for Homes

Roach control is a form of pest management that is aimed primarily at cockroaches and their elimination. These insects are found all over most of the world, with the exception of the Polar Regions. Scientists say they have been around since the time of the dinosaurs and the fact that they survived what wiped out these behemoths is a testament to their resilience and durability to adapt.

Cockroaches are not so easy to find during the day because they prefer to stay in damp, dark places. When they do come out during the day, they scurry hurriedly between shadows and go about their business of looking for food and laying eggs. Roach control comes in many forms, but the extent of it will depend on the population that the pest management professionals have found in the house.

The reason why it is important to eliminate or manage their populations is mainly because they are dirty creatures that carry bacteria and germs that can cause diseases and other sicknesses in humans. They also tend to leave a trail of the microbes that they carry around on the surfaces that they walk on. This means a possibility of contaminating anything that comes in contact with these microbes including food and ordinary household items. This is especially dangerous for households with small children who tend to put anything they can get their hands on in their mouths. Another reason these insects need to be eliminated and controlled is because they multiply very fast and unnoticed. Starting with just a couple of cockroaches, they can become several hundred in just a few weeks if left unchecked.

The fact that they tend to hide in damp, dark places means that their numbers may be difficult to assess. It also means it can be difficult for roach control agents to completely reach the places they frequent. One of the ways that a homeowner can somehow manage their numbers is to place traps and baits in strategic areas that these pests frequent. Although, baits and traps cannot guarantee total elimination of the pests, these can control them to an extent that they won't be bothersome.

Some form of cleanliness needs to be practiced for households that are aware of the presence of cockroaches to prevent frequent sickness from occurring. Wiping with a solution or chemical that can eliminate microbes and other germs can help. Bleach can be diluted with water and then wiped on surfaces that can withstand it. Care needs to be practiced when using this form of roach control however, as it can discolor some materials such as wood and fabric. Other household chemicals can also be used to clean up surfaces.

Are you searching for the best roach control? Covington, LA, residents can get the help they need from JA-ROY Pest Control.

Is Your Central Heating Ready? A Fall Tune Up Can Help You Save Money

Your central heating has probably been the last thing on your mind here in Dallas over the last couple of weeks. But, now is the time to take a look at it and make sure it is in the right condition to start up for winter when the cold pours in. The last thing you want is for the temperature to drop and your central heating not to work like it is supposed to.

Your central heating is a mechanical and electrical marvel. It is one of the things that define the era you live in. Just 50-60 years ago, rooms were heated and cooled separately. So, give your HVAC system the respect it deserves. That means realizing that it has been sleeping for several months now and when you flip that switch to wake it up, it might be grouchy. Be prepared to deal with a few sudden outbursts of groggy clinging, dusty coughing and rotten smells.

You have probably noticed in the past when you have woken your central heating up from its hibernation that rusty, burning smell. Well, in most cases that is normal. It is just rustling up the dust and tiny debris that have settled in there and it is basically burning it off. Some industry professionals refer to this as "fall breath." But, that is just a good indication that you need to treat it like the delicate machine it is. Let's take a look at a few of things you need to do to tune that sleepy giant up before winter:

1. First of all, pay close attention to the thermostat. Do you normally set it to the same temperature in the winter as you do in the summer? No, of course not. Go ahead and reset it to the winter normal temperature so that your central heating will have a reason to kick on. As a matter of fact turn it up a little bit higher in case you are doing this when it is still a little warmer out.

2. Open your control panel to your furnace and check to make sure it is working properly. It is a good idea to have all the dust and cobwebs cleared away from this beforehand so that you do not risk electrical shock. You need to look for things like the starting cycle. Does it start up okay? Is it operating without any discrepancies? Is it shutting off properly when it reaches the thermostat temperature?

3. Take a look at your gas connections. Do you smell any leaks? Do any of the connections look like they need to be replaced? You should also have a professional look at these and tell you if the gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger are in safe working order.

4. Your central heating is composed of moving mechanical parts. Just like anything mechanical, it needs grease. Go through and check all moving parts and give it a fall lube. This is also something that you might need to refer to a professional, especially if you are not knowledgeable about HVAC systems and components.

5. Inspect your electrical connections and make sure they are in safe and proper working order. Your central heating system relies on electrical connections to work properly and if any of them are frayed or loose, that can lead to problems that you definitely don't want.

These are all things that should be taken care of well before the winter weather starts creeping in, but it is highly advisable to call a professional out to your Dallas home to handle these tasks. Your central heating system is a complex and delicate machine. If you are unsure of what you are looking at or doing, then you can easily damage it.

Many of the things you can do to help maintain your central heating and entire HVAC system are standard pre-emptive measures. This includes checking and cleaning your condensate drip line, routinely changing out your air filter and keeping furniture as well as other household items away from your vents.

All three of those things are factors that contribute to your HVAC system having to work harder to distribute the produced air. The basic principle here is to make sure that all working parts are obstruction free.

The key to having and using a healthy central heating system is maintaining it. In most cases, it is the little things that add up to make sure it lasts a very long time. Now is the time to wake up your heat and get all the kinks out before cooler weather comes knocking on your door.

Crawford Services can provide you with professional, knowledgeable and thorough attention for your household HVAC needs. For more information about duct cleaning,solar energy, central heating and cooling and other heating and air conditioning topics, visit us at http://www.crawford-services.com

World Class Business Results Through Individual Security and Value

Take a moment to visualize this scenario. You find yourself alone on a dark and unknown street in another country. There is a single person across the street looking directly at you. There is also a small group of people who are half female and half male who are discussing something. If you needed help with directions where would you seek the information, from the person looking directly at you or from the group. I know, there are other variables to consider but with the scenario I presented above most people would select the group. The reasons for this are inherent within us, the group is social, they symbolize structure, there is more than one person with the knowledge we require, and because of these attributes we tend to feel secure. The situation I presented happens in the workplace also. People seek individual security (and value) through groups or teams. They pursue socialization, structure, and supporting knowledge. These three features provide individuals with security.

In Abraham Maslow's 1943 paper "A Theory of Human Motivation" he provided a pyramid visual of these needs and immediately after the Physiological need of food, water, etc., there is Safety which is based on achieving security. The other needs for motivation are Love/belonging, Esteem, and Self-actualization. All of these needs are met with a successful structure of self-directed teams. An empowered team provides the basic need for individual security. A highly performing team reaches self-actualization which includes creativity, problem solving, acceptance of facts, and a strong feeling of belonging and contributing to the organization's strategy. This not only provides security but also individual value. Maslow's hierarchy of needs has long been studied and applied successfully in business, especially during the 1980's and 1990's. This was also the time period of self-directed teams being implemented, again with significant success.

During the turn of the century most organizations have all but forgotten the benefits of self-directed teams and are now, almost exclusively, focused on the tools of Lean Six Sigma. However a 2007 survey conducted by IW/MPI Census of Manufacturers shows only 2% of companies who responded to the survey have fully achieved their objectives.

I believe the current and future trends in continuous improvement programs are starting to demonstrate what were labeled by Toyota as the underlying principles of the Toyota Production System; Continuous Improvement, Respect For People, Long Term Philosophy, The Right Process Will Produce the Right Results, Add Value To the Organization By Developing Your People, and Continuously Solving Root Problems Drives Organizational Learning. The application of these principles can begin by learning from Abraham Maslow and start with developing individual security and value. A self-directed team organization will provide the needed structure in achieving it. This will, in turn, bring world class business results through motivation and with motivation employees who are truly engaged.

Lean Teams USA specializes in creating world class business results for smaller manufacturing organizations (50 to 100 people), Leadership development, Organization Structure, Process Design, and Knowledge sharing, and effective application of Lean Six Sigma tools.

Mystery Shopping the Healthcare Industry: A Must for Patient Retention

Mystery shopping the healthcare industry may strike some as counter-intuitive. Medicine and commerce have traditionally been mutually exclusive endeavors, but as medical practices consolidate and look more and more like regular businesses, patient retention becomes a growing factor.

The era of crotchety doctors and long waits in DMV-esque waiting rooms is drawing to a close, and many healthcare providers have embraced reputable mystery shopping firms as a partner in improving the patient experience. Here is what they are measuring:

Healthcare providers audit the appointment setting process.

Medical offices are typically a beehive of activity, and this is often reflected in the poor quality of the phone conversations we have with receptionists and other staff. Mystery shoppers are most often asked to audit the following, when calling to set an appointment with a medical practice:

Was the staffer courteous and helpful?

Did the staffer gather the required patient information?

Did the staffer ask how the caller learned of the practice?

Did the staffer tell the patient what to expect at the visit?

Did the staffer offer directions to the office? Did the staffer confirm the appointment details?

A good firm will ensure all calls are recorded so the client can hear how the call went.

Hidden video is becoming more prevalent for healthcare mystery shoppping, and gives an objective diagnosis of how your office is performing.

Healthcare providers audit the office visit.

Once the patient arrives at the office, there are many things that can affect the quality of the visit. Mystery shoppers audit everything from parking lot to the office and back. Here are the most commonly audited aspects of a medical visit:

How difficult was it to find the office?

How was the patient greeted?

How long was the check-in process?

Were the appropriate forms completed?

What was the wait time?

What was the condition of the waiting room?

How long did the patient wait in the examining room?

Were nurses and doctors friendly?

Did the doctor follow procedure in explaining the diagnosis?

Were options given?

Reputable firms offer mystery shops in the following types of healthcare practices:

Family practices

Pediatrics

PT/OT

Obstetrics

Dental

Orthodontics

Hospitals

Immediate care clinics

Cosmetic Surgery practices

There is a trend towards using independent contractors in many of the settings listed above. It is especially important to audit these situations, as there may not be as strong an allegiance from hired guns than from permanent full-time employees.

Measure CP is a global mystery shopping company working with businesses to make sure that good customer service and positive brand experiences are being delivered. Measure CP specializes in customer experience management, to assist clients in providing good customer relations and can be found at http://www.measurecp.com

How to Position Yourself As an Established Authority In Your Industry to Get More Business

Many of you have been in your profession for a long time. You probably had many successes that have been overlooked, or not publicized in a way to draw new business to you. It's never as effective when we toot our own horn about our successes.

Traditionally, only large corporations' accolades and accomplishments were recognized in the media, or online with large PR firms. So many local businesses are only focusing on one aspect of using the Internet, and this is losing you customers. The Internet has leveled the playing field for even a local chiropractor or Real-estate professional. More than ever, the reputation of a business is at the forefront of a decision to do business with someone. But I am not speaking about good or bad reviews, I am talking about authentic reputation, credibility, an accomplishment which indirectly shows you have satisfied customers. Are being recognized by 3rd party entities? Have you ever thought about the importance of this recognition?

How would you like it if, when someone "Googles" your name, the good things that you do show up? Internet Marketing has traditionally been seen as SEO, website, and keywords, but it is so much more. The Internet is not only good for getting customers; you can literally keep people abreast to the topics and information they want to know about, without going directly to your website. Media outlets rely heavily on the Internet to find expert local professionals to interview and highlight in local news publications, trades and sometimes TV. If all of your accomplishments are buried on your website, how will they find you, if they don't know anything about your business?

Do you want to know how to get your successes recognized by the media? Let me ask you a few questions: Do you already get leads, but you would like more leads and more people that want to do business with you? When someone "Googles" your name, if you were recognized on high authority 3rd party websites, can you see how that would make them want to do business with you? Can you also see how more customers would want to work with you over another realtor or tax professional if you have articles and interviews covering topics they need information on that are posted online? Do you have a newsroom or press-room on your website? Are there ongoing press-releases about your business and are your accomplishments published online? Does your business live and die by your relationship with customers, as well as banks, vendors and suppliers? These are all aspects that draw customers and media to you online and in your local area.

Some businesses want trade organizations exposure, some businesses want to be recognized in your peer groups, and some of you want to be asked to speak at industry conventions. Having the proper online expert reputation will get you requested to speak in front of the audiences you want.

Maybe you haven't thought about how many people just "Google" your name to see if you are a licensed professional, doctor, lawyer, tax professional, real-estate broker, or real-estate agent. The Internet is not only good for getting customers; you can literally keep people abreast to the topics and information they want to know about without going directly to your website. As a licensed professional in today's competitive environment, your expertise and experience needs to be found very easily by people searching for someone to work with in your industry.

Create an expert image by showing yourself as the educator, and advocate for your customers success. These actions are vital and they will greatly enhance your authority by being chosen as the doctor, lawyer or broker to work with.

Here is a list of some of the things that should be publicized about you or your business:

• Speaking at a convention or local event
• Attending a national conference
• Recently sold a house
• Just won a difficult case
• Donated your time to a charity
• Recognized for an award
• Top producer
• Volunteered at your child's school

This is what makes a client choose you over your competition. The benefits that you will receive having someone else talking about your business brings invaluable credibility and customers for years to come.

It is important to get exposure for you and your brand, both locally and online. 3rd party recognition is trusted more than reviews on Yelp or other directories, especially for licensed professionals.

You may be a non-profit, school or church that is really making a difference in the community, and what you're doing matters too! If you'd like to find out more about how to increase your credibility online and how to get the recognition and media coverage you and your business deserve, visit us at http://www.LocalOnlineVisibility.com!

Lisa Williams is an online media strategist, and independent producer for Local Online Visibility (LOV) - a strategic Internet and PR marketing firm that works with licensed professionals, real estate agents, small businesses and non-profits across the globe. Founded in 2011, LOV's goal is to help their clients attain more local exposure through interviews, community partnerships and public relations campaigns that highlight them as an expert in their local market.

Why Is Now A Good Time To Get A Utility Bill Checkup?

Are you responsible for paying your organization's utility bills? Ever wonder why there are so many charges, fees, and taxes? Have you tried to get an explanation from your utility company? If you haven't been successful in understanding your bills, then it's time to get a utility bill checkup.

Your job is to support your organization's mission - it is not to be an expert in analyzing your utility bills. I recently approached the facilities manager of a nonprofit to ask if his organization was interested in a utility bill audit and his response was "You are correct 3rd party utility audits are an important component of any utility management program. We have had 2 such audits over the past 18 months and a new one is currently underway."

Some firms have staff members track their utility and telecom usage on a spreadsheet. By doing this they may be able to identify some obvious errors. However, a trained auditor will be able to dig deeper and identify many more errors.

Having a review of your organization's utility and telecom bills is likely to result in the recovery of money that you've been over paying. Over 70% of those organizations that are audited find that they are due a refund. An audit can identify money that has been overpaid for years. Each state has a different statute of limitations for recovery, but 3 years is the minimum period for review, while in a few states auditors can review 4 years worth of bills.

A third-party utility bill audit will evaluate more than four dozen factors that can affect your bills. A trained auditor will review the bills and a proprietary software program will be used in the audit. It is unlikely that an organization's staff would be able to evaluate the following factors among many more.

• Analyze past usage to see if there are meter discrepancies.
• Verify that tariffs have been added correctly to the invoices.
• Identify unnecessary minimum or duplicate billing charges.

Here's what the manager at an assisted living facility told us after we conducted its audit. "It was hard to imagine that there could be an error in our utility billings, as we track these metrics religiously. However to our good fortune, our auditor uncovered a $43,000 billing error."

The U.S. Treasury estimates that there is over $30 billion in utility and telecom overcharges that have yet to be claimed. There is no better time than now to have a utility bill checkup for your organization. What overdue maintenance project or much anticipated new venture could your organization tackle when you receive money that you weren't expecting from a utility bill audit?

And it is easy to get your audit started; we just need one recent copy of your bills. Our audit costs nothing upfront and our compensation comes from sharing with our client in any amount that is recovered. Check out http://www.utilitybillcheckup.com to find out more about how you can start your utility bill checkup.

Understanding The "Why" Of Tanning Salons

Tanning salons are popping up all over the country, and almost all of these salons have a very dedicated group of customers. Many have wondered why these customers keep coming back and why they are so dedicated.

Finding out the "why" of what keeps this customer group so dedicated is very important. What is often overlooked in the tanning industry is that tanning isn't just about darker skin or increasing levels of vitamin D. Tanning makes people feel good. The process is relaxing, and it makes people look better, which in turn makes them feel better and more confident.

This process can be enhanced through the layout and design of the salon. The goal is to provide a safe and comfortable place for customers to feel good and come out feeling even better. Salons across the country have been adopting an alternative method of building called modular construction.

Modular construction provides lots of flexibility and customization through its unique building process. Using efficient construction methods, all the major components, like the walls and doors, are built in an off-site factory. These components are available in a wide variety of colors and styles and perfect for salons of all sizes.

Best off all, modular construction doesn't come with the same headaches often found with traditional methods of building. No more cleaning up "construction dust" or having to shut down for days while construction takes place.

The modular walls and other components are shipped to the salon where they are quickly and easily assembled. No need for a general contractor; these walls just require a few simple tools and will be installed before you know it. Modular walls look amazing, and the layout can be customized based on the size of your salon. Furthermore, modular walls can be used for standard tanning beds or can accommodate stand up tanning units.

In conclusion, understanding the motivation for why your customer is coming to the tanning salon is of the utmost importance. Providing an atmosphere where customers feel comfortable and safe is key to higher sales, and the layout of your salon can enhance this experience.

Modular construction is great for designing your salon to cater to the needs of your customers. Modular construction is a great option that not only provides a great deal of flexibility, but is also very aesthetically pleasing to the customer. Do some research and find a modular company that can help improve your salon.