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Monster Truck Backflip


I've seen monster trucks unintentionally flip over backwards, but I've NEVER seen one do it successfully and on purpose! Great stunt!

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Monster Truck Backflip


I've seen monster trucks unintentionally flip over backwards, but I've NEVER seen one do it successfully and on purpose! Great stunt!

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Blockbuster year for special effects


May 26: George Lucas' ILM is the special effects company powering many of this summer's blockbuster movies, in what the film industry is expecting to be it's first $10 billion year. CNBC's Jim Goldman reports.

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Talking about Correction: Wolverine leak story
Correction: Wolverine leak story

Cynthia Nixon did it. Lindsay Lohan's doing it. TV shows are based on it. Is it our imaginations, or are wives and girlfriends ditching their men and falling in love with other women? New science says that sexuality is more fluid than we thought.

 

Lately, a new kind of sisterly love seems to be in the air. In the past few years, Sex and the City's Cynthia Nixon left a boyfriend after a decade and a half and started dating a woman (and talked openly about it). Actress Lindsay Lohan and DJ Samantha Ronson flaunted their relationship from New York to Dubai. Katy Perry's song "I Kissed a Girl" topped the charts. The L Word, Work Out, and Top Chef are featuring gay women on TV, and there's even talk of a lesbian reality show in the works. Certainly nothing is new about women having sex with women, but we've arrived at a moment in the popular culture when it all suddenly seems almost fashionable — or at least, acceptable.

Statistics on how many women have traded boyfriends and husbands for girlfriends are hard to come by. Although the U.S. Census Bureau keeps track of married, divorced, single, and even same-sex partners living together, it doesn't look for the stories behind those numbers. But experts like Binnie Klein, a Connecticut- based psychotherapist and lecturer in Yale's department of psychiatry, agree that alternative relationships are on the rise. "It's clear that a change in sexual orientation is imaginable to more people than ever before, and there's more opportunity — and acceptance — to cross over the line," says Klein, noting that a half-dozen of her married female patients in the past few years have fallen in love with women. "Most are afraid that if they don't go for it, they'll end up with regrets."

Feminist philosopher Susan Bordo, Ph.D., a professor of English and gender and women's studies at the University of Kentucky and author of Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body, also agrees that in the current environment, more women may be stepping out of the conventional gender box. "When a taboo is lifted or diminished, it's going to leave people freer to pursue things," she says. "So it makes sense that we would see women, for all sorts of reasons, walking through that door now that the culture has cracked it open. Of course, we shouldn't imagine that we're living in a world where all sexual choices are possible. Just look at the cast of The L Word and it's clear that only a certain kind of lesbian — slim and elegant or butch in just the right androgynous way — is acceptable to mainstream culture."

That said, of the recent high-profile cases, it's Cynthia Nixon's down-to-earth attitude that may have blazed a trail for many women. In 1998, when Sex and the City debuted on HBO, she was settled in a long-term relationship with Danny Mozes, an English professor, with whom she had two children. They hadn't gotten married: "I was wary of it and felt like it was potentially a trap, so I steered clear of it," Nixon said in an interview with London's Daily Mirror. In 2004, after ending her 15-year relationship with Mozes, Nixon began seeing Christine Marinoni, at the time a public school advocate whom she'd met while working on a campaign to reduce class sizes in New York City. Marinoni was a great support when the actress was diagnosed with breast cancer. Far from hiding the relationship, Nixon has spoken freely in TV and newspaper interviews about it not being a big deal. "I have been with men all my life and had never met a woman I had fallen in love with before," she told the Daily Mirror. "But when I did, it didn't seem so strange. It didn't change who I am. I'm just a woman who fell in love with a woman."

Over the past several decades, scientists have struggled in fits and starts to get a handle on sexual orientation. Born or bred? Can it change during one's lifetime? A handful of studies in the 1990s, most of them focused on men, suggested that homosexuality is hardwired. In one study, researchers linked DNA markers in the Xq28 region of the X chromosome to gay males. But a subsequent larger study failed to replicate the results, leaving the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association to speculate that sexual orientation probably has multiple causes, including environmental, cognitive, and biological factors.

Today, however, a new line of research is beginning to approach sexual orientation as much less fixed than previously thought, especially when it comes to women. The idea that human sexuality forms a continuum has been around since 1948, when Alfred Kinsey introduced his famous seven-point scale, with 0 representing complete heterosexuality, 7 signifying complete homosexuality, and bisexuality in the middle, where many of the men and women he interviewed fell. The new buzz phrase coming out of contemporary studies is "sexual fluidity."

"People always ask me if this research means everyone is bisexual. No, it doesn't," says Lisa Diamond, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology and gender studies at the University of Utah and author of the 2008 book Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women's Love and Desire. "Fluidity represents a capacity to respond erotically in unexpected ways due to particular situations or relationships. It doesn't appear to be something a woman can control." Furthermore, studies indicate that it's more prevalent in women than in men, according to Bonnie Zylbergold, assistant editor of American Sexuality, an online magazine.

In a 2004 landmark study at Northwestern University, the results were eye-opening. During the experiment, the female subjects became sexually aroused when they viewed heterosexual as well as lesbian erotic films. This was true for both gay and straight women. Among the male subjects, however, the straight men were turned on only by erotic films with women, the gay ones by those with men. "We found that women's sexual desire is less rigidly directed toward a particular sex, as compared with men's, and it's more changeable over time," says the study's senior researcher, J. Michael Bailey, Ph.D. "These findings likely represent a fundamental difference between men's and women's brains."

This idea, that the libido can wander back and forth between genders, Diamond admits, may be threatening and confusing to those with conventional beliefs about sexual orientation. But when the women she's interviewed explain their feelings, it doesn't sound so wild. Many of them say, for example, they are attracted to the person, and not the gender — moved by traits like kindness, intelligence, and humor, which could apply to a man or a woman. Most of all, they long for an emotional connection. And if that comes by way of a female instead of a male, the thrill may override whatever heterosexual orientation they had.

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Talking about How to Look After a Goldfish


Goldfish can be wonderful pets. Learn the basics of how to take care of a goldfish, including goldfish feeding, tank maintenance and goldfish illness.

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Talking about MASSIVE Goldfish


Weighing in at 2 pounds (around 1 kg), Goldie isn't your normal goldfish.

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Talking about Hula Hoop Baby


He's not doing such a bad job, just needs to pick up the hula hoop and start practicing those moves!

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Talking about Underwater volcano erupts near Tonga


March 19: An underwater volcano erupts near Tonga, shooting smoke, steam and ash thousands of feet into the sky. MSNBC's Willie Geist reports.

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Talking about Street Wall Art


This is a nice time lapse of some street artists doing their thing.

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Talking about How To Use Your Mobile In Public


New technology doesn't always sit well with common courtesy .This film is going to show you how to use your mobile phone in public without causing offence

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Talking about Divers recount struggle with shark


March 13: Craig Clasen fought a shark for nearly two hours after it tried to attack his friend. TODAY’s Matt Lauer talks to Clasen, photographer D.J. Struntz and Ryan McInnis about the terrifying encounter.

Sex during pregnancy: Should you?

Is sex during pregnancy safe?

While pregnancy is the beginning of many physical and emotional changes, you will be pleased to know that, unless you have been advised otherwise for medical reasons, it is safe to have sex while pregnant. In fact, you may find sex is better than ever.

Throughout your pregnancy it's normal for your desire for sex to change. During the first trimester, you may experience the common symptoms of tiredness and nausea, both of which can lessen sexual interest. The good news is that this will probably be followed by renewed interest in the second trimester, with the return of feelings of well-being, energy, vitality and libido! Bear in mind though, that towards the end of your pregnancy, interest may wane again due to increased size and a general lack of desire.

Is it safe to have sex during pregnancy?
YES! Unless there is any medical reason to prevent it. In fact, during pregnancy, your body contains higher levels of hormones. These hormones cause physical changes, which in turn can create a heightened feeling of sensuality. Sex during pregnancy can be more stimulating and satisfying than ever, with some women experiencing orgasm or multiple orgasms for the first time.

In addition, your partner will probably enjoy the fact that you are experiencing feelings of enhanced sensuality, and may also find your new shape and extra curves quite sensual as well.

What physical and sexual changes occur?
During pregnancy, progesterone and oestrogen generally create a feeling of well-being and contentment, and can result in a glowing complexion, supple skin and healthy, shiny hair. These general physical changes are accompanied by more specific changes that can result in a fantastic physical relationship during pregnancy.

Increased oestrogen levels lead to an increase of blood flow in the pelvic area, causing the swelling that usually occurs when a woman is sexually aroused. Also, the nipples become darker (which can be attractive to your partner) and the breasts become larger, more sensitive and capable of feeling extreme sensation when touched or kissed. With all these nerve endings feeling super-sensitive, arousal is quicker and sensations are more intense and lasting, including orgasm.

When can we have sex?
Anytime - as long as there are no medical reasons preventing it and providing you're not too vigourous. There is no reason for you to stop making love during pregnancy unless, of course, your labour starts!

What are the best lovemaking positions during pregnancy?
Whatever is comfortable for both of you. At some point, the missionary position will become uncomfortable, so you will need to experiment with rear-entry, side-by-side and sitting positions. Don't forget sensual or erotic massage and oral sex too.

What are the benefits of continuing sex during pregnancy?

- Physical and emotional bonding between you and your partner - this is important, as you are about to embark on a new journey together as parents. The closer you are the easier it will be.

- Preparation of the pelvic muscles for childbirth - sex will help to keep your pelvic muscles toned and strong for the extreme physical experience ahead.

- Enjoyment! Being pregnant is a new experience and there's no reason why it can't be a new sensual experience too.

What if sex isn't enjoyable?
There are many physical and emotional changes during pregnancy. While some sexual relationships may improve during pregnancy, others may stagnate or suffer.The best approach is to be open with one another about your feelings, needs and expectations.

This may be an ideal opportunity to build on your sexual relationship, explore each other and find new ways of giving each other pleasure. The best way to overcome any difficulties is to spend time talking. Try to build security and a feeling of closeness by focusing on your love for each other rather than just your sex life (or lack of it!). Chances are if you feel intimate and close, more intimate and satisfying lovemaking will follow.

It might be a good time to indulge in a loving, sensual and erotic massage to set the mood!

SIXTY USES OF SALT



Although you may not realize it, simple table salt has a great number of uses other than simply seasoning your food. The following list will give you sixty uses of salt, many of which you probably didn't realize:  

1. Soak stained hankies in salt water before washing.
2. Sprinkle salt on your shelves to keep ants away.
3. Soak fish in salt water before descaling; the scales will come off easier.
4. Put a few grains of rice in your salt shaker for easier pouring.
5. Add salt to green salads to prevent wilting.
6. Test the freshness of eggs in a cup of salt water; fresh eggs sink; bad ones float.
7. Add a little salt to your boiling water when cooking eggs; a cracked egg will stay in its shell this way.
8. A tiny pinch of salt with egg whites makes them beat up fluffier.
9. Soak wrinkled apples in a mildly salted water solution to perk them up.
10. Rub salt on your pancake griddle and your flapjacks won't stick.
11. Soak toothbrushes in salt water before you first use them; they will last longer.
12. Use salt to clean your discolored coffee pot.
13. Mix salt with turpentine to whiten you bathtub and toilet bowl .
14. Soak your nuts in salt brine overnight and they will crack out of their shells whole. Just tap the end of the shell with a hammer to break it open easily.
15. Boil clothespins in salt water before using them and they will last longer.
16. Clean brass, copper and pewter with paste made of salt and vinegar, thickened with flour
17. Add a little salt to the water your cut flowers will stand in for a longer life.
18. Pour a mound of salt on an ink spot on your carpet; let the salt soak up the stain.
19. Clean your iron by rubbing some salt on the damp cloth on the ironing surface.
20. Adding a little salt to the water when cooking foods in a double boiler will make the food cook faster.
21. Use a mixture of salt and lemon juice to clean piano keys.
22. To fill plaster holes in your walls, use equal parts of salt and starch, with just enough water to make a stiff putty.
23. Rinse a sore eye with a little salt water .
24. Mildly salted water makes an effective mouthwash. Use it hot for a sore throat gargle.
25. Dry salt sprinkled on your toothbrush makes a good tooth polisher.
26. Use salt for killing weeds in your lawn.
27. Eliminate excess suds with a sprinkle of salt.
28. A dash of salt in warm milk makes a more relaxing beverage.
29. Before using new glasses, soak them in warm salty water for awhile.
30. A dash of salt enhances the taste of tea.
31. Salt improves the taste of cooking apples.
32. Soak your clothes line in salt water to prevent your clothes from freezing to the line; likewise, use salt in your final rinse to prevent the clothes from freezing.
33. Rub any wicker furniture you may have with salt water to prevent yellowing.
34. Freshen sponges by soaking them in salt water.
35. Add raw potatoes to stews and soups that are too salty.
36. Soak enamel pans in salt water overnight and boil salt water in them next day to remove burned-on stains.
37. Clean your greens in salt water for easier removal of dirt.
38. Gelatin sets more quickly when a dash of salt is added.
39. Fruits put in mildly salted water after peeling will not discolor.
40. Fabric colors hold fast in salty water wash.
41. Milk stays fresh longer when a little salt is added.
42. Use equal parts of salt and soda for brushing your teeth .
43. Sprinkle salt in your oven before scrubbing clean.
44. Soaked discolored glass in a salt and vinegar solution to remove stains..
45. Clean greasy pans with a paper towel and salt.
46. Salty water boils faster when cooking eggs.
47. Add a pinch of salt to whipping cream to make it whip more quickly.
48. Sprinkle salt in milk-scorched pans to remove odor.
49. A dash of salt improves the taste of coffee.
50. Boil mismatched hose in salty water and they will come out matched.
51. Salt and soda will sweeten the odor of your refrigerator.
52. Cover wine-stained fabric with salt; rinse in cool water later.
53. Remove offensive odors from stove with salt and cinnamon.
54. A pinch of salt improves the flavor of cocoa.
55. To remove grease stains in clothing, mix one part salt to four parts alcohol.
56. Salt and lemon juice removes mildew.
57. Sprinkle salt between sidewalk bricks where you don't want grass growing.
58. Polish your old kerosene lamp with salt for a better look.
59. Remove odors from sink drainpipes with a strong, hot solution of salt water.
60. If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of salt on top of the spilled juice. The mess won't smell and will bake into a dry, light crust which will wipe off easily when the oven has cooled

UNTIL his arrest for suspected bribery last month, Matt Joyce was in command of the world's biggest waterfront development, the most audacious project yet in Dubai Inc's high-rise fantasia.

Joyce, the Australian managing director of the state-backed Dubai Waterfront, boasted of its vital statistics in a recent interview. Stretching 30 kilometres, it would cover 14,000 hectares, making it twice the size of Hong Kong Island.

It would dwarf the emirate's famous World and Palms developments. It would reclaim six islands and involve shifting enough sand to fill Wembley Stadium three times every month. And it would become home to 400,000 people within five years.

"We have the luxury of creating this city on a blank canvas," said Joyce, who would oversee the construction of yet another space-age Atlantis rising from the Arabian Gulf.

But Dubai's blank canvas has become murky. Few of the world's property bubbles became as inflated as Dubai's, and few have burst so explosively in the global meltdown.

Then, on January 25, he and two Australian colleagues were taken in for questioning as part of a year-long crackdown on fraud and corruption among state-backed property developers and banks.

One of the Australians, a 55-year-old man from Brisbane, was released. But Joyce and another Melbourne man, 44, are still being held without charge. Both have families in Dubai.

This week, the prosecution was in court applying to extend their custody for another 15 to 30 days. Their Australian lawyer, Martin Amad, was there, saying: "No charges have been laid and both men strenuously deny the allegations."

He said they were confident that authorities would soon determine their innocence based on documentation they had supplied. He would not name Joyce's colleague.

The men are among more than 20 executives in jail as part of Dubai's fraud and corruption investigation. All are yet to be charged, but some have spent almost a year behind bars. Dubai police have given no details on whom the Australians allegedly bribed.

Joyce's lawyer in Dubai, Salem Al Sha'ali, had told the Gulf News: "The suspected transaction cannot be considered a bribe. The figure isn't exact and the amount was given back because the deal didn't go through. It's a big misunderstanding."

Mr Amad said the quote, as reported, was inaccurate and he insisted there was no transaction and no deal. "No bribe was paid."

He also says no charges have been laid, despite consular advice to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that the men have been charged with an "economic offence".

Mr Amad believes the meaning of the word "charge" has been lost in translation.

A former work colleague of Joyce's, from Australand in Sydney, described him as "straight and decent".

"If there's anything there, it would be totally out of character," he said.

For the 16 months before his shift to Dubai, in April 2006, Joyce was chief executive at St Hilliers in Sydney. It is well known in the industry that he parted on unhappy terms, although his termination contract prevents St Hilliers revealing the reasons.

Joyce joined Dubai Waterfront, whose parent company is the government-owned Nakheel. Nakheel is the biggest developer in the United Arab Emirates and has projects worth about $US80 billion ($124 billion).

Asked how the Australians were being treated in jail, Mr Amad said they had no complaint. They were "anxious to be released" but there was slim chance of bail.

Joyce had been made redundant shortly before his arrest. Asked if there were fears that the men were being made scapegoats for the broader corruption inquiry, Mr Amad said he could not comment.

"It is not an argument we are putting forward."

Regardless of the case against the Australians, Dubai Inc is on trial in the eyes of the investment world, and the fraud crackdown has signalled the emirate's determination to send a clear message that it is a good place to do business.

Dubai property values are in free-fall. Some forecast they will drop by as much as 50 per cent this year.

Along with thousands of redundancies, local police reported at least 3000 cars abandoned outside Dubai International Airport in the four months to January. Many had keys in the ignition. It seems debt-ridden and jobless foreigners are fleeing Dubai.

Nakheel insists Dubai Waterfront is forging ahead.

Unlike the other emirates, Dubai has little oil to speak of. It has only its real estate, built on the whims of its rich and its rulers. Only on this can it guarantee its future as a global financial hub.

Nakheel's chief executive, Chris O'Donnell, refused to answer questions about Joyce and the other Australian man who has been jailed.

Two days after receiving a list of questions, Mr O'Donnell's Dubai office responded last night by saying it would be "inappropriate to comment on any of your queries".

Nakheel is the biggest stakeholder in the Australian property group Mirvac (14.9 per cent).

Nakheel and Mirvac are in a consortium bidding for Sydney's $2.5 billion harbour-side Barangaroo development.

By Eve Tahmincioglu

Jim and Renee Fellows, who have been married for 20 years, won’t be going out for a romantic dinner this Valentine’s Day.

Jim lost his job three weeks ago as a manufacturing manager for Pearson Education, a job he held for more than a decade. Renee, who runs her own firm, called ClearPoint Marketing Communications, has seen her client load fall off recently given the economic downturn.

“We’re not going to pay $65 for a babysitter and $65 for dinner,” said Renee. “That’s just not going to happen right now.”

The Fellows — who live in Derry, N.H., and have two boys, 11 and 7 — acknowledge the loss of Jim’s job is definitely creating some stress, but they’re determined not to let their marriage suffer.

“Being the one that’s let go, you feel miserable,” Jim said. “You just have to communicate with each other.”

“It doesn’t have to be diamonds and roses,” added Renee, who says they were not living extravagantly before the layoff. “That’s not what a marriage is about.”

The Fellows have weathered layoffs in the past. But for so many couples, this recession and the mass layoffs that have resulted will test even the best of marriages.

When a spouse suffers a job loss, the strain on a marriage or relationship can cause not just financial but emotional problems as well.

“The romance tends to go down the toilet, not just because of the financial stuff,” said Thierry Guedj, a professor and workplace psychology expert at Boston University. “People just aren’t in the mood to celebrate anything, whether it be Valentine’s Day or their own birthdays.”

Divorce rates go up during a recession

Some studies even point to a higher rate of divorce when one spouse, or even both, end up on the unemployment line. A British study released late last year by the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex found that couples who experience job loss are more likely to divorce within a year than their employed counterparts.

As Nobel laureate Gary Becker, a University of Chicago Graduate School of Business economist, told Time magazine in October: “Recessions tend to raise divorce rates.”

This particular recession has begun to hit couples hard.

The jobless rate among married men was 5 percent in January, up from 4.4 percent in December of 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics. The rate among married women jumped to 4.7 percent, from 4.5 percent over the same period. Although lower than the overall unemployment rate of 7.6 percent, the jobless numbers among married couples are rising substantially, reaching levels not seen since the early 1990s.

And that’s wreaking havoc on wedded bliss.

Nicholas Yrizarry, a financial planner from Reston, Va., has seen a growing number of couples in his practice worried about how they’re going to survive after a layoff or cuts in pay and bonuses, and many have allowed the worry to impact their relationships.

“The extreme I see are couples who were already overextended with credit cards maxed out and big houses, and now, if one of them loses their job, there’s tension in unspeakable amounts,” he said.

Losing sight of what really matters — love
One of his clients was on the emotional brink because he was laid off recently and saw his portfolio fall by 30 percent. “He was sitting in my office with his head in his hands crying,” Yrizarry said. “And this guy was a Ph.D. economist.”

In this case, the client’s wife helped pull him out of his misery, Yrizarry said.  “She was the strong one and showed him she still had confidence in him.”

For couples facing economic hardship because of a layoff, it's easy to lose sight of what really matters — love.

Yrizarry said he sees two types of couples: the ones who are obsessed with money and material things and allow a layoff to destroy their marriage; and the ones who have a mature relationship and adversity only brings them closer. “They are the types that can live in a phone booth together and still be OK,” he said.

While almost anyone can crack under financial pressures, keep a few things in mind in order to help you and your significant other come out stronger.

On the financial side, Yrizarry suggests planning, planning, planning:

1. Sit down “calmly” and discuss what your assets are.

2. Come up with a financial plan to deal with the loss of income and strategies to get a new job — or have a non-working spouse get a job. Assess your options for taking on temporary work or retraining if your skills are not marketable anymore.

3. Implement the plan.

As for the emotional toll, it’s all about respecting each other.

Couples shouldn’t play the blame game but should concentrate on being supportive, said Boston University’s Guedj. That doesn’t mean asking your spouse over and over again if he or she has sent out resumes or made phone calls. “That’s nagging.”

The idea that men take job loss worse than women is largely a myth today because both sexes have come to view their careers as a key part of their identities, he said. It's also important for those who have lost a job to reach out to friends or family for support.

Talk about finances
This may be a good time to find out what your spouse’s financial demons are, said Spencer Sherman, author of “The Cure for Money Madness.”

Money is an “explosive” topic and difficult to talk about, he said, which is what gets many couples in trouble. Resentment can start to surface because one spouse is angry the other bought expensive hunting gear or a fancy dress. “That begins to lead to finger pointing and blame.”

Many couples don’t know each other’s financial histories when it comes to spending or savings and what they learned from their parents, he said. “You have to find out what each other’s values are around money when it comes to things like retirement, college education.”

He suggests couples carve out two hours with no kids to talk about the job loss and come up with two actions plans. One assumes you’ll be able to find a new job within a few months and the other is for a worst-case scenario.

The Fellows actually made a list to deal with the financial side of their economic strife:

Plan A – Jim finds a good, secure position in his field.

Plan B – Jim finds a position outside his field.

Plan C – Renee takes a full-time position in her field and Jim looks for alternative work outside his field. For example, teaching, maintenance or purchasing.

Plan D – Jim and Renee relocate to a more affordable region of the country, such as Arizona, and start over.

“Having a set of plans helps us to remain focused and gives us immediate alternatives should life not happen according to our first plan,” said Renee. “We are seeing so many of our friends go through these same situations. Some have a plan, but many do not.”

As for their keep-our-relationship-intact plan, she added that it’s important to recognize that the tension in the relationship is coming from money woes. “Then you can deal with it better.”

Management Traps and How to Avoid Them

Much has been written about the secrets of good management and few will argue that the best managers are inspired, visionary, dedicated, industrious, energetic, energizing and display integrity, leadership, common sense and courage. So where is it that managers commonly fail or falter and lose their precious foothold on the corporation's top rungs? The following, from the career experts at bayt.com, are ten of the most basic management traps and tips to avoid them: 

Weak managers set weak goals

As a manager your role is to get specific jobs completed by employees in the most optimal, efficient and innovative manner and in order to do that, you need to set clear objectives. Successful managers set SMART goals - goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-based. They are able to communicate these goals clearly, simply and concisely to their employees so that none are vague or uncertain about expectations. By all means reach for the stars in your objectives but to do so without supplying employees with the training, resources, flexibility and freedom they need to accomplish their goals and a schedule of regular supervision and feedback is to set them (and yourself) up for failure.


Weak managers micro-manage - effective leaders inspire

The days of command and control organizations are long over - today's managers recognize that in order to leverage their skills and maximize their team's output they need to adopt a flexible approach and 'lead' their teams to excellence rather than closely supervise, instruct and control them. The best leaders communicate to their employees a vision and ignite in them the fire, motivation and desire to work towards making this vision a reality. Good leaders unleash their employees to innovate and achieve optimal solutions by communicating top-level goals and objectives and a suggested blueprint for success then leaving the employees to determine how to get there most optimally while ensuring they have the aptitudes, training, resources and work environment necessary to achieve superior results. While a program of regular feedback and supervision is essential, managers should ensure that their management style is not repressive, meddling or overly overbearing. The golden rule is to communicate the 'what' and the 'why' of the work that needs to be done and leave the employees to determine the 'how' without burdening them with strict instruction manuals or prescribed rules and patterns that are largely redundant and inconducive to speed, creativity, progress and innovation.


Weak managers are afraid of hiring/cultivating strong leaders

Strong leaders/managers have the self-confidence to hire the best people, take them to new levels and cultivate in them all the qualities needed to make them in turn effective leaders of the future. Weak leaders replicate themselves in their hiring decisions and hire mediocre players, mistakenly believing that an employee with more skills, acumen or industry knowledge than themselves will ultimately undermine them or make them look bad. The best managers are characterized by an ability to stimulate their employees to superior performance and through coaching, training, feedback as well as by example, inspire in them all the qualities needed to make effective managers. A good manager helps employees achieve their full potential and constantly raises the bar so that employees never stop learning, innovating and growing. Coaching, training, career planning and programs for ongoing growth and development of key staff are high on the priority lists of the best managers.


Weak managers belittle their employees

Bosses who favour the archaic 'tough' management style where employees are singled out for public reprimand and negative feedback is plentiful while recognition and positive reinforcement are scarce will fail to win the loyalty, respect and commitment of their teams over the long run. Without an inspired, fired up, self-confident employee base these managers set themselves and their teams up for failure. Effective leaders by contrast, respect their employees and give them regular feedback with intelligent constructive criticism and loudly laud special accomplishments in both public and private, while communicating any negative feedback ONLY in private and focusing such criticism strictly on the job performance, not the person's character. Strong leaders recognize and reward a job well done. These leaders inspire their teams to perform at their best and are able to elicit from them a high degree of loyalty and a 'hunger' to raise the bar and continuously excel. In such organisations, employees are not afraid to challenge their boss's ideas or upset the status quo in the interest of innovation and excellence and are encouraged to take risks to elevate the business to a new level. The autocrats and bureaucrats on the other hand sap their employees' self-confidence, drive and energy with their overbearing management style and fail to induce in them any motivation to raise the bar or excel.

Weak managers have obsolete skills-strong leaders constantly reinvent themselves

In today's knowledge-driven economies and highly competitive environment, skills, training and education rapidly become obsolete and effective managers know that they must constantly re-educate themselves and update their skills to maintain an edge. While over-confident managers with an inertia to further education fall by the wayside, good managers regularly take an honest inventory of their skills and abilities and upgrade their technical knowledge and soft skills wherever appropriate. They encourage their teams to do likewise with sound career planning and performance appraisal programs and an emphasis on training and self-education.


Weak managers have poor communication skills

Good communication includes cultivating and maintaining open channels of communication with the team and others in the organisation, giving constructive, intelligent feedback, eliciting ideas through brainstorming sessions or otherwise, articulating the company vision and mission in no uncertain terms, setting clear objectives and listening attentively with an open-mind to employees grievances, suggestions and any other issues. Effective leaders have an open-door policy that welcomes input, suggestions and feedback from employees and recognize that good ideas and the next best idea/process/innovation can come from anywhere. Strong leaders listen; weak leaders talk. Strong leaders pay attention to their employees and encourage them to express professional opinions and ask for more responsibility; weak leaders think they are above such open-door policies. Employees who are not listened to and are not made to feel important or respected as professionals or individuals are unlikely to innovate or express any exciting new ideas that can move a company forward.


Weak managers blame

Everybody makes mistakes and strong leaders protect their good people from taking the fall when they err. Good bosses recognize that the occasional slip-ups are inevitable and can be learning opportunities and are ready to take personal responsibility when the team makes a misstep. A good boss realizes that his most promising employees want to succeed, will grow as a result of their mistakes and are unlikely to repeat the same mistakes. They do no set their people up as a negative example for the rest of the organization nor point fingers when the going gets tough. Good bosses are personably accountable for their actions as well as the actions of their subordinates and do not allow a culture of blame to permeate the organisation.


Weak managers take full credit for their team's accomplishments

While weak leaders usurp all the credit for a job well done by their teams, the strongest leaders will give the full credit to the team as a whole or the team member responsible for the project. Strong leaders motivate, energize and inspire by giving credit where credit is due and being generous with reward and recognition wherever appropriate. Strong leaders publicly thank their employees for a job well done and recognize that a motivated, successful, energized team will reflect directly on the boss.


Weak managers thrive on bureaucracy

Weak leaders are fond of, augment and live well with the layers and bureaucratic shackles that tie an organisation down; strong leaders remove them. Today's effective leaders recognize that in order to compete they must operate like a small company with a high level of speed, responsiveness and flexibility. They realize that to maintain their edge in today's marketplace their organization needs to be responsive to changing market conditions and remove the shackles, boundaries, layers, clutter and obsolete policies, procedures and routines that get in the way of the freedom and free flow of people, resources and ideas.


Weak managers are divorced from their teams

Effective managers genuinely care about their employees and take the time to get to know them and to understand their strengths, weaknesses, what makes them tick and their goals and ambitions. They also take the time to learn something about their personal life. While weak managers will maintain an outdated aloofness and a formal distance from their teams, exceptional managers are able to bring out the best in every employee and win their loyalty and respect by understanding their unique needs, motivations and abilities and showing the team that they are important and personally significant. Strong managers are team players and through their constant involvement with their teams communicate to them that they are there for them and supportive of them. Effective managers by building a supportive work environment, build a camaraderie and team spirit that enthuses and excites the team to new levels of performance.

Management Traps and How to Avoid Them

Parrots are wonderful creatures with their stunningly beautiful colors, super intellect, and their show-stopping ability to speak words and imitate sounds. If you are considering adopting a Parrot here are brief descriptions of eight types. Most have considerable life spans, so knowing what to expect will go a long way towards helping you choose once and well.

African Greys are medium size birds that are grey and sometimes have a red tail and or red wings. Many speak using a large vocabulary of words, and imitate sounds they hear, but there is no guarantee that every Grey, and more specifically, your Grey will speak. Buying the bird for this feature is not a good idea. They can be very loud, and sometimes even scream. They are demanding in terms of the human attention they need, but will more than reward your attention with love and loyalty.

Cockatiels are gentle natured birds that are generally less expensive than most other parrots. They are a great choice for a first time bird owner because they are non-aggressive and adapt very easily to their humans particularly if they have been weaned, hand fed, and adopted when very young. They are a hardy birds with a usual life span of between 15 and 20 years. Normally grey in the wild, there is a huge color selection available ranging from white to cinnamon with many mutations in between, but are most often thought of as cream-colored with a yellow plume.

Cockatoos look very similar to Cockatiels but are much larger and can be aggressive and even bite if caution is not used. This is a generalization, but making sure you choose one that is gentle will make a better pet that can be enjoyed by you and children in the family as well. They are much more costly ranging upwards of $1,000 as opposed to Cockatiels which range in the $100’s to purchase. They are quite loud, but can learn a wide variety of words which is one of the reasons for the added cost to purchase.

Conures are small in size by parrot standards with long tails and a wide variety of vivid colors available. They are highly intelligent and love to play and clown around. They can be taught to do tricks, and may learn to speak. An experienced owner who is home a lot is best because they need a minimum of several hours each day of socialization to avoid behavior problems and biting. Providing lots of toys can cut down on their natural tendency toward excessive chewing. Their screeching is a well-known trait, and whereas it is not desirable to totally eliminate it, early training can keep it from becoming a problem.

Lovebirds are generally only 5 to 6 inches long and come in a variety of colors. If you have a lot of time adopting one will work; if not, getting 2 at the same time will provide the social interaction that they need, but be prepared for them bonding more to each other than to you. Though small in size, they have big personalities and need daily training and handling to keep them tame. They can bite and be territorial so they are not for the faint of heart. But with proper care they can be cuddly, loyal companions that live 15 years or longer.

Macaws are the largest birds in the Parrot family and can live on average up to 50 years. Know that adopting a Macaw means a commitment for life. Because of their size they need a lot of space inside the cage, and need to be allowed outside the cage daily for a minimum of several hours. They have strong beaks and can chew excessively to the point of destroying furniture. They need daily human interaction and training, and a wide variety of toys that are rotated on a regular basis to provide constant stimulation.

Parakeet literally means long tail and serves as an excellent beginning to the description of this medium size member of the Parrot family. Available in a wide variety of colors, they range in size from 7 to 18 inches long. Their personalities are generally friendly, social and energetic making it a popular choice for those who want a bird as a companion. They are quite intelligent and in many cases can learn to speak.

Parrotlets are miniature size parrots that offer the same wide spectrum of colors generally associated with the Parrot family, only they are usually less than 5 inches long. Though small, they are fearless and will often attack other bigger birds and animals. They, as any bird, should be constantly supervised when out of the cage and kept separate from other birds and animals. With proper care they can live 15 years or more.

Regardless of the Parrot you choose, using an air purifier is an excellent way keep your bird’s air passages clear and to avoid respiratory infections that can be caused by bird dust, dander, and feathers. An excellent resource for a HEPA air purifier for birds is offered by PurerAir - the Bird Dander Purifier at http://purerair.com/bird_dander_air_purifier.html.

Parrots are wonderful creatures with their stunningly beautiful colors, super intellect, and their show-stopping ability to speak words and imitate sounds. If you are considering adopting a Parrot here are brief descriptions of eight types. Most have considerable life spans, so knowing what to expect will go a long way towards helping you choose once and well.

African Greys are medium size birds that are grey and sometimes have a red tail and or red wings. Many speak using a large vocabulary of words, and imitate sounds they hear, but there is no guarantee that every Grey, and more specifically, your Grey will speak. Buying the bird for this feature is not a good idea. They can be very loud, and sometimes even scream. They are demanding in terms of the human attention they need, but will more than reward your attention with love and loyalty.

Cockatiels are gentle natured birds that are generally less expensive than most other parrots. They are a great choice for a first time bird owner because they are non-aggressive and adapt very easily to their humans particularly if they have been weaned, hand fed, and adopted when very young. They are a hardy birds with a usual life span of between 15 and 20 years. Normally grey in the wild, there is a huge color selection available ranging from white to cinnamon with many mutations in between, but are most often thought of as cream-colored with a yellow plume.

Cockatoos look very similar to Cockatiels but are much larger and can be aggressive and even bite if caution is not used. This is a generalization, but making sure you choose one that is gentle will make a better pet that can be enjoyed by you and children in the family as well. They are much more costly ranging upwards of $1,000 as opposed to Cockatiels which range in the $100’s to purchase. They are quite loud, but can learn a wide variety of words which is one of the reasons for the added cost to purchase.

Conures are small in size by parrot standards with long tails and a wide variety of vivid colors available. They are highly intelligent and love to play and clown around. They can be taught to do tricks, and may learn to speak. An experienced owner who is home a lot is best because they need a minimum of several hours each day of socialization to avoid behavior problems and biting. Providing lots of toys can cut down on their natural tendency toward excessive chewing. Their screeching is a well-known trait, and whereas it is not desirable to totally eliminate it, early training can keep it from becoming a problem.

Lovebirds are generally only 5 to 6 inches long and come in a variety of colors. If you have a lot of time adopting one will work; if not, getting 2 at the same time will provide the social interaction that they need, but be prepared for them bonding more to each other than to you. Though small in size, they have big personalities and need daily training and handling to keep them tame. They can bite and be territorial so they are not for the faint of heart. But with proper care they can be cuddly, loyal companions that live 15 years or longer.

Macaws are the largest birds in the Parrot family and can live on average up to 50 years. Know that adopting a Macaw means a commitment for life. Because of their size they need a lot of space inside the cage, and need to be allowed outside the cage daily for a minimum of several hours. They have strong beaks and can chew excessively to the point of destroying furniture. They need daily human interaction and training, and a wide variety of toys that are rotated on a regular basis to provide constant stimulation.

Parakeet literally means long tail and serves as an excellent beginning to the description of this medium size member of the Parrot family. Available in a wide variety of colors, they range in size from 7 to 18 inches long. Their personalities are generally friendly, social and energetic making it a popular choice for those who want a bird as a companion. They are quite intelligent and in many cases can learn to speak.

Parrotlets are miniature size parrots that offer the same wide spectrum of colors generally associated with the Parrot family, only they are usually less than 5 inches long. Though small, they are fearless and will often attack other bigger birds and animals. They, as any bird, should be constantly supervised when out of the cage and kept separate from other birds and animals. With proper care they can live 15 years or more.

Regardless of the Parrot you choose, using an air purifier is an excellent way keep your bird’s air passages clear and to avoid respiratory infections that can be caused by bird dust, dander, and feathers. An excellent resource for a HEPA air purifier for birds is offered by PurerAir - the Bird Dander Purifier at http://purerair.com/bird_dander_air_purifier.html.