The Most Important Component of a Successful Business Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6311587

Whether it is a physical therapy clinic or a fast food restaurant, efficient systems are the lifeblood of just about any successful business.

Let's use the phenomenal story of the leading fast food restaurant in the world; McDonald's as an example. The McDonald's story all started back in 1948 when a set of brothers founded McDonald's after shutting down their original BBQ business for a few months in order to implement their innovative "Speedee Service System" - an efficient assembly line for hamburgers. As a result, McDonald's was able to make a 15 cent hamburger as the staple of their menu. At 15 cents, McDonald's hamburgers were not only half the price of other diners in the area but they were served immediately.

In 1954, the McDonald's brothers were approached by entrepreneur and milkshake-mixer salesman Ray Kroc with the proposition to let him franchise McDonald's restaurants outside the company's home base of California and Arizona. In 1955, Ray Kroc founded "McDonald's Systems, Inc." and opened his first McDonald's restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois. In 1958, McDonald's Worldwide sold its 100 millionth hamburger. Today McDonald's has grown to over 31,000 restaurants worldwide, employing more than 1.5 million people who serve over 47 million customers each day.

So how was founder Ray Kroc able to do this? The answer is "systems." By having immensely strong systems in place, McDonald's is able to hire and train their employees to become extremely efficient and successful at their position. The burger always has the same taste, the burger always has the same look and the burger is almost always prepared before you can even make it to the drive through window. All of these items are made possible because of the step by step systems that have been implemented.

The significance of systems is that once they are developed and implemented properly, the company can move towards an operationally independent identity. This in return is what allows the duplication of the systems and the overall growth of a company.

Whether you are admitting a new patient or ordering supplies for your clinic, each physical therapy company should have a policy and procedures manual outlining their systems. As the director of five outpatient physical therapy clinics in Florida and Ohio, the implementation of systems was a critical component of the day to day operations of each clinic. When I was first introduced to this role, my colleagues always joked with me that I should carry a hose around because it seemed like all I did was put out fires. It did not take long for me to realize that something needed to be done in order to dissolve the operational hurdles that were clearly limiting the practice from maximizing their potential.

We didn't need better equipment, better staff or better marketing. Instead, we needed better systems. It wasn't until I created and implemented efficient systems that were universal throughout all five locations, that the clinics became more and more operationally independent.

If you find yourself reading this and are feeling very similar to how I did several years ago - as if nothing productive can be accomplished because all you do is "put out fires", I challenge you to start simple and identify the fires that are draining you. Make a list of them as they present themselves. However, don't just make a list - take the next step and come up with a solution. Once you have identified an operational hurdle, develop and implement a system that will streamline the process and eliminate that fire or operational hurdle from happening again. Do not get discouraged - remember, systems whether small are large are contributions towards making your clinic one step closer to becoming operationally independent.

Owner of StrataPT, LLC - A Physical Therapy Billing Company that provides Physical Therapists with high quality PT Billing, Practice Management, Consultation and New Practice Start-Up Services. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kimberly_Peacock

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What Are the Best Investments for 2011? Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6312154

Since the beginning of the year, a lot of investors have been asking themselves what are the best investments for 2011? It is such a delicate question, as 2010 was a very volatile year. A lot of investors who starting to pour their money into areas they thought would be strong, got hurt.

Before asking yourself what the Best Investments for 2011, you must sit down with yourself and work out what goals and desires you have. You must also do a bit or research to ensure you put the odds in your favour. Not doing do can have dire consequences.

If you cannot spend time to do some research, it is better to hire or outsource someone to do this for you. This will cost you some money, but it will save you time, and will only increase the chances of seeing handsome profits down the track.

So what are the best investments for 2011?

1) Invest in Gold & Silver

No matter what you think, gold and silver have been very popular investments. Although whenever the economy suffers, these commodities do extremely well. They always have. Normally they are extremely volatile in price, and it is not advisable to buy futures or paper contracts. However you can watch the spot price of these commodities online and buy physical gold and silver bullion. They have real value and you do not have to deal with leverage like you do on the futures exchange. A lot of investors have realised this is one of the best investments for 2011 and that is why we have seen prices skyrocket.

2) Invest in Mutual Funds

These are some of the best investments for 2011. With many people now scared about the stock market and trying to make money themselves. Mutual funds that have a good track record in the past are a good option. The best part about these companies is that you get to diversify your money in many investment vehicles. That way you are not putting all your eggs in one basket. It is a low risk, high reward way to invest, without doing the hard work yourself.

3) Invest in commercial and residential real estate

With the recent real estate collapse, it is no surprise that real estate investments will be one of the best investments for 2011. If you are a good negotiator you can get even better deals. This does require a little time and patience but the rewards are very good. With prices so low, and the market recovering it is now very easy to spot a bargain. Look to do a bit of research on evolving towns or those towns under massive development, close to schools and shopping centres. These are the are guaranteed to do well in the years to come, and are likely to be the best investments for 2011 and 2012.

Want a looking glass into the future? World Recognised for their past trend forecasts and accurate stock market calls, Forecast For Tomorrow provides regular updates to help you make BIG profits in any economic climate. Find out what are the best investments for 2011. Visit http://www.forecastfortomorrow.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Safer

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How To Enjoy Life As A Freelance Writer Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6307415

Being a freelance writer has its ups and downs. Just like working in any other role or industry, freelancers have to take the rough with the smooth. If, however, you focus on all of the positive aspects of this type of work, you should really be able to enjoy your working life. This, of course, is certainly benefited significantly if you have a passion for writing itself.

As a freelance writer you will be working for yourself, in essence. Even though you will be providing articles and other such content for magazines, newspapers, websites, and so on, and will be paid accordingly, you will be in a position where you can create your own schedule and work independently.

Working independently carries with it both benefits and challenges. Needless to say, being your own boss is a huge benefit in itself. Most people will happily admit that they don't necessarily enjoy being told what to do and would like a greater degree of autonomy in regards to the work they perform. Acting as a freelancer will provide you with this autonomy, flexibility, and freedom.

The nature of working as a freelancer, and working for yourself, can be solitary, and this is where one of the primary challenges comes in. You may well ask social contact through your working life and this can be difficult for many people to deal with. If you are a gregarious character who enjoys the company of others at all times, solitary work can be very challenging.

Obviously, however, there are ways of getting around this. Even if you were to work on your own throughout the day, this does not mean that you cannot fill your lunch times, evenings, and weekends, with social contact. Meeting friends and family at lunch, enjoying social occasions in the evening, going to classes, the gym, your local sports club, and so on should be enough to fill anyone's social quota. Even if this is not the case, you can still work in social environments as a freelancer, such as in local Internet cafes, libraries, freelance offices, and so on.

In fact, having this flexibility with the way you work and where you work should only really be looked upon as a positive if you work out your schedule correctly. Regardless as to whether you are writing articles for magazines or newspapers, or whether you are providing content for SEO services, freelancing is a great way to provide yourself with flexibility, autonomy, and freedom in your working life.

Check out our article on how to enjoy life as a freelance writer or provider of seo services for tips to market your business online. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lenore_Rocamora

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4 Top Makeup Tips For Eyes Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6310235

When we look at a person the eyes are the first thing we usually see. For women through the art of makeup, it is quite easy to accentuate the eyes and create a lovely look if you know how. As the old saying goes - eyes are the windows to the soul. Our eyes should look bright and clear but all too often they can reflect how tired and stressed we are not to mention our age. Below are some easy tips to hide tired eyes and with the right makeup applications, make them look fantastic.

Hiding Dark Circles Under The Eyes

Often dark under eye circles are caused by stress, poor diet, allergies or lack of sleep. Fortunately with the right cosmetics and the right tools it is fairly east to hide these dark circles.

Whenever working with the skin around the eyes take extra care as it is very delicate. First moisturise underneath the eye area to avoid the skin appearing dehydrated. If the skin is too dry it will enhance fine lines. Even oily skin needs to be moisturised first.

Choose a good quality concealer. A concealer is a must have item for the makeup kit. It comes in very handy to cover blemishes and dark circles but the trick is to use it sparingly. To hide dark circles apply it only to the darkest parts under your eyes (using it all over will draw attention to the area). After lightly blending it apply the tiniest amount of powder to set the concealer.

It's best to use a colour that is slightly lighter than your foundation however if it is puffiness under the eyes you're trying to hide then a slightly darker shade of concealer would be best.

Opening Up Your Eyes With The Use Of Mascara

No other makeup item is as effective as mascara. It is definitely a must have and is the icing on the cake when it come to making up eyes.

Mascara makes your eyelashes look thicker, blacker and longer. It opens up your eyes and makes them look glamorous.

All mascaras have a use by date. Mascara has an anti bacterial agent in it which makes it safe to use for about three months. After that your mascara could be a breeding ground for bacteria which could lead to eye infections. So don't hang on to out of date mascara. You can usually tell by the way it smells and the texture which becomes thick and just doesn't go on the same way anymore.

The best way to preserve your mascara and make it last is to apply it properly. Most people pump the wand in and out of the tube but this just adds air into the tube making the mascara dry up. Instead you should unscrew the lid and stir the mascara wand to load the brush. When you apply the mascara, start by wiggling the wand at the base of the lashes. It is the mascara placed near the roots not the tips, which gives the illusion of length. Then pull the wand up through the lashes, wiggling as you go. Finish by placing the wand on top of your lashes at the base and pull through to the tips to remove any clumps. Once your mascara has dried, do not apply any further coats as you will end up with thick and clumpy lashes.

Enhancing Your Eyes With False Eyelashes

For special occasions instead of using mascara on its own why not try false eyelashes.

False eyelashes are like magic really. They have the ability to enhance your eyes bringing out their natural beauty as well as making you look younger and creating a glamourous look. There are many different thicknesses and styles of false eyelashes and once you perfect the art of applying them you will become hooked. Not all false eyelashes have that huge fake look about them, in fact these days they can be very subtle while still creating a nice thick lash effect.

Follow these application steps as the very last thing you do in your makeup routine.

1. Measure the lashes to the length of your own eyelid. Do this by placing the fake lashes on your eye as if you were going to apply them. Then snip the ends off so that they fit your eyes. If they are too wide, they will feel uncomfortable and look fake.

2. Using a good quality lash glue (it usually comes with the lashes) and put a small amount on the top of your hand. Gently run the edge of the lashes through the glue and wait 15-20 seconds before you apply it to allow the glue to get tacky.

3. Tilt your head back, pick up the lashes with your tweezers and place them just above your lash line. Make sure both ends are well stuck then once you have applied it keep your eyes closed for a minute or two to give the glue a chance to dry. Do the same for the other side. This gets easier with practice.

4. Once the glue has dried, add a small amount of mascara to both your natural and fake lashes to blend them together.

The Alluring Look Of Smoky Eyes

Smoky eyes are sexy and beautiful and easy to achieve if you know how. You can make the smoky effect light or dark. A common colour used in this look is black, however, you can use any colour brown, purple, green, whatever you like!

1. Conceal and powder all over and under eye. This is essential for all eye make-up as it forms the base and prevents your make-up from creasing and coming off.

2. Apply light-coloured eyeshadow all over your eyelid, from your eyelashes to your brow bone to help with blending.

3. Then take a dark shadow in a colour of your choice and, starting at the outer corner of the eye, apply the most colour to the outer corners, along the lash line, and up to the socket line. Now you need to blend blend blend, you don't want to see where one colour starts or finishes!

4. Highlight your brow bone with any lighter shadow or shimmer.

Genevieve is a professional freelance makeup artist Brisbane with experience in all aspects of makeup application. Having worked in the fields of fashion, media and advertising, Genevieve has gained a lot of knowledge along the way which she loves to share with others. Being a makeup artist is not just a career but a passion for Genevieve who inherited a talent for art from her mother. Her mother is a very talented artist and taught Genevieve how to blend colours and create something beautiful from a blank canvas. Having an interest in fashion and glamour pushed Genevieve towards the art of makeup where she has thrived ever since, using the face as a blank canvas. Genevieve specialises in all special occasion makeup, fashion, theatrical and special effects makeup. Bridal makeup however is one of her favourites as it gives her a chance to be part of one of the most important day's in a woman's life. The excitement of the whole day and creating a special look just for the bride is what inspires Genevieve as a makeup artist. Wedding makeup Brisbane includes makeup for the bride, bridesmaids and mother of the bride. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Genevieve_Laker

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