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Current StatusThe textile industry holds significant status in the India. Textile industry provides one of the most fundamental necessities of the people. It is an independent industry, from the basic requirement of raw materials to the final products, with huge value-addition at every stage of processing.Today textile sector accounts for nearly 14% of the total industrial output. Indian fabric is in demand with its ethnic, earthly colored and many textures. The textile sector accounts about 30% in the total export. This conveys that it holds potential if one is ready to innovate.The textile industry is the largest industry in terms of employment economy, expected to generate 12 million new jobs by 2010. It generates massive potential for employment in the sectors from agricultural to industrial. Employment opportunities are created when cotton is cultivated. It does not need any exclusive Government support even at present to go further. Only thing needed is to give some directions to organize people to get enough share of the profit to spearhead development.SegmentsTextile industry is constituted of the following segmentso Readymade Garmentso Cotton Textiles including Handlooms (Millmade / Powerloom/ Handloom)o Man-made Textileso Silk Textileso Woollen Textileso Handicrafts including Carpetso Coiro JuteThe cottage industry with handlooms, with the cheapest of threads, produces average dress material, which costs only about 200 INR featuring fine floral and other patterns. It is not necessary to add any design to it. The women of the house spin the thread, and weave a piece in about a week.It is an established fact that small and irregular apparel production can be profitable by providing affordable casual wear and leisure garments varieties.Now, one may ask, where from the economy and the large profit comes in if the lowest end of the chain does not get paid with minimum per day labour charge. It is an irony of course. What people at the upper stratum of the chain do is, to apply this fabric into a design with some imagination and earn in millions. The straight 6 yards simple saree, drape in with a blouse with embroideries and bead work, then it becomes a designer¡¦s ensemble. For an average person, it can be a slant cut while giving it a shape, which can double the profit. Maybe, the 30 % credit that the industry is taking for its contribution to Indian economy as good as 60 % this way. Though it is an industry, it has to innovate to prosper. It has all the ingredients to go ahead.Current ScenarioTextile exports are targeted to reach $50 billion by 2010, $25 billion of which will go to the US. Other markets include UAE, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Canada, Bangladesh and Japan. The name of these countries with their background can give thousands of insights to a thinking mind. The slant cut that will be producing a readymade garment will sell at a price of 600 Indian rupees, making the value addition to be profitable by 300 %.Currently, because of the lifting up of the import restrictions of the multi-fibre arrangement (MFA) since 1st January, 2005 under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, the market has become competitive; on closer look however, it sounds an opportunity because better material will be possible with the traditional inputs so far available with the Indian market.At present, the textile industry is undergoing a substantial re-orientation towards other then clothing segments of textile sector, which is commonly called as technical textiles. It is moving vertically with an average growing rate of nearly two times of textiles for clothing applications and now account for more than half of the total textile output. The processes in making technical textiles require costly machinery and skilled workers.The application that comes under technical textiles are filtration, bed sheets and abrasive materials, healthcare upholstery and furniture, blood-absorbing materials and thermal protection, adhesive tape, seatbelts, and other specialized application and products.Strengths. India enjoys benefit of having plentiful resources of raw materials. It is one of the largest producers of cotton yarn around the globe, and also there are good resources of fibres like polyester, silk, viscose etc…. There is wide range of cotton fibre available, and has a rapidly developing synthetic fibre industry.. India has great competitiveness in spinning sector and has presence in almost all processes of the value chain.. Availability of highly trained manpower in both, management and technical. The country has a huge advantage due to lower wage rates. Because of low labor rates the manufacturing cost in textile automatically comes down to very reasonable rates.. The installed capacity of spindles in India contributes for 24% share of the world, and it is one of the biggest exporters of yarns in the global market. Having modern functions and favorable fiscal policies, it accounts about 25% of the world trade in cotton yarn.. The apparel industry is largest foreign exchange earning sector, contributing 12% of the country’s total exports.. The garment industry is very diverse in size, manufacturing facility, type of apparel produced, quantity and quality of output, cost, requirement for fabric etc. It comprises suppliers of ready-made garments for both, domestic or export markets.WeaknessMassive Fragmentation:A major loop-hole in Indian textile industry is its huge fragmentation in industry structure, which is led by small scale companies. Despite the government policies, which made this deformation, have been gradually removed now, but their impact will be seen for some time more. Since most of the companies are small in size, the examples of industry leadership are very few, which can be inspirational model for the rest of the industry.The industry veterans portrays the present productivity of factories at half to as low as one-third of levels, which might be attained. In many cases, smaller companies do not have the fiscal resources to enhance technology or invest in the high-end engineering of processes. The skilled labor is cheap in absolute terms; however, most of this benefit is lost by small companies.The uneven supply base also leads barriers in attaining integration between the links in supply chain. This issue creates uncontrollable, unreliable and inconsistent performance.Political and Government Diversity:
The reservation of production for very small companies that was imposed with an intention to help out small scale companies across the country, led substantial fragmentation that distorted the competitiveness of industry. However, most of the sectors now have been de-reserved, and major entrepreneurs and corporate are putting-in huge amount of money in establishing big facilities or in expansion of their existing plants.Secondly, the foreign investment was kept out of textile and apparel production. Now, the Government has gradually eliminated these restrictions, by bringing down import duties on capital equipment, offering foreign investors to set up manufacturing facilities in India. In recent years, India has provided a global manufacturing platform to other multi-national companies that manufactures other than textile products; it can certainly provide a base for textiles and apparel companies.Despite some motivating step taken by the government, other problems still sustains like various taxes and excise imbalances due to diversification into 35 states and Union Territories. However, an outline of VAT is being implemented in place of all other tax diversifications, which will clear these imbalances once it is imposed fully.Labour Laws:
In India, labour laws are still found to be relatively unfavorable to the trades, with companies having not more than ideal model to follow a ‘hire and fire’ policy. Even the companies have often broken their business down into small units to avoid any trouble created by labour unionization.In past few years, there has been movement gradually towards reforming labour laws, and it is anticipated that this movement will uphold the environment more favorable.
Distant Geographic Location:
There are some high-level disadvantages for India due to its geographic location. For the foreign companies, it has a global logistics disadvantage due the shipping cost is higher and also takes much more time comparing to some other manufacturing countries like Mexico, Turkey, China etc. The inbound freight traffic has been also low, which affects cost of shipping – though, movement of containers are not at reasonable costs.Lack of trade memberships:
India is serious lacking in trade pact memberships, which leads to restricted access to the other major markets. This issue made others to impose quota and duty, which put scissors on the sourcing quantities from India.OpportunitiesIt is anticipated that India’s textile industry is likely to do much better. Since the consumption of domestic fibre is low, the growth in domestic consumption in tandem is anticipated with GDP of 6 to 8 % and this would support the growth of the local textile market at about 6 to 7 % a year.India can also grab opportunities in the export market. The industry has the potential of attaining $34bn export earnings by the year 2010. The regulatory polices is helping out to enhance infrastructures of apparel parks, Specialized textile parks, EPZs and EOUs.The Government support has ensured fast consumption of clothing as well as of fibre. A single rate will now be prevalent throughout the country.The Indian manufacturers and suppliers are improving design skills, which include different fabrics according to different markets. Indian fashion industry and fashion designers are marking their name at international platform. Indian silk industry that is known for its fine and exclusive brocades, is also adding massive strength to the textile industry.The industry is being modernized via an exclusive scheme, which has set aside $5bn for investment in improvisation of machinery. International brands, such as Levis, Wal-Mart, JC Penny, Gap, Marks & Spencer and other industry giants are sourcing more and more fabrics and garments from India. Alone Wal-Mart had purchased products worth $200mn last year and plans to increase buying up to $3bn in the coming year. The clothing giant from Europe, GAP is also sourcing from India.Anticipation
As a result of various initiatives taken by the government, there has been new investment of Rs.50,000 crore in the textile industry in the last five years. Nine textile majors invested Rs.2,600 crore and plan to invest another Rs.6,400 crore. Further, India’s cotton production increased by 57% over the last five years; and 3 million additional spindles and 30,000 shuttle-less looms were installed.Forecast till 2010 for textiles by the government along with the industry and Export Promotion Councils is to attain double the GDP, and the export is likely attain $85bn. The industry is anticipated to generate 12mn new jobs in various sectors.How to uphold textile IndustryWeak infrastructure may be a hindrance which can be overcome with better network and with the willingness to share profit by loyalty bottom up and patronization from above downwards.. By putting more retail outlets,. With better value added products,. By taking the lowest end of the chain into confidence and building their capability to innovate more and more.. By upholding the market knowledge at every level that happens at higher-end that lifts the chain.. By building on the expertise for technical textiles that include bed sheets; filtration and abrasive materials; furniture and healthcare upholstery; thermal protection and blood-absorbing materials; seatbelts; adhesive tape, etc which need skilled workers who are not easy to find in an Indian market.. By keeping a regular research and development department with regards to the industry. By building up the peripheral market with regular update of new accessories.. By integrating the disorganized sectors into one segment that is functionally independent of each other’s unwanted stranglehold. By putting affiliated efforts into the sector. By creating a state owned cargo-shipping mechanism : with rationalizing fiscal duties; upgrading technology through the Technology Up-gradation Fund Scheme (TUFS);. By setting up of Apparel Parks. By clearing off bottlenecks in the form of regulatory practices. By replacing the indirect taxes with a single nationwide VAT. With liberalization of contract norms for textile and garments units. By controlling export of raw materials. By curtailing the drawback claims falsely boosted invoice value of exports. By effectively installing a price discovery mechanism to track market trend to take effective measures before hand a slumpHow to promote textile exportsFor promotion of exports the measures which should be taken up are. Up gradation of textiles sector. Policy level decision to achieve export target. Woven segment of readymade garment sector and knitwear have been de-reserved. Technology Up-gradation Fund Scheme to be pursued till next five years. Liberalization of FDI Policy with up to 100 per cent foreign equity participation. Import of capital goods at 5% concession rate of duty with appropriate export obligation underExport Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme and clearly laid out EXIM policy. Advance Licensing Scheme with standard input-output norms. Prescribed Duty Exemption Pass Book (DEPB) Scheme credit rates. Duty Drawback Scheme wherein the exporters are allowed refund of the excise and import duty loss on raw materials. Construction of Apparel International Mart by Apparel Export Promotion Council to provide a world class facility to the apparel exporters to exhibit products and built international reputation. Setting up of quality checking laboratories. Apparel Park for Exports Scheme to invite international production units along with in-house production floors.

Under the field of civil engineering and architecture, construction is a method that consists of assembling or building infrastructure. Usually, this work is managed by a project manager and supervised by a construction engineer, construction manager, project architect or design engineer. There are several types of construction projects such as industrial construction, building construction and heavy or civil construction.Building construction is a process of adding small or big structures to land or real property. Most of the building construction jobs are small reconstructions like adding bathroom or reconstruction of a room. Often times, the titleholder of the property acts as a designer, paymaster and laborer for the entire job. However, all the building construction jobs include several elements in legal consideration, financial and usual design.Building constructions are procured publicly or privately using different delivery methodologies such as management contracting, hard bid, construction management at risk, design & build bridging, and negotiated price.Residential construction technologies, resources and practices should conform to the codes of practice and local building authority regulations. The materials used are widely accessible in the market. The common materials used are timber, stone and brick. The cost of construction is on a “per square foot” basis. This is since homes can vary significantly on local site considerations, conditions, and economies of scale.Heavy or civil construction is a procedure of adding infrastructure to the environment of a building. The builders are usually government agencies both at the local or national level. These also have legal and financial considerations. This project primarily serves the public interest. They are undertaken and supervised by some large private corporations such as power companies, golf courses and whoever oversees the construction of access dams, roads and railroads.Industrial construction requires highly specialized skill in construction, planning and design. Holders of this project are normally industrial, for profit or large corporations. This corporation can be found in industries such as chemical, medicine, power generation and petroleum manufacturing.There are many reputable construction companies in the US. The Turner Construction Company is one of the most commendable. It works with a number of national sector groups that concentrate on a usual building type. Their famous clients include Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Justice, Healthcare and Breen Building as well as Aviation, Sports and Public Assembly.Turner Construction Company also offers additional services of supply chain management, Turner Logistics, TCS or Turner Casualty and Surety that provides loss control programs and proactive safety. It is one of the largest construction running companies in the US.Another company is Anderson Construction Group. It provides professional builds or designs, general contracting, wind mitigation, SoftPlan construction documents and construction managements. This company delivers a large variety of industrial, residential, medical, industrial, and specialty services and projects. It is one of the leaders in providing value added construction services to their consumers by making a successful partnership with them during the construction processes.IHC Construction Company is another trusted US construction company. It manufactures concrete blocks packed by hydraulic pressure. IHC Construction Company has construction management, pre-construction, underground contractors and horizontal drilling. The horizontal drilling of IHC is the future of underground conduit and pipe construction.It eliminates or reduces damages caused by the usual open cut trenching methods. The Design & Build division of the company offers construction services to offices, residential warehouses, industrial and commercial markets.

3D technology can be traced all the way back to the beginning of photography. In 1844 David Brewster invented the Stereoscope. It was a new invention that could take photographic images in 3D. Later, Louis Jules Duboscq took that invention and improved on it. Louis took a picture of Queen Victoria using the improved technology and displayed it at the Great Exhibition in 1851. This picture became very well known throughout the world. Steroscopic cameras started to catch on and became fairly common for personal use by World War II.In 1855 the Kinematascope, a stereo animation camera, was invented. It was able to create 3d motion pictures. In 1915 the first anaglyph movie was produced. Anaglyph technology used 3d glasses with 2 different color lenses that would direct an image to each eye. In 1890 William Friese-Greene, a British film pioneer, filed a patent for the 3D movie process. In 1922 the first public 3D movie, “The Power of Love”, was displayed. In 1935 the first 3D Color movie was produced. The use of the technology would remain dormant for over a decade.In the 1950s, 3D technology made a come back. During this era, TVs had become extremely popular and had started appearing in many households. In the 50s a number of 3D movies were being produced. In 1952 “Bwana Devil” by United Artists was shown across the United States. This was the first 3D movie of the 50s. The film was shot using a process called Natural Vision. This process was pitched to Hollywood studios but they all passed. A year later, in 1953, “House of Wax” was released in 3D. “Dial M for Murder” was originally planned to be released in 3D, but Alfred Hitchcock decided to release the movie in 2D to maximize profits. Not all movie theaters were equipped with the 3D technology. 3D films were also being developed outside of the United States. In 1947 The Soviet Union released their first full length 3D movie, “Robinson Crusoe”.In the 1960s a new technology called Space-Vision 3D was released. This technology took two images and printed them over each other on a single strip. Unlike previous 3D technologies, it required a single projector with a special lens. This new technology removed the need to use two cameras to display 3D movies. Two camera systems were difficult to use, because it required that the two cameras were perfectly synced. The first movie to use this technology was “The Bubble”. The movie was panned by critics, but the 3D experience still brought huge audiences. It became a profitable movie, making the new technology ready for promotion to other studios.In 1970, Allan Silliphant and Chris Condon developed Stereovision. This was a new 3D technology that put two images squeezed together side by side on a single strip of 35 mm film. This technology used a special anamorphic lens that would widen the picture using a series of polaroid filters. The first movie to be released in Stereovision was a softcore sex comedy called “The Stewardesses”. The movie cost only $100,000 USD to make and it earned an amazing $27 million in North America.In the early 1980s many movies were released in 3D using the same process as Space Vision. Some of the movies that were released were Amityville 3-D, Friday the 13th Part III, and Jaws 3-D. In the mid 1980s, IMAX began producing documentary films in 3D. IMAx’s 3D technology emphasized mathmatical correctness and this eliminated the eye fatigue that was seen in previous 3D technologies. In 1986, Canada had developed the first 3D movie that used polarized glasses. It was called “Echos of the Sun” and was created for Expo 86.During the 1990s, many films were released in IMAX 3D. The most successful IMAX 3D film released during this time was “Into the Deep”. The first IMAX 3D fiction film, “Wings of Courage” was released in 1996.During the 2000s, many big studio movies were released in 3D. In 2003, James Cameron released Ghosts of the Abyss. This was the first full length 3D IMAX feature film. This movie used the latest IMAX 3D technology called Reality Camera System. The technology used the latest HD video cameras and was developed by Vince Pace. This same technology was used in “Spy Kids 3D: Game over”, “Aliens of the Deep”, and “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D”. In 2004 the first full length animated 3D movie was released. It was called “The Polar Express”. This movie was so successful in 3D that it prompted a great interest in 3D animated films. The 3D version of the film earned 14x as much per screen as the 2D version. In 2005, The Mann’s Chinese 6 theater in Hollywood became the first commercial movie theater to have the Digital 3D technology. In 2007 Scar 3D was released internationally and it was the first film to be filmed using a completely digital workflow.In 2010 Sky UK made a big push towards 3D television. On January 1st, the first 3D channel began broadcasting in South Korea. The channel displays educational shows, animated shows, sporting events, documentaries and musical performances all in 3D, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.We should expect that the use of 3D technology will continue and expand in to the normal household. Most major electronics manufacturers are planning the release of their 3D television lines. As the technology ages, expect prices to go lower and lower, and as they prices drop, more and more people will purchase 3D television sets.

IntroductionAll of life is Communication or Exchange of Information and all Success depends on good Communication. It takes some deliberate time and effort to improve your Communication Skills. Do not stop just because difficulty comes up. You can take breaks but do continue on until you think you are smarter, feel lighter or made new realizations that will help you to be stronger and succeed in daily life and on the job. This Course is Experiential. That means understanding it or believing in it or reading it amounts to Zero – doing it, feeling it and using it is what allows for progress.Experiential Lesson 1: People I like and dislikeUsing a separate sheet of paper, list some people you dislike, along with the traits you dislike about them. After that, check if you have any similar traits sometimes. If so, write that trait down. If not, then don’t write anything. So if for example you dislike the trait “stubborn” about someone and you find you are sometimes pretty stubborn yourself, you would have the word stubborn in both columns (“Traits I dislike” and “My similarities”). Some of the traits you dislike are projections of what you don’t like about yourself. After that write down something you respect about each of these people. Even if it’s difficult, try to find something. Radiating some respect towards all will keep your friends close and your enemies at bay. A good Communicator knows that what you radiate out into the world is what you ultimately get back. Finally, write down what your Intentions are regarding your future Communication with them. Examples for Intentions:I’d like them to listen to me more carefullyI’d like more honesty between usI’d prefer to feel neutral towards themI’d prefer a friendly relationship with themI’d like them to participate in the projectSimply define what it is you’d prefer. If you keep defining what you don’t want and don’t like, you will keep getting stuff you don’t want and don’t like. If you don’t define anything at all, what you will get will remain random. So make it an official exercise to keep stating your actual intentions regarding a thing, situation or person – at least to yourself. You might not always get what you intend, but you do increase the likelihood of it happening when your attention is focused on the preferred rather than the unwanted. So on your separate sheet of paper your table would include this:People I dislikeTheir traits I dislikeSimilar traits I haveWhat I do respect about these peopleMy intentions regarding my Communication with themAfter you are finished with that, list people you like, the traits you like about them, your similarities and finally your Intentions regarding Communications with them. Do not assume that it is always easier to Communicate with people you like – sometimes its harder because the interaction lacks neutrality or because you might be looking up to them. Both too much “looking down at” and too much “looking up at” can inhibit the free flow of Communication. So include Intentions that would improve your experience with them. On your separate sheet of paper your items would be:People I likeTraits I like about themMy similaritiesMy intentions regarding Communication with themPlease only continue with this Course after you have completed all of these points.Welcome back.What do you conclude from this first exercise? Have you experienced a change of state or attitude? Do you feel lighter? Did you have a new realization? Please write down what you feel still needs some practicing in the days to come in order to integrate this lesson into daily life.Experiential Lesson 2: Communication DisturbancesThe disturbers of good Communication flow:Environmental (such as loud music or drilling)Physiological (such as deafness or blindness)Semantic (such as a different interpretation of what a word means)Syntactical (Mistakes in Grammar, Verbs, Tenses)Organizational (poor structure of thoughts, not being clear, confusion)Cultural (coming from ignorance of others customs, values and beliefs)Psychological (unresolved emotional issues and projections coming into play)Semantic, Organizational and Psychological issues often go unnoticed and cause more Communication Problems than Environmental or Physiological issues which are easily recognized and therefore easily changed.The exercise here is to write down or discuss examples where these disturbers came into play in your own life or with people you know. The more examples you become aware of the more likely it is you notice them in daily life and can avoid them by virtue of recognition.In our live Courses we sometimes spend an entire day training semantics, communication psychology and conflict resolution. So keep in mind that there is much more to say and do on the subject and consider creating exercises yourself or looking up more information on them in the Internet.Experiential Lesson 3: AcknowledgmentPeople naturally need approval and acknowledgment. Too much acknowledgment appears strange but the most frequently made mistake is giving too little acknowledgment. It is important to acknowledge what someone said or to acknowledge that you understand what someone said. Acknowledgment is the lubricant that keeps Communication flowing. It does not always mean that you agree but it does mean that you received the message or understand what was said. People who forget to give acknowledgment are often perceived as ego-centric, needy, tense or lost in thought.Examples for Acknowledgment:A nodA paraphrase”Yes”"OK”"Alright”"I see”Exercise: In order to commit this to memory, take a day or two in which you exaggerate the giving of nods, acknowledgment, “yes” and “OKs” to everyone along your way. Acknowledgment given will improve the way others perceive you.Experiential Lesson 4: How to improve your Communication flow with someoneOne way to improve your Communication flow with someone is to find things you and the other agree upon. This will quickly increase the “vibe” you have with each other. Salespeople misuse this by pretending to be in Agreement on several issues with someone they want to sell something to. But people are smart and I recommend you find things you actually agree on with the other (if you want to improve your Communications with that person).Another way to improve your Communication flow with someone is by Appreciation. For example, you could find out things you like about the person. This will shift your attitude and behavior and ultimately increase your positive “vibe” with the other.Of course simply talking to them more often can increase your rapport with them, but it is always much easier if Appreciation and Agreement are added.If you disagree with too many people or dislike too many people you will generally feel more “low” and weak in life.The solution is to either reduce your aversion towards people you dislike or find more people you do like to hang out with. Love them or Leave them.Experiential Lesson 6: Flow of EnergyYou have the most strength, power and energy when you have attention and give attention. You are the weakest and most energy-less when you need attention and want attention. From bottom to top:NeedWantLikeHaveGiveNeeding attention, approval and interest you have the least energy and the other the most. Liking attention has a softer, more neutral energy flow to it but its still not entirely empowering. When having attention there is an energy-flow from someone else to you instead of the other way around. And when giving attention there is an energy-flow from you to the others which automatically provides you with the most energy.In order to lessen your “need” and “want” of attention I recommend giving yourself a lot of attention, approval and acceptance throughout life. You will then have more energy and have more to give.Check for yourself whether this is true or not. It can take a few months of study to “get it” and be able to apply the secrets contained within this lesson, but once you do you will never be the same person again – in a positive sense.Guided MeditationThis is a guided Meditation you best let someone else speak while you mentally and emotionally go through the process. Alternatively you can also read it to yourself.Who did you want approval from?Could you relax needing/lacking approval from that person a bit?Imagine having approval from that person.Relax.Who wanted approval from you?Could you relax resisting giving approval a bit?Imagine giving approval.Relax.Repeat dozens of times with the same person or other people, until the neediness of approval is relaxed and the resistance toward giving approval is eased.Advanced version: Apply the same Exercise with the words Control, Freedom, Unity and Security in place of Approval. Note that this exercise alone can take several months or even years before fully understood and integrated.Experiential Lesson 7: Communication is also… … Physical Expression & MovementHave you ever moved an elbow only to have them move theirs too? If when you move they move too, that is an indicator that their attention is with you. If in a group someone has their foot directed at you it is often an indicator that their attention is on you. Gestures and Facial Expressions have the power to underline and emphasize your words or to properly express agreement and disagreement.Exercise: Watch people negotiating on Video without Sound. Who is in Command? You don’t need to hear the words, its enough to see the physical behavior.Exercise: Communicate something to someone else without speaking until the other understands what you are Communicating.Exercise: Practice being in Command without talking – by mere posture and presence…. Tone of VoiceVoice Training and bringing flexibility into your tone is a vital part of being able to steer and direct meetings, conversations, presentations. In our Live Courses we do several exercises in “Voice-Coaching” in order to give the voice more power. The tone in which you say something is often also more important than the words used. “Hello”, for instance, can be said in a friendly or unfriendly tone. Tone is the carrier-wave of an intention. For more training I recommend our mp3 Download “Voice Coaching”…. PostureThere are postures which put you in Command and postures which put others in Command, depending on your Intention. You lying down on a sofa is a relaxed posture while standing erect and your legs apart and firmly rooted in the floor is a more commanding posture. Changing your posture will always change the mood and the roles of a Communication…. Vocabulary usedThere is a difference whether you say “You are stupid” or “Let me show you something more intelligent”. With the former you probably won’t reach your goal with the other person, with the latter you probably will. Lessons on the Power of Language and Reframing are taught in the next Part of the Communication Excellence Course…. Touch and ContactA handshake, a clap on the shoulders, a “coincidental” brush of the hands – all these are forms of Communication, as is lack of touch. The way you touch other objects than the person also says more about you than you may be aware of. If for example you are in a flirt-situation or on a date with someone, the way you handle her coat or his car-door may be taken as a hint on how you will handle him or her…. LookingIt makes a significant difference whether you are looking straight at your partner, into his eyes, his face, between his eyebrows, to his sides or away and elsewhere. Depending on what you intend you can change the entire flow or meaning of the Communication with your eyes only. Some people base their entire Peoples-Skills on the way they use their eyes…. ListeningPeople can actually sense whether you are listening or not. Active listening means that your attention is fully on the other without the need of speaking yourself or needing anything yourself. Active listening also means that you are thinking about what is being said. Passive listening is hearing the sounds but not really processing all that is said. With people we have an aversion towards we listen passively, with people we like we or that have something interesting to say, we listen actively. For a good Communication Flow I recommend you seek to understand before you wish to be understood…. Distance and OrientationThe distance you are standing from someone, from where you are communicating with someone, from which angle or location also have some influence on whether Communication succeeds or not. These parameters can also be changed depending upon what you wish to achieve. For example if you want more authority over a group, never sit with them in a circle but instead with you in the front and perhaps even up higher or behind a podium. If on the other hand you wish to be friends with a group, sit in a circle with them. Or if you wish to close an important deal it is preferable to do so in person than wanting to do it by email…. What you don’t sayCommunication is not only what you say but also what you don’t say, withhold or fail to say. If for example you wish to retain energy and power, speak less, chatter less, justify less, react less. If you do not want a situation to get out of hand, save your disagreement for a later time when you are in a better state. Such small feats of self-control can go a long way in succeeding in various venues. On the other hand failing to communicate when it is necessary is not only an advantage it can also be a problem. Your motto should be “When uncertain, in doubt or in trouble, Communicate!”Half of all corporate problems are due to a lack of Communication and Clarity…. Social SensitivityThis means to be respectful of other peoples limits and reality-frames. Peace and Harmony is just as much an asset as Truth and Frankness. Sometimes it is wiser to withhold comment for the sake of peace than to create turbulence where none is necessary. Many people are not mature enough to accept truth at all times and in all situations. Social Sensitivity is also about the Timing in which certain truths are shared. It is not necessary to “talk turkey about the struggling Business” while at a Funeral. In this case Peace and Harmony should be preferred to truth. Likewise it is not necessary to “be nice and calm” while Millions are being lost to mismanagement. In this case Truth and Frankness should be preferred to Peace and Harmony. Social Sensitivity is to behave respectful enough as to choose the right Timing and Situation for various Communications. When your employee calls off sick, don’t have an assignment be your first Communication toward him and don’t call at midnight. If you need to criticize your spouse, wait for the right moment. Don’t do it while he is hurt or helping you out.Experiential Lesson 8: RealitiesWrite down something you think is true and others also think is trueWrite down something you think is true and others think is not trueWrite down something you think is not true and others think is trueWrite down something you think is not true and others also think is not trueWhat conclusions do you draw from this?Something that is true for everyone is called facts or Absolute Truth.Something that is only true for some is called opinions or Relative Truth.Mistaking the two is the cause of many problems. In regards to facts I recommend zero tolerance toward deviations and with regards to opinions full tolerance toward deviations from your opinion. But first learn to discern the two.This completes Communication Excellence 1. If you gained benefit from this Course I would enjoy seeing you at Communication Excellence 2 which goes into depth on the principles already presented while introducing new, even more advanced concepts for the upcoming Communication Pro.Copyright 2010

Every now and then persons trying to make up their minds where to put their money ask me if real estate ventures are more or less profitable, compared to other businesses opportunities around.My response is always that apart from its potential for yielding significant profits, investing in real estate often confers long terms benefits.I discuss five such advantages below:1. You Can Refurbish (to Enhance the Value of) Real Estate
After you buy a stock, you hold it for a period of time and hopefully sell it for a profit. The success of the stock depends on company management and their corporate success, which is out of your control.Unlike other conventional investment instruments, like stocks, for instance, whose rate of returns, depend on third parties (e.g. company management), real estate investments are directly under your control.Even though you will not be able to control changes that may occur in demographic and economic aspects, or impact of nature induced changes, there are many other aspects that you can control, to boost the returns on your investment in it.Examples include aspects relating to adding repairs, or improvements/enhancements to the physical property and tenants you allow to live in it.If you do it right, the value of your investment will grow, resulting in increased wealth for you.2. Real Estate Investing, When Done Right, is Proven to be Profitable Even During a Recession (like the one we’re in right now)
It has on several occasions, been used to effect a bail out, from financial setbacks, such as those that many have experienced during the economic downturn happening in Nigeria today.A considerable number of clients have confided in me that due to the present economic situation, they are not sure of profitable channels to invest their money. Some of them are done with bonds and treasury bills, but are in dire need of a new investment.We had extensive discussions, and based on my expertise as a real estate consultant, I recommended landed property investment, as the most suitable and secure alternative channel of investment.This is because, even if all businesses crumble, land will always appreciate greatly. Then to drive my point home, I ended by sharing the following apt quote, by a former American president:”Real estate can’t be lost, nor carried away, managed with reasonable care, it’s about the safest investment in the world” – Franklin Roosevelt.Not surprisingly, the client chose to take my advice – and signed up: it was the obvious, common sense thing to do!3. Real Estate Investments Are Immune to Inflation
In other words, investing your money in ownership of viable real estate can protect you from the harsh effects that inflation usually has on other conventional investments.This is because the value of real estate generally tends to rise in positive correlation with inflationary pressures. This is why property values and rental rates go up with rising inflation.The nature of real estate, therefore affords owners the unique advantage of being able to adjust the rates they offer, to match inflation.Monthly rents for example can be raised to compensate for inflation – thus providing a cushion effect against inflation induced losses that other monetary investments suffer.4. Real Estate is Uniquely for Being Universally Acceptable as Collateral, Towards Securing Funding from Banks
Today, real estate in form of either building or lands, with proper titles (i.e. Certificate of Occupancy – aka “C of O”) is the most recognized and accepted form of collateral in Nigeria – and some other parts of the world.It has the unique feature of being able to protect the interests of both the borrower and the bank (that’s doing the lending), so that funds can be released i.e. after due verification, and terms and conditions are agreed.This is one of the key advantages a private C of O has over the global C of O, because the former (i.e. private C of O) is what will be needed by the intending borrower, in the event of any future financial dealings with bank in Nigeria.5. Real Estate Investing Allows Use of Other People’s Money
In other words, you can do it even if you do not have enough money. You just need to know how.This is possible because real estate is physical property or what is called a hard asset. That is an attribute that makes it attractive to financiers i.e. people with money to invest.This is why many times real estate products are bought with debt – unlike conventional investment products like stocks which are NOT tangible, and therefore perceived as being more risky to invest in.So real estate investment can be done using cash or mortgage financing. In the latter case, payments can be so arranged to allow payment of low initial sums, provided by you or a willing third party.Those payments will be happening on landed property which will continue increasing in value throughout the duration of such payments – and indeed beyond. That further inspires confidence in the minds of those financing the acquisition, that their investment is safe.Little wonder that real estate investing has continued to prosper for so long![A WORD OF CAUTION] The listed benefits notwithstanding, I still tell prospective investors that due diligence is a crucial requirement for succeeding.Whether you do everything yourself or use industry professionals like me, it is imperative that you exercise caution and arm yourself with relevant information and education.This is something I advice my clients to do all the time, so they can make good decisions in investing.The importance of the above cannot be overstated, especially in Lagos where quite a number of individuals, have had their fingers badly burnt, because they failed to take the needed precautions.My purpose is to help clients avoid having such horrible experiences, by bringing my years of experience in this field to bear in serving them.References/Related Article:[You can read about more advantages of real estate investing, in this excellent article I found at: http://realestate4investing.com/articles/real-estate-investments/10-advantages-disadvantages-real-estate-investments ]