The current issue of Automation.com includes a feature article
by contributing editor, Thomas R. Cutler about Kanban and Linux.
Thomas R. Cutler, who founded the Manufacturing Media Consortium
in 1999, has grown the participation from 300 journalists to
more than two thousands key clients, journalists, editors,
trendsetters, and key business leaders worldwide. Cutler has
authored more than 1000 articles for a wide range of
manufacturing periodicals, industrial publications, and business
journals including most of the leading monthly trade
publications. Cutler is the author of The Manufacturers’ Public
Relations and Media Guide. Cutler was voted #1 Manufacturing
Journalist for the third year in a row. The firm has forty-two
employees worldwide. TR Cutler, Inc., (www.trcutlerinc.com), is
the nation’s largest manufacturing marketing and public
relations firm, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Reducing lead times through detailed flow techniques is the
concept of a kanban system with a “push” manufacturing
environment. IT managers are asked to develop methods for
implementation of digital kanban systems, because a leaner
production method is not created by paper (or card) kanban
instructions that result in lost orders, duplicated orders, or
supplier confusion. Constant breakdowns in information flow are
a common problem in the manufacturing sector. While there may be
no obvious connection between Digital Kanban and Linux,
according to Justin Diana, Vice-President of Datacraft
Solutions, “Linux makes better economic sense to develop or run
a digital kanban solution versus Windows.” According to Diana,
“There is a paradigm shift in the investment and development
community relative to “open source” technologies. The benefits
that come from a global base of developers have made many of the
open source technologies move to the forefront in many
application areas.”

Automation.com with nearly 200,000 visitors weekly, is for
manufacturers and suppliers of industrial, factory and process
automation, motion control, machine control, process control and
instrumentation products and services. Automation.com attracts
engineers, programmers, designers, technicians and other
professionals who specify, purchase and use control systems,
software, robotics, sensors and other supporting products to
automate machines, equipment and factories in both discrete and
continuous manufacturing processes.

TR Cutler, Inc. www.trcutlerinc.com Thomas Cutler 954-486-7562

Q: Should I build and maintain my business Web site myself or pay someone else to do the work for me?
– Wesley L.

A: When you say, pay someone else to do the work for you, Wesley, I am going to assume that you are talking about hiring a professional Web site designer to do the work and not your next-door neighbor’s teenage son. If my assumption is correct, then read on. If not, go ahead and surf on over to Dilbert.com. You will get no good out of the advice I’m about to give, so you might as well consult Dilbert for your hot business tips.

Should you build and maintain your business Web site yourself or pay someone to do it for you? Let me answer your question with a couple of my own. Number one: is building and maintaining Web sites the key focus of your business? Number two: could your time be better spent doing more important things like, oh I don’t know, say running your business? If your answers were no and yes, respectively, then you have no business building and maintain a Web site.

Remember this: every minute you spend on tasks that are not related to the key focus of your business is time spent to the detriment of your business. In other words, every minute you spend focusing on tasks that do not contribute to the growth of your business and thereby increase your bottom line is time wasted.

If you want to be a web designer, be a web designer. However, if the key focus of your business is building widgets, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that your time would be better spent building widgets, not Web sites.

Case in point: I once had a very wealthy dentist ask if I could teach him how to maintain his Web site so he wouldn’t have to pay me to do it. Now my teeth had helped put this guy’s kids through college, but that didn’t seem to matter. At that moment he was more concerned about having to pay for changes to his Web site than my personal oral hygiene. Sure, I said, I’ll be glad to teach you how to update your Web site, just as soon as you teach me how to clean my own teeth so I don’t have to pay you to do it. He got the point. And he charged me enough for the cleaning to keep his site updated for months. Smart man.

Many business owners think they can’t afford a professionally designed Web site and that simply is not true. While the old adage, “you get what you pay for” is never more true than when applied to Web site design, having a professional web designer do the work for you is money well spent. A well-designed Web site can bring you a many-fold return on your investment. You can’t say that about too many other collaterals. While it is best to leave Web site design and maintenance to the experts, it is up to you (or someone considered a subject matter expert within our company) to provide the designer with the content (text and photographs) that best conveys your company’s message to your customers. A Web site, no matter how well designed, is meaningless if it lacks the content required to interest customers in the products you sell or services you provide.

Here’s are a few questions that, once answered, will help ensure that your Web site’s message is as appealing as its design. Go over these points with the designer before the design process begins as the answers will help determine the direction your Web site’s design should take.

What Is The Purpose Of Your Web Site? Most business Web sites have two purposes: (1) to educate the consumer and, (2) to sell them products or services. If you sell shoes, for example, the purpose of your Web site is to educate potential customers on the quality and durability of your shoes and as a result, to sell them shoes. If you paint houses the purpose of your Web site is to educate home owners on why your services are superior to other painters and sell them on hiring you to paint their house. By defining the purpose of your Web site you will give the designer the information required to create a Web site that best conveys that purpose to your target audience.

Who Is My Target Audience? Your target audience consists of those folks you want to attract to your Web site: potential and current customers, future and current employees, possible investors, etc. Anyone who might be interested in your company and its products or services is a member of your target audience. Correctly identifying your target audience is vital since your Web site should be designed specifically to appeal to your target audience.

Put yourself in their shoes (or in front of their computers). Imagine your Web site through their eyes. If you were visiting a Web site such as yours what would you expect to find and what would you be disappointed not to find? Identify your target audience, then have your Web site designed to fulfill their needs and surpass their xpectations.

What Content Should My Web Site Feature? Your Web site content should be driven by the nature of your business. If you’re a real estate agent, your site should feature photographs of homes you have for sale and information on buying and selling a home. If you own an auto body shop, your site might feature before and after photographs of cars that you have repaired. Remember to determine the purpose of your site, then develop the content to serve that purpose.

What’s My Competition Doing? The last question you should ask is one of the most important: What is your competition doing on the Web? Do a Google search for similar businesses and click around their Web sites. How are their Web sites designed? What message are they trying to convey? Are they doing a good job of conveying that message and as a result, selling products? What do you like about their Web sites? What don’t you like? Make note of the things you like and the things you hate, then share your findings with your site designer.

Remember, you’re not stealing trade secrets here.

You’re just borrowing ideas.

Here’s to your success.

Tim Knox

Small Business Q&A is written by veteran entrepreneur and syndicated columnist, Tim Knox. Tim serves as the president and CEO of three successful technology companies and is the founder of DropshipWholesale.net, an online organization dedicated to the success of online and eBay entrepreneurs.

Related Links: http://www.prosperityandprofits.com
http://www.smallbusinessqa.com
http://www.dropshipwholesale.net

Many believe a crimeless society is in our civilizations near future for many reason. These folks make an excellent point indeed and it makes sense, as technology has been a very great way to stop crime. Personal Tech Devices as seen at the Las Vegas 2006 Consumer Electronic Show seem to be moving towards a realm where they will curb crime. And although this is far from the theme of this years show we have already seen crime is going to be curbed by video cell phones and digital camera phones.

Low tech crime fighting also makes a lot of sense such as the Presidents Initiative on Neighborhood Watch Programs or the undercover work from local police departments. Here is a relative simply plan I personally came up with that works well;

http://www.lancewinslow.org/nmwp.shtml

Presently we see things such as the 3G Cell phone tracking to catch criminals who abduct children as well. And we have capabilities today; right now in the present period of Cell Phone Tracking, where cell towers can triangulate position. This can help GPS a distressed motorist or a car buried in an avalanche.

These technology tracking triangulation strategies can also be done thru satellites too, or better yet a combination of satellites and Cell Tower EM signature plumes. As long as the phone has a battery in it or an internal battery to hold “speed dial numbers” etc. then you can be tracked by that.

There are new companies with RFID Implants for help keeping kids safe and finding lost dogs. And some who frequent certain “trendy” bars in Europe have been chip implanted so that you can go in as a regular without waiting in line? Sounds nuts, but people do this now, today. Many have suggested tacking Child Molesters this way and know when they are sitting in front of a schoolyard or park so that authorities can prevent abductions. We will see more of these things in the future and be able to help curb crime, although some citizens maybe very upset with the violation of privacy. We shall see more debate on this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

(ARA) - With daily lives run by cell phones, e-mails, and “personal digital assistants,” it’s no wonder Americans feel such a strong desire to reconnect with family, friends, and tradition during the holiday season. And what better way to reconnect than by giving traditional gifts with a handcrafted, personal touch?

Teddy bears have always been a welcomed site on Christmas morning, especially an old fashion teddy bear, like the one you remember as a child. The Vermont Teddy Bear Company handcrafts their teddy bears in the Green Mountains of Vermont and their bears feature the same fully jointed design as the first American Teddy Bear made in 1902.

“It’s an old fashioned high quality teddy bear, just as they describe in their catalog,” said Thomas Frazier, a Vermont Teddy Bear Customer from New Milford, New Jersey.

The company has over 100 bears to choose from and each one is guaranteed for life, so they’re sure to become old friends. Shoppers can choose a bear that reflects a person’s hobby, occupation, or lifestyle, such as the Snowboarder Bear or Biker Bear. The Baby’s First Christmas Bear can be personalized with baby’s name on the bib. Or try some tradition with a twist, with the officially licensed Elvis Bear perfect for that rock-n-roll lover!

In about the same amount of time it takes to wrap a present, holiday shoppers can enjoy stress free shopping by purchasing and sending a personalized, handmade Teddy Bear through the company’s Bear-Gram delivery service. In most cases, delivery to the recipient’s doorstep can be made within 24 hours.

“Last year for Christmas, I wanted to find my wife something special, and my purchase was all that and more,” said Tom Reich from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. “The bear was received ahead of the promised date and in beautiful condition.”

The company’s embroidery service makes it easy to get really personal for the holidays. Names and messages can be stitched or printed on many of the bears’ outfits, or on Santa hats. Every Bear-Gram gift comes with a free personalized holiday card and chocolate, all packaged in a colorful gift box with an air hole so the bear can “breathe.”

If you’re looking for other traditional gift ideas, check out one of Vermont Teddy Bear’s sister companies. The PajamaGram Company (www.PajamaGram.com) has over a hundred styles of sleepwear that can be sent as gifts in a keepsake organza hatbox complete with free lavender bath tea, “Do Not “Disturb” sign, and personalized gift card. The TastyGram Company (www.TastyGram.com) features the finest and freshest food gifts shipped directly from the kitchens and bakeries of our country’s most talented culinary artisans. And Calyx & Corolla (www.CalyxandCorolla.com) offers luxury flowers fresh from the best growers around the world.

So no matter what your special plans are for the holidays, make sure you take the time to get personal with those you love. You can find teddy bears for loved ones of all ages online at www.VermontTeddyBear.com or with a five minute phone call to a Bear Counselor at (800) 829-BEAR.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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Courtesy of ARA Content