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Home » Archives for June 2018
Are you paying too much income tax
When your income exceeds £100,000 for income tax purposes your entitlement to a personal allowance (£11,850 for 2018-19) is reduced by £1 for every £2 that your income exceeds this threshold.
Which means, when your income reaches £123,700, you no longer qualify for a personal allowance.
The effect on the income tax rate you pay in this band – £100,000 to £123,700 – is alarming. As well as paying tax at the higher rate of 40%, income up to the value of your lost personal allowance £11,850 that was previously exempt from tax is now due to be taxed at 20%. Accordingly, your combined income tax rate is 60%.
This process may catch some individuals unaware. For example, say you take a drawdown from your pension pot for £50,000 and your other income is say £80,000 – below the £100,000 cut-off point. Your pension provider has likely deducted tax at 40% from the payment made to you and you may believe that what's left is yours to spend or invest. Not so. When your total income position is calculated at the end of the tax year this will have breached the £100,000 limit and the effect of the loss of personal allowance will create an additional tax bill.
Readers who are concerned that they may be on route for an income of more than £100,000 for this current tax year, may we respectfully suggest that they call to discuss their options. There are still planning opportunities that can be utilised but decisions on what needs to be done, and action to be taken, needs to happen before 5 April 2019.
What now for the gig economy
The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of Gary Smith, a self-employed contractor with Pimlico Plumbers, who considered he was due worker's rights and has now had his assertion rubber stamped by the highest court in the land.
There are no win-win outcomes following this case, in fact the status of all sides in the so-called "gig economy" is up for reinterpretation. Let's hope that government is up to the task and is able to draft clearer instructions on this fractious area of tax law so that we can all proceed to negotiate future arrangements between companies and their self-employed contractors or employees within clear guidelines.
The court has issued a press release concerning the background to the appeal, the judgement and the reasons for the judgement. For those readers who are interested in the detail of this case the release is reproduced in part below:
BACKGROUND TO THE APPEAL
The Respondent, Mr Gary Smith, is a plumbing and heating engineer. Between August 2005 and April 2011 Mr Smith worked for the First Appellant – Pimlico Plumbers Ltd – a substantial plumbing business in London which is owned by the Second Appellant, Mr Charlie Mullins. Mr Smith had worked for the company under two written agreements (the second of which replaced the first in 2009). These agreements were drafted in quite confusing terms.
In August 2011 Mr Smith issued proceedings against the Appellants before the employment tribunal alleging that he had been unfairly dismissed, that an unlawful deduction had been made from his wages, that he had not been paid for a period of statutory annual leave and that he had been discriminated against by virtue of his disability. The employment tribunal decided that Mr Smith had not been an employee under a contract of employment, and therefore that he was not entitled to complain of unfair dismissal (a finding that Mr Smith does not now challenge), but that Mr Smith (i) was a 'worker' within the meaning of s.230(3) of the Employment Rights Act 1996, (ii) was a 'worker' within the meaning of regulation 2(1) of the Working Time Regulations 1998, and (iii) had been in 'employment' for the purposes of s.83(2) of the Equality Act 2010. These findings meant that Mr Smith could legitimately proceed with his latter three complaints and directions were made for their substantive consideration at a later date. The Appellants appealed this decision to an appeal tribunal and then to the Court of Appeal but were unsuccessful. They consequently appealed to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court unanimously dismisses the appeal. Lord Wilson gives the judgment with which Lady Hale, Lord Hughes, Lady Black and Lord Lloyd-Jones agree. The tribunal was entitled to conclude that Mr Smith qualified as a 'worker' under s.230(3)(b) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 (and by analogy the relevant provisions of the Working Time Regulations 1998 and the Equality Act 2010), and his substantive claims can proceed to be heard.
When is a car a van
There are advantages for tax purposes if the vehicle you buy for your business is considered to be a van as opposed to a car.
If you are VAT registered, you can claim back the VAT added to the purchase price (as long as there is no private use in which case you will have to apportion your claim) and the acquisition will qualify for generous tax allowances.
If you buy a car you cannot reclaim the VAT and tax allowances are far less expansive. There are exceptions; for example, if you by a car to use solely as a taxi or driving school vehicle, then VAT is potentially reclaimable and the ability to write off your investment against profits more likely.
Which begs the question, what is the definition of a car for VAT and tax purposes?
According to HMRC's definitions set out in their VAT internal manual we will need to consider the following:
From the outside [car derived] vehicles still look like a car. However, from the inside the vehicles look like and function as a van. This is because:
the rear seats and seatbelts have been taken out, along with their mountings;
the rear area of the shell is fitted with a new floor panel to create a payload area; and
the vehicle's side windows to the rear of the driver's seat are made opaque.
HMRC have published a list of car derived vans that distinguishes between those that are considered to be cars and those that are considered to be vans. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/428510/Car_derived_Van_updateMay2015.pdf
A further complication are double cab pick-ups, are they cars or vans? It would seem that if the payload capacity is one tonne or more then the cab would be considered a van, any less than one tonne would be considered a car.
Obviously, these distinctions are important for VAT and tax purposes. If you are considering your options, we can help you research and buy a vehicle that meets your aesthetic needs and is still a tax effective purchase.
How deep are your pockets
Next month, those of us who are still self-employed will be digging deep to pay our second payment on account for the tax year 2017-18. The deadline to avoid late payment interest and penalties is 31 July 2018.
For most of us, these payments on account (January and July 2018) for 2017-18 are based on agreed self-assessment liability for 2016-17. Which begs the questions, what if your liability for 2017-18 is more or less than 2016-17?
The quick reply is fairly obvious, you will be over or underpaying tax in January and July 2018 dependent on your taxable income in both years.
As the major income source for most self-assessment persons is profits from self-employment, now is a good time to take a close look at your draft accounts assessed in 2017-18, for the majority of tax payers affected this will be for the accounting year ended 31 March 2018.
If your profits have fallen
If draft accounts demonstrate a fall in profits 2017-18, compared to the previous year, then you may have grounds to reduce your payments on account January and July 2018. As you have already paid the January instalment (based on previous year estimates) now you have evidence that income is falling, you can lodge an application with HMRC to reduce payments on account and your July payment may be reduced, and perhaps significantly.
Time to crunch the numbers, and we can help you estimate liabilities and lodge your application accordingly. In this way you may not have to dig too deep after all.
If your profits have increased
If you have increased your income for 2017-18, your payments on account January and July 2018 may not cover your actual liability for the year.
Fear not, you do not need to increase your payments on account, but it is well worth gathering your papers and completing your accounts, so your advisor can prepare your tax return for 2017-18 and quantify the amount of the underpayment. This will be payable, together with your first payment on account for 2018-19 on or before 31 January 2019.
The Maternity Allowance
Women who find that they are not eligible to claim Statutory Maternity Pay may nevertheless, still qualify for the Maternity Allowance (MA).
The amount of MA you get will depend on eligibility.
You might get Maternity Allowance for 39 weeks if one of the following applies:
you're employed, but you can't get Statutory Maternity Pay
you're self-employed and pay Class 2 National Insurance (including voluntary National Insurance)
you've recently stopped working
In the 66 weeks before your baby's due, you must also have been:
employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks
earning (or classed as earning) £30 a week or more in at least 13 weeks – the weeks don't have to be together
You may still qualify if you've recently stopped working. It doesn't matter if you had different jobs or periods of unemployment.
If you're self-employed, to get the full amount of Maternity Allowance, you must have paid Class 2 National Insurance for at least 13 of the 66 weeks before your baby's due.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will check if you've paid enough when you make your claim. They'll write to you if you haven't.
If you haven't paid enough Class 2 National Insurance to get the full rate (£145.18 a week), you'll get £27 a week for 39 weeks. You still need to meet all the other eligibility criteria to get this amount.
You may be able to get the full rate by making early National Insurance payments. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will send you a letter to tell you how.
Construction sector VAT shakeup
Government are considering an extension of the VAT reverse charge to include the construction sector. The reverse charge process places the responsibility for paying VAT on the customer instead of the supplier. In their explanatory notes on this topic HMRC said:
What is being done and why
7.1 This instrument, with effect from the 1st October 2019, applies a reverse charge to certain supplies of construction services in order to remove the opportunity for missing trader fraud in the construction sector.
7.2 Missing trader fraud is an organised criminal attack on the VAT system. The fraud is perpetrated through transaction chains in certain business sectors with the loss occurring when the VAT charged by the supplier is not paid to HMRC but is retained by the recipient.
7.3 This type of fraud has been used by criminals to steal billions of pounds in VAT from governments throughout the European Union, both in relation to domestic supplies such as construction services, and also in connection with cross-border intracommunity trading in goods such as mobile telephones, computer chips and emissions allowances. A reverse charge for mobile telephones and computer chips was introduced with effect from 1st June 2007 and one for emissions allowances was introduced with effect from 1st November 2010. Further reverse charge measures were introduced for gas and electricity with effect from 1st July 2014 and for electronic communications with effect from 1st February 2016.
7.4 Construction services have been targeted by criminals because labour-only suppliers in the sector do not incur any significant VAT on their costs but can charge VAT to customers and then go missing, keeping the VAT for themselves. This instrument makes the reverse charge apply to construction services which, for these purposes, have been defined consistently with the activities covered in the Construction Industry Scheme. This is a statutory scheme which is concerned with tackling the risk of direct tax fraud in the construction industry.
7.5 The risk of fraud in the construction industry is principally centred around the supply of construction services between construction businesses in the supply chain and this instrument, therefore, does not require other types of business to apply the reverse charge when receiving construction services and there is also no reverse charge requirement in relation to building and construction materials that are supplied separately and independently of construction services.
7.6 Reverse charge accounting makes it impossible for fraudsters to perpetrate missing trader fraud because the customer rather than the supplier accounts for the VAT direct to HMRC.
7.7 The introduction of the reverse charge in this business sector will mean that businesses will need to adapt their systems and manage their cash flow differently. Due to the large number of small businesses potentially affected by a reverse charge TNA/EM/10-2015.1 3 for construction services the government has given a long lead-in time to help businesses
Ring in the changes, or else
There are a number of obligations that business owners should be aware, that involve them informing HMRC of changes to their business circumstances. In some cases, failure to comply may result in fines.
We have paraphrased some of occasions when you will need to advise HMRC:
You must tell HMRC if you decide to change the legal structure of your business, for example if you become a limited company or set up a partnership.
you'll need to tell HMRC if you stop being self-employed or close a limited company. To close a partnership, the nominated partner needs to report this on the final partnership tax return.
You don't need to tell HMRC a partner is joining or leaving unless the partnership is VAT-registered. If your partnership is VAT-registered, you must tell HMRC when a partner joins or leaves within 30 days – you can be fined if you don't.
If a partner dies or becomes bankrupt you must:
If there are 2 partners, the partnership will be automatically dissolved. The remaining partner must re-register for Self-Assessment as a sole trader.
If there are more than 2 partners, the partnership will be dissolved unless the partnership has agreed otherwise.
If the nominated partner dies, the partnership must nominate another partner and tell HMRC as soon as possible. If they don't, HMRC will nominate one and write to the partnership. That partner must then complete any outstanding partnership tax returns.
Additionally, if you start to employ staff you must register as an employer with HMRC.
VAT imposes a number of obligations. You will need to advise HMRC of changes to your turnover, businesses activity or if you become a member of a VAT group, and in most cases, you must tell them, within 30 days of the change.
Readers who are clients can be reassured that will do this for them (as long as we are given the facts). If you are concerned that you may have changes to disclose, please call and we will deal with this for you.
Thousands receive back pay
In a recent press release, HMRC urged underpaid workers to complain as figures show that the number of workers getting the money they're owed by employers has doubled after interventions by HMRC.
According to latest figures, in 2017-18, HMRC investigators identified £15.6 million in pay owed to more than a record 200,000 of the UK's lowest paid workers.
HMRC launched its online complaints service in January 2017, and this has contributed to the 132% increase in the number of complaints received over the last year and the amount of money HMRC has been able to recoup for those unfairly underpaid.
The figures are published as the government launches its annual advertising campaign designed to encourage workers to act if they are not receiving the National Living Wage or the National Minimum Wage.
Industries most affected include restaurants, bars, hotels and hairdressing.
People not receiving at least the minimum wage can fill in an online pay and work rights complaints form.
It is the responsibility of employers, no matter how big or small, to pay the correct wage to their staff, and failing to do so can result in fines of 200% of the arrears, public naming and, for the worst offences, criminal prosecution.
From 1 April 2018, the government's National Living Wage rate increased by 33p to £7.83 per hour for those aged 25 and over.
The National Minimum Wage increased:
by 33p to £7.38 per hour for those aged 21 to 24;
by 20p to £3.70 per hour for apprentices.
Crackdown on abuse of UK businesses
Reforms are being considered that will ensure that Scottish Limited Partnerships continue to be used as a legitimate vehicle for investment in the UK.
Measures to crack down on the abuse of a specialised financial arrangement to launder foreign money through the UK was unveiled at the end of April 2018. This is part of a package of government reforms.
Scottish Limited Partnerships (SLPs) and Limited Partnerships (LPs) are used by thousands of legitimate British businesses, particularly the private equity and pensions industry, to invest more than £30 billion a year in the UK. SLPs and LPs are business entities created by two or more partners where at least one partner is liable for what they invest.
However, evidence published shows the growing evidence that SLPs have been exploited in complex money laundering schemes, including one which involved using over 100 SLPs to move up to $80 billion out of Russia. They have also been linked to international criminal networks in Eastern Europe and other locations and have allegedly been used in arms deals.
Figures published, as part of the launch of the government consultation on this issue, show that just 5 frontmen were responsible for over half of 6,800 SLPs registered between January 2016 and mid-May 2017. By June 2017, 17,000 SLPs, over half of all SLPs, were registered at just 10 addresses.
New proposals would make it clearer who runs limited partnerships to enable British investors to continue to use them legitimately and invest in the UK, while cracking down on their use in unlawful activities. These include:
Requiring a real connection to the UK, including ensuring SLPs do business or maintain a service address in Scotland.
Registering new SLPs through a company formation agent, this will ensure that frontmen will be subjected to anti-money laundering checks.
New powers for Companies House to remove limited partnerships from the company register if they are dissolved or are no longer operating.
The reforms being proposed will apply to all limited partnerships in the UK and will also include new annual reporting requirements for limited partnerships in England and Wales and Northern Ireland, all of which will help Companies House ensure they comply with the law.
Last year, the government introduced laws requiring SLPs to report their beneficial owner and make their ownership structure more transparent, this resulted in an 80% reduction in the number of SLPs registered. Recent, additional reforms seek to raise standards further.
Employees holiday entitlement
The following definitions should help to clarify employee and employer rights and responsibilities regarding entitlement to holiday pay.
Almost all workers are legally entitled to 5.6 weeks' paid holiday per year (known as statutory leave entitlement or annual leave). An employer can include bank holidays as part of statutory annual leave.
Most workers who work a 5-day week must receive at least 28 days paid annual leave per year. This is the equivalent of 5.6 weeks of holiday.
Part-time workers are entitled to less paid holiday than full-time workers. They are entitled to at least 5.6 weeks of paid holiday but this amounts to fewer than 28 days because they work fewer hours per week.
Statutory paid holiday entitlement is limited to 28 days, and so staff working 6 days a week are still only entitled to 28 days' paid holiday.
Bank holidays or public holidays do not have to be given as paid leave. An employer can choose to include bank holidays as part of a worker's statutory annual leave. An employer can also choose to offer more leave than the legal minimum. They don't have to apply all the rules that apply to statutory leave to the extra leave. For example, a worker might need to be employed for a certain amount of time before they become entitled to the additional entitlement.
Additionally, workers have the right to:
get paid for leave;
build up ('accrue') holiday entitlement during maternity, paternity and adoption leave;
build up holiday entitlement while off work sick;
request holiday at the same time as sick leave.
Paid annual leave is a legal right that an employer must provide. If a worker thinks their right to leave and pay are not being met there are a number of ways to resolve the dispute.
VAT – leaving the Flat Rate Scheme January 17, 2020
Budget day 2020 January 14, 2020
Tax Diary January/February 2020 January 10, 2020
Harmer Slater is an independent firm of Chartered Accountants and business advisers with offices in Middlesex and Surrey. We provide a professional and friendly service to individuals and organisations of all sizes ranging from small privately owned businesses to UK subsidiaries of prestigious multi-national groups and AIM listed companies.
Sutton Office:
Address:19 Cedar Rd, Sutton SM2 5DA Phone: 020 8652 2700 Email:info@harmerslater.com Web:www.harmerslater.com
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Harmer Slater Limited is a company registered in England and Wales under company number 07167165. Our registered office address is Salatin House, 19 Cedar Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5DA. We are registered to carry on audit work in the UK and Ireland by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). Details of our audit registration can be viewed at www.auditregister.org.uk under reference number C002524600. In accordance with the disclosure requirements of the Provision of Services Regulations 2009, our professional indemnity insurer is Allied World Assurance Company (Europe) Limited, of 20 Fenchurch Street, London, 18th And 19th Floors, EC3M 3BY. The territorial coverage is worldwide excluding professional business carried out from an office in the United States of America or Canada and excludes any action for a claim brought in any court in the United States of America or Canada.
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The Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra has sought the state's Advocate General's opinion on whether it should challenge the Bombay High Court's January 8 order allowing a fare hike for the Mumbai Metro.
"The matter has been referred to the Advocate General seeking his opinion on the various legal aspects. So far Advocate General has not yet given his view and therefore the government and its undertaking the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will take a decision in this regard in due course of time," a senior minister in the Maharashtra government told Business Standard.


The wait is finally over! The official video of 420 is here! Kottonmouth Kings - "Hold It In"
The first single from MILE HIGH - KMK's new record in stores this summer!
Be sure to check back at 4:20 PM for the premiere of the brand new Kottonmouth Kartoon - Stonetown!
And the revealing of the artwork for Mile High and pre order launch!!!!


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Martha Stortz
Iridium Spa
Iridium Spa is an oasis spread across two floors at the top of the St. Regis Hotel in Toronto. With high quality products, an infinity pool and top notch decor, Iridium Spa offers massages, facials and nail treatments.
During the early months of the pandemic, St. Regis took advantage of the slowdown in hotel traffic to completely renovate the spa, opening the first Iridium Spa in North America.
The result is a totally new luxury spa that also has safety features built right in.
Walking into the spa on the 31st floor of the St. Regis definitely feels luxurious. Iridium is just across from St. Regis' Louix Louis restaurant, an appropriate pairing because Iridium feels like Versailles.
There's tons of marble, touches of gold, and the kind of serene ambiance that makes you whisper in hushed tones and seriously consider a life as someone who uses seasons as verbs.
Bringing us back to reality, the spa has installed numerous features that protect patrons and workers such as clear glass around the check-in centre and other areas where people could potentially be in close contact and extended sanitizations of the spa between clients.
The safety features are extensive but not intrusive, which is a major benefit to people who want to relax their bodies and minds.
Down the hall, the locker rooms feature products from Southy Paris, steam rooms, and a layout that even Chrishell Stause would swoon over.
Iridium was designed by Toronto artist Chapi Chapo, and the colours and textures were inspired by Ontario topography.
Farther down the hallway, Iridium has eleven treatment rooms (two of which are couples rooms) named after the notes in the St. Regis signature scent.
Clients can choose from an array of facials and massages including prenatal massages, and the rooms are completely sanitized (including the decor) between treatments.
Next, the full nail salon features stations for manicures and pedicures, complete with glass barriers (for safety) and a fun display of polish (for function) and a hidden TV in front of the pedicure bar (for bachelorette parties who want to watch Bridesmaids and be reminded that this process could be worse).
Upstairs, the salt water infinity pool is available to spa guests who want to splash around and there's a whirlpool for guests who want the splashing to be done by jets.
The lounge is by far my favourite part of Iridium, and it's the aspect that really sets it apart. The lounge is a gorgeous, plush room with cream loungers, privacy curtains, and a fireplace.
St. Regis Spa butlers offer champagne and snacks, and there are stunning views of the city. It's serene, luxurious, and feels like the kind of place where Kendall Roy would go to dry out. The relaxed feeling stayed with me as I took the elevator down and left Iridium. In a time like this, it's nice to have a little break for some serenity with the right amount of safety mixed in.
Naked Beauty Bar
Fuzz Wax Bar
Sash and Bustle
Aunt Thelma's
Pink Nail Bar

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Following strong interest in north Queensland hotel investment opportunities, Mulpha Australia has bought the Rydges Esplanade in Cairns for $40 million.
CBRE Hotels National Director Wayne Bunz negotiated the off-market transaction on behalf of Abacus Funds Management Limited.
The four-star Rydges Esplanade Hotel comprises 242 rooms and a range of facilities, including a restaurant and bar, conference venues, a lagoon pool, gymnasium and tennis court.
Mulpha Australia CEO Greg Shaw indicated the transaction was motivated by Cairns' thriving hotel market and is excited about the prospect of growth from the investment.
Mr Bunz said the figures highlighted that investors were turning their attention to leisure offerings as a result of both the current tourism boom and the tightly held nature of the major CBD markets.
"Market conditions are leading investors to consider regional Australian accommodation assets," he said.
"In 2015, there were 53 hotel transactions across the country, with 60% of those involving assets in capital city markets and 40% related to regional properties.
Mr Bunz noted that buyer interest had driven a tightening in regional investment yields, with Cairns properties trading on yields of between 5.88% and 9.3%.
"This is a reflection of investors' confidence in the market and the significant growth that is being experienced in visitor numbers," Mr Bunz said.
Mr Bunz added that another attraction for purchasers was the fact that hotels and resorts in regional areas were still being sold at prices substantially below replacement costs.
CBRE believes investor interest in Cairns also comes from a market which is becoming less seasonal.


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Increase and prosperity comes from Lord alone. He alone is the one who makes us fruitful and blessed. He alone is the one who fills us with peace. Bible records many men of honour, who were not only known for their trust and faith in God, but also for favour of wealth and prosperity bestowed upon them by God.
For instance, Abraham. One of the Old Testament patriarchs, who was considered amongst the righteous ones, was also inevitably a very wealthy man in livestock, silver and gold. Genesis 24:35 records Abraham's servant say about him.
1 Kings 3:5 records, once Solomon became King, 'THE ETERNAL" appeared in his dream, and offered to give him ANYTHING. But Solomon asked for an 'understanding heart' that he could fulfil his responsibilities as king over all of Israel. God's response to his sincere request was simply wonderful.
So basically, God not only promised to make king David's son, the wisest man EVER, but also to make him RICH.
So my precious brothers and sisters, God is able to do much more and exceedingly, than you can fathom, but He will require your sincere and trusting heart, that simply looks up to HIM ALONE with a childlike faith. You cannot give Him anything, because everything you have is given by Him only. But all that He requires from you, is your faith, trust and sincerity towards Him and also a praise of thanksgiving for all His day to day goodness towards you. Isn't that an awesome bargain?
Go ahead, and trust Him with all you have, all you are. Give it all to HIM.


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Q: solution of infinite series I want to proof this:
\begin{equation}
\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^{k+1}}{k!}=\ln 2
\end{equation}
but I worked it out as follow:
\begin{align*}
\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{\lambda^{k}}{k!} & =e^{\lambda}\\
\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\frac{\lambda^{k}}{k!} & =e^{\lambda}-1 \\
\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^{k+1}}{k!} & =1-e^{-1}
\end{align*}
I do not know what to do? How can I proof the original question? Or the maybe the answer is not $\ln 2$.

A: $$
\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^{k+1}}{k!} \neq \ln 2
$$
You probably meant
$$
\sum_{k=1}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^{k+1}}{k} = \ln 2
$$

A: Hint: Just use $$\ln(1+x)=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^{n+1}}{n}x^n$$

A: In this case you can prove it by showing that the value which it is, is in fact another value than $\ln(2)$ .
So, by the exponential series the series has a value, say $a$ which is easy to determine. (Possibly you shall also say something about the convergence of the given series). Then you show, that $ a\ne \ln(2)$ ...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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U.S. Government Should Double Global Health Spending by 2012, IOM Report Says
President-elect Barack Obama's administration and Congress should double annual U.S. international health aid to $15 billion by 2012, and Obama should appoint a senior official to work with a White House committee for coordinating such aid with other areas of foreign affairs, according to a National Institute of Medicine report released Monday, Bloomberg reports (Lauerman, Bloomberg , 12/15). The report, which says global health should be a "pillar" of U.S. foreign policy, was compiled by a committee of outside experts -- including Harold Varmus, president and CEO of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and former head of NIH, and Thomas Pickering, former ambassador and under secretary of state for political affairs. The report also recommends increased U.S. support for the World Health Organization (Jack, Financial Times , 12/15). In addition, the authors emphasize the importance of sustaining commitments to global health programs, such as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, particularly during the current economic downturn.
According to Varmus, the U.S. currently spends less per capita on international health aid than many other countries and should work to increase its relative spending. The IOM report found that the U.S. spends about 0.16% of its gross national income on development aid, which is about one-third of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals target of 0.54%. According to the report, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway and Sweden exceed the MDG target and 15 other industrialized nations contribute proportionally more than the U.S. The report is "just drawing attention to the fact that we do underspend," Varmus said, adding, "[E]specially in times of economic stress, we need to pay attention to the poor of the world." According to Varmus, "This is the time to make the investments" in global health aid. Bill Gates of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said, "By making global health a top priority, even in difficult economic times, our nation's leaders can make a phenomenal statement about America's commitment to a better world for all." Gates added that the IOM report "sends a critical message at a critical time: America's investments in global health are working." Varmus said that additional health aid is "a good thing to do just for basic ethical reasons, and it boosts the economies of nations that receive health assistance."
According to the report's authors, increasing health assistance will demonstrate that the U.S. "fundamentally believes in the value of better health for all" ( Bloomberg , 12/15). The IOM advisers said that the U.S. would be acting "in the global interest" by increasing global health aid and that "long-term diplomatic, economic and security benefits for the United States would follow." According to the report, international health funding will contribute to U.S. "soft power" abroad by building support among developing nations. The report calls for the U.S. to work with developing countries to determine the most effective delivery methods for medical support and implement "rigorous evaluation" measures to ensure improved health outcomes. Michael Leavitt, outgoing HHS secretary, has said increased global health efforts would be an important non-military aspect of U.S. foreign policy and would help Americans recoup "the benefits of our benevolence." Leavitt in a speech last week to the Center for Strategic and International Studies also called for greater coordination between international donors and a unified "branding" of U.S. international health support ( Financial Times , 12/15). Nick Shapiro, a spokesperson for the Obama transition team, would not comment on the IOM report( Bloomberg , 12/15).
The report is available online. IOM expects to release a "more complete exploration of this vision -- including the role of the commercial sector, foundations, academia and nongovernmental organizations" -- in the spring of 2009.
Today, July 19


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BIG DATA WEEK: A GLOBAL FESTIVAL OF DATA 2013-2014
BIG DATA WEEK IS ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE GLOBAL PLATFORMS OF INTERCONNECTED COMMUNITY EVENTS FOCUSING ON THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL, TECHNOLOGICAL AND COMMERCIAL IMPACTS OF BIG DATA.
Link to Big Innovation Centre provocation report for Big Data Week 2013: "How should the government approach the big data challenge? Realising economic opportunities and building an enterprising state"
Link to Big Innovation Centre report "Big data: A lot to explore but little to share?"
Link to Big Innovation Centre showcases: Why all the fuss about Big Data? Well, it's a big deal!
LINK to Photos from Big Data Week 2013
2013 - A lot to explore but little to share? Debating the social, political, impact of data
Big Innovation Centre in London was one of the 2013 Big Data Week partners with an event, entitled: "A lot to explore but little to share?". The title signalled the difficulty of sharing data, despite there is a lot to gain.
Event partner was the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
The event took place at Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College, London
2014 - "Big Data – Open/Free public data available for use by businesses (economies, smart cities, better informed citizens)
Similar, Big Innovation Centre in London was one of the 2014 Big Data Week partners with an event, entitled: "Big Data – Open/Free public data available for use by businesses (economies, smart cities, better informed citizens). The title signalled the importance of finding ways to open public data sets to be used by private businesses.
Event partner was the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and Open Data Institute (ODI)
The event took place at STFC, Harwell Science Park
2013 Big Data Week: Big Innovation Centre Provocation
The knowledge extracted from big data is in itself an economic asset; a factor of production alongside labour, capital, and technology. Making use of vast quantities of data opens up enormous economic opportunities: ranging from updating the way we do things to creating completely new products, services, organisational methods, and ways of delivering public services. Because the knowledge that comes out from big data impacts nearly every part of the economy, we at the Big Innovation Centre describe big data as a new general purpose technology.
What can policymakers do to make sure that the UK economy succeeds in securing the economic benefits of big data?
How can we unlock the value of private data through action on public data?
What would deliver protocols that can enable the greatest exploitation of these vast quantities of data, both public and private?
Input to Big Innovation Centre's Big Data Week by Viscount Younger of Leckie – UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Intellectual Property
"Governments around the globe hold vast stocks of data whose insights are crucial for both public bodies and businesses. Public bodies can use these insights to design smarter services and deliver them more effectively. Business can use these insights to boost innovation and create growth and jobs. A key question for Ministers and officials alike, in every country, is whether we are getting the very best value from that data. Are there ways we can make it work better? By unleashing Big Data, can we grow existing businesses to encourage innovative business models? In finding the right approach in liberating this data we must find ways of respecting the privacy of the citizens and businesses while unleashing the economic potential of data. This novel approach creates opportunities and benefits for all."
Big Innovation Centre's answer the UK government's big data challenge: Realising economic opportunities and building an enterprising state.
In a recent contribution to the Shakespeare Review (forthcoming May 2013), an independent review commissioned by the Data Strategy Board for the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, the Big Innovation Centre has recommended that the policy agenda for big data should focus on the following five challenges:
The UK must aim to be a global leader in big data analysis and data interpretation services, a new and fast growing category of professional and business services (PBS).
This means that the government must create the conditions for the UK economy to capitalise on three of its important competitive advantages:
Global leadership in other PBS services such as, e.g., financial and insurance services;
World-class universities;
Ability to attract and retain talented and innovative people.
The government must open up data, particularly publicly funded data.
Much of big data, both structured and unstructured, is generated and captured by public organisations and is paid for by public funds. Also, the UK has some of the world's best and most complete public datasets in, for example, health, demographics, agriculture and meteorology . Clearly, the economic potential of these and other important public datasets can only be fully exploited if the most innovative and creative entrepreneurs have full access to this data. What the UK needs now is to find ways of exploring the potential of this public data to develop new marketable products, services and organisational methods, thereby promoting economic growth and job creation.
The UK government must ensure that the right digital infrastructure is in place.
Building effective and reliable digital networks is a precondition for making full use of big data. This includes:
Investing in broadband capacity, 4G wireless networks and data storage capacity;
Coordinating the electromagnetic spectrum and ensuring hardware and software compatibility;
Ensuring digital networks are safe and secure.
The UK government must adjust the education policy to tackle the potential skills mismatch.
Making the most of big data calls for a labour force able to analyse, interpret and put the insights extracted from data to work. The UK education policy must make the necessary adjustments to deliver:
The next generation of data scientists and data analysts;
Mid-level professionals able to interpret and make meaningful use of the data analysis results.
A failure to adapt to these skill requirements will limit the UK's ability to capture the full potential of big data. It can also raise structural unemployment in the UK.
The UK government must put in place a legal and regulatory framework for using, sharing and protecting data.
This requires:
Delivering standards on data quality and release formats;
Delivering technical and security protocols for using, sharing and combining private and public data while addressing privacy, intellectual property rights, and security concerns;
Supporting big data 'test beds'. Developing meaningful quality standards and technical and security protocols is not a straightforward task. Big data 'test beds' are special spaces where companies, entrepreneurs, academics and public organisations can share and experiment with public and private data in a secure environment without fear of losing commercial advantage or breaking the law. Big data 'test beds' are meant to:
Emphasise both the opportunities and barriers resulting from sharing and combining data from public and private sources;
Shed light on the set of meaningful and feasible protocols necessary to make the most of big data while addressing privacy and security concerns.
In addition to some government support, putting big data 'test beds' in place requires a trusted broker to host them. The Big Innovation Centre, by bringing together companies, universities, and public agencies is well positioned to play this role.
Ranked "TOP Digital Transformation Consulting/Service Company".
Awarded "Leading Specialists for Inspiring Innovation – UK".
"We are the biggest digital country in Europe and London is the AI venture capital of Europe"
See more Artificial IntelligenceBig Innovation London
Face and emotion recognition deployment must guarantee data protection and not discriminate against citizens.


Apr 25, 2007 The CLP Series load pins are frequently used where mounting pins or large bolts are supporting a load. Typical applications include pulley shaft bolts, clevis pins and shackle pins. The CLP series are manufactured using heat-treated 17-4ph stainless steel. A stainless steel molded connector system is incorporated to support use in harsh industrial environments. For a wide range of applications, twelve capacity ranges are available from 1,500 to 200,000 pounds.
Our CLP Series applications include pulley shaft bolts, clevis pins and shackle pins.


We started making jewelry as part of our own fiat. Following a 33 day prayerful journey toward Total Consecration to Mary, we both had a deep desire to make new art that represents the beauty and mystery of our ancient faith. Inspired by Mother Mary, we began making pendants that represent the many wondrous portraits of our Queen Mother. Our collection echos Saint John Paul II's prayer to Mary: Totus Tuus! "We are totally yours!"
Crowned mother and queen over all, Mary appears to people in different places and times in unique and beautiful ways. We remember her message and celebrate her love and guidance throughout the centuries with pendants to symbolize well known apparitions. Find the stories that comfort and guide you toward sainthood and keep them close to your heart.
"And you yourself a sword shall pierce," (Luke 2:35). This verse is represented in our artist's rendition of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which depicts her heart pierced at the same angle as the heart of Jesus Christ. Hand-polished mirror finishes are placed on the flames strategically to catch light. Specifically created for consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.


Jeremy discusses the US mid-terms, processed meat, spiked drinks and the Grenfell bonfire.
Broadcaster June Sarpong and author Dixe Wills chat to Steve.
Gideon reveals and plays in full 6 Music's Favourite David Bowie album.
Gideon Coe reveals 6 Music listeners' favourite David Bowie album and plays it in full.


I think we can all agree that no one is secretly praying to the email gods to bestow more messages to their inboxes. Your future clients aren't doing late-night tribal dances to bring more prosperity unto their Gmail accounts. Even with all the computers, tablets, Smartphones and Apple Watches available, your prospects can't achieve Inbox Zero as it is—they don't need MORE email.
But there you are, strategically sending out your weekly email newsletter, hoping beyond hope that your subscribers will not just read it, but actually care what you have to say (and maybe…just maybe…sign up to become your next client).
Why are we constantly sending out marketing emails to our lists when no one wants more email? Are we totally crazy? Are we gluttons for time wasters? Are we like sheep blindly following the Internet Marketing Shepard who told us that this strategy would work?
fortunate to be part of the project.
Thank you all for your time & I hope to see you soon!
Sign up at: [WEBSITE] AND let me know!
I started to scroll down to find the unsubscribe button—to save my inbox from future mediocrity—but I stopped. This is a perfect knee-slapping example of what business owners and coaches like us SHOULD NOT do when it comes to emailing your list.
Umm…hello? I have a name and it's not "friend" or "student." It's Laurel. Every email service out there now lets you personalize your salutation (e.g. "Dear Laurel"), so use those personalizations like it's your religion.
After reading this email, I know when and where the class is taking place and for how long, but there's one critical piece of information missing…WHAT THE HELL IS AN "AWAKEN YOUR SPINE" CLASS??? Is my spine currently taking a nap? Does it need a spiritual revival? Why do I need lots of personal attention?? I have no idea.
If you're inviting your email subscribers to enroll in something (e.g. a workshop, webinar, program, coaching, etc.), the who/what/when/where details are helpful but won't land you a single client. You have to tell people WHY they should sign up/enroll/give you money.
Again, I have NO IDEA what happens in an Awaken Your Spine class, but I might sign up if she told me the class would help my thirty-something body loosen up a little so my muscles wouldn't creak like an eighty-year-old. Just sayin'.
What will your workshop/webinar/program/coaching/blog post/advice DO FOR THEM?
What problem of theirs will it solve?
In every email you send to your subscribers, you should have ONE call-to-action. Not two or three (or zero), just one. You can repeat your call-to-action multiple times, but make sure it's crystal clear what's the ONE next step is that you're asking people to take.
These two call-to-actions seem similar, but as the reader, I'm confused what to do next if I want to sign up. Do I reply to this email and tell her I'm interested? Does the flyer have more information?Does "putting me on the list" mean I'm committed to it? If I am committed, is there a charge involved? Or do I visit the website and sign up online?
Well, I decided to visit the website and here's the kicker… THERE'S NOTHING ON THERE about the class. Zip. Nada.
If you leave your subscribers guessing what to do next, they won't take any action. So before you send another email to your list, ask yourself: Does my call-to-action in this email lead them by the hand and precisely tell them exactly what to do next?
If so, continue. If not, rethink it.
That's what is happening with the Awaken Your Spine woman. I don't hear for her for months (if not years) and then I get a unsolicited invitation. I feel ignored, slighted, and taken advantage of.
The secret to successful email marketing is CONSISTENCY. Choose a frequency to send emails out (e.g. 1x/month, 2x/month, 1x/week, etc.) and STICK WITH IT. Never go long periods of time without emailing.
PLUS, don't have "an ask" in every email. Personally, I like to follow the Give-Give-Give-Sell method. This means you GIVE to your subscribers by consistently sending out free helpful content, tips, tools, stories, etc. and then you have earned the privilege of SELLING to them.
The subject of this email was "New (Awaken your Spine) Series, New Class, New Studio." Okay, so not totally terrible (I've seen worse like "March Newsletter"), but not great either.
Want to fly on my private jet?
Makes you curious, right?? Me, too. That's why I haven't given them the axe (…yet).
Just go ahead and make the assumption that your email subscribers are drowning in email. Their inboxes are overflowing. They're overwhelmed with never-ending free content from books, blogs, podcasts, and the fifty other email newsletters they're subscribed to. And because of this, they're not afraid to unsubscribe on a whim.
That being the case, your emails need to stand out like a red rescue boat in a storm. They need to be the bright beacon guiding your prospects to safety. Your email subscribers signed up for your list because THEY NEED YOUR HELP. So it's your job to do everything you can to reach them.
Laurel Staples is a marketing coach and the founder of ProCoach Academy. She helps coaches and consultants get more clients and skyrocket their profits through trust-building marketing techniques, authentic selling, and effective time management tools. Find out why the ProCoach Academy is your ticket to coaching success by clicking here.
Just to be sure; you're saying "March Newsletter" is a bad thing? Hmmm, maybe that explains my 12% open rate.
Thanks Laurel, great tips being implemented now!
I know what you mean about emails needing to be worth your time. I only stay subscribed to no more than 4 educational newsletters at a time; depending on what I'm currently struggling with. If it's not best of the best, it gets axed.
"ProCoach is the best thing I could have done for my coaching business."
"This program was the missing piece of my coaching education."
Copyright text 2018 by Laurel Staples, founder of ProCoach | The content on this site cannot be used or republished without written consent.


text:
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        <string name="title_activity_settings">Settings</string>

    <!-- Strings related to Settings -->

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    <string name="pref_title_social_recommendations">Enable social recommendations</string>
    <string name="pref_description_social_recommendations">Recommendations for people to contact based on your message history</string>

    <string name="pref_title_display_name">Display name</string>
    <string name="pref_default_display_name">Jean Paul</string>

    <string name="pref_title_add_friends_to_messages">Add friends to messages</string>
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        <item>25MB</item>
        <item>50MB</item>
        <item>100MB</item>
        <item>250MB</item>
        <item>500MB</item>
        <item>None</item>
    </string-array>
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        <item>26214400</item>
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        <item>104857600</item>
        <item>262144000</item>
        <item>524288000</item>
        <item>-1</item>
    </string-array>

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    <string name="pref_header_data_sync">Data & sync</string>

    <string name="pref_title_sync_frequency">Test Frequency</string>
    <string-array name="test_frequency_titles">
        <item>15 minutes</item>
        <item>30 minutes</item>
        <item>1 hour</item>
        <item>3 hours</item>
        <item>6 hours</item>
        <item>Never</item>
    </string-array>
    <string-array name="test_frequency_values">
        <item>15</item>
        <item>30</item>
        <item>60</item>
        <item>180</item>
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    <string name="pref_title_system_sync_settings">System sync settings</string>

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    <string name="pref_ringtone_silent">Silent</string>

    <string name="pref_title_vibrate">Vibrate</string>
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


amp; Cards Prepaid Amazon Minutes com Sim Warner Bros.
Sim Minutes Cards Amazon com amp; Prepaid Shot to resemble cellphone pics posted on Facebook by totally wasted teenagers, "Project X" is "Animal House" for the YouTube generation - that is, if "Animal House" actually was about torturing animals while innocent bystanders got tased, all without ever being, you know, funny.
Prepaid Cards amp; Sim com Minutes Amazon Maybe they should have called it "Project Peer Pressure."
Amazon com Cards Prepaid amp; Minutes Sim Behind the scenes: Produced by Todd Phillips. Written by Michael Bacall and Matt Drake. Directed by Nima Nourizadeh.


text:
Q: Refactor Drupal site while preserving content My dilemma: My small team has been pegged with the task of refactoring/redesigning a rather large Drupal site. The site is littered with unused modules and content types, CSS/JS/HTML/etc hacks, and has a myriad of strange work-arounds for external data imports. I am currently the sole backend developer for the team, and our Drupal expertise is beginner level. We cannot build a custom CMS because of the amount of content that the site has combined with the complexity of Drupal's DB structure, it would be impossible to export it reliably; as well, content is being constantly added and modified on a daily basis.
My question: Is there any best practices, tips, advice, or any suggestions that anyone can provide that might aide us in our attempt to refactor this site?
Specifically...

*

*Detecting, disabling, uninstalling, and removing unused modules and QAing afterwards.

*Updating modules and QAing (systematic approach?).

*Detecting and deleting unused content types.

*Detecting and removing unused PHP code (tpls mostly).

*Detecting and removing unused CSS/JS.

A: On modules back-end page you have dependencies shown for every module. Is some other module using it and what other modules current module uses. So, if you see that module is not used by any other module and that it's feature is not needed you can try disabling it first, check if everything works well and finally remove the module.
About content types - go to content, check is there some node of specific content type you doubt it's not needed. If there are nodes of that type try viewing them. It they are not styled well...might be that they are not used/needed.
Php - hmm...you can i.e. add some line of your code writing out some thing, or even saving some text to the file and then open page...see if you'll get some output or something saved into your file. You can even call exit() function and check will it break the site.
Similar with JS - alert something or write to console to see will it be called.
And most important thing - make a backup of all files and database first!


text:
Q: Kendo UI - How to check if instance is kendoGrid instance or check if grid is initialized on the given DOM element I have a common method which does some operations on kendo grid instance. The caller can pass jQuery instance or actual kendo grid instance to this common method
function commomMethod(grid)
{
    //?? How do i check if `grid` instance is not KendoGrid instance
    if(grid is not kendoGrid)
    {
       grid = grid.getKendoGrid();
    }
    //do something
}

function caller1()
{
   commomMethod($("#mygrid"));
}

function caller2()
{
   commomMethod($("#mygrid").getKendoGrid());
}

A: Here is the working DEMO
Below is the code snippet from the demo:
function commomMethod(grid)
{
    var kendoGrid = $(grid).data("kendoGrid");

    //Check if the element is already initialized with the Kendo Grid widget
    if (kendoGrid)//Grid is initialized
    {
       alert("Yess, Kendo grid is initialized");
    }
    else
    {
        //grid is not initialized
        alert("Nopeee, Kendo grid not is initialized");

        //To verify, you change the id here  to  $("#mygrid1").kendoGrid({
    }
    //do something
}

A: Try using
$("#mygrid").data('kendoGrid')

It returns undefined if it's not an instance of kendo grid


text:
USS Saint Paul Association
Cruise Book
1971 Decommissioning
USS Saint Paul Association > Memories
The Orphans of Fushi-to Island And The U.S.S. Saint Paul CA-73
January 22, 2015 saintpauladminLeave a comment0
The Korean War was between the Republic of Korea (South Korea, supported by the United Nations), and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea, supported by the Chinese and the Soviet Union Communists or Reds). The North Koreans invaded South Korea June 25, 1950, and rapidly conquered most of South Korea.
When the Communist invaders captured Inchon, a city on the west coast of Korea a short distance from Seoul, they took over the Inchon Christian Orphanage, which had been established in 1946 by Holiness Church Missionaries.
The children were left to fend for themselves. Kwak Sun Yong, a Holiness missionary took some of them to the island of Fushi (Fussito, Fusshi-do), where he and his wife began caring for the group, which consisted of 34 little boys in addition to his own family.
She Was A Beauty Long-Slim-Riding In The Stream
Aboard the ship for the first time
It was April or early may 1955. After boot camp leave, I enjoyed temporary quarters at Terminal Island. I was finally told by the duty officer the Saint Paul was anchored out and that I could get aboard by taking the Saint Paul's liberty boat from the Pico street landing in Long Beach. I took my orders and seabag and waited at the landing. Soon, in came the boat. I climbed aboard. I would eventually be the engineer on this boat and a dammed good one as expressed by all the coxswains for which I worked. As the boat slipped away from the landing, I started to see her. Ah, she was a beauty; long-slim-riding softly in the stream.
Cherished Memory Artist Arthur Beaumont
Arthur Beaumont's paintings
After watching the Arthur Beaumont Sketches in the USS SAINT PAUL'S Associations web site, a cherished memory came to my mind: Arthur Beaumont's wife, Mrs. Beaumont, was the girl's vice-principal of Stevenson Jr. High School in East Los Angeles where I attended, during 1946-47. She was a very elegant lady and well liked. We had the pleasure of seeing her husband's paintings that she brought to school for all to appreciate. Years later, my husband and I both had the pleasure of viewing them together at the Marine Museum in San Pedro, California. It gave me much satisfaction to realize that I had, somewhat, touched base with this marvelous artist.
~ Esther Humeston
My Most Memorable Experience The Midshipmen Cruise 1950
All I can remember about the training cruise from San Francisco to Pearl Harbor was that we worked the Midshipmen hard. I remember in particular a tall, young midshipman who was ready to do anything he was told to do; running here, there and everywhere.
After a while I realized how difficult it was to be a midshipman, because many sailors took advantage of their status and position and in a sense introduced them into what it took to be a regular sailor. I know it was hard on this particular individual because he had no choice but to follow orders. However, everything he did was not considered as being 100 percent of what was expected of him as a midshipman. I know he was happy and glad when the USS Saint Paul arrived in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where all the midshipmen on the Midshipman Cruise got off the ship.
45 Children In Korea Call Him 'Pop'
When the heavy cruiser St. Paul slid into Inchon harbor the night of Sept. 15 the coast line and shore emplacements had already tasted the lethal power of its guns.
From dawn until late morning of Sept. 15, St. Paul, its sister ship the Rochester and the big Mo had pounded Inchon prior to the landing.
Arthur Rodriguez
Death Was Just Moments Away
Houstonian Escaped In Ship Explosion
Seamen Tony Esquivel of Houston was on the cruiser St. Paul when an 8-inch gun turrent(sic) explosion killed 30 of his shipmates on April 21.
But death was very close for Esquivel… only a moment or two away.
Now that the censors have lifted the cloud of secrecy his story can be told. And he told it in a letter to his brother, E. M. Esquivel of 7331 Ave. K.
Copyright © 2007-2019 USS Saint Paul Association, Inc. • Anaheim, CA • (714) 630-4520


Public relations and SEO go hand in hand and always have. Since PR is about building relationships with key influential bodies to increase a company's visibility, SEO can be looked at in the same light and also be used for that purpose. The only thing that's different is that SEO is about the digital marketing sphere, and relationships can be measured with Google Analytics, links, social signals and other indicators. In the past, SEO marketing was built upon low quality information and spam to get company's names, but search engine algorithms have changed all of that. In fact, it's now punishable to promote low quality relationships and even bad for a company's image to do so.
Now that search engines are smarter about determining the quality of content, intent of a page and relevance of a link, SEO strategies have to think about PR, too. You can no longer manufacture spam links or build links artificially, the SEO process has to be about natural human relationships and linking strategies. These will lead to more effective PR opportunities for businesses.
There are multiple ways to look at PR. The same techniques that PR professionals use to create positive images for their businesses are diverse. There are three areas where SEO and PR ultimately mix, and if you master these areas, businesses can improve SEO strategies immensely.
1. So, You've Heard of Content, Right?
Content is the buzzword for marketers lately. It's everywhere, and whether you're muttering the syllables in disdain or praising the glory of content, it's content that is changing the way things are marketed today. If you can create content that is trendy, relevant, interesting and explosive, you can spark all kinds of interest with your target audience and let it go viral.
When planning content, you should always think about the opportunities that you'll create for discussion and sharing with your target audience. This is key to being successful.
It's also about the way that you present your content. There are various strategies for creating headlines these days, but the more interesting the better. Need some inspiration? Just look at BuzzFeed or ViralNova. These long headlines definitely are more than three words, but they spark curiosity and make you want to read what's after the "More" link. In addition, the introduction of a piece has to be well-written. You shouldn't start a reaction piece with "I read this article, and it got me thinking." There are about 1,000 to 1,000,000 other articles online that have probably started this way. You want to excite a reader from the first sentence that you type. You can use the author's name, link to the piece and liven up your language with something honest and unmerciful.
If you are writing a reaction or reply piece, it's likely that the other author will comment and get involved, so be prepared to accept criticism or defend yourself properly. They might retweet an article, leave a comment or even post a reaction to your reaction. It's important to maintain your PR composure and always think about your reply before typing. If you are able to gain visibility from another author, you've just automatically got PR, SEO and link building in one.
continues to the undead topic of the hour at Webspam headquarters in Google land. Google wants to eliminate the idea that you can optimize a site to artificially increase its rank. It's true that it is difficult to do so in today's algorithm-controlled world, but there are ways to enhance a site and drive traffic. It's almost impossible not to with a billion other sites floating around in the virtual world. As algorithms continue to evolve, so will SEO, which means that you have to master the art of pitching SEO.
Part of building links to your site is by posting on other websites. It's called a guest post. Typically, you find a site with a high PageRank that is relevant to your business. They will likely have guest post guidelines and then a form that you use to pitch your article. When you fill this out, you must absolutely forget that you are there to build links. You don't want to mention this at all in your pitch. Of course, they know that you probably want to build links from their high PageRank site, but the best way to pitch a guest post is to focus on how your article is different yet similar and will make their readers happy. When you land the guest post, you'll likely boost your author profile, drive up your site's traffic and deliver some credible information to whoever reads your post.
If you write content that is interesting and original, more links and shares will follow and lift you up to the kingdom of high PageRank as well. You want to make it as easy as possible for guest blogs to accept you, so you should always have more than one idea to pitch. If you have only one article, then make sure it's the absolute best version of the article before submitting.
The same idea can be applied to submitting press releases for syndication online. You have to follow all of the guidelines, create a high quality headline, provide a relevant image and show that you understand how to write a press release. This means that you have to have some news to promote, and it should be written well with no spelling or grammatical errors in sight. You should also be prepared with a press packet. This information includes the title of your company, information about your company, branding information and any photos that you have that illustrate your business or products.
Once you have written a great PR piece, it's time to gain the success you so rightly deserve. With that in mind, you should be able to utilize professional connections that you've made on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+ to share your piece. You should look for people of interest who would actually be interested in what you've written.
If you don't know any persons of interest, then you can always build a relationship. you can find the name of a person to contact and engage with them before pitching. Retweets may be just the right way to get in with media professionals when you are trying to pitch a new article.
Most public relations professionals have been cultivating relationships long before the time when everyone was connected just by simply being online. They may have met media professionals face-to-face, talked on the phone or exchanged emails for years. That's why it's so important to engage first before pitching SEO and hoping for success. By learning from public relationships, SEO marketers can create a better position for their businesses in the future.


text:
eCommerce News| 14 min read
World Environment Day: Tips from Eco-Friendly Online Stores
World Environment Day is an annual holiday created by the United Nations, in which participating countries come together to discuss and implement solutions for environmental issues affecting the Earth. However, you don't have to have global reach to start helping the environment — in fact, the biggest difference always starts on a local level, among homeowners, and of course, small businesses!
We know millions of business owners worldwide are seeking ways to reduce their environmental impact while still successfully building and growing a brand. That's why we've once again reached out to experienced environmentally-conscious businesses to learn their stories and find out their strategies for bringing sustainability into the workplace, reducing waste whenever possible, and much more. Let's hear what they have to say!
Paul Catherine – Waste & Continuous Improvement Supervisor, Aqualisa Showers
On working a multi-part environmental strategy into your company culture:
"As a lead innovator in the showering sector, Aqualisa is known as pioneers of industry firsts and inventions that revolutionize showers — for the consumer, and installers of our products. We have recognized our responsibility as manufacturers to focus this skill in innovation towards environmental consciousness and waste reduction, both in-house, and in the homes of our customers.
We at Aqualisa have made it our mission to save water, improve energy consumption, and reduce our customers' energy bills. We have created eco settings for our smart valves capable of saving up to 33% of yearly water use. Our packaging size reduction project has enabled us to pack more boxes per pallet and that in turn means fewer carbon emissions. Our recycling project has achieved a 1 million ton reduction of waste sent to landfill; diminishing our environmental impact significantly.
Company culture is the root of success for any business's ecological mission. For retailers, the greatest challenges are responsible product packing and reducing emissions and waste. However, environmental responsibility requires positive change from every element of a business -most importantly, it's people. When green thinking begins at your company's core, it becomes a key part of your brand identity. This can be achieved by providing solutions as well as education for employees so eco-friendly actions and reductions become second nature to working life."
Justin LaClair – OxygenPlus Medical Systems, Owner
On the extreme savings provided by solar power:
"Around 1995 I urged my father to let me make a website for his business as a school project. Little did I know the results that it would have! We soon began to receive orders from customers all over the country! The internet was in its infancy at the time, and nobody really knew just how big it would get!
Growing up in Central New York, and attending Boy Scouts, eventually achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, I spent a LOT of time camping and being in nature. Not to mention all the trash cleanup drives! I have a definite appreciation for our planet and its natural beauty.
As our company grew, I began to research different ways we could become more self-sufficient and eco-friendly. That is when I decided to go fully solar powered. In 2017 we hired a local company to install 125 solar panels on my shop and 2 warehouses. The array should provide enough energy to fully power the entire operations of my business, all while charging my electric car, and forklift as well. Our energy bills plummeted from $350 per month to $9 per month, which is the charge incurred to stay connected to the grid. We actually sell a small amount of power back to the power company since we cannot use it all!"
Rodney Yo – Owner, Best Online Traffic School
On saving resources by forcing a change in office habits
"One simple trick we implemented to reduce unnecessary printing is by moving our sole printer to the storeroom and disabling the wireless functionality.
This means if someone wants to print, they have to really inconvenience themselves. We've gone from using 10 reams of paper every month to 6! This reduction in cost enabled us to switch to 100% recycled paper."
Daniel Barry – Owner and Founder, Marc Skid
On building a brand with character, that gives back:
"Marc Skid is a start-up eCommerce underwear brand determined to do things differently. The ethos of the brand was [my] belief that brands should be like the people we admire in life: having a strong character, being purposeful and a sense of humor. The brand's call to action is 'Make your Marc on the World.'
Why the Eco-Friendliest of All?:
Character – Marc Skid is the only underwear brand using the world's finest cotton: Organic Pima. Organic Pima represents only .0005% of all cotton harvested in a given year. Additionally, Marc Skid is the only underwear brand using Repreve, which is polyester up-cycled from water bottles. There is one water bottle in each waistband. Packed with only recycled paper, no plastic.
Purposeful – $4 goes to charity with every pair purchased. The consumer chooses from one of the nine 4-star charities working to Save, Feed, or Cure the World. The $4 donation is transparent and quantifiable which differs from the 'one for one' or '% of net profit' approach. Marc Skid is the first and only underwear brand that gives back with each purchase.
Sense of Humor – The cheeky name was inspired by [my] belief that, as Mark Twain observed, 'The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.' During [my] mission trips, no matter how difficult the circumstances, laughter prevailed and united."
Misha Kaura – Founder, Misha Kaura
On using a mindful supply chain and repurposing scrap material:
"My fashion brand Misha Kaura is a sustainable fashion brand. Environmental and humanitarian consciousness is important to me, so we do all of our manufacturing and supply chain in house at the Darlinghurst Garment Factory, which is the only factory in North America offering full and free housing, room, board, and childcare to all employees. All scraps of fabric are recycled into art and fashion projects for patients at children's hospitals."
Meg Donahue – Co-Founder, MamaSezz
On building a sustainable business and recycling program:
"MamaSezz.com is an eco-friendly, animal-friendly (vegan) nationwide meal delivery company. We are committed to organic agriculture, support regenerative agriculture farmers, and have the most comprehensive recycling program in the industry. We provide a prepaid return label with all our shipments so customers can send all materials back to us, where we recycle and reuse boxes, ice packs, and liners. We are keen supporters of ocean farming (instead of fishing) and are developing a line of products using kelp."
Haley Anhut – Marketing Manager, Clean Origin
On the potential of ethical supply chains to meet the growing "green" demand:
"Founded by Alexander Weindling in 2017, Clean Origin has quickly become both an industry and thought leader in the lab-grown diamond vertical. Known for our incredible customer service and competitive prices, we've worked with brands such as EcoCult and Eco Warrior Princess to demonstrate the success and passion our company has for our product, our customers, and the environment. As a direct-to-consumer company with the Earth at top of mind, man-made diamonds from Clean Origin have become a no-brainer to Millennials and Gen Z-ers alike. Sales are predicted to triple from 2018 to 2019 as the green revolution continues to push couples to seek eco-friendly alternatives for engagement rings and other diamond jewelry.
Lab-created diamonds are inherently and significantly less detrimental to the environment as it takes considerably less energy to grow a diamond in a lab than it does to dig it out of the ground. In fact, a study showed that 1 carat of mined diamond created nearly 100 square feet of disturbed land and almost 6000 pounds of mineral waste. On the other hand, 1 carat of lab-grown diamonds disrupts just 0.07 square feet of land and only 1 pound of mineral waste."
"Once again, science and technology have been put to purpose to save the earth and all who share it while delivering our wants and needs." —Alexander Weindling, CEO & Founder
Nate Masterson – CMO and Head of Natural Product Development, Maple Holistics
On helping build your sustainable brand via educating consumers:
"At Maple Holistics we don't just preach about the importance of cruelty-free and natural product formulation — we practice, too. All of our products are developed with these founding principles at the forefront of our minds. All of our products are naturally formulated with cruelty-free and sustainable ingredients and wrapped in recycled packaging.
We started Maple Holistics with the idea that sustainable personal care products could be affordable and high-quality while still being able to compete with the more established brands.
This commitment to responsible manufacturing techniques and ingredients helped inspire our blog, which aims to provide readers with up-to-date information on the subject. In addition to publishing articles about harmful chemicals and DIY safe alternatives, we also discuss major cosmetic and health and beauty brands and their ingredients. We understand that these values don't exist in a bubble. As a result, we do our best to educate consumers about the importance of cruelty-free, sustainable, and natural products and the dangers of using artificial and potentially toxic materials.
Additionally, we are constantly looking for ways to make our manufacturing process more sustainable. Besides staying up-to-date on scientific research, we have representatives around the globe investigating new techniques and ingredients to improve our brand.
This plays into the necessity of holistic health and well-rounded self-care habits that look after your body in the most natural way. The rising awareness of the need for global environmental action and sustainability means that we have also introduced a recycling initiative in which customers can send back six empty bottles of used products, which are then recycled into new bottles and in doing so you receive a free bottle of shampoo."
David Rackow – Founder, Wowe Lifestyle
On starting small and building a sustainable product line:
"The Wowe Lifestyle Company and its products evolved from our vision of a world in which nature is respected, preserved, and is the predominant focus in the pursuit of a healthy and responsible lifestyle.
After our third daughter was born, we began examining our lives. We looked for ways in which our daily use of products could align with our quest to limit waste, and ultimately, reduce global footprints. We began with one simple swap of an everyday product, a toothbrush! At first, it seemed too simple, yet it could be life-changing. We all use plastic toothbrushes, approximately 300 of them in our lifetime, and they all end up in either landfills or the ocean. Since toothbrushes contribute to tons of waste, what if everyone could swap their plastic toothbrush, which isn't even healthy for our bodies, for a bamboo toothbrush? Within no time the Wowe bamboo toothbrush was born!
Next, the stainless steel tongue cleaner, refillable floss container, and safety razor, with refillable blades, were added to the options for sustainable and reusable daily products. Within a short time, the evidence of a community demonstrating global consciousness was taking hold. Our sales began increasing, and the Wowe Lifestyle Company started to double in size annually.
Today, our hopes and dreams of reducing global footprints and creating a sustainable future are genuinely becoming a reality as we work towards increasing our eco-friendly community. By encouraging our customers to provide feedback on our existing products and input on future products, we are cultivating a culture of eco-consumers.
It is within this culture of consciousness that planet Earth will be protected for our children and the generations to come. This sustainable future is and always will be the driving force towards our Wowe Lifestyle's ultimate mission."
Marianna Sachse – Founder, Jackalo
On recycling and upcycling used products:
"Jackalo [is] a line of durable and sustainable children's wear. At Jackalo, we make clothes strong enough for active kids, and gentle on the environment. Our clothes are designed to withstand long days of play. Kids wear them on repeat, and then pass them on to the next lucky recipient.
All of our clothes are made with independently certified organic cotton and our pants and coveralls are reinforced at the knees where it is needed most. Unlike other companies, we accept used Jackalo items back in exchange for a 20% discount on future purchases. We then wash, repair and resell the items (and upcycle or responsibly recycle what can't be resold)."
Donna Roberts – Marketing Manager, Onya
On fully sustainable recycled products to replace single-use items:
"Onya is a B Corp Certified company that prides itself on creating high quality, useful, reusable products in a sustainable and ethical way to use in your everyday life that can easily be kept 'On You'.
From reusable shopping bags, produce bags, bread bags, bulk food bags, backpacks and coffee cups, to plant based certified compostable bin liners and dog waste bags our product range also includes one of the highest quality stainless steel drink bottle on the market.
Wherever possible our products are made out of recycled materials, such as rPET (a fabric produced from BPA free recycled plastic water bottles), and are 100% recyclable at the end of their long life cycle.
We are quite literally taking plastic waste from landfill and turning it into something reusable for many years to come.
Our commitment to sustainability extends to our packaging which is made from post-consumer recycled material and printed with water based inks so it is suitable for both recycling and composting.
Together with the support of our customers purchasing our recycled products we were able to divert 19.54 tonnes of plastic waste from landfill in 2018.
Our goal at Onya is to offer our customers a well thought out quality alternative to single use plastic and it is by companies like us, partnering with people like our customers that can actually make the change we want to see happen in our world."
Julie Kearns – Founder, Junket: Tossed & Found
On using solid environmental data (and not hype) to inform your business decisions:
"Before launching carbon-informed online commerce website shopjunket.com in 2018, the reuse instigators at Junket: Tossed & Found closed a brick and mortar shop to instead bring their mix of carbon-informed quality goods and creative supplies to a national market clamoring for legitimately ethical product options.
Alarmed by the rapid proliferation of confusing eco-claims by companies rushing to profit from widespread & growing environmental interest, Junket's founder had leveraged radical transparency and environmental data to help community members distinguish between legitimately virtuous products and so much green-washed hype.
With 40% of US emissions directly tied to the production of goods and a global mandate to reduce emissions 50% by 2030, Junket's ahead of the curve in using emissions data for both decision-making and process development.
Using research data to understand the CO2-e impacts of both reuse and transit, the team also found they could ship existing products across the entire continental US (often, repeatedly, using existing packing materials and avoiding airplanes) before approaching the emissions generated during local manufacture of an identical new product.
Junket invites retailers everywhere to embrace their strategies (for climate's sake): secondhand shipping materials, ground shipping only, and the most sustainable goods possible (the ones that already exist)."
Margaret Coblentz – Founder, Frances Austen
On three essential sustainable business tips:
"Frances Austen makes the same heritage-quality luxury cashmere your grandmother owned, but without the astronomical price point. We work with Scotland-based Johnstons of Elgin, sweater manufacturer to big European fashion houses, in a direct-to-consumer capacity, so we pass on that value to our customers. We only release two collections per year, our hang tags are hand letter pressed and we think about what the modern woman wants to wear today, but also what will stay in her wardrobe for years to come.
Tip #1). Clearly understand your product life-cycle and make decisions along the way from raw material to the finished product that produce the most responsible, sustainable path. Remember that 'sustainability' doesn't stop when the product is finished; it extends to the last mile of delivery and beyond. This is why Frances Austen uses zero-waste, fully recyclable materials and packaging that are 100% biodegradable.
Tip #2). Seek out suppliers and manufacturers that have a seal of approval, such as an Oeko-Tex certification or GOTS, as this in part a large representation of your finished product. It's especially critical when trying to sort through supply-chain partners to find the best and most sustainable fit.
Tip #3). The 'Buy Better, Buy Less' philosophy isn't only important for consumers. As creators, we don't want to contribute to overconsumption. We buy small and sell out to ensure that we are not creating excess fashion waste. At Frances Austen, we aim to minimize overproduction by producing more consciously consumed fashion using higher quality sustainable textiles and practices."
Sean Pour – Co-Founder, SellMax
On taking the plunge and getting the word out:
"We are a nationwide car buying service and much of our business deals with the recycling of old vehicles.
Our company helps recycle vehicles every single day allowing the parts to be reused in the construction of buildings, and various other avenues. Our services also help to keep oil out of landfills, as we can reprocess it. In addition, we even pay the customers for their cars, so they are doing a good deed and getting rid of their old cars. It's a win-win for both parties and the environmental impact is massive.
In terms of our success we managed to scale into a nationwide service which has been a massive milestone for us. We've been able to increase staff, increase revenue, and increase the number of vehicles recycled year after year for the last 5 years.
Overall, I would say if you've got a passion for making the world eco-friendly go for it. People like to get on board with these things, and you can build a thriving business. To get started you can leverage local groups like the Surfrider club to help spread the word about your new eco-friendly business."
Penny Bauder – Founder, Green Kid Crafts
On providing environmental education to kids via an educational subscription model:
"I'm an environmental scientist-turned-entrepreneur. Motivated by a deep passion to raise a generation of environmental leaders, in 2010 I founded Green Kid Crafts, a children's media company that provides kids around the world with convenient and eco-friendly STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) activities. Today, it's become a leader in the subscription industry, with over 2 million packages shipped worldwide.
Green Kid Crafts delights kids each month with fun, creative and eco-friendly STEAM activities, delivered right to their door through our award-winning subscription program. Every month's package is packed with up to 6 science and art kits designed by teachers and STEAM experts to foster a child's creativity and confidence while helping to raise the nation's next generation of environmental leaders.
Here at Green Kid Crafts, we take the concept of sustainability seriously! As a company founded by an environmental scientist, it makes sense that Green Kid Crafts is committed to ensuring that all of our activities, from process to product, have as little an impact on the environment as possible. Further, we view our work as a way to foster the next generation of environmental stewards by engaging kids with nature in positive, creative ways.
Through our partnership with CarbonFund, we offset 100% of the carbon dioxide generated by our business. Our boxes are 100% recycled. We minimize packaging and printing and use recycled materials. Our kits are bundled in special bags that are made of 100% recycled materials. We integrate sustainability into our box themes as much as possible. We give back. We are carbon neutral and at least 1% of sales are donated to environmental organizations through our membership in 1% for the Planet.
Green Kid Crafts has grown from a bootstrapped company operating out of a garage to a multi-million dollar company with a community of over 1 million families. My passion to spark positive social and environmental change is at the very core of Green Kid Crafts, from my company vision to the way that it is translated into action. My company mission to foster the next generation of creative, environmental leaders by engaging kids with the planet in positive, hands-on, creative ways has exposed hundreds of thousands of kids to think about and take a leadership role in sustainability."
When we go over these expert testimonies, a few consistent themes emerge. It's clear that reducing waste in your supply chain goes a long way — utilizing recycled materials is not just beneficial to the environment, it's also a brandable business practice that can become part of your unique value proposition. Fulfillment also benefits from waste reduction, and recycled/recyclable packaging materials are becoming the norm. Finally, even the smallest change in habit at your location can help you build a company culture that cuts down on waste of both resources and energy.
It's also clear that your business model doesn't matter. Everyone can find ways to transform a business into an eco-friendly lifestyle, and your customers and community are sure to back your efforts. In fact, by going green, your business could become more popular than ever (and we have some great marketing strategies to get the word out in our expert roundup of Marketing Tips for Environmentally-Friendly Businesses).
We would like to thank our contributing experts for their valuable insights and for leading by example!
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As a whisky man im hooked anyway!!
I've realised that in my whole 36 years of life i've never tasted whiskey sauce, really, really have to sort that out!
My husband would love this! I'm thinking it might make a very nice Valentines dinner for two..
Oh I think he would love it, my husband did:-) Thanks for popping by!


text:
Happy Birthday Donovan! Jack White, Donovan, The Raconteurs, and 'Hey Gyp (Dig the Slowness)'
by Chris Murray on May 10, 2019
The Raconteurs from Bandcamp page. Copyright Bandcamp.
Jack White is one of the hippest musical artists in the world. He embraces the coolest traditions in his music and in his life.
Rolling Stone published a story on Jack White and The Raconteurs covering Donovan's "Hey Gyp (Dig the Slowness)" on their new LP, Help Us Stranger.
Jon Blistein writes for Rolling Stone:
"The Raconteurs unveiled a blistering cover of Donovan's 1965 song "Hey Gyp (Dig the Slowness)" as part of the launch of Third Man Records' new Bandcamp page. The cover, which features on the reunited band's upcoming LP Help Us Stranger, finds the Raconteurs turning the brisk acoustic blues-rocker into a no-frills ripper, with Jack White's vocals chugging alongside drums that pump like pistons. The song builds steadily to a final freak out that screams with razor-edge guitars and a fiery harmonica."
"Hey Gyp" was featured on Donovan's second album, Fairytale, in 1965, which also included his classic hit song "Colours." Below is the cover from his album Fairytale. "Hey Gyp" refers to artist "Gypsy" Dave Mills, Donovan's longtime best friend and tour manager.
Fairytale album, featuring "Hey Gyp" and "Colours."
Donovan and Gypsy Dave in 1966. Govinda Gallery archive.
Donovan and Gypsy Dave backstage at the Royal Albert Hall in London during Donovan's Sunshine Superman concert in 2011. Photo by Virgilio Fino.
Donovan and his wife Linda with Gypsy Dave's sculpture Lover's Leap at the Center for Hellenic Studies, Nafplio, Greece in 2010. Photo by Panee Mills.
This entry was posted Friday, 10 May, 2019 at 12:03 pm You can follow any responses to this entry via RSS. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.


Design thinking is being used to address issues ranging from the design of medical devices, packaging materials, electronic equipment, food products, invoice processing systems, tourism services, blood donation services, emergency room visits, and a whole variety of other products and services across the world. Essentially, if you have a customer (and naturally your customer will face problems and challenges), design thinking empowers you to innovate a solution – which serves as the key to business growth.
Design thinking is one critical tool for innovation and business growth. It is intrinsically human-centred, therefore enabling you to zone in on the core problems your target customer faces and devise a solution. It is a strategic process which enables even the most traditional of thinkers to come up with creative solutions to the problems at hand. It has a front end that is strongly focused on idea generation, and a back end that is focused on experimentation and testing. Marrying these two stages enables you in a uniquely powerful way to deal with the challenges that organisations are facing today.
Design Thinking empowers innovation by using ideas akin to individual legos, combining them in different ways while maintaining a focus on the core human need you are trying to address, in order to develop a new and useful idea. The ideas are often simple, but game-changing. Like a pourable ketchup bottle.
In the last 2 years, we have taken a number of our member companies on a Design Thinking journey. Working on their own business projects they have experienced how Design Thinking can give them a process to really help understand their customer needs, be more creative with their possible solutions, and prototype and experiment quickly to as to achieve the best product or service in the end.
On 1st & 2nd of June in Dublin, we bring you an opportunity to experience Design Thinking for yourself. Over these 2 days, IRDG is bringing together global thought-leaders and practitioners from the world of industry, academia and the arts to help you to understand how Design Thinking could add value and be scaled in your organisation. We invite you to take the time to join us.


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