I am biased and I admit it. I place agency efficiency on a pedestal. I don't believe ad agencies can remain competitive when their payrolls sag under the weight of thumb twiddlers. I have witnessed time and time again how bureaucracy waters down smart work, how layers halt forward progress and how the quality of opinions decreases as the number of people expressing opinions increases. Efficiency seems like a no brainer. Still many agencies lumber under the weight of excess. They argue that bigger is better, that staff size and capitalized billings result in greater ability ...

Over 90% of diets end in failure, most resolutions to get fit and go to the gym more often are over by January, and yet we live in a society of increasing obesity and unfitness. The true culprit is the way we approach our goals and today's energy-poor lifestyles. In this new book, the authors show how thinking and techniques developed for performance athletes and elite business people can help all of us improve our personal energy levels, and thereby achieve more at work, at home and in life in general. The author, Rens ter Weijde, is both an elite athlete trainer ...

The Danish company Uniwatches offers customers a lot of new things in March. One of the most exciting news is that the collection of branded watches on the website has grown once again. There have been quite a few additions to the Nixon watches (the Danish term is Nixon ure) brand with all kinds of different models to choose from. Perhaps, one of the most interesting models for customers is the Nixon A037-679 Unisex watch. The combination of stainless steel and plastic along with the gold indexes on the black dial makes it appealing to both men and women. Also, nice ...

Patients who prefer to access medical information on-the-go, Milpitas dentist, Dr. Nick Khoury, recently launched a new mobile website. Patients can type in http://montaguedentalexcellence.com on their smartphone to view the website for his Montague Dental Excellence practice. No longer do patients need to navigate through several pages to reach their destination of choice on Dr. Khoury's site. "I know our patients are busy and having convenient access to our website at any place and time makes dental care even more accessible," says Dr. Khoury, a Milpitas ...

Dr. Joseph Schouten, Appleton, WI dentist, is happy to be able to offer convenient appointment making on his comprehensive website. Patients are able to schedule an appointment by visiting Dr. Schouten's website and clicking the "Appointment Request" tab. "I am very excited to be offering patient scheduling as part of our practice's website. We always strive to be more patient friendly and this is a great example of that. I hope all of our patients take advantage of this convenience," said Dr. Schouten, family dentist in Appleton. Dr. Schouten's ...

Flexible Lifeline Systems, Inc. (FLS) today announced the award of contracts for the design, manufacture, and assembly of V-22 Osprey Maintenance Stands. The contracts represent the successful culmination of a significant effort by FLS following the acquisition of the maintenance platform assets of West Coast Weld Tech in late 2009. Manufacturing will begin in the first quarter of 2013 and the platforms will be constructed at the company's manufacturing facilities in Houston, TX. "Due to the complex nature of this aircraft, the award of these contracts demonstrates ...

If you are considering breast augmentation, your future pregnancy plans should be factored into your decision. Although breast augmentation will not interfere with your ability to become pregnant, it will affect the results of any breast augmentation you obtain now. For this reason, some women choose to delay breast augmentation until after they are finished having children. During a consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon, ask to them discuss the potential impact of pregnancy on your breast augmentation. It's important to make an informed decision about whether ...

A dentist is a dentist, right? Not always. In fact, there are substantial differences between general, cosmetic, and neuromuscular dentistry, and knowing these differences can help you choose a dentist who is trained to provide you with the exact services you require. General Dentistry General dentistry focuses on the prevention, detection, and treatment of common oral health problems. Biannual visits to your dentist for teeth cleanings and examinations are part of general dentistry. So too are things such as root canals, dental fillings, and common tooth extractions. ...

Divorce is a huge transition. It is not an understatement to say that a newly divorced person will have to adapt to a whole new way of life. In addition to the emotional and lifestyle changes that come with a divorce, there are also a whole host of legal and financial complications. After a divorce, it is important to take proactive steps to get your affairs in order. As soon as possible after your divorce is finalized, consider taking the following actions: - Fix your financial accounts: Any shared bank accounts should be cancelled and the proceeds distributed pursuant ...

A report recently released by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) stated that drug and alcohol abuse among service members was a "public health crisis" that could negatively impact service members' "force readiness and psychological fitness." This report may have contributed to the new random breathalyzer program being used by the Marines. The program, which began in January of 2013, requires all Marines to receive random breath alcohol tests at least twice a year. Anyone with a blood alcohol level over 0.01 percent can be referred by a commander to substance ...

The sad death of a six-year-old on his way to school who was run over by a semi truck in East Harlem on February 28, 2013, has raised emotions and highlighted the awareness of New Yorkers to the dangers associated with living in a huge city. Little Amar Diarassoubba was reportedly in the crosswalk with his nine-year-old brother a half block from his school when the first grader was run over by the back wheels of the truck. The morning rush-hour truck-pedestrian accident is still under investigation so many of the details are unknown and although some have been reported, ...

Many occupations place workers in dangerous situations that increase the risk of an on-the-job injury. These workers know that they need to perform their daily activities carefully, as any mistakes can result in an accident that may cause harm to themselves or to their coworkers. While some occupations immediately come to mind when someone thinks of a dangerous job, nearly any worker could suffer an injury when he or she least expects. Some workers may fall off a roof while building a house, while others may get a repetitive stress injury while sitting behind a desk. No ...

In this day and age, many believe that pregnancy discrimination is not an issue in the workplace--but try telling that to the thousands of workers who file pregnancy discrimination complaints every year. One of the latest examples of potential discrimination against a pregnant employee in the workplace is the allegation made against Oprah Winfrey's cable network, OWN. According to AOL Jobs, a former senior director at OWN alleges that the network froze her out of her job and did not promote her because of her pregnancy. After receiving an impressive review for her first ...

According to reports in Arizona and across the country, the number of traffic fatalities -- including the number of teenagers killed in motor vehicle accidents -- rose in 2012. Many in Arizona place at least some of the blame on the lack of distracted driving regulations in the state. While many states nationwide have enacted laws banning dangerous distractions on the road, Arizona has not followed suit. According to the National Safety Council, the number of people killed in auto accidents across the country increased by approximately 5 percent in 2012 -- the first ...

Those who drink diet soda with alcohol may be at an increased risk of receiving a DWI. A study, recently released in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, found those who mixed their alcoholic beverages with diet soda instead of regular soda experienced increased intoxication levels. The increase was significant. Breath alcohol tests found those who used regular soda had readings around 0.077 while those who used diet soda read 0.09. In Texas, this variation could mean the difference between a warning and a conviction for driving while intoxicated ...

The usual gun control measures are bans on assault weapons, prohibitions on sales at gun shows, limitations on the size and number of ammunition magazines and more-stringent background checks with longer waiting periods. But what about requiring gun owners to carry liability insurance as a method of gun control? Since the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, the idea of mandatory liability insurance for gun owners as a means to regulate gun ownership has been gaining traction. Mandatory liability insurance as a method of gun control The ...

Short-term financial solutions like so-called "payday" loans may seem like a good fit for someone facing an unexpected expense. They usually require no collateral and no credit check, and the money is most often in-hand before the ink is dried on the loan agreement. These loans have a short lifespan, designed to be a bridge between now and the borrower's next paycheck. So, all you have to do is apply, get your money and then pay it back when you get paid - easy, right? Not so fast... Unfortunately, there is a lot more than meets the eye where payday loans ...

As U.S. government investigators continue to follow money across the globe, the number of tax evasion prosecutions keeps increasing. Recently, the oldest Swiss private bank, Wegelin & Co., pleaded guilty to violating U.S. tax laws. The bank admitted to turning a blind eye on possible tax evasion through offshore bank accounts held by its American customers. In early March, a U.S. Federal District Court Judge ordered Wegelin to pay a total of $74 million. The U.S. government alleged that Wegelin sought illegal banking business from UBS customers after that bank came ...

As most Florida homeowners can attest to, natural disasters can be extremely unpredictable in the Sunshine State. Whether dealing with torrential rains and hurricanes, or even sinkholes, Florida homeowners can literally encounter Mother Nature's wrath from almost every angle - from both above and below. Unfortunately, the aftermath of such horrific events can be just as difficult to deal with as the natural disaster itself. For instance, not only do Florida homeowners have to cope with the emotional distress of home damage or lost personal possessions, but also have ...

A committee within the Michigan legislature is advancing a bill permanently raising the drunk driving intoxication threshold from 0.06 to 0.08 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The action is not surprising since the law is a condition of federal funding for road construction in the state. However, the relatively small law change may have an effect on those who imbibe alcohol mixed with diet pop. A recent study indicates that a person's intoxication level is significantly higher if a diet soda versus a regular soda is used as a mixer, increasing the risk of a ...

The stereotype that surrounds divorce is the "Kramer vs. Kramer" or "War of the Roses" style break up, a heated, adversarial process that pits one spouse against the other. This notion may make you feel like a peaceful divorce is unattainable. But, all divorces do not have to be adversarial. For those who do not want to seek out and destroy their former partner, the collaborative divorce process is worth considering - especially if you have children or if your finances will have to be intertwined for a period of time after the divorce is over. Collaborative ...

Anyone who has filed an application for Social Security Disability benefits knows that the process can take some time. According to the Social Security Administration, it takes three to five months just to receive an initial decision on a disability claim. Should your claim be initially denied, moving through the different levels of appeal can take many more months or even years. However, since 2008 the Social Security Administration has operated a special process to expedite cases involving those with certain conditions. Known as the Compassionate Allowances initiative, ...

For those who are unable to work due to a disability, Social Security Disability payments provide a much-needed lifeline. Social Security Disability, or SSD, is available to individuals with both physical and mental impairments. With the publication of a new proposed administrative rule, the Social Security Administration hopes to better serve the public by being more sensitive to those suffering from mental disabilities. All references to "mental retardation" will be changed More than two years ago, Congress required that the term "intellectual disability" ...

A recent study has good news about teen drinking and driving. According to data released recently by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teen drinking and driving has plummeted by 54 percent nationwide since 1991. Unfortunately, as one risky behavior has decreased, another has popped up. Distracted driving, often from texts, e-mails and smartphones, is on the rise. Drinking and Driving Down The CDC study on teen drinking and driving incorporated self-reported data obtained through National Youth Risk Behavior Surveys as well as the results of toxicology ...

Crucial in today's world of construction is moving large and heavy loads, particularly here in New York where construction rarely seems to slow down. Cranes are frequently used to accomplish this task. There are significant safety issues to be considered, both for the operators of cranes, and for those workers in close proximity to them. While cranes are a key part of construction, they can also be extremely destructive and if not operated or maintained properly, serious injuries or death can result. Given the size and power of various types of cranes, the potential for ...