ekhIf you are traveling to London, make sure to see Piccadilly Circus which can be found at the junction of Shaftesbury Avenue and Regent Street. Much like Times Square in New York, this centrally located area offers most anything that you may find interesting. With it's neon lights and diverse crowds, no wonder it has the ability to attract tourists.
Besides the theaters, pubs, shops and monuments of London, here you'll also find some very interesting people. This area was officially named in 1819 but was un-officially known as Piccadilly Circus since 1743.The Shaftesbury Memorial fountain is located here and was a technological innovation for 1893 because it was cast using aluminum. In 1980, it was moved from the center to it's present day location.
Erected in 1859, the London Pavilion is located in the northeast corner and was originally constructed as a music hall. Shaftesbury Ave bisected the site in 1885 and a new music hall was put up in 1923. This new hall even had electric billboards. The original facade from 1885 was conserved when the building was rebuilt in 1986, after it became a shopping mall. Since that time it's been attached to the Trocadero Center. The stores of interest that are located here are the Virgin Megastore, Lily Whites and the HMV. Below ground you will find the London underground subway system. The locals know it as the "tube".
If you go to the Criterion Theatre, you will see the reduced Shakespeare Company, which is located close to the center of Piccadilly Circus. It's a theater group that specializes in presenting Shakespeare's complete works in only 97 minutes. It's performances are fast-moving and very highly improvised. They've been performing here since 1995 and if you want to see this interesting event, you had better plan ahead, as the shows are often sold out
If traditional theater is more to your liking, the best of British theater can be found at one of London's West End shows. These are so good that they are often adapted for Broadway. You might want to check out the latest technology that is fairly new here. It's a huge curved TV screen that rivals even Times Square.
There are many interesting things in Piccadilly Circus including plenty of pubs. However, be careful when selecting a London pub, because some are for the tourists and others are for the locals, where they might be a little tourist unfriendly.
2007年12月25日星期二
What Do You Say On Steroids In Sports Of Tennis?
The world of Tennis sports was shocked when Greg Rusedski revealed one of the dismaying instances of the use of steroids in sports history of Tennis. The 1997 U.S. Open finalist, Gregory "Greg" Rusedski divulged that he was tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone in July, 2004, but he claimed that the banned substance might have come from a supplement provided by ATP trainers.
Another of the disappointing instances of steroids in sports of tennis was, Argentinas Mariano Puerta, who was suspended for nine months by the ATP for testing positive last year for Clenbuterol, just two days before the news of Rusedskis positive test.
Nandrolone is one of the most controversial steroids in sports in the recent years. In the majority of cases, athletes said they took the banned substance unknowingly in nutritional supplements. Clenbuterol, the drug that works like anabolic steroids in promoting muscle growth, also does belong to the category of the debatable drugs in sports.
Petr Korda, the 1998 Australian Open champion, tested positive for nandrolone at Wimbledon later that season and was banned for one year.
However, Rusedski said, I know Im innocent Im not going to hide; other players were exonerated after their positive samples showed a similar fingerprint,
He said, Im not the only person in this situation. The facts speak for themselves,
Rusedski told that his was one of 47 cases where traces of nandrolone might be attributed to supplements provided by ATP trainers.
These revelations also did bring out opinions and comments from many former tennis stars.
Bohdan Ulihrach, who was one of seven players to initially test positive for nandrolone, but later cleared after the possibility was raised that ATP trainers might have unwittingly handed out contaminated supplements, came forward in support of Greg Rusedski.
Ulihrach told Britains The Guardian newspaper, I believe Greg 100 percent, Im sure its some mistake.
McEnroe, the 7-time Grand Slam singles champion, said, he was given a strong but at the time legal steroid for six years without knowing it, and he suspected players were taking drugs when he was playing.
However, the fifth-seeded woman tennis player, Davenport reckoned that steroids in sports of tennis have limited benefits.
Davenport said, Im sure some players unfortunately do go down that path, but ultimately, tennis is still a game of skill, so I think although it probably would help in some aspect, ultimately, it comes down to how well you can make contact with the tennis ball, and no drug is going to help you get better at that.
Drug testing in tennis started in the late 1980s by the Mens International Professional Tennis Council, initially for recreational drugs. Other substances that were considered performance enhancing have been added to the banned list. The ATP is part of the tennis anti-doping program along with the International Tennis Federation and the WTA. Yet, the presence of steroids in sports cant be denied.
Another of the disappointing instances of steroids in sports of tennis was, Argentinas Mariano Puerta, who was suspended for nine months by the ATP for testing positive last year for Clenbuterol, just two days before the news of Rusedskis positive test.
Nandrolone is one of the most controversial steroids in sports in the recent years. In the majority of cases, athletes said they took the banned substance unknowingly in nutritional supplements. Clenbuterol, the drug that works like anabolic steroids in promoting muscle growth, also does belong to the category of the debatable drugs in sports.
Petr Korda, the 1998 Australian Open champion, tested positive for nandrolone at Wimbledon later that season and was banned for one year.
However, Rusedski said, I know Im innocent Im not going to hide; other players were exonerated after their positive samples showed a similar fingerprint,
He said, Im not the only person in this situation. The facts speak for themselves,
Rusedski told that his was one of 47 cases where traces of nandrolone might be attributed to supplements provided by ATP trainers.
These revelations also did bring out opinions and comments from many former tennis stars.
Bohdan Ulihrach, who was one of seven players to initially test positive for nandrolone, but later cleared after the possibility was raised that ATP trainers might have unwittingly handed out contaminated supplements, came forward in support of Greg Rusedski.
Ulihrach told Britains The Guardian newspaper, I believe Greg 100 percent, Im sure its some mistake.
McEnroe, the 7-time Grand Slam singles champion, said, he was given a strong but at the time legal steroid for six years without knowing it, and he suspected players were taking drugs when he was playing.
However, the fifth-seeded woman tennis player, Davenport reckoned that steroids in sports of tennis have limited benefits.
Davenport said, Im sure some players unfortunately do go down that path, but ultimately, tennis is still a game of skill, so I think although it probably would help in some aspect, ultimately, it comes down to how well you can make contact with the tennis ball, and no drug is going to help you get better at that.
Drug testing in tennis started in the late 1980s by the Mens International Professional Tennis Council, initially for recreational drugs. Other substances that were considered performance enhancing have been added to the banned list. The ATP is part of the tennis anti-doping program along with the International Tennis Federation and the WTA. Yet, the presence of steroids in sports cant be denied.
Weight Loss Food:- Does It Mean No Treats
We all think of weight loss food as the really healthy items, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, a selection of foods high in fiber, a small quantity of fats, some protein and some carbohydrates. After weeks of eating the same healthy food you may start to resent your diet and start binging on the foods that made you start your diet in the first place. If you start to feel this way, stop and think about all the hard work that you have done and are about to undo.
Being on a weight loss program does not mean that you have to miss out on the treats. When you do notice a change in yourself, reward yourself with a treat. I do not mean go for a large bar of your favorite chocolate or a huge bag of candy. A little treat every now and then will not do any harm.
Chocolates should be made a luxury in your diet and not a routine. Do not indulge in too many of them. Yes, you can treat yourself to a piece or small bar of chocolate occasionally, but do not get into the habit of settling down in the evening to eat a large slab of your favorite chocolate. If you can not resist the temptation to binge, do not buy it from the grocery store. If your partner, friends or family normally buy you a box of chocolates as a gift ask them to buy you something else, for example tickets to the cinema, a new dress for when you reach your goal or even a day of pampering.
When you buy your chocolate look at the calorific value on the wrapper, some of the diet chocolate bars are very nice to eat and are low in fat, which is a bonus. Avoid the cream filled chocolates because although there is less sugar, there is still the cream in them, which is high in calories.
Perhaps, you would like to treat yourself to an alcoholic beverage maybe once or twice a week. Alcoholic beverages contain calories too. Just look at how many calories are in each of these standard measures of the most popular drinks:
Alcohol Free Wine 37
Baileys, Irish Cream 129
Champagne 96
Cider (Low Alcohol) 97
Cider (Sweet) 239
Cider (Vintage) 574
Dry White Wine 77
Dry Red Wine 83
Sherry (average) 140
Sweet Red Wine 100
Sweet White Wine 103
Beer, Bitter (Pint) 182
Lager (Can) 221
Guinness, Stout (Pint) 170
Gin and Slimline Tonic 56
Vodka and Diet Coke 55
Whisky and Lemonade 82
It is a myth that beer is fattening. According to the BBPA, a glass of beer with a typical 4.6% alcoholic volume, has fewer calories not only than a similar measure of wine, but also milk or fruit juice. The rest of the alcoholic drinks may not be fattening by themselves but when mixed with coke, lemonade or another soft drink the calorific value rises. However, after a couple of drinks you will be in no position to watch your diet and may find yourself at the local pizza parlor or curry house indulging it a lot of the foods that you have been missing.
If your choice of drink is wine, choose the dry option. Dry white wine contains 77 calories as opposed to sweet white wine which has 103 calories per standard measure. Sweet wines naturally contain a lot of sugar. Most of this sugar has been fermented away in dry wines. Avoid fortified wines because they contain even more sugar, a standard glass of sherry has 140 calories!
Hopefully, this will keep you motivated to reach your target weight loss.
Remember, a little of what you fancy does not do your diet any harm, it is when you over indulge that you start to damage the hard work and effort that you have put in.
Being on a weight loss program does not mean that you have to miss out on the treats. When you do notice a change in yourself, reward yourself with a treat. I do not mean go for a large bar of your favorite chocolate or a huge bag of candy. A little treat every now and then will not do any harm.
Chocolates should be made a luxury in your diet and not a routine. Do not indulge in too many of them. Yes, you can treat yourself to a piece or small bar of chocolate occasionally, but do not get into the habit of settling down in the evening to eat a large slab of your favorite chocolate. If you can not resist the temptation to binge, do not buy it from the grocery store. If your partner, friends or family normally buy you a box of chocolates as a gift ask them to buy you something else, for example tickets to the cinema, a new dress for when you reach your goal or even a day of pampering.
When you buy your chocolate look at the calorific value on the wrapper, some of the diet chocolate bars are very nice to eat and are low in fat, which is a bonus. Avoid the cream filled chocolates because although there is less sugar, there is still the cream in them, which is high in calories.
Perhaps, you would like to treat yourself to an alcoholic beverage maybe once or twice a week. Alcoholic beverages contain calories too. Just look at how many calories are in each of these standard measures of the most popular drinks:
Alcohol Free Wine 37
Baileys, Irish Cream 129
Champagne 96
Cider (Low Alcohol) 97
Cider (Sweet) 239
Cider (Vintage) 574
Dry White Wine 77
Dry Red Wine 83
Sherry (average) 140
Sweet Red Wine 100
Sweet White Wine 103
Beer, Bitter (Pint) 182
Lager (Can) 221
Guinness, Stout (Pint) 170
Gin and Slimline Tonic 56
Vodka and Diet Coke 55
Whisky and Lemonade 82
It is a myth that beer is fattening. According to the BBPA, a glass of beer with a typical 4.6% alcoholic volume, has fewer calories not only than a similar measure of wine, but also milk or fruit juice. The rest of the alcoholic drinks may not be fattening by themselves but when mixed with coke, lemonade or another soft drink the calorific value rises. However, after a couple of drinks you will be in no position to watch your diet and may find yourself at the local pizza parlor or curry house indulging it a lot of the foods that you have been missing.
If your choice of drink is wine, choose the dry option. Dry white wine contains 77 calories as opposed to sweet white wine which has 103 calories per standard measure. Sweet wines naturally contain a lot of sugar. Most of this sugar has been fermented away in dry wines. Avoid fortified wines because they contain even more sugar, a standard glass of sherry has 140 calories!
Hopefully, this will keep you motivated to reach your target weight loss.
Remember, a little of what you fancy does not do your diet any harm, it is when you over indulge that you start to damage the hard work and effort that you have put in.
Loans for all purpose
Human needs are unlimited. As soon as you satisfy one another arises. But the source of income more or less remains constant. The fast pace of fashion is also another factor to be considered. New styles arrive everyday and one has to keep pace with them. So people in several occasions find their income falling short of requirements. The gap is filled by the loans.
UK loan market is flooded with loan plans. It is up to the borrower to choose the plan that suits the purpose. Before applying for a loan you should analyze its various aspects. Comparison of various loan plans offers you the cheapest one. Every loan plan has its own advantages and shortcomings. So analysis of different sides of a certain loan plan definitely gives you the leading edge.
Personal loans do not require a residential property security. This makes the loan processing faster. Students, tenants and self-employed professional do not face any problem to avail these loans. Homeowners can also apply for this loan. The borrower is more secured here. He does not risk his residential property.
Loans without home security are also known as the any purpose loans. The borrowed amount is spent according to the borrowers wish. The loans cover any legally correct requirement. Loans are available for holidaying, debt consolidation and home renovation, purchase of a new car and expansion of business. The primary criterion is the borrower should be a Briton and above eighteen year age.
Credit rating plays a vital role in deciding the loan amount. Borrowers with good credit rating avail more amount as any purpose loans. The loan amount has the maximum limit of 25,000. The personal loans charge lower interest compared to the credit cards. The repayment pattern is also flexible and borrower friendly. Loan application is available on the Internet.
UK loan market is flooded with loan plans. It is up to the borrower to choose the plan that suits the purpose. Before applying for a loan you should analyze its various aspects. Comparison of various loan plans offers you the cheapest one. Every loan plan has its own advantages and shortcomings. So analysis of different sides of a certain loan plan definitely gives you the leading edge.
Personal loans do not require a residential property security. This makes the loan processing faster. Students, tenants and self-employed professional do not face any problem to avail these loans. Homeowners can also apply for this loan. The borrower is more secured here. He does not risk his residential property.
Loans without home security are also known as the any purpose loans. The borrowed amount is spent according to the borrowers wish. The loans cover any legally correct requirement. Loans are available for holidaying, debt consolidation and home renovation, purchase of a new car and expansion of business. The primary criterion is the borrower should be a Briton and above eighteen year age.
Credit rating plays a vital role in deciding the loan amount. Borrowers with good credit rating avail more amount as any purpose loans. The loan amount has the maximum limit of 25,000. The personal loans charge lower interest compared to the credit cards. The repayment pattern is also flexible and borrower friendly. Loan application is available on the Internet.
Business Travel Tips For Newbies
As with any area of specialization, there are business travelers who always seem to know what they are doing and those who constantly seem to be in a state of crisis. The business traveler who has been at it a while figures out some insider information that not many travelers know. These little travel secrets make the world of difference when traveling. And you can bet they are not going to share this information with just anyone because this is the kind of information that can change the nature of your business travel forever.
Your laptop is a crucial piece of equipment as you travel. In an airport emergency situation, your wireless laptop can be used to change reservations so you can avoid those long lines to get on the next flight out. You can reserve a rental car or snag one of the few remaining hotel rooms in town right from the comfort of a seat at the airport. Then the savvy business traveler can casually stroll to his or her designation as others around them panic because they knew how to leverage technology and the internet to bail themselves out of a crisis situation.
But one aspect of using your laptop to rescue yourself when the airport is in shut down is the limited power of laptops. To see your battery go dead just when you needed it the most is like watching your ship sink as the sharks circle the lifeboat. What not many people know is that there are open electrical outlets in airports that are there for cleaning crews if you know where they are. Usually these outlets are just under the windows that overlook the landing strips so if you can secure a seat near these outlets, you can charge up your laptop and keep your lifeline to the world alive.
Business travelers also know how to take full advantage of resources that are made available to business travelers exclusively. Find hotels that cater to the traveling businessperson. These hotels will not have amenities for families nor are they trying to bring in busses of teenagers on the way to camp. So you can find a hotel with much fewer young people making noise and being a nuisance when you are trying to focus on business.
The more authentic information about business travel tips you know, the more likely people are to consider you a business travel tips expert. Read on for even more business travel tips facts that you can share.
In addition to using businesses that cater to the business traveler, take advantage of frequent flyer and priority clubs that many airlines and hotels offer. If you are going to travel a lot, you can rack up some credits on those clubs, which can result in upgrades to first class, better accommodations or free services when you stay at your selected hotels. They win because they capture your travel dollar. You win because you get pampered for a while.
You can gain a lot of convenience and reduce your hassles by using a less popular airport to come into town. By utilizing an airport in a smaller town near by and renting a car, you get out of the congestion of traffic and can drive to your destination without that exposure to the masses all pushing and shoving to get through the major hubs.
Extra copies of travel documents can speed things up a lot especially if you are leaving the country. Often when you are going through customs, you must surrender your passport so the customs agent can make a copy. So you make a copy before you get there and give it to them. With a quick scan, they can confirm that it is a legitimate copy and have you on your way much quicker.
Don't overlook how public transportation can bail you out of dealing with a lot of traffic in large city situations. In Washington or New York, the subways work exceptionally well. If you can get out of the airport area via mass transit, you can find a rental car location in town and conduct your business with less wait and without the traffic jams you would face at the airport. Plus airport rental car sites are more expensive than those in town.
These little tips can go a long way toward making your trip less of a hassle, less expensive and more successful. By knowing how to get around the big crowds and use the resources made available to business travelers, your trip will be more efficient, more relaxed and more successful.
You can't predict when knowing something extra about business travel tips will come in handy. If you learned anything new in this article, you should file the article where you can find it again.
Your laptop is a crucial piece of equipment as you travel. In an airport emergency situation, your wireless laptop can be used to change reservations so you can avoid those long lines to get on the next flight out. You can reserve a rental car or snag one of the few remaining hotel rooms in town right from the comfort of a seat at the airport. Then the savvy business traveler can casually stroll to his or her designation as others around them panic because they knew how to leverage technology and the internet to bail themselves out of a crisis situation.
But one aspect of using your laptop to rescue yourself when the airport is in shut down is the limited power of laptops. To see your battery go dead just when you needed it the most is like watching your ship sink as the sharks circle the lifeboat. What not many people know is that there are open electrical outlets in airports that are there for cleaning crews if you know where they are. Usually these outlets are just under the windows that overlook the landing strips so if you can secure a seat near these outlets, you can charge up your laptop and keep your lifeline to the world alive.
Business travelers also know how to take full advantage of resources that are made available to business travelers exclusively. Find hotels that cater to the traveling businessperson. These hotels will not have amenities for families nor are they trying to bring in busses of teenagers on the way to camp. So you can find a hotel with much fewer young people making noise and being a nuisance when you are trying to focus on business.
The more authentic information about business travel tips you know, the more likely people are to consider you a business travel tips expert. Read on for even more business travel tips facts that you can share.
In addition to using businesses that cater to the business traveler, take advantage of frequent flyer and priority clubs that many airlines and hotels offer. If you are going to travel a lot, you can rack up some credits on those clubs, which can result in upgrades to first class, better accommodations or free services when you stay at your selected hotels. They win because they capture your travel dollar. You win because you get pampered for a while.
You can gain a lot of convenience and reduce your hassles by using a less popular airport to come into town. By utilizing an airport in a smaller town near by and renting a car, you get out of the congestion of traffic and can drive to your destination without that exposure to the masses all pushing and shoving to get through the major hubs.
Extra copies of travel documents can speed things up a lot especially if you are leaving the country. Often when you are going through customs, you must surrender your passport so the customs agent can make a copy. So you make a copy before you get there and give it to them. With a quick scan, they can confirm that it is a legitimate copy and have you on your way much quicker.
Don't overlook how public transportation can bail you out of dealing with a lot of traffic in large city situations. In Washington or New York, the subways work exceptionally well. If you can get out of the airport area via mass transit, you can find a rental car location in town and conduct your business with less wait and without the traffic jams you would face at the airport. Plus airport rental car sites are more expensive than those in town.
These little tips can go a long way toward making your trip less of a hassle, less expensive and more successful. By knowing how to get around the big crowds and use the resources made available to business travelers, your trip will be more efficient, more relaxed and more successful.
You can't predict when knowing something extra about business travel tips will come in handy. If you learned anything new in this article, you should file the article where you can find it again.
9 Amazing Tips For Cooking With Eggs
Eggs can be the easiest, most versatile ingredient to use. Some cooks, however, find them challenging and difficult, with a few tips and tricks though, the egg can be demystified.
1.Go Fresh! Always use the freshest eggs possible; the longer eggs stay in the refrigerator, the more flavor they lose.
2.Let them Warm. Taking eggs out of the refrigerator and putting them into boiling water can spell disaster; this can cause the eggs to crack and lose quality in taste and texture. Setting your eggs out to warm to room temperature is one of the best things you can do. If time is of the essence, place the eggs in cool water and allow it to slowly come to a boil to avoid cracking.
3.Break 'em When you Need 'em. Many people make the mistake of breaking their eggs too early when they're cooking. This means keep your eggs whole until right before they are called for in the recipe. Leaving them broken in a dish for even a few minutes can cause loss of quality.
4.Break 'em Flat. Many home cooks tend to break the eggs on the edge of the bowl, but this can be a huge mistake. When using the edge of anything, tiny pieces of shell can either get inside the egg, or fall into your mixture. Always break the eggs on a flat surface so the shell will break off into bigger pieces.
5.Avoid Foam. Over mixing your eggs can cause them to foam and this causes them to lose quality. If you see foam, skim it off.
6.Strain Away. Straining eggs can actually be a good thing. This allows the membrane and yolk to break up and mix better, therefore improving texture and flavor.
7.Cover with a Cloth. While this could be dangerous in certain situations, if you're able to, put a cloth under the lid when you're cooking eggs; this prevents moisture from dripping onto the surface.
8.Reduce Heat. Cook the eggs on a higher flame for the first two minutes then drop the heat back down to medium to finish. Steamed eggs are finished when the toothpick test produces clear liquid. Overcooking causes loss of flavor and bad texture.
9.A soft-boiled egg is 5-6 minutes, hard is 10-12. Your egg is overcooked if the yolk is discolored; a perfectly colored yolk is the same shade of yellow inside and out. Also, the yolks will solidify without boiling if placed in hot water, while the whites will remain soft.
1.Go Fresh! Always use the freshest eggs possible; the longer eggs stay in the refrigerator, the more flavor they lose.
2.Let them Warm. Taking eggs out of the refrigerator and putting them into boiling water can spell disaster; this can cause the eggs to crack and lose quality in taste and texture. Setting your eggs out to warm to room temperature is one of the best things you can do. If time is of the essence, place the eggs in cool water and allow it to slowly come to a boil to avoid cracking.
3.Break 'em When you Need 'em. Many people make the mistake of breaking their eggs too early when they're cooking. This means keep your eggs whole until right before they are called for in the recipe. Leaving them broken in a dish for even a few minutes can cause loss of quality.
4.Break 'em Flat. Many home cooks tend to break the eggs on the edge of the bowl, but this can be a huge mistake. When using the edge of anything, tiny pieces of shell can either get inside the egg, or fall into your mixture. Always break the eggs on a flat surface so the shell will break off into bigger pieces.
5.Avoid Foam. Over mixing your eggs can cause them to foam and this causes them to lose quality. If you see foam, skim it off.
6.Strain Away. Straining eggs can actually be a good thing. This allows the membrane and yolk to break up and mix better, therefore improving texture and flavor.
7.Cover with a Cloth. While this could be dangerous in certain situations, if you're able to, put a cloth under the lid when you're cooking eggs; this prevents moisture from dripping onto the surface.
8.Reduce Heat. Cook the eggs on a higher flame for the first two minutes then drop the heat back down to medium to finish. Steamed eggs are finished when the toothpick test produces clear liquid. Overcooking causes loss of flavor and bad texture.
9.A soft-boiled egg is 5-6 minutes, hard is 10-12. Your egg is overcooked if the yolk is discolored; a perfectly colored yolk is the same shade of yellow inside and out. Also, the yolks will solidify without boiling if placed in hot water, while the whites will remain soft.
Are Your Measurements Making You Look Bad?
Most people view the measuring process too narrowly. When they do, they can look pretty foolish.
Here's an example: A corporate planner went to a seminar given by corporate strategist Peter Drucker. The planner asked Drucker to pick the best single measure of corporate performance. Drucker replied, "My dear sir, you obviously know nothing. There is no single measure of corporate performance that is any good. Use them all and try to develop new ones, and each will teach you something you need to know."
Drucker's point was that measurements are highly subjective and imperfect. Would-be stallbusters are going to need lots more measures.
Tailor Your Measurements to Fit
Measurements may need to be improved with adjustments. For instance, farm tractors cost a lot more now than they did in the 1930s, but they also do a lot more. If you measure cost per tractor, it looks like productivity declined. If you measure by cost per acre plowed in inflation-adjusted dollars, the cost of plowing has gone down substantially.
Feedback Nourishes Learning
It's not enough to measure. You also have to learn from what the measurements tell you. Then, when you can access information that competitors lack, you can sneak ahead.
Here's an example: Dell Corporation leads in personal computers and gains its orders through direct sales over the telephone and the Internet. Its competitors sell through wholesalers, value-added resellers, and stores. Dell is learning moment by moment what features its customers most want.
Competitors have to use indirect, after-the-fact measurements to estimate what Dell already knows. Dell can be out testing a new insight from daily measurements long before the competitors even know about the new customer need.
With each iteration of this feedback, Dell's knowledge moves further ahead of competitors. As a result of learning based on powerful measurements, Dell was able to steam ahead of all its well-known global competitors despite Dell's humble beginnings in Michael Dell's college dormitory room.
STALLBUSTERS
Use Measurements to Improve Your Personal Effectiveness
Ask yourself the following questions to better allocate your time and efforts:
1. How could I avoid having to do the least productive tasks at all and get better results?
2. How else could I have gotten these tasks done to get better results in less time?
3. How could I delegate these tasks to others for better results?
4. How could I inexpensively automate these tasks and meet my purposes?
5. When was I effective?
6. Why was I effective then?
7. When was I ineffective?
8. Why was I ineffective then?
9. How much time am I spending on time wasters?
10. How could I better spend the time I use on time wasters?
11. What will be the benefits to me and others of spending my time in these more productive areas?
Use Measurements to Improve the Effectiveness of Others
After you have acted on the answers to your personal improvement questions, you will be prepared to be credible as a helpful coach to others, especially with the answers to the following questions:
1. How can you interest other people in measurements?
2. How can you help others set up and use helpful measurements?
3. How can the message about the value of properly using measurements be spread even further?
Here's an example: A corporate planner went to a seminar given by corporate strategist Peter Drucker. The planner asked Drucker to pick the best single measure of corporate performance. Drucker replied, "My dear sir, you obviously know nothing. There is no single measure of corporate performance that is any good. Use them all and try to develop new ones, and each will teach you something you need to know."
Drucker's point was that measurements are highly subjective and imperfect. Would-be stallbusters are going to need lots more measures.
Tailor Your Measurements to Fit
Measurements may need to be improved with adjustments. For instance, farm tractors cost a lot more now than they did in the 1930s, but they also do a lot more. If you measure cost per tractor, it looks like productivity declined. If you measure by cost per acre plowed in inflation-adjusted dollars, the cost of plowing has gone down substantially.
Feedback Nourishes Learning
It's not enough to measure. You also have to learn from what the measurements tell you. Then, when you can access information that competitors lack, you can sneak ahead.
Here's an example: Dell Corporation leads in personal computers and gains its orders through direct sales over the telephone and the Internet. Its competitors sell through wholesalers, value-added resellers, and stores. Dell is learning moment by moment what features its customers most want.
Competitors have to use indirect, after-the-fact measurements to estimate what Dell already knows. Dell can be out testing a new insight from daily measurements long before the competitors even know about the new customer need.
With each iteration of this feedback, Dell's knowledge moves further ahead of competitors. As a result of learning based on powerful measurements, Dell was able to steam ahead of all its well-known global competitors despite Dell's humble beginnings in Michael Dell's college dormitory room.
STALLBUSTERS
Use Measurements to Improve Your Personal Effectiveness
Ask yourself the following questions to better allocate your time and efforts:
1. How could I avoid having to do the least productive tasks at all and get better results?
2. How else could I have gotten these tasks done to get better results in less time?
3. How could I delegate these tasks to others for better results?
4. How could I inexpensively automate these tasks and meet my purposes?
5. When was I effective?
6. Why was I effective then?
7. When was I ineffective?
8. Why was I ineffective then?
9. How much time am I spending on time wasters?
10. How could I better spend the time I use on time wasters?
11. What will be the benefits to me and others of spending my time in these more productive areas?
Use Measurements to Improve the Effectiveness of Others
After you have acted on the answers to your personal improvement questions, you will be prepared to be credible as a helpful coach to others, especially with the answers to the following questions:
1. How can you interest other people in measurements?
2. How can you help others set up and use helpful measurements?
3. How can the message about the value of properly using measurements be spread even further?
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