Did your business survive Friday 13!

Were you challenged by  Friday 13th April?  Do you believe it’s an unlucky day … or are you a sensible doubter but still hedging your bets …. just in case it’s true.  Are you one of thousands who avoids social and business activities on Friday 13th?
You may scoff at the superstitious but fear of the number 13th is a genuine phobia called Triskaidekaphobia, and fear of 13 has lead to many buildings avoiding a thirteenth floor (see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteenth_floor )
And although it may sound strange, many people do avoid making arrangements on Friday 13th. Airlines confirm that bookings are down http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2085656/Unlucky-Friday-13-sees-flight-bookings-drop-third.html and financiers have known investments to be deferred until another day.
Psychologists include superstitions among a wider range of human traits collectively called ‘magical thinking’, that includes other questionable beliefs ranging from a harmless belief in fairies through mildly disturbing beliefs in the paranormal to potentially more harmful beliefs such as fanatical religion.
Chartered Psychologist Graham W Price, from Abicord, has helped many clients with phobias and / or superstitious beliefs.
Magical thinking perhaps demonstrates the gullibility of humans, particularly in light of the fact that many such beliefs can be disproved. Track events on Friday 13th and compare the results with any other day and, unsurprisingly, there’s not much difference for the average person.
One might imagine the superstitious belief itself could impact the results. Couldn’t a belief that accidents will happen so distract believers that they become more prone to accidents? The studies suggest that even this doesn’t happen.
In fact a Dutch insurance company study in 2008 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_the_13th) actually showed that were fewer accidents on Friday 13th as people were preventatively more careful!
What can you do if you have a superstitious belief, or perhaps many such beliefs, that are limiting you in some way? Perhaps you can’t venture out of the house on Friday 13th and that’s costing you a day’s vacation, on average twice a year.
Graham W Price has some advice;
Hypnotherapy can sometimes help. It works for some, but on its own success is far from certain and relapse rates are high. Cognitive Behavioural Techniques (CBT) are generally more effective and sustainable for most mind-related issues, particularly if they’re combined with modern acceptance-based approaches such as Acceptance-Action Therapy (AAT).
A combined CBT-AAT treatment might involve challenging beliefs using an evidence-based approach, learning to accept any feelings such as anxiety and confronting the superstition by changing your behaviour.
When we act in ways that are consistent with an unproductive belief, we always reinforce the belief. Our mind gets a message that the belief must be true …. otherwise why are we behaving in that way. Conversely, if we repeatedly act in the opposite way, we’ll undermine the belief.
Graham recommends trying the following steps to help you move past the superstition and stop it holding you back:
Create a habit of noticing whenever you “buy into” the superstition and limit yourself.  Accept that this is the way you are right now. Don’t beat yourself up. Don’t get annoyed or frustrated with yourself
Recognise that the superstition is irrational. Remind yourself that studies have shown there’s no evidence to support it
Drop the thought (surprisingly easy once we’ve carried out the first two steps)
Take the action you were hesitating over while accepting any anxious feelings this may generate
“Do this repeatedly and the limiting belief, and any anxious feelings it may be generating, will soon disappear.” says Graham.

Sharkonomics spreads fear amongst market leaders

Sharks are not only nature’s most revered killing machines, they are highly strategic and efficient predators. Studying their behaviour and instincts can provide lessons for companies of any size who want to attack the competition.

Stefan Engeseth, author of the new book Sharkonomics, argues that taking market share from market leaders is about being aware, creating presence and punching above your weight. By applying the behavioural traits of the shark, Engeseth has created a number of highly practical business strategies which include striking unpredictably, developing a sensory system, hunting in packs and how to locate blind spots. The more competitive your marketplace, the more effective Sharkonomics can be. After all sharks have been evolving for over 420 million years and are still very much the leaders in their space.

Why Sharkonomics? 
Quite simply, nature is smarter than the likes of Stanford, Harvard, MIT, McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, Bain, IBM, Apple and all of the other Fortune 500 companies. In nature, sharks have to move to survive. But in business most market leaders remain static, because they are stuck in history – and eventually they become shark food. Sharks don’t perform by producing endless Power Points; they bite into market share. Sharkonomics will reveal how the logos of market leaders will have more chunks taken out of them than a seal after a shark picnic.

It’s not just about attack
! Sharkonomics also includes tactics for companies to defend themselves against attack. It is important to state that Sharkonomics is inspired by nature, but Engeseth’s intention is not to spread fear in any form-except perhaps in boardrooms!

Stefan Engeseth, the author of Sharkonomics, dived with sharks in South Africa as part of his research for the book!

Take a bite of this new book at www.Sharkonomics.com

For more information, videos and book samples go to www.Sharkonomics.com.

Majority of people believe cash set to become extinct

Nearly a third (30%) of the UK public have been inconvenienced in the last year by a retailer not taking cards, according a new YouGov survey conducted for small business payments specialists CardSave. The poll indicates that retailers that refuse to accept cards are losing out to modern consumers, who carry hardly any cash.

In fact, 16% of people have walked out of a shop in the past year without making their intended purchase because the retailer didn’t accept cards, while 22% have been forced to leave to seek out a cash point. 7% have purchased less than they intended to due to retailers’ only accepting cash.

The survey shows that the days of carrying large amounts of cash are over. 62% of people carry £20 or less in cash on them on average. 48% carry £15 or less and 35% carry up to £10. Yet almost everyone (93%) carries a credit or debit card.

According to CardSave’s own Small Business Payments Index, which launches today and is compiled from card payments data for over 40,000 small businesses, the average card transaction at small, independent merchants in February was for £64.27. This splits into averages of £96.56 on credit card and £54.14 on debit card. With only 12% of the population carrying £50 or more in cash, retailers who do not accept cards are therefore likely to be missing out on high-value customers.

A majority of the public, 57%, believe that cash will become extinct at some point in the future – with 50% predicting that this will be by 2035. 36% forecast that this will be by 2025.

Clive Kahn, Chief Executive of CardSave, which enables small businesses to accept payments more easily: “The days when consumers wanted to pay by cash are over. They increasingly expect to pay by card for everything – from small shops to tradespeople such as painters and window-cleaners.

“Small businesses benefit significantly from accepting cards, winning more business, making larger sales and maintaining their competitiveness against major retailers.”

The YouGov poll coincides with the first ever Small Business Payments Index by CardSave on expenditure on cards at SMEs in each sector of the economy over the past year. The most significant changes in February 2012 (compared to February 2011) in average amounts spent include the following:

·         Average spend on home improvements was up 32%, from £169.37 to £233.10

·         Spending on bicycle sales and servicing was up 10% from an average of £69.89 to £77.07.

·         Restaurants, pubs and bars saw a 9% decrease in the average transaction value from an average of £32.59 to £29.66.

·         Average card spend on taxis, cabs and limos was also down 8% from £112.24 in February 2011 to £103.03 in February 2012.

·         Highest card transaction values were in the home improvements and leisure sectors.  

Graffiti6 blazing a Britpop trail in the USA

Graffiti6 is a Brit band doing very well in the USA right now, a great UK export helping to put the ‘Great’ back into Britain. Here’s what is being written about them on Zoiks:
Riding on the success of their first single “Free” from debut album Colours, Britain’s Graffiti6 has been selected by VH1 as the “You Oughta Know” artist for the month of March. Launched in 2004, VH1′s “You Oughta Know” franchise introduces promising new artists on the rise to VH1′s base of music lovers. Many “You Oughta Know” artists have gone on to win industry awards and accolades including “Best New Artist” Grammy Awards and nominations. This highly acclaimed franchise has helped break artists such as Adele, Amy Winehouse, Bruno Mars, The Civil Wars, Colbie Caillat, Corinne Bailey Rae, Foster The People, The Fray, Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, James Blunt, Mumford & Sons, Sara Bareilles, Regina Spektor and many, many others.

Colours was released on January 24th to rave reviews and the first single “Free” which is now a top 10 hit at AAA radio, officially impacts the Hot AC format this week. Graffiti6 has performed the single on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” “Conan” and “The Rachael Ray Show.” The “Free” video has over 1.3 million views on VEVO is currently in rotation on VH1, MTVU, Music Choice and MUN2.

Graffiti6 recently wrapped a nationwide tour with Augustana and will head to Austin March 15th – 17th to play a series of shows at this years SXSW festival. They will then join singer/songwriter Eric Hutchinson starting April 17th in Denver, Co through May, 23rd in Portland, OR. They will then play this year’s Sasquatch Festival over Memorial Day weekend at the Gorge in Washington.

House Proud Britain: Mums and Dads Spend 24 Hours a Week on Household Management

Busy small business owners may like to know that parents spend an average of almost a day a week on household management, with a total of 23 hours and 45 minutes spent each on jobs including washing, cooking and childcare duties.

New research from Allianz Your Cover insurance found the top five time intensive chores those parents polled do each week are:

1. Babysitting/childcare (3 hours 53 minutes)
2. Cooking (3 hours 36 minutes)
3. Cleaning (2 hours 49 minutes)
4. Shopping (2 hours 27 minutes)
5. Ironing/washing (2 hours 19 minutes)

Additional other time-consuming activities include DIY, taking out the recycling and gardening. If parents were to pay staff to carry out their chores it would cost £231 a week. However Mums and Dads are only valuing their weekly worth at £143 a week underestimating their weekly contribution by £88. Despite being a nation of hardworking parents, a quarter (25%) admit feel they do not feel appreciated by their children.

Andy James of Allianz Your Cover Insurance said: “Many parents will be surprised how much time they are spending on managing their homes and what this is worth financially. For those also working, this means very little ‘down time’ is spent relaxing as they spend four hours a day managing their home and family life. Our research found if parents were given the opportunity to pass their least favourite chore onto someone else, a quarter (28%) of Mums and Dads would spend this extra time relaxing.

“To help busy families realise their true value we have created a Smartphone app which calculates how much certain chores are worth and which family member makes the biggest household contribution. Families will be able to solve the eternal question ‘who does the most around the house’ and see who most deserves a relaxing sit-down!”

Overworked and underappreciated?

The research shows that both men and women agree that women make the most valuable contribution to the smooth running of the home. Despite this, only 25% of women feel that their contribution is completely appreciated by their partner whereas a third (35%) of men feel that their partner completely appreciates their role at home.

Three quarters (72%) of women think their household contribution is worth more than their partner’s, and value this contribution at £166. Only 41% of men think their contribution is worth the most financially valuing this at £120, significantly less than women.

Chilled out children

Both Mums and Dads agree that their children’s contribution is worth only 5% to the upkeep of the house. Youngest children have been recognised as the most hardworking with a third (31%) of parents revealing they think their youngest’s input is worth the most financially compared to just a fifth (22%) who voted for the middle or oldest child.

Parents confirmed that elder teenagers aged between 15 and 18 years-old were the least appreciative of their children as 32% of parents said this age group do not make them feel at all appreciated.

Andy James continues: “Our poll found that ironing, washing and cleaning are the most disliked chores which Brits would happily pass onto someone else. We urge busy parents to hand over their dusters and get their children involved in some household jobs. We also found that nearly half (45%) of Mums and Dads have caused damage whilst carrying out chores.  We recommend that parents check their accidental cover on their home insurance policies as less than four in ten of our customers have opted for accidental damage cover which would ensure they are protected.”

Allianz Your Cover Insurance, Allianz UK’s flexible insurance offering enables home insurance policy holders to purchase different levels of accidental damage cover on both contents and buildings policies to ensure homeowners get the cover they need.

To find out the true value of the chores you do download Allianz Your Cover’s household economy Smartphone App Chores Worth.

To find more out about Allianz Your Cover Insurance visit http://www.yourcoverinsurance.co.uk, follow us on Twitter @YourCoverUK or join us on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/YourCoverUK

About Your Cover

Your Cover is a new breed of insurance product, offering cover that customers select to precisely match their own lifestyle and circumstances. Using an easy to use ‘Quote and Buy’ website, Your Cover makes it simple to design, obtain a quote and manage your insurance online.

The result of two years’ research involving thousands of insurance buyers, Your Cover is a product from Allianz Insurance plc, which is a part of the global Allianz Group.

About Allianz

Allianz Insurance is one of the largest general insurers in the UK and part of the Allianz SE Group, the largest property and casualty insurer worldwide. Reassuringly in these uncertain financial times, in July 2011 the Standard and Poor’s rating for Allianz Insurance was reaffirmed as AA-with a stable outlook and the rating of Allianz SE was also reaffirmed as AA with a stable outlook.

Indoor air health threat more acute and widespread than public is aware

Just found out something really scary. According to Blueair, the world’s leading maker of indoor air purifiers, that contrary to what many believe, indoor air is often far more polluted – and harmful to health – than the air outside.

Blueair responded to a study of pregnant mothers by Umea University in Sweden, which indicated high levels of traffic exhaust fumes and ozone could lead to a bigger risk of premature birth than the mother smoking. But solving the problem is not as easy as just staying inside. Apparently, the buildup of polluted air indoors poses a major threat to health and wellbeing that many people don’t know about, according to Jonas Holst, Blueair Global Head of Sales and Marketing.

Describing the new findings as very worrying, Holst said the Umeå University research reflects just the tip of an iceberg and to get rid of the problem people need to take measures to clean their indoor air far more than today.

“Our homes and offices are constantly being bombarded by high levels of airborne pollutants that most people are unaware about,” he said. The US Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, has stated indoor air levels of many pollutants may be more than 100 times higher than outdoor levels. Air pol- lutants in buildings are of particular concern because most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors, according to the EPA.

Blueair is currently launching a campaign in Europe, Asia and the USA to help raise public awareness about the health dangers of indoor air pollution. The campaign is designed to also show how people can dramatically remove 99.97% of everything potentially harmful, including traffic exhaust particles and other allergens.

“It’s amazing that modern cars are fitted with air filters to protect drivers and passengers, but little is done to improve healthy air conditions inside our buildings where we live and work,” says Jonas Holst.

Great Brit Band Graffiti6 Are Taking USA By Storm

There’s nothing like an emerging success story to please all of us small businesses.

British band Graffiti6 are taking the USA by storm and a performance last Friday on TV show Conan was no different. The soulful group featuring lead singer, Jamie Scott, stopped by Conan for a live performance of “Free” their first hit single, which appears on their now available debute album, Colours. Watch their performance here, or copy the following link into your browser title: http://popcrush.com/graffiti6-perform-free-conan/

Below you can read some of great things being said for the British band’s debut album.

“Graffiti6, the duo of singer/songwriter Jamie Scott and songwriter/producer Tommy “Tommy D” Danvers, makes the art of crafting pop gems seem like the easiest task in the world.” -Billboard

“Spray painting their debut album with ‘60s psychedelia, rave music, and falsetto-kissed soul (courtesy of dreamy lead singer Jamie Scott), this UK duo makes a vivid splash.” –People Magazine

“Using acoustic guitar and electric piano as primary colors, they combine smoky falsetto-soul melodies and breakbeat rhythms.”  -USA Today

“Pop at its most glorious” -Marie Claire

“Kaleidoscopic beat tornadoes” - Entertainment Weekly

Small companies create 85% of new jobs

85% of net new jobs (new jobs created minus jobs lost in a given period) in the EU between 2002 and 2010 were created by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). This figure is considerably higher than the 67%-share of SMEs in total employment. During this period, net employment in the EU’s business economy rose substantially, by an average of 1.1 million new jobs each year.

These are the main results of a study on the essential contribution of SMEs on job creation presented by the European Commission last month.
With 1% annually, the employment growth for SMEs was higher than for large enterprises with 0.5%. A clear exception is the trade sector, in which employment in SMEs increased by 0.7% annually, compared to 2.2% in large enterprises. This is due to the strong increase of large trade enterprises, in particular in sales, maintenance and repair of motor vehicles.

Within the SME size-class, micro firms (less than 10 employees) are responsible with 58% for the highest proportion of total net employment growth in the business economy.

Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, responsible for Entrepreneurship and Industry valorised the relevance of SMEs for European economy, recognising the need to support them at all levels, since they represent a clear key for restoring economic growth.
More information can be found on the webpage of the SME Performance Review.

Tablet and Smart Phone Use Becoming Number One Cause of Joint and Muscle Pain in North America

In this day and age the use of tablets and smart phones is the most popular method for communicating, but it is also causing a rising trend in the number of doctor visits for Repetitive Strain/Stress Injury (RSI), according to a PRWEB article.

Dr. Suneel Sharman, a family physician and AskTheDoctor.com co-founder, said he has a growing number of patients who have been injured by their smartphones, tablets and computers.

“The number of questions our free medical Q & A website AskTheDoctor.com gets related to RSI has tripled in the last 2 years. The number of patients i physically see at my family practice due to RSI has also become a very large number,” according to Dr. Sharman.

The average person in the United States who owns a cell phone sends 1000-1500 text messages a month, according to CTIA which is the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry.

Prakash Chand, a serial entrepreneur from Toronto says he sends about an average of 300 text messages a day to employees, family and friends and has recently developed RSI. He has been using a Blackberry since the first day they came out and then recently switched to an iPhone.

“I have no choice but to text, it is the only way I can easily communicate with my employees and its easier than picking up a phone and wasting time calling someone,” he said.

The important thing to do is seek treatment early. Early treatment can cure the patients symptoms and when managed by a skilled chiropractor, physiotherapist or sports medicine doctor, the patient can be symptom free in weeks according to Dr. Sharman.

“RSI really affects people’s lifestyle as we use our hands and fingers for almost everything we do, ” says Dr. Sharman.

Dr. Sharman expects that the smart phone companies will eventually design better ergonomically shaped phones to help reduce RSI but says it will always be important to maintain a regular workout of strengthening and stretching exercises to prevent future occurrences.

10th anniversary of innovative aid program celebrates millions of lives saved

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has renewed its commitment to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Gates Foundation is giving $750 million through a promissory note—a new and innovative funding mechanism.

“These are tough economic times, but that is no excuse for cutting aid to the world’s poorest,” said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation. “The Global Fund is one of the most effective ways we invest our money every year.”

Providing funding through a promissory note gives the Global Fund the flexibility and authority to distribute funds efficiently based on immediate needs, leading to greater impact.

“By supporting the Global Fund, we can help to change the fortunes of the poorest countries in the world,” said Gates. “I can’t think of more important work.”

Global Fund financing helps developing countries fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. This public-private partnership creates economic opportunity and makes those living in poverty less dependent on aid.

Since 2002, investments in the Global Fund have financed innovative prevention and treatment programs in 150 countries with high burdens of disease. The Global Fund continues to save 100,000 lives a month. The Fund has provided antiretroviral treatment to 3.3 million people, detected and treated 8.2 million people with tuberculosis, and provided 230 million bed nets to families to prevent malaria.

The new commitment is in addition to the $650 million the Gates Foundation has already contributed since the Global Fund was launched 10 years ago at the World Economic Forum, which convenes the world’s top business and political leaders.

The foundation commends the recent political and financial commitments to the Global Fund by donor governments. All donors – rich, middle-income and poor countries as well as the private sector – must continue to invest in the lifesaving work of the Global Fund.

On the heels of releasing his fourth annual letter yesterday in London, Gates continued to challenge global leaders to invest in innovations that are accelerating progress against poverty or risk a future where millions needlessly die. While there has been tremendous progress against AIDS, TB and malaria, more must be done. Through unique partnerships and new financing mechanisms, the global community has the opportunity to have an even greater impact and save more lives.

View the letter at www.gatesfoundation.org/annualletter