Poetry Introduction

Here are six examples of classic poem styles

Haiku

The rough barked trees
Full of rich vibrant colors
Spring has come around

Tanka

The Derek Jayden

Epic master of his craft
Ties his shoe laces
Mind set on the finish line
Eight Hundred meter begins

Lyric

There once was a big fat lady
Who worked in the Navy
Her weight made her not want to date
Do to the weight, she had to wait
And over that time of wait,
She had lost some weight
Then she had several dates
And of those dates,
One determines her fate

Limerick

There was a dog named Susie
She was feeling a little woozy
She felt so sick
Because she ate a stick
Poor little old Susie

Free Verse

The rain comes
On the silent streets
It hits the ground
All over the city
On top of roof tops
The rain continues to splash.

Sonnet

Out of the Earth, a bud of life
Deep purple, small and delicate
Free from captivity and strife
Young buds rising intimate
Sweet morning breeze, it smells so great
So red the rose, so red and bright
A figment of beauty to grow and separate
Hypnotizing like a flash of light.
To grow for awhile, only to go away
For always in my heart
To think they won’t stay
They start to fall apart.
The death of the rose
Brings the birth of the crows.

A Presentation Series: Revisiting the Marketing Plan

The speaker who presents educational content will often prepare a speech by writing an outline of topics. The topics will begin with an introduction, key points of description, and a conclusion summarizing the content. The following is an itemized sequence of topics that make an easy transition in presenting the marketing plan. Students should understand his or her research, and present the information to the best of their ability. The following information will assist the speaker in offering valuable information for others to learn.

Introduction

An introduction of the speaker, and the topic, will be the first item on the form. When the speaker presents, he or she should introduce him or herself to the audience, and offer a brief history of experience and work within this topic. The personal background helps the audience understand the credentials of the speaker and allows the public attending the lecture to accept the information openly. With this, the speaker makes the audience feel at ease, and creates interest in the topic.

Components of a Marketing Plan

The components of a complex and diverse marketing plan include targeting market, marketing objectives, needs, location, services, scheduling, and marketing budget for price point. The components to discuss with the audience are as follows:

1.  Target Market (demographics of city and diverse clientele)

2.  Target Market Needs (market  and economic restrictions)

3.  Geographic Focus (location of business and clientele)

4.  Service Offering (Products and services)

5.  Marketing Tools (office, client, labor, advertising)

6.  Marketing Calendar (schedule of marketing periods)

7.  Pricing Strategy (How to price merchandise and services)

MARKETING TOOLS – FOCUS

The focus has been on new tools, without thoughts of the original methods that impelled marketing in the past. Advertising has matured and current tools make it effortless to broadcast communications worldwide. Instead of companies receiving junk mail, the public receives spam. Corporations should be responsive to the original method of marketing to establish a solid base in branding the business. The following topics are still successful methods in marketing.

Marketing Through Word of Mouth

A.        Friends, Neighbors, Family, Associates

B.        Architectural/Design Firms, Determined Industry

C.       Construction Companies

D.       Tradesman (Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers, etc.)

E.        Vendors/Suppliers (Tile; Window Treatments; Hard Goods, etc.)

F.        Trade Organizations, Industry Affiliated

G.       Customer Referrals, New and Previous

The following are uncomfortable methods for most companies, but the process creates a relationship with the potential client, whereas a uniform introduction or e-mail is too informal. Connecting with companies is the key to this market strategy.

Face-To-Face Interaction

H.       Solicitation techniques

I.          Referral Introductions

J.        Industry Trade Shows

This set of social media is popular for new industries because the company can reach a higher amount of clients with one posting on the site. One should remember to make a contact one-on-one as soon as possible.

 

Electronic Interaction

K.        Website Telemarketing, Blogs, Webinars

L.        FACEBOOK, Google, Twitter, etc.

    

With a larger expense, the following can create a following, but advertising should vary as the repetitive advertisement can be overlooked by viewers.

Advertising

M.       Television and Radio

N.       Magazine/Newspaper/Yellow Pages

O.       Direct Mail

P.        Electronic Banners/Ads/Apps

Closing Comments

1.        Appreciations

2.        Questions and Answers

The closing summary is the overview of the information within the lecture. To repeat something, especially to clarify what has already been explained, will spark the audience into asking questions about a topic that was unclear to audience members. The material and format in this outline helps the speaker convey the information in the delivery of a well-organized lecture. This allows the speaker to stay on task and complete the talk without leaving anything out of the presentation.

A Presentation Series: The Financial Plan

The speaker that presents educational content will often prepare a speech by writing an outline of topics. The topics will begin with an introduction, key points of description, and a conclusion summarizing the content. The following is an itemized sequence of topics that make an easy transition in presenting the financial plan. Students should understand his or her research, and present the information to the best of their ability. The following information will assist the speaker in offering valuable information for others to learn.

Introduction

An introduction of the speaker and the topic will be the first item on the form. When the speaker presents, he or she will introduce him or herself to the audience, and offer a brief history of experience and work within this topic. The personal background helps the audience understand the credentials of the speaker and allows the public attending the lecture to accept the information openly. With this, the speaker makes the audience feel at ease, and creates interest in the topic.

Components of a Financial Plan

The components of a balanced financial plan include corporate association, budgeting, accounting, retirement planning and investing, insurance, and future planning. The components to discuss are as follows:

• The description of the corporate organization
• The Start-up capital and the source of cash used annually
• A three-year budget with projections in a balance sheet and profit and loss statement
• A statement of assumptions with the budget and projections
• The financial structure and dept repayment (amortization)
• The capital growth and Reinvestment plans for the future

Focus on the Budget and Projections

Annual financial projections may well be one of the most significant things the company could focus on for the business. The conclusion or projections are thought far less than the process itself, but the strategic forecasting allows one “to take a breather” from challenges of managing the company, evaluate the company’s position, and determine the specific path to pursue.

1. Revenue:

           a.    Explain sources of revenue the company will obtain
         b.    The generated revenue from each source
         c.    The seasonal factor in revenue, if any
         d.    Explanation of ‘gratis’ or promotional work completed

2. Cost and Margins

          e.    Explain costs of generating revenue
           f.     Explain costs of labor, material, and overhead
          g.    Explain what the profit margins are in business

3. Marketing and Advertising Strategies

           h.    Explain a marketing strategy
           i.      Explain any cost in implementing a marketing strategy
           j.      Explain the duration of the marketing strategy
                  i.  Specific Months
                  ii. Annually

4. Explain Overhead Expenses for business

           k.    Describe and state building costs
           l.      Explain professional fees (contractors)
           m.   Clarify travel and entertainment expenses
           n.    The general and administration costs

Closing comments

The summary is the overview of the information within the lecture. To say something again, especially to clarify what has already been said. This possibly will spark the audience into asking questions about a topic that was unclear to audience members.  The material and format in this outline helps the speaker convey the information in the delivery of a well-organized lecture that allows the speaker to stay on task and complete the talk without leaving anything out of the presentation.

A Client Profile for Interior Designers

Interior designers have one tool valuable to their design, and that tool is the client profile. Each designer creates a profile of his or her client who offers pertinent information that assists the designer in delivering a successful home design. Profiles are different because of the individual client, but the process or steps are the same for each profile. The information of the client is important to be accurate and complete. The best way to start a client profile is to build a template with the names, ages, and occupations of the clients. On the document, the location of the address and city, the phone numbers, and e-mail addresses should show for the ease of contacting the client.

After the designer has established a client profile, he or she should understand five key subjects that allow the design to fit within the homeowner’s needs and wants. These five key subjects are the homeowner’s lifestyle needs, decorative needs, bedroom configuration, living room setup, and dining room accommodations. Learning these key subjects is the designer’s job to find a design plan that meets the requirements of the client. For the success of this plan, the following requirements must be understood and met:

Lifestyle Preference:

The designer will discover if the homeowner would prefer a casual or formal lifestyle. For an interest, the designer will learn what the client enjoys in his or her spare time like a hobby or interest. If entertaining friends is one of their interests, the designer would need to know how many guests the space will need to accommodate. A lifestyle can be expensive, so the designer will establish a budget and how much of the home will the homeowner want to focus on in this project. Starting a project of large proportions, another home member needs to come into mind; the home’s pets. Learning the number of pets and the kind of animal is important at this venture.

Decorative needs:

In this a designer will establish color preferences and what the client like or dislikes for color choices. After learning color choices, deciding on furniture style or design is important. With so many styles like traditional, rustic, modern, or eclectic the designer will need to show photos of each to gain a bearing on the client’s wants. Showing photos is a perfect way to see what the client wants because some homeowners are unaware of style definitions. Another way to learn if there is a preference in themes is to determine if there is a selection of collectibles like nostalgic Logos, sports teams, specific artwork, preferred sculpture, or porcelain dolls. The last decorative item is to determine a fabric preference whether it is linen, cotton, chenille, leather, suede, or a naugahyde.

Bedroom Configurations:

Determining a bedroom layout makes up diverse interests for the homeowner. Here they sleep, watch television, read books, or work. When the designer learns the homeowner likes to read in bed, he or she will recommend lighting options for the homeowner. The designer introduces seating selections to accommodate whether the reading is in bed or in the comfort of a chair. Another reason for a seat is for the purpose of entertainment like television, or listening to music, or working at a writing desk. A piece of furniture can fit in the bedroom if the designer follows the rules of scale. A writing desk, a drafting station, sewing machines, or tables are specialty items that suggest mood or ambiance. The last item is storage needs and how or where this will be in effect.

Living area setup:

This point shows where family and friends would meet or how the homeowner can use the space daily. If the home entertains musically, the designer will determine space for portable instruments or the dimensions of a piano. A television is also a piece of entertainment with the option of connecting video components and electronic video games. There is a good transition from games to the function of conversations. After a time, communication takes over, and the guests will need a place to sit and talk. The designer will determine if this space is ideal for displaying art. The artwork and entertainment creates an atmosphere, and the designer will determine what types of ambiance the homeowner wants to express.

Dining room Accommodations:

The designer should determine if the homeowner likes to host or entertain guests. If the homeowner does wish to entertain regularly, the designer will ask and clarify how many dinner guests will the homeowner invite on average. The designer will ascertain if the homeowner prefers formal or informal engagements or whether they are intimate or in a group setting. Another factor would be the type of meals the homeowner serves for dinner. Types of dinner could involve sit down affairs, buffets, or casual gatherings. Last, the designer will offer options for family or business get-togethers.

The design plan will stem from the answers obtained by this client profile. The designer will offer a professional summary prepared and presented to the homeowner, This summary is an explanation of how the designer will meet the client’s needs. The summary will have essential knowledge in space planning, circulation or traffic patterns, organization or storage tactics, and future growth in the family.

A client profile allows the designer to present a sample board of the plan and the schedule on how the work will proceed. Designer’s offering a client profile summary of work completed, the presentation board should show a border around the perimeter of the presentation board, and the writing should be clear and precise. If the designer is working with an assistant or design partner, the names, and contact information should be on display attached to the reverse side of the board.

The Flying Vocabulary

It was a magnificent starry night; the spill was agitated and uneven. Suddenly something hurdled out of the water, something significant. And that something was a splendid assembly of airborne Amphibia.

Landing on the mossy ledge of a craggy, the range of small web-footed water animals bound to their favored niche to sing the melodious cry for dinner. The evening was teaming with the noise of the unsuspecting bugs oblivious in the moon lit sky.

With the idiom of a whip, the flying insects were vanishing with every swipe of the spongy cord. A slurp, gulp, and croak could be heard throughout the night. Shortly, the noise began tapering as the band of green and speckled amphibians grew satisfied with bursting delight.

A growing sound came from the heavens as a squeak of sightless hunters flapped by in sporadic patterns listening for aerial quarry. The churning breeze made the sweltering evening tolerable as the darting shadows and its dizzying dance, reduced the remaining winged-morsels. The craving radio-waved flying mammals sped off for other indulgencies.

With an immense silhouette, another slow passing hollow shriek rang out in the night causing the bulbous eyed jumpers to cower deeper within the recess. The strident silence appeared as a back-churning flurry ended with a weighty settling above in the canopy.

A gradual loom of slithering resonance crushed through the evergreens. The weighty cushions of a quadruplet legged mass slowly waddle around the brook. An intermittent flip of a pronged mop jutted in and out of the scaly maw. Tasting the moist air, the brute peered to identify its surroundings before resting on its underside by the fresh torrent. 

A crackling din above caused the scores of perceptive bystanders to glance upward, only to view the turning of a blackened horned gloominess. Silence ensued and fashioned repose and sleep became imminent.

A distinguished encounter clicked near as a moving strength parted the saplings. Wooly branches descended toward the rivulet. The colossal head lapped measures of liquid and clumped its stalwart limbs. With a twitch from behind the beast launched over the gully and discovered fresh clover to consume quietly in the luminosity.

A tall and furry lobed lump hopped quickly past, startling the local inhabitants. With a shift and a spring the bulge stopped briefly surveying its retreat with a rapid sniff. A scratched movement above soaked terror in an immobile unity. With a swooshing of powerful strength, a blinding shade blazed by with a fleeing grunt.

The Elk shifted and bolted over the bushes, the frogs croaked and dove into the water, bats flew off in every direction, and finally the hare stood on its hind quarters before bouncing off into the shrubs. The horned owl glided away with its prey content with its choice as a new day approached.

Patrick Tremblay

2012 Holiday Home Tour

This Residence is reminiscent of Spanish Colonial design with its soft aqua and antiqued red hues. Many of the homeowner’s pieces portray authentic style from carved throne chairs to elaborate iron works and vintage fabrics. With such collectables as the restored sconces and the classical interests in music, the cultural beauty inspires a plethora of long conversations and entertainment. Many of these treasured items bring peace and comfort to a hectic life of a professional. The walls are plastered in a pristine glow of off white accented in pale clay tones and intricate colorful tiles, setting off the rich hues and tapestry features; inviting one to come, relax in comfort and style. Iron and dark tone woods douse the home in Spanish Flavor.

The Grand Salon features many fine furnishings and art acquired by the homeowner’s diligent choosing. This enormous room was meant to be the heart of the home. The color palette speaks in warm tones, and draws attention to the fireplace and spectacular art hung throughout the home. Its ornament beams and pendant lights with rich culture are key to bringing an authentic character to this grandeur and size. The room is perfect for a large gathering or an intimate dinner for two. The large exhilarating rugs adorn the hand-scraped hardwood floors, and the classically inspired rooms set the mood for a special gathering of friends and family.

The gentleman’s quarters evokes memories of past musical adventures. Fun eclectic drums accented with red create a happy retreat from the world. The décor based on Spanish design, is the focal point of the room with a variety of musical lore. Any style done well is appreciated: traditional, whimsical, classical or ethnic, whichever fulfills the client’s desires. This room can reflect a personality in design, which gives the homeowner and Patrick an urban quality among Santa Clarita’s historical surroundings and culture.

The master suite is like entering a retreat that transports the homeowner away to a soothing his creative senses. Rich wood tones and an elegant ivory décor dress this room in luxurious delight, whereas the quirky tiles and eclectic accent furniture ground the room to comfortable surroundings. The textural play of materials gives a relaxing and tactile touch for the homeowner all day long. The master suite has a dual purpose as the office is just off the room where a large monitor can function as a computer or as a big screen television. This utility functional space adds a clean and unencumbered look.

Entering the home is like stepping into another time. On the left is the private quarters accented in simple elegance and recreational comfort. To the right, a magnificent hall that leads to a beautiful sunning area adorned with graces of hand-carved furnishings and tapestries in art. The bench is decorated with colorful pillows, and surrounded by plants and poinsettias. Further in the Grand Salon the luxurious space is lit by pendant chandeliers accented with a crown of laurel leaves and berries welcoming those entering the space. The room is fresh and styled to entice, as the visitor can drink in the room as a welcoming beacon to draw, charm, and graciously unfold the rest of the home.

How to Bring Color to a Room

Many times the designer will look at a home and say to themselves, “What is missing here?”

Color, style, design, and accessories are usually in need so I look for pillows to finish the room.

The best method for any homeowner or design professional is to find pillows with a color scheme that goes well with the walls, the overall design, and the furniture of the home. With so many styles like a single romantic flare of monochromatic color scheme or a more energetic triadic scheme where three colors are in use; one should find a bold approach to design as a variety or emphasis to the space.

For a punch of color, one should use a few ethnic-print pillows. An ethnic-print pillow will energize a space or create a buzz for homeowners to display for friends and family to enjoy. Any space will come alive with patterns that show prominent designs like an Uzbec, a Suzani, or an ikat pattern. Using these bold patterned pillows shows a versatile way of swapping one pattern for another if the homeowner wants to change the scheme and color of his or her space regularly. 

Design and styles should be electrifying and fun.

How to Develop a Budget for Business

The following is a more extensive answer to budgeting questions; a belief is that business owners may want to have more of a summary to this question. 

In developing and managing a budget as well, one should determine the financial restraints, resources, and goals of the position or department in the current or past holdings.  After reviewing last year’s budget and reconciling it to the past year’s expenditures, it can give the business owner good insight into what funding one needs to budget items he or she needs and at what level in the upcoming year. 

One should divide the budget’s “line items” into the following four categories:

1. Fixed Expenditures (those costs  which will not vary from month to month like salaries, rents, pre-determined contracting costs);
2. Recurrent Expenditures (those occurring costs that will vary slightly like utilities, equipment maintenance – items the owner must pay for and have a good idea what it will cost);
3. Discretionary Expenditures (costs that will occur possibly, but the funding level can change given the demand—like materials, field trips—some of the items the business owner could decide to do without or do less of if need be, and
4. Exceptional Expenditures, costs that rarely occur. Like new equipment or conference-room refinishing.  

The fixed and recurrent costs need complete coverage in the budget, whereas the other two categories can be less exact with one budget item borrowing from another if the need arises during the year. 

The annual budget should balance monthly, showing when to expect expenditures for each line item to occur. Sometimes early in the year costs are different (organization, materials, meeting support) than they are in later months, (e.g., field trips). This monthly plan will serve as the model for comparing expenditures to the budget.

Once the budget is proposed and appropriately approved, the business owner would receive both

1. The responsibility to stay within budget and
2. The authority to spend the approved funds, up to a maximum amount, above which will require up-ward approval.

A monthly reconciliation of expenditures to plan (to the budget), is best in two parts. The first part entails using the figures the accounting department supplies (which is a basis of the records kept by accounts payable, an example is, the bills paid during the month).

However, during the month, received services or materials have been for a bill that has already been (or not been) received. These amounts or expenditures should be recognized as “accruals,” incurred in the present month, but that will not be paid for until later.  Adding the (accounts payable) expenditures to the accruals for the month provides the best insight into how well the company is staying on the budgetary plan.

Controlling expenditures, on the other hand can only be done by retaining control of the authority to spend.  This authority can be delegated, that is, if the owner gives someone the written responsibility to find a contractor or purchase materials, he or she can also delegate in writing the authority to spend, usually up to a set maximum amount, budgeted funds for that designated purpose. In other words, usually, expenditures require the written approval of whoever is responsible for staying within the approved budget.


The final step in control is the monthly report to the supervisor, which outlines how the department’s expenditures plus accruals compare to the monthly budgetary plan. This reports on outlines where the largest variances are to plan, why the company was either over or under on these significant variances and what plans are in place to rectify these discrepancies in the months ahead. Such a review prevents surprises that neither the supervisor want, nor the business owner. Favorable discrepancies can provide opportunities for saving toward exceptional items, whereas recovery from negative (unfavorable) discrepancies requires careful future management of funds and activities.

Finally, as the budgetary period comes to a close, preparation for the new period’s budget should begin.  Learning from experience is a key to performing well in the future.

This is how a business owner perceives to develop and manage a budget.