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.

The Six Trials of Falling in Love

Thought by Patrick Tremblay

DESIRE

The big OMG, the heavy sigh, and the twinge that someone waited for in life; here he or she finds the one person or thing that they can't live without in a relationship. They have found the one thing they think is the most incredible treasure one has ever laid his or her eyes to see.  The beauty, the manner, the enormousness of what creates desire is overwhelming.

Craving isn't wrong in desire. It's a necessity we need to direct us in thought, voice, and actions. One loses the will to eat or sleep or think when concerning desire. Desire is the best thing to happen to you because it creates the lust in one's soul that develops growth. It works because it is new and has never happened before so desire is your new partner in the mambo or the stars that twinkle in your eyes.

PLEASURE

You are ready to scream Yahoo! The delight in the pit of your stomach; the bliss that makes you a superhero and you're the strongest human being in the world. You feel as if nothing can get in your way. You will treasure this happiness, and you will remember how attractive you feel when you have this joy in your heart. Everything smells better, looks nicer, and the song has more meaning when you have the rapture overflowing in your life.

You take the time to breathe, and you sigh in relief. You begin to think how lucky you are, but do not over think your pleasure. Don't focus on your skills or your performance in life. You should stay focused on the result, not the journey. When doubt comes out to play, it cheats and plays dirty. Don't take this love for granted or darkness will eclipse your happiness and fear appears at your doorstep.

ANXIETY

Doubt, fear, and apprehension begin as you relax and set in for a happy life. One day you rinse off your hair in the shower, and you feel the smallest exclamation, "Uh-oh!" Terror grabs your shirt tails and wraps its cold arms around your heart like a vice. Its cousin's remorse, disappointment, and recollection of memories begin to seep into your mind. You dread looking idiotic to them or to anyone that observes you acting blindly for love.

You mutter questions to yourself like, "Why do they love me?" with uncertainty, or "What if I make a mistake?" with skepticism. Don't let the blinders stay on too long or stay for your pity party. Work on your intestinal fortitude and not how your family will debase you at dinner. Love yourself, and others do; think of the attraction and work on avoiding repugnance too late.  

Revulsion

This behavior brings the desire to stay in and watch movies, eat for comfort, and become more acquainted with your bedrooms ceiling pattern. Doubt has overcome, and you begin to feel disgusted with what you feel instead of what you see. Shortfalls stand out, and their insufficiency overpowers attributes. Your love starts to smell the foul stench of meagerness.

Feelings begin to question and waiver, and disbelief creeps in where certainty dwelled. Realization sets a pace, and you comprehend this is love. This love you have been waiting for since you were young. This feeling is past the lust, and then you are where you expect naively for it to appear. It has a name, and that name is love.

Reality

You are in love, and it is tough. You never knew there was so much to be aware of then with love. The truth of the matter is you are a player in a Risk and Strategy contest. You can only take one prize, and you have to work hard to win. You may lose, but it never ends in a tiebreaker. Love never comes easy, and if it did, many people wouldn't play. With any challenge, you like the saying; "me, me, and me!" If you don't get what you want, you are upset or afraid to pay your dues.

This love can hurt, and without honest emotion, the gift can be damaging. Don't horde this love, and it is best to let it grow on its own. Use your heart for good; it is solid, but it can be very foolish. You may have found love, love is right, embrace love, scream about it to everyone, but don't smother it. Admiration can cause damage to both, not just one.

The Finish line

This pole position is just the tip of a long and harmonious ride. The ride you aim for, and it is time to throw it all in. Love! This position is a challenging and wholesome emotion, and it makes the lovers stronger and wiser as time goes on. Commitment is the finish line and a reward. Love will permeate your body and soul, and when it is all said and done, you will do the mambo to any tune right or wrong.

Take the high road and go for it.

Writing a Corporate Social Responsibility Page

socialalterations.com

Every business should have a written statement of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and it should be included in all media on the web pertaining to its industry. Here is an example of a good CSR that is taught in my Professional Business Practices course. The information is important for the potential client or associate to determine if your business is a good choice to partner with in future endeavors.

The information should be clear and categorized by company, culture, rewards philosophy, company's social responsibility, community commitment, and company innovations. The following CSR statement is prepared for your understanding in the process of writing your own Corporate Social Responsibility statement.

  

Our Company

Tremblay House of Design is branded as an interior design company with $200,000 in sales annually and four to six employees nationally. We inspire the human need for design by providing corporations and families around the country with a wide range of engrossing principles and elements based on the company’s extensive portfolio. From fads and trends, to historical themes, classic designs, quality products, and a comprehensive method in professional business services. Tremblay House of Design strives in providing its customers with well-known and quality brands such as Pindler & Pindler Inc., Kravet Fabric and home furnishings, Ralph Lauren Fashions, Skandia Window Fashions, Hunter Douglas Window Fashions, professional home staging, and Emser Tile & Natural Stone.

Tremblay House of Design Locations

Tremblay House of Design’s headquarters is located in Santa Clarita, CA. (north of Los Angeles) and just 90 minutes from Anaheim and eight hours from Reno, Nevada. We have offices in major locations in the Western United States.
. See our locations.

Tremblay House of Design’s Strategic Blueprint for Growth

Tremblay House of Design’s Strategic Blueprint for Growth is centered on 100% customer service, professional partnerships, and supplying quality for our national portfolio of brands. This means:

Focusing on our core brand strategy.

Creating immersed brand experiences for our consumers through design, home staging, color-consulting, Web resourcing information, products, and service.

Driving key relationships through retail products, strategic industry design partners, and educational partners.

Our History

Throughout its almost 20-year history, Tremblay House of Design has revolutionized the home staging and Design industry. That success continues today as Tremblay House of Design evolves into a leading, nationally branded industry educator, and Interior Design Company.

10 Things You Should Know About Tremblay House of Design's History

1. Your Man Friday Interior Services was founded by Tremblay Enterprises, in Reno, NV, 1992.

2. The Painting Class, the first in-store Faux-Finishing Techniques course, established in 1997. 

3. Your Man Friday Interior Services was renamed Tremblay House of Design, in 2004. 

4. Tremblay House of Design continues to expand nationally with a new southern California location, 2005. 

5. 10 steps to Up Stage Your Neighbors: A Guide for Preparing Your Home to Sell, created in 2002, was the first publication used as an instructional manual, in 2005.

6. Tremblay House of Design became an Interior Design educator, in 2006.

7. Tremblay House of Design developed The Handy Helper in 2008.

8. Tremblay House of Design developed Crate Design, in 2009.

9. Tremblay House of Design acquired Rattledash Media, LLC in 2010.
10. The blog patricktremblay.blogspot.com launched in 2010.

Our Culture

The Tremblay House of Design culture is known for ingenuity in design, customer support, and above all…industry driven. As a branded interior design company, we're focused on introducing new and inventive products and services to provide our consumers with innovative and functional teamwork which are critical to our success.

We also believe that "making the customer happy" begins with high morale in our employees. There are seven core values that describe our actions and decisions – as a company and as individuals.

Our Core values

1. Community

2. Originality

3. Entertaining

4. Multiplicity

5. Aggressive

6. Entrepreneurial

7. Reliability

Success Profiles

Design yourself, design projects, and assist others to design.

We look at qualified candidates carefully to guarantee he or she will fit with our culture and can become part of Tremblay House of Design. It is imperative to understand how he or she will do their jobs and what they value; in addition to the expertise and ability they bring.

To be successful, our associates need to exhibit they can:

1. Make valuable assessments

2. Accomplish results

3. Develop relationships

4. Acclimatize and be trained 

5. Drive success with the public.

 Our Rewards Philosophy

Tremblay House of Design’s rewards philosophy is simple:

We value and understand that our success would not be possible without our employee’s hard work, dedication and passion.

• Our Rewards Program
• Competitive base salaries
• Recognition programs
• Service awards
• Generous Company 401(k) plan

Tremblay House of Design’s Work Life Program

Tremblay House of Design offers a number of other programs to assist employees with balancing their work and life commitments:

• Four-day work week year 'round
• Competitive vacation schedules
• Holiday schedule and break between Christmas and New Year's
• Dependent Scholarship program
• Employee discounts on company products
• Employee Referral Rewards 

  

Career Development and Learning Programs

Tremblay House of Design (THOD) encourages all employees to challenge themselves both personally and professionally. This is so important to our Principals that one of our top corporate objectives is to cultivate ourselves and our team members. Tremblay House of Design offers an assorted collection of programs, tools, and benefits to aid in motivating and encouraging development.

THOD University (professional experience training, library resources, and company operations training)

• Understanding THOD - an exclusive program exposing employees to product development from conception to delivery
• Home Design Development Programs
• Leadership and Management Development Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement

Tremblay House of Design’s Social Responsibility

Tremblay House of Design is a company where doing the right thing comes first. It’s helped make us a leader in interior design services and continues to awaken our creativity, growth in business, and success in sales. We understand that doing the right thing is perfect for business. Our social responsibility initiative has three key areas: quality Interior design products, sustainability in design, and professional ethics.

  

· Quality Interior Design Products

Our approach to design services and products are innovative from beginning to end with health, safety, and wellness playing a role in higher product and safety standards.

· Environmental Sustainability

Environmental sustainability plays a heavy role in good environmental design. On important issues like using fewer materials in our design, reducing waste and shrinking our carbon footprint, Tremblay House of Design strives to improve performance and to set the bar for others for our industry.

· Manufacturing Ethics
When serving our customers, partnering with viable suppliers or supporting our employees, we hold the highest measure of ethics and integrity. We seek out collaboration and trust the best solutions are those that represent diverse ideas and perspectives.

As a national company, Tremblay House of Design embraces both the responsibilities and opportunities that come with engaging families and employing quality minded people. These are more than priorities. They are commitments that renew the choices we make every day.

Our Community Commitment

Tremblay House of Design has a long and proud tradition of providing customers nationally through a variety of philanthropic programs. Our mission is to assist customers facing physical and financial challenges, to prevail over their critical life barriers and to bring the pleasure of easier living into their lives. Through our philanthropic programs, we work to bring the ease of life, the delight of a functional living space, and the influence of service into the lives of customers who need them most.

In addition to supporting organizations in the communities where our employees live and work, Tremblay House of Design has entered into strategic partnership with various organizations that work to support the population on a national scale.

MS Lifelines

The-Habitat Lounge Valencia

Old Town Newhall Association

The Annual Holiday Home Tour

College of the Canyons; WorkSource Center

Antelope Valley Community College

American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)

Write to Read; Newhall City Library Development

The Association for Interior Designers of Santa Clarita, our employee Blogger, offers employees the chance to offer free advice and visuals to assist customers in design choices.

If you would like to learn more about Tremblay House of Design, email tremblayhouseofdesign@yahoo.com

  

Company Innovations

Innovation is at the nucleus of all that we do here at Tremblay House of Design.

At Tremblay House of Design, we believe innovation can originate anywhere, by anyone. Innovation is crucial to our continued growth and success and impacts every area of our business. It’s about filling a space and adding value. It often requires taking a gamble and opening your thoughts to modern concepts. Innovation eventually leads to new ideas, products or ways of operating that strengthen and drives business.

Our associates are creative and pioneering thinkers in the industry. As a national organization, we labor to ensure all employees know through understanding our key strategies during events like our annual company updates. We bring associates together to celebrate innovative and imaginative thinking with events such as Tremblay House of Design’s Crate Design Fair.

Tremblay House of Design’s Crate Design Fair is an annual employee event that commemorates the many ways Tremblay House of Design is driving innovation in our business and industry. Categories range from Advance Techniques in Interior Design, Crate Product Design to the Environment and Home Staging for Cultural Improvement.

Tremblay House of Design invites employees to participate in a yearly Crate Design Fair. Employees from all business functions are asked to interpret event themes (e.g., Principles and Elements in Today’s market) and participate for prizes based on their innovations.

Book Interview with kwiksher.com

Amanda Tremblay, owner of Rattledash Media, LLC, was interviewed by Kwiksher about the App Amanda wrote for my book Poor Poor Jack.  This is exciting news for such a young entry. We have had great successes from Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube with this book App and the book as well.  Take time to watch see this interview, and comment.  If you haven't bought the book or Itunes App, you should look at those as well. This is only the beginning, and you will begin seeing more fantastic works from Rattledash Media, LLC.

View this Link:  http://www.kwiksher.com/blog/

You can see other works by Amanda Tremblay on Amazon.com and Lulu.com



 The Tornado Trial
By Amanda Tremblay

How to Have a House Painted Properly

When the time comes for painting ones home, the knowhow is important to do it properly. If the homeowner is not going to tackle this job, he or she must rely on a professional painter to help complete the job. 

A qualified and licensed painting company can provide some services, but a quality minded painting contractor will make available an “Old world” craftsmanship. They will be mindful of the intricate details and will provide a professional quality paint job.

A few good examples would be the caulking around trim areas (especially on the top where it is not visible to the homeowner), and the scraping and priming of bare wood should be complete before painting. The other major maintenance area during a paint job is the trenching. The trenching area around each building below grade or siding should be clear for painting areas so that paint can be applied below the dirt and grass.

The most important process in painting is preparation of all painable surfaces. All painted areas should have a pressure washing and should dry thoroughly before any application of paint. If one pressure washes the surface, they remove dirt and debris to provide a clean surface so that the new paint will adhere properly and last longer. During the pressure washing of the building, the painter will notice any mildew-infested areas and will be able to apply a bleaching solution to kill any bacteria. This process will stop any reoccurrence of mildew throughout the new paint.

All loose and peeling paint or cracked stucco should have a patch and prime before any new paint application. Again, a quality minded painter will use a high grade patching material, making sure that the texture matches the existing texture and finish. When removing loose paint, (as aforementioned) all bare wood areas should have a primer. Filling all cracks and holes with high grade putty and spackling or removing rust and loose cracking paint from any metal (gutters, flashing, fencing, etc.) should have a prime with the appropriate product. 

When hiring a Painting professional, the contractor needs insurances that the supervisor or owner will be present during the homes transformation. It is a benefit to homeowners to have a supervisor on-the-job to take responsibility and act on all problems that may arise.

One element that can cause future failures is not just the seasonal elements. A poorly applied paint job will cause just as much maintenance as the harsh southern sun. A professional painter will not apply any product until the temperature outside has hit 50 degrees and has been level for at least one hour. A benefit of this is the adherence of the product on a clean dry area. If the temperature is too cold, the ice or moisture will cause a barrier between the surface and the coat of paint. This will create large sheets of paint peeling off in the near future. 

Another issue is monitoring the heat outside. Many painters will just “blow and go” as contractors call it. They are in a hurry to get the job done and will apply the paint at any temperature. The problem with this is that the paint will hit a wall in the middle of the day, and the temperature of the wall surface may be 20 degrees higher than the temperature outside. This causes the paint to dry rapidly and affect the way the paint dries causing a variance in color, and reflecting thinner areas on the surface that may cause a paint failure.

The best defense the homeowner has against this is regulating when the painters will be applying the paint. One good method is to follow or lead the sun. This way the surface is cooler and will allow the paint to dry at a more even process. The homeowner can observe this process and see that their paint will last longer. Another benefit that the homeowners will receive is if they notice the professional painter back rolling the paint as well as spraying it on the surface. By back rolling, the paint will push into the surface causing the paint to grip onto the porous building for a stronger adhesion. 

With these helpful hints, the homeowners will be investing in a preventative maintenance through proper application of paint becoming alert toward the condition of their home, rather than waiting until peeling and cracking become more prevalent. 

Tremblay House of Design has been providing professional Interior Design service since 1992.
For more information or painting tips, call Patrick at 661.645.3592

Holiday Party Drinks

Settling on drinks is always the first step when deciding to throw a party for friends. Snicketie’s or snacks are easy to accomplish. Many people have food favorites that he or she was raised on at home or from attending many events. Obtaining recipes from others at various times of the year happens regularly. Drinks are another story and libations are very difficult to accomplish if the server is a novice. This is a good reason to decide on drinks first.  Many friends have an individual drink that he or she enjoys, and as a host one should provide a selection of drinks for friends to choose from.  A structured drink menu sitting by the bar can make the evening fun. The following drinks are staples at any party and can be enjoyed by all.

The Ruby Martini

2 oz Vodka; Absolute, Belvedere, or Grey Goose are the best

1 oz fresh or bottled Pomegranate Juice

½ oz Orange juice or Margarita Mix in the bottle

Pour the ingredients over a ¾ full shaker of ice

Cover and shake until frothy inside and frosty on the outside.

Pour into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a slice of orange, lemon, or stemmed cherry.

This drink is a brilliant red and the flavor is just as sparkling as the name.

The Magic Mojito

10 clean mint leaves              3 oz soda water                       Metal Spoon/silverware

1 lime, juiced                          1 sugar cube

 ½ Lemon, juiced                     1 ½ oz Absente or Absinthe Liqueur

Muddle together mint, lime, and lemon in a large shaker half way filled with crushed Ice

Add 3 oz of soda water and set aside

In a 12 oz glass goblet fill half way with ice and balance spoon over rim of goblet

Place sugar cube in the center and slowly pour absente over cube. Carefully light sugar cube with a lighter or use long matches for safety purposes.

Pour muddled juice over the spoon and drop the cube into the glass, stir and enjoy

With safety, watch the magic with this drink.

Caribbean Christmas

Crushed ice                       2 oz Pineapple Juice                  Assorted fruits for Garnish

1 oz Chambord                  1 oz Midori                         

1 spoon                              2 oz Cranberry Juice

Fill half of a tall glass with crushed ice

Pour the Chambord into a tall glass

Place the spoon with concave side up against the side of the glass right above the ice

The spoon is used to slow the ingredients as you slowly pour to create a layered appearance in the glass. Pour each ingredient over the spoon slowly as listed.

Garnish with assorted fruit and enjoy the sunset.

This is a beautiful drink that is just as amazing to look at as it is to drink. It is very important to pour all the ingredients in order as listed in the recipe, (Pineapple Juice, Midori, and Cranberry Juice).

The White Nutcracker

4 oz Kahlua
2 oz Vanilla vodka, Absolute
Add milk or cream to fill your glass

Mix or shake, and then pour over ice in a glass tumbler

Try this recipe with vanilla or raspberry vodka

Make a Skinny Nutcracker with skim, rice or soy milk.

Both flavors are delicious, be careful, they can sneak up on you.

The Rat King

I can red bull

4 oz Kahlua
2 ½ oz tequila

Mix or shake, and then pour over ice in a glass tumbler

This is also delicious but very strong

Hot buttered Rum Drink

1 tablespoon soft butter

1 tsp brown sugar

¼ tsp Vanilla extract

Spices to taste: ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, allspice

2 oz dark rum

Hot water

Whipped cream (optional)

Place the butter, sugar, and spices at the bottom of a tall mug (Irish coffee glass)

Mix well or muddle until a paste is formed.

Pour in the rum

Fill with hot water to the top of the glass

Stir gently, and then top with whipped cream if desired

A host can never go wrong with a variety of mixed drinks, but not every guest enjoys a mixed cocktail. There is a select few that would prefer just a beer. If this is the case, make sure to have a nice selection for those that are not as adventurous but still deserve a quality beverage.  A nice selection of Seasonal Samuel Adams, Indian Pale Ales (IPA’s), or local micro brews can make a festive offering.

Last, don’t forget the designated drivers or non-drinkers that will put up with the other guests. The host should have bottled water, clear soda pop, ginger ale, cranberry juice, orange juice, coffee, Blue Gatorade, or any other ingredient that the host can pour and garnish. This is a great way to make all guests feel like he or she is participating without the peer pressure.  

Happy Holidays

Yes, People There is a Recession

People, your little friends are wrong about recession. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical era. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be that is not comprehensible by their little minds. Thoughts, People, whether they be men's or women's, are little. In this vast universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, People, there is a recession. It exists as certainly as hope and charity and loyalty exist, and you know that they abound and give your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How interesting would be the world if there were no Recessions. It would be as interesting as if there were no Wealthy People. There would be no life security or no higher savings, and no vacations to make tolerable this existence. Peopleshould have no enrichment, except in sense, and sight. The eternal light with which job security fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Recession! People may as well not believe in crime! Companies may decide to hire people to watch the bank accounts on this holiday season to catch Recession, but even if they did not see Recession coming, what would that prove?  Nobody sees Recession, but that is not a reason to believe there is no Recession. The most tangible items in the world are those that neither businesses nor men can see. Did you ever see stocks rising physically? Of course not, but that is no proof that it is impossible. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the marvels there are unseen and un-seeable in the world.

You may smash the piggybank and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a shroud covering the unseen world that not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the richest men who ever lived, could smash apart. Only faith, compassion, generosity, assistance, humanity can push aside that shade and view and identify the successes and achievements beyond. Is recession real? Ah, People in this entire world there is nothing else more genuine and abiding.

Recession! Lord knows! It lives, and it lives forever. A thousand years from now, People, nay, 10 times 10 thousand years from now, it will continue to make unhappy the hearts of man until someone like you make a difference in the lives of others.

Happy Holidays, Patrick

(This is an adaptation to the letter written by Francis Pharcellus Church; a newsman from The Sun. He wrote a response to Virginia O’Hanlon in 1897 about Santa Claus). The moral applies.

Easy Thanksgiving Treat

Here is a great snack to bring to any holiday party. I always bring this because it is a huge success. I hope you have a wonderful season. 

This is a great snickity to bring to any party. People will eat it up.

1    8oz Cream Cheese, softened
2    Green onions, diced

1/2  Cup sharp or medium cheddar cheese, grated

Thoroughly mix together in a bowl and make into a ball.

Place ball in the center of a serving platter

Sprinkle with light paprika, sliced almonds or sesame seeds, your choice.

Lay crackers out along the rim of the platter.

Add a small serving knife and look out.

I never bring home leftovers, it disappears.

Tip. Make ahead so the flavors marry before the party.

You can also make a jumbo batch by doubling the recipe

Enjoy!
Patrick Tremblay

The United States Martial Arts Festival 2011

Recently, my son and I attended the United States Martial Arts Festival 2011. The event was hosted by the United States Martial Arts Committee and The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, and The Shin Koyamada Foundation. The theme of the event was BUDO, Why Martial Art is Needed Today.  This discussion empowers youth in achieving goals, integrity, and respectful lifestyles. The festival had different countries perform the many styles of martial Arts. The performances were interesting, the information was important to hear, and the many cultural arts were brilliant. We enjoyed the event even though it was during the same times as many other martial art events and tournaments throughout Southern California.  I enjoyed the fact that I didn't have to "fight" to get aroung the festival.  I was happy to have my son meet many influencial people in this industry and have a chance to talk with Actors and Producers Shin Koyamada and Brian Tee.

This festival was fun to attend and I was glad to see the various styles available for children today.  The many art forms came from Brazil, China, Africa, Korea, Hawaii, Thailand, and Japan. Each of these art forms are available in different dojos throughout the United States. There was a demonstration from Tapout and it was impressive as well as the other local groups like the LA Guardian Angels, The International Martial Arts and Boxing Academy and the United States Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.

After the first intermission we enjoyed a Taiko Performance: Makoto Taiko. These Japanese drums sound amazing and what intense effort it takes to make a 10 minute piece. The performance was one of the highlights for the festival that I will not forget. 

Some of the many displays to see were full sets of Samurai armor, wooden carvings, photography, kimonos, and the art forms of sogetsu (floral), calligraphy (brush writing). There were demonstrations on writing styles and the Japanese Tea Ceremony called Omotesenke.

The Shin Koyamada Foundation offers scholarships that foster the importance of respect, honor, courtesy, value, and manners through martial arts and active participation in global environmental issues. The Foundation also donates and offers educational needs to individuals and families. This assistance includes International cultural exchange projects. The hosting of this martial arts festival promotes the preservation of martial art styles and traditions that are important to domestic and international youths from all around the globe.

Patrick Tremblay

Brand Yourself in 10 Easy Steps

When applying for a job or for business, it is import for the individual to brand him or herself properly. Branding is a process of characterizing oneself or possessing a distinctive kind of marketable identity. By marketing key-elements in a personal identity, one will exhibit values important to business owners and corporations looking for the perfect individual for the job. The following 10 steps will aid in obtaining a successful characteristic so that the individual can create his or her personal branding.

1. Reality Check

The first step in developing a brand is to determine what goals or accomplishments can aid in the individual’s assessment of his or her qualities. Some questions to ask one are what would you want? What kind of individual are you? What are your passions? Do you have any accomplishments? Are there any goals he or she has? Are you where you want to be in life? This assessment is a way to analyze where he or she is in this process. To obtain a first look, ask friends, family, acquaintances, and coworkers if any. This will identify one’s good or bad qualities, and to help identify achievements. One helpful tool is to acquire a self-assessment test available through various schools and programs like a DISC examination.

2. Dress for Success

After completing and evaluating a personal assessment, one should direct his or her attention to their appearance. If one wishes to become a professional, he or she should match their image to their personal appearance. One should dress accordingly to the desired profession, but in an interview environment, one should dress in a professional manner. Human resources will always appreciate the attempt one does to look their best no matter how informal the job may appear. As a professional, he or she should have three professional outfits to use during interviews and meetings. These outfits should be clean and not tattered. Taking these outfits to a dry cleaner will only improve one’s chances in impressing an employer. One should pay close attention to their grooming habits and make sure he or she is cleanly shaven and washed.

Some helpful hints are to never wear too much cologne or perfume, obtain a haircut regularly, don’t wear an over abundance of flashy jewelry and one should make sure to wear clothes not offensive or too bright for the interviewer. One should take care of any dental problems, and one should make sure their breath is fresh before their interview. One should never chew gum during the interview and always sit up straight and tall during the meeting. As an interviewee plant both feet on the ground and relax. This will show more confidence in his or her appearance.

3. The Introduction

One should learn to introduce oneself in a professional communication. Communicating one’s brand is important when meeting others. Practicing a brief introduction is easy to communicate and can relay a proper branding. During an interview, this practice will aid if the applicant is asked about his or her history. Finding a beginning, middle, and end to an introduction will aid in communicating a succinct history. This exercise will assist the individual in offering his or her goals during this communication. Goals should relate to the job one is applying for or toward the professional desires of the individual. The important points one wants to relay are good points about oneself and where the individual began the pursuit for the position he or she is applying for. The individual should learn to describe his or her goals and how he or she will confidently succeed in this endeavor.

4. Show a Winning Attitude

Pants are put on one leg at a time, and everyone has to do it to get dressed. This is important to remember before the individual tries to ramrod a superior err to another individual. A conceited attitude can cause a bad branding in the first impression. A confident attitude can go a long way with companies, but remember to be honest and open about everything pertaining to the job. One should never be negative or cause another to think less of the person because of his or her comments. Always be positive and show a level of balance and confidence when speaking to others. Professional men and women will think more about the individual who has integrity and will show that he or she does not know everything, but is willing to learn what the job takes to be successful.

5. Be Card Friendly

One of the key tools in showing a professional branding is the ability to present a business card to an individual. The business card is the perfect invitation to meet someone and to show that person you plan on staying in contact with him or her. Business cards act as a calling card whether they have a title or a corporation on the card front or if the card has the individual’s name and number only on the card. One should present a business card at every meeting. A professional card without the embellishments work best if the company name or title are absent. Along with the name and phone number, the individual can add his or her e-mail address or website to the card. Any method of recognition is a benefit to the individual’s success in developing a brand.

6. Tools of the Trade

Business cards are not the only tools used to market a brand. Marketing with various tools can improve the brand because tools can be found when the individual is not present. Business print such as letterhead or envelopes, cards, pens, pads, personalized calendars, and brochures are beneficial to the individual in letting his or her name become public. Other marketing tools can come from recruiters, job developers, previous employers, and social networking. Personalized materials used by recruiters and job developers consist of cover letters, resumes, Curriculum Vitae (CV), or video resumes. In social networking the materials that work are public e-mail, professional online profiles, online group memberships, blogs, and websites. Any of these materials can improve branding, so keeping material up-to-date and professional in every standard is very important.

7. Professional Online Imaging

With social networking groups on the web, a proper image is important in establishing an online identity. The image one portrays can easily change by the ingenuity of an individual who wishes to do harm to others by identity theft. Protection of one’s image is imperative when concerning branding a name or the individual. To determine protection of one’s image he or she should invest in an online protection program that monitors for the company or by him or herself on a regular basis. When his or her web address is protected, one should make certain that any inappropriate behavior and photography is deleted from any professional cites. He or she should evaluate FACEBOOK friends and determine if the friend will have any detrimental effect on one’s branding. If this friend has inappropriate content, one should delete the contact to improve his or her image.

An individual should create a successful profile and join professional programs that gear toward a professional audience. Two popular websites are 12 Manage and LinkedIn where business practitioners go to get advice and develop professional business contacts. If an individual is a recent graduate, another location to create contacts is through the Alumni cite for his or her university. This university or college site offers alumni articles, career opportunities, industry news, and professional contacts. This branding process will help in developing an image that corporations look for in an individual.

8. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

This process is a dying breed in texting, instant messaging, and twitter entries, but in the professional arena proofreading is still a priority when concerning communication in business. An individual’s writing skill is another way for corporations or management to determine intelligence and depth of an individual applying for a position. In today’s computer age, there are many tools that can assist in writing a grammatically correct document. One should read a document and not count solely on a computer spell-checker because the computer cannot determine word use. One should watch for proper spelling and the use of a word in a sentence. The individual should determine if the document has proper capitalization, punctuation, and sentence structure. One should invest in a peer-reviewed computer program that helps in writing. This will benefit the individual’s communication skills and his or her branding.

9. Ask Your Mentor

Asking a mentor for advice is the best method to obtain a straightforward opinion on an individual’s behavior. A mentor should be a trusted friend or colleague experienced in the same industry or profession. Mentors are veterans in the field that have been through the same process. This advice will help the individual with the pros and cons of any position. When an individual looks for assistance in branding, he or she will have educational mentors, employment mentors, and community leader mentors. One should ask his or her mentor how to improve behavior and branding commitment. How to speak, how to act, how to succeed, and how to present can only make a brand stronger. If the individual has poor communication skills and his or her mentor cannot offer an unbiased and professional opinion, this mentor is not helping in the individual’s best interest. In finding a brand, one should make certain that his or her mentor is a valuable asset in the growth of any success.

10. Update Regularly

With everything, evolution happens and in time, brands can become outdated. Updating regularly will keep the brand fresh. Experience, education, and prestige can improve, and documenting these changes will inform any corporation of the individual’s growth in a career or position. One should document these improvements in resumes, online profiles, and social media records. In updating a brand, one should start from the beginning and start with the introduction and move through the steps. New ideas and aspirations should reflect on one’s branding as well as a flexibility to grow in one’s career. These are key elements in developing a personal branding. Following these 10 steps, the individual has the tools to market himself in a professional brand.

Patrick Tremblay