The Crucial Importance Of Employee Training
 
Feb 20, 2016
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Many businesses don't hire unqualified employees, but some businesses do. Sometimes the current employees become under-qualified due to changes in the technology or the deployment of new methods of production. There is no doubt that training comes at a cost and the two biggest resources used in the job training are time and money. Often there is a requirement of third party to conduct job training. The additional costs incurred are unbillable hours and the time which is missed in actual work.

But all these costs are less when compared to the costs incurred due to untrained employees. There is a great importance of employee training and without trained employees companies have to suffer big costs due to less productivity of the untrained employees.

Why there is a big importance of employee training?

There is a big importance of employee training in an organization due to several reasons. Here we will discuss some of the most important ones.

• Those employees who are not trained feel a sense of underachievement, inadequacy, unhappiness and less support. They seem to be dissatisfied with their work. This encourages them to underperform, make mistakes, not care about the product they work on and many other issues.

• The quality of the work is lower and is of less value by the untrained workers. Since they have less knowledge about the new technologies and the skills required they seem to be less concerned about the importance of employee training in the organization.

• More time and effort is spent when the employee is untrained and this is the reason for more wastage of time by them.

• Due to the mistakes and inefficiency of the untrained workers, the companies have to face big loss from the overall system. Due to mistakes and inefficiencies the companies can face big issues like lost customers, low product quality and others. Though it may be the worst scenario but it may happen in many situations. That is why there is a big importance of employee training in the organization.

When you have a new technology and processes in place, the importance of employee training becomes more and more evident. Though there is a good upfront cost visible when providing training to the employees, it is far less that the cost you may have to pay when your employees are not trained. Having the workers trained in the technologies and processes you have means that your workers are learning new skills which will improve the production. Thus all your production costs will be reduced and there will be fewer mistakes in the production or services. This will build a huge confidence in your workforce and will help in creating a better environment in your company.

 
 
5 Most Underrated And Extremely Beautiful Tourist Destinations In India
 
Dec 16, 2015
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India is full of surprises. Every nook and corner of this country has something to offer that a traveler can appreciate it in all its grandeur. Imbibing the best of east and west, the resultant India has a plethora of things to offer. Whether it is its distinct lip-smacking cuisines from across states or those breathtakingly beautiful places spanning different cultures, architectural styles and geography. A lifetime is too short to explore it all. With those with a time crunch, it helps to use domestic flight coupons to buy your tickets within India.

Having said that, we present you a few of the underrated and extremely beautiful tourist destinations in India which should probably make it to your bucket-list. Before you check the list though, it may be worth noting that India isn’t for the faint hearted. Even for someone living in India, it is crucial to make sure you prepare for the conditions you’ll face when at your destination on the subcontinent.

1. Roopkund Lake

If you have a flair for thrill and don’t mind going a little extra mile to satisfy your hunger for the unknown, then Roopkund Lake is the destination for you. Having made headlines for the mystery skeleton case, this lake is flanked by misty mountains and the calm Himalayan demeanor which makes it a must visit.

2. Chitrakoot Falls

Claiming to be India’s largest falls, Chitrakoot Falls is situated in Chhattisgarh. Having an enviable 100 feet drop of River Indravati, the sight that this falls makes for is truly one to behold. Its magnificence will leave you awestruck and wishing you’d knew about it earlier!

3. Lambasingi

Located in the Vishakapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh, Lambasingi is probably the only place in the South of India which can boast of snowfall. Intrigued already, aren’t you? The place has a pleasant climate ranging from 0-10 degrees Celsius year round and rightfully dubbed as the ‘Kashmir of India’.

4. Gavi

If wildlife and nature are your go-to words when it comes to traveling, look no further. Gavi situated in Kerala is the place to go. Located in the Pathanamthitta district, on the highway connecting Kollam and Madurai, it is a part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Another fun fact? The only two Gopher trees in India are found in Gavi. Yes, the same tree that Noah used to built his ark!

5. Ziro

To those acquaint with the popular music festivals of India, the name Ziro will definitely ring a bell. Having hosted the festival for almost three years now, Ziro has already gained quite a name for itself. This calm and serene hill-town lets you unwind in the most perfect manner. Named a World Heritage Site for its stunning natural beauty, Ziro Valley, is rich in biological diversity owing to the wide variety of flora and fauna and offers so much more owing to a traveler’s delight!

By Staff Writer

 
 
The flu and you: how to prevent infection when you have diabetes
 
Oct 13, 2015
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Men and women with diabetes are three times more likely to be hospitalized if they contract the flu. Diabetes can weaken your immune system and raise your risk for complications from the flu, making it that much more important that you take steps to prevent infection. Being sick can make it hard to follow your normal diet and activity regimen—triggering swings in blood sugar that could require medical attention.

Everyone with type 1 and type 2 diabetes is at risk for complications from the flu, and should take steps to prevent infection and know what to do if symptoms develop. The most common symptoms include:

● Fever
● Chills
● Body aches
● Cough
● Sore throat
● Headache
● Fatigue
● Vomiting and diarrhea

Protect yourself

Here are some ways you can help protect your body from the flu virus:

Get a flu shot. Flu vaccines are readily available from your primary doctor, health department or even your local pharmacy. The injection is safe for people with diabetes, but you should avoid the nasal mist. Flu shots are safe for most adults and children, however if you have an egg allergy you should consult with your physician first as some vaccines contain egg protein. The medication used in the injection (shot) does not use the live virus, so it won’t make you sick.

Use common sense protection. The flu can be spread one to two days before it shows any symptoms so it’s really hard to know who may be contagious. For this reason, take common sense approaches to protect your health. Wash your hands often during the day—especially after you cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth and avoid close contact with anyone you know is sick.

If you get the flu:

If you think you might be getting the flu, follow these steps:

● Keep a close eye on your blood sugar.
● Continue to take your insulin or pills to regulate your glucose. If you need to adjust your pump settings, follow your doctor’s directions. It may be necessary to adjust your basal rate. Some insulin pumps are capable of making precise dosing adjustments in increments as low as 0.001u/hr.
● Try to eat as you would normally.
● Drink plenty of calorie-free liquids—dehydration is dangerous with diabetes.
Contact your doctor and ask about an antiviral medication to shorten the duration and symptoms.

When to seek medical attention

If you are unable to keep down food or liquids for more than six hours, have trouble breathing, or lose more than five pounds, contact your doctor or get help in your nearest emergency room.

Written by Jane Brown

 
 
The Influence Of Eastern Culture On Modern Medicine
 
Sep 16, 2015
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Eastern medicine, better known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has had a huge impact on modern, Western medicine for many years. Alternative therapies that Americans practice on a regular basis often are derived from TCM. Their popularity comes and goes, usually depending on how people feel they are getting treated with modern medicine.

It's likely you've had a brush with eastern medicine at some point, even if you didn't actually know what it is. If you've looked at massage oils, taking herbs to treat an illness, or even practiced yoga at the gym, you've dabbled in TCM.

A Whole Way Of Healing

Where many people see western medicine as something that just masks what is wrong with you, and they see the doctors as simply pill pushers, eastern medicine is believe to treat the mind, body and soul, and get down to the actual cause of an illness and gets rid of its effect on the body.

Whatever you believe about modern medicine, many doctors are now happy to integrate Chinese medicine into their own treatments. This is referred to, generally, as complimentary medicine, because they compliment one another.

Obviously this shows that TCM is having a big influence on the medicine in America. Another way it is influential is that for some people it opens up a more natural, and affordable way into healing.

Herbal Medicine And Aromatherapy

Herbal medicine and aromatherapy are derived from western medicine, and while many believe these treatments are completely safe there are still precautions that should be taken. Some herbs should only be used externally and can be poisonous if taken internally. This is why it's important to research, talk to an herbalist and check with your doctor before trying herbal therapy.

Aromatherapy uses your nose for healing. Many people find relief from chronic headaches through aromatherapy, without the side effects of medications. However, don't stop taking prescribed medications until you talk to your doctor.

Aromatherapy and herbal therapy both use herbs. Aromatherapy can also be combined with massage therapy. In fact, each and every one of the therapies that come from the western culture can be blended with one another in your healing process.

Massage, Reiki, Acupuncture And The Like

Massage therapy, meditation, Reiki, acupuncture and acupressure, are all derived from western medicine and all can do great things for healing the body and the mind, and even helping you relax. Even yoga is a therapy from the west, and also helps heal.

One way that these therapies help you save is that some of them can be comfortably done from right in your own home, like yoga and meditation. You can even invest in massage therapy tables for your own home and learn how to do massages, or maybe get a discount when your therapist doesn't need to lug their table into your home.

Whether you want to learn and become a practitioner yourself, or you simply enjoy healing that heals without medications and surgeries, you can benefit from the alternative therapies that have grown from western culture and continue to become increasingly popular in the United States.

How Does It Work, Really?

Why TCM is considered superior to modern medicine is because of numerous facts. TCM concentrates on the whole body and it allows for real listening. Not just listening to the person taking about what issues they are having, but listening to the body itself.

Not only will there be more of a focus on the disease itself, rather than just masking symptoms, there is also a focus on wellness and preventative medicine. You eat healthy foods because that creates a healthy body. You practice relaxation techniques because they help battle stress which leads to illness.

Now that more doctors are accepting TCM, it just makes sense that people start to integrate these therapies more into their lives and on a more regular basis. Start taking a weekly yoga class, schedule a monthly massage, try acupuncture to cure headaches and help you lose weight, and go visit the health food store for some healthy and helpful herbs.

Written by Jane Brown

 
 
Nurses Who Study in Asia Benefit From Learning Culture, Medical Practices, and Language
 
Jul 18, 2015
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The United States is synonymous with cultural diversity. For this reason, learning about other cultures is a great tool for professionals, especially healthcare professionals and in particular nurses. The more you learn from other cultures, the more powerful and effective a nurse you’ll be.

There is a lot you can learn nursing aboard, including medical issues that are truly indigenous to people and how other nations are improving their healthcare systems. According to a 2014 Forbes article, Asia is going through a healthcare renaissance and expects to see healthcare spending increase to $2.21 trillion by 2018. That’s a compound annual growth rate of 10.5 percent over the next five years.

According to the United States Census Bureau, as of 2010 Asians make up 5.6 percent of the population. That’s more than 17 million Asian Americans. This is why Asia is a great place to consider working abroad. What you learn can easily be applied to the work you’re doing in this country. Broadened horizons will enhance the lives of your patients, and make the overall healthcare system stronger.

Gaining Perspective by Working Abroad

If you were to work in Japan for 1 year, upon returning to the United States you would be able to better assess a Japanese-American patient from a more cultural perspective. Instead of viewing healthcare as a blended composite homogeneity of our populace, you’d be capable of better communicating and understanding your Asian-American patients. In fact, you may begin to better understand the needs and customs of all.

Healthcare management systems should not be ethnocentric, but rather multicultural and diverse (just like the US population). Nurses who have experience working abroad will add to a patient’s comfort level, especially when that patient learns you’ve worked in her home country. This will delight her, and build trust. The synergistic benefits of working aboard have carry-forward benefits that cannot be overstated.

As Immigration Increases, so Shall Multiculturalism

Immigrants make up approximately 13 percent of the population, which is a larger immigrant population than any other country. The most immigrants come from Latin countries, but large numbers come from Asia as well. Traveling to Asian and Latin countries is going to give you the best opportunity for learning, and be an asset upon returning home because these cultures will make up a large portion of the patients you see every day.

Any opportunity to immerse yourself in another country is an opportunity to get better at what you do. You can find registered nurse jobs abroad by looking at international job boards, such as American Traveler. Being able to quickly and effectively assess the status of a non-English-speaking Asian American, based on what you’ve learned in their home country, goes a long way toward saving lives and building an immigrant’s confidence in our healthcare system.

Immersion is the Fastest Way to Learn a New Language

If you work in a big city, such as New York City and Los Angeles, it’s highly unlikely all of your patients speak English. Some areas feature populations that speak little-to-no English, which can make your job difficult if you don’t speak the language.
Studies have proven time and again that immersion is one of the most effective ways to learn a language, and communicate with native speakers. This can open up all sorts of job benefits, including raises and promotions based on your ability to speak two or more languages.

The United States is country adept at blending cultures, and medical professionals are encouraged to embrace this multiculturalism. Our borders are subject to a human tide that never ceases, and the more nurses know about all the residents of their communities the better.

Written by Jane Brown

 
 
Adapting Brands to International Cultures
 
Apr 14, 2015
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To reach globally a business must think locally.

Large companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Malboro, Coca-Cola, and more, have the benefit of being dominant players in their industries. With this dominance they have the budget and resources to identify the local aspects when they expand their brand on a global scale.

Your business, however, isn't likely to have multi-billion dollar budgets to open divisions in new countries, hire teams of professionals from the region, and network with other companies which ease the transition to the new marketplace.

But that doesn't mean it's not possible to make a splash.

The key term I would like for you to remember throughout this work is assimilation (the process of changing one's language & culture to resemble another group).

When companies fail to assimilate to the new culture, their efforts to grow globally often backfire, such as some of these blunders rounded up in a post by Geoffrey James:

• Coca-Cola's brand name, when first marketed in China, was sometimes translated as “Bite The Wax Tadpole”.

• Ford blundered when marketing the Pinto in Brazil because the term in Brazilian Portuguese means “tiny male genitals”.

• The American Dairy Association replicated its “Got Milk?” campaign in Spanish-speaking countries where it was translated into “Are You Lactating?”.

This brings us to one of the important elements of extending your brand abroad and that is language.

Though English has become widely-used around the globe (and especially online) it's worth your while to seek quality translation services for any online or offline business assets. The easiest method is to reach out to companies within the area that are experienced in great translation services that also can report if a campaign needs to be tweaked to avoid a language blunder.

Another of these important items for reaching the global marketplace (with the attention to detail to the local marketplace you plan to enter) is the presentation of your goods and services.

A quick showing of this idea of presentation can be seen through how companies change the look & feel of their websites such as from this article by Graham Charlton; most notable when examining the difference that come to mind include:

• Promotional material is tailored to the market based on culture, economics, and needs

• Copy and creative shift depending on location where there may be rivalry

• Translation and a reformatting of what is frequently displayed is shifted due to marketplace demands that may not reflect the home country

The presentation continues to evolve and take shape in the physical side of selling products. In the States we have seen the trend of minimal design on many product boxes whereas in places such as Japan the boxes may be littered with celebrities, cartoon characters, expressions, promotions, and so much more.

A method to allow your business to reach those locals (abroad) is by working with box suppliers to develop and create designs that will fit within that local marketplace. An idea of what is possible with customized packaging can be seen online, where many companies display the different shapes, styles, coloring, and printing options. The Custom Boxes Now blog even has a post entitled "6 Examples of Companies Using Custom Boxes to Reflect Their Products."

The final element (but in no way the only other worth noting) is to understand cultural differences.

We've already talked about the language barrier but what other cultural differences are there to take into consideration when going global?

• Body language, mannerism, and gestures play an important role to set the right tone for doing business with people from the region (it's important to know them so you avoid create offense).

• Conversations are also conducted in a different manner; such example is the direct discussions we may have in the States versus the passive type of conversation you may find in Japan.

• Politics, without a doubt, will come into play when trying to understand cultural differences and in this case it's best to stay neutral on both sides to avoid aggravation or hostility.

All-in-all, it comes back to the term I wanted you to remember assimilation.By doing research about the culture, devoting the resources for services that remove language barriers, learning the cultural differences and customs, and adapting the presentation to the design styles of the region you will be one step closer to global growth.

Written by Jane Brown

Photo credit / INSEAD