In recent years, the way that new products are marketed has been constantly evolving and internet marketing is becoming a necessity for any forward thinking company. Although you may know that you need to hire an online marketing company to help market your business, it can be hard to choose the right one. A lot of consideration should be put into hiring the right company for your business before you make any commitment.The online marketing industry is very competitive, so it can pay to shop around. Check out the websites of individual companies to view their portfolios, and check to see if they have positive customer testimonials before you contact them. A marketing company which has done great work for other businesses will strive to promote this. You must decide whether the style of each online marketing company is appropriate for your business or not.Be aware that some online marketing companies may be industry specific. Even if you find a marketing company which has great reviews from businesses in one industry, it does not mean they will be able to market your product if it is not part of their niche. Although it may seem like a crude or obvious example, if you run a business that sells exquisite, diamond jewellery which is targeted at women, it does not make sense to hire the company that has a portfolio that only consists of companies that sell gym equipment targeted at men. Marketing (both online and traditional) will often be tailored to a very specific market.Price can also be a very important consideration. Try talking to more than one company to get quotes before you decide to commit to anything. The online marketing of your company should be quite a personal experience, so make sure you fully communicate your needs with each one before you part with any money. A good company will be able to design a strategy for your company that suits your needs as well as your budget.In the world of internet marketing, there can be a lot of obscure terminology, such as “SEO”, “viral video” and “social media”. If you feel that you don’t understand any of the “buzzwords” that are being used by an online marketing company, ask them to explain. Any company that has employees who are trained in good customer service will be happy to explain all the terms to you in easy to understand English; this is a sign of openness and honesty. If a marketing company continues to bombard you with terms you don’t understand, or will only discuss your case using internet jargon, then they may not be suitable for your needs.A good online marketing company will be proactive rather than reactive. If you speak to an account manager who has plenty of fresh and different ideas that suit your company’s ideals, then you should be prepared to pay a little more for their services. In the world of internet business, it always pays to be ahead of the game.
Game Consoles
Grand Theft Auto, a video game that many people have in their homes, is blamed for the cold- blooded shooting spree carried out by Devin Moore in Alabama. The game is also under fire for the option it provides to unlock sexual content from the internet. Two teens, imitating moves from the Mortal Kombat video game, beat up and killed the 7-year old sister of one of them. According to a police affidavit, the teens were baby-sitting the girl while her mother was at work.New Gaming Experience The experience of being a gamer has changed radically. A new generation game console hits the market every 5 or 6 years, exploring realistic three-dimensional worlds in high resolution with surround sound. Latest are the next generation of consoles led by Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 and the Nintendo Wii.Game consoles have replaced video games. There are a range of game console models available in the market nowadays. Nintendo GameCube Black Game Console is one of the widely popular multiplayer gaming and online gaming. This is popularly known as a home console for it is recommended for home use only.Microsoft’s Xbox, one of the most well-known game consoles, has been devised to interface with the Internet, keeping in mind that the Internet has made online gaming a more preferred platform than console games. Nintendo Co.’s Wii and Sony Corp.’s PlayStation 3 are also designed for online interaction, enabling gamers to compete against each other, download videos and games, or swap friendly insults in a chat room.Game Addictions Among all the charges leveled against game consoles, the foremost is that they are addictive. So addictive that if denied children are known to have all the symptoms of withdrawal, including the shakes. Among other charges are compulsive behavior and loss of interest in other activities.Research reports of a decade ago had shown video game junkies to be highly intelligent, motivated and achievement-oriented individuals. But the 21st century games are so engrossing that today’s studies reveal the opposite tendencies. This is attributed to today’s games being more psychologically rewarding, which leads to addiction.Cause for Growing ConcernMost of the video games in the market are meant for the 7 to 17 age group who play an average of eight hours a week. There is growing concern among parents, educators, child advocates, medical professionals, and policy makers about the subset of games that feature violence, gore, and antisocial behavior. It is believed that ultra violent games are inappropriate for all children and harmful to some.Research had shown young people could generally distinguish “cartoon” violence from “real” violence, but the interactivity involved in today’s games seemed to pose a much bigger risk than previous generations of young people had faced.Concern about violent video and computer games is based on the scientific evidence providing a cause-effect relationship between television violence and aggression among the children and youth who watch it. This research became the basis of a hypothesis among many social scientists that video games could be expected to have an even greater impact for the following reasons.
As there is more personal involvement of the player with the characters in the game, children are more likely to imitate their actions
The nature of game consoles is such that they require active participation
There are lots of repetitions involved in these games which help increase learning. So if the games are violent the effect is a behavioral rehearsal for violent activity.
The reward system in video games promotes faster learning
Much less research has been conducted on video games compared to TV. But studies have constantly shown that violent games increase aggression compared with behaviors displayed after playing non-violent games. Another study among 8th and 9th graders showed that those who played more violent video games were also more likely to see the world as a hostile place. They tend to become argumentative and get into physical fights.Only Some Are ViolentGame consoles are generally associated with violence though all games are not so. According to a rough estimate only 15 percent of the games are violent. They are all perceived as violent because most of the successful games are violent and these get maximum press attention because of their controversy. People remember news about Grand Theft Auto but possibly remember nothing about games like Banjo Kazooie, Gran Tourismo or any of their other non-violent counterparts.Many argue that a few games cannot be used to brand the industry. Sims is very mentally challenging. And kids are getting a great mental workout from engaging in these games.Parental Role A study at the Indiana’s School of Medicine in Indianapolis found that about two-thirds of parents surveyed said they had family rules about how much and when video games could be played. But half of the children surveyed said their parents never discussed video gaming with them. Three of every four parents said they “always” helped decide what video games their children might buy or rent, yet, only 30 percent of the kids said that was the case.In this digital world, children are introduced to video consoles so early that they are tempted to spend more of their time on these than on their studies. Parents should take care to protect them from unfit games by providing them with the right games. Refer to full review of a game God of War [8] which warns parents not to expose this game to children because of excessive violence in it.Video game addiction experts from the Nottingham Trent University provide a ready reckoner for concerned parents:First find out if:
your child plays every day
often plays for over 2-3 hours at a stretch
derives excitement out of the games
feels deprived and restless when they are not allowed to play
plays at the expense of social activities
neglects homework
tries to reduce play hours but can’t
If the answer is “yes” in most of these cases then your child may be playing too much and you have to take steps toReplace violent games with educational gamesDiscourage solitary play. Make him play in groupsSet strict time limits for playAs a last resort take away the game from him and give back in parts.
Consumers Benefit From Automotive Technician Certification
Perhaps years ago any backyard auto mechanic would do, after all cars were simpler then, less complex and anyone with a good mechanical aptitude, a know how of how the engine works and a set of tools and the skill set to use them could fix a small problem or even a big one. Today, that has all changed. With today’s high tech vehicles, the margin for error is dramatically less and the cost of a mistake is significantly more, so it makes financial sense to protect your investment in your vehicle through maintenance and service performed by qualified professionals.Contrary to popular belief automotive trade is not a compulsory trade in many parts of North America – it certainly is not in British Columbia. This means that anyone can open and run an auto repair shop without having a single certified automotive technician on staff.While they may be the exception to the rule, unlicensed mechanics are employed throughout the continent, often in small one and two man shops or in specialty shops such as radiator repairs, used auto parts yards, and, belief it or not, at brake and wheel alignment shops!One way to differentiate between automotive is to look for or ask to see their certificates. In Canada, we have the Red Seal of licensing Automotive Technicians. This certificate will be tan in color and will have a red seal in the top right and bottom left corners and a Provincial logo in the center. This will not be a certificate from a trade school, college or auto parts company. Once a technician writes and passes the Red Seal exam he is certified for life.Another certification body exists and it is called ASE. ASE Certificates can be identified by a blue gear shaped logo with the letters ASE in it. The ASE is an equal standard but has two advantages to it: it requires re-certification every five years and it is voluntary therefore, those techs that choose to write the exam show a strong commitment to their profession that is above and beyond the average and that they are commitment to keeping up with the changes in technology. Further, employers who support their technicians’ efforts to become certified can be counted on to be concerned about other aspects of their business.Another thing about modern vehicles that bears discussion is how almost every system of the car is inter-connected with another system. This fact is often overlooked by those working in the above mentioned specialty shops. The brakes on the car are connected to traction control, cruise control, stability control, and other systems of the car. The specialist may have been repairing brakes for 30 years but automotive technology has changed more than just a little over that time and a repair that seems simple can often have complex side effects if performed incorrectly.In closing there is a reason for certification and most established auto repair shops do hire certified staff and guaranteed, it will pay you back in the long run to patronize a professional repair facility.