"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands  should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt.  People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance."  Cicero - 55 BC

 And so, it has always been this way . . . If I recall, Rome collapsed completely

We are 45 days away from the implementation of the announced Russian log Export Tax, an 80% duty that was to be levied on every log shippped out of Russia after January 1, 2009.  The concept was to keep logs, a natural  raw material resource, at home to help build Russia's own finished furniture and flooring industries.  Until now this natural resource was being shipped out of the country, mainly to China, as fast as the loggers could cut.

Enter the global economy and all of a sudden Russia is seeing a major decline in the value of the logs and orders from other countries wanting the material.  Russian log prices hit their all time high in the 4th quarter of 2007 as manufacturers clambered to build inventories before the new taxes started to go into effect.  Since then the decrease in global demand and the threat of the 80% duty have combined to decrease demand and prices to their lowest point in years.  The hoped for development of Russian wood manufacturing industry has been slow and is not ready to use those logs that are available.

Good news?  The Russian government has agreed to delay the Export Tax for at least nine to twelve months.  This leaves the world's largest exporter of logs, still available to supply logs without a restrictive export duty.  But, be careful what you wish for....  With the threat of the Russina duty looming, most countries have found new resources for their log supplies.  Scandanavia has replaced Russia with other Baltic Sea countries who are anxious to export.  So now Russia is left with the decreased demand they had hoped for but it is combined with low prices on exported product, fewer potential customers and a domestic manufacturering industry that is not yet ready to take advantage of their governments grand plan. 

Bottom line, Don't fool with Mother Nature or a Free Market Economy. 

In May of 2007 Oprah Winfrey helped Barack Obama get his campaign off the ground. I'm a news junkie and back then even I didn't know who Obama was. Not everyone was happy about her endorsement, and there were plenty of blogs talking about how she "sold out." Apparently, Oprah felt it was her time to stand up for what she believed in, despite any potential backlash.

Two economics students at the University of Maryland did some research, and to be honest I'm not exactly sure how they measured this, but their conclusion pretty much said that Oprah's endorsement was worth about a million votes. (Full PDF of the report available here.)

Which brings me to the power of your mentor.

Mentors are out there for everyone -- you just have to ask. To get going, who do you know who can help you further your career? On the flip-side, is there someone you would like to help?

It's really a two way street. The mentor may not need anything but the expectation that you will live up to who you say you are. Remember, mentors that have clout are concerned about their own reputations. Do what you say you're going to do.

To be a mentor is a privilege; to support those who are on their way with an important message to the world.

Maybe there is a trade for the mentor; don't be afraid to ask what it is.

Two powerful people can get more done than one powerful person.

Are you exerting your power? Are you making a difference?

What do you think about being a mentor or mentoring? Let me know what you think and your ideas about mentoring or coaching. I look forward to your comments.

The truth about some carpet complaints

"Blotching" as a carpet complaint is often treated as a mystery spot or a carpet defect. It is seldom blamed on a cleaning process. Three requirements necessary for success in (HWE) wet extraction cleaning is 'even' wetting, consistent extraction and quick drying.

Double stroking (solution valve open in both directions)causes the solution to puddle at the end of the back stroke as the direction of the cleaning head is reversed. Excess moisture settles deep into  the carpet fibers. Double stroking is the lazy way to clean and some equipment makers even install a lock so the operator does not have to key the valve with a finger or thumb.

Even plain water contains trace minerals and chemicals. Deeper wetting dries at a slower pace and as the last drop of water evaporates into the air it leaves a residual trace on the tip of the fiber that eventually attracts soil. Discoloration may not occur for weeks or even months after the carpet is cleaned.

Single stroking (solution applied only on backstroke with vacuum head brought over moisture line before reverse) is a mark of care and good workmanship. This is one of many subtle differences in the various techniques used in the HWE process.

On this day in 1775 a small group got together at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia to found the United States Marine Corps. Following is the resolution adopted by the Continental Congress:

"Resolved, That two Battalions of Marines be raised, consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments; and that they consist of an equal number of Privates with other Battalions; that particular care be taken, that no persons be appointed to office, or enlisted into said Battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required: that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the Colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress: that they be distinguished by the names of the First and Second Battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered part of the number which the Continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of."

From that humble beginning of two battalions, the Corps grew to six divisions during WWII. I was proud to serve in the 4th Division which was disbanded after the war. Today there are only three divisions but these battle-ready forces with new weaponry and rapid transport are the equivalent of six divisions during the big war.

From one old Jarhead to all who have served and to all you modern-day warriors ...."Semper Fi and happy birthday!"

Kansas State University did a fuel consumption comparison with two buildings and determined that the carpeted building saved 13.4% on heating costs. The advisory on ways to conserve fuel and energy said to put carpet on hard floors, weather strip windows, insulate attics, close off unused rooms and even put carpet in finished attics, basements and the crawl space under a home. According to Kansas State University, the insulating qualities of carpet help in the summer time, too, when the building is being cooled.

Does this sound like something recently published because of high fuel and home heating costs? These excerpts were taken from a column called "Your money's worth" which was published in newspapers across the land. It was written by Sylvia Porter, February 14, 1976.

"You say you love me, but sometimes you don’t show it. In the beginning you could not do enough for me. Now you seem to take me for granted. Some days I wonder if I mean anything at all to you.

"Maybe when I’m gone you’ll appreciate me and all the things I do for you. I’m responsible for the food on your table, the clothes you wear, the welfare of your home and for the thousand-and-one things you want and need. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have the car you drive or the house you live in.

"I've kept quiet and waited to see how long it would take for you to realize how much you really need me. Cherish me...take good care of me...and I’ll take good care of you. "I’M YOUR JOB!"

Things are bad, money is scarce and credit is tight. Right?

Not for everyone! Politicians at every level of government are spending like....well...like politicians.  There seems to be no shortage of money for them. Do you suppose they've found a way to tap that "Bail-out" fund?  Hundreds of millions of dollars in political funds are being pumped into the advertising industry this year.

Did you ever wonder where it all came from if money is so tight? This influx of money (there are rumors some of it's foreign) makes advertising rates artificially high for legitimate business that really can't afford the extra expense.

There's a reason for the sharp downturn in business this year.  The reason is politics.

A carpet cleaner called me with concern about doing business with a local carpet retailer who had called him. He feared the retailer would be impressed and want to get into the cleaning business. I pointed out the possible business he could acquire through referrals and that most retailers do not want to be in the cleaning business. 
 
Stop by your local carpet retailer to introduce yourself and your business and offer to clean the owners residence at no charge. Offer a demonstration to educate their sales staff on the importance of cleaning. Education and good PR will create a source of new customers.

Retailers really appreciate someone to answer cleaning questions for them and their customers. Some have even given a cleaner access to their customer mailing list and made cleaning part of an in-house warranty.  Many work with cleaners on a commission basis.

Friend or foe? You make the call.