Ante Up, It’s Poker Party Time!

Choose your Poker theme party purpose. Do you want a tournament or to celebrate a birthday? Or you could even do both at the same time! If you have a tournament, you can only use so many numbers of players and move up through a pyramid system to winning. Determine if you need an entry fee to cover chips or if each person decides on how much money they spend.

Invite your poker players with card invitations. Use oversized “cards” or simply the shape of a heart, a diamond, a club or a spade. These would all be available at the party supply store. They will also have all of the paper products needed if you will be serving food.

Poker theme products include plates, cup, napkins and tablecloths. Table pieces aren’t really needed since you need the space for card playing. Decorations can be minimal, or extravagant. Balloons in black and red, along with black and red streamers can add a dramatic effect to your theme. Add in a little gold to symbolize money, and you have an elegant look.

Food can be made into fun poker shapes. Cut sandwiches, brownies or anything else into shapes of the cards - hearts, diamonds, etc. Rename food dishes to coincide with your theme. Make Sloppy Joes into King of Spade sandwiches. Make it unique and people will talk about it for weeks after.

Remember to take pictures as people fall out of the tournament. Take a group picture to post on a website or to save and add to if you make it a yearly event. Another good idea would be to donate any profits to a local charity.

Mrs. Party - Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Here is a fun resource for Poker Party Supplies free games, decorations and party ideas.

Party Supplies are Needed For Party Fun

The point of having party supplies is to make sure that your parties don’t flop because there’s a lack of that essential party atmosphere in the room. Party supplies, especially themed ones are what help to provide that party atmosphere. There are many definitions of party supplies and many categories. You’ll find that there are paper goods, inflatables, party favors, accessories, banners, gift baskets, dance floor prizes and so on. Party supplies in general can be found under different names too. There are party items, party decorations and party products. It really depends on the mood of the person using the word.

Party supplies are usually themed after one or a couple of literally hundreds of possible party ideas. There are party supplies for the Hanukkah party, the wedding party, the patriotic party and so on. Many of these parties are even cross-themed, such as a fiesta style bachelorette party. The typical kinds of party supplies seen at this event might be a wedding dress pi

Party Decorations Where Can I Find Anything I Might Need

In most circumstances, party decorations of every kind can be found at a wide variety of locations. You don’t have to go to specialty shops anymore to find those perfect party decorations for your next get-together. Here are some ideas of where you can find all your party decoration needs for your next bash:

1. Online Party Supply Stores: With the boom of the internet, there are many locations online you can find party decorations. From formal parties to thematic birthdays, you can find all your party decorations somewhere on the internet. Even items that are no longer manufactured are sometimes available on popular auction sites.

2. Dollar Stores: Most dollar store chains now have party supplies and decorations available. At many, there is a whole row dedicated to all your party needs. For those parties you want to look nice, but you cannot spend a fortune on, going to the local dollar store may be just the trip to make.

3. Discount Stores: If you don’t have time to wait on shipping, but you cannot find what you want in the local dollar store, the closest discount store is the next best place to look for party decorations. They normally carry generic colors, as well as thematic packages. These stores normally have the supplies you need for less cost than the specialty stores.

4. Warehouse Stores: Similar to the discount stores, warehouse stores normally offer an area of party decorations and supplies. Most warehouse locations require membership, though. If you don’t have the membership already, purchasing one just to buy your party decorations probably won’t be cost effective.

5. Specialty Party Stores: This type of store has a large variety of party decorations, from streamers and balloons to tablecloths and wall hangings. Usually the most expensive, you can still find great sales at most and get a deal on your some extravagant party decorations.

No matter where you buy your party decorations, make sure they are something you will enjoy. If you aren’t happy with the d

Purple KoolAid, Social Proof and the Marketing WizKids

On November 18, 1978, in the middle of a South American Jungle, 913 people lifted a glass of purple Kool-Aid mixed with cyanide, sedatives and tranquilizers to their lips - and drank willingly.

It was dubbed “The Jonestown Massacre” by the media, but it was no massacre. The truly horrifying part was that over 900 people drank that poison willingly. The whispers started almost immediately.

Mind control.

Most people associate mind control with cults and “follow the leader” zombie people; with flowers sold in airports, flowing robes, offbeat religions and perhaps even secret ceremonies in the dark of night.

Ignorance is bliss, as they say.

What is mind control?

The roots of mind control stem from an arm of psychology known as social psychology. Social pyschology is the science of how people behave in groups and when they are interacting with others. We humans act quite differently when we interact with others than we do individually.

What is social proof? It’s forming an opinion based on what other people are doing. We see a lineup at the same restaurant every night, so it must be good. All our friends are raving about that new movie, so we want to see it, too.

Mind control, through social proof, is alive and well in the Internet Marketing Community. It works something like this;

A new product or new guru appears. Suddenly, there are hundreds or thousands of people promoting it. A lot of buzz is created. More people see it and jump on the bandwagon. If that many people promote it, it must be good, right? Social proof.

More often than not, the product is garbage. Bogus traffic or yet another “how to make money” program that isn’t earning money for anyone except the person that created it - and perhaps a few of their cronies. Often, it’s created by someone that doesn’t know how to sell anything but “how to make money” programs.

So why are so many people promoting lousy products?

Because of the commission, usually. The lure of money for nothing is stronger than most people can resist. Throw social proof into the mix (ie; everyone else is saying…) and it’s a combination too potent for many to resist. It promises good pay and “everyone” is promoting it - why not you, too?

Taking a Step Back

The price of cult thinking and bogus social proof is a diminished grasp on reality. It gets harder and harder to know what’s right.

Take a step back. Walk away from your computer briefly. Go for a walk, even. You will think differently. Ask yourself a reality check question;

Are you promoting products that have actually enhanced your life or improved your financial status? Or are you telling unintentional lies because you fell for bogus social proof?

Then, decide if you want to be part of the problem, or part of the solution.

If this article makes even one person take a long hard look at what they are promoting, it will have served it’s purpose.

Need a little website magic? Get it, free, at LindaCaroll.com.

Piano Recitals Don’t Have to Be Scary - They’re Just a Tool, Not a Test

Piano recitals are a valuable tool for helping piano students achieve their musical dreams. Too frequently, however, parents mistakenly believe their child’s upcoming piano recital is some kind of an initiation test, and sadly project this attitude to their children. But nothing could be further from the truth. Here is the real truth about piano recitals parents need to know.

Piano Recitals are a Valuable Tool for helping children succeed in piano, because they establish a goal that gives students power and direction. What would it be like if your child could walk up to the recital piano and play their best simply because they know they can? Of course It would be wonderful! So why not let them?

Here is the most common explanation parents give for not wanting their children to participate in piano recitals, and an alternative to this perspective.

“I’m afraid my child will be embarrassed if they don’t perform well.”

Okay, so you’re afraid. That’s understandable, but is it a reason? Here’s a better way to look at it. As a parent, what is your goal? By attending piano recitals, children have the opportunity to become more confident, and to learn from their mistakes. Do you want your child to grow in confidence and learn to fly, or stay wrapped inside a psychological cocoon? If your goal is to help your musical child learn how to fly, and overcome their worries and fears about performing, follow through with effective parenting habits that support this goal.

Having a successful piano recital is all about planning and perspective. Piano students learn planning by setting goals that create a map to success that will achieves their piano dreams. Following through with good habits that support their piano goals is how students can prepare to play well at their piano recital.

There are strategies parents can use to help their children in piano learn to set goals. But first, here is a good way not to help your child overcome worries about performing. Never try to scare your child into practicing with hyperbolic failure stories about what people in the audience will think of they bomb at the recital! Stick to the facts; and don’t give this monster permission to live in your kid’s head. Fear isn’t a good piano teacher.

Instead be positive and show your child how to gain perspective and overcome their fear. If they are worried, redirect their focus by asking how they would like to feel at the spring recital? For example, “Would you like to feel confident about playing in your recital?” Follow up by stating the facts clearly. “You know, Jeremy, you don’t have to be afraid. You have a choice. There are things you can do. What do you think you could do to ensure that you play the way you want to at your recital?” If your child hesitates, get them to use their imagination by asking, “Well if you did know, what do you think it would be?”

You can follow up further by asking, “How would your life be different if you weren’t afraid to perform in front of an audience?” And, “Do you think there will be other times in you life when you’ll need to share what you know in front of a group of people?”

In this way you’ll be empowering your child with valuable tools for success. Instead of caving in to fear, use this effective plan for helping your child overcome piano recital worries. I guarantee your child’s confidence will grow as they begin to use their piano wings!

For great home piano activities parents can use to help children ages 5 to 11 develop their musical talent, visit Piano Adventure Bears Music Education Resources You’ll find a treasure box filled with piano resources to create an exciting musical adventure for your child - right in your own home! Visit their website and subscribe to their f’ree internet newsletter so you can download f’ree piano sheet music and mp3s of original piano compositions.

These exciting stories, games, piano lessons, and inspirational gifts feature the Piano Adventure Bears, Mrs. Treble Beary and her new piano student, Albeart Littlebud. Young students follow along with Albeart to learn what piano lessons are all about in a fun way that kids readily understand appreciate. Click here to visit PianoAdventureBears.com For a wealth of information about piano lessons, visit tallypiano.com

Talent Management Functions Like the Kidney that Hires the Good Personnel and Fires

Talent management functions like the kidney that hires the good personnel and fires
the bad ones.

The two kidneys are the vital organs in the body amongst other functions cleanse the
blood of toxins and keep it chemically balanced. The kidneys are sophisticated
reprocessing machines and process the blood to filter out the wastes and extra water.
Similarly a good talent management system will hire the good personnel, retain them and
remove the bad ones.

Good management is not just about recruiting the right people to do the right jobs. This is
particularly important during challenging times when staff budgets are cut to the bone. A
strong management team must also have the discipline and insight to identify the dead
wood in the company, and to be able to take firm action to remove them. These
executives are those who have being entrenched in the system because of their job
security and seniority are just cruising along and marking time. They do not have active
and productive contributions as well as add value to the company. Most managers
acknowledge that the most difficult task is firing of employees, particularly somebody
that they have worked with closely for several years. Usually, the people that you did not
fire are the ones that make your life miserable.

In many organisations, the decision-making power resides at the top. Empire-building by
yes-men becomes the main preoccupation of the day. In the corporate intrigue of power
struggle for status and position, the good personnel who may have differing views are
stifled.

In talent management, the CEO has to look beyond himself and his abilities. He is smart
if he hires the right people who may be better than he in those competencies to execute
tasks that he himself is unable to do. He is then able to extend “his arms and legs” within
the organisation to get things done in more efficient manner.
This philosophy is shared by Jack Welch as he felt that smart people hire smart people.

He said: “Every time you hire someone that is not better than you, you have missed an
opportunity, because if you got all the answers, who the hell needs anybody else.” GE’s
core competence is the development of people and Welch’s greatest legacy was to
transform GE as the training ground of the world’s top business honchos. For example,
the other two candidates, namely Robert Nardelli and James McNerney who did not get
Welch’s job left GE to become CEO of The Home Depot and 3M respectively.
Hiring the right person takes good skill in recruitment. Sometimes, even with good
evaluation and hiring efforts, the employers do make the wrong hire. In such situation,
you need to try to redeem the situation or live with it or fire the employee and start the
recruitment process all over again.

However, in the situation of lean staff budget, you do not have the luxury of carrying
“dead wood”. It maybe necessary to fire the wrong recruit. Jack Welch saw nothing
wrong in delayering and downsizing incompetent people. To him, downsizing and
delayering were absolutely necessary, and not firing workers who were a part of a losing
business would have been more heartless than letting them go past the age of 50. Welch
the self-actualizer is also Welch the pragmatist and he sees these decisions as necessary
threads in the fabric of business. . “That is business,” added the GE Chairman. He also
explained it this way: “I think the cruelest thing you can do to somebody is give them the
head fake.nice appraisals.that’s called false kindness. A removal should never be a
surprise.”

On the other hand too, retaining the people that you want to keep has become a key issue
for organisations. When the key and talented people leave, there is a loss of experience
and knowledge as well as continuity. Yet, companies would rather spend the valuable
resources to recruit new talent from competitors than retaining the talent that they already
have.

http://www.corporateturnaroundexpert.com

Dr Mike Teng (DBA, MBA, BEng, FIMechE, FIEE, CEng, PEng, FCMI, FCIM, SMCS) is the author of the best-selling business book “Corporate Turnaround: Nursing a sick company back to health”, in 2002. In 2006, he authored another book entitled, “Corporate Wellness: 101 Principles in Turnaround and Transformation.” Dr Teng is widely recognized as a turnaround CEO in Asia by the news media. He has 27 years of experience in corporate responsibilities in the Asia Pacific region. Of these, he held Chief Executive Officer’s positions for 17 years in multi-national, local and publicly listed companies. He led in the successful turnaround of several troubled companies. He is currently the Managing Director of a business advisory firm, Corporate Turnaround Centre Pte Ltd, which assists companies on a fast track to financial performance. Dr Teng was the President of the Marketing Institute of Singapore (2000 - 2004), the national body representing some 5000 individual and corporate marketing professionals in Singapore

Free Party Games Free Fun for Everyone!

Once you have decided on a theme for your party it is easy to think of fun game ideas, but if you get stuck, free party game ideas are easy to find online. Of course the type of games you will play depends on the type of party, the age of the players, where the party is held, and other factors. Party games and activities add excitement and prevent boredom at parties. Party games and activities include puzzles, physical games, crafts, and brain teasers. Whether it is an adult party, a theme party, birthday, anniversary, wedding, bridal, or baby shower, games will add entertainment to any kind of party.

Party games, especially free party games and activities, are particularly effective when they are set to a certain theme or music, and are especially important at children’s parties where elimination games (such as musical chairs) are played. There should always be fun, quiet games at children’s parties, so if a child is “out” they have something to occupy themselves with, such as free party game theme coloring sheets copied, printed, and made available in a special “quiet” party section. Quiet activities are even needed at outdoor parties such as pool parties.

Free party games often are products of busy imaginations, or creative minds, but don’t feel bad if you need a little help with ideas from books, magazines, or online sources. There are so many fun, free party ideas available, and most of the props needed for the games cost very little or use items readily available in your home. Cutting masks for a Mardi Gras theme part, from black construction paper, and using left over fabrics, beads, sequins, glitter or glue, cost practically nothing, are limited only by the imaginations of the guests.

Cutting party hats for New Years Eve parties, from construction paper and using items you have at home, and white glue to decorate, can be great ideas for the children in your family. New Years celebrations are not only for adults and free party games and crafts can make all the difference, whatever type party you have in mind!

Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies (http://partysupplieshut.com), using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has a huge selection of free party games, coloring pages, word find, word scramble, printable baby and bridal shower activities. Tons of Free Party Games (Party-Games-etc.com) for every occasion, birthday, holiday and party theme including free printable games and activities. Plus, over 1,000 free baby shower games, bridal shower games, birthday party games and printable party games for kids parties. All the games have easy instructions. Also, printable activities for kids parties, baby showers, holiday celebrations and bridal showers.

Yoga for Kids Building Self-Image, Part 2

There is plenty of competition to go around in this world. If you are a Yoga teacher, you should not encourage competition within a Kids Yoga class. This is not easily done. Each child wants praise, but this can be accomplished by making your Yoga class a nurturing event, where every child who participates, can feel a sense of self-worth.

This atmosphere, which is designed by the Yoga instructor, will develop a child’s character “from the ground up.” Each child is unique and special in his or her own way. Children have to be taught to appreciate themselves as they are. Self-worth cannot be calculated by the skill of one single activity, and Yoga is the sum of many different activities, within a given class.

When I first started teaching Yoga to children, I began to integrate Vinyasa Yoga into the warm-ups of our children’s martial arts classes; some parents wondered why? Soon, some of the children, who had Attention Deficit Disorder, and other attention span problems, became more focused for the rest of the class. Still, other children, who regularly practiced Vinyasa Yoga warm-ups, started to develop a more pronounced muscular appearance. This may have been due to many factors, such as the cross training involved in practicing Vinyasa Yoga and martial arts, on a regular basis - while many other children, who attended these integrated classes, went home, did their homework, and slept better.

Eventually, we established a pure Kids Yoga class, and it was scheduled between two children’s martial arts classes. The children were enthusiastic and the parents were, and still are, very supportive. In the above-mentioned examples, different children gained different benefits from learning Yoga.

As children continue to learn Yoga, they should also be taught to refrain from comparing themselves to other children in the Yoga class. This is not easy for a Yoga teacher to do, but can be accomplished by teaching children to accept themselves as they are, and that trying their best is really good enough.

Regular attendance to Kids Yoga classes is the key to getting rid of emotional baggage. Children must be taught to appreciate themselves in a positive way, and the study of Yoga can give any child self-empowerment. When children gather and participate in Yoga instruction on a steady basis, they also make new friends. The parents who send their children to study Yoga sincerely care.

Therefore, any child who learns Yoga is surrounded by children of “like-minded” parents. Yoga training for children is, in essence, a controlled atmosphere - even though the Yoga class setting is relaxed.

© Copyright 2006 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Planes, Trains and Kids Tips from the Experts for Traveling with Children

As summer approaches and families are beginning their preparations for traveling - be it to summer camp, national monuments, or grandma’s house, the key is to be prepared. Family trips are often our best memories of our kids’ young years. The laughing, the discovery of new and exciting places, and for some just being away from home and experiencing life in a hotel room. While traveling with children can be enjoyable, any parent can tell you, a long plane or car ride can be challenging with little ones in tow.

In speaking with Penny Cohen, Child Development Specialist and Speech and Language Pathologist, she offered the following tips for traveling with children. Keep this list of tips handy when you start to pack - it will be a great resource and help everyone have a safe and memorable trip.

For happy travel with children:

Toddler Favorite Parties

When toddlers have a birthday, their favorite television shows often become the theme that their parties are centered around. It gives us the greatest pleasure in life to be able to give our children their every hearts’ desire.

If our child gets excited to see Blues Clues bouncing around the television, wouldn’t they be just as excited with a Blues Clues room and Blues Clues clothes and Blues Clues toys? To see the excitement in our toddlers faces as they point at their Blues Clues decorations fills us with the same excitement.

There are quite a few choices for your toddlers birthday party. Winnie the Pooh is probably the most popular and diverse theme. You can choose to have a Disney Winnie the Pooh party with the modern characters, or you can choose the classic Pooh theme with the story book characters. If you choose to go with the classic Pooh party, think about combining it with a story book theme. Ask guests to add to the childs book collection by bringing a book instead of a card. The centerpieces can be old books arranged neatly in a pile, or the favors themselves can be a small book for each guest.

You can also combine a music theme with The Wiggles theme. Use large letters and numbers as decorations for a Sesame Street theme. To find different items to match your toddlers birthday theme, visit www.character-party-supplies.com. To be realistic, it’s not the decorations that most excite the child at his or her party; it’s the freedom to finally be able to run wild and not get in trouble for it. If they want to dive head first into their cake and smear it all over their hair, what are the consequences besides a few messy pictures taken and the laughter of the adults who have come to share in the memory?

Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Free Party Games to help complete your birthday celebration.