The Convenience of Prewired Raceways

For our customers’ convenience, we provide several electrical options for our modular buildings. Our hollow raceways which form part of the framing for our modular walls can house all sorts of electrical components, such as phone and data lines, AV jacks, power outlets, light switches, and even power-saving motion sensors for lighting. Our raceways are easily accessible with removable covers in case of removals, installations, or maintenance. We provide blank raceways in case our customers have their own projects in mind, and we also provide pre-wiring services for customer convenience. We can provide modular electrical systems for ease of use and prewired conduits and electrical boxes to house building electrical. Our raceways are also UL approved. The Underwriters Laboratory is a certification organization that rigorously tests products for safety. UL approval is a coveted badge of confidence on electronic products, and our walls are UL approved. Such approval allows our customers to be sure of their quality, and most important of all, their safety. So to give you an idea of the big picture and how convenient modular construction is, we’ll summarize the general process. You come to us with a project in mind and we work with you in designing the perfect building to fit your needs. We manufacture all of the components needed to build your building and then ship the components to your build site. Then all of the components are quickly and cleanly installed. The framing that holds the modular wall panels together are actually hollow raceways, where all sorts of electrical wiring can be added, such as power and data. Your modular building is installed on the spot and ready to go complete with lighting, wiring, and whatever else you need to carry out your business. A great way to do construction!

How Coffee Evolved Socially - A Spiritual Brew

Did you know that coffee was considered sacred among the Muslim Arab monks in Arabia. It's interesting to note that before the coffee bean became a liquid java, the juices from the berry were turned into a wine to be used during religious ceremonies. As time went on it was also known as a substance used by heretics and because of this it was quickly outlawed and prohibited by the Muslim community but that was short lived.
Coffee has certainly gone through many phases of acceptance and rejection starting from when it was first discovered to its modern day form of being the most popular social beverage in the world. No one can expect or predict what people thought back in the 16th century but one fact I found interesting was that the Mormons in the days of Joseph Smith through one of his many revelations said that all "hot drinks are not for the belly" this was interpreted to forbid drinking coffee or tea. This is quite a stretch from today's thinking especially in the advent of all the healthy Gano coffee products that are being advertised today.
Further study tells us that many religions today forbid caffeinated drinks and other stimulants simply based on small studies as showing an association between certain ailments, heart diseases and caffeine.
Coffee has certainly come a long way since the 16th century.  Coffee can be seen in many social aspects in our modern day lifestyle. It has essentially become a social lubricant in our society. The United States accounts for 25% of the coffee beans bought in the world and we have the largest market for coffee consumption.
China is also a very large market as well.   Popular today are coffee parties, it's a popular form of entertainment bringing people together, socializing and creating opportunities not normally found in mainstream everyday business.
Other aspects of our coffee culture are the introduction of new forms of healthy coffee. Ever since the Asians brought together the medicinal value of a certain mushroom called the ganoderma lucidum and began blending real Brazilian coffee beans and marketing them as a miracle potion for a healthy diet and the benefits of healthy Gano coffee products.   Good, bad or indifferent  this is just another contributing factor to the popularity of the coffee bean being used as a social and focal point for introducing the value of enjoying a flavorful blend of a low acidic coffee brew and turning a social event into money making opportunities for many who are on the healthy coffee kick.
 Another example of our coffee culture are the popular cafés notably "STARBUCKS".
Where many customers gather for friendship, while enjoying their favorite coffee blend, many people spend hours at these coffee shops.

The formation of culture around coffee and coffeehouses dates back to 16th century Turkey. Coffeehouses were traditionally social hubs, as well as artistic and intellectual centers. Perhaps this is where Starbucks got the idea from.   Coffee plays a large role in much history and literature because of the large effects the coffee industry has had on cultures where it is produced or consumed. Coffee in culture or trade is a central theme and prominently referenced in much poetry, fiction, and regional history.   Ralph J Ramirez , the coffee dude is an independent affiliate with Gano Excel and is involved with network marketing both on and off line. My mission is to introduce 5 simple steps for a great family lifestyle. Health, Wealth, Success, Community Service and Happiness.

Coffee - The Medical Elixir Of Life

Coffee ranks top amongst the non-alcoholic beverage consumed by the working class of people. Wirhtlin Worldwide, a market research company has reported that, North Americans consume 1.8 cups of coffee per day. While comparing this to water consumption statistics reveal that 20% North Americans do not water at all while 42% consume 2 glasses approximately. It is by far the one of the world's most admired and loved beverages. There was a massive speculation widespread by the medical community that coffee drinkers might suffer from the harming attribute it possesses.
The healthcare community has done its fair share of examining the effects of consuming coffee, and a consequent array of health cautions and encouragements have been issued about its regular consumption. Recent health reports have shown that normal consumption of coffee decreases the risk of Parkinson's, diabetes, and even lowers the risk of having colon cancer as low as 25% and a an 80% drop in the risk of having liver cirrhosis. The antioxidants in coffee are found responsible in controlling the growth of these cells. In the year 2000 a study was conducted by the Hawaii researchers that surveyed around 8000 men found that coffee drinkers were five times less likely to be infected by Parkinson's disease.

In addition to this the medical benefits of coffee include reducing the risk of alcoholic cirrhosis, risk of developing gallstones, risk of type 2 diabetes, headache/migraine severity, the risk of liver damage in people at high risk for liver disease , while improving the cognitive function and endurance performance in long-duration physical activities. The researchers from the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in California reported a 22 % daily reduction of liver cirrhosis risk from alcohol with each cup of coffee. Several studies have further proved that drinking coffee reduces the liver enzyme GGT to a greater extent, especially among heavy alcohol consumers. Though GGT is an indicator of cirrhosis risk, the liver enzyme ALT is a more specific indicator of liver injury.
Type 2 diabetes, an insulin resistance, has been in headlines in various health journals as a leading cause of fatty liver disease. Harvard researchers carried out a research for 18 years analyzing 1, 26,000 people found that people who do involve in the favourite morning drink, consuming one to three cups of coffee can reduce diabetes risk by 10%.While the consumers having six cups or more each day slashed men's diabetes risk by 54% and women's by 30%.Coffe along with antioxidants consists quinines that when injected to lab rats increased sensitivity. Coffee also has huge amounts of chlorogenic acid and tocopherols and magnesium.
According to a Harvard researcher regular coffee drinkers have about 1/3rd less asthma symptoms than those of non-coffee drinker's. People suffering from asthma reap the health benefits of drinking caffeinated coffee. Drinking caffeinated coffee during the situation of an emergency onset of asthma allows the patient to breathe easily. The Edinburgh Medical Journal, in Scotland, has evidences stating asthma and coffee are good for each other. The effectiveness is due to the similarities between caffeine and a tried-and-true asthma medication known as theophylline. The risk of asthma symptoms dropped by 28% when patients consumed three or more cups of coffee per day. Coffee contains natural antioxidants called 'flavonoids', are widely known as disease protectors. The benefits of moderate caffeine consumption that are recognized are; caffeine works on alertness, sensorial activity, mood, and memory.
As long as you have decided to proceed moderately with consciousness and you do not harbor another risk factor to prohibit coffee consumption, feel good about lifting your favorite cup of morning drink in support of your health.

Adam Akelis is a professional copywriter who has a sound knowledge on coffee all time favorite drink. Not only Adam, there are lot of coffee lovers all over the world interested on coffee intake. To know more on coffee, best gourmet coffee and gourmet coffee [http://www.bluehillcoffee.com] its benefits visit [http://www.bluehillcoffee.com] and to contact Adam Akelis adamakelis@gmail.com.

The Coffee Countries of East Africa

African coffees tend towards the exotic in flavors as compared to the more well know Latin American coffees. These flavors include what's described as fruity and floral with high acidity and medium body. Let's review several of the more popular African coffee growing countries.
Kenya
The king of African coffees, washed Arabica Kenya coffee, is considered overall to be of the highest quality on the continent as a result of years and years of production, very high standards, superior milling facilities and coffee experts. Located on the east coast of Africa, Kenya's Mombasa port has been a natural focal point of commerce for ages. The famous Rift Valley of Central Kenya where most of the people live. A fertile land from the tropical coasts, semi-desert north and the savannahs in the south, Kenya's agricultural products, primarily tea and coffee, contribute to half of the country's exports.
The primary coffee growing regions are located around Mt. Kenya, just north of Nairobi, the country's capital. This region has two distinct rainy seasons; the first is April-June which results in what's called "fly crop" and the second is October-December with its increased rain produces the "main crop."
Characteristics include a high acidity, full body, intense floral and fruity flavors.
Growing regions include: Meru, Kirinyaga, Muranga, Nyeri, Embu and several others.
Ethiopia
By most accounts considered the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia is located in northeast corner of Africa just north of Kenya, next to Somalia, Djibouti and Sudan. It is interesting to note that Ethiopia is the leading coffee consuming country in Africa, consuming almost half their annual production.
Ethiopian coffee is a prized coffee for its very unique flavors, most often a result of a combination of soil, terrain, weather and often the natural drying process of the coffee cherries in contrast to the washed processing of most Arabia coffees considered high quality Specialty varieties.
Characteristics depending on the variety may include: balanced medium body and acidity with winey sweet or floral flavors and blueberry notes.
The most popular varieties in the United States are Harar, Yirgacheffe and Sidamo.
Tanzania
The mainland is primarily a savannah plateau lying east of the famous Rift Valley, Tanzania includes the island of Zanzibar. In the north lie Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti National Park. With its tropical climate people are concentrated on the coastal region and in the north. Coffee is one of its main exports. Tanzania has several regions, north, south and west where coffee growing is found.
These Arabica coffees are mostly of the washed and fully washed varieties with the harvest season extending from April through December.
Characteristics include a balanced body with bright acidity and flavor. In the south we find more fruity flavors.
Popular varieties include Kilamanjaro, Makambako, Songea and Bukoa.
Burundi
This very small, but densely populated country borders Tanzania, Congo and Rwanda with a mountainous high plateau and tropical climate. A very poor country, most of its population survive through subsistence agriculture. Its coffee and tea earn 90% of its export dollars.
Primarily a washed Arabica variety, the harvest season extends from February through June.
Characteristics include a full body and bright acidity, typical of east African coffees. A long way from the ocean, processed coffee must be transported across land through Tanzania to the port of Dar es Salaam or through Kenya to Mombasa.
Zambia
Like Burundi, Zambia is a landlocked country lying just north of Zimbabwe, but actually bordering seven countries in all. With its tropical climate and high savannah plateau, Zambia has a long rainy season which goes from November through May.
Although primarily an Agrarian country, its economy is dependent on mining Copper, but reserves are declining. As a result, the government is promoting agriculture and coffee production is increasing. The harvest season extends from October through March producing a full-bodied washed Arabica coffee with the general qualities of an average African variety.
Raising quality is a priority and government experimental farms are helping to improve growing, harvesting and production techniques that are being shared with the coffee growing community.
Malawi
Another landlocked coffee growing country located at the southern end of the famous Rift Valley between Zambia and Tanzania, Malawi produces a small but good quality washed Arabica coffee harvest.
With a subtropical climate, its economy is primarily agricultural with 90% of the population living in rural communities. Although the country is a ward of the IMF and World Bank, independent coffee, tea, sugar and tobacco farmers are producing the main exports.
Coffee production is difficult as irrigation is required as a result of recent drought conditions and unpredictable rainfall. This situation restricts coffee production resulting in a small but quality coffee crop each year.
The washed Arabica beans are processed as fully washed coffee harvested from April through September producing a coffee of medium acidity and light body.

Author, Steve Josephs is CEO of Intellidon Marketing Solutions, whose family office coffee service business, the Great American Coffee Company, http://www.GourmetOfficeCoffee.com, is a premier Specialty coffee roaster and office coffee service provider in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan business community.
Copyright 2009 The Great American Coffee Company and Intellidon Marketing Solutions, Inc.
All rights reserved. Reprints are permissible when this Copyright statement and website link are included.

What Makes a Good Coffee?

When I was growing up, my Mom always prepared good rich coffee early in the morning.  My Dad, brother and I used to wake up to an aroma that was pleasant and invigorating and you knew it was time to get up to start the new day. I couldn't wait for the day to begin because I knew the first order of the day was that great coffee that Mom use to brew with a sock in the pot, wholesome milk and fresh ground coffee beans... the old fashion way.
Sitting at the breakfast table waiting for my Dad to say the blessing, the piping steamy aroma of a good coffee permeated throughout the entire house. To this day I still carry on that tradition, except for the fact that I don't use the sock like MOM did. Technology has changed that. The one thing I remember was taking my toast and butter and dunking every bite in MOMS rich roasted coffee.

I especially enjoy coffee with half and half cream and little sugar. Something about half and half that makes coffee taste so good. Sorry to you creamer addicts I'd rather have the real thing. Never once in those days did we think coffee was not so good for you. For the likes of all those studies, it is now confirmed that coffee is indeed Ok. For many of us who consume a good cup of coffee each and everyday making it a good cup is a ritual as well as important. What is a good cup of coffee?

It has to taste the same every morning and believe me; you'll know when you didn't get it right. The taste just isn't there. Many people enjoy a good cup of coffee, whether it is their morning pick-me-up or an after dinner beverage. And whether its espresso or a regular roasted brew, the type of roasted bean you already buy prepared makes a big difference in taste. Every brand that you see on the market shelf has its own unique roasting flavor.
What's your favorite?
So what is the fuss about coffee being bad for you and how it races your heart rate and how pregnant women shouldn't drink it..
Historically coffee has been with us for a very long time, and I cannot think of one instance where coffee actually killed anybody,  I'm sure there is a case or two somewhere on this earth, but has that affected consumption, not in the least.
It's still the 2nd largest liquid consumable, next to water, on this planet. Everyday there are new varieties and brands surfacing to gain the attention of our palate as well as our wallet.
 Many of us still drink coffee and we're still walking. Variety has always been the spice of life and moderation has always been the answer to long life. So when it comes to taste the difference in coffee brews, beans, roasting methods, does make a difference. There is lightly roasted, medium and dark roasted, all of which produce different textures and aromas.

 Freshly brewed is always best and now with the advent of convenience, health, specialty brews, flavored coffee blends are now taking the lead and quickly becoming the coffee of choice for many of us. Now that Starbucks has significantly downsized due to the economy and folks watching their budget, instant coffee sachets are becoming increasingly popular and are less expensive. Convenience packs toting, rich robust flavor are actually pretty good. Invigorate your body by drinking healthy coffee and relieving stress is the perfect pick me up for those on the go.
Certain coffees blended with these kinds of nutrients and antioxidants are not necessarily caffeine free but because they are brewed in such a way and roasted with quality beans the taste is as close to freshly brewed as you can get.
So what makes a good coffee, It is said that only the heart knows how to find what a good coffee is. Ralph J Ramirez , the coffee dude is an independent affiliate with Gano Excel and is involved with network marketing both on and off line.  My mission is to introduce 5 simple steps for a great family lifestyle... Health, Wealth, Success, Community Service and Happiness.

For fast start ordering visit here.. http://ganocafetoday.blogspot.com/ Click the tab on top.... cafe 2.0 order your coffee here
Ralph J Ramirez, the coffee dude. My mission, 5 simple steps for a great family lifestyle.. Health, Wealth, Success, Community Service and Happiness. The key to success is:
1. make your first order and try it
2. Say as little as possible
3. To as many as possible
4. As quickly as possible
5. And put them in front of an effective presentation.
Love what you do..
Enjoy a cup of Gano today..

Barista, What Do You Know About Specialty Coffee From El Salvador?

The barista looked back when he heard the question. He greeted one of his regular patrons who enjoyed talking about coffee while enjoying a cup or two of freshly brewed coffee. So, said the barista, you want to know about El Salvador coffee, right? Well, first of all, I have to say they do produce some very fine coffee in that tiny country. 100% shade grown in coffee plantations dispersed throughout the country in very rich volcanic soils that add to the bean quality. Coffee cultivation is an art in El Salvador. Families go back many generations proudly looking after their coffee beans and plants.
The patron then asked: when did coffee cultivation start in El Salvador? The barista replied: before coffee, indigo was the main crop in the country growing at all altitudes. At first, coffee was cultivated for domestic use only early in the nineteenth century. By 1880, however, coffee had become virtually the sole Salvadoran export crop. Unlike Guatemala and Costa Rica, the Salvadoran coffee industry developed on its own in a very entrepreneurial way. Basically, the Salvadoran coffee industry did not receive external technical and financial help. Was this good, asked the patron? Yes, said the barista. This made Salvadoran coffee growers become one of the most efficient coffee producers in the world. Despite some government intervention over the years in the coffee trade practices, El Salvador remains at a very high level of coffee cultivation efficiency. The benefits of coffee production on Salvadoran society has been very important for road building, hospitals, community development, education, social services, ecological programs and much more.
What about the Indian populations in the rural areas during the coffee expansion? That's an interesting question, said the barista. You see, unlike most Central American countries, El Salvador 's Indian population integrated very well into the national economy. The country's infrastructure development put Salvadorans from all regions more directly in contact with one another and accelerated cultural assimilation. For example, in the late 1980's, El Salvador did not have an ethnically distinct Indian population. Throughout the colonial era and prior to the twentieth century, the native communities of Pipil and Lenca, located mainly in the western departments, accounted for about 60 per cent of the population. The development of coffee estates ended the communal lands of native villages and incorporated the Indians into the general cash economy. They became, in fact, peasants and wage laborers. By the late nineteenth century, their assimilation was essentially complete.
Does this mean the Indian cultures were lost forever, asked the patron? No, not really. Obviously, some loss in Indian heritage, language and custom took place which is very regrettable. However, Indian groups continue to maintain religious activities, distinctive women's dresses that are very colorful and beautiful, language, handicrafts, and other customs. The Pepil Indian group, for instance, has made a very effective push into the specialty coffee market through a large coffee cooperative they established for their sweet, nutty certified organic coffee branded "Café Pepil." The Indians have embraced the concept of cooperatives in order to strengthen their economic situations.
By focusing on specialty and gourmet coffees, Salvadoran coffee growers benefit from growing market niches that pay premium price for great coffee. Take for instance the Pacamara varietal. As a coffee aficionado, I find this to be a fascinating hybrid. It is superior in cup quality to either its parent varieties which is unusual. As a coffee drinker, the large Pacamara bean is very interesting to hold and observe. The Pacamara cup is soft and complex and the bean size is always a conversation topic.
Barista, thank you for the interesting information you shared today with me about El Salvador. You are right: there is a whole lot of learning and opportunities in every cup. Drinking coffee is a great activity. May I please have a cup of freshly brewed Salvador High Grown Organic coffee? Aaah! This is great coffee indeed.

Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "The Gourmet Coffee Guy." He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.

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A Baker Did Not Originally Create Coffee Cake

According to the colonial period, a baker did not originally create coffee cake.
Coffee cake can be traced back well before that period. At first, they were delicious honey bars. Then it evolved into French galettes, which inspired fruitcakes and prompted others to try the sweet yeast roll, which gave way to the Danish coffee cake with actual coffee in the recipe. Ultimately, the cakes were baked in mass assembly and are now commonplace.
Recipes Brought To America
The suggestion of a coffee cake in the early days of North America was that of merely eating some good tasting sweet roll as you sipped from a coffee. The tradition most likely started in Europe in the seventeenth century. Those who record history have taken note that the Germans, the Scandinavians, and the Dutch transported their various formulas for the tasty pastry with them and consequently presented coffee cake to North America.

It is thought that the early adaptations of the coffee cake would remind you of bread more than cake. They were on the whole baked from flour, eggs, yeast, sugar, nuts, some dried fruits, and sweet spices. However, over the years the coffee cake has evolved and has begun to include cheese, yogurt, and various sugared fruits as well as a variety of creamy fillings.
German and Holland Communities
The German and the Holland communities during colonial times were well-known in New York, Delaware and New Jersey for their coffee cake. Their recipes are analogous to the recipes for the common pastry of that day. The Scandinavians preferred something sugary at coffee break, and so donated their skills to the development of the tastier cake. These Scandinavians were definitely very proud of their baking abilities. These migrants together with others arriving from Central Europe brought with them many ideas for the mid-morning break when a hot drink and something tasty to eat became a tradition that continues today.
Today these specialty cakes are characteristically seasoned with cinnamon, nuts, and fruits. Sometimes apples may be a common feature that is added to this tasty end of the dinner. One may hear the phrase "apple coffee cake." These cakes occasionally have a crumbly or crumb topping and a name changed to Streusel.
In the book "Listening to America," the author claims that in 1879 coffee cake became a well known term in America. Writers have ploughed through many old cook books and concluded that instructions for coffee cakes were made available for everyday homemakers during the colonial days by word-of-mouth. In addition, many of them would have been simply written down by hand and past on. There are plentiful selections of this kind of cake and a couple of the admired forms are the streusel and the crumb cake adaptation.

Jerry Blackburn repeatedly produces short articles on things similar to bunn coffeemakers. You might see his abstracts on bunn coffee maker over at http://www.coffee-espresso-maker-tips.com/bunn-coffee-makers.html and different sources for bunn coffee maker tips.

Face-to-Face Communication - Old Fashioned? Not!

It's unbelievable how dependent we've become as a society on electronic communication devices! E-mail, text messaging, PDA's, cell phones, video conferencing, blackberries, blueberries, rasberries, and more...have taken the place of good old fashioned, face-to-face communication leading to many interpersonal difficulties and miscommunications in today's workplace.
You may be thinking...Why improve my interpersonal skills when most businesses do 99% of communication by telephone, teleconferencing, videoconferencing, e-mail, and on rare occasions, snail mail. A popular way of thinking today...but, is it really the correct way? "Face-to-face communication remains the most powerful human interaction," says Kathleen Begley, Ed.D., author of Face-to-Face Communication, Making Human Connections in a Technology-Driven World. "As wonderful as electronic devices are, they can never fully replace the intimacy and immediacy of people conversing in the same room and it has worked for millions of years."
In business, we talk about "B2B" (business to business) and "B2C" (business to consumer) methods. I try to buck the trend (in a positive way!) to stress the importance of face-to-face communication. You'll hear me talk a lot about the "P2P" (people-to-people) connections and how important it is to get beyond technology and talk face-to-face with friends, family, colleagues, customers, vendors, and the like. You may think that's a bit old-fashioned, but in my opinion, there is no substitution for the human, up-close and personal contact. Don't get me wrong, there is a place for the terrific technology tools we have today and I use it regularly, but it's not always my first or best choice.
Several decades ago, John Naisbitt, in his mega 1960's best-seller, Megatrends: Ten New Directions Transforming Our Lives, brought a new concept to the forefront called "high tech, high touch." His idea was that "as human beings became capable of anonymous electronic communication, they would concurrently need more close-up personal interaction." Seems to me that he was right on target!
We live in a society when flocking to the local coffee shop or diner for coffee chats with business associates or friends is a testimony to our need for human togetherness, especially when most coffee lovers can make a latte or cappuccino right in their homes. Think about the fortunes coffee establishments are making on our need for face-to-face communication! The people-to-people connections...
We hear of the many children (and adults) who spend countless hours alone playing video games. However, The Game Manufacturing Association reported in 2003 that family board game sales (like Monopoly and Scrabble) are booming and growing at 20% per year. Cranium has recently come out with a whole new line of board games for our "little people" (ages 3+). The people-to-people connections start at an early age - if you haven't heard it, ask me to tell you my "Papa Zitto" story!
Even when disaster strikes and the news media bring these events into our homes and workplaces via TV, radio and the Internet, we seek out opportunities to share grief. I personally waited in line for almost three hours with hundreds of others to visit Ground Zero in New York when it opened to the public in December 2001. Many people also left makeshift shrines nearby to honor the victims of that tragedy. The people-to-people connections...

We lead hectic, multi-tasking lives both at home and in the workplace these days and we find the need for balance even more critical than in days gone by. We understand that technology can be impersonal, but it's quick! We know we need to make time for more people-to-people connections but, the reality of the hectic pace doesn't leave us much time for this more intimate form of communication. You may be thinking, isn't it much faster to make a quick phone call, send a brief e-mail, or hook up via video-conferencing to have a meeting of the minds? Yes and no. It's a communications paradox...faster is not always better.
So the better question may be, how can we make the best of both worlds - technology and face-to-face, people-to-people connections?
Just as fashions are redesigned and come back with a variation on a style from days-gone- by, I believe it is time for redesigning and revitalizing face-to-face (P2P) communication skills.
We need to get the balance right! People-to-people (P2P) communication skills remain one of the primary success factors in business, even in this age of technology. There are many situations - often those involving conflict, hurt feelings, high priority, or a large sum of money - that demand business people take the time and trouble to get in the same room to share information. Video-conferencing has become a good simulation and cost-effective method when individuals are in remote locations, but there is still no substitute for good, old-fashioned, face-to-face communication.
Don't take my word for it...Let's take a look at what some of the experts are saying.
Tom Peters, internationally known business guru, says without reservation that you should constantly attend to your face-to-face communication. Not to do so, will lead to career disaster. "We believe in high tech, high touch," Peters writes. "No question, technology is the Great Enabler. But, paradoxically, now the human bit is more, not less, important than ever before."
Sheila Hodge, author of Global Smarts: The Art of Communicating and Deal Making Anywhere in the World, says "The modern office is full of gadgets - computers and the Internet, uplinks and downlinks, videoconferencing, and online databases. Many people think they should let the fancy technology handle the messy task of interfacing with people."
Jo-Ellan Dimitrius, in her book Reading People, talks about how young, technically oriented employees tend to communicate mostly in computer chat rooms. "If you want to become a better communicator, you must make a conscious effort to engage other people (in person)," she writes. "Even the most entrenched Internet junkie can learn the true meaning of 'chat' if the desire is there, but you have to get off the couch and make it happen."
Gary McClain and Deborah Romaine in their book, The Everything Managing People Book, put it this way..."Consistent, daily face-to-face communication promotes more than just good feelings; it also promotes effective and collaborative teamwork."
"One of the most critical areas of communication to get right in business is the one-on-one situations - especially offering advice, constructive feedback, and annual performance appraisals," says Chris Roebuck in Effective Communication.
One of my favorite quotes stated very simply by Margaret Wheatley, Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope for the Future, says "I can believe we can change the world if we start talking to one another again."
Sounds like we're on to something here...So, what can you do? Start out by taking an honest look at your communication methods and your attitude about technology vs. (P2P) face-to-face interaction. Are you e-mailing more and meeting less for financial reasons? Are you avoiding human contact mostly because of a lack of interpersonal skills? If the latter is true, you need to take action before it's too late.
The next time you are tempted to send an e-mail, text message or make a phone call for other than routine purposes, stop! Get back to basics. Go out of your comfort zone and, instead, send the e-mail, text message or make the call to set up a face-to-face, in person meeting with the person behind the technology! Why? Because it works!
Make the people-to-people connections... You and your business will be glad you did!
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Mary Jane (MJ) Paris, Founder and President of Positive Impact Consulting Services, LLC in Shelton, CT, brings a broad base of experience to her practice gained from more than 25 years in people management, sales, retail banking, training, recruiting, coaching, project management, event planning and community leadership.
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Great Business Opportunity for Coffee-Loving Entrepreneurs

Do you love coffee? Are you health conscious? How would you like to start a rewarding new business? Opening your own coffee shop could be the opportunity of your dreams.
An article in Forbes online says, "According to the NCA [National Coffee Association], 80% of Americans drink coffee, and more than half of the population drinks it every day." Wow! How often do you find a product that 80% of the population wants, and half of us consume every day? In addition, coffee shops have become the social hubs of our communities. Did you know that a new Starbucks store opens somewhere in the world every day?
Coffee for health
An Arabian legend tells of a goatherd who made a beverage from berries growing on strange shrubs, and after drinking it experienced extraordinary lucidity and wakefulness. The shrubs were said to have been planted by the descendants of the Queen of Sheba, who came from Ethiopia, where Coffea arabica originates.
The Forbes article adds, "Despite earlier beliefs that coffee has negative health effects, it is becoming increasingly clear that the opposite is in fact the case. Coffee consumption is now being linked to the lowered occurrence of cases of certain cancers and chronic diseases. One study, conducted by the Harvard University School of Public Health, shows that the risk for developing Type II diabetes is lower among regular coffee drinkers. There are even studies that link coffee to added endurance during physical workouts."

Many of coffee's healthful qualities come from its abundance of antioxidants. The health benefits of coffee include:
--Reduced risk of cancer, especially colon and bladder
--Increased good (HDL) cholesterol; decreased bad (LDL) cholesterol
--Reduced risk of heart disease
--Reduced risk of strokes
--Reduced incidence of kidney stones and liver cirrhosis
--Reduced incidence of Type 2 diabetes
--Reduced risk of Parkinson's disease

--Decline in levels of depression and anxiety
--Asthma relief
--Relief of malaise associated with the common cold
--Increased speed of information processing, alertness, energy, endurance, motivation, and concentration (with important implications for night shift workers and for drivers, as well as anyone wanting to remain productive on the job after lunch)
--Soothes headaches (caffeine is a vaso-constrictor--that's why it's a major ingredient in headache remedies)
--Science has debunked myths that caffeine contributes to breast cancer, bladder cancer, ulcers, indigestion, and osteoporosis
--Harmless during pregnancy; children are no more sensitive to caffeine than adults

--Last but not least, caffeine stimulates metabolism
Not to neglect tea or tea drinkers: according to Tribute to Tea online, "Tea's rising popularity has encouraged entrepreneurs to open tea shops around the country, even in rural communities such as Newton, N.J.; Carefree, Ariz.; and Anoka, Minn., where people sit for a while and enjoy a pot or a cup. And even in coffee-loving Seattle."
Tea holds its own in the health department, too: it's a source of flavonoids; vitamins A and B6, thiamin, and riboflavin; nicotinic, pantothenic, ascorbic, and folic acids; manganese, potassium, and fluoride. Tea is being studied for its benefits in enhancing immune function, lowering LDL and raising HDL levels, reducing blood pressure, thinning blood, reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cancer, increasing longevity, aiding digestion, and promoting dental health.

What about the addiction question? Neither coffee nor other caffeine-containing products are classified by drug dependence experts as addictive. Coffee drinkers do not exhibit the behaviors that define addiction--severe withdrawal symptoms, tolerance, the need to consume the addictive substance at all costs, and antisocial behavior including crimes.

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Coffee, Anyone? Building Community Once Again

Coffee has come to define our culture. It helps us keep up with our fast-paced world; and then when we're sick of that same world, we connect over coffee.
The latter reason naturally follows from the former. People today feel busier than they have ever felt and they need relief. Interestingly, though, if you look at time studies, we actually have more free time today than people did a generation or two ago-we just feel more stressed. I don't think this is because people a generation ago were of higher fortitude. Instead, we've lost the thing that relieves stress. We have lost community: that decompression chamber that brings us back to reality, reminds us what matters, and simply gives us a place to know and be known.

Community often involves coffee. You stop in at a neighbour's house to share a cup. You take a break at work for a coffee with a friend, or join another friend who needs to talk in a coffee shop. Too often, though, we drive through the take out window alone because we don't have people to grab a cup with.
This need for community does not evaporate along with a take out medium double double. It's a real need that each of us has. We need a place where people know us, accept us, and even challenge us to be all that we can be. There's honesty in community, and not just the empty "Hi, how are you doing?" that so many of us share, followed by that inevitable word, "Fine."

Where are we going to find that kind of community? People live far from family, so they lose their most natural connections. Work relationships, too, are often superficial. We share some drinks at the Christmas party and socialize at the summer picnic, perhaps, but we may never see each other outside of work hours normally. Few today know their neighbours. At Wal-Mart greeters may say "Hi" and McDonald's servers may meet you with a smile, but while this is nice, it's hardly fulfilling.

We are not the only ones to feel this lack of community. Children need it, too. Kids used to grow up in community. They lived close to aunts, uncles, and grandparents, so that they were known well by adults who were not their parents. They went to church or other religious communities and met people they weren't related to but who still cared about them. The only adults some children know today are their teachers, yet kids need other adults for role models.
When you get off work, it's easy to just want to collapse in front of the television. However, our needs would be met far better by getting up off of that couch and turning on the barbecue. Invite some neighbours you've always yearned to know over for some burgers. Drop off some cookies to someone who just moved in. We all need a place where people know our name, and not just because they read it on a nametag at work. Our kids, too, need to know people of different ages to better make the transition to adulthood. So let's put the coffee pot on, turn the barbecue up, and turn the TV off. Create that community we desperately long for! And maybe then you won't need to linger at the Starbucks drive-through, all alone.

Sheila Wray Gregoire is the author of four books, including To Love, Honor and Vacuum: When you feel more like a maid than a wife and a mother. Do you need help organizing your home? Get your FREE household organization charts, including chore sheets, organization checklists, and more!

Coffee and Carnations Colombias Biggest Exports

In figures recently published, the first three months of 2007 have been exceptionally profitable for Colombia, showing an increase in Colombias G.D.P by 8.09%, the highest growth the country has experienced in 29 years.
Further to this, the country has also enjoyed the direct investment of USD 3.72 billion value so far this year. An increase of 3 times that which was invested last year.
The countrys geographic location to the United states and to Europe, the increase in domestic security, low inflation rates and a strong export industry are cited as the factors which have contributed to the recent steady economic improvement which according to these early figures, looks set to continue for now at least.
The most profitable exports Colombia offers include petrol, gold, and bannanas, but two of it's biggest products, coffee and fresh cut flowers continue to lead the economy in economic return.
Thanks to the efficiency and speed of the Internet as a key tool of order and delivery in the florticulture industry, global demand for floral produce has increased dramatically since the mid 1990's.
As well as traditional occasions for giving flowers such as wedding, funerals and birthdays, the conveneince of being able to order and send flowers quickly has made them a poular gift choice of convenience, for last minute or 'forgotten' occasions. As well, an increasing number of consumers are purchasing flowers for personal use, to decorate homes and office foyers all over the world.
The Flower Council of Holland reports that consumption of fresh cut flowers in the United States is now worth USD $8880 million per year, spent by an average of 28% of American households. But relative to the market in Europe, of which an average of 60% of households spend money on flowers, the profit potential in this industry is enormous.
While commercial production of flowers only began in Colombia in the 1960's, relatively late compared to an already flourishing industry in Western Europe, Colombia now owns the second largest export market for its fresh cut flowers, second only the The Netherlands.
The geographic location of the country and its temperate climate, providing perfect growing conditions for a variety of popular stems gives Colombia a strong advantage for success in the florticulture business, with beautiful fresh flowers in close range for fresh deliveries to the flower markets in Europe and the USA.
Today, 3 out of 4 flowers sold in the United States are now produced in Colombia, there are close to 1 million people making their income from the industry, with more than 170,000 direct and in-direct jobs produced by the market demand.
Asocolflores, the independent association that represents the growers in Colombia, cites the flower industry as one of the most important for Colombias economic future. As well as the increasing profits from consumer demand, florticulture is an industry that encourages employment opportunities for women, who account for more than 65% of the industrys workforce.
The organisation provides support for these workers and their families, including housing finance assistance, as well as recreation, education and childcare support programs, contributing to the the well being of members of the industry, and in turn, the overall well being of the greater community.
In the coffee industry, Colombia is one of fifty countries that supplies the worlds demand for coffee. The Jesuit missionaries brought coffee plants with them as early as the 1800's where they found ideal conditions for their crops to thrive. Coffee has been growing in Colombia ever since.
The high altitude of the main coffee regions such as Bogota and Bucaramanga provide rich, volcanic soil, a steady mild temperature and high rainfall, allowing the industry today to produce coffee beans all year round, with the main harvests being in October and April or May. Today, Colombia is home to more then 500,000 independent growers.
During the 1990's tough competition was presented from rival coffee exporters in Asia and Africa, to meet a growing demand from consumers around the world. The coffee produced in these countries flooded the market, bringing prices to record lows that looked set to destroy what was once one of Colombias most lucrative export industrys.
Since then, Colombias coffee industry has struggled to retain its position as one of the top coffee exporters of the world, but its reputation for quality beans with a rich aroma and strong flavour has helped seal a deal that looks set to cement the future of the industry for the next few years at least.
As the Latin Business Chronical reported in May this year, The Colombian Coffee Federation signed a deal with Coca-Cola for the distribution of Colombia's coffee to the consumer giant's portfolio of 425,000 restaurant clients in the United States.
The deal is set to tip the balance of market growth back into Colombias favour, with an expected increase in export growth of 4% in total value, compared to the dissapointing 0.22% result in 2006.
Like the Asocolflores association supporting the cut flower industry in Colombia, the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia provides many social service benefits to members of the coffee industry and their families.
The organisations stated mission is 'to help Colombian coffee growers develop agronomic expertise, improved living conditions and to promote Colombian coffee to the world,' and it does so by providing assistance in the form of quality assurance standards and testing, education, healthcare and improved infastructure to coffee growing communities, particularly in the more remote communities of the country.
Colombia's thriving export activities, and indeed the stability of the rest of the economy is good news for not just the world's consumers, but also for the people of Colombia. They are beginning to experience the trust of the global community in their countrys future, bringing with it better opportunity for employment and the improvement of social, political and environmental challenges the country has struggled with for many years

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Buying Organic Coffee Online

For those who have no intention of kicking their coffee habit anytime within the near future, at least you can contribute to a worthy cause by partaking in organic or fair trade brands instead. Even though the prices of organic coffee are still considerably higher than those of well known, standard brands, one can sip contently on their cup of coffee once they learn about how the extra dollars spent are helping save the world's leading coffee plantations, encourage like minded practices within the coffee communities, and help to establish safe and environmentally conscious coffee manufacturing plants.
"Café Altura" offers a wide range of whole bean and ground coffee to potential consumers that are all Fair Trade Certified. The Sumatra is ideal for those who enjoy partaking in dark coffee, with its rich roast that is perfect with a slight sweetener or sugar-free syrup. A gourmet line that maintains its commitment to sustainable agriculture and fair trade practices, Altura coffee ships worldwide, and also offers a range of Biodynamic coffees, sampler packs, and custom blends.
"Grounds for Change" is a family owned and operated coffee roasting business and company that offers a delectable range of shade grown, fair trade, and organic certified blends. This family orientated company also donates at least 1% of its annual sales to "1% For The Planet", and thrives for positive change within its business by using renewable fuel, biodegradable manufacturing supplies, and by recycling all freight pallets. They offer a variety of medium to dark roasts, as well as low-caff and decaffeinated blends, including Espresso!
"Higher Ground" cnffee company also offers fair trade, organic, and shade grown certified blends, as well working with nonprofit organizations including Oxfam, the Literacy Council, Freshwater Land Trust, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy as part of its social responsibility initiative. Consumers may also choose to purchase nonprofit partner blends if they have a preference for donations.
When it comes to purchasing organic coffee, just remember to keep an eye out for the Organic Fair Trade stamp of approval on participating packages.

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