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... railroad gauge of 4 feet 8.5 inches has its origins in the specifications for an Imperial Roman war chariot. The chariots were made just wide enough to accommodate the back ends of two war horses. So the next time you see an odd specification and wonder what horse's derriere came up with it, you might be exactly right. Here's the twist to the story: When a space shuttle is on its launch pad, it has two big booster rockets attached to the sides of the main fuel tank. These are solid rocket boosters (SRBs) . Thiokol Propulsion makes the SRBs at its factory in Utah. The engineers who designed them would've made them a bit fatter, but the SRBs travel from the factory to the launch site by train. The railroad line from the factory runs through a tunnel in the mountains. The SRBs had to fit through that tunnel. The tunnel is slightly wider than the railroad track, and the railroad track is just wide enough to accommodate two horses' behinds. So a major design feature of what is arguably the world's most advanced transportation system was determined more than 2,000 years go — by the width of a horse's derriere! Pegi Flahault, CPCU, ARM is the owner of pf enterprises, LLC, which specializes in agency operations. She can be reached at (317) 575-0018 or e-mail [email protected] . Login or Register (for FREE) to gain access to thousands of other great articles. Need more reasons to join? Need insurance for you, your business or your family? Get quality appointments - Save yourself a ...

... their business with seminars and other informational tools that (1 ) help stylists to perform their jobs better and (2 ) help their distributors to be more professional within the salon industry (which benefits all the manufacturers they may represent) . In both cases, the middle-man distributors and the actual hair stylists, Hikari utilizes audiocassette programming and live seminars to carry their message. So although insurance and scissors may be miles apart in product, they're remarkably close when it comes to innovative marketing. Let's first look at the programs for the end user: the hair stylist. Continual research has identified several problems affecting this group. One had to do with the scissors: the distributors weren't taking time to cover all the bases when delivering them to the buyer. Another problem was a high rate of carpal tunnel syndrome among stylists due to repetitive motion. A third problem area concerned new laws regulating the disinfecting of salon tools to eliminate HIV contamination. Other areas were also addressed, but those are currently the top three concerns. Firmly believing that people buy from people who help them, Hikari devotes a lot of attention to helping the hair stylists. Let's look at the solutions to the problems just mentioned: Delivery. Rather than relying on the sales rep to deliver the scissors properly, Hikari developed a delivery tape. This 15-minute audiocassette thanks customers for their purchase, explains the proper care and maintenance of the scissors, details the warranty procedure in case of a problem, and concludes with an 800 number for any questions. The cassette packaging also includes a warranty registration card that, when filled out and ...

... Grieb This content has not been rated yet. Pain involving the eyes, neck, back, shoulders, arms, and wrists have become common complaints of computer workstation users. My review of the latest research led me to conclude that these users experience no more stress than users of other technology unless they perform fragmented, repetitive tasks. Other factors causing stress include noise, dust, extreme temperatures, electromagnetic radiation, unsafe equipment, poorly maintained equipment, and workplace violence. Studies do, however, show increased cardiovascular arousal caused by such computer-associated anxieties as network breakdowns or the anticipation of them, interruptions, software bugs, and slow response times. Computer users with visual disorders must usually cope with intense monitor glare, improper lighting, poor display quality, and long, involved visual tasks. Carpal tunnel disorders (CTDs) of the upper extremities or repetitive stress injuries (RSIs), such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and tenosynovitis, appear most frequently in situations identified by stress, repetitive motion, and the poor constrained static postures of sedentary workers. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines work-related CTS injuries in job tasks involving various biochemical stresses or frequent repetitive hand movements. CTS injuries are often rooted in pushing motions, tool-grasping, awkward poses held for excessive periods, vibrating tools, or prolonged pressure on the base of palms. Studies have shown that computer workers who are denied adequate rest breaks might shrink in their spinal disk height. The combination of poor, static posture and psychosocial stress could increase muscle tension and fatigue at the workstation. Several studies have ...

... the tree produces! The tree is always in the process of change, growing and dying, as it loses its leaves in the fall, and grows new buds in the spring. The great oak will continue to live and grow until the day that the sap refuses to travel up the trunk, starving the branches. It declines and dies. Likewise, people are in a process of change, physically and mentally. On the outside, they are always growing new skin, hair, and nails. On the inside, people are always assimilating new information and experiences; they are continuously modifying attitudes and behaviors. The sap that fuels production is self-motivation. Without it, humans die, not physically, but emotionally, and shortly thereafter, mentally. The light at the end of the tunnel Some people walk around with a pulse, but without an emotional heartbeat: Nothing stirs them inside. Nothing excites them, except the coming of the weekend and simple pleasures. They're living for two days a week, instead of seven. Why do they dread the other five? They have no purpose, no goals or ambition. It's a chore for them to rise in the morning. Listen to many of the excuses that are verbalized: It's not my fault. I didn't do it. I don't have a college education. My parents didn't love me. The economy is down. No one is buying. I can't do it. I was born into a poor environment. People just price shop, what's the use? ' Self-motivation comes from a need to express oneself by ...

... to do with successfully marketing your agency — hard market or soft? Each cycle presents unique challenges and more importantly, requires re-strategizing and rewriting your agency's approach to sustaining and growing business. Over the years, I have observed that hard or soft market cycles often trigger reactions (based on legitimate daily concerns and pressures) that keep agencies from fully capitalizing on marketing opportunities to reinforce relationships with customers and business partners or to focus on new opportunities to fuel success. These same pressures can also lead to vulnerability to competitors. MARKETING PROBLEMS IN A SOFT MARKET The Hard Market Scramble: The sheer effort required to find and place coverage for clients often puts agents and brokers behind the eight-ball. They spend lots of time talking to underwriters, and not enough talking to — or communicating with — clients. Tunnel Vision: Buried in account placement headaches, it's easy to get lost in the immediate problem and not take time to move forward on what best delivers long-term potential: Identifying additional client needs, prospecting for new clients, and building strategic books of business. Fat Cat Syndrome: With revenue inflated by higher premiums and business pouring in, it's easy to adopt the attitude: Who needs more business? Who needs to advertise? Unfortunately, our clients have short memories. They can easily forget what else you can do for them, and can easily be attracted to and wooed by someone else who's making the effort to make contact. Selling Only on Lowest Price: In a hard market, it's great to come in as the hero who delivers the lowest price to a client, but it's ...

... library. We have thousands of articles, checklists, tip sheets, sales letters, and more! Communications Marketing Customer Service Planning Finance/Accounting Risk Management Human Resources Selling Legal and E&O Technology Life/Financial Services Glossaries Management Resources & Links Categories Popular Recent All Back Computer Ergonomics 4/30/2013 10:41:13 PM by CompleteMarkets Editor This content has not been rated yet. COMPUTER ERGONOMICS The advent of advanced computer systems did not make your life easier. More became expected of you! At first things seemed easier. You no longer had to get up and pull a file; just type Alt/F . Looking up the profits of a company during its fourth quarter was just a few more keystrokes away. And so it continued — until a condition called carpal tunnel syndrome became the primary injury faced by office personnel. Other computer-related injuries include neck and low-back pain. Most of these complaints can be resolved with a little ergonomic education and a change of habits. Correcting your posture, taking reasonable breaks, and using good equipment properly will go a long way toward preventing the pains-and expenses-of these injuries. DESIGN YOUR HOME' Set the top of your monitor at eye level directly in front of you. Adjust the height of your chair so that your feet are on the ground, your back is against the seat back, and your knees are level or slightly lower than your hips. Adjust the table's height so that your arms bend 90 degrees and your hands rest flat on the keyboard without having to be extended or flexed. Fit the low back support ...

... rated yet. What's your name again? ' They can't buy from you if they don't know who you are. Jack Burke offers advice for putting your name in front of those who matter in this document. Recently my good friend David Brady, a television/movie producer from , called to tell me that a publishing house absolutely loved a manuscript of a book that he'd recently finished. Unfortunately they weren't willing to sign a deal because he has no public name recognition, which creates problems in promoting the book. I could go down the list of movies and television shows he's produced, the many awards he has won, but the fact is that he's unknown outside of his industry. As a result, David hired a publicity firm to begin marketing his name. We tend to have tunnel vision about our own identities. We get accolades and bonuses from the companies we represent. We hang awards on the wall. We love the attention we get for participating in associations. As the saying goes, we sometimes become legends in our own minds. We feel that we're somebody and everybody knows it. Maybe in our industries (like David), but how much insurance do you sell to other insurance agents? The real questions are: How well known are you in the markets to which you sell? What are you doing to build your image — and for that matter, what image are you trying to build? How much name recognition do you really have in the marketplace? Have you branded yourself and your agency? To that end, here are some questions you might ...

... x No Thanks Loading.. Computer Ergonomics 4/30/2013 by CompleteMarkets Editor This content has not been rated yet. COMPUTER ERGONOMICS The advent of advanced computer systems did not make your life easier. More became expected of you! At first things seemed easier. You no longer had to get up and pull a file; just type Alt/F . Looking up the profits of a company during its fourth quarter was just a few more keystrokes away. And so it continued — until a condition called carpal tunnel syndrome became the primary injury faced by office personnel. Other computer-related injuries include neck and low-back pain. Most of these complaints can be resolved with a little ergonomic education and a change of habits. Correcting your posture, taking reasonable breaks, and using good equipment properly will go a long way toward preventing the pains-and expenses-of these injuries. DESIGN YOUR HOME' Set the top of your monitor at eye level directly in front of you. Adjust the height of your chair so that your feet are on the ground, your back is against the seat back, and your knees are level or slightly lower than your hips. Adjust the table's height so that your arms bend 90 degrees and your hands rest flat on the keyboard without having to be extended or flexed. Fit the low back support into the curve of your lower back. Do not place it so low as to push your buttocks forward, forcing your lumbar spine away from the supporting cushion. Adjust the armrests so that, with your arms at 90 degrees and yours shoulders completely relaxed and dropped, your ...

... Loading.. The Ergonomics of a Telemarketing Center 6/1 /2018 by CompleteMarkets Editor , Jeff Neilson This content has not been rated yet. Occupational illnesses suffered by telemarketers have risen from 18% of all illnesses in 1981 to 62% in 1992. You may have heard complaints of stiff or sore necks, backs, hands, wrists, arms, elbows, and shoulders. Or you may have seen an increase in Workers Compensation claims from insureds who have their own telemarketing or call centers. Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) is the label applied to a range of medical maladies that result from repeated stress and overuse of muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and related structures. If a body does not have enough time to repair itself between stress cycles, CTDs, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and other illnesses, could develop. To help prevent injuries, telemarketing center planners should design the office layout after defining the environmental requirements, which are based on the various job characteristics. They should consider whether the work is high volume, repetitious, etc. Some questions to ask are: Will there be heavy reliance on interaction with data terminals? What type of mobility will be needed? Does the telemarketer need easy access to supervisors? What training will be needed? What kind of turnover should be anticipated? Telemarketing center planners must also examine the telemarketers' needs, such as concentration, privacy, access to tools and other areas, office status, lighting, storage, comfort, and ability to adjust their work space. Comfort and ability to adjust to work ...

... Erin Carlson This content has not been rated yet. Workers' Compensation Insurance is an important product for employees. There are six common myths that surround this insurance, though. Debunk the myths so you can understand and maximize your benefits. 1. Small businesses don't need to offer Workers' Compensation Insurance. You may work in a small business with only a few employees. Federal and state laws dictate that most businesses with one or more employees must carry Workers' Compensation insurance. Be sure your employer carries this valuable insurance even if you are a solo employee. 2. I don't need Worker's Compensation insurance because my job is low-risk. Some jobs, like construction, farming and commercial fishing, are dangerous. However, even low-risk jobs include injury and illness risks. You could develop carpal tunnel while typing or slip and fall in the break room during lunch. Your employer will pay lower Workers' Compensation insurance premiums if you work in a low-risk job, and you absolutely must ensure you're covered no matter what type of work you perform. 3. I'm careful and won't get hurt. While you might have an accident-free employment history, it only takes a second for an accident to happen. Plus, some workplace accidents or injuries occur because of someone else's actions. Ensure you are covered by Workers' Compensation regardless of your careful track record. 4. My boss is like family, and I could never sue. It's great that you have such a good relationship with your boss and feel like family. However, you are still employer-employee. By law, your employer must ...