Numero Uno: Top of the Heap

Who is Number One?

Business & Finance Comments Off

Jul 092012

In business, someone’s on top and someone’s on bottom. Someone is climbing and someone is descending. The ladder of success is full of movement. What direction are you moving in?

Here at Numero Uno, we’re looking at all kinds of businesses and business concerns, but we especially love looking at trends: Who is number one or rising? Who is on top? What’s the best, the richest, the trendiest, the safest, the smartest? If you’re numero uno, we’re interested in you.

Who is #1 on the Inc. 500 list for 2011? The Inc. 500 is a list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States, and has all kinds of interesting data.

The fastest growing company in the U.S. is Ideeli (www.ideeli.com), New York-based retail site for members only. Boasting 4 million members, Ideeli is #1 overall, as well as #1 in Retail and #1 in New York City. Congratulations to Ideeli!

The top five on the Inc. 500 list are #1 Ideeli (Retail), #2 Solazyme (Manufacturing), #3 C2C Outdoor (Advertising & Marketing), #4 Big Night Entertainment Group (Food& Beverage), and #5 Crystal Clear Technologies (Government Services). While looking at overall trends in business, it’s fascinating to note that the top five groups have no overlap as to industry: Success can come from anywhere (which is why Numero Uno is committed to a diversity of postings). As a matter of fact, if you look at the top 20 companies on this list, you’ll find a total of 14 different industries. To you, the business owner, that means success is wide open and can come to you regardless of whether you’re in a “growth” or trend industry.

As to the trends, Real Estate was the biggest growth industry, yet it doesn’t appear in that top 20 list. Next are Government Services, Telecommunications, Financial Services, Insurance, and Security. Internet companies were by far the fastest-growing.

Tattooing in Polynesia

Hobbies, Recreation Comments Off

Feb 262013

Lying on the central and southern part of Pacific Ocean is Polynesia, a location made up of over a thousand islands that has of late become one of the major tourist destinations in the world as it draws different people from across the globe, people who visit not only for the purpose of enjoying their holiday but to learn about the location’s rich history and culture as well. When it comes to culture, majority of those visiting Polynesia never fail to receive Polynesian tattoo art on their bodies.

Tattooing is an integral part of Polynesia culture. This is so because there was no writing about the culture of the Polynesians who instead tattooed their bodies as the only way of identifying themselves and expressing their personality. Indeed, Polynesians used this form of art to express their rank, lineage and sexual maturity. This literally means that all Polynesians including women and children were tattooed. Unlike tattooing in other regions of the world, tattooing symbols in Polynesia had their meanings.

Although part of their culture, tattooing in Polynesia diminished in 1797, the year when Christian missionaries arrived at the location. The missionaries immediately banned tattooing, a move that saw many artists give up their trade. This form of art was however revived in 1980 when over four hundred traditional tattooing designs that had been stacked away by missionaries were made available. Tattooing with Polynesia symbols is now very popular across the globe.

It is perhaps only in Polynesia where tattooing artists still make use of traditional tattooing tools made of bones fixed on wooden handles. This is not to say that tattooing machines are not available. It is only that majority of those visiting Polynesia prefer to be tattooed in the traditional way, which provides for clear and permanent work of art on their bodies.

Because of its popularity, tattooing with use of Polynesia symbols has spread to different regions of the globe. Artists from across the globe now make it a point to learn of the symbols to effectively serve the needs of clients who wish to receive the same. While some artists specialize in general aesthetic Polynesia tattooing, others specialize in symbolism Polynesia tattooing. There are however artists who do both.

The fact that Polynesia tattooing symbols makes it necessary for those who wish to be tattooed to understand the meaning of the symbols that they choose. A professional artist should be able to explain the meaning of the different symbols for the benefit of their clients.

What Goes Into Preparing a Cleanroom?

General, Health, Beauty, & Fitness Comments Off

Sep 062012

Properly preparing a site for any kind of work can be daunting. This can be even more true when it comes to setting up a cleanroom. Cleanrooms require specific protocols to be followed, and this starts from the very beginning during the preparation phase. Preparation will obviously require a lot more than buying cleanroom swabs and gloves. So what exactly does this process entail?

The first step is to choose and alter a building or design one for this purpose. During this phase, it’s necessary to know what features the cleanroom will need. This is dependent on the level of the cleanroom, which determines its cleanliness requirements. For example, an air shower may need to be added to certain cleanrooms, while it’s unnecessary for others. Some just have an air lock with no air shower. Durable equipment such as HEPA filters and air conditioners will also need to be properly placed.

Staff will also need to be trained so that they know what procedures to follow and what isn’t allowed. This is also dictated by the level of the cleanroom. For example, workers in a higher level cleanroom may not even be allowed to wear perfume due to the risk of contamination. Workers should always know what is expected of them. Improperly trained staff will make errors that may jeopardize the project.

It’s also necessary to find a supplier of cleanroom products. Staff will need many things during their work time, from masks to tacky mats. Other common cleanroom supplies include coveralls, shoe covers, wipes and mops. It’s important to find a company that specializes in specially designed cleanroom products. Regular products are not suitable for this kind of environment, where even lint is a contaminant. The Cleanroom Supply Connection offers all of these products and more and even has a program to help companies set up their cleanroom.

My Experience with Hard Water

Business & Finance, Small Business / Entrepreneurship Comments Off

Aug 022012

I grew up in a big city and never had any concerns about my water, where it came from, or the quality. That is, until I got married and moved to Texas. We bought a ranch miles away from the closest town and all of our water is supplied by a well. After encountering numerous problems, I did some searching online and came across kineticotx.com. The information I found there was a huge help in getting my water problems under control.

The first thing I noticed about our well water was the taste and smell. There is no way to put this delicately. It smelled and tasted like rotten eggs. After doing some research I discovered the primary reason for this was the sulfur that is in the water. This is easily resolved by using filters on the faucets from where we get our drinking and cooking water. We opted for a filtration system on the kitchen faucet and also had a separate drinking faucet installed which has extra filters. We purchased a water pitcher that has a built in filter and keep this filled with water in the refrigerator for drinking. These solutions have eliminated the sulfur taste and smell from our drinking water. I also noticed that the clothes weren’t getting as clean when I washed them, and it was more difficult to feel clean after a bath or shower. After reading all of the helpful information on kineticotx.com, I discovered this was due to hard water. Hard water contains calcium, magnesium, and iron which can cause dry skin, bathtub rings, and dingy clothing. Installation of a household water softener resolved this issue for us.

The experts at American Water were happy to help me with all of my questions and resolved our issues promptly. If you have concerns about your water quality, please give them a call.

Speedy Customer Service

Business & Finance, Small Business / Entrepreneurship Comments Off

Jul 282012

Isn’t
it always this way? Whatever happens, will happen at the most
inopportune time. There is a name for it. It is called “Murphy’s
law.” Well, Murphy and his law found their way into my home on
one of the most exciting and stressful weeks of my life. We were
having my daughters’ wedding in our garden. There were people in and
out of my home for the last month. It was beginning to feel like
Grand Central Station. We had caterers and florists visiting almost
daily and the shopping that was being done was amazing. At the
hottest time of the day, just a few days before the wedding, our air
conditioner decided to quit working. We needed a repair service in
the area of Portland, OR. A HVAC specialist, with a speedy service
record, was contacted.

The
company we called had worked for us in the past and they always
provided outstanding service and fair and competitive prices. Mr.
Nash is a Rheem Team Member and recognized as a top contractor. The
company is also an accredited business in the Better Business Bureau.
The company has been a part of the community in Portland, Oregon
since the early 1980′s and has a sterling reputation here.

We
were not disappointed. They arrived at our home and, after a quick
inspection, found the problem and remedied it. Our out of town guests
who would be staying at our home for my daughters’ wedding would not
have to suffer in the summer heat along with the rest of my family.
The job was completed days before the wedding and our preparations
were able to go on as planned.

If
you are in the Portland, OR area and have a HVAC emergency of any
kind, you may want to remember the name of Portland HVAC Heating and Cooling.
This company has never let us down with our heating or air
conditioning needs.

Get your lawyer sooner rather than later

Business & Finance, Small Business / Entrepreneurship Comments Off

Jul 252012

Small businesses have to follow the law or face serious
consequences. Sometimes a simple oversight can have massive financial
implications for a company. State and Federal laws are extremely complex
so it’s important that even small businesses have a lawyer on retainer
to help them foresee potential pitfalls. I was reading this site’s blog belonging
to a personal injury lawyer in Houston. It told the story of a childcare
company that decided to cut a few corners. I never went to daycare, so I
can’t say how common this is, but the daycare also takes their kids out
on field trips. Sounds great, right? Who doesn’t love a good field
trip.

I rode a school bus to school as a kid. I never had a seat
belt on the school bus. School buses are actually specifically designed
so that they don’t need them. There is some debate about it, but most
people agree that kids don’t need seat belts on school buses. But this
daycare service doesn’t use school buses to transport their kids. Instead,
they pile them into a van. They load sixteen kids total whose ages
ranged from six to twelve into a van. There were also two adults in the
van. That brings the total number of passengers in the van to 18. How
many of these people were wearing seat belts?

Actually that
question is not the important one. For even if every one of them were,
they would be breaking the law. The law requires that students being
transported to and from school and field trips and other similar
activities be transported in marked vehicles. This allows other drivers
to be especially careful. The van collided with a pickup trip and this
resulted in a previously unscheduled field trip to the hospital. None of
the kids died or were seriously injured. But the daycare company is now
in serious legal trouble. They are also likely on the losing side of
multiple legal claims.

Software, Warehousing, and Trust

Business & Finance, Operations Comments Off

Jul 222012

It can be difficult to find good software providers for your warehousing and manufacturing business. There are a lot of companies that promise they can provide you with the most up to date technology, only for you to find out later that it’s relatively outdated. These software programs can be extremely expensive and you should be very thorough when you are comparing ERP-Implementation-Services.

There are many different types of software that are offered that cover a myriad of different industries. Some of the industries that can benefit from this software include the life sciences, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. It is very important that your company be able to track their inventory because of the volatile nature. Using the right software is something that can cut way down on the potential for lost products. A good company is willing to stand behind its product, too. When you are shopping for a software provider and you are comparing their benefits, take a warranty and 24 hour support into consideration. A company that is willing to offer you live help, whenever you need it, believes in their product and values their customer. A company that merely sells you a product and then tells you that you’re on your own, cannot be trusted. Warehousing and manufacturing are two industries that can truly benefit from this type of software. These are often very large companies, with many offices, spread way out. You want your employees to be able to communicate within the system so that they can keep an eye on what’s going on. You don’t want Employee A to remove something from inventory and have Employee B not know this. This is the type of business practice that can lead to unhappy customers. Everything of importance should be able to be accessed via online technology. For more information you can visit Tgiltd.com.

Why I Chose to get a LEED Certification

Business & Finance, Operations Comments Off

Jul 192012

When choosing my career, I knew I wanted to do something in a field that was eco-friendly. After doing much research, I discovered programs designed around leadership in enterprise and design, LEED for short. From there, it was a short jump to making the decision to take LEEDs certification classes.

Obtaining this designation allows me to consult with and inspect buildings so they can obtain their LEED certification. Some of the things I look for are improved energy savings and water efficiency. I also inspect to see how their environmental quality is indoors including reduction of CO2 emissions. Depending on the data that is found, I can then award the building a LEED designation that is one of four levels: certified, silver, gold, and platinum. It was surprisingly easy for me to find a program that offers classes and instruction on obtaining this type of licensure. There are many ways in which you can get LEEDs certification. You can take classes, like I did. Other options are to be involved with a certified LEEDs project within three years of taking your exam. Because this may be difficult for some people, there are many institutions that offer courses which will give you the training you will need to pass the exam with flying colors.

I enjoy having my LEED AP designation because it gives me a chance to do my part to ensure area businesses are as green as they can be. I like knowing that I am making a positive impact on our environment and making it possible for future generations to enjoy our planet. If this sounds like something that interests you, one of the best places you can go for more information is Green Work Experience. The experts there will be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Questions to Ask Before Attending Golf School Florida

Business & Finance, Small Business / Entrepreneurship Comments Off

Jul 092012

Even if you do not plan to become a professional golfer, you can still have a great vacation and athletic experience by attending Executive Golf School Florida. But before signing up for an intense golfing education, you should find out the answers to the following questions.

What is the student to instructor ratio? Ideally, you should try to find a golf school Florida that offers 1:1 or 2:1 student to instructor ratios. However, if you are on a strict budget you are probably better off with group classes than not going at all.
How many hours of actual golfing are included in the tuition package? Watching an expert golfer tee off is a great experience and can potentially help your game, but you also want to make sure you get plenty of hands-on golfing experience.
Is lodging included in the price? Some golf schools have all-inclusive packages which include accommodations, but you must ask.
Is there a discount at the pro shop or on tee times taken outside of the golfing classes? If you are paying top dollar for private, semi-private or group education you should negotiate for some type of discount for related services.
Is equipment provided? Some golf instructors want you to use your own equipment rather than the clubs at the site; be sure to ask what you need before taking the lessons.
Are the instructors experienced PGA professionals? Good schools will have instructors with at least 10 to 15 years experience as well as some former tournament winners. The more popular the instructor, the more money you will spend.

Asking these basic questions will help ensure you truly improve your game while having a memorable vacation experience. Investing in golf school Florida is something a number of hobbyists do every year. Some schools even have programs for your children or grandchildren to help create an unforgettable family vacation.

Bad Debt

Business & Finance, Loans/Mortgaeges Comments Off

Jun 162012

Today I was getting off the bus and someone bumped into me. I quickly touched my back pocket where I keep my wallet to make sure no one had stolen it. It was still there. I’ve never been robbed by a pickpocket. Yet, daily I find myself checking to see if anyone has stolen my wallet. This is a habit I’ve had since I moved to a big city ten years ago. I’m sure I am not the only one preoccupied with this.

I would venture a guess that almost anyone who lives in a city does what I do. The fear of having a thief reach into your pocket and take out the money that you work hard to earn is such a basic fear that I think it’s fair to call it universal. However, many Americans choose to live in debt. They go into debt early, usually late teens and early twenties and stay in debt for their whole life. At no point along the line do they have a credible plan to get themselves out of debt. Making
their payments and acquiring more debt are the cornerstones to their financial life. If you own a home an FHA refinance though a service like this one, might help you get ahead of your debt. Continue reading »

Proper Clean Room Supplies: A Growth Busineess?

Business & Finance, Health, Beauty, & Fitness Comments Off

Jun 062012

A clean room is essentially a secluded area that contains very low levels of pollutants, microbes, and bacteria. It is mostly used in activities involving the manufacturing and handling of products that can easily be contaminated and require treatment in a highly controlled environment. Whether you are planning to build a clean room or you already have one, it is important to keep in mind that the upkeep and maintenance of such a room is not an easy task, especially since it requires special equipment and supplies. Aside from ensuring that it is equipped with high-efficiency filtration systems, it is also important to ensure that every person who goes in and out of the room is properly dressed and that proper equipment are used in all activities inside this contained space. If you are looking for a provider of clean room supplies, you may want to consider Clean Room Supply Connection. The company carries a complete line of consumable supplies and equipment particularly for use inside controlled environments.
Continue reading »

Cash Sweepstakes Promote Your Company

Hobbies, Recreation Comments Off

May 262012

Entering any kind of sweepstakes can be fun and profitable. A cash sweepstakes is an even bigger gamble but exciting and a bigger payoff as well. Once you enter the sweepstakes however, you need to know how to find out if you won. It is important to pay attention to the instructions when you enter a sweepstakes, as that is usually how the company or organization lets you know how to contact them or how they will contact you. Continue reading »

Real Estate Values

Real Estate Comments Off

Dec 012011

Are you planning to shift to a new location? Because your home is not comfortable anymore, then you will waste a lot of your money for no cause. Unless you have the budgeted amount required to purchase a new house, you should focus on rebuilding your current home only. There are many ways you can increase the value of your current homes, it is not necessary that you think of huge investments when it comes to home rebuilding. Many people are afraid of wasting money and prefer purchasing a new home because of the high home renovation expenditures. But not anymore, by using the expert advices of real estate tel aviv you can cheaply increase the value of your home. This will be beneficial in selling high and attracting your friends of family to your well furnished home. Better homes are better paid in terms of rental payments, sale payments and are easy to maintain as well. The timely renovation could be fruitful for getting attention by target customers.

Dictation Services for Medical Practice

Technology, Software, and Services Comments Off

Dec 012011

I have a medical practice that I just started and think that it has been doing quite well, as of late. I really am happy to finally be able to start this very practice, but when I found out that my transcriber decided to leave my practice, I really needed to find a way to get my hands on a professional to take care of all of my medical audio recordings. I searched online to find a professional to do that very thing and was able to get in contact with a dictation service that would be able transcribe my medical audio recordings. I was happy to find Medgarde, numero uno when it came to dictation services. I know that the service that I hired is a very professional one and also know that they offer very nice turnaround times. I never knew that I would be able to hire the best of the best when it came to dictation services.

Used Medical Equipment for Medical Practice

Operations Comments Off

Dec 012011

You can purchase used medical equipment from Whittemore Enterprises. Medical apparatus is very important to identify patient`s health condition. You will find primary medical equipment that you can find in the bazaar. These types are medical laboratory equipment, therapeutic equipment, life support equipment, diagnostic equipment, medical monitors, as well as analytic medical equipment. If you want to get a good quality used medical equipment which are not impure nor stolen, durable and having a great sanitation level then you have to find a reliable and reputable company. Before purchasing used medical equipment, it is better to make a list of what type of medical equipments that you want. If you don`t want to be in excess of budget then I suggest you find the equipments that may set for years ahead. If you have found the company who gives an offer of best quality used medical equipment for sale, you could be trustworthy customer so you might get a possibility to get concession from the company.