1. Hawaii resort
You can choose to put your frequent flier miles to
good use and take a beach vacation on the island of
Hawaii. Here, you can relax on the beach, swim in
the ocean, play golf, and even indulge in one of
the many innovative spa treatments. Hawaii enjoys
some of the best weather in the world - making it
a great choice for your beach vacation.

2. Golf and Beach in Georgia
Popular among the East Coast, the Cloister at Sea
Island in Georgia offers you 54 holes of championship
golf, sandy beaches, and a wide array of things for
you to do.

3. Oahu beach vacation
At the Kahala Mandarin Oriental you can expect to be
pampered like never before. You can visit the spa,
take scuba diving classes, or choose to swim it up
with the dolphins. The resort is conveniently
located 15 minutes away from Honolulu and Waikiki
Beach.

4. Virgin Islands vacation
At this vacation destination you can enjoy blue
waters and sandy beaches. The Ritz Carlton, and
St. Thomas resorts offer you the best of luxury
hotels during your beach vacation in the Virgin
Islands.

5. Half Moon Bay California
Located just 30 minutes by car away from San
Francisco, the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is a
quick beach vacation away from the normal busy life
of the city.

6. Luxury Beach Resort of Bermuda
Two hours away by flight from New York City,
Bermuda is a quick and ideal vacation away from the
East Coast. Ariel Sands offers you 47 guest rooms
with gourmet food and breathtaking views.

7. Romance and seclusion in Jamaica
With unique rooms and splendid views of the
Caribbean, gourmet cuisine and amazing beaches,
The Caves resort in Jamaica helps to set the beach
vacation mood like never before.

8. Lakeside Resort Georgia
Near Atlanta Georgia, the Lake Lanier Islands offers
a golf course for golf lovers and a waterpark with
several water rides, slides, and water attractions
the entire family will enjoy.

9. Family fun in Hawaii
The Kona Village Resort in Hawaii offers you
several vacation activities that include snorkeling,
kayaking, sailing, volleyball, tennis, fishing,
scuba diving, and glass bottom boat tours.

Liza Othman manages a travel information website www.musafirguide.com.

Source: High Quality Article Database - 365articles.com

Tags: Articles

1. Molokai Ranch and Lodge
On a white sand shore on the tiny Hawaiian island of
Molokai, guests will stay in comfortable yet unique
tents. Each double unit canvas bungalow sits on
wooden platforms, offers queen size beds in one
unit, twin beds in the other, solar powered lights,
and a private bathroom with hot water showers.

The Molokai Ranch and Lodge offers over 54,000
acres, including seaside cliffs with very lush
valleys. The outdoor activities here include sea
kayaking, cultural hikes, mountain biking, and
horseback rides. For the kids, the lodge offers
nature walks, horse stables, tidal pools and
Hawaiian arts and crafts.

2. Grand Wailea Resort and Spa of Hawaii
Long ago, a big swimming pool was enough to make
guests happy. Now days, resorts compete in water
activities such as lagoons, waterfalls, water
slides, and even lazy rivers.

The Grand Wailea Resort offers several attractions,
such as the 4,580 square foot Hibiscus pool,
and the 25,700 square foot Canyon Activity pool
which is great for families.

3. Atlantis Resort of the Bahamas
In the amazing water fun department is the unique
Atlantis Resort and Spa on Paradise Island in
the Bahamas. Along with the beach, the Atlantis
has eleven swimming pools, Mayan Temple water
slides, and lazy river rides. The Atlantis
also boasts an amazing marine habitat, with
exhibit lagoons that house more than 50,000
sea animals.

4. Club Med Punta Cana
Over the last several years, the Dominion
Republic has been working very hard to establish
itself as a destination for families, with many
all inclusives being built. This location has
all the perks of a tropical resort plus stand
out features that include kids programs, and
other attractions that make Club Med Punta Cana
one of the most unique beach vacation spots in
the entire world.

5. Virgin Islands
The US Virgin Islands National Park is a very
unique vacation spot with white sandy beaches, and
lodging in comfortable tent cottages.

As with the Molokai Ranch, guest cottages are built
on platforms and designed to be both attractive
and comfortable. Each one has a sleeping area,
bed linen, towels, kitchen utensils, stove, ice
cooler, and even a private deck.

Water sports for the area include kayaking, wind
surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. There is
also an outdoor restaurant and a food store for
those who want to cook from the privacy of their
own room.

Liza Othman manages a travel information website www.musafirguide.com

Source: High Quality Article Database - 365articles.com

Tags: Articles

If you choose to make airline reservations on your own please select flight schedules that allow you enough time to get to the pier in time for the ship’s departure on the day of your cruise travel. That applies in reverse, leave enough breathing room to get to the airport with time to make your return flights after your lovely cruise vacation.

Two advantages of using cruise line provided airfare are:

1. By purchasing cruise line airfare, you also receive transfers to and from the airport to the pier.
2. If your flights are delayed and arrive past the time of the ship’s departure, the cruise line assumes responsibility for either delaying the ship’s sailing or getting you to the cruise ships first port of call.

You should let your travel agent book the Airline Reservations through the Cruise Line for safety reasons. This basically makes the Cruise Line responsible in the event of a flight or sailing delay or cancellation. Here’s a cruise tip, for a small additional “air deviation” fee, most cruise lines will attempt to book you on the airline or flights of your choice.

If you have frequent-flier miles be sure to book your flights well in advance to ensure your arrival on time. When scheduling your flight home after the cruise, be sure to take into account disembarking time from the ship and local transportation time to the airport. Leave plenty of time because some local airports may not be as sophisticated as those you might be used to. And in today’s world, security will make it even longer to board your flight for your cruise travel.

You should arrive at least a day before the cruise vacation, especially if you are flying a long distance to pick up the ship. That way, you can rest up and be ready to enjoy every moment of your cruise. You get the added benefit of not having to worry about a delayed or cancelled flight, causing you to miss the cruise. This was the best cruise tip I have learned over the years.

When you are flying to your cruise vacation you will have to consider baggage weight. Generally there are no restrictions on how much luggage you can take aboard ship, but do remember that if your cruise vacation involves a flight, airlines have their own baggage allowance restrictions. These vary on scheduled flights, depending on airline and route. Please note that the allowance may be less on international flights. When flying from New Zealand back to Miami after our millennium cruise vacation, Quanta’s airline was very strict about weight and charged us because we were over.

The cruise lines will generally supply you with its luggage tags which will be in addition to your personal ID tags. The luggage tags will be included with your cruise documents which normally arrive 2-3 weeks before your cruise vacation.

Here are some cruise tips we have learned through our cruise travel.

It is strongly suggested that you remove old airline flight tags to eliminate ANY possibility of confusion on the part of the airline.

An extra folded flight bag takes up very little room and it can be handy on your way home when you have more to carry then can be placed in your original luggage.

Be sure to keep your travel documents, identification documents, medications, valuables, a set of clean underwear, credit cards, cash and travelers checks on your person or in your carry-on luggage. Horror stories concerning lost airline luggage are well known.

When traveling outside the United States to pick up your cruise ship, make photocopies of your passport and cruise itinerary, place one set in each bag prior to checking them with the airline. This will ensure you that your luggage will catch up to you at some time during your cruise vacation.

When waiting in line or sitting in an airport, always have the strap to your carry-on luggage wrapped around an arm or leg, then it won’t disappear without your knowledge.

Be very careful using your telephone card in airports. People will stand behind you and watch as you tap in the numbers. And much to your dismay, a month after your cruise travel, you get a huge telephone bill. I know it happened it me. I was not responsible for paying the bill, but it was a hassle.

It is useful to take an overnight bag for the last night of your cruise vacation. Your cabin steward will be collecting all checked bags the night before disembarkation, sometime around midnight. If you have this small overnight bag you can use it for the clothes you wore the evening before. And as mentioned, it comes in handy for packing all the mementos you picked up along the way.

The most important cruise tip is to relax and enjoy your cruise vacation. You deserve it.

Happy Cruising!

Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

About the Author
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com or contact her at mhanna@cruisepublishing

Source: High Quality Article Database - 365articles.com

Tags: Articles

Cruise travel may be the ideal vacation for an individual using a wheelchair, since it provides the opportunity to visit a number of destinations in a relatively short time. A cruise vacation provides effortless travel between locations without the inconvenience of packing and unpacking. You’ll appreciate the choice of experiencing the ship’s destinations or relaxing and enjoying the comfort of being pampered at a “resort at sea.”

Is important that if one of your party uses a wheelchair you want to ask the following questions:
* How many wheelchair accessible cabins on the cruise ship?
* Are the doors to the rooms and elevators wide enough to accommodate a regular wheelchair?
* Can I get my wheelchair out on deck and into the public rooms during my cruise vacation?
* Will I be able to access the dining areas?

In some ports of call, where the ship must anchor, access via wheelchair may not be possible.

Ships generally stock a limited number of wheelchairs but please be aware they must be pre-reserved at the time of your booking.

Due to S.O.L.A.S. (Safety of Live At Sea) Regulations, physically challenged passengers must have partial mobility, and a traveling companion who can assist them, should an emergency arise.

You’ll find that the newer, larger cruise ships have been built with the goal of full-accessibility. A new ship will have wider corridors, more spacious cabins, more, and larger, elevators and ramps where needed. In addition, the designated “accessible” cabins on newer ships are outfitted with many of the following features that will make your cruise vacation a more comfortable experience:

* Stateroom and cabin doorways wide enough for wheelchairs (at least 30″)
* Stateroom dimensions and floor space for maneuverability and bathroom dimensions adequate for maneuvering
* No “lips” or sills into bathrooms
* Sink positioned so wheelchair can roll under it
* Roll-in shower wit a fold-down stool in shower with detachable showerhead
* Bathroom walls with handrails
* Raised toilet seat, at least 17″ inches high
* Pull-down clothing racks
* Light switches at wheelchair level
* Adjustable mirror above sink
* Portable telephone
* Blinking lights in staterooms for the hearing challenged

In some ports, ships must anchor offshore due to size of the port or because of extreme weather (if the weather is too extreme they won’t stop at that port at all). They “tender” guests to shore with small boats that may not be accessible to guests in wheelchairs. You’ll want to check with the shore excursions department to determine which shore excursions are most suitable for you. In some destinations, particularly those outside of the United States, you will not always find accessible transportation and facilities.

Some of the Princess cruise line ships have hoists by the pool so a physically challenged passengers can enjoy the pool. Some of Holland American ships have the ability to tender wheelchairs into ports where they do not dock. Ask your travel agent to inquire with those lines to find the ship that is suitable for you.

There is no reason that anyone who is physically challenged should avoid a cruise vacation. Just remember when you are looking into cruise travel that you have your travel agent find the cruise ship that caters to your needs.

Now that you know that a cruise vacation may be perfect for you, call your travel agent and start packing.

Happy Cruising!

Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

About the Author
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com or contact her at mhanna@cruisepublishing

Source: High Quality Article Database - 365articles.com

Tags: Articles

When it comes to romantic getaways, there are many who don’t even consider a cruise ship as an option. However, there are others who literally live for cruises. These couples are likely to take two or more cruises each year. Whether you’ve been on a cruise ship before or not, it is possible for you and your partner to have a romantic cruise ship getaway.

Before booking a cruise ship getaway, you are encouraged to consider a number of factors. These factors are important when planning a romantic getaway aboard a cruise ship. There are a number of different cruises ships and cruises lines. You may be unable to enjoy a romantic vacation if you are on a cruise ship that is overrun with children.

If you are interested in having an intimate, relaxing, and romantic cruise, you are encouraged to search for a cruise ship that has an age limit for its passengers. These cruise ships often restrict children from coming aboard. Many times, cruise ships with a passenger age limit target their voyages specifically to couples looking for romance.

While it is possible to find a cruise ship with an age limit for their passengers, you may find it a bit difficult. If you are unable to find one, inquire as to where couples with children will be placed. A number of popular cruise ships work to keep families and individual couples separated. If this policy is in place, a cruise line is likely to state the policy on their website. The same information can be obtained by directly contacting a cruise ship representative.

The size of the cruise ship you are interested in vacationing on is also likely to determine the level of intimacy onboard. If it is intimacy that you want, a smaller cruise ship may be your best bet. Larger cruises ships have more passages and more passengers often make it difficult to have onboard, private moments. A number of romantic cruise lines target their smaller cruise ships to couples looking to vacation alone.

In addition to the size of the ship, the ships style and décor may determine whether or not you can experience romance onboard. As previously mentioned, there are a number of cruise lines that target couples looking to vacation alone. Part of that targeting may include creating a romantic environment. On romance themed cruise ships, you may find romantic cabins, room service, and other similar services.

Vacationing aboard a cruise ship is a great way for you and your partner to spend quality time together. When selecting a cruise ship to vacation on, the intimacy off the ship is just as important as on the ship. Almost all extended cruise ships dock in a port. These ports are often located in another country, but not always. To make the most out of your vacation destination, you will want to consider a cruise line that offers stops in romantic ports. These ports may include, but are not limited to the Bahamas, Hawaii, or the Caribbean.

The Bahamas, Hawaii, and the Caribbean all have a number of cruise ship ports. Additional ports can be found in the Untied States and overseas. What many passengers enjoy about these particular ports is their climate. The climate and the overall weather could have an impact on the romance aboard your ship. Tropical weather tends to add to the romance in the air.

Cruises ships are often viewed as large, oversized vessels. In addition to traditional cruise ships, it is possible for you to take a local cruise. If you are looking for a romantic getaway, but you fear the cost of an expensive cruise, you are encouraged to look into local cruises offered near your home. These cruises often involve dinner, dancing, and sometimes an overnight stay. They most often occur on a large river or a lake.

Now that you know what to look for when booking reservations for a romantic getaway aboard a cruise ship, you can start making preparations. With a small amount of time and research, you could be sailing the seas in luxury, with the one that you love.

Liza Othman manages a travel information web site. For more related articles, visit http://www.musafirguide.com/

Source: High Quality Article Database - 365articles.com

Tags: Articles

Whether you choose a Mexican honeymoon cruise or luxury resort, a Mexican honeymoon can be filled with romance. A growing trend is to plan a Mexican wedding as well. Through the services of a professional wedding planner, you can plan for a complete package. This package often includes the wedding service followed by a honeymoon. With some of the most popular resort locations in the world, Mexico offers a wide range of options for those who are looking for the perfect honeymoon destination.

A Mexican cruise is perfect for a wedding, as well as a honeymoon. You can plan for an adventurous and exciting luxury cruise ship wedding followed by your honeymoon. There are many advantages to a luxury cruise ship wedding, such as cost and ease of planning. The cruise ship may handle the wedding preparations, as well as the details. You can find different cruise ship weddings by contacting any of the large cruise ship lines. You will more than likely discover that the only downfall to a cruise ship wedding in Mexico is trying to persuade your friends and family members to join you for the wedding.

Choosing a honeymoon package in Mexico can consist of a cruise or a luxury resort. With so many wonderful places to choose from, it may be a difficult decision to make. You should carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of each package to help make your decision easier. First choosing your honeymoon location may help make the decision easier. Considering what type of activities you would like to participate in during your honeymoon is the best way to make the perfect choice. You will also want to consider anything special attractions that you may wish to see.

Of course, no matter which type of honeymoon you plan, cost will play an important role in your decision. While examining costs, you may be surprised to find that there are number of affordable packages available for both cruise ships and luxury resorts. With price comparison, the use of the internet, and your local travel agent, you can find a package that will meet your budget and all of your honeymoon expectations.

Top honeymoon destinations, in Mexico, include Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Cancun, and Cabo San Lucas. Acapulco is one of Mexico’s top honeymoon locations. It is very similar to Hawaii with its beautiful beaches and turquoise blue waters. Puerto Vallarta is still one of the world’s top tourist attractions. Fortunately, it is also considered one of the lesser populated areas in Mexico. Puerto Vallarta can provide you with a wonderful environment for your honeymoon. With cultural events, fine dining, and the beautiful Sierra Madre Mountains, you are sure to enjoy your stay.

Another top honeymoon location is Cozumel. If you are looking for a secluded deserted island to spend with your new spouse, you should consider honeymooning in Cozumel. You may feel as if you are the only couple on the island. From Mayan ruins, to the majestic Nichupte Lagoon, Cozumel is a feast for the eyes.

As previously stated, selecting a honeymoon destination in Mexico may seem like a difficult decision. By taking the time to compare of all your options, including the cost of each, you are sure to find the best Mexican destination for your honeymoon.

Liza Othman manages a travel information web site. For more related articles, visit http://www.musafirguide.com/

Source: High Quality Article Database - 365articles.com

Tags: Articles

Pound for pound largemouth bass are one of the best fighting fish in the world which could explain why largemouth bass is the most sought after freshwater in North America and why bass fishing is so popular worldwide.

Yet time and again, cast after cast anglers just can’t seem to get a bite.

There are some simple bass fishing tips that will have you catching trophy bass nearly every time you go bass fishing but you have to be prepared to ask for bass fishing help. Thankfully there is bass fishing help available, whether it’s actually paying for a bass fishing guide (which can be very expensive), or looking for the latest bass fishing secrets and tips online (which can be very time consuming). Why spend all that time surfing the net when you could be bagging massive trophy bass?

If you’ve lost one too many wall-mount trophy bass then you need to learn the fishing secrets of pro bass fishermen.

One thing pro bass anglers have learnt and understand is why bass fish strike. Some fisherman would say it’s because of hunger. There are however three different reasons why bass strike.

1. Suction feed strike

The larger a bass fish gets the more it uses this type of approach. That’s because that is the type of strike they use when feeding on sculpins and crayfish.

2. Ram-feed strike

Bass will use one of three different methods of striking, depending on which prey they are trying to catch. When bass are trying to catch free-swimming prey they rely on the ram-feed approach. They simply lunge forward and strike hard.

3. The survival strike

Bass of course need to feed to survive. Their protective and territorial instincts are very large and if they’re not hungry you can tease a bass to strike just because you’re in his territory.

Bass will violently and aggressively protect their territories in particular in the weeks after spawning. They will also behave this way just because you have really annoyed them.

Largemouth bass are not picky eaters. As long as it’s smaller than itself it’s good enough to eat. They eat all types of prey, including young bass, leeches and frogs, and have even been known to swallow baby ducklings.

If you own a few bass fishing rods then why not take the approach of professional anglers who you rarely see changing bass fishing lures? Have about 8 or 10 rods already set up so they’re ready for use at any time in any situation.

Largemouth Bass tend to travel in schools when they are moving from one location to another or hunting for food so don’t move on straight away after you’ve caught one bass as chances are if you keep working the area you’ll catch yourself a whole bass family.

When fishing for largemouth bass ask yourself these three questions:

1. Is it the ideal temperature? 2. Does it provide adequate cover? 3. Does it provide a food source for bass?

If you can answer yes to these three questions then you may have just found the latest and greatest bass fishing hotspot that will ensure you get a trophy bass before you go home.

————————

LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER: There’s no need to hire a bass fishing guide. Discover the intense bass fishing techniques and tightly guarded secrets that trophy winning bass anglers don’t want you to know and how YOU can use these same tips and techniques today to land largemouth bass this weekend - and it’s free. I’ve told them they’re crazy for giving this stuff away for free. Go to http://www.extremebassfishingtips.com now before they decide to start charging.

Source: High Quality Article Database - 365articles.com

Tags: Articles

It is no doubt that dog breed are interesting parts of our lives, and are needed by us.. It is with this prominence that I hope people get to know more about the different dog breed.

Did you know that there are several hundred dog breeds? With that large number of breeds to choose from, how do you manage to decide which breed is right for you? Luckily, you can narrow down the choices and find the right dog breed by following my 4 simple steps.

1- Consider your available space. Do you live in an apartment? If so, you will want to rule out large dogs. Look for dogs in the Toy group, such as Yorkshire Terriers, or some of the smaller dogs in the Terrier group, like the Miniature Schnauzer.

2- If you have children, you will want to consider the size of your dog, as well. Very small dogs, such as Chihuahuas or Maltese, can be very delicate and are often accidentally injured by young children. On the other hand, very large dogs, such as Boxers or Saint Bernards, can be overly boisterous as puppies and can accidentally turn your child into a human bowling pin. Consider medium sized breeds, such as Fox Terriers or Lhasa Apsos, instead.

3- Next, consider how much exercise you can give your dog. If you have a home with a fenced yard, your dog will be able to get some exercise on his own. However, dog breeds in the Sporting, Hound, and Herding groups are very high energy animals and you will need to have enough time to provide them with more intensive exercise.

Plan to take a lot of long walks with your dog or go for a daily romp in the park. After all, these dog breeds were bred to work hard and don’t do well unless they have a job to do or a way to burn off excess energy.

4- Finally, don’t forget to consider grooming needs. Some dog breeds only need a half hour or so of grooming a week, while others need to be groomed for an hour a day. If you are short on time, don’t buy a Standard Poodle or a Maltese, unless, of course, you plan to take your dog to a groom. Breeds like Boston Terriers or Whippets are good choices for people who don’t have time to do a lot of grooming.
Once you decide which breed of dog you want, you will need to consider the age of the dog. Many people opt to buy a cuddly little puppy instead of an older dog. While puppies have not developed any bad habits, it will be up to you to be sure that the puppy becomes housebroken and obedience trained.

Older dogs are frequently already housebroken and usually have some obedience training. They are also more likely to be less hyper and less destructive. However, they can have behavioral problems or health problems that prompted the former owner to find them a new home.

Do you want to buy a puppy? If so, you will need to find a reputable dog breeder who has a litter of the breed you are interested in. Often, a good breeder will have a waiting list for puppies. If you aren’t the patient sort, you may be tempted to buy a puppy from a pet store. However, many pet store puppies come from puppy mills and have genetic health defects, bad temperaments, or other problems. It is usually safest to buy a puppy directly from the breeder.
If you are interested in an older dog, you may want to visit your local animal shelter or call a breed rescue. These groups evaluate the dogs’ health and temperament before adopting them out.
It was really tough getting information about anything previously. Now with the advent of the Internet, anyone can access any information at any time of the day.

Once you’ve narrowed down the breed choices and have decided which dog is right for you, don’t get too relaxed. After all, you still have one more important decision to make, what to name your new companion!
Much thought was put into the compilation of this article on dog breed. Do you think that the efforts were enough?

——————————————————————————–

——————————————————————————–

Mary Janet Namuli.

Mary Janet is the owner of the dog breed guide.Read over 600 articles dedicated to dogs,dog breed and cheap vacation at http://www.dog-breed-and-cheap-vacation.com

Source: High Quality Article Database - 365articles.com

Tags: Articles

FACT: During 2002, 36 million Americans were hospitalized; simultaneously, 93 million court filings were made.

ASSESSMENT: YOU are almost three times more likely to need legal assistance than you are to need medical/hospital

assistance. Yet, more than likely, you have medical insurance,but you do not have “legal insurance.”

It’s a sad fact that only 10% of the population (the rich) is able to afford legal representation and another 10% of the population (the poor) is able to access legal services via the legal aid system. The remaining 80% of the population (Middle America-you and I) must pay for legal representation. Still, how many Middle Americans do you know that can afford the typical attorney fee: $110-$200 per hour?

At last, the day has come when affordable legal services are available to all North Americans. Tom, a close friend of mine, recently found this to be true. Here’s his story.

Tom called me today to inform me that his employer of the last six years has terminated him. It was clear to me that he was very exasperated from the experience and I knew that after the listening I’d be doing, I’d be compelled to provide him some guidance - should he ask for it.

And what would be my authority for being in a position to provide him guidance? My own experience, of course.

Just a while back, my employer of close to five years had terminated me in what was clearly a very hostile manner.

The termination came as a complete surprise. During my employment, I had achieved three position promotions (and, of course, the perquisites that accompanies upper management promotions). Furthermore, I had always received increasingly superior performance appraisals and, moreover, I had introduced several innovations to systems and service delivery that enhanced the company’s strategic position in its marketplace. No big deal. I did what I was hired to do and a lot more, that’s all.

The company experienced rapid growth as a result of my and a few other top notch directors, yet the primary benefits of this growth were only fully realized (in terms of the greatest compensation) by upper echelon management in ‘corporateville.’

Clearly, there wasn’t equal disbursement of bonuses based on contribution or performance. They were a greedy group.

Nonetheless, we persevered, day-to-day, to get the job done.

The company’s greed was further evidenced by its restructuring model. Upper management, known for never practicing inclusion when major decisions regarding direction were being considered, and relying on the input of the ignorant that held the position of friends instead of relying on the expertise of the few qualified professionals present, decided to cut back on the company’s number of entry level positions (a position title that was crucial to day-to-day operations), while increasing the salaries of three barely competent individuals who, combined, just a few months prior, were instrumental in ushering in a moratorium on referrals from the industries contracting organization. This moratorium cost the
company plenty.

The new management team decided to convert the operation from a distinct three shift model (8a-4p|4p-12p|12p-8a) (which was required for the 24/7 operations), to a “centralized” model that still incorporated the three distinct shifts, but just utilized the people in an altogether different manner. To be more specific, they took staff from the third shift and placed them on the second shift. First shift staff was mandated to work third shift. The new management team had no concern for the lifestyles of the staff. This was a completely disrupting strategy.

Needless to say . . .

Staff was resigning in droves. Those staff that didn’t wholeheartedly welcome this change and get on board with it were terminated. Staff at all levels were leaving. The company was operating on a very limited personnel roster. The new management team’s response was to increase mandatory overtime hours, this caused an even greater loss of staff.

My role in this change was one of conciliation. While I was in total disagreement with the spirit in which the changes were effectuated, I could completely understand the corporate mindset. The company was afraid. It was afraid that it would lose out completely in terms of continuing to be a viable provider of services in its industry if drastic changes were not quickly made.

Well, one of the new managers saw that my positional, referent, and expert power was increasing, and he felt that this would be a detriment to his solely positional power base. How ridiculous! Since I had always used every advantage I had for the furtherance of the company’s mission.

Certain signs at this point were directing me to begin reconsidering my continuing with this company. Since the new upper management fellow was closely aligned with the corporate team and his word held great sway over them, I began to get that “gut” feeling that despite my many contributions to the company, I was making this individual feel uneasy.

Granted, upper-level managers had been let go before and will continue to be let go in the future, for whatever reasons.

However, historically, all mid- and upper-level directors were let go with a six-month severance package. I state that here to prepare the reader for the next salient element of my story - the element that ties everything together.

Months passed. Many changes were implemented. I rallied behind each change, seeking to find the benefit of each seemingly dreadful decision set forth by the new management team. In retrospect, I now see that many of these changes (e.g. changing my hours from 9a-5p to 2a-10a; changing my days off from Sat. and Sun. to Fri. and Sat; changing the mid-level managers that reported to me, men that I had trained and developed, and had built a very strong working relationship with to transferring the companies newest and least productive mid-level managers to my team, etc.) were set forth in an attempt to get me to resign. Boy, did they wrongly evaluate me. Hadn’t time taught them that when the going got tough, I got going even stronger? Obviously not.

In any event, after seeing that I would not be shaken no matter what they threw at me, they upgraded their tactics to the next level.

One Friday afternoon, I was called to the Human Resources Department offices. Clearly, what was about to take place was quite obvious. I had never been summoned to the HRD offices. I had in the course of my employment, summoned many individuals to the HRD offices, only for the purpose of termination. Note: All of the terminations I conducted were due to documented violations of company policy and procedure (the paper trail was existent).

When I arrived at the HRD offices and entered the boardroom, I saw that all the upper-level new management team members were present. As soon as I sat down, my immediate supervisor stated, “We called this meeting to inform you that you are being terminated.” I replied, “Can you tell me why I’m being terminated?” There was a brief silence in the room which was broken by my immediate supervisor’s supervisor stating, “No reason, you just don’t work here any more.” Not being one to quibble over such issues, I moved the conversation to the next logical point - my severance package.

I asked, “When do I sign my severance agreement?” My supervisor’s supervisor responded, “You are not getting a severance package.” Needless to say, I was very surprised. Despite the hostile manner in which I was being terminated, I certainly thought the company would at least consider executing their dirty work with a little bit of class. My thoughts were wrong.

I was unceremoniously escorted off the property with my personal effects in tow.

Returning home that evening, my mind was racing a mile per second. What happens now?” “What do I do?” “How will I break this bad news to my family?” “How will I pay my NEW mortgage?” “Can they dismiss me like that and deny me a benefit that I know was provided to other individuals at the time of termination (namely, the usual severance package)?” An endless stream of questions raced through my mind. Those of you reading this that experienced a similar situation can probably relate.

Some of you are very close to experiencing what I did and you probably aren’t even aware of how close you are to being in my “shoes.” Be prepared.

When I arrived at home, I conducted myself as though nothing had changed. Just another day of work completed.

My mind still racing - I knew I needed an attorney, but how could I possibly afford one considering I had just lost my job?

The next day, I sent my ex-employer multiple e-mail messages in an attempt to get justice. All were ignored. I didn’t get one response.

My mind was racing all through the night. Upon awakening, I realized what I needed to do.

I remembered a similar situation from years ago, wherein I needed an attorney and couldn’t afford the $110-$200 an hour type.

I found a provider of legal services that specialized in leveling the “access to legal services” field.

I immediately went online to research this particular legal services provider. Within less than one hour I was in the
system. I had more that just one attorney, I had an entire firm.

Making my initial contact call was extremely easy. I called the firm; they took my information and told me an attorney would contact me in less than 24 hours. That same afternoon, an attorney specializing in employment law contacted me and provided a FREE consultation (try to get a free consultation from your attorney).

I had already prepared an eight-page expository letter to be sent to the corporate office of my ex-employer. I just wanted to make sure the document was fool-proof, that I wasn’t violating the law by sending it. I faxed the document to my attorney. Within 30 minutes she, my attorney, called me back to inform me that the document was not libelous. She further stated that if I needed her to further assist me all I need do was ask. The cost for this initial on my behalf was: $0 (it was included in the plan).

From that point on, I felt empowered.

So many times I’ve said, “I’m going to call my attorney” - and at the same time fully knowing that I didn’t have an attorney.

But that has all changed. I now have an entire firm on my team, covering employment law, real estate law, marital law, international law, motor vehicle law, trial defense law, trust and estate law, business law, and so on. In other words, I HAVE AN ENTIRE LAW FIRM ON MY TEAM. And the firm is one of the best in the Pennsylvania area.

Back to my story…

I faxed he document to my ex-employer’s corporate offices. I sent the eight-page expository document to the CEO, the
President and the Director of Human Resources. Not only did I send them this powerful documentation, I gave them a deadline to respond; by the close of business on Friday.

At 10:00am that Friday morning, the Human Resources Director called me and informed me that he would be faxing me a Severance

Agreement and Release (SAR). The SAR arrived; I faxed it to my attorney for review (no charge-included in my plan). She

reviewed the SAR then contacted me to inform me that it was okay for me to sign.

Well, needless to say, the table was turned. I now had my severance package (full pay and family medical benefits for

six-months). My ex-employer now has a new found respect for me. It’s sad that the situation had to transpire in this manner, but that’s the way the “bully mind-set” works. They thought they had the little man (me) beat, until they turned the corner and saw my big brother (law firm) waiting there for me.

Well, to be sure, after Tom heard my story he couldn’t wait to learn more. I provided him with a link to a web site where he was able to get all the details and sign up for the service. Now Tom, like me, has the law on his side. His transition has been completely stabilized. His family now has peace of mind and they rest securely at night knowing that no one will be able to take advantage of them ever again.

Wouldn’t you like to have this level of security and safety for your family? Well. Now you can!

Remember, it’s not a matter of if you will ever need legal representation; it’s clearly a matter of when.

Prepare yourselves today and be ready when the inevitable situation or condition presents itself wherein you will need legal counsel. I will tell you this, there is nothing more empowering than calling YOUR attorney when you need a contract reviewed, when an automobile mechanic has given you a bad deal, when a jeweler has misrepresented a product, when a tenant refuses to pay the rent, etc.

In sum, access to competent legal services is finally available to all Americans and Canadians. You, too, can arm yourself with the means to add this powerful tool to your or your family’s team.

To learn more about this shift in the realm of legal services access, visit
http://ilmuhammad.bizcardlinks.com/

…………………………………….
I. Luqman Muhammad is a successful entrepreneur. He has been a Network Marketer for over 16 years; and, he has been an Internet Venture Broker for over 10 years. His overall experience in the marketplace spans over 38 years. He has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from accessing legal services, to utilizing search engines for advertising maximization, to the importance of using mortgage payoff acceleration as an investment vehicle. He can be reached at (610) 438-4493. Your initial consultation with him will be free. http://ilmuhammad.bizcardlinks.com/

Source: High Quality Article Database - 365articles.com

Tags: Articles

Source: High Quality Article Database - 365articles.com

Tags: Articles