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Starting A Small Business: Budgeting for Office Furniture
The single most important aspect of any startup small business plan is accurate budgeting. Though a small business owner cannot control their sales and revenue forecast, they can be very diligent when it comes to accurately creating a startup budget. Part of this diligence requires a small business owner to get accurate information on all costs associated with starting their business. One of those costs that is often glossed over with general estimates or overlooked all together is the cost of furnishing an office. This article has been written to help a small business owner more accurately forecast small business office furnishing costs. The article's approach is to take a 1,800 to 2,000 square foot office space and evaluate it in a good, better, best scenario.
Decision Factors
Before making a decision about which office furniture classification is best for your needs, a business owner should ask themselves a few questions that will help a small business owner clearly understand what is driving their decisions on cost and quality.
Tom Loughney, who has over 17 years of office furniture experience in the Dallas area as the proprietor of both Business Furnishings Inc. and Cubicle Depot, "Any important capital expenditure for a business usually comes down to answering two important questions: what do we need to buy and how much are we willing to spend? Outfitting an office is no exception." Loughney continued with, ""You have to ask yourself, is this a short term expense or a mid to long term investment? This will drive your thinking as you examine your options."
We've taken this insight and expanded the question list:
- Are you looking for the absolute lowest cost? Is this an investment in your business or simply a short term expense that has to be dealt with.
- Do you have the time to source your furniture, assemble it, and deal with potential returns or are you looking for a vendor to provide these services end to end?
- What does image do for you in front of your customer and their perceptions of your quality and value?
- Are you concerned about the environment?
- Do you or any of your employees have back problems or circulation issues? Are your employees in front of computers for long periods of time and susceptible to carpel tunnel?
Though softer factors such as customer perception and employee comfort might not fit nicely on a budgeting spreadsheet, these are very important. According to the San Diego Business Journal, the environment of an office is nearly as important as the product or service being offered. As author Lee Zion explains, "An aesthetically pleasing work area can create a mood that helps secure new business, as well as attract and motivate employees."
Does Where You Make Your Purchase Matter?
After you have narrowed down your decision drivers, it is fair to begin to evaluate how you will best source what you are looking for. Answering the "who" part of the question is often mistakenly directly to price on a per item basis. However, often one can engage a dealer broker who can help the business owner to acquire the best quality achievable within their budget while eliminating soft costs such as lost time related to returns, assembly, missing parts, and overall price shopping.
"If furnishing your office is just an expense to you, and you don't care about quality, durability, and customer service, you might as well just buy the cheapest product from the cheapest source. What you buy may not be good, but you'll certainly save some money up front." Commented Tom Loughney. "We find that our knowledge of the industry which includes high quality refurbished products and more affordable name brand alternatives help us to work with a customer to meet their budgets while generally finding a better match of furnishing for their needs."
Large box retailers have found success in mass producing furniture with an emphasis on offering products at a lower price than competitors. The question is what experience you are getting for your money. The following online discussion of office furniture highlights one such retailer that is known for "low price".
A simple example can illustrate some the "hidden" costs that can arise from making a price-based purchase. Consider, for example, the amount time that might be necessary for returning damaged product or getting it repaired. Estimating conservatively, assume it takes 1/2 hour to conduct each of the following: assessing that something is missing or broken, traveling to the retail location, waiting for customer service at their busy store, discussing the issue with an employee, checking out with either a new product or new parts to install, traveling back to the office, conducting the repairs. This best-case scenario would return simply return the piece of furniture to working condition. If the employee who carried out these steps makes $10/hour, then $30 has been wasted on furniture repair as opposed to being invested in the employee's normal duties that create value. Consider the opportunity cost of said value, the lost time without the furnishing in working condition, the likely potential that the entire process will take longer than 3 hours, and clearly the initial "savings" does not carry through the life of ownership of the product.
In the end, finding the right source, can be one of the most important steps in the process.
Good, Better, Best
In order to help a prospective business owner properly manage their dealer/broker or even make the decision as to what furnishings they buy direct from a large box retail and which ones they impose on a dealer, we worked with Tom Loughney of Cubicle Depot to created a good, better, best scenario and created budgets around a fictitious office space that is approximately 2,000 square feet. The requirements for furnishing this office space are a reception area, a break room, a conference room, a master office, and a work space holding up to four cubicles. The pricing we determined was based off of Summer 2008 market rates and is highly dependent on fuel prices since shipping is a key expense line item in the furniture business.
Good Furniture
Furniture classified as good meets the minimal criteria for professional office furniture and is generally considered when cost savings is the primary concern of the business owner. An office furnishing set in the good class would general combine laminate construction desks and tables with leatherette chairs and potentially some used chairs or cubicles. Though laminate construction has improved in quality significantly over the past decade, it will not outlast solid wood and wood veneer furnishings. Last, pieces in this price range should not be considered ergonomically designed. Good furniture is generally targeted for office environments where end customers, partners, and suppliers are not expected to be visiting in person.
For our good furniture budget we came up with an estimated price of $6,724 consisting of the following representative of items.
Good Furniture Budget
Better Furniture
Furniture classified as better is generally considered to have a longer life and consist of wood/wood veneer and leather materials that aesthetically appear more professional. Furthermore, used pieces in this classification are generally refurbished and feature new materials, paint, and coatings. Though some used or refurbished pieces might be ergonomically designed, this is generally no a guaruntee in this price point. Better furniture is generally targeted for office environments where end customers, partners, and suppliers will be visiting; however, the business owner is looking to constrain their budgets as much as possible.
For our better furniture budget we came up with an estimated price of $19,129 consisting of the following representative of items.
Better Furniture Budget
Best Furniture
Furniture classified as best generally consists of new furniture constructed of materials such as wood, glass, leather, or contemporary meshes and are designed for ergonomics and longevity. Furniture in this grouping should be the target of a business owner who is looking to achieve a certain look in their office. These business owners are generally very conscious about employee health (back) and the way the furniture will look in 5 years.
For our good furniture budget we came up with an estimated price of $24,939 consisting of the following representative of items.
Best Furniture Budget
Trade Off Decisions
Any budgeting exercise requires trade-off decisions. The question is where do you make trade-offs. In order to save money, back office shelving and filing cabinets can be purchased as used or of lesser quality at a big box retailer in order to squeeze more out of a budget. However, one area that really shouldn't be considered for budget cutting is ergonomics.
As detailed in a 2008 OfficeSolutions article by Mark Rowh, employers would be wise to place a high priority on this area. He qoutes Julie Landis, COO of the consulting firm Ergo Concepts, as explaining, "More companies are now realizing that ergonomics programs help retain valued employees and save money." Ergonomically-designed chairs can help reduce carpal tunnel syndrome, can provide enchanced back and neck support, and help reduce other potential chronic injuries that can reduce worker productivity and increase health costs for businesses.
Some start-up businesses don't know whether they will survive their first year, thus, longevity isn't top of mind. Other startup businesses know that they will completely outgrow their current environment in a year or two and will want to refurnish their environment under a totally different budget and standard. Still, the decision to purchase lower quality that has a shorter life span must be accounted for as a future expense."If you buy something that is only going to last a year or two, eventually it will have to be replaced. And if the quality isn't good, it may have to be repaired at some point. That's more money coming out of your pocket. But, if you buy furniture that is durable and backed up by a guarantee from a reputable dealer, it will last four, five, maybe six years. And if there are problems, you'll be a valued customer and be taken care of. We'll know your name, we'll help you install your furniture. You won't just be a number in some huge customer index," commeted Tom Loughney.
Furnishing an office is an investment and expense that must be budgeted. Business owners who take the time to understand their decision drivers and match that up to the most appropriate offerings in the industry will ultimately have more success in both the short term and the long term. We developed the the good-better-best scenario in this article to help guide businesses make a higher quality decisions and purchases that better matched their needs. We've also interjected the realities of business image, ergonomics and longevity that should be factored into the overall decision.
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In recent years, "customer experience" has gone from a buzzword to a top priority for companies in an increasingly customer-centric marketplace. Research, in fact, shows the majority of companies (89%) expect to compete mostly on the basis of customer experience by the year 2016 – as compared to just 36% of companies four years ago.
What this means is there's a strategic imperative for companies to devote time, attention, and budget to the customer experience to maintain competitive advantage in the years to come. For contact centers in particular – which deal directly with customers and therefore have the ability to directly impact a customer's overall perception of the company – prioritizing the customer experience is even more critical.
In previous blogs, we've written about how interaction analytics improves contact center performance, agent performance, multi-channel customer engagement, and more. Today, let's take a look at a few of the ways interaction analytics can improve the overall customer experience:
Provide Real-Time Customer Insights
One of the primary benefits of interaction analytics tools is that they provide organizations with a wealth of customer interaction data across channels – and in real time. With these customer insights in hand, companies can categorize interactions and search for trends in customer behavior (e.g., uncovering the root cause of customer complaints), helping them to provide a better customer experience in the long run.
By taking a proactive approach to monitoring customer data, companies can also drive increased efficiency throughout the contact center. As noted in a recent CallMiner infographic, one large energy provider was able to increase client data capture by 50% after implementing interaction analytics, resulting in a 30% increase in sales conversions and $17M in annual savings.
Develop a 360 Degree View of the Customer
Having access to customer data from across channels not only gives contact centers the ability to shape interactions in real time: It also allows them to develop a 360 degree view of the customer and better understand the complete customer journey.
By aggregating customer interactions, transactions, feedback, and agent data, interaction analytics works to provide an end-to-end picture of the customer journey. Armed with these actionable insights, contact centers can both engage customers and provide an improved experience overall.
After all, "unhappy customers aren't likely to open new accounts or expand their relationship with [an organization]," as noted in a Call Centre Helper blog post. "Learning why customers prefer [a company's] products – or those of its competitors – can be marketing gold. [Companies can use] interaction analytics to give themselves a competitive edge by better understanding the customer journey."
Continually Improve Customer Interactions
Above all else, interaction analytics offers companies the ability to continually improve interactions with customers so that they can deliver customer service excellence at all times. Whether through quality monitoring improvements, agent training enhancements, or overall improvements in operational performance, contact centers can see increased customer retention and loyalty as a result of implementing interaction analytics – ultimately improving their bottom line.
Final Thoughts
In today's competitive, consumer-driven marketplace, customer experience optimization isn't just a best practice – it's essential to winning over customers and providing them with the types of experience they're increasingly coming to expect of companies.
How is your organization leveraging interaction analytics to improve the overall customer experience?

subset: commoncrawl


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Pets at Home Avoids Low Bridges with Paragon's Advanced Routing Software
13 Jun, 2013, 10:00 BST
DORKING, England, June 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Pets at Home is benefiting from the latest Paragon routing and scheduling software with unique Low Bridge Avoidance mapping for its delivery service. The UK's largest pet shop chain with more than 347 stores in operation has been using Paragon for more than a decade to ensure reliable and cost-effective fixed route scheduling. This year, the Pets at Home HGV fleet will make more than 42,500 store deliveries using Paragon. This is equal to about 1118 store deliveries over 328 routes a week, excluding trunking movements.
The company uses the latest Paragon Multi Depot software for managing deliveries from its large distribution centres (DC) in Stoke-on-Trent and Northampton and outbases in Lockerbie, Gloucester and Dunstable. The software plans its regular night-time store replenishment deliveries and also schedules special consignments for Christmas and Easter separately so that they do not conflict with the normal store delivery service.
"Paragon enables us to provide our stores with a very efficient service. We have used the software from the early years of the business, right from the time we opened our national DC in Stoke-on-Trent in 2002. The software has proven to be reliable and flexible, which enables its further development to meet our changing business needs. It is proving to be a future proof investment for us and our expanding business has benefited from its use," says Mike Cox, Distribution Manager.
The company uses the software strategically to plan deliveries and then rerun the schedules to account for any changes to the plan. This also enables Pets at Home to compare actual miles travelled by its transport providers with those calculated in the original plan. The software is also used for routing and scheduling its trunking operations.
Paragon has provided several standard enhancements to Pets at Home, including the Low Bridge Avoidance mapping option as the fleet mainly uses 15-ft, 10-in high double-decker trailers. Additional configuration of the software supports the company's unique approach to night-time deliveries where a designated member of the retail team will receive the load for a specific store and then accompany the driver to other stores to assist with unloading and receiving before being returned to the host store.
With an aggressive expansion programme that adds around 30 stores a year, Pets at Home also uses Paragon to integrate new retail outlets into the plan and model the best routes to service those stores.
SOURCE Paragon Software Systems


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A destination in itself, set on 400 acres of manicured grounds with two miles of beachfront.
As a discerning traveller, you will enjoy the luxury of space and tranquillity Half Moon has to offer. Imagine your first morning taking in the panoramic view of the horizon, and watching the sunrise having just concluded yoga meditation in the overwater cabana. Then, cycle to the Seagrape Terrace for breakfast before beginning a day of whatever you want.
Explore all the soothing possibilities within Half Moon's award-winning spa sanctuary. Wander through a lush natural oasis dotted with fragrant fruit trees. Enjoy indulgent privacy in the tranquil tropical gardens. For absolute relaxation choose an overwater cabana. Revel in a menu of exceptional therapies that combine indigenous ingredients and the best of international techniques.
Golfers will enjoy Half Moon's 18-hole golf course, which is acclaimed by industry experts and amateur golfers alike. The course was designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr. and modernised by Roger Rulewich, creating a masterpiece of sheer beauty and game-raising challenges.
Whether you choose to lounge on the beach, play a round of tennis or golf, visit a local art gallery, or go horse riding along the beach, your days at Half Moon are yours to spend in any way you wish.
*Subject to availability at the time of booking.
|Accommodations Available On This Vacation:
Half Moon
Montego Bay (Jamaica)
|Prices Start At:
|Please call for rates
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|Above rate is per night, per room, double occupancy and already reflects the discount. Minimum 7-night stay required. A stay is defined as consecutive nights spent at resort, regardless of check-in/check-out activity. All available rooms, suites and villa types apply. Rate varies by accommodation type, date of travel and season, subject to availability. Additional 10% tax, 15% service charge, USD $4.00 accommodation tax and USD $30.00 daily resort fee per bedroom applies. Valid on new bookings only, not combinable with any other packages or promotions and not applicable to groups. This promotion is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. Promotion is pre-paid, non-refundable and non-changeable. Book by December 1, 2018 for travel by December 15, 2018. Blackout dates may apply. Please inquire with your travel advisor for additional terms and conditions. Signature Amenities are subject to change in 2019.
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Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.


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The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) was established in 1936, originally as the 'Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work'. The year 1964 was an important landmark in the history of the Institute, as the Government of India recognized TISS as a Deemed University.
As an institution of excellence in higher education, TISS has consistently devoted its research and teaching activities to the development of a people-centred and ecologically sustainable society that promotes and protects dignity, equality, social justice and human rights for all.
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences was formed with the objective of enabling social development through academic excellence, and was the first of its kind in India. Over the years and through a continuous process of responding to the changing needs of the country, the Institute has diversified its activities beyond its initial mandate of social work education.
In doing so, TISS has made consistent contributions to civil society and the development sector through its teaching programmes that facilitate the development of competent and committed practitioners and academic professionals; through its engagement in research and dissemination of knowledge, policy support, and programme development and evaluation; as well as by reaching out to the larger community through strategic extension work, field action and advocacy at the local, national, regional and international levels. As part of its wide-ranging engagement, the Institute also participates in disaster relief and rehabilitation.
A high degree of freedom and autonomy shape the positive work ethos and creativity in the Institute, facilitating strong linkages between education, research, field action and knowledge dissemination.
Emphasising inter-disciplinarity in teaching and research, TISS programmes range from certificate and diploma through to Bachelor, Master's, M.Phil and PhD degree courses in a wide range of disciplines: Inclusive Development and Social Justice, Development Studies, Dalit and Tribal Studies, Public Health, Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, Women's Studies, Urban Policy and Governance, Disaster Management, Applied Psychology, Media and Cultural Studies, Social Work in Rural Development, among others.
There are 2900 students and 210 full-time faculty at TISS. The Institute ensures equal opportunities for all and practices strict non-discrimination on the grounds of caste, class, gender, sexual preference, religion, and disability.
TISS has four campuses at Mumbai, Tuljapur, Guwahati, and Hyderabad. Academic collaboration and networking with other institutions, both in India and overseas, is a clear priority area of the Institute.
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)V.N. Purav Marg, Deonar400088 Mumbai
IndiaPhone: 0091 22 2552 5000Fax: 0091 22 2552 5050


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Iran Decides: 2013
By Omid Irani
With the Iranian presidential elections visible on the near horizon, the people of Iran and the wider international community watch eagerly to see who will assume the ranks as the next ostensible leader of Iran. Outgoing president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is reluctant to ride off into the sunset graciously and quietly, creating an interesting backdrop within the larger canvas of Iranian presidential politics. Wasting no time, the candidates vetted and cleared to run along with those individuals barred from running have already exchanged sharp words about the differing ideologies, policies, and tactics that will undeniably saturate the larger discourse covering Iranian politics. Trying to parse through the various oscillating campaign promises and rhetorical talking points of the different candidates can be truly a tall task to undertake for participating voters in Iran. Naturally, the prospect of returning to the ballot boxes for such a high-profile election for the first time since the notorious 2009 elections is still fresh on every Iranian's mind and will surely prove too daunting for some as the flashbacks of the bloody aftermath have already prompted some individuals to boycott this year's election.
One Man, One Vote – Cartoon by Mana Neyestani, Iranwire.com
Iranian elections have become synonymous with deception and falsification largely in part by the widespread domestic and international allegations of fraud which gave incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a landslide victory over his main political adversary, Mir Hossein Moussavi, back in 2009. As Ahmadinejad's term winds to a close four years later, it is increasingly apparent that the social and physical wounds of four years ago have not yet completely healed, with some arguing that they never will fully recuperate to harmonious working order any time soon. Yet, while we rapidly approach the highly anticipated June 14 election date, it is imperative to advocate for calm and order to prevail in the aftermath and publication of the electoral results. A replay of the 2009 chaos would prove to be not only counterproductive for Iran, but also destructive for national societal norms as well. The manifestation of another large-scale uprising, in such a short timeframe, although not anticipated this time around, has the potential of plunging all of Iranian customary tranquility into absolute irrelevancy.
Iran's conservative-filled Guardian Council, which is in charge of clearing presidential candidates to run, cleared eight high-ranking and prominent contenders to campaign for the position of President. Notably absent from this octet are Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei and Hashemi Rafsanjani, two key individuals with significant public support who wished to lead Iran through its many domestic and international tribulations. Mashaei and Rafsanjani were both deemed unfit to stand for election by the powerful Guardian Council, mainly in part because Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei sought to avoid a replay of 2009's post-election chaos and violence if one, or both, of them lost.
Mashaei, a close friend, political ally, and Chief of Staff to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been widely regarded as an individual who is too far outside of the tolerated scope of Iran's clerical establishment to lead the Islamic Republic. Mashaei's advocacy for secularism, religious modernization and his apparent friendliness toward the United States and Israel earned him a disqualification verdict as his liberal viewpoints did not seem to bode well with the Guardian Council which has deep-rooted loyal ties with Khamenei. On the other hand, Rafsanjani, a stalwart of the 1979 Islamic Revolution has drastically fallen out of favor with Iran's ruling hardliners, particularly with Khamenei himself, principally, in part, because of his pragmatic views calling for more favorable business ties with Western interests and his public opposition to Ahmadinejad's reelection in 2009. Having these two controversial, yet popular, politicians barred from candidacy all but ensures a smooth outcome for the establishment as a whole on the morning of June 15th, assuming no other supplementary and unforeseen variables of any sort are thrown into the electoral or social equation.
With the field of candidates now set, it appears as though Iran's current chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, a stringent principlist in ideology, is establishing himself as the clear frontrunner for the rank of Presidency when the votes are finally tallied and announced. Jalili, a relatively young protege emanating much of Khamenei's staunchly conservative anti-West views, has risen to the top of Iran's political picking tree with his pedigree of nationalistic undertakings. A Revolutionary Guard fighter during the bloody eight-year war with Iraq, Jalili brandishes a prosthetic leg as a testament for/of/to his service for the Iranian cause. During his tenure as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Jalili has been seasoned with invaluable tactics and strategies while negotiating Iran's contested nuclear issue on the international level which would surely prove fruitful should Iranians entrust him to be their president.
The exclusion of Mashaei and Rafsanjani has created a significant void in name recognition amongst the candidates; a reality which Jalili is seizing upon with relative ease due to his recent high-level involvement in Iranian politics. His harsh words for the West and all others who oppose Iran's peaceful legal right to nuclear energy have carved out a niche for him among the conservatives, traditionalists, and highly nationalistic voter base. With repeated policy claims of unyielding pursuit for nuclear power under the established articles of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran's top nuclear negotiator seems poised to lead as one who will not buckle under intense international economic and diplomatic pressure that will surely increase if he is elected.
For those hopeful of detente between the United States and Iran following these presidential elections, all the signs point away from such a muzzling of perpetual diplomatic cacophony. On the off-chance that Jalili does not get elected, the West need not hold its collective breath. Within the octet there exist only a few legitimate contenders who genuinely have a chance of winning the election, all of whom are hardline conservatives with loyalties toward the stance of the Supreme Leader. There does not seem to be any enthrallment among the group to reach any semblance of an accord over certain nationally engrained issues, namely the nuclear impasse.
A lot is riding on who Iran elects in the ballot boxes when the polls open in a matter of days. Staple issues such as human rights, the nuclear issue, the conflict spreading from Syria into Lebanon and a whole host of other subjects will command unrelenting attention once the international fascination with the post-election coverage dies down. Iran's ability to quickly and smoothly transition out of the electoral phase is imperative not only for its domestic sensibilities, but also for the stability the Middle East on a larger scale. As a standing indigenous power in the region, Iran holds arguably the second greatest sway in the most strategically vital part of the world after the United States. With this said, a great deal of appreciation must be positioned on Iranian politics, more so than most individuals generally wish to allocate. In the coming days it will become much more apparent as to what path this historic election will take and the extent to which the ripple effects will reach longstanding issues.
Omid Irani is a student at Seton Hall University pursuing a major in Political Science and a minor in History. He has written several articles analyzing Iran's nuclear issue with respect to U.S. and international sanctions thereon and focuses on matters pertaining to Iran holistically. He can be reached at email@example.com
Veröffentlicht am 4. Juni 2013 in Gesetze, Iran Election 2013, Medien, Meinungen, Politik und mit Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Ali Khamenei, Election 2013, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, Gesetze, Human Rights, Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Medien, Menschenrechte, Mir Hossein Mousavi, Politik, Saeed Jalili, Supreme National Security Council getaggt. Setze ein Lesezeichen auf den Permalink. Kommentare deaktiviert für Iran Decides: 2013.


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India among 10 'most improved economies': World Bank's Doing Business report
India has climbed 23 places from a year ago to rank 77 out of 190 countries in the World Bank's latest annual report on the ease of doing business.
The World Bank's flagship business report, which tracks the ease of doing business in different countries around the globe, singled out India as
India was among the top 10 most improved economies along with countries such as China, Djibouti and Azerbaijan, according to the "Doing Business 2019" report.
The ease of doing business in India improved notably after a series of reforms made it easier for companies to get construction permits, pay taxes and trade across borders, the report said.
The report highlighted other areas of improvement for business, including simplifying India's tax structures, improving the efficiency of cross-border trading and reducing the time necessary to meet compliance requirements.
Radhika Rao, an economist with DBS Bank, told CNBC: "This improvement is commendable and timely, even if the benefits of these long-term focused and social plumbing reforms might not buoy growth in the immediate term."
Climbing the ladder
Among other countries to do well in the World Bank's yearly survey is Kazakhstan. The Central Asian country rose 25 places to 28th in the global ranking of 190 economies. In leapfrogging leading economies such as France, Poland, Japan, Turkey and the Netherlands, Kazakhstan secured its placed among the top 20 for the first time in the report's history.
The report praised Kazakhstan's economy "establishing best regulatory performance" and noted its extensive protection of minority shareholder rights.
The World Bank gave Kazakhstan credit in several areas including simplifying tax registration, social security registration and licencing, as well as streamlining the enforcement of contracts by introducing electronic court automation.
Rising star
The United Arab Emirates, meanwhile, continued its dizzying ascent up the rankings, climbing 10 places to finish 11th in the overall rankings. The Emirates is the highest ranking economy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
In its report the World Bank drew attention to "the two economies that enter[ed] the top 20 this year — the UAE and Malaysia – have maintained such a reform momentum." Malaysia climbed nine places, from 24th in 2017 to 15th in 2018.
The UAE implemented four separate reforms in 2018, relating to setting up a business, obtaining electricity, registering real estate and gaining access to credit, the report said.
More developed countries lagged behind the UAE, including Sweden (12th), Canada (22nd), Germany (24th), Spain (30th), France (32nd) and Japan (39th).


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Spurs great David Robinson still drawing lots of fan admiration
David Robinson still finds it amazing that 12 years after he played his last game in the NBA, fans will still line up to catch a glimpse of him.
"It's fantastic," said Robinson. "This community has really embraced me. It shows the power of the NBA globally because everywhere I go people have a tremendous love and respect for what I was able to do, so it feels good."
Robinson appeared at Sports Cards Plus in San Antonio recently, helping the store celebrate a $75,000 makeover. Fans formed a single line along the store front, which extended along Lockhill-Selma Road, hoping for a few seconds to say hello and request Robinson's autograph.
If anything, this event was more evidence of the admiration fans still show the man known as "The Admiral."
"I think most people are shocked about how big I am (7-foot-1) in person," Robinson responded when asked to recall the common questions he receives when making public appearances.
FROM THE ARCHIVES: Spurs' system was shocked when Popovich fired coach Bob Hill in 1996
As the discussion switched to sports cards, Robinson, 50, admitted he has a lot.
"I used to collect them as a boy — largely baseball is my favorite sport — baseball and football cards, and some basketball cards," he said. "So I kind of understand when I see these kids with their cards. It's their way of dreaming."
And the first time Robinson saw himself on a card, "It was really strange," he said. "You never grow up as a kid thinking this is going to be your future."
Robinson was reminded of a previous inverview last year at his basketball camp where he wondered what could've been had Pau Gasol signed with the Spurs.
One year later, though, the Spurs landed arguably a better free agent in LaMarcus Aldridge.
"This franchise finds a way to keep moving forward and to be as good as we've been the last 20 years is mind-boggling," said Robinson. "(Gregg Popovich), (R.C. Buford), Peter Holt, all of those guys have been some of the best managers in sports, so in a way I'm not surprised (the team landed Aldridge). It's just a machine that keeps rolling along."
FROM THE ARCHIVES: Popovich took a whipping in his first game as head coach
Turns out Robinson, a member of the Spurs' ownership group, was a part of the recruitment process. He said he received a few phone calls when the Spurs were pursing the Texas native.
Said Robinson: "(Aldridge) came here not just because of me, but because of what this franchise has stood for, what he felt like he could learn in the organization, because of what we've built here, and I'm really proud to be a part of that."
Asked if he's given Aldridge any advice, Robinson said: "Not yet, but I know he wants to sit down and talk and as well for me."
Robinson then mentioned the signing of David West, calling the move a "phenomenal acquisition. Just a super-smart player, who has all the skills inside and out."
Robinson said he plans to sit down with West, too.
"He's already said to me, 'You were one of my favorite players growing up,'" said Robinson. "So now I get a chance to spend some time with him and encourage him, not just in basketball, but in life. That's an incredible blessing."
Told how Tony Parker recently embraced taking on a new role with the Spurs, as Kawhi Leonard will be shouldering more responsibilities on offense along with Aldridge, Robinson recalled when he was in Parker's place, making room for Tim Duncan to be the guy.
"Absolutely," said Robinson, remembering the moment he began to yield to Duncan. "I mean, it's an ongoing process. When I came here, I was looking toward the leadership and trying to figure out, 'Hey, what do I need to do? How do I lead? How do I help take us to the next level?' Guys like Caldwell Jones, Maurice Cheeks, Terry Cummings, those were the guys that were trying to teach me how to do it. I felt, naturally, that responsibility to pass that on."
The last part of the conversation centered around Popovich, who was named the new coach of the USA Basketball men's national team last week, replacing Mike Krzyzewski.
"One legend to the next," said Robinson of the move. "That just elevates the status, the quality, everything of USA Basketball. Pop is the perfect guy to follow after Coach K."
Given Robinson's history with both Popovich and USA Basketball, it was suggested he could be an assistant coach with Popovich.
Robinson laughed, then said: "I would jump at the chance. I haven't done any coaching, but I would jump at the chance to do that. The Olympics is just a great experience. … But like I said, to go from Coach K to Pop, you can't ask for a better jump than that."
The five-minute media session had reached its end. It was time to give fans their moment.
A few autographs in, a man stepped to the table where Robinson was sitting. He thanked the former Spurs great repeatedly, before saying: "Mr. Robinson, you're the reason I stayed in school."
His playing days may be over, but David Robinson still has a strong impact on San Antonio.
Twitter: @JabariJYoung


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Delahgomasi needed a new web page design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 177 designs submitted by 55 freelance designers.
We provide premium house cleaning services to Mums, Dads, busy professionals, home owners, families with teenagers and everything in between.
I want to try and keep the existing color theme if possible or at least have a reference to the existing color scheme.
I need fresh vibrant colors.
Some whites and some colors matching the original design.
Photos of rooms & people but not too stock photoish
Home page, services page, about us
No drop down menus, stock photos should not look stockish.
The winning designer will be hired for landing page design and 3 other pages moving forward.


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Established 1985
For all your double glazing repairs and new installations
For all your double glazing repairs and new installations
The Window Doctors have been in the double glazing industry for over 40 years now and in 1985 we decided to diversify into the repair industry to meet the demands of the public and commercial sectors.
We undertake works for councils, housing associations, The MOD and major building contractors.
Our aim is to complete over 70% of all repairs on our first visit as our vehicles carry a vast amount of stock and spare parts.
new 4 panel grey on white composite door
London - 020 8813 5218
Oxford - 01869 572 206
Facebook - @thewindowdoctors
Copyright © 2018 The Window Doctors - All Rights Reserved.


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GESCOM recruitment 2016
GESCOM recruitment 2016
The electricity supplying company of India, Gulbarga electricity Supply Company limited has released the official advertisement regarding the 2016 recruitment. All the interested candidates are requested to visit the site for advertisement and read all the details and apply for the job.
Read all the important information of GESCOM recruitment 2016
Name of the Hiring Organization – Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Limited is the recruiting team for electricity department.
Total no of vacant posts- 1840 Posts
Salary package and grade offered by the GESCOM- Rs7950 to 16790 for Post 1, Rs 7350 to 15710 for Post 2.
Employment Type – Full time job will be offered to all selected candidates.
Location- Karnataka
Name of the post and no of posts available-
- Junior Station Operator (JSO) – 540 Posts
- Junior Line Man(JLM) – 1300 Posts
Age Limit for GESCOM recruitment 2016- All the applicants who are willing to participate in this recruitment of electricity department can apply for the job only if they fall in the age group of 18 to 35 years. For any information regarding the job you may read the article. And age relaxation will be given to the needed candidates,
Educational Qualification- The education requirements for this job profile is 10th and ITI degree. Applicants with any other education which have equal importance can apply for the job. For any education details read the official advertisement.
Mode of Selection Procedure – Written Exam / Interview
Application Fee –
- General/OBC Candidates Application Fee is Rs 200 for Post1, Rs 400 for Post 2
- All Other Candidates (ST/SC) Application Fee is Rs 100 for Post 1, 200 for Post 2
How To Apply for GESCOM recruitment 2016 – The online application is available at the GESCOM official site, so if interested you may apply by filling the form before the last date.
Official website –www.gescom.in is the official site.
16-05-2016 is the last date to apply and get registered!!
Link- http://www.gescom.in/DetailedEmploymentNotification.pdf


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Monthly Archives: September 2015
Sharing Our Resources with Others by Fr. Joel
We human beings have the natural tendency to be selfish-not willing to share with others our resources. Just like some
children often do refuse to share even with the person who had given them a gift. That is how many of us are. We find it difficult to share even with God who had given us all the gifts that we have.
In the first reading of today, Joshua demonstrated unwillingness to share and jealousy that the spirit of God was given to some elders who were not present at the tent of meeting where the spirit of prophecy descended on the 72 elders. He requested that Moses should stop them from prophesying. In the same way John was not ready to share ministry of healing with others and had requested that Jesus should stop those people who were healing in his name but were not following him. Both Jesus and Moses responded by encouraging the people to appreciate God's generosity to others. God can give his gift to anyone he wishes to. God is not selfish like us humans rather he is very generous to everyone.
Moses said that he wished that everyone had the spirit of prophesy. That would be good for the people of God. Our desire should be that everyone receives blessings and spiritual gifts from God. Surely, God has blessed us abundantly but a few selfish and greedy people are denying majority of the people their rights and access to these blessings and to participate in ministry. How can you reconcile the fact that a few people are extremely rich while the majority of the people are living in poverty. This is so because the rich are hoarding these resources and are not willing to share with others. Most rich people got their wealth through evil means such as stealing, cheating, denying people their proper wages and so on in the name of business and being smart. We are given these resources and talents by God as stewards to share and serve others. What we do not know is that by sharing with others we gain more blessing and become qualified to enter the kingdom of God. Hence the saying that blessed is the hand that gives than the hand that takes.
The second reading talked about how the rich will cry because of their ill-gotten wealth which shall count against them on judgment day. Worldly riches will fade, be stolen, and become rotten, but spiritual riches will last forever. So, use material riches to get spiritual riches by sharing your resources with others. Store for yourself treasures in heaven where there are no thieves or rot that will destroy them. If you do not belong to a community or ministry, it means you are selfish with your gifts. If you do not have friends or visit or communicating with people, it means you are selfish. If you cannot forgive or reconcile with those who wrong you, it means you are selfish. Sometimes we are depressed because we do not want to share with others. By sharing your resources you gain peace and more blessings.
Jesus talked about allowing those healing in his name to be, for whoever is not against us, is for us. This suggests that we should welcome and allow others to share and participate in our community and the ministry of Jesus. He also urges his disciples never to mislead the little ones among them, for if they do, they will be punished. Sometimes we judge and condemn other as not qualified to belong or participate in our community, ministry or group. We have a responsibility toward children and vulnerable members of society; to share with them, lead and provide them mentorship so that they do not deviate from the right path. Furthermore, that we should avoid whatever leads us into sin in order to qualify to enter heaven. This means cutting off relationships, habits, and thoughts that lead us into sin and away from sharing our lives with others. For what shall be our gain if we gain the whole world and ruin our souls at the end?
Jesus the Suffering Messiah by Fr. Joel
In a film named, Mother Teresa, as a workman explained to her the working of their new building's hot water heater, she told him gently, ''I don't think we will be needing it. For us to be able to understand the poor, we must know what poverty is.''
Jesus, just like any good teacher, started from simple question to a tough question for his disciples. Namely: who do people say that I am? Then, who do you say that I am? This second question was the most important question and a question for true discipleship. Only those who have a personal encounter with Jesus can answer this question correctly. The disciples have been with Jesus for sometimes, so he asked them to know if they truly have known him. Peter answered him saying, ''you are the Christ.' This answer demonstrated that they truly know him as the Christ, the Messiah.
The disciples saw Jesus as a great Messiah, because of the signs and wonders that he performed. They saw him as one who was capable of rescuing the people of Israel from their Roman oppressors by military tactics as in the days of King David. And they could not understand why Jesus said that he would suffer in the hands of their leaders and die. How can a person as powerful as Jesus suffer in the hands of their leaders? That is why Peter said to him that it is not possible. But Jesus said to him, ''get behind me Satan'' which means his idea was coming from Satan and not the will of God. It was the will of God for Christ to suffer and die for our sins.
Suffering, self-denial, and self-giving are the will of God for Christ to go through for our salvation. The first reading of today described the kind of suffering Jesus went through. For us to be saved, and cooperate with the grace of God. That is why Christ said we must carry our crosses daily and follow him. The crosses are our daily struggles to live as Christians. The crosses are suffering, self-denial, and self-giving. In the second reading, James talked about faith and good works; the two go hand in hand because faith without good work is useless. This is one area in scripture where Catholics differ from Protestants in interpretation. While Protestants say by faith alone (solar fide) we are saved, Catholic say we are saved by faith and good works. Another area of difference is, (solar scriptura) which means believe in the scripture alone, according to the Protestants, while Catholics believe in both scripture and tradition. This is so because the scripture came from the Jewish tradition. To understand scripture, we must understand the Jewish tradition.
According to James, show your faith to me without works, and I will show you my faith by my good works. This is very true. You cannot show that you are qualified for a job by showing only your certificates. You must also demonstrate that you can do the job. You cannot pass your exams by just registration in a school, but you must also work hard for it. Therefore, we cannot claim to be Christians by words alone, but we must show by both words and good deeds. You do not become a Catholic by receiving the sacraments without doing good works to show that the grace of God is in you. We cannot just be Sacramental Catholics, but true disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ who are willing to be disciples, serve, and make other disciples too. We can only show that we are Christians by our ways of lives in the world.
The cross is the identity of Christians. To be a true Christian you must identify with the cross of Jesus Christ every day of your life. Carrying the cross means patience, forgiveness, love, mercy, sharing, humility, prayers, sacrifice, supporting and serving the less privilege in our society. That is how we can show that we are Christians and gain salvation.
Jesus Brought Joy to the World by Fr. Joel
In the first reading of today, Isaiah told the people of Israel who were worried, because they were on exile in Babylon suffering, to be strong and not to be afraid for their God will save them and bring them joy. James said in the second reading that God chose those who are poor in worldly things to be rich in spiritual things and become heirs to the kingdom of God. In the gospel we see a fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus Christ as he brought healing to the blind, mute and deaf people. He restored them to good health and brought joy to them.
Many of us are in exile suffering like the people of Israel in Babylon. We have been taken captives and enslaved by the devil and we are living in sin. Many of us are blind, deaf and mute to what the Lord is teaching us in the Bible. Anyone who is stubborn and does not listen to the word of God, that person is deaf. Anyone who refuses to speak the truth proclaimed in the word of God, the person is mute or dumb. When someone refuses to recognize evil, the sufferings, and needs of poor in order to give assistance to them, the person is blind.
Some people find the word of God offensive and have refused to accept it. Some of these people call themselves atheists or agnostics. While other people hate and persecute Christians because of their faith. There are some of us, even though, we did not openly reject the word of God, but we refuse to do what the word tells us. That is, those who are hearers and not doers of the word of God; those who do the very opposite of what the word of God said. Many of us are dumb; we cannot communicate the word of God to others. When you are shy, afraid or nonchalant to communicate the word of God even to your children or family members, let alone strangers, you are dumb.
Jesus brought good news to the world, we need to communicate this news to those who have not heard about it and to those who have heard but do not understand it or accept it. However, you cannot give what you do not have. You need to first of all receive the word of God, see the beautiful message of salvation in it then communicate it to others. Jesus came to rescue us from the slavery of the devil; He carried our sins away and healed our wounds. Jesus was anointed to bring good news to the poor, freedom to those in bondage, healing to the blind, deaf, and dumb (Lk 4:18). We continue to receive all of these from the word of God and the sacraments. Jesus has freed us from any distinctions of class because we all the same under him. Your socioeconomic status does not give you an edge over other in the kingdom of God. In fact, what makes you great before God is your humility and acts of charity to others, especially the poor. Jesus died on cross for our salvation and to bring us joy.
He said in John 10:10 that he came so that we might have life abundantly. Only those who truly live according to his teaching are truly happy. So open up your heart and mind for him to come in and give joy, and you will in turn give others joy. Do not be shy or afraid to proclaim Jesus to others. Proclaim him by your words and deeds. Present yourself as an instrument in God's hands to be use to bring healing and joy to our sick world.
Obeying God's Law from the Heart, Not Mere Observance by Fr. Joel
Last weekend, we were called upon to decide to either serve the living God or some other gods; whether to be with Christ or to leave him like some of the disciples did after he said they must eat his body and drink his blood.
Today, our Lord Jesus is concerned about the health of our spirit; what makes our souls sick and makes a person unclean. He said that the root cause of uncleanliness in a person is not from outside but from the heart. And that we need to wash clean ourselves from the inside; to make sure our hearts and minds are clean. The heart and mind are the control centers in each of us; the source of all thoughts, desires, decisions and values. So once you are sick from there, you become unclean and sick. Jesus also warned against the disregard for God's law and clinging to human laws and traditions.
In the first reading, Moses instructed the people of Israel to observe the commandments of God as it is and not to add to it or subtract from it. The Psalm said that whoever observes these commandments of God shall never be disturbed, which means you shall have peace and joy that comes from God alone. The second reading encourages us to be doers of the word and not hearers only.
God gave the people of Israel his laws through Moses as we can find in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. But with time, their leaders created more laws to regulate certain aspect of their lives. This could be referred to as, ''man-made laws'' for instance, the law of washing hands up to the elbow before eating. This was a mere ritual washing and not for hygiene purpose, just like the Muslims do before their prayers.
Furthermore, as time went on, the religious leaders, the Scribes and the Pharisees started to respect these man-made laws and traditions more than the laws given by God to them. These man-made laws were mere external observances and not for internal disposition of the people. That is to say, not purify the heart and mind. For example, a person is considered good if he/she is able to carry out these external observances like washing of hands before eating. Even if the person is guilty of sins such as adultery, stealing, malice, deceit and so on, in as much as it is not seen or known by people, the person is considered good. This means disobeying God's laws which make you clean from within, but obeying man-made laws and traditions that make look good from the outside. That is a misplacement of priorities.
Even today the Church has enacted some laws to regulate certain aspects of our lives and activities. However, these laws must not supersede the laws giving by God because God's laws are superior to man-made laws. Human beings cannot tamper with God's laws. You take them as they are or leave them.
Our civil society too has enacted some laws to regulate our activities and to maintain peace and order in society. Nevertheless, these laws must not be place above God's laws. Human made laws are important but they must not be in conflict with God's laws. Any man-made laws that are in conflict with God's laws are misleading us; encouraging us to disobey God but encouraging us to obey man-made laws and traditions.
Today, we see how human beings are creating and promoting laws that are in conflict with God's laws. And they want people to respect these laws more than God's laws. Today, we want to follow our desires and do what we want instead of what God wants us to do. In our world today, we are seeking happiness and joy in worldly things such as money, food, drink, pleasure etc. All of these will rather give us misery and pain. Obeying God's laws is the only way that we can be truly happy and peaceful in our lives. Many of us are like the Scribes and Pharisees. We are mere external observers of rules, but never clean from within. Many of us are just sacramental Catholic, but not true disciples of Lord. We have all the sacraments but are not truly converted from the heart. Many cradle Catholic take their faith for granted; they are always cold and do not allow the spirit of God to flourish in them. The sacraments, prayers, retreats and rituals worship that we have are only channels of grace that lead us to an encounter God and enable us establish a relationship with him. Church laws and regulations are meant to assist us obey God's laws but not to disobey them. But because we do not open up our hearts and minds for the spirit of God to enter and use us, we remain cold as if nothing has happened to us. If you have an encounter with God, there is no way you will remain cold or the same; you must be on fire by the Holy Spirit to do great things for God and his people. Those who have allowed the spirit into their lives, you will see them doing deeds of kindness, mercy and all kinds of good works for people and in the Church.
Therefore, I challenge you today to be open to the spirit of God and allow him use you for the glory of his name. And when you allow the spirit of God into your life then you will experience true peace and happiness. Stop being a slave to the devil and be converted from your heart and serve the living God. As a true child of God you do not live in sin, rather a child of God in the spirit, loving and dong good to people and God our creator.


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Pulp & Paper
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Bonjour♪Koiaji Pâtisserie Bonjour♪Sweet Love Patisserie
- Comedy
- Harem
- Romance
- Shoujo
- Slice of Life
provided by MyAnimeList
Sayuri Haruno dreams of becoming a pastry chef and enrolls in Fleurir Confectionary Academy, an elite school located in Tokyo's trendy Aoyama district. At Fleurir, she finds herself surrounded by charming boys, each one distinctly unique. Out of the entire class, Ryou Kouzuki's desire to become a pastry chef is the strongest. Blessed with unparalleled...Read More technique, instructor Mitsuki Aoi acts like a prince and is hugely popular at the school. Gilbert Hanafusa, the mood maker of the bunch, is a student from France. Yoshinosuke Suzumi is not very good at expressing his feelings, but underneath his stony exterior lies a wholehearted passion for wagashi (Japanese sweets).
As Sayuri pours her heart and soul into making her dream a reality, she encounters many happenings... Read Less
More Information
- Name: Bonjour♪Koiaji Pâtisserie
- Alt. Name: Bonjour♪Sweet Love Patisserie
- Score: 6.3
- Type: TV Show
- Episodes: 24
- Season: Autumn 2014
- Genres: ComedyHaremRomanceShoujoSlice of Life
- TV Rating: TV-14
- Sequel seasons and OVAs not included
More details available on MyAnimeList


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Please check price before downloading. Prices are subject to change and are not guaranteed by eReader Obsession.
(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on one of the product links, I'll receive a small commission.)
This 10,000-word short story is perfect for your lunch break, workout, or while you wait in line at the mall. Read it today to get a taste of autumn any time of the year!
"Along with a great mystery, the plot line was laced with intrigue and action. I adored the characters and the author did a wonderful job managing a multi-character plot line." ~ Author A.E.Albert.
An Indian palace full of secret compartments.
A centuries-old Treasure Hunt game.
And a family gathering of one hundred and fifty.
Twelve- year- old Sandy, who has always lived in the U.S., is visiting Amrita Mahal, the family palace. She joins the other children of the erstwhile royal family in the Hunt for the Horseman, a game like none other because it involves looking for an ivory toy- the Horseman- in secret compartments and hidey-holes.
Dangerous criminals are out to grab the palace. This could be the last chance the children may have to find the elusive horseman. Meantime, as the court hearing nears, the thugs start dangerous games.
When it looks like everything is lost, the Horseman saves the palace…
Read for a rollercoaster ride of fun, thrill, adventure, mystery, and more.
Kindly Note: The Mystery of the Missing Horseman was previously published under the title Hunt for the Horseman.
Discounted (0.99-2.99)
"Exciting! Captivating! Couldn't put it down!" ★★★★★
If you could manipulate the reality of others, would you?
Kaylin has been on the run for nearly half of her life, hiding her untapped abilities from the relentless forces that hunt her. When rescuing a mysterious stranger risks exposing the depths of Kaylin's power, she quickly learns that this harsh, new world will no longer allow her to remain hidden.
Surviving has never been easy, but resisting is deadly.
In a future where greed and corruption have torn society apart, ruthless sector groups manipulate and oppress the masses by abusing gifted youths, known as Influencers. With the ability to shift the mindset of others and bend the populace to the will of their masters, these teens are high-value targets to be acquired and controlled at any cost. Now, war is being waged by the sector groups to expand their reach and consolidate power. Though only wanting to create a new life for herself, Kaylin may be the only one who can stop them from enslaving the rest of humanity.
But will fighting back cost Kaylin everything?
Influence is the first novel in the Influence series, a sci-fi, dystopian epic brimming with fast-paced action, suspenseful intrigue and a touch of romance, all propelled by an inventive and unique story concept. If you are a The Maze Runner or Hunger Games fan, then an exciting new journey awaits you!
"This is true Chick Lit…relatable, quirky, and downright hilarious." -Brookeblogs.com ★★★★★
"I couldn't put the book down and literally woke the hubz up in the middle of the night because I was laughing so hard at one point." -Mama'sGot Flair ★★★★★
From Readers' Favorite Book Award winner, Becky Monson, comes a chick lit romance series that will keep you laughing. For fans of Sophie Kinsella, Helen Fielding, & Jennifer Weiner, follow the adventures of Julia Dorning as she tries to escape spinsterhood.
Julia Dorning is a spinster, or at least on the road to becoming one. She has no social life, hates her career, and lives in her parent's basement with her cat, Charlie.
With the arrival of Jared Moody, the new hire at work, Julia's mundane life is suddenly turned upside down. Her instant (and totally ridiculous) crush on the new guy causes Julia to finally make some long-overdue changes, in hopes to find a life that includes more than baking and hanging out with Charlie.
But when the biggest and most unexpected change comes, will the new and improved Julia be able to overcome it? Or will she go back to her spinster ways?
"Dear fans of Bridget Jones, Sophie Kinsella, and Marian Keyes, I have found an American author for you to meet and watch!" -Andi's Book Reviews ★★★★★
A missing girl. A broken doll. A scandal some would rather forget…
When 15-year-old Beth Ridley vanished on her way to school, it was a baffling mystery that shocked the small island community of Gorey. The girl was never found, and the sole clue – a leg torn from a doll she was carrying – led investigators nowhere. The case soon went cold…
Now, on the tenth anniversary of her disappearance, Detective Inspector Graham is taking another look at the case. As a cop in the big city, Graham has seen more than his fill of darkness and death. Something about the case doesn't feel right, and the inspector can't seem to let it go.
What he uncovers will rock the town of Gorey to the core, and stir up memories long since forgotten. There are painful truths to face. And some people would prefer that their secrets stay buried…
The Case of the Broken Doll is a gripping standalone mystery in Alison Golden's bestselling Inspector David Graham series. With fiendishly clever twists and characters you'll grow to love, it's easy to see why Golden's books have been described as "captivating" and "unputdownable." Warning: may cause sleepless nights… because you won't be able to stop reading.
Buy this book because it's good.
Liberated from Her Cage by a Dragon
Stolen from her jungle home and sold to a zookeeper, Pip knows only a world behind bars, a world in which a Pygmy warrior and her giant ape friends are a zoo attraction. She dreams of being Human. She dreams of escaping to the world outside her cage.
Then, the Dragon Zardon kidnaps her into a new life. Pip rides Dragonback across the Island-World to her new school – a school inside a volcano. A school where Humans learn to be Dragon Riders. But this is only a foretaste of her magical destiny, for the Dragon Assassins are coming. They have floated an Island across the Rift and their aim is nothing less than the massacre of all Dragons.
>>Her courage will be tested to its limits, for Pip is the Pygmy Dragon, and this is her tale
Series Note
The Pygmy Dragon is the first book in a companion series to Aranya and Shadow Dragon, the bestselling Shapeshifter Dragon series. Featuring stunning aerial battles and romance, Aranya is a fresh, gripping coming of age tale set in the same world 150 years on, when the Sylakian Empire rules the Island-World from the Rift to the frozen Islands of the north, and Dragons are fast becoming a fireside legend. But one Dragon lives – let evil beware.
Scroll Up and Grab Your Copy Today!
There will come a day…when love will mark her a traitor.
In a society where emotions are outlawed and function is everything, Avlyn Lark is just trying to blend in.
Born into the lowest level of society she was fortunate to have been removed from her biological parents and assigned to a Level Two family.
But mastering her emotions? That's a problem… especially when a rebel bomb blows up a building right in front of her.
On Configuration Day, Avlyn's official transition to adulthood, she starts seeing strange visions. And instead of being placed with a basic job where she could hide her urges, she's hired by Genesis Technologies, the government firm that controls every citizen.
If Gen Tech discovers her secrets and exposes her for what she really is, it will ruin her life. And if they find out about her illegal meetings with a mysterious but handsome member of the rebel forces, her life will be more than ruined.
It will be over.
Invading her house.
Poisoning her dog and threatening her with the same.
Sarah Lynn Jones was enjoying her office management job, until she had to fire her process engineer.
But it can't be him. He has a strong alibi, and so does everyone else she can think of.
A new quality manager at work offers to watch her house at night in exchange for overnight lodging until he can buy his own place. This upsets the sales manager since he's been pursuing Sarah Lynn romantically for some time.
When Sarah Lynn discovers that her husband left her an antique worth millions of dollars, the clues zero in on more than one perpetrator, and a clever switch results in the item's disappearance. But she and her friends discover its location before the police do, drawing everyone into a wild off-road chase for its recovery.