7 Biggest Mistakes of a Modern Society

It’s difficult to live in a modern society since it’s full of mistakes, principles and prejudices. Democratic world gives people freedom in almost all spheres of their life. People are free to behave and act the way they like. We should remember that uncontrolled democracy without morality and ethic regulation can be dangerous for people from all over the world. Nowadays, society has a blurred vision of reality. It seems to me that we’ve become blind to many obvious things and truths. We make mistakes and don’t even know about them. If we don’t correct our mistakes today, then our future generations will suffer from the consequences of our sins.

Many positive values have been replaced by negative ones. Greediness, rudeness, cruelty and indifference have become predominant values that guide the life of millions of people. I think that people should open their eyes and try to understand that it’s never late to save the situation. We should learn to value things and use humane ways to reach goals. I believe that a mistake is not a mistake, if we try to correct it and change everything for better. I hope this little article will motivate and inspire you to improve your life starting today.

1. We can’t imagine life without problems

My workmate has a habit of complaining about her problems all the time. It seems to me that this person can’t live without drama. I think that her negative outlook is the reason of her sufferings, because she notices only bad things in life. I always try to cheer her up by saying, “Don’t trouble troubles, until troubles trouble you.”

It’s easy to live without issues if you focus on positivity and have the ability to enjoy and celebrate every moment of your life. If troubles trouble you, then you should do your best to handle the situation. The main secret is to treat your failures with optimism. The biggest mistake of many people is to become disheartened and make constant struggle with problems and negativity a part of their lifestyle.

2. Many people postpone a visit to a doctor

The phrase “I have no time” is the life motto of many workaholics. They usually have no time to take care of their health, because it doesn’t fit their schedule. Other people also ignore or postpone a visit to their doctors, because they lack money. They prefer to wait until the symptoms of the illness will fade away. This is one of the biggest human mistakes people will regret later, because the consequences of total inaction can be fatal. Another reason of inaction is the fear of hospitals.

I’ve always been afraid of doctors and different hospital procedures as well. My friends’ stories about their visits to the dentist usually scared me to death. Plus I feared medical mistakes, but a bit later I took my courage in both hands and started visiting doctors. I understood that my health was my responsibility. Now I’ve already got rid of my fears. Every time I’ve problems with health, I attend the hospital. If something is wrong, I visit at least two doctors. I think it’s better to get different opinions about the problem. If they correspond, I follow the doctor’s prescriptions. If not, I continue investigating the problem.

3. It’s impossible to change yourself

Many people consider that they can’t run from themselves. But what for? Running from the problems is the choice of weak and diffident people. I’m sure that the reason of all your troubles and conflicts lies within your mind. The sooner you accept this truth, the quicker you’ll have a chance to start a new life. Theoretically and physically it’s easy to change. It’s significantly harder to dare to make confident steps and actions, because human beings are afraid of unknown.

I can state with assurance that people often underestimate their abilities. I have two friends who had changed beyond recognition in a quite short period of time. I think that people begin to change when they’re becoming sick and tired of their present lifestyle and conditions. Don’t repeat the mistakes of other people. Express and change yourself the way you want.

4. We take rudeness for strength

Rudeness is a self-defense reaction of weak people. They believe that attack is the best way to defense themselves. Rude words and actions push people away from any person. This strategy protects them both from bad and wonderful people. I think no one likes to be treated in a rude way. As a result, this negative trait of character makes you lose more than you gain.

I don’t like people who use vulgar language and behave in an impudent way. I treat rude people with compassion, because I know that only miserable people prefer to reach their goals with a help of rudeness. Their ability to hurt people’s feelings can play an Old Harry with them later, because all bad things return to its original source like a boomerang.

5. Money is everything in life

Wealth is the cherished dream of many people on this planet. They’re ready to take a sin upon their souls. Yes, money can help people make both noble deeds and bring sufferings to each other. But sometimes money corrupts people, because it gives them temporary power and superiority. Many of us can’t resist the temptations of money. It often provokes people to treat each other with contempt and disrespect.

One day, my grandmother told me a parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. This parable is of current importance even today, because people still repeat the mistakes of their ancestors. It taught me to treat others with love and respect. Kindness and compassion should prevail over evil. I’ve realized that family, love and respect are the main values of human beings. Money is just the tool that motivates us to move on and helps to develop.

6. Everything will come in its time

Everyone knows these wise words. I believe that everything will come only if you make enough efforts to achieve desirable results. If you sit down twiddling your thumbs, you should forget once and for all about successful and happy future.

My friend says there’s no need to spoil nerves and overload yourself with work. She prefers to go with the flow and wait until a superhero or Santa Claus will make her dreams come true. I can’t admit this truth, because I’m a realist and I try to make concrete steps toward my goals.

7. Life is endless

This is the most common mistake of many people. They think that they’re immortal and their life will last forever. Unfortunately, time flies very fast. You should value every moment spent with your dearest and nearest and manage your time effectively, if you want to succeed in something. You shouldn’t forget to say right words at the right time and keep your promises. I try not to reflect deeply on this point, because I’m a bit sentimental person. I just live my life to the full and don’t let laziness prevent me from happiness.

You should be wise enough to realize that mistakes can exert both positive and negative influence on your life. Accept and admit your mistakes and you’ll be able to cognize the truth and move in right direction. What other biggest mistakes of a modern society do you know? Share your thoughts with us!

Thanks:-http://en.amerikanki.com/mistakes-modern-society/  

Avoiding Common Meeting Mistakes

Successfully organizing meetings is an under-appreciated business skill. With the umpteen details meeting and event planners need to handle, mistakes are bound to be made, and sometimes heads will roll as a result. To make certain that yours isn't one of them, here are some common meeting blunders to rise above.

Forgetting to check dates

Before finalizing any dates for your meetings or events, check that they don't overlap with any religious, public, state, or federal holidays. Also, consider avoiding an overlap with any major sporting events, especially if you're looking to attract a predominately male audience. At the beginning of the calendar year, generate a checklist of all the upcoming holidays and events so that you don't let one slip by you. It's so easy to do!

Booking a site before making a visit

Often when you're organizing an event at a destination many miles from home, there's not enough time or money in the budget to make a site visit. Big mistake! Why take the risk that everything won't be fine on the day of the event or rely on someone else's judgment? This is particularly critical for larger meetings and events. In addition, checking out the scene beforehand allows you the opportunity to meet and build a rapport with the staff you'll be working very closely with on the day of the event.

Failing to market your event

It's really quite simple: In order to get people to attend your event, you need to let them know about it in plenty of time. It's all about marketing and communication, which is part and parcel of your planning and organizing process. The longer you wait to inform potential attendees, the stronger the chance that they'll have made alternative plans for your meeting dates. Communicate your message in plenty of time so that your event is their number one priority.

Signing contracts that lack specifics

One meeting planner had her day in court when she cancelled a meeting because the hotel she booked had not made, in her opinion, sufficient progress on its planned renovation. The hotel argued differently and, in fact, won the case. The written contract had specified that "substantial progress" would be made prior to the meeting date. Being such a subjective phrase, it was open to different interpretations. Make sure that your contracts are ironclad with undisputable details. Avoid phrases like "to be negotiated" or "to be determined at a later date."

Failing to plan

Fail to plan, and you're laying yourself open for disaster. Far too many pieces of the puzzle need to be put together for you to just wing it or pay lip service to a plan. Vow to be as thorough and meticulous as possible. Check and recheck details. Discuss your event with people not involved in the business to get outsider opinions. Create checklists and checklists of checklists. Cover all your bases. The more thorough you are, the less chance of failure and more probability of success.

Neglecting to check references

Having a gut feeling about someone is great, but always check to make sure he's as good as he says he is. Yes, it will take some extra time to check references, but it's well worth the effort. Why take the chance of spoiling your important event with a supplier who lets you down at the last minute or supplies you with second-rate equipment or poor-quality service? A key question to ask the reference is, "Would you use this supplier again for your next function?" You know what to do if the answer is negative!

Leaving important details to the last minute

Putting your meeting together takes time, and the more you have, the better the chances of making fewer mistakes. The more rushed and panicked you are, the more likely you are to forget some of the essential (and sometimes most obvious) things. Use your checklists religiously, and handle details in the early planning stages. Leaving the basics to the last minute will undoubtedly cost more money, as you'll probably incur rush charges, and it will definitely add unnecessary stress to your life!

Letting someone else do the planning

So you want to take the easy way out, and you find yourself a professional planner to handle all the details. Can you afford to just sit back in the hope that this wonderful person performs magic? Just because you hire some assistance doesn't mean you're out of the picture. On the contrary, you now take on the role of steward, which makes you responsible for directing all the operations. Let others do the running around on your behalf, but always have a visible presence in the background making sure that everything runs smoothly.

Neglecting contingencies

Another aspect of your planning process involves developing contingency plans. Unfortunately, the chances are pretty high that something you planned for won't necessarily go as arranged. So what's your backup? If you don't have one, all your original plans could be destroyed in an instant, and you'll be scrambling to put a second strategy into operation. Have a Plan B ready "in the wings" just in case you need it.

Trying to save money

With tight budgets and a boss breathing down your neck and expecting you to do more with less, the temptation to make vendor decisions based solely on price is strong. Yes, you'll always find someone who's prepared to under-price services just to get the business. But how good and reliable are they? Cheap prices and good quality usually don't correlate. So the next time you're tempted to make a buying decision based entirely on price, think again!

Readmore : http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/avoiding-common-meeting-mistakes.html

Better Doctors Focus on Mistakes

Everybody makes mistakes. But far too few people take the opportunity to learn from them. We'd all be better people if we did. And for doctors, acknowledging errors could mean the difference between a patient's life or death.

In a study where doctors were faced with a simulated medical emergency and had to choose from uncertain treatment options, a scenario requiring a certain amount of trial and error, doctors who paid more attention to their mistakes fared much better than those who focused on their treatment successes.

This is a message everybody could benefit from.

The doctors were presented with a situation where a patient had suffered a heart attack and given a simplified six-factor patient history. They then had to choose from two emergency drug treatments.

The key to choosing the right drug was whether the patient had diabetes. One drug had a 75 percent success rate in patients with diabetes and a 25 percent success rate in all other patients. The second drug gave completely opposite results. But the doctors didn't know this. They had to figure it out from seeing which of their virtual patients lived and which died.

They were given 64 computer simulated trials to learn from, with 10 seconds to select a treatment option for each patient. Results of their treatment were described as either success or failure. Then the same exercise was done as a test: 64 new patients, with no information given to the doctors on whether the treatment succeeded or failed.

Their success rates, their own written accounts, and brain scans taken while the doctors were going through this exercise all provided some very interesting results.

About one-quarter of the doctors eventually found the proper treatment pattern, choosing correctly between 77 and 98 percent of the time. The other doctors did much worse. Based on fMRI scans, which measure changes in blood flow to different parts of the brain, doctors who performed well tended to show high activity in their frontal lobe when treatments failed, while the doctors who performed poorly tended to activate the frontal lobe when a treatment was successful.

The researchers interpret this as meaning that the better performing doctors were focusing more on failed treatments and gradually learning from their mistakes. The poorly performing doctors focused more on successful treatments, with each success confirming what the doctors (falsely) thought they knew about which treatment was better. The researchers term this sort of behavior "success chasing." It's what happens when people ignore their mistakes.

The doctors' own written accounts give other clues about what was going through their heads as they tried to figure out why these drugs sometimes worked and other times didn't. Choosing the right drug was a puzzle. As they treated more patients, doctors altered their treatment strategies based on the results they were seeing. For example, at one point in the trial, one doctor was prescribing drug A for females over 55 and men under 55, and drug B for all other patients. As the trial progressed, the better-performing doctors made small adjustments to their treatment rules following both successes and failures, while low performers made large rule adjustments, and made significantly larger adjustments following successes than failures.

A very striking and unanticipated result was that the more experienced a doctor was, the poorer they performed during the trial.

So what's the take home message from the study? Probably that people can learn as much from their mistakes as their successes but tend to think that their successes are much more meaningful.

What about the fact that less-experienced doctors were better at solving the puzzle? The meaning of that was beyond the scope of the study and could have many explanations. Perhaps younger minds are more facile at solving puzzles. Or maybe older doctors simply are less fond of computer tasks. Nobody knows for sure. It's one more point to consider in the seemingly unanswerable question of whether people are better off with a younger doctor or a more experienced one.

Read more : http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2011/12/better-doctors-focus-on-mistakes/249981/

Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing A Bus

My previous article, in the January 2008 issue of Religious Product News, focused on recommended steps for purchasing a new bus. The focus of this article is on suggestions for what not to do when purchasing a bus. These suggestions are based on two decades of working with purchasers, many of whom devote the time and energy to make sure they do it right.

A good first step is disassociating the process of purchasing a bus with purchasing a car. It may be hard to do since we all have experience with buying cars, but, the fact is, a bus is not a car, and the buying process is not the same either.

Automobile manufacturers mass produce thousands of similarly designed cars and trucks every year, while bus manufacturers produce customized, purpose-built units in small quantities as ordered by their dealers for either specific customers or for their inventory. A Ford Taurus is the same whether it you buy it in Florida or Washington; a bus on a dealer's lot in Florida is likely to be equipped very differently than the same brand on a lot in Washington. Automobiles have had over a century of product and design evolution; small buses, as we know them today, have been around for about 25 years.

Small buses built on Ford or Chevrolet chassis have an automotive look on the surface that gives the impression that they are all the same. The fact is that all buses are not the same. It is very likely that a bus dealer in Minnesota is going to stock buses with more heating capacity than cooling. Pity the purchaser from Phoenix who buys such a bus rather than from the local dealer who knows how to equip a bus for a desert climate.

If you want to purchase a bus the right way, there is actually a lot to learn about buses. What is the best source of information? A reputable dealer, preferably one that is relatively close to you.  Unlike car dealers, you are not going to find a bus dealer in every town, but you can find more than one typically within driving distance. Make an appointment and go see at least one. Take your committee. Test the dealer's product knowledge. Check out their facilities. Are they committed to the business, and are they here to stay?  Do they have product support staff and offer repair service?
                                  
You may be inclined to try to save that time and just shop and buy on the Internet. In my view, that is a mistake. The Internet is a great way to gather information or to buy a pair of pants or a book, but not a bus. Don't treat this purchase like a commodity that you can buy just anywhere. A bus is not a mail-order item. Learn about the different brands, the history of the manufacturers, the features that they offer, their warranty policies, their product testing, safety record, etc. 

Your church will very likely own a bus for at least a decade. Is saving a small fraction of the price worth it when you consider what's at stake? Just because someone claims something about their product or themselves doesn't make it true. It's certainly easier to verify the facts looking someone in the eye than it is on the phone or via e-mail. 

There are a number of very solid and reputable bus dealers located throughout the country. If you call a reputable manufacturer, they will refer you to their dealer for your area. 

What about buying factory direct? Again, I suppose the attraction is saving money by cutting out the middle man. However, factories are designed to produce products. To the extent that they are structured to provide service, it is usually to their dealers. It is the job of the dealer to provide service to the end user. 

"Well, they said I could just take it to any Ford or Chevrolet dealer for service." That's a line that is often used when the seller cannot provide you with service. Ford and Chevrolet dealers are trained and set up to service products they sell, including a bus chassis. But, when it comes to electrical systems, entry doors, air conditioning, wheelchair lifts, and other components not common to that brand of automobile, a Ford or Chevrolet dealer is at a real disadvantage to provide service efficiently. It may be your only choice in a pinch, but it is not the best long-term solution for bus maintenance and repair, in most cases. And, when it is a solution, it is usually because that Ford or Chevrolet dealer has the support of the selling bus dealer's product support staff to guide them through the areas that they are unfamiliar with.

Having the right size and appropriately equipped bus for your church can add so much to the activities that you provide your members. The number of options that are available to you is staggering. The best way to find out about them is by working with a dealer who is interested in doing more than just selling you a bus quickly. Take your time, do your due diligence, and focus on more than just the cheapest price. In the long run, you'll be glad you did.

Read more : http://www.religiousproductnews.com/articles/2008-September/Supplement/Mistakes-to-Avoid-When-Purchasing-A-Bus.htm 

The 8 Most Common - and Dangerous - Mirror Mistakes

In his short career as a school bus driver, 22-year-old Robert Matthews probably never imagined that one day he would look into the impressive array of mirrors on his bus and spy the body of a girl sprawled in the street behind him. But that’s what he saw on the afternoon of Jan. 9, after 5-year-old Aleana Johnson got off his bus and apparently tripped over her shoestrings as she was crossing in front of the vehicle. “She tried to get up and the bus rolled over her,” said a fellow bus passenger whose futile warning scream to Aleana might have the been the last words the youngster heard.

The incident took place in Columbia County, Ga., where Aleana, a kindergartner described by her mother as “beautiful, bubbly and full of life,” attended Westmont Elementary School. But the incident could have taken place on any street in any city in America.

Although it’s too early to assign blame, the first question that comes to mind is whether or not Matthews checked his mirrors carefully before pulling away. But that’s not the only question. Could he have checked the mirrors carefully, but failed to adjust them properly during the pre-trip inspection? Or did he allow himself to be distracted by children still on board the bus and avert his gaze from the crossover mirrors to make eye contact with them using his overhead mirror?

We might never know what led to this particular tragedy, but it focuses badly needed attention on a key component of school bus safety — the proper adjustment and use of mirror systems. To that end, we interviewed safety specialists around the United States and Canada to generate a list of common mirror errors that bus drivers make. This is what we found.

1. Not bothering to adjust the mirrors
Probably the most unforgivable mistake that drivers make regarding their mirror systems is not adjusting them during the pre-trip inspection. Many drivers don’t bother adjusting their mirrors because it’s too much of a hassle to flag down a mechanic to help with the process. “Especially when it’s a driver or a sub driver who’s using another bus,” says Bonnie Carpenter, safety director at Northwest Local School District in Cincinnati. “They fail to ask for help. They feel that it will be OK, at least for this trip.”

2. Adjusting the mirrors improperly
Even if a driver makes the effort to adjust his mirrors, it doesn’t mean he’s going to do it correctly. For example, he might not know what he’s supposed to see. “There are so many mirrors and ones that seem to overlap that drivers really do not know what each mirror is for,” says Alice McCullough, safety supervisor for We Transport/Towne Bus, a school bus contractor in Islip, N.Y. Some school bus operators have addressed that circumstance by painting mirror grids in the parking lot that help the driver determine if his mirrors are in proper adjustment. “Mirrors need to be adjusted properly so drivers can see where front and rear tires contact the road surface, because this is where students might be going after a dropped item and where they could be killed or injured,” says Cindy Raulli, a driver trainer at Liverpool (N.Y.) Central School District. Not only is it important that drivers know what they should be able to see in the mirrors, they should also seat themselves properly while the mirrors are being adjusted. “Some will sit up straight to guide the adjustment, but when they are driving, they have a tendency to sit back in a more relaxed position,” says Cindy House, owner of a school transportation consulting firm called Safely on Board in Spruce Grove, Alberta. “This could change the view that the mirror is offering, making the mirror less useful. While the mirrors are being adjusted, the driver must remember to sit the way he or she normally does while driving.” Drivers also need to avoid the mistake of adjusting the mirror brackets instead of the mirrors themselves. “Unfolding the bracket results in the mirrors extending further out from the body of the bus, effectively increasing the width of the vehicle,” says Dan Littlejohn, safety supervisor for Laidlaw Education Services in Beaufort, S.C. “This invariably results in a higher rate of mirrors striking objects, usually tree branches, and breaking the right-side mirrors.” Littlejohn says the same problem can occur with the left-side mirrors, which increases the potential for two buses to “slap” mirrors. He says left-hand mirror collisions are especially dangerous because any resulting broken glass can fly into the passenger compartment.

3. Not checking the security of mirrors
Assuming that the mirrors have been adjusted properly during the pre-trip inspection, are they really secure? “You need to physically pull on the mirrors to see if they are secure to the bus frame and brackets,” says Pat Glade, a driver trainer at Township High School District 211 in Palatine, Ill.

4. Not keeping the mirrors clean
OK, if you’ve followed the steps mentioned above, your mirrors are properly positioned and tightly secured. But are they providing a clear image? “A common driver mistake is not keeping their mirrors clean and not removing moisture during the pre-trip inspection,” says Sid Neff, transportation director at Bryan (Texas) Independent School District. If the mirrors are dirty or covered with moisture, it doesn’t matter how well they’re positioned, they won’t be an effective tool for the driver. Carpenter says her district puts window cleaner out by the fuel pumps so drivers can clean their windows and mirrors while they are fueling their buses. “This has helped a great deal,” she says.

5. Using the wrong mirrors
If mirrors are clean, properly positioned and tightly secured, a driver at least has the chance to effectively use them while driving, loading and unloading children and parking. But there are still some significant mistakes that can be made. One of them is using the wrong mirror. “Drivers tend to use the crossover mirrors as driving mirrors,” says Glade. Not only is this a bad habit, but it also encourages drivers to turn the crossover mirrors “out” toward side traffic. “Then they can’t see as full a view in front of the bus as the crossover mirrors are intended for.” Raulli has noticed that some drivers check their overhead mirrors instead of the outside mirrors as they pull away from a bus stop. “The outside mirrors need to be checked last for any students that may be running after the bus,” she adds.

6. Not scanning properly
Even if drivers are using the proper mirrors for the appointed task, they still might not be “seeing” what they should. “They need to spend a full second in each mirror,” says Dick Fischer , president of Trans-Consult in Peyton, Colo. “And if they see something in there, no matter how small, they should not move the vehicle.” “A quick glance may not be enough to recognize potential dangers,” agrees Cheri Jones, safety specialist at School District U-46 in Elgin, Ill. “Drivers need to look at what they’re seeing in their mirrors.”

7. Not rocking and rolling
Relying too much on the mirrors, even if drivers use proper scanning techniques, can be dangerous because vehicles as large as tractor-trailers can hide in blind spots. “One of the most common errors drivers make is not ‘rocking and rolling’ in their seats,” says Sandy Crotty, who works with Cindy Raulli as a driver trainer at Liverpool Central School District. “They stay so stationary that they’re not checking the blind spots sufficiently.”

8. Not staying focused
Drivers can spend too much time using their mirrors. “It is absolutely necessary for the driver to use all of the mirrors on a bus; however, using the overhead mirror as a primary disciplinary tool means that the driver’s eyes are on the mirror and not on the road,” says Littlejohn. “The possible consequences of this inattention are boundless and involve, without exception, negative results.” Drivers occasionally reduce their normal mirror usage, especially if they’re distracted or running late. “Drivers get in a rush and don’t adequately assess what their mirrors are showing them,” says Neff. The consequences of this practice also are almost always negative. “I frequently remind our drivers to use their mirrors,” says Jones. “Nearly all of our ‘turning’ accidents result from drivers failing to use their mirrors.” “Remember, if we do not use the mirrors correctly the first time, when will we have the chance to do it over?” says Fischer.

Innovations in mirror design and treatment

Eventually, mirrors may become a thing of the past. Holographic imagery or video monitors could be developed that would make existing systems obsolete. Until then, however, mirror manufacturers are striving to improve their products to make them safer and easier to use. In the past few years, manufacturers have added new features to mirror systems, including remote-control adjustment and heating. Both of these improvements have added to the effectiveness and convenience of mirror systems. Meanwhile, manufacturers continue to introduce innovations. At Rosco Inc. in Jamaica, N.Y., engineers have been working on cutting glare. “There’s been a concern in the industry that crossview mirrors sometimes glare in the driver’s eyes from sunlight or headlamps,” says Ben Englander, VP engineering at Rosco. In response, Englander says Rosco has developed an anti-glare application that can be applied to portions of the crossview mirrors. “It’s completely transparent, but it does darken the area to reduce glare,” he says. The patent-pending product can be applied to existing bus mirrors or ordered on new buses. Rosco is also working on mirror integration to reduce clutter. Englander says Rosco’s Integra-style mirror on the Thomas Saf-T-Liner ER has a single-point mount and incorporates sideview and crossview mirrors, helping to reduce the visual distraction of multiple brackets. “We worked with engineers at Thomas to design a system that is similar to the top-of-the-line European motorcoaches,” Englander says. At Mirror Lite in Rockwood, Mich., the focus has been on adding remote control to existing products and marketing a radical convex mirror that expands the viewing area on the right side of the bus. “There has been lots of movement toward remote-control mirrors,” says Dan Swain, Mirror Lite’s VP sales. Although they don’t guarantee that mirrors will be properly adjusted, remote controls relieve drivers, especially substitutes, of the onerous task of manual adjustments. Swain says Mirror Lite is adding remote controls to two existing products in the next few months. Swain says the company’s New Englander™ sideview system combines a top mirror that can be remotely controlled with a lower convex lens that allows drivers to see the stepwell and, at the same time, across two lanes of highway. “If there ever is a situation in which a child is hung up in the stepwell, say with a drawstring caught in the handrail or door, they will show up in this mirror,” Swain says.

Read more: http://www.schoolbusfleet.com/Channel/School-Bus-Safety/Articles/2001/02/The-8-Most-Common-and-Dangerous-Mirror-Mistakes.aspx 

Avoid Food Truck Partnership Mistakes

For a food truck business that is formed as a partnership learning how to nurture these business relationships is critical to the businesses growth.

You need to be committed to these relationships so doubt doesn’t creep in. Make sure everyone is clear on timelines, expectations, deliverables, communication preferences, collaboration methods and other issues before you even move forward.

Don’t over promise and under-deliver; that can be a sure way to undermine a partnership. Show attention to detail, even down to spell-checking documents. You want your food truck organization to build a good reputation, so demonstrate your professionalism in all aspects of the partnership.

These relationships depend on trust and commitment, so there’s no place for apathy. Watch out for self-delusion and keep your eyes open; it’s easy to pretend everything’s going well when it’s not. Be up front about everything, even problems and mistakes. Integrity and honest communication will go a long way toward helping your alliances work.

http://mobile-cuisine.com/tip-of-the-day/avoid-food-truck-partnership-mistakes/ 

5 Most Common Mistakes New Food Truck Owners Make

Food trucks have become the latest craze for new entrepreneurs. Everyone has eaten at one and nearly everyone thinks they can do it at least as well as those they've patronized. Before you jump into the fray, heed these warnings for new food truck owners. These are the five most common mistakes new food truck owners make.

1. Time Commitment. It looks like so much fun to cook food and then sell it for cold hard cash. The reality is the huge commitment of time involved in just getting that first item out the window. Running a food truck is more time intense than running a brick-and-mortar restaurant. You must locate good locations or events, then re-locate or find new events. Don't forget to consider travel time in your schedule. Your kitchen is movable, so each stop or event requires a re-set of your key kitchen components. You can't fly down the road with utensils, paper products or food items flying all over the back of the truck at the same time. When serving time is over you've got take-down and clean time. Then you start all over. These are just a few of the things that add hours to your 'normal' work day.

2. Licensing Requirements. Many otherwise intelligent people seem to think you can buy a food truck and then just drive on down the road selling their culinary delight. Though they vary from state to state, there are licensing requirements for food trucks. Failure to follow them could mean a truck full of food you cannot prepare and sell. Just because you're licensed in one area, city or county doesn't mean you are ready to roll and cook. You've got to follow the rules for every area you travel. Refer back to item #1 above and add this to your time commitment.

3. Lack of Experience. Why would someone who's never cooked anything but a frozen pizza buy a pizza truck? It's been done. Terribly, of course, but it's been done. Many new food truck owners don't have any experience cooking for the masses; some don't have any cooking experience at all. That doesn't mean you can't operate a food truck, it just means you must either learn the skill or product you're going to provide or hire someone who does. It's also important to remember that cooking for the public is not the same as cooking for your family. Your family will courteously eat what you've placed in front of them or push it around their plate until they can discreetly feed it to the dog. The public is not quite so forgiving. While some will not-so-politely demand their money back, others will simply warn not to purchase from "that" truck. Either will break your business very quickly.

4. Menu Development. Everyone can't sell hot dogs and hamburgers. Don't think yours are better or different. They aren't. Developing a menu that is suitable for mobile production is one challenge. Food unique enough to get noticed but not so unique as to turn people away from trying it is another. Having too large or too narrow a selection of food may mean you can't get into events or attract attention on a street corner. Menu development should be one of the first things you consider, even before deciding on the food truck you're going to purchase. You don't want a physical space that cannot accommodate the requirements of the food you're going to prepare. Likewise, if you don't have the intellectual or physical ability to make the products (see Lack of Experience above), then you must develop a menu accordingly.

5. Overbooking and Under-booking. Working in the food truck business requires a careful balance between not working enough and working yourself to death. It's easy to do both. The most common mistake is overbooking; scheduling too many events or days on the street. This happens because you've failed to consider the time required to prep and recoup from each previous event or day. Newbies are most susceptible to overbooking due to lack of experience. Continuous overbooking results in rapid burnout, remorse that you've even gotten into this business. Interestingly, under-booking can result in the same remorse. If you haven't considered and spent the time necessary to find new locations or events to work, you'll spend more time looking at that expensive food truck sitting in your driveway not earning any money. That's a disheartening feeling. Finding events or locations is a full-time occupation in itself, adding to that Time Commitment in item #1.

6. Undercapitalized. In this business it really does take money to make money. You may have enough money to purchase a truck and buy food supplies but there are other costs involved you of which you may not be aware. Licensing, food safety certification, fees to set up at events, inspections, signage, and travel expenses are just a few. You will be amazed by the number of little things you must buy to prepare and serve food. While it may be readily available in your home kitchen, it can be a real challenge when you're on the road in your food truck. Profit margins are smaller than you thought; weather can wreck a day or an entire event. Not having enough money to keep the business running is devastating after you've spent all your money to get started. When planning your food truck business also plan for cash reserves to cover the day-to-day expenses of running the business. You can't depend on daily sales that may or may not happen.

The best way to avoid these five common mistakes of new food truck owners is to learn more about the business before you jump in with both feet - and all your savings. Read books and articles about the business. Talk to other food truck owners about their experiences. Meet with event promoters so you can learn how they operate. Be aware of the pitfalls before you experience them. Your food truck business will be better for it.

Rosie Lee is the author of Concession Connections, a start-up guide for food trucks. She also owned and operated her own food truck business. She regularly provides consultation to new and potential food truck owners.

Read more :- http://voices.yahoo.com/five-most-common-mistakes-food-truck-owners-make-10561847.html 

5 Common Vehicle Maintenance Mistakes Food Truck Owners Can Avoid

With gas prices well over the $3 mark and insurance costs rising, owning a food truck is no drive on Easy Street. Don’t let common repair mistakes add more bumps to the road. Smart vehicle care keeps your food truck running safely and can help to prevent unnecessary accidents. Staying accident-free will keep your food truck insurance rates down at a time when drivers could use all the help they can get.

The Consumer Price Index for auto insurance rose 3.6 percent last year and was up 33 percent from 2002, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Proper maintenance also prolongs the life of your vehicle, another critical factor in today’s sputtering economy.

Whether you have a brand-new or 20 year old food truck, poor maintenance can cost your mobile food business big time. Here are five common mistakes you should avoid:

1. Skimping on routine maintenance

Don’t let the temptation to save a few bucks by delaying maintenance on your food truck steer you off course. Follow the maintenance schedule in your vehicle owner’s manual.

“Not changing the air filter and oil at the right intervals just makes your engine work all that much harder,” Brian Hafer, marketing vice president at AutoMD.com says.

Neglecting other tasks can have even more serious consequences. Failure to replace worn-out brake pads, for instance, can result in the damaging of other parts and put you and your passengers in danger. “Parts of the brake system may then need to be replaced,” Hafer says.

Don’t take your tires for granted, either. Make sure they’re inflated to the proper pressure. Underinflation increases treadwear on the outer edges and reduces gas mileage, according to Goodyear Tires. Too much air pressure leads to uneven wear and faster deterioration.

Goodyear suggests checking tire wear every 3,000 miles. Use the “penny test.” Put a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you. It’s time to replace the tires if you can see the whole head, according to the tire maker.

2. Communicating poorly with your mechanic

“The better you are at communicating what’s wrong with your vehicle, the better your chances of getting the repair done right,” Hafer says.

AutoMD recommends keeping a log of what you hear, feel, see and smell when your car has trouble and then sharing those details with the mechanic. Thorough information about the symptoms will speed up the diagnosis and save on labor costs. AutoMD provides a free online car diagnosis tool that provides questions a mechanic might ask.

Don’t tell the shop what needs to be replaced — you might be wrong. Also, ask for your old parts back if anything is replaced. This prevents dishonest mechanics from needlessly replacing good parts or charging you for work that wasn’t done.

3. Failing to get repair quotes

Research repair shops online and get quotes for repairs, AutoMD says. Keep in mind you don’t have to visit the dealership for every problem. Food truck owners can save an estimated $300 or more a year by opting for independent repair shops rather than dealerships, according to an AutoMD analysis.

4. Ignoring dashboard warning lights

Read the owner’s manual to understand what the dashboard warning lights mean, and take appropriate action when a light turns on — even if the truck appears to be running OK. Ignoring warnings could lead to expensive damage and danger.

That includes the warning light for low fuel. Besides increasing the risk of running out of gas, driving a fuel-injected engine frequently on a very low tank is hard on the fuel pump, Hafer says. AutoMD recommends keeping the fuel level above a quarter tank.

5. Failing to do simple repairs yourself

Not everybody’s a mechanical genius, but anyone can learn to replace wiper blades, light bulbs and even fuses and air filters. Doing simple tasks yourself will save money you can use to pay experts for complex work.

With the economy stuck in neutral, do what you can to keep your food truck running smoothly today and save money for tomorrow.

Read more : http://mobile-cuisine.com/under-the-hood/5-common-vehicle-maintenance-mistakes-food-truck-owners-can-avoid/ 

Common Car Leasing Mistakes

Driving Over the Mileage Limit

·                                 When you lease a car, the financing company allows you to put a certain number of miles on the car each year as a condition of the agreement. If you go over that limit, the finance company will charge you an expensive per mile fee when you return the car at the end of the lease---sometimes as much as 30 cents per extra mile. This could leave you in a situation where you are afraid or unable to drive the car toward the end of the lease for fear of an expensive bill.

Leasing a Car You Can't Afford

·                                 If you lease a car that is too expensive for your budget or that you simply no longer need, you may find yourself in a situation that you cannot get yourself out of---at least not cheaply. When you lease a car, you are obligated to finish payments on the agreement or else the financing company will charge you a hefty fee for reneging on your contract. You cannot sell or transfer the vehicle to someone else (at least not without the financing company's consent) because you do not own the car.

·                                  

Modifying the Car

·                                 Some lessees make the mistake of changing the body of the leased car. For instance, you are not allowed to repaint the car, install a sun roof or add a spoiler to the back. When you return the car to the dealership it must be in the exact condition as it was given to you. Otherwise, you will again have to pay expensive end-of-lease fees. The dealer may simply require you to pay the cost of bringing the car back to its original condition.

Read more: Common Car Leasing Mistakes | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_5911762_common-car-leasing-mistakes.html#ixzz2MqlqXdei

Top 10 Auto Loan Mistakes

Auto financing can come from one of several sources, including banks, credit unions, and auto dealerships. If you're serious about buying a car, you need to investigate the various possibilities. Here are the top mistakes some people make when seeking and securing an automobile loan.

Not investigating all your options. Many people use credit unions for automobile loans, while others find good deals from their local banks. The key is to investigate all potential lending options, including the dealership. Several sites, such as RoadLoans.com,LendingTree.com, or E-Loan.com will help you make financing comparisons, and in some cases, secure loans.

Going by rate alone. The rate is only part of the equation. You need to know how much you'll be putting down and the terms of the loan before making a decision.

Following your emotions. Make sure that you have done your research up front, and you know which car you want and what you are prepared to pay. Do not cave in if the dealer pushes another color or model, for instance, or will not waver on price.

Not reviewing your credit ratings first. You should access your credit report and know what your FICO score is. This way you'll know exactly what the dealer is looking at, so that he or she cannot tell you your number is lower than it actually is. Additionally, if there are any errors, you can inquire about them beforehand.

Being quick to accept the dealership financing offer. Dealerships typically offer higher rates because they buy financing from banks and other sources, and raise the rate to make a profit. Shop around.

Focusing on payments over price. If you are focused more on low monthly payments than on the price of the car, you may be paying more in the end. Know the overall price of the car and consider the APR, terms, and length of the loan.

Looking for the car first. If you are serious about buying a car, you will want to look at financing rates first and determine how much you can afford.

Not being able to walk away. Once you begin negotiating, especially at a dealership, you are not obliged to stay. If you do not like the offer or the manner in which the negotiations are headed, walk away.

Not taking the shortest term loan. Keep in mind that carsdepreciate quickly, so you'll want to pay off the loan in a short time period. While the monthly payment will be higher in the short term, the interest payment will be lower.

Not determining what you can comfortably afford. Unlike a homemortgage, in which people look long and hard at what they will be able to pay over the next 10 to 30 years, car buyers do not always take such payments into careful consideration. "It is only for three years" is a familiar excuse for not evaluating the impact of such payments on your budget. Before buying a car, you need to consider how much money you can put down, and how much you can afford to pay on a monthly basis.

Read more

http://www.allbusiness.com/personal-finance/automobiles-financing-automobiles/4003-1.html

5 car-repair mistakes

How's the old heap running these days? I say "old" because we're keeping our wheels longer. The average age of U.S. vehicles reached an all-time high in 2011, according to the Polk auto data service: 11.1 years for cars and 10.4 for light trucks and SUVs.

Every year without a car payment is a good year. The best way to extend that obligation-free period is to be assiduous about maintenance. "Jalopy love: 5 dumb car-repair mistakes to avoid," on the Insurance.com blog, reminds us why being penny-wise is definitely pound-foolish.

For example, you should never ignore the "low fuel" dashboard light -- and not just because you might run out of gas. 

"Driving a fuel-injected engine frequently on a very low tank is hard on the fuel pump," writes author Barbara Marquand.

It's tempting to hold out for the cheapest gas you can find. To spare your fuel pump, don't let the needle go below one-quarter of a tank. MSN Autos has an online tool to help you find the best gas price in your area. Or use a smartphone app.

Two other ways to save: Buy gas cards on the secondary gift card market, and earn free gas cards from rewards programs.

Don't repair -- prevent
Don't put off scheduled maintenance even though your car sounds and runs fine. Prevention is cheaper than repair. A friend in Anchorage, Alaska, drives a 17-year-old Acura Integra. She's followed the manual's maintenance schedule so faithfully that it may be rust, rather than repair issues, that finally kills the car.

Little things matter, too, such as regularly checking the oil. (How often should it and other fluids be changed? See "9 car-care myths you should ignore.") To bring down the cost of changes, watch for ads or Val-Pak coupons for local auto shops or lube-and-oil franchises. 

Be prepared for the inevitable up-sell at the franchises. For example, you can probably change your own wiper blades. (More on that in a second.)

Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Squishy wheels wear out faster and reduce gas mileage, so get a pressure gauge and check them regularly.

Which brings us to another mistake: not doing certain repairs yourself. "Not everybody's a mechanical genius, but anyone can learn to replace wiper blades, light bulbs, and even fuses and air filters," Marquand writes.

Check the manual or do an Internet search for help. Freelance writer Becky Blanton has used both sources to keep vehicle ownership costs down, including replacing her van's brakes and painting the vehicle. The result "looks like a (professional) paint job," Blanton says.

A friend of mine visited a junkyard to look for tire rims and a Subaru door. He lucked out with the rims: The junkyard already had a set removed. Getting the door off, though, was hard. Junkyard jaunts aren't for everyone, so know your limits.

The same friend got another four rims through Craigslist for $25 apiece, then bought snow tires at a discount tire dealer. Now he changes out his family's wheels each winter.

Other ways to save: Watch the ads for loss-leader deals on fluids and small parts. Earn Amazon.com gift cards through Swagbucks to pay for wipers, headlight lamps, tire gauges and the like.

You better shop around
The other two mistakes Marquand cites: not seeking the best repair shop prices, and not communicating well with mechanics. For help with the first issue, see "19 tips for finding a great mechanic."

That article, however, warns against shopping by cost alone. Instead, find two or three highly recommended mechanics and then compare prices among the three.

Give your mechanic as much information as you can about the problem that brought you in. Marquand's article suggests writing down what you "hear, feel, see and smell," which can hasten the diagnosis.

Marquand also links to a free online car diagnosis tool, to help you with questions your mechanic may ask. Be prepared, even if it means sniffing around your car's hood.

Read more
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