CUI Event: Getting Older, Getting Wiser – Building Communities for an Aging Population

The Canadian Urban Institute, in collaboration with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, BILD and the Ontario Seniors Secretariat present an Urban Leadership Session:

Getting Older, Getting Wiser –
Building Communities for an Aging Population

Friday, April 13, 2012
7:30- 11:30 a.m.
Ted Rogers School of Management
55 Dundas Street West

When the World Health Organization’s Age Friendly Communities (AFC) concept was introduced in Canada some five years ago, one of the first municipalities to acknowledge the need as well as the opportunity was the City of Mississauga. Their award-winning Older Adults Strategy was the result of inter-departmental cooperation and unprecedented collaboration with the seniors community.  Determining a city’s role is not straightforward, and the City of Toronto is currently developing its own responses to the impact of rapidly changing demographics.  With Baby Boomers turning 65, the design of housing that works for all ages, and retrofitting suburbs built when mobility was defined by the car, are issues now actively being addressed by developers, their consultants and industry associations such as BILD and Canadian Home Builders Association.  These important issues are also top of mind for provincial and federal government departments. The Ontario Seniors Secretariat  is coordinating the AFC file on behalf of the government of Ontario, while the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is working with public health agencies and seniors secretariats across the country to promote implementation of AFC. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) also recognizes the profound impact our aging population will bring.  As such CMHC is engaged in aging issues at all scales from barrier-free design to providing research on the Impacts of the Canadian Population on Housing and Communities. The World Health Organization has declared that the focus of World Health Day in 2012 is the aging of the world’s population: join us for a timely, highly practical assessment of the challenges, barriers and opportunities linked to the development of age-friendly communities.

Keynote speaker: Hazel McCallion, Mayor of Mississauga 

Session chair: Juanita Dobson, Assistant Deputy Minister – Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat

With commentary from an expert panel, including:

• Victor Fiume, Fiume Custom Homes (and past president of CHBA and OHBA)
• Dena Warman, MCIP, RPP, Policy Development Officer with the Social Development, Finance & Administration Division, City of Toronto
• Dave McLean, President, GTA Homebuilding, Mattamy Homes
• Representative, CMHC

Register Online Now! Deadline for Registration is end of day Wednesday, April 11 2012. There is no HST added to the event fee.

Event Fee: Member – .00; Non-Member – 0.00

Martin Prosperity Institute Blog

Twitter Recap from Logistics 2012

Retail Industry Leaders Association

Continental Airlines OnePass Card To Be Replaced By United MileagePlus Explorer Credit Card

As you may know, Continental and United Airlines (UAL) merged in 2011 to create one single airline company to cut costs and be more competitive in the market. This big change and merger between both companies will officially be finalized on March 2nd 2012 when Continental’s last plane will take off, and the official airline name will be United Airlines.

Because Continental will stop existing as an airline, with United Airlines taking its place, the Continental OnePass card will cease to … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

DailyMarkets.com

UPDATE 1-Linn to buy Kansas assets from BP for $1.2 bln

Mon Feb 27, 2012 5:35pm EST Feb 27 (Reuters) – U.S. oil and gas company Linn Energy LLC said it will pay .2 billion to buy natural gas assets in Kansas from BP Plc. BP is selling assets as part of an effort to raise billion to pay for its Gulf of Mexico spill [...]
LegalTreeHouse

Why You Need a Google+ Business Page

Google+ has been growing at a rapid pace, having reached 90 million users in early February. It’s time for suppliers and retailers alike to be aware of the impact of the Google+ algorithm change. As Google search becomes more social with +1, every business needs a Google+ business page because your Google search visibility and brand engagement depend on it. What does a Google+ business page look like? Below is an example of what The Muppets brand did.

Google+ Differs from Other Social Networks: Any business can benefit from Google+ because it can make lasting connections with customers online much the same as in a physical location. Google+ differs from social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook because activity thrives on quality, rather than the quantity that drives those networks. Users are looking for the valuable content-sharing and quality comment-threads they expect to  find on Google+.

Importance of Quality Content: Posting quality, topical content is important for getting the maximum engagement from customers and prospects. For instance, if you follow news about legislation and recalls affecting products in your industry, you can post that kind of valuable information for your customers and be ready to answer any questions. For tips on creating quality content, read Neil Patel‘s article, “How to Create an Effective SEO Content Strategy.” Yes, it takes time and effort, but the rewards are great for your brand. Consider it a new marketing tactic to allocate dollars for in your marketing budget.

The resulting engagement from your search visibility can improve gradually, depending on the data collected by Google from logged-in Google+ users. This started with the Search Plus Your World algorithm change because of its impact on search results by displaying and promoting People and Pages (business pages) in Google+.

Google’s new social direction is to deliver search results based on social signals, including instances of user engagement such as comments, shares, +1’s, etc. While this direction is in its infancy, there’s no going back. So, now is the time to start taking advantage of the Google+ changes.

Benefits of Google+ Business Page: The difference between Google+ updates vs. updates posted on Facebook is that the updates from followers in Circle on Google+ can result in high search rankings in Google SERPs due to the recent Google algorithm changes that favor Google+ content both inside and outside the Google+ environment. Not so with Facebook. Posts on your Facebook fan page can get a hundred comments, but they come and go without impacting your Google rankings.

Another benefit has to do with targeted messaging and direct interaction with followers. You can organize those you follow into the Groups of your own choosing. That means you can track and engage with audience segments you have created yourself.

To get started with a Google+ page, see Google+ Your Business. Below are a few more tips for setting up your Google+ business page.

• Optimize your Google+ business page for SEO by completing the verification process, adding recommended links and using strategic keywords in your Introduction and Subtitle areas.
• Take advantage of the Scrapbook photos and text editing features to make your page aesthetically attractive and in line with your brand identity.
• Remember, the quality of your content is of utmost importance. Post pictures and videos because they can make things crystal clear. Ensure your first few posts are very compelling to attract potential followers.
• Promote your business page by leveraging your personal profile page on Google+, making announcements/requests for followers on other social networks, and by displaying the Google+ Badge on your web pages.
• Be strategic in segmenting your audience with circles, taking into consideration that you’ll want to post frequently as well as differently to targeted segments.
• Monitor engagement, and be generous with +1’s, comments, and shares of your follower’s posts, as this will encourage them to do the same for you.

To summarize, every business needs a Google+ Business Page because of extended visibility due to the impact of Google Search Plus Your World in Google’s search algorithm. You can build a business page with quality content, interacting with your customers for the kind of engagement that brings you more business.

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Items To Consider Whenever Employing A Miami Locksmith Company

Nothing in life is as frustrating as getting yourself locked out of something. No matter if you are locked out of your car, home, office or something else, it is extraordinarily inconvenient and sometimes very time consuming. If you find yourself in the awful situation where you need to locate a locksmith there are a couple of steps you should consider taking before you hire a company to come and rescue you. If you are searching for a Miami locksmith you should find a reputable company that boasts encouraging customer feedback and delivers services such as locksmith miami beach fl.

Protecting Yourself

A multitude of locksmith companies out there, sadly, are very unprincipled and try to swindle people out of their hard earned cash with taxes and surcharges that don’t make any sense. Due to the fact that the individual calling the locksmith is frantic for help they normally end up paying these ludicrous prices with no way of knowing if they are appropriate or not. To guard yourself from this setup, get a set in stone quote before an individual begins picking your lock.

Locksmith Bullies

Also, a lot of locksmiths use methods that make it easier for them to get the most money from people possible. They tell people once they get on the scene that the lock is much more complex and difficult to get into then they previously said. This leaves people, who are usually in a rush, in a bad predicament. Do they ask the locksmith to leave and take their chances with another company (wasting valuable time in the process), or do they give in to the demands of the locksmith that is there and pay anything they say? Most times people elect to submit to the prices that the locksmith on scene is quoting them, even if they know it is not right.

How To Avoid Scams

One of the best ways to shield yourself from being caught in this predicament is to find a reputable, honest locksmith company before you ever require one. Clearly, many people do not take this money saving tip, and are forced to deal with the problem when it presents itself. However, just taking a few minutes to go online and check with the Better Business Bureau to find a good locksmith company could save you a lot of money and headaches in the future. Once you find a good locksmith company you can store their information in your phone so you will always have it available should you need it.

Again, nobody wants to ever get locked out of anything they want to get into. This happens every day all over Miami. You could be late for work or some imperative function when all of a sudden your plans are halted. It could very quickly ruin your day. However, if you take the necessary steps when selecting a auto locksmith miami company you could avoid some of the problems that come with getting a locksmith company at random. Even if it is the middle of the night, there are Miami 24 hour locksmith services available that are honest companies that will do right by you.

What Retailers Need to Know About Consumer Behavior

There are all sorts of reasons why consumers buy certain goods or products. Their choices may stem from personal gains to elevate status, brand loyalty, the amount of time they have to decide which items to purchase, emotional, sociological, and/or even goals and values that they’ve come to attribute to the product. And buying patterns, like the one where one study shows that the average shopper takes less than 21 minutes to purchase groceries while only covering 23 percent of the store, help marketers frame what sort of perspective they must have in order to draw consumer interest.

According to Wendy H. Mason’s article for Referenceforbusiness.com, “consumer behavior essentially refers to how and why people make the purchase decisions they do.” On some levels, consumer decisions may appear quite random, but if given the correct context and or subtext, meaning could be gauged from each outgoing purchase. Even if the choice does not always appear to be rational – consumer behavioral studies has proven again and again that purchasing decisions rely on personal emotions, social situations, goals and values.

Experts have been able to pinpoint two principles that can help them evaluate the motivation behind buyer’s choices. These principles have to do with what buyers want and how much they want a certain product. An example that Mason gives is: a customer who seeks a pain reliever may like the idea that one pain reliever is cheaper than the other, but they also must weigh in which product is the fastest pain reliever. They will most likely pay more if they believe the more expensive brand can alleviate their distress more effectively.

Marketers spend a lot of their time and effort “examining the principal motives behind each type of product to correctly target potential customers,” writes Mason. To effectively understand customer behavior, marketers also evaluate the intensity of the customer’s interest in the product that will compel them to actually go out and make that purchase.

Personal image or image branding is also something that factors into a successful marketing campaign. Consumers who associate a certain product to healthy eating and living a more conscientious lifestyle will be more likely to buy that item if the commodity suits or enhances that person’s belief system. Mason discusses the reason why some marketers are more successful than others, which is because they have been able to convince consumers that they need a product or service for some” legitimate” reason.

Experts also target product image-branding as something that is vital in marketing. Food packages often appeal to the specific sense that people will often associate with better tasting qualities. In this instance, people often taste with their eyes, whereas they do not see any difference during a blind taste test.

It’s a given that consumers are a purchasing powerhouse in this world, and understanding the dynamics behind consumer behavior is very relevant to any successful business model. Knowing your niche audience and who it is you are targeting parallels to how well you are able to sell your product. Winning over interest is not an easy thing, especially with so many competitors vying for consumer attention. Understanding the inner-workings behind what makes the customer tick is key to unlocking a successful brand.

My Nguyen of Apparel Deals is a professional writer with an interest in music, fashion, and style who analyzes and writes about fashion industry trends.

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Train derails in Canada, one person reportedly dead

A train derails near Burlington in southern Ontario, killing at least one person, according to media reports. Katharine Jackson reports.

“Train derails in Canada, one person reportedly dead” is categorized as “world”. This video was licensed from Grab Networks. The copyright notice of this video is “© 2012 Reuters.” For additional video content, click the “video” tab at the top of this page.

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This article (Train derails in Canada, one person reportedly dead) was originally developed by and is property of American Banking News. Checkout American Banking News for up-to-date banking news and peer to peer lending news.

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Angling For Black Marlin In The Pacific

The Black marlin is a premiere game fish for sport fishermen. Recently the black marlin, which was previously known as Makaira indica, was re-classified as Istiompax indica. Although most commonly associated with the blue marlin, genetically it is most similarly related to the striped/white marlin. This re-classification also links it more closely with sailfish. No matter the classification Black Marlin fishing is a popular recreational activity.

Compared To Blue Marlins

Black marlins are a much more solid fish than its cousin the blue marlin. They feature a much shorter bill and rounder dorsal fin than other marlin. They are also unique in the fact that their bill will not fold over if pressed on. This is yet another way people can distinguish between the different types of Blue Marlin fishing.

What They Eat

Known as being very predatory, black marlin have an extensive diet comprised of many different things. They love tuna, cuttlefish, and other crustaceans. They will pretty much eat any fish smaller than them. This leaves the black marlin with a very extensive menu to choose from as it is one of the larger fish in the sea.

Black Marlin Fishing

Because of their size and their physique black marlin are popularly fished. Research off the coast of Australia suggests that the black marlin is much easier to catch around the full moon and the week afterwards. This is due to its prey moving to the surface layers which in turn forces the marlin to hunt in a wider area.

Locations

Black marlin are also commonly found in the Pacific Ocean. Specifically, near the coasts of Australia and throughout the tropical waters of the indo-pacific. The can also be caught of the coasts of southern California and Chile. Black marlin prefer warmer waters and like to swim just beneath the surface, taunting fishermen. They can also, usually, be found swimming near underwater structures like coral reefs.

Record Catches

For the average fishermen it would be very hard to locate and catch one of these monstrous fish on your own. If you are serious about getting a black marlin, your best bet may be to hire an experienced fishing charter. They will be able to take you to where the fish are and give you the latest technology to improve your chances of landing one. Some black marlin can actually weigh up to 1,4000 pounds and grow to be fifteen feet in length. So, you may need some extra help reeling one of these fish on board. Surely, there is nothing more exciting in the world of fishing than catching a black marlin.

Spectrum High-Quality Uniforms Provide Comfort, Fit and Style

If you’re looking for uniforms that are comfortable and stylish, look no further than Spectrum Uniforms. This company is an American manufacturer and wholesale distributor of custom uniforms, medical apparel and accessories, as well as imprintable products.

With domestic and international manufacturing facilities, Spectrum Uniforms supplies hospital scrubs, chef wear, work wear, safety wear and promotional products to global customers. Below is a list of products/categories provided by Spectrum Uniforms:

• Medical apparel and accessories
• Scrubs
• Lab coats
• Stethoscopes,
• Blood pressure cuffs
• Trauma sheers
• Pocket organizer kits
• Work wear
• Corporate wear
• Chef wear
• Safety wear
• Professional medical products and accessories
• Embellishing capabilities: embroidery, sublimation, heat transfer, screen & pad printing, etc.

Since 1989, Spectrum Uniforms has provided high quality uniforms and medical accessories to uniform shops and distributors in Houston, Texas and throughout the US. What’s special about these uniforms is that they fit well and are made of ultra soft brushed fabric. Spectrum Uniforms has built its reputation by delivering the best products, the best service and the best prices in the industries it serves.

We asked Spectrum national sales manager Charlie Hernandez, “What makes customers come back to your company for repeat business? “Service, price, product quality and availability,” replied Hernandez.

Spectrum continues a tradition of supplying innovative, state-of-the-art professional medical products and apparel to a global health care industry. “We have world-class customer service,” said Hernandez, “and our team answers every call with a smile, giving customers the answers they need.” Obviously, this company understands that happy customers are loyal customers, since its goal is 100 percent customer satisfaction, and its staff is trained to achieve this.

As an authorized Littmann distributor, Spectrum offers a full line of stethoscopes, aneroid sphygmomanometers, digital blood pressure monitors, digital thermometers and nebulizers in vibrant colors to brighten even the dreariest examining rooms.

Spectrum sells only to approved retailers; however, it refers consumers to local retailers. While many think of medical uniforms first, Spectrum actually supplies many other industries such chef wear, work wear, promotional products and more.

We asked Hernandez about the company’s major strength. “We can offer great value due to our ability to manufacture overseas and in the USA,” he replied.

What differentiates Spectrum Uniforms from its competitors? “We only sell to wholesale buyers, which gives us the ability to sell at a lower cost, with a quicker turn around,” said Hernandez.

When asked about Spectrum’s competitive advantage, Hernandez said, “We specialize in supplying wholesale outlets, embroidery, screen printers, college bookstores, ecommerce and the promotional product industry.”

What do you do to increase sales? “We anticipate selling more of our products during medical observance months: National Nurses Week-Breast Cancer and Heart Awareness,” he replied.

“In fact,” said Hernandez, “we are currently adding more inside and outside territory sales reps to cover the US and Canada. We are also looking at building a larger facility in Houston, Texas, as well as a fulfillment facility in Canada,” he concluded.

For custom uniforms made to order for a number of different industries, contact Spectrum Uniforms for the best in comfort, quality and fit.

Spectrum Uniforms
3800 Juniper St.
Houston, TX 77087
Phone: 713.645.3600
Fax: 713.645.3618
Email: sales@spectrumuniforms.com

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