How Our Environment Impacts our Lives?

We live in an environment and that environment defines us as a person. What we know about the world and what we think about the world is often understood in terms of that environment. Those who live in the Northern cold will think differently than those who live in the warm South. It is important to ensure that our environment includes some open and green space to connect back to nature.

Environment can be lush and green, hot and dry, rainy and seasonal, or even concrete and noisy. Those who have access to clean environments that are connected to nature have lower stress levels than those who live in congested, dirty, or noisy environments.

As children our environment influences how we see the world. We adapt to our environment in order to survive and learn about our environment. This adaptation is often deeply rooted into our subconscious.

I believe its important for all different types of environments to offer access to parks, green spaces, and areas that are quiet and designed for relation. As a species our natural environment was designed to live with nature.

City planners and government officials should consider the benefits of designing eco-friendly cities that contribute to the mental health and well being of their citizens by supporting greening initiatives. As the environment improves so does the quality of living and overall value of properties in the city as people find them more habitable.

Keeping the US. Economy Growing in 2017

The economy looks like it is growing faster than expected in the last quarter of 2016. Gross Domestic Product improved to meet inflation at 3.2%, total grown improved to 3%, consumer spending increased to 2.8%, and after tax corporate profits bumped to 3.5%. To keep the American economy moving in the right direction during 2017 means making sure investments continue to rise with profits.

Investment and profits is a main reason why companies build new products, open plants and employ American workers. As recent data indicate that corporate profits are rising and this should encourage greater investments.

When companies realize higher profits, when compared to other countries, they will invest more in the American economy. Profits lead to higher investment and additional employment opportunities.

Of course greater employment also has a snowball effect that reduces poverty and crime while raising standards of living.

Improving the American economy means we should continue to encourage greater investment by finding efficiency that leads to higher corporate profits and additional employment. That requires adjusting how we connect our infrastructure to the needs of companies and the people who rely on that infrastructure.

Opportunities for Affordable and Competitive Universities

American universities have some of the best elite colleges in the world but American students are suffering from a lack of skills in certain areas according to an article in the New York Times. Americans are not doing well in math and literacy which means we have lots of room for improvement. Rethinking higher education may raise quality and create greater price sensitivity.

When market forces work well they can influence and improve American universities by pushing those institutions to grow and change. Such competition can impact the cost of universities as well as the quality of the curriculum.

Whether we are discussing a business or a university it is necessary to keep higher education at the center of innovation and continually seeking methods of growth and development. They should be at the leading edge in quality and concept.

It is difficult to grow and develop unless there are universities that push the limits and institutions that adapt and integrate successful programs. Innovation and market adaptation requires greater flexibility and less regulation to provide opportunities to try new things.

Cost will also creep upwards when government regulations protect some universities and hinder others that are developing new models. New models, such as online education, have reduced overall costs.

Innovation and cost control are best fostered by market competition and multiple types of higher education models in the market. This variability offers appropriate spill over and exchange of new ideas and methods. It also forces entities to compete on price thereby reducing the overall cost of higher education.

Supporting Homegrown Brands-Buying American and Buying Local

Supporting local communities means supporting products and jobs through purchasing power. Local economies offer something that world economy can't-a sense of identity. The greatest form of home branding is when people associate that brand with themselves in a way that perpetuates the local identity. Each choice to purchase a native product raises the strength of the local economy.

Like local products, people feel enthusiastic about religion, sports, and politics because of the feelings and memories attached to them. These feelings and images create a deep connection because it is associated with who we are. When we brand a local economy we can also create a greater sense of community identity that fosters sales.

Buying local means buying into a people's identity. You know instinctively you are fostering positive impressions of your personal image but also the needs of your community. Each dollar spent locally helps to support your community and its sense of self.

Of course who could argue against the benefits of spending money in the local economy in a way that leads to to an increase in local wealth and jobs. Each dollar earned and spent in the community goes for schools, houses, programs and public works. That money improves community standards of living.

Creating a local identity helps to develop higher levels of economic growth by allowing the products/services to raise their value on the open market. Brands create perceptions that lead to higher sales and local growth. As those brands sell they raise local economic prosperity. Supporting homegrown brands means buying American and buying local.

When Ecotourism is Big Business

Ecotourism is big business in places where nature is in abundance and a local economy thrives off activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, and nature products. Places like the Upper Peninsula of Michigan offer opportunities to develop cultural tourism in a way that keeps small communities in tact but still brings opportunities for employment. 

These industries appeal to a younger and more trendy crowd that likes the outdoors and in general have a higher education. The towns provide quaint lodging, breweries, wine bars, recreational activities, outdoor recreational classes, and other activities that appeal to this demographic. In some cases the appeal can be international as alternatives to traditional beach and sun are sought. 

9 Customer Service Skills that Enhance Your Return Rate

Businesses can differentiate themselves from their competitors through having strong customer service. When products and services are similar then it is the treatment of customers that will make a big difference. Customer service is a statement about how much companies care about the satisfaction of their patrons and can leave a long-term impact on their impressions.

1.) Greet customers quickly 

2.) Stay positive and friendly

3.) Treat each customer as an individual

4.) Learn to say "no" without saying "no"

5.) When your business makes a mistake recover quickly

6.) Check back with customer often

7.) Remember names 

8.) Customize service when possible

9.) Follow up on ideas

How Emotions Influence Your Income and Expenses

Keeping your expenses low and your income high has much to do with our way of thinking and our personal habits that is fueled by deeper feelings of inadequacy. If you are having a hard time controlling your spending you should delve deep into your needs and explore why these things are occurring. Don't allow your income and expenses get out o whack because you failed to understand yourself.

There are a few triggers such as inadequacy, fear, and the positive feelings that push people to buy more than they should. These emotions have deep seated needs that may drive you to make impulse purchases even when you know they are not helpful.

Most of our actions and activities are subconscious and form the backbone of our personality and decisions. The very way in which we view the world is based on our subconscious processes and how we interpret information.

If your subconscious is saying you need approval from others or that you are afraid of inadequacy you might buy products you don't need. Typically, people start to look for brand products that help them fell like they have greater purchasing power and therefore more skill or worth than others.

If you have tried to control your expenses by budgeting, looking for sales, and forcing yourself to go without but still seem to fall back into the same spendthrift habits then you will need to go deep into your personal issues. Improving income and controlling expenses requires you to face your emotional demons and what drives you to make poor spending choices.