Working in Thailand

I arrived in Bankok in April, knowing it would be hot, but was knocked out by the average 106? weather. After a chaotic trip to my guesthouse, through the most amazing traffic, I collapsed on the bed in nothing but my birthday suit. Prior to arriving in Thailand, I had researched what to pack. I wanted to bring comfortable clothing, but also pieces that would be appropriate for the various wats or temples I planned to visit.

To Thais, being sabai jai means having a contented heart, referring to a calm disposition. Foreigners or farang are thought to behave in a contradictory manner, being easily frustrated and exhibiting a quick temper or jai rawn. I promised myself that I would blend in to my new surroundings and maintain an inward tranquility so prized in the Land of Smiles.

On my second day in Bankok I was headed to the former Thai capital Ayutthaya and the Royal summer palace, Bang Pa-In. Forgetting all of my carefully selected couture, I threw on the coolest pieces I had. Dressed in a sleeveless tank and black cotton skirt that hit above my knee, off I went. That was the end of my inner and outer tranquility.

As soon as I stepped on the bus, I became acutely aware that I had forgotten the dress code, but it was too late. My seatmate was an impeccably dressed British woman who looked appalled by my very presence. She avoided conversation and eye contact with me, and we rode to Ayutthaya in silence.

Unable to fully enjoy the Buddha statues and architecture that spanned centuries, I was consumed by the thought that I was offending past and present Thais. I was especially distracted when all my bare bits were in the company of monks. Overheated, sweaty and blotchy red, we headed to our next stop, Bang Pa-In the colonial-style summer digs for the Royal Family. We were told that clothing would be provided to cover knees and shoulders if we weren?t dressed appropriately. I should have taken the offer. Instead I looked in my bag and grabbed a black sundress that I had stashed at the last minute. A frilly flamenco looking number, I looked ready for the stage than a stroll through a revered Thai attraction.

I was pleased with my find, and our Thai guide, always polite, said I looked fine. Off I went, and perhaps overly confident due to my modest attire, instead of opting for the covered golf carts, I joined the rest of the walking tour. I now understood how asphalt feels in the blistering sun. Trying to stay conscious, every so often I would sneak into a stream of water coming out of the sprinklers to keep the expertly manicure lawn looking green. How I envied that lawn.

Eventually I had to retreat from the walking tour and seek some shade. I looked up and saw two chic young Thai women in jeans and cardigans under a lovely umbrella. They were pointing and giggling. I must have looked a site, a large overheated, beet red woman in a formal black dress. I found out later that like Western culture, black is worn for funerals and can be considered bad luck. It was certainly bad luck for me.

I had become the traveler I vowed not to be, but now I knew better. The next day, wearing modest attire, I smugly hopped off the water taxi and headed for the gates of the Grand Palace complex. Unexpectedly, the clothing police directed me to a long line up of farang waiting to enter a small white building. On my turn a woman handed me a pair of socks. I put on the socks, slipped my sandals on and away I went. I walked toward the inner entrance of the Grand Palace but guards stopped me again, pointed at my feet, and gestured back the way I came. I wheeled around and was starting to get impatient, hot and frustrated. My jai rawn was showing up already, my second day in Thailand! As I trundled back in the hot sun, I watched smiling, perfectly poised Thai women dressed head to toe in warm looking clothing. I was so envious of their composure!

Back at the trailer, the attendants looked apologetic and handed me a pair of sport sandals. By the time I made it back to the entrance, I was sweating in the socks, long pants and modest shirt. After a few minutes I was again starting to overheat. I clicked a few photos and rushed towards the wrong exit. At first I thought I wouldn?t be let out, but when I kept exclaiming ?mai sabai? the guards knew I wasn?t well and quickly let me pass. Embarrassed, I revived myself with ice cream and water.

Eventually, I began to adapt. Once I simply stopped to watch how Thais dealt with the heat, instead of trying to recall what I had read, I caught on to loose cotton clothing, and was much more savvy about sun exposure. In Thailand, the state of tranquility or sabai jai transcends physical appearances. It is intertwined with religion and philosophy, and to think I could attain something so intangible overnight was ridiculous. I needed to release the hold on what I thought I knew, in order to find my contented heart.

10 Ways to Beat the Heat in Thailand:

It?s hot in Thailand all year round, but if you?re affected by extreme heat here are some things to consider when visiting the Land of Smiles:

1. Although Songkran or Thai New Year is fun to experience, you may want to avoid Thailand in April. It?s the warmest time of year, with little escape from the blistering sun. I had to miss certain attractions in Bangkok because I simply couldn?t function in the extreme heat.

2. Keep hydrated. Buy lots of bottled water and be diligent about replenishing every hour.

3. Bring hydration packets with you. I met a woman from California who gave me this tip for my next trip to Thailand. You can pick up these packets at sports stores or drugstores and are usually used by athletes.

4. Make sure to bring loose, light colored clothing made from natural fibers like linen or cotton. Sport sandals are a must if you plan on visiting the Grand Palace in Bangkok, as well as a few modest pieces to cover shoulders and knees.

5. As soon as you arrive, buy an umbrella to keep the sun off. They?re cheap and work well to keep you shaded. They look pretty too!

6. Stay near or on the water. The Chao Praya River in Bangkok, or escape to an island. It?s much cooler.

7. Avoid too much sun and wear sun block. If you do get a sunburn, try a first aid vitamin E ointment. It worked wonders on my burned shoulders.

8. Wear a hat if you don?t plan on using an umbrella.

9. Get up with the monks and do most of your sightseeing early in the morning.

10. Enjoy the spicy and delicious Thai food! The spice tends to make to salivate and perspire which cools you off and quenches your thirst.

Jane Arnold is a freelance writer and travel buff. She has spent time in Europe and North America, and most recently traveled to South East Asia. You can read more of her travel stories at http://www.girlyside.com/girlyside.html The website is a girl's guide to health, beauty, love and leisure. Sign up for the free newsletter at http://www.girlyside.com/newsletter.html

Last week, UNESCO Bangkok headquarters hosted a TYPO3 training course dedicated to the internal staff of web editors and administrators. Training involved a group of 30 web editors and administrators who attended a 5 days session course about all the aspects of cms TYPO3.

Webformat, one of the most important TYPO3 European web integrator and consultancy, organised the training course focussing on the new functions, configuration and development of the cms.

UNESCO Bangkok improves web communication

?For UNESCO sharing of knowledge is an essential part of its constitutional mandate. Through its various portals, UNESCO offers, therefore, a wide array of services to members of professional communities in the area of communication and information.? [portals.unesco.org]

As the Asia and the Pacific Regional Bureau for Education, UNESCO Bangkok promotes programmes and coordinates responses in order to achieve the goals related to social, cultural, technological and educational development.

Through the UNESCO?s website a large amount of pages and media resources are being provided to UNESCO professionals and local area institutions in a very cost-effective, detailed and comprehensive modality. www.unescobkk.org has become a precious tool, a powerful communication medium for the development and integration of ICT in different aspects of the social and cultural development of the South-East Pacific region.

The sharing of knowledge and information through the web has been made possible also by the use of open source cms TYPO3. The whole staff of web editors and administrators edit more than 6,000 pages in which UNESCO actions and projects are explained, described and made clear.

The huge quantity of contents edited and communicated through this website requires a reliable and flexible content management solution and TYPO3 fulfils perfectly this fundamental requirement. Among the greatest benefits of using this open source CMS, there is also its potential customizability, its flexibility and easiness of use which allows differently skilled editors to keep content updated.

The training experience has contributed to the improvement of the editing and administrating tasks performed by the whole staff. Some advanced functions, such as TYPO3 Multilanguage options, were particularly welcomed as the website is becoming a reference point for UNESCO development projects and a source of precious information for the multicultural institutions and professionals of the whole Pacific area.

About WEBFORMAT

Webformat is a TYPO3 full services web agency. The company, located in Italy, is a supporting member of the TYPO3 Association and specializes in TYPO3 development and integration projects for national and foreign customers.

To know more about the topic visit: http://www.unescobkk.org/, http://www.webformat.com/or contact +39 0427 926389 info@webformat.com

The artificial island of KoKred lies cuddled between two bends of the Chao Phyra River at a point where the river wends to its narrowest. It is a counterfeit stricture, as this straight and narrow channel was cut to speed the journey of river traffic as it plied between Ayutthaya and the Gulf of Thailand.

This 10 kilometer square island is a delight. There are no cars, and the roads are narrow concrete strips splayed out around the island. The only traffic is an occasional motorbike or bicycle. What bliss, a stone?s thrown from Bangkok, a city that is being strangled by the motor vehicle!

and the roads are narrow concrete strips splayed out around the island. The only traffic is an occasional motorbike or bicycle. What bliss, a stone?s thrown from Bangkok, a city that is being strangled by the motor vehicle.

As you step off the ferry that has brought you across the river from Pakkred in a brief minute or two, you step back into a Thailand of 50 years ago. This island is home to a community of Mon people who came here from their homeland in the river Kwai valley north of Kanchanaburi . The temples and Buddha shrines scattered around the island are visible evidence of this neo-Burmese heritage.

The island is the site of a pottery industry. The rich clay soil provides an ideal medium for the red terracotta earthenware pots and water containers that were the mainstay of this economy. Sadly, others elsewhere, produce alternatives at a cheaper price and brick kilns have outlived their usefulness. Now the potters have turned their attention to the tourists who visit the island, usually on a Sunday in one of the large tour boats that sail up river from Taksin Bridge. However, the rich soil also supports a verdant landscape of palms, and fruit trees giving the place a wonderfully tranquil and rural feel. As a visitor you can walk around the island, hire a bicycle or zip quickly by on one of several motor cycle taxis. It?s quite a long walk, just over 5 kilometers, but a wonderful one at that! The path takes you under plantain tress with bunches of bananas overhanging the walk way and down below limes, papayas, pomeloes and all sorts of fruit I cannot identify grow in profusion.

For the really discerning travellers, there are rooms available to rent a very reasonable Bt 200 per night. The KoKred Restaurant has a verandah that juts out over the river. It is an ideal venue to eat or just sit, sip a drink and watch the sand barges and other water traffic as they glide by.

You don?t need to take the big cruise boats, chock full of tourists. Instead make you way to Victory Monument on the BTS. This missile like structure, which commemorates the Indo-Chinese War of 1940-41, serves as transport hub for Bangkok. Walk along the arterial skyway, and below you will see a sea of bus stands. Go as far as you can, descend and then wait for a 166 Bus. This will take you to Pakkred by motorway, thus avoiding the worst of the traffic jams. On reaching Pakkred, which is the terminus. You alight obliquely opposite the TMB bank, walk straight ahead until you encounter the motorcycle taxi-rank situated at the rear entrance of Jusco. Mumble something about KoKred and the driver will take you to the ferry stage at Wat Sana Nua. Enjoy the trip!

Interested in this subject? Try this link for more of the same.

http://www.Pagerankarticles.com

Thailand has one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. For those that have traveled there they know that the beauty of this untouched place makes for some of the best vacations in the world. This is coupled with the vast amount of historical culture that abounds the countryside and there is never a shortage of things to do in this country. Because much of this land is untouched by development you will find that relaxation and peaceful living is more than possible. The reaches of the mighty have not gotten this far and that means that you will get the very best in the vacation arena, especially when it comes to the Thailand beach areas.

Khao Lak is a wonderful Thailand beach. Just a short drive from the airport, this paradise offers a remote vacation area like no other. Thanks to the area being largely uninhabited, there is lush rain forest nearby along with a whole host of wildlife to be viewed. The water remains warm in the November through December months and the fishing and scuba diving is out of this world.

Phuket Thailand Beach is another great spot. Enjoy this resort November through March. There is more than enough to do. It is a bit more crowded than other beaches as this area thrives on the tourism dollars that it brings in. The scuba diving is top notch in this area and you will also find some of the warmest most clear water in the world. There are several nearby attractions to keep one busy for quite a few days.

Phi Phi Don Thailand beach is quite the turn around. Once a remote and nearly unknown place, this Thailand beach came to life when Hollywood came in and filmed a movie here. It is now considered to be one of the most popular beaches in the entire country and is frequented by many big names. This is a site that you will not want to miss, as the views are breathtaking and the water warm and inviting.

West Railiy Thailand beach is one of the undiscovered diamonds in the rough. There is very little that is expensive here and one can stay at the ?resort? for over a week and barely tap the budget. The sands are milky white and the water clear. Scuba diving is very popular here as well as the fishing. This location is only accessible by long tail boat so plan for a bit of a long ride.

About the author:

Copyright notice: You may publish this article as long as you keep all links live and clickable.

Click here for more information about travel guide, online travel guide and free travel guide.

Sitting amongst the throngs of Arabic pedestrians, Soi Nana is one of the most culturally diverse, and sensually enticing neighborhoods of Bangkok. Deriving its popularity from the confluence of numerous Arabic and Northern African hotels and restaurants, the area caters directly to the Arabic expatriate community of Bangkok as well as the tourist community of the same geographic make up. Established in the late 1970s around the Nana Hotel, it quickly became a hot spot for the Thailand sex trade, flourishing into what is known today as the Nana Entertainment Plaza (NEP). Located across from Sukhumvit Soi 4, this area eventually developed into one of the top three red-light districts of Bangkok, preceded by Patpong and Soi Cowboy.

Located down the street from this now Japanese dominated sex district, Soi Nana has become a popular expatriate hang out, providing ample opportunity for Western and Arabic guests alike to indulge in vast quantities of authentic Arabic foods ? typically centered around the main staple of the Arabic diet, nan bread. Just walking down the street from The Grace Hotel, through the main road, the sights and smells are more than enough to draw a passerby into a sidewalk caf? to sample the cuisines and shishas which have made this street famous.

As expats ourselves, we have come to love this soi as one of our favorite places to end a week of work. It is not uncommon to see us down at Al Ferdoss or ??.. on a Thursday or Friday evening, enjoying the relaxing atmosphere and unrivaled hospitality. Being able to unwind after a long day of sight seeing and touring the city?s wat is not a bad idea either. Whatever your reason may be - if you are interested in experiencing some authentic Middle Eastern and Arabic culture, but are not ready to head to the Middle East, Soi Nana can act as a surrogate for such an experience.

Rex sells his beautiful & funky line of unique handmade handbags at budget friendly prices. Sign up for his newsletter at Siam Sensibilities and get his exclusive Aromatherapy E-book and 10% off all purchases.

The Kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia. With its alluring combination of natural beauty, inspiring temples, warm hospitality and infamous cuisine making Thailand a favorite for many visitors from all around the world.

The kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939 before the name was changed to Thailand which means Land Of The Free. Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country that has never been colonized by a European country. Divided into 6 regions, North, North-East, Central, East, West, and South and comprised 76 provinces with Bangkok (means City Of Angels) as its capital city. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty King Bhumibol or Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty as the present Head Of State. In 2006, Thailand is celebrating the 60th anniversary of HM King Bhumibol?s accession to the Throne. HM King Bhumibol is the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history and has for some time been the world?s longest-reigning incumbent monarch.

With its proud history, tropical climate, lush mountains and forests, long stretched beaches and islands, tranquil villages and exciting nightlife, Thailand offers something for every kind of travelers.

Thailand is also a very popular destination for Western men seeking pleasures of the flesh.

If you are interested in meeting free sexy indian girls at our thai bride service, then check us out.

The recent controversy that was recently posted on Forbes.com between Michael Nor, the editor and his associate Elizabeth Corcoran about whether or not working women make lousy wives is the same controversy that working women versus stay at home mom?s have been fighting over for the past 30 years. People dramatically defend their positions based on their own personal point of view, regardless of the statistics that support theirs or their opponent?s side.

Let?s take a look at the so called facts according to the article by Michael Nor:

If you marry a working woman:

? Working women are more likely to get divorced, and less likely to have children

? If they do have children, statistics show that they?re more likely to be unhappy about it

But, let?s also look at the facts:

? They still carry the majority child rearing duties

? The average woman does 7-9 loads of laundry a week and are carrying the majority of the housework and still are working the same average of working dads at 7 hours and 50 minutes.

? These numbers change when the couple has small kids.

On the flip side:

? Non working women aren?t as happy according to the polls

? Don?t have as much in common with their husbands as the young ladies at the office do

? Working women aren?t controlled by their husbands because they have more freedom if they earn their own money.

Let?s face it! We?ve heard it all before and we all have an opinion about it based upon our own experience. What I?ve learned by coaching and speaking with men and women about this subject is that we are all painfully aware that we?re basically living in a different day and time from the time any of us grew up. In the good ol? days, most of us came home to a mom after school who gave us snacks and then we kissed her goodbye until dinnertime when she served us a home cooked meal. If and when we did homework, it wasn?t until middle school that we really had to study at home, and we might turn on the Brady Bunch or Gomer Pile to unwind after an afternoon at the neighborhood pool or playing Simon Says. We worried about whether we were going to get picked on a team for kick ball, and whether or not the neighborhood boy would sit next to us on the bus.

Fast forward 30 years and our teenagers are dodging bullets in our schools. Kids are learning to make explosives off the internet and as parents we?re scared stiff for our child to wander out of our site for 5 minutes so our child isn?t molested or kidnapped. Mom?s are working just as many crazy hours as their husbands or ex husbands and the kids have to fend for themselves spending hours upon hours with their best friends, the TV?s, and Video games. Conversely, they?re also getting to travel more, have more luxuries and have more conveniences than we did as children.

What is the answer to this question of working or not working outside the home? We want our kids to excel in school so we work to provide them an excellent education. We want them to be able to explore the world and travel so we work to give them opportunities that we never had. The pressure is on both moms and dads to compete for promotions at the office or to build their personal incomes or empires. Our world is globally competitive and we?re no longer competing with just the people in our own community, but now, we?re competing with everyone else around the world.

As a result, we have added tremendous pressure and stress to our lives. We?re burning out more often and our families are suffering. The divorces are up because stress is up, and if we don?t personally take control of our own lives, we can all end up being a statistic.

The bottom line is this: YOU GET TO CHOSE FOR YOURSELF! We all make personal choices depending on what is important or what we value at that point in our lives. If the kids are small and we feel that they?re better served by us saving for their future by working for their college tuition, that?s a personal choice a couple has to make. If the kids are in high school and need someone to monitor them more closely, the couple may choose to have one of the parents at home during that season of their lives.

What I?ve learned is this: We?re all doing the best we can given the resources we have at the time. Are we all making the best choices? No, not necessarily, so here are a few tips that can help aid the process along.

1. Put the marriage first. Couples will only stay strong as a unit if they?re able to connect frequently to discuss their ups and downs. If the couple sets aside 10 minutes a day to ?dialogue? with each other about their feelings and events, the marriage has a better chance of staying a priority. Just like a car, if you don?t do regular maintenance, the car will die. A marriage is the same, without the regular focused time given to the relationship, the marriage will die and the couples will individually turn to outside sources for their support. Do things like write emails to each other during the day, have a regular coffee time where you call each other on the phone, or meet nightly in a special setting that you set up to do a dialog with each other. Practice only using encouraging words to each other and stop yourself before you use words like ?you always, or you never?. These destructive words damage and don?t heal or support. Focus on supporting your mate first and foremost before everyone else.

2. Focus next on the family. When you married and had kids, you chose a life, and a lifestyle. Your family is going through seasons all the time. Having little children is the most demanding time of all. Discuss the needs of the children and what is going to work best for them, then plan accordingly. Kids need to feel secure so setting family time every week such as Friday night is movie night, or Saturday is chore or play time. Make things a game and decide together how the family will spend family fun time each week. We?re lucky in Orlando that there are so many things to do for families such as the theme parks, beaches and resorts are close by. Make events such as the first lost tooth memorable by doing something special. Create special holidays and traditions that are unique to your family. And try to eat together at least once a day for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

3. Realize that all of our choices bring positive benefits but also have a down side. You will have to make sacrifices along the way. Discuss these fully by making a pro and con list before you make major decisions in your lives such as should we hire a nanny or use day care? Should I go part time and receive no benefits at work in order to have more time at home? What is more important at this point in our lives, having a beautiful wardrobe or going on a nice vacation? These should all be joint decisions. And always have something to look forward to so you don?t feel like you?re never coming up for air.

For husbands:

1. Thank and acknowledge your wife for what she?s doing right! Tell her that you appreciate her making the meal even if she threw it together at the last minute.

2. Realize you?re NOT married to June Cleaver and that a messy house is the sacrifice that you might have to make if you are both working. Realize that you are now a modern man, and modern men change messy diapers, clean the toilets and occasionally do laundry.

3. Only have eyes for your wife and tell her how beautiful she is and that you?re blessed to have found her!

4. Take time out for yourself and do self care by working out and meeting with your buddies for lunch every so often. Your career isn?t going away and statistics show you?ll be more productive if you take time off every week to refuel.

5. Be a good partner by loving and respecting your family and their differences.

For wives:

1. Thank and acknowledge your husband for him working hard to support your family. Even if you do it too, understand the toll he?s taking at work and appreciate the time he spends taking care of the family.

2. Praise him for every thing he does in the house to help you. Yes if you are a typical family, you probably do more, but you can encourage him more by being sweet than by arguing and by nagging.

3. Treat him to a special dinner now and then, and make sure you have fun date nights where you dress all up and look great for him! Call it old fashioned, but guys love to have their wives look nice, so put on that make up, put on some heels now and again, and take care of your man!

4. Get support if you need it from friends, co-workers, counselors or experts in the areas where you need help.

5. Take good care of yourself by doing lots of personal self care to nurture your mental, physical, spiritual and emotional sides.

We?re all in this world at a crazy time. We?ve got stresses with money, war or children. Realize you?re just in a SEASON of life and it will get better eventually. Hang in there, and know, that the weekend is coming, and you can kick back for a few hours on the weekend to recharge, and do it all again on Monday.

Mary Gardner is a Lifestyles Coach and reporter based out of Orlando FL. She's a working woman, wife and mom and still manages to find time every so often to do the laundry and vacuum the carpet.

Networking - Right way and wrong way

I've discovered some things about networking. Although it CAN be VERY successful if done right, most of the time it is done wrong and the results are nearly zero, at least not worth the time that it takes.

So, here are some hints that can take your networking through the roof. Actually, a “professional marketing” person in one of my last “Building Your Coaching Business” classes hadn't been able to make her networking work….up until we changed some things. At that point she went from one so-so interested person per networking event showing interest, and less than one client in 6 months, to 5 people jumping up and down wanting to schedule an appointment from every networking event and more business than she had ever had.

Develop Your Niche Market and Powerful, Compelling Core Marketing Message

It all starts with developing your target niche market and your powerful, compelling core marketing message. Everything starts there, so if you haven't done that yet, then get that article. Email me if you haven't already received the article on how to do that. Because, once you develop that your networking results will go up 5-10 times what they are now.

Now, the other parts are where you network, and how you network.

Where you network - How You Network

Make sure that you network with your ideal niche market, or where others that also touch that market are networking. Networking just to be networking is not going to generate much.

Network where you can make a difference. Networking is all about meeting people that are in your target market, or are in contact with your target market, and where you can make an impact on them, their life, and their business. People buy only from those that know, like, and trust (they also make referrals the same way). Therefore, the people that make the most difference to them are the ones that they will go wild helping with referrals…and that should be your focus.

Chamber networking - I've learned that chambers CAN have some of the same narrow thinking as small business, some of the same thinking that destroys small business. So, finding the right chamber, or networking group is EXTREMELY important. How do you do that?

Find chambers that want to partner with you to make a difference in their members' lives and businesses. A really great way to stand out in a chamber is to partner with the chamber to offer seminars that help people and companies.

Make sure that you are on important committees in the chamber where you can help lead new seminars, or at least work with people on a volunteer basis to help them. Give them a sample and watch them jump into your shopping cart.

Going only to “networking” events without building the relationships and visibility will become an extremely inefficient way of networking. It can work better once you've developed that powerful, compelling core marketing message…but if you start with a strategy to also build relationships through committees and partnering with the chamber you'll find some pretty spectacular results….if you are in the right chamber, or networking group that feels the same way.

Some chambers can have some pretty narrow thinking. Some will limit your reach “because they can't support one member over another.” Your job is to either help them overcome this thinking and make a major impact on them and their members, or move on to another chamber where you can make a difference.

Some chambers have told me that: “We tried seminars before, and no one showed up.” I've found that most of the time it was a local financial planner, or CPA, or another field, that was giving a very dry SALES pitch…and no one wants to hear that, so….no the seminars didn't work. Whenever I've been given that answer, I usually point out that my seminars are “standing room only” and I'd be more than glad to help them achieve that. In fact, I will set down with my competitors and we'll all build a series of seminars that will FILL the chamber every time. (Don't worry about helping your competitors. You will be the one standing out…I guarantee it. It was your idea and your success. And, if you follow my suggestions, your seminars will be full and the others will still be just OK.) In fact, make sure that your success is seen by the top people in the chamber, and by the members of the chamber. You will become a star for doing this.

(NOTE: check out my articles on marketing seminars. If you are going to make these seminars successful then follow those seminar marketing approaches.)

Of course, there still are chambers that won't go there….in that case move on. You are in the wrong place. Some chambers, even after experiencing the successful seminars will shoot themselves, and you, in the foot. I've seen chambers that, once a coach becomes pretty visible, will say something like, “We've had complaints from other coaches that you are getting too much visibility. We have to let others have the stage.” And then they had it back to those that were complaining, and the seminar attendance drops to zero. Pretty soon, the chamber will be saying, “Our seminars don't work, so we aren't going to do them anymore.”

Some chamber will say, “We can't back one business over another.” I'm not one for backing down. I'll stand on the value I bring to the chamber, to their members, and to the growth of the chamber I've brought to them with additional members and growing businesses, but….some are narrow thinkers…move on when you can't continue to make a difference. Look at it this way, you now have a huge track record and can do this with, or without the chamber…so move on. Your job is to find the best networking opportunity and not just accept what I call THE NORM in networking…reach further.

Business Network International — Another really great place to network, and probably THE BEST is a BNI (Business Network International) group. The same things apply here. Make sure that your ideal target market is in that group, or someone who is working with your ideal target market. Be very selective about choosing which BNI club you join.

I have had discussions with hundreds of other coaches who have worked in BNI clubs. The discussion usually goes something like this.

Some will tell me BNI didn't work for them. When digging deeper I find that their target market wasn't in that club. Sometimes the club was made up of very small businesses who always perceived they couldn't afford the coach, and they also perceived that they didn't do business in the same economic level as the coach…sooo….it was a waste of time.

Find the RIGHT BNI Club-The MOST Successful Networking

However, by finding the RIGHT BNI club it can be one of the most successful marketing tactics you can do. I encourage you to take that way beyond what you find in that club however. When you finally find the RIGHT club, your job is to become the best leader in the club, to show that club how to grow even bigger, to show that club how to bring in bigger and bigger, and better and better companies. Join the leadership team. A really great opportunity is to become the educational director where you can show them ways to network better and to grow the club. Become a SUPER Coach by showing that club how to become a SUPER BNI club….guess what? People will beg to spend time with you, and you will be a star in the club. After all, anyone who can make this much difference in the club should be making that much difference with the clients….RIGHT?

Networking isn't just about networking and meeting a few others. It is about networking with the most powerful people you can meet, and then make the most significant impact on the club, their lives, and their business….and you will be seen as a SUPER Star coach.

Challenge everyone you meet to reach further than they've been reaching. Challenge the networking group to reach further and become greater, and lead them to that new vision…You will become a SUPER Star coach!!

================================================

Do you want to learn more about how to increase your coaching businesses?

I have just completed my brand new guide to coaching marketing success. You'll also get a free invitation to join a mastermind group of other coaches as they build their business. Hear what works and doesn't work.

Get your “How to Build a Super Star Coaching Business” for free

Alan Boyer coach's coaches, who want more business than they can handle, or at least more than they imagined…before this…..The reports have been “5-10 times more clients in just a few weeks, and still growing.

http://www.leaders-perspective.com/Super-Star-Coaching-Business.htm

Networking online using social networking software (SNS) has risen in popularity. However, as the hype dies down, so too does people's enthusiasm for using these websites.

How can you continue to leverage the power of SNS and still find clients, get leads on job openings and develop joint ventures, all while keeping yourself interested in using these websites? You need to develop your expert status using advanced tips so that business and jobs fall into your virtual lap.

The advanced tips provided below are perfect for those using SNS - such as ecademy.com, openbc.com, ryze.com or linkedin.com - for business reasons. Also, if you've been using SNS actively as part of your promotional campaign over the past 6-months, you'll find these advanced tips will re-energize you to login to each system and build your expert status.

1. Moderate a forum that doesn't duplicate another one. Nothing can say that you're an expert better than leading a forum on a niche topic. In order to build a successful forum, focus on addressing a particular problem that your target audience faces and create a forum based on solving that problem. For example, I manage a forum on ryze.com which addresses a woman's fear of speaking about her accomplishments. This is a common problem I found that my coaching clients complained about, so I started a forum to address this issue. You will have a more active forum if you start one that isn't similar in scope to one that already exists.
   

2. Stay out of flame wars. Nothing can kill your expert status than to get stuck in the middle of a flame war on a forum or between two members over notes or private messages. Stay out of these misunderstandings between other members. Even if you think you can wave the white flag with a neutral response, resist the temptation. Because emotions are high, your good deed will be misinterpreted and you'll be accused of taking sides.

3. Join many forums and post well researched replies on topics that solidify your expert status. Become a member of as many forums as your membership level allows you to join. Then, post replies only to the threads that pertain to the topics you know the best.
   

   I used to believe the opposite (join only a few and post regularly on everything), but a conversation with Scott Allen, co-author of The Virtual Handshake, changed my mind. I now post replies on the following topics - networking effectively, follow-up marketing, personal branding, workplace issues and office politics. You should determine what topics you know very well and post well researched and well thought out replies on those areas.
   

4. Turn posts into articles. This is a great follow-up to the tip above. If you're posting meaty replies that contain a wealth of information, you can leverage your time spent on SNS by turning your posts into articles. Then submit them to free article marketing websites, such as ezinearticles.com or pitch the idea to your local newspaper. This is yet another way to solidify your expert status and use article marketing to gain credibility.
   

5. Know your market intimately and ensure that this is communicated on your profile page. I don't mean that in a romantic sense, instead you really need to crisply define who wants to buy your product or service. I target women who are working full-time and are running a business on the side. I provide tools to help them become their own boss in 12-months or less and this is communicated on my profile page. Ensure that your profile page isn't buzzing with dozens of flashy banners ads, and instead, focus your message so your target audience wants to do business with you.
   

6. Greet new members, but only those who are in your target market. Most SNS have a new members list on their homepage. Each week, I recommend contacting at least 5 new members who are in your target market and offer a tip on how to use the system effectively. But go one step further - look at that new member's profile and suggest a topic that they can start on your forum based on one of their interests. This really works and you won't be accused of spamming because each message is unique to that individual.
   

7. Post interesting, thought-provoking, silly, funny or controversial topics. This should be handled with care, however, if done well, this is a great way to get noticed. People will come to anticipate your posts as they know you'll stir their emotions. Just stay away from name calling, personal attacks and comments that demean people.
   

   Visit http://thevirtualhandshake-network.ryze.com and find the topics that have more than 20 replies. Click on it, read through the replies and you'll soon see why that particular thread received so much attention.
   

8. Ask for help. Another awesome way to raise your profile. Too often, people join SNS and become frustrated with all the features. However, don't be afraid to ask for help if you're confused. And, asking those who seem to be the experts at using SNS is a great way to put yourself on their radar.
   

Just updating your profile page on a SNS isn't enough. Like any marketing and promotional effort, you've got to make the effort to form relationships, build rapport and raise your credibility using the tips above. Only then will people feel comfortable enough to spend their money on your products and services or refer you for a contract or job opportunity.

Disclosure: The author moderates a network on ryze.com.

(c) 2005 Leesa Barnes. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Leesa Barnes, The Schmooze Coach?, helps consultants, virtual assistants, professional organizers, coaches and solopreneurs avoid cold calling by developing a fearless networking plan. Leesa is author of “Schmooze Your Way to Success: 9 Fearless Networking Tips for the Shy, Timid, Introverted & Just Plain Clueless.” Go to http://www.schmoozeyourwaytosuccess.com/ecourse.html and sign up for her free 8-lesson ecourse called “From Clueless to Fearless: Secrets from the Schmooze Coach.”

Thai Culture in Bangkok

Thailand is a country with a long and rich history. Thailand is also one of those countries which have many traditions which modern times fortunately have not affected. Thailand is renowned for its unique culture that has been notorious around the globe. Thai culture is especially well known for its distinctiveness. It is well worth noting that Thai culture has traditionally been handed down from one generation to the next.

Thai Classical Dance

The inspiring Thai culture includes inspiring local music and wonderful Thai dances. Thai culture furthermore includes of course its deep rooted Buddhist religion, martial arts, crafts and beautiful clothing.

Visitors to Thailand can experience Thai culture by witnessing one of the Thai classical dance performances. These classical dance performances are generally performed by gracious Thai ladies wearing beautiful Thai local costumes.

These special Thai dances are fortunately still popular throughout Thailand including with the present younger Thai generations. Most resort areas and many hotels frequently offer these special Thai culture dance shows for foreign visitors.

Thai Greeting

The unique Thai gesture of greeting another person, the wai, is especially one of the greatest aspects of Thai culture. The wai is when a person joins both hands to either head or chest level while bending their head slightly towards their hands.

This way of greeting is especially done when a younger person greets an older person and it indicated a sign of respect to their elders. Employees would also wai their superior?s even if the supervisor or manager would be younger then themselves as the seniority of the other person would be respected.

Bangkok

Bangkok is the main city of Thailand and has been the Thai capital since the end of the eighteenth century. Observing Thai culture in Bangkok can be a great experience as the blend of modern times and traditions have created a one of a kind atmosphere. Bangkok still offers a package of Thai culture which showcases Thai culture through numerous beautiful Thai Buddhist temples, interesting museums and many example of ancient Thai architecture.

Places to Visit in Bangkok

One of the best places in Bangkok to experience Thai culture is in the Sanam Luang area. Visitors can visit such Thai national landmarks such as the Grand Palace which includes the Emerald Buddha Temple and also offers visitors to see many other prime examples of Thai architecture at its best.

Another location in Bangkok where one can enjoy and see Thai culture is at the famed Bangkok national museum. The large museum is located near to the Pra Pin Klao bridge incase you would like to visit the Bangkok National Museum. The famous museum offers visitors and tourists an opportunity to view national treasures and unique Thai art pieces with some dating back as early as the late sixteenth century.

Read more about Thai culture and other Thai topics at the authors websites. Please visit the Bangkok Guide or the Phuket Guide or the Samui guide for more Thailand related information.