Village Works Enterprises LLC

10 Essential Criteria For Choosing Your Target Market

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:30:00 GMT

As business owners, we are always concerned about our target market. You want to be sure the customers you seek are in fact receptive to your business idea. But what I don't thnk we always consider is does your target market fit YOU? That's what this articlde made me think of. I like how it gave me a slightly different perspective. Enjoy.

A specific group of people you will focus on selling your services to is your target market. This is not to be confused with the problem you will be solving for this group.

Why choose a target market? You need to decide exactly who your audience is before you sell your services. Deciding on your target market lays a critical foundation for your business. When you get clear about who your target market is, you will:

* know where to focus your selling and marketing efforts.

* know where to focus your research efforts. You want to intimately understand your market: the problems they have and the language they speak. The greater your level of understanding the more magnetic you will become.

Your target market will determine your income and success. Choose the wrong one and you will waste a lot of time and money with very little results.

Whatever target market -TM- you choose, check to see that it meets the following 10 essential criteria:

1. Your TM has a big problem. They think about it all the time, it keeps them awake at night.

2. Your TM wants the problem solved. The impact and cost of the problem is big enough that they will act to solve it (some people have problems they are quite happy to live with!).

3. You can easily find your TM. Do they belong to associations? Are there conferences for this target market? Are there publications? Where do they hangout? If it's not easy to find your target market, it will cost you a lot of money to find them.

4. Your TM has money to spend. No point having a terrific service if your target market hasn't the money to pay for it. I know this sounds basic but it's often overlooked.

5. Your TM has a history of paying to have this problem solved. You want to focus on a target market where there is a proven track record of problems and people paying to solve them. A good sign is if your competitors are selling similar services to the target market.

6. There's enough of your TM out there to sustain a business. How many people or businesses are in your target market? Realistically how many will become your clients and what will that be worth to you? Is that enough?

7. You enjoy working with your TM. Think about what types of people are in your target market and visualize being with them day in and day out. How does that feel? Will you feel energized or drained at the end of the day? Remember, you are also in business to enjoy yourself so make sure you will enjoy working with this target market.

8. You have a passion for helping and serving this TM. Passion is an essential ingredient for selling your services.

9. You have valuable expertise and experience you can offer. Your target market will want to buy from people who are experts in their field. Think about what specific expertise and experience you can offer your target market.

10. Your TM fits with your ultimate lifestyle package. What hours do you want to work? Where do you want to work? How do you want to work? Does this fit in with your target market? Ensure that working with your target market will enable you to live the kind of life you want to live.

Once you have found your target market, the next step is to refine it even further. Decide on the profile of your ideal client. What sort of person are they? Decide on their demographics and psychographics. Demographics are the basic facts like age, gender, income, location, etc. Psychographics are their characteristics, values etc. This will enable you to focus even more.

The clearer you are about who you want to do business with, the more you will attract exactly the clientele you're looking for. You will then need your Sales Conversation skills to convert them to clients.

Tessa Stowe teaches coaches, service professionals and recovering salespeople 10 simple steps to turn conversations into clients without being sales-y or pushy. Her FREE monthly Sales Conversation newsletter is full of tips on how to sell your services by just being yourself. Sign up now at http://www.salesconversation.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tessa_Stowe

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How To Host a Successful Home Business Expo

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:47:08 GMT

You don't have to wait for the next vending event or expo to get your business out there. You can plan your own! Get together with some other businesses - preferably ones that don't compete with you - plan an expo and get out there! Don't know how? Maybe this can give you some ideas. Enjoy!

Are you in direct sales or network marketing?

No doubt you're currently having parties, luncheons, meetings or other events to showcase your business opportunity and products.

But have you ever thought of hosting a larger event that is open to the public? If you're building your business mostly on the Internet, you may shy away from offline activities, but I hope to convince you of the many perks of hosting a Home Business Expo.

The advantages of planning a large offline event are:

You can potentially get a LOT of targeted leads for your business opportunity or product.

You will be seen as the "go-to" person in your community for work at home information.

If you work it right, you will get lots of media attention.

You're providing a service in the community that benefits people.

The believability level is higher when people are meeting you face-to-face.

I strongly urge you to include other Moms in business when you plan your event. After all, your business is not right for everyone! Inviting other work at home Moms means that you'll make a lot of new friends, expand your network, and even make some money too, which will more than cover your advertising and other associated costs.

Ok, so we've covered the "why", let's work on the "how".

Choose a Venue

I've hosted business expos in public libraries, and these are great for a couple of reasons: They're free to reserve and most people in the community will know where they're located.

The disadvantages: You may not be able to serve refreshments which may not be a big deal to you, but may make it more difficult for the Pampered Chef lady you invited to sell her product. However, this may not be a strong consideration if the event is designed more as a lead generation tool for recruiting. Hotels have nice conference rooms but often carry a hefty price tag, although in some towns you may only pay $50-$75 for the room. The advantage of booking a room in a hotel is that you'll usually be able to serve food and also post signs outside the venue. Local gyms and recreation centers are good too.

Choose a Theme

Since space is limited and you can't include everyone, it's a good idea to choose a theme for your business expo. For instance, you may want to limit your vendors to Moms in Direct Sales, or you may want to choose Homeschooling parents in business. A friend of mine hosted a Natural Moms expo, and invited women who made herbal products, midwives, yoga instructors, massage therapists and the like. Having a theme also makes your advertising efforts easier since it clarifies what your event is "all about".

Other Planning Tips

At my events, I always asked each vendor to be responsible for her own table. (Most Moms in business have one so this wasn't an imposition.) That way I wouldn't have to worry about whether the venue had enough.

Encourage your vendors to have plenty of information about their business on hand-- printouts, catalogs, business cards, etc. It's also a good idea for them to have a small door prize as a way of collecting the names and numbers of people who look at their business.

Decide how much you're going to charge vendors. I always kept my vendor fee very low, since I wasn't so much interested in making a huge profit as I was exposing my own business to the community and helping Moms get legitimate information about working from home.

I've attended events that I did not plan and was very disappointed at the turnout when I had paid a nice fee in order to participate. You don't want your vendors getting resentful. If you decide to host another Expo, you'll have a lot of people who want to take part again and even assist you if the first one is a success. So keep those things in mind when deciding how much to charge your vendors. I also strongly suggest keeping the event free to the public.

Start Advertising Early

I'm a big believer in press releases because they work! Local media will likely call you to ask questions about your event, especially if you live in a smaller town. A few tips regarding press releases:

1) Emphasize how your event will help the public. Are you going to be educating women on how to avoid work at home scams? Will there be free information and samples available? Giveaways and door prizes? Are children welcome? Etc.

2) Be sure to post your press release online (Do a Google search for "submit press release") ,as well as faxing or emailing it to local newspapers.

3) Call the newspaper first to see how they prefer to receive your release and always follow up to be sure they got it!

You may be able to advertise your business expo for free online at some of the work at home websites, as well as local interest websites. Do an Internet search for "submit event", with the name of your town in the search. That should give you quite a few places to submit your event to. You'll likely find that as a few women find out about the event, you'll have no trouble getting vendors! Especially if you keep the cost for inclusion low. In order to keep in touch with your vendors for updates and communication, consider starting an online newsletter list just for this purpose. Otherwise you'll find yourself answering phone calls and emails and saying the same things over and over.

Getting Lots of Attendees

If your press release gets picked up by a few local newspapers you'll probably have lots of people show up for your event, but it's also a good idea to diversify your advertising. Take out a small ad in a community events paper if there is one in your area (but be sure to send your press release first to see if they'll give you free advertising!). Post about your event in forums online that allow you to do so. Encourage your vendors to invite their customers (it's great if they can have some product on hand to retail, thus saving their customers shipping costs) and warm market. Post flyers at local businesses, always asking permission first (I almost never had anyone say no!). And be sure to have large, well placed signs pointing to your event, like you would if you were having a yard sale.

Well that's about it! I hope you plan a business expo that brings you tons of new customers and prospects, and establishes you as THE work at home Mom in your area!

Carrie Lauth is a work at home Mom of 4. If she can earn money online, so can you! Get her free "No Fluff" marketing tips plus free subscriber gifts at http://www.Carrielauth.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carrie_Lauth

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Use Jigsaw Puzzles to Prepare Your Child for Reading

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:05:00 GMT

We have all sorts of technology these days for teaching our children. The price for some of these can give the average parent pause as we are usually willing to invest in the things our children are drawn to, but you can't always be sure if they will take to the latest not-so-cheap battery-operated learning tool. There are still some old-school methods of learning that work really well. Take a read and see what you think.

Do you want to help your child develop those all important pre-reading skills? You can do that by doing jigsaw puzzles together. Puzzles help develop vital thinking processes that need to be developed before reading can take place.

Babies learn to recognize things by their shape. The position of the object is not important. A cup is a cup, whether it is standing upright, lying in it's side or upside down; it is still a cup. A jigsaw puzzle introduces the concept that position is important. More refined recognition skills are developed.

There are valuable learning experiences that can be gained from puzzle activities. Firstly hand-eye co-ordination is necessary to manipulate the piece into the correct position. To fit the piece exactly involves observing the shape of the hole as well as the shape of the puzzle piece. At first a young child deals with the problem by trial and error and sometimes force. The guidance and example of a parent begins to solidify the process. The youngster starts to develop spatial awareness and mental manipulation as well as increasing physical dexterity. Skill and ability develops as the child learns to place the piece in correctly and internalization of the process occurs.

The role of the parent is very important. Talking about the picture and demonstrating the correct method to complete it, will facilitate the child's learning process. This creates a great opportunity to increase your little one's vocabulary, as well as increase the recognition of objects and situations outside the child's immediate world.

Early childhood puzzles can be purchased in varying degrees of difficulty as your youngster's spatial and reasoning skills become more developed. Children learn to recognize color and shape by playing. Adult conversation increases the potential of the young learner's understanding and development. The green shape only fits in the green hole. This type of matching activity develops early reading skills.

When introducing a new puzzle spend time doing it together at first. Make this a happy social time and lots of fun. Do a puzzle long enough to maintain interest and attention, but be ready to move on to another activity as focus begins to wane. Eventually children will want to do puzzles by themselves as their dexterity and confidence increases, With praise and encouragement children will practice until the skills become familiar. Then is the time to introduce puzzles with a greater challenge.

In this technical age do not forget the simple jigsaw puzzle. The benefits and educational value of doing puzzles with your children far out weigh the small amount of time and money a parent invests in this great learning tool.

Barbara White has over twenty years experience as a parent, teacher and principal. Barbara, President of Beyond Better Development, now enjoys sharing her experience and insights about learning with parents and teachers through workshops and seminars Barbara highly recommends Jigsaw Puzzles for all ages of children and adults.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_White

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5 Powerful Tips On How To Sell In An Economic Downturn

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:35:00 GMT

Is the recession over? Some think we are coming out. Others aren't so sure just yet. Either way, here are some thoughts on boosting business that can be applied no matter what the climate is out there. Enjoy!

1. Believe and achieve!

One of the problems with all of this talk about recession is that once people believe there is going to be a recession they start to feel negative about their business prospects and only tend to see what they believe rather than believing what they see. Once you believe that there is going to be a recession you tend to only notice articles, comments and statistics that support your beliefs.

What's more, your negative beliefs quickly affect your outlook and the way that you feel about your business prospects.

If you thought 2008 was going to be a great year for business, your best year yet; how would you feel?

On the other hand, if you thought this year we're going to have a major downturn and you and your business would be badly affected; how would you feel?

Mighty different huh? And remember, nothing's changed here other than your belief. Having a positive and supportive belief structure is essential if you want to succeed in any market but it is vitally essential if you want to keep on selling in a tough one.

Having a winning belief system does not mean that you need to be deluded however! In the middle of the darkest recession you don't want to have your eyes shut! But you have to understand that in a downturn clients want to partner with the best companies. Suppliers that they can rely on. Suppliers that support them. Suppliers who are going to be around tomorrow. And if your competitors struggle, that means more sales and more business for you.

2. Get proactive

You need to be more proactive. Much more proactive. You need to do more marketing and more selling. You need to attend more events and do more networking. You need to do more promotion and more canvassing. You need to increase your sales activities, maybe dramatically.

In a recession many companies cut their sales activites. They figure, "If we're not going to sell anything, what's the point?" Many individual salespeople do this too.

Cut your activity, cut your sales. You're a living, breathing, self-fulfilling prophecy! You believe there is not much business out there, so you feel negative. That in turn affects your activity and your activity destroys your sales results.

Even if there is not as much business out there, then you need to be more active, more focused and more targeted. If your competitors are easing off a little, now is the time to up the anti and grab your share of the market. Even if there is a blip, you will be strongly placed when activity picks up.

One of my friends went down to our local real estate agent this week to put his house on the market. He was told that maybe he should wait as he might not get the price he wants right now. They told him the market was quiet and that might not be able to sell the house at all. Better to wait for the market to pick up. I walked past their offices later on that day. They were all sitting, chatting and drinking coffee. They were probably moaning about what a bad year it's going to be. If I'd have been in that office, I'd have taken my mates house on and I'd have been on the phone drumming up some viewings. 50 calls, 100, calls, 500 calls... Whatever it takes. I'd have found someone.

Talk about killing your own market! If you see less business then you need to do more sales and marketing, not less. That's common sense.

3. Sharpen your sales skills

If a workman needs a spade and a farmer needs a horse; a boxer needs a defence and a chef needs a recipe; what do salespeople need? The answer's obvious - it's sales skills.

Most salespeople do not spend enough time working on improving their sales skills and techniques. Sales training and development is not something that many salespeople spend their time on out of choice. Perhaps they can get away with this in a booming marrket when sales are easy. Perhaps not. But things will always change if the market tightens. Sales success will go to the salesperson who really understands why people buy and can help people make the right business decisions. Salespeople of this calibre stand to benefit from possible changes ahead because there will be more business for them as their competition falls by the wayside.

Sales will not go to the journeyman salesperson, the mediocre wannabee or the 9-5 order taker. Salespeople like these could well be in for a rough time.

When did you last read a sales training book on selling? How many sales training audios have you listened to over the last month? How many sales training seminars have you atteneded in the last 6 months? For 80% of salespeople reading this, the answer is zero.

4. Improve your service and focus on relationships

As I write this many companies will be working out how to cut corners. They will try to save money by tinkering with their business offerings. They will try and eek extra profits out of their clients by cutting the bells and whistles from their offerings. This is not a good idea. A Swiss cow with no bells is just a cow and no-one would send postcards of them home!

If business is tight you want to be wowing your clients with the best service that they have ever had, from you or from any of your competitors. You need to be going the extra mile. If a recession bites many companies will try and discount to survive. They probably won't (survive), but you don't want your clients going to them as they try to keep their heads above water! You need to "lock in" your existing clients now so that they won't even think about going anywhere else.

Spend time with your clients. Build stronger relationships with your clients. Make sure you truly understand them, their concerns and their businesses. Find ways to help them and add value over and above what they could have ever expected.

5. Leverage your efforts

In a soft market many salespeople only chase the easy stuff. They don't chase the tough stuff. They're doing ok, they don't have to. They're making sales right?

Wrong.

Most salespeople have all sorts of opportunities which they squander every day and every month because there are seemingly easier things that they can be doing. This is particularly true in an industry or a company where leads have been relatively easy to come by, where sales targets are relatively soft (I could tell you which industries but I'm not going to) or where salespeople are overpaid so don't crave the business (again, I'll keep this to myself!).

In a tough market you must leverage all of your efforts. This is basic sales 101 and should be stuff that you do every day anyway... Here are just a few ideas.

Always ask for referrals. Referrals are great business but most salespeople do not ask for them because clients often say no. Learn how to ask for a referral properly and then build asking for a referral into your sales process and ask for one every time.

Upsell and cross-sell. Whether though laziness, lack of knowledge or lack of ability many salespeople sit on accounts where there is so much more business than they are currently leveraging. Extending your business with existing clients will not only make you more money, it will also strengthen your relationships with and value to them and their businesses.

Contact dormant accounts. Most companies have hundreds if not thousands of "dormant" accounts. There may be multiple reasons for this from changing business practises to fall-outs with the client. Dormant clients may well be redeemable and may have been "lost" purely because someone forgot to ring them or a salesperson moved on. Get in touch with them!

Follow up on all leads. I recently contacted 5 health insurance companies over the web. Only one replied. You should not be burning leads like this in any market. Follow up on all leads professionally using a proven sales system like the ones I teach in my sales training seminars and programmes and you will close more business. New business is the lifeblood of any business in any market.

So there we are, 5 tips to help you to sell in a recssion. This year may well prove to be an interesting year for some businesses and individuals. Some of this will be down to the market itself. Much of it will be down to you and how you react and respond to what might be a challenging year.

Here's my prediction for the year...

There will be winners and there will be losers. Which are you going to be?

For more powerful personal development articles visit http://www.gaviningham.com now.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gavin_Ingham

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Bridesmaid Duties

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:06:07 GMT

Weddings, honestly, are a pet peeve of mine. OK, so not weddings per se, but just the whole notion that its ok for brides to be self-centered. An acquaintance of mine just got canned as maid of honor because the bride thought she should have answered her phone calls at work - this was a new job for my acquaintance, FYI, after a year of unemployment.

I am married so I have been here, but tried my best to not do that. Before getting married I had found most brides had the same thing in common - tunnel vision. It was amazing how no matter what the topic of discussion, they could just about always manage to bring the topic back to their wedding and wanted you to share in their enthusiasm. Now, ideally, the bride is a friend and as friends, you give her latitude to have an attitude. It's ok to know nothing but bridal talk because she is indeed planning the party of a lifetime. As friends, you want to help the betrothed to be calm and make decisions. But how far is too far? If you are going to be part of that wedding party, where do your responsibilities begin and end? That was what I went searching for today to help you all out. Consider this post me trying to keep the peace between friends as well as let people know what they are in for. Consider this post me trying to tell all brides that while your day IS about you and your groom, the people around you - helping you, supporting you, in some cases paying for you - deserve your respect and consideration as well because the people in THEIR lives are not expecting them to disappear like they expect a bride to disappear. The people in their lives are still expecting them to do their jobs, care for their families, etc. Mutual respect, in my opinion, is key to keeping everyone happy. So now, the real post. Enjoy.

In the movie, 27 Dresses, one of Jane's (main character) "duties" as a bridesmaid, apparently, is to hold the bride's dress while the bride is ...well...using the restroom. Now, I'm not sure that exact duty would be listed in any etiquette book. And, there lies the problem. What exactly are the duties of today's 21st century bridesmaid? It seems that everyone has an opinion on this, which just complicates the issue. We need a basic list to work with. So, here it is.

When asked to participate in a wedding as an attendant, we often become a bit lightheaded about the honor, feeling very special that someone would care for us so much that they would want us to share this moment. And yes, it is an honor. But, it is also expensive and time consuming. So, consider all aspects and responsibilities of the position before agreeing.

Money, Money, Money
When considering expenses, the bridesmaid is responsible for the cost of her attire, including alterations, and shoes. She can even be expected to pay for hair and make-up. Although, if the bride is insisting on all bridesmaids using a specific salon, this cost is/should be negotiable.

Gifts?
One of the most common questions from bridesmaids is, "Do I still have to give the bride a wedding gift if the wedding is a destination wedding for which I am expected to pay for travel expenses? We feel for your ever-lighter pocket book, but the answer is yes. However, it is common and acceptable, besides just plain smart, to share the expense of the shower and wedding gift with your fellow bridesmaids. And, please remember, both of the gifts do not have to be expensive, just heartfelt.

Gas Pains
Bridesmaids are expected to pay for their travel expenses, except for the day of the wedding. The bride provides this. The bride also provides lodging for out of town bridesmaids.

Party Like It's 1999!
Between the time the couple set the date and the beginning of the reception, it can be one pre-wedding party after another. Are bridesmaids obligated to attend? If it is humanly possible, yes. However, out of town bridesmaids usually receive a get-out-of-jail-free-card, or at least out of the obligation of attending, except, of course, the reception.

Traditionally, the two parties in which the bridesmaids hosted are the shower and the bachelorette party. However, these two, as are all pre-wedding parties, are optional. Bridesmaids may host if they wish. But, all must agree on the cost and are not obligated to pay unless they are all in agreement.

Bridesmaids may host a bridesmaids' lunch, but it is most commonly hosted (and it is fairer to the bridesmaids) by the bride. The bride may host this to thank her bridesmaids for the time they have given her.

The Ever Dutiful Maid
And, how about all of those "duties"? Attending every pre-wedding party possible is the bridesmaid's fist duty. All fellow maids should try to help, as much as possible, such as writing invitations, place cards, making decorations or favors, and running wedding related errands. Sometimes this isn't possible due to general "life stuff," as we all have our own jobs, school, children, everything that could stand between helping to address invitations and keeping our jobs. So, no squabbling allowed.

However, recriminations may be in order if the bridesmaid repeatedly misses her appointments for alterations or won't stay in contact with her fellow bridesmaids and the bride. Once she signs on for the duration, it is her duty to stay in touch.

Bridesmaids attend the rehearsal and party. And, on the day of the wedding, each participates in the pre-wedding and post-wedding photos. Many times bridesmaids will help the bride with her multilayered and many times very heavy dress-hence the holding it while the bride needs to take a ...restroom break. They walk down the aisle and stand as instructed.

After the wedding, all maids may stand in a row. Or, is that the receiving line? They may stand in the receiving line or mingle with guests, per the bride's preference. During the reception they dance the first dance with groomsmen and single bridesmaids are often asked to mingle and dance with unattached guests. The groomsmen join them as well. Single bridesmaids may even compete to catch the bouquet. This could be considered a contact sport, so be forewarned.

Note To Brides: Although the word bridesmaid does include the word "maid", please don't treat your bridal attendants like slaves. Remember that you asked them to stand up for you out of love but, not to be used and abused.

TeamWedding.com - Home of Top Wedding Planning Sites Get more information on wedding planning here

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donna_Ennis

So as a bride you want to start off on the right foot, right? You want to let your potential bridesmaids and maid/matron of honor know you care about them, value them and need them. Send them a fun puzzle asking them to stand with you. Guarantee they will never forget it. Just read what one bride had to say about giving a puzzle to her potential party.

Jigsaw Puzzle Games Help Kids Develop Cognitive Skills

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:58:00 GMT

Children need a variety of cognitive skills for everyday use now and into adulthood. The ability to rationalize and problem solve is vital for most of life activities, but giving our childen a leg up in the area of critical thinking means helping them to be the dynamic people they were created to be; people who aren't afraid to take chances and follow their dreams, no matter how scary those dreams may seem. Personally, I want my children to have the joy of utilizing their spiritual and natural gifts because I know doing so will make them productive and giving people in the world. People who have the power to think outside-the-box open themselves up to experiencing all sorts of things, including their internal drives. This can bring them joy. Joyful people give. Lert's help our children be joyful.

A jigsaw puzzle can provide long-lasting entertainment and numerous benefits of promoting the cognitive development of children of all ages.

Puzzle solving activities can start at very early ages and continue as children get older. There are puzzles designed just for toddlers, with large wooden puzzle pieces or other durable puzzle games. For toddlers and preschool kids, solving a jigsaw puzzle helps improve basic skills such as hand-eye coordination because it requires the child to manipulate relatively small objects and to place those objects in specific places.

The benefits can continue into preteen, teen, and adult years with more challenging puzzles that require more advanced coordination as well as other benefits. As kids get older, they can advance to more challenging puzzles, which include a larger number of smaller pieces and more complex color patterns. For older kids, solving puzzle games can help develop analytical skills, communication and collaboration, logic and attention to details.

Puzzle games also improve a child's spatial skills. Solving a jigsaw puzzle requires the child to visualize a puzzle piece, and then to mentally rotate the puzzle piece up to 360 degrees to find that piece's accurate fit. This forces the child to move away from concrete thoughts and into a realm of abstract thoughts. He has to imagine the results of an action (in this case, the results of rotating a puzzle piece) not unlike a game of chess.

Puzzle solving improves a child's problem-solving and reasoning skills. The child is repeatedly presented with a problem while solving a jigsaw puzzle: how to make a particular piece fit into the overall puzzle. He will have to evaluate the shape of the puzzle as well as any colors or patterns presented on the puzzle, relative to the other pieces on the game board. He may have to flip or rotate the piece to make it fit. In some cases, he may have to flip or rotate the piece several times before he finds its place in the puzzle. Successfully solving this problem can give children the confidence to attempt more challenging puzzles.

A less-often recognized cognitive benefit of jigsaw puzzles is the picture on the puzzle. For example, solving a puzzle with a picture of the United States will familiarize a child with the geography of the United States. Jigsaw puzzles can also familiarize a child with a scene from history or literature. There is a great variety of puzzles available today making it easier than ever to find ones with an educational theme that appeals to your child. Themes include horse breeds, astronomy, trains, bible stories and more. Even text printed over a puzzle picture is learned particularly well, as a child is often required to study and read the final picture and the individual pieces repeatedly in order to solve the puzzle.

Often, solving a jigsaw puzzle will spark an interest in other types of problem-solving tasks and puzzle games, such as crosswords or word puzzles. However, the cognitive benefits of jigsaws alone cannot be discounted. These skills will overlap into many other areas of the child's life.

Joe Kanooga is a father of two kids, a successful business owner and the author of numerous articles about jigsaw puzzle. Click here to download our free puzzle games guidebook filled with tips, ideas and information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Kanooga

Bring Your Business Out of the Noise

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:57:46 GMT

There are many smart people out there writing and speaking about marketing your business. Today the voice you shall hear is my own. But I will not necessarily speak as one business to another. I will instead be one customer to businesses and people who are in charge of the marketing of that business.

In case you did not notice, it's a pretty noisy world out there. I don't care if you live on a mountaintop in Greenland. If you have a business and are actively marketing that business, then you are using a lot of the same tools everyone else is using - TV, radio, social networking, newspapers, some even still use the Yellow Pages because it works for them. Maybe you are vending and networking face to face to build relationships. Maybe you are networking screen to screen. If you stop to visualize all these places, what do they have in common? Your ad is next to someone else's. Your TV or radio spot has to say it all in 30 seconds. Your social networking page has tons of people on it that's hard for you to sort out, so imagine everyone else.

It's a noisy world today compared to just 10, 20 years ago; basically one to 1 1/2 generations ago. It's no wonder people ignore their calls and let them go to voice mail. They don't necessarily respond to emails quickly, if at all. I know I do this and again, I am talking to you as a consumer.

I see your emails and I am annoyed because there are SO many of them from SO many people so I mostly delete, sort, or save for later. In any of these scenarios, your immediate deal goes unnoticed. Yeah, I get those tweets. But I get too many of them so I may glance, I may never read, I may miss them altogether. Where is my safe haven? Personally, I have two children so my car is one of my favorite places and thus radio is still somewhat effective for me. But I don't live in my car so you've got me for a limited amount of time.

No. My safe haven is home where I can turn all that noise off. Businesses and even everyday people have gone wild with the power of instant connection so I have to go invisible for a little while. But how can you still reach me, dear business owner, when I am screening my phone calls? What is one place where even you can still enter my quiet world? The U.S. Mail.

Oh yes, dear business owner. I am still reading my mail. I still come home and sort looking for something other than a bill I am going to pay online anyway so I doubt I'll open. (Gotta go paperless. Note to self.) My eyes are still looking for pops of color because I am attracted to that. That's why even if I don't plan to order a thing, catalogs still grab me. As I chill and do nothing, I'll peruse those and by the end, who knows? I may just be dog-earring a page for future use. I may even be checking out my bank account to see if I can swing this unexpected expense (so you better make it good!).

The mail, dear business owner, is no longer fun for people. I just heard a statistic yesterday that ever since the Internet came along, over 70% of people no longer write letters. I still do, though not as much, and everyone I know appreciates it. Think of the holidays. We are still scrambling to send cards and we love to get them. The mail has become a place of mainly bills and overdue notices, but there is still some soliciting going on. People are still reading even the solicitations of companies they are interested in if the mail is interesting enough.

So make yours interesting for me!

Once in my whole life, so far, have I received a puzzle from a company. Did I open that unusual package? Sure I did! Ok, yes, this was pre-anthrax days, but I think we're back to safe mode now. Even today I REMEMBER that puzzle. It was for a car dealership, so no I wasn't buying. But I remember it! My kids took it to play with right then and there. Jigsaw puzzles are memorable, dear business owners! And people tend to keep them as well. Imagine how much your message is getting through over and over again!

You can use jigsaw puzzles to :

Introduce yourself
Tell about a special or make an announcement
Send one-piece at a time for some sort of giveaway or to even get them onto your site/into your store.
Put a special code on a piece to be redeemed. (yes, we print on the back too)
Just say thank you/happy birthday/send a little fun gift with your logo on it.
Invite your customers to some special event
Use as a business card or giveaway

If you want to be different and new right now, go old school. Try the mail and make yourself stand out from the crowd.

This little beauty is a 2x2, 4-piece puzzle that just says hi. Interested? They start at $1.75 per puzzle for a minimum of 500. Check it out!

First Birthday Party Idea - Making Wonderful Memories

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:50:00 GMT

Parties can be fun, but when you have children, after awhile it can be hard to be creative and keep the parties fresh for your guest as wel as your child. But not when it's your first birthday! So here's are some ideas to help you get your parted started and even an invite idea you just might like (see the picture below. It's a Village Works original!)

You're so excited.

Here's a first birthday party idea that will preserve your child's party, an important event in the life of your child and your family.

This is a special time to celebrate, remember, and look back at how much your baby has grown and learned in just one year.

Unlike other birthdays, your child's 1st birthday party is more for you, your family and friends. At only one year of age, your baby doesn't understand all the fuss and excitement and why there are so many people in your home.

First Birthday Party Idea - You're making memories

Even though your child is too young to appreciate their first birthday right now, you need to make sure that years from now when your child is old enough, they'll be able to enjoy all the fun activities, gifts, food, family and friends that helped celebrate their very first birthday.

Here's how

Pictures, a scrapbook and video or a DVD.
Take lots and lots of pictures and shoot lots of video. You can take too few pictures, but you can't take too many pictures of your child's first birthday party.
Set a goal
You want to document the entire celebration. Later on you can choose the best pictures to include in your scrapbook and DVD.

Treasured Keepsakes

Here's a fun project that's sure to become a treasured keepsake. Put together a special scrapbook about your child's first birthday.

Include your pictures in chronological order, save a party napkin (especially if it's a theme napkin), save an invitation and anything else that will help make your scrapbook special.

And if you shoot video or take digital pictures, either you or someone else can put together a precious DVD so that future generations to come will be able to see what everyone looked like "way back when."

Your DVD can include shots of your baby's room, special toys, stuffed animals and crib. And you can use a special song in your video.

Put your party together

Schedule your party at a time that works best with your baby's schedule. You don't want them to be fussy or cranky because they didn't have their nap.

The party should only last a couple of hours because all the excitement will begin making your child tired and that can lead to being cranky and spoiling the party.

And remember that your young guests have a very short attention span too. So keep your games and activities short and simple.

Make your invitations interesting an fun

Your invitation should be fun, interesting and precious. Remember, you want everyone to know you're going to be celebrating a very special event in your family's life.

Use a phrase like "look who's turning one year old" and include their newborn picture.

Just for fun

Make the newborn picture into a 3 or 4 piece puzzle. Or give then only one small piece of the puzzle and ask everyone to being their puzzle piece so the puzzle can be put together as a party activity.

Make sure to copy all the pieces in case someone doesn't show up.

Decorate your home with a party theme

Do you have a theme for your baby's room? That can be your party theme. Or you can use fun themes like Noah's Ark, Sesame Street, Pooh or Over the Rainbow just to name a few.

Online party stores carry lots of wonderful first birthday party supplies for just about any theme you can imagine. To learn more just click on the link below this article.

The games you can play

Play games so the adults can assist the little ones.

Stack soft blocks, roll a ball, read a very short story, sing songs, do "baby art work" using crayons an paper.

Remember when

Put together a scrapbook of pictures and memories from the birth of your child, bringing baby home for the first time, baby's first bath and all the special times through out their first year.

This gives everyone an opportunity to see the wonderful progress your child has made during their very first year.

Food and other goodies

You may want to have snacks available for the grown-ups and of course you'll want to have a special cake.

First birthday cakes

You'll have lots of fun putting together your little one's birthday cake. You can put together a special cake that fits perfectly with your party theme. You'll find theme candles and oh-so-cute cake decorations that will turn your cake into a masterpiece.

It's going to be so much fun!

Yes, with this first birthday party idea, your child's party is going to be a very special event, one you want to capture with lots of pictures and video that will be remembered and enjoyed for years to come.

And when your baby gets to be old enough, they'll really enjoy seeing their first birthday party too.

Have fun.

Mike Dougherty "Grandpa Mike" has lots of experience putting together successful birthday parties for his children and grandchildren. For more information visit http://fun-kid-birthday-parties.com/first-birthday-party-ideas.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Dougherty

Did you like that? Fun, huh? Well, imagine an image like the one above used not only as a baby birth announcement, but it can be altered to be an invitation too! It's called Baby Announcement and it's one of the many puzzles we have created at Village Works that you can personalize. It's available. All you have to do is let us know how many and the info you need it to say. Contact us today!

Creating A Family Tradition-Jigsaw Puzzles

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:01:00 GMT

I don't have to tell you how scary the world is and how vital it is to hold on our families. The necessity of work - most times both parents - can make it hard to create those special moments that help lay the foundation for our kids. That foundation is what holds them up when they are away from us and have to make tough choices on their own. The power of a puzzle? Even a little time over one makes memories - and a foundation - for a lifetime. Enjoy.

Do you find it difficult to spend time together as a family?

There are so many pressures and activities that can take away from the sense of family which was more commonly experienced 50 years ago. Parents often both work, and their commute can be tiring and long. For children there is school and homework, TV, video games, and the computer to juggle with. This does not include outside the home activities such as belonging to sports teams and organizations. All of these factors mean that the family is not together so often. Many activities that occupy children nowadays are individualistic or non-social. Electronic forms of entertainment are now normal, but the disadvantage is that they are not conducive to social interaction and relationship building.

Parents increasingly have to plan to set aside time to spend as a family. During these times it is a good idea to plan activities that involve everyone. A great way of bonding is to do an activity where everyone works together to accomplish a project.

Doing a jigsaw puzzle together is a good example of this and has many benefits. Working on a jigsaw puzzle is a practical activity that all ages can participate in some way. Even younger children can be encouraged to help. They can sort the pieces into like colors, or look for particular pieces. They feel such a sense of accomplishment when they find the piece and help complete the section.

For children, a jigsaw puzzle has several learning applications. It develops spatial awareness and hand eye coordination. There are analytical, abstract, and concrete thinking skills that are needed to become adept at doing a jigsaw puzzle.

While the family is together around the puzzle, a relaxed natural environment is created for conversation and relationship building. It develops a sense of team as all participate.

Doing a jigsaw puzzle is also a great introduction to other types of hobbies and crafts that involve using hands and creating something. For the upcoming generation these types of crafts and hobbies are in danger of dying out as electronic entertainment increases in popularity and use.

I have fond memories of doing jigsaw puzzles with my family as a child. It became a family tradition especially during the winter months. Today, however, this can still be done but without the inconvenience of losing the use of the dining room table until the puzzle is completed. There are now puzzle mats and other new storage possibilities now available.

In comparison to the jigsaw puzzles that were around when I was a child, the jigsaw puzzles today are far more interesting and appealing. There are shaped puzzles, glowing, educational puzzles, and more complex puzzles for the experienced puzzler such as 3D and two sided puzzles.

Create a tradition for your family. Plan now and buy some jigsaw puzzles to bring out on a rainy or cold weekend and have a refreshing family bonding time .

I would recommend http://www.thepuzzlemania.com as a good place to order puzzles online and get prepared for family fun.

Barbara White, a jigsaw puzzle enthusiast, has a passion to revive family traditions. For more facts and trivia about jigsaw puzzles visit her blog and forum at http://www.thepuzzlemania.com , an online jigsaw puzzle store for all the families interests.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_White

Looking for some memory-building puzzles? Start here!

Simple Small Business Marketing Ideas Often Work the Best

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:56:39 GMT

You know what gets my attention? Hand-written letters. I still do them personally, though not nearly as often as I used to. And when I get them, even from solicitors, I am curious enough to open them. That's why this tip is one I wholehearedtly agree with. Take a read.

Have you ever noticed how many times the simplest small business marketing ideas end up working the best?

Who ever said small business marketing has to be hard?

I'm constantly amazed at just how powerful some of the simplest concepts are. There are many small business marketing ideas that cost next to nothing and really require little to no additional extra work to begin bringing in more business every month.

Unfortunately, the problem with simple marketing ideas is that many small businesses are so quick to excuse them. Intelligent business owners and independent professionals just like you mistakenly believe a marketing idea has to be sophisticated and intricate to be really valuable.

WRONG! In fact, it's completely the opposite that's true. The more complicated the idea, the less chance you have of making it work. Simple doesn't mean well thought out. It just means not complicated.

One of the simplest small business marketing ideas I've ever come across is also one of the most powerful. Many successful professionals have shared that this one technique has been primarily responsible for completely filling their business pipeline.

Even though most people know about this powerful method, it's surprising how few people actually use it consistently. Perhaps because it's just too simple and business owners are always looking for fresh, new, and more sophisticated (i.e., perceived to be higher value) marketing ideas.

After all, if the simple, easy ideas really worked then wouldn't everyone be using them? Well you would think, but even the simple solutions take some work on your part to be successful. And too often, people want the results without having to do the work.

Simple does not mean you don't have to do the work. It just means not complicated.

So what is this simple yet incredibly powerful idea that can help you generate significantly more business?

Commit to sending out personal hand-written notes - Thank You notes or Cards.

The reasons to send personal notes including "thank you" notes are practically endless.

When you make a new contact at a networking event

When you get a new clients

When a client takes your advice

When a client recommends you

When a business contact recommends a new resource.

Taking time to hand write notes is a lost art in the world of business anymore. Even though personal attention is always more effective, email and voice mail are just so much quicker and therefore make it ineffective in some peoples' minds.

Consider How To Put This Small Business Marketing Idea To Work For Your Business...

Is your small business marketing strategy attracting all the clients you can handle? Effective small business marketing is more than just a bunch of ideas and tips. Follow a step-by-step approach to creating your own powerful small business marketing plan at http://www.GetMoreGreatClients.com

Kevin Dervin is co-founder of the Marketing Action Club and creator the the Get More Great Clients marketing system.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Dervin

Our puzzles make great thank you notes. Know why? Because you can not only personalize the image and message on the front, you can also write your own specific message on the back! Get a quote today!

Avoiding the 10 Worst Event Planning Mistakes

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:11:00 GMT

No matter what your career, business, or even spiritual background, you are likely to attend some sort of organized event. You may even be called upon to plan one! Here's an article that spoke to my faith as well as my passion - puzzles. Enjoy!

As leaders planning more events than we care to think on in one year, either we are too busy to plan effectively or we just simply do not think it falls into the scope of our role. If you have not had to plan an event yet, do not be surprised if you find out you are planning the next big event. To prepare for a successful event and avoid the 10 worst event planning mistakes, apply the tips in this article.

Mistake #1 Lofty Speaker Expectations

Your speaker may be very popular and have a glowing one-sheet with stellar qualifications, but s/he may not be right for your audience. Conduct thorough research and level your expectations to avoid disappointment. Typically, my approach is to expect nothing other than God being God in every situation. I prayerfully communicate His/my desires and then I stay open to His will. This helps keep me stay balanced and no longer focus on people, roles, titles, etc.

Mistake #2 Poor Communication

The latest thing in conferences and special events is to avoid letting conference attendees know who is speaking on which day of the event. Not sure of the logic surrounding this strategy, but it fosters poor communication and stifles the ability to plan accordingly. Avoid it like the plague with the following suggestions in mind:

Business and Church Leaders when people register for the event, you capture information about them. Do something with the information besides printing out flimsy name tags.
Distribute countdown communiqués leading up to the event.
Recap the day with points to ponder version speaker highlights.
Send complimentary information for out of area visitors (e.g. area demographics, nearby restaurants, local radio stations, peak hours of traffic, major points of interest, as well as a mini-map of the church/building of the event).

Never get so big you feel only God needs to know your every move. When you value people, you communicate with them and keep them in the loop of developing progress and changes in scheduling.

Mistake #3 Wrong Place, Wrong Person

Make sure you have the right people serving, greeting, ushering, selling products, etc. Keep Sister Frownie and Brother Sourpuss out of front and center positions. They may more appropriately serve behind the scenes making important calls, stuffing gift or lunch bags, or coordinating clean up. People who enjoy serving others make the best people for interacting and accommodating your guests. The best ushers and servers are those who are friendly, kind, and serve with genuine love. There is nothing worse than feeling like you are interrupting something or like an outside intruder attending a private special event. You walk away thinking, hmm...if you didn't want me here, why did you invite me?

Mistake #4 Host-itis

As the host of your event, engage and speak with those who have taken time out of their busy schedules and paid hefty fees to come to your special event. Make a special effort to go out of your way and speak to someone you do not know. Hey, take a few minutes to see how they are enjoying and benefiting from the conference. Most importantly, just get to know them and do not just engage and speak with leaders you already know.

Here is a suggestion to spark a conversation. Ask your guests if they are comfortable. There is nothing worse than sitting jam-packed in a small building in dead summer sweating bullets through your stockings, skirt, and well-pressed suit. When you know they are hot, you can crank up the air. Well, you know the scripture, you have no air because you did not ask if anyone was hot! Seriously, this may appear to be a no brainer, but how many people have ever asked you if you are comfortable/uncomfortable with the temperature in the building? Better yet, how many hosts have ever personally spoken with you? Make the extra effort to connect with others. Who knows what you will find out.

Mistake #5 Not Ditching The Titles

This is not the time to be role driven. Be servant driven. If a guest asks for something, serve them as you would serve Jesus as a guest!

Mistake # 6 Failing to Count up the Cost

When setting the price for your event, be sure to consider everything. For example, the price of food, handout materials, parking, etc. This will enable those who are attending to be fully prepared with how much money they will need. As the event planner, be careful to count your costs meticulously. You can certainly be left with a bag full of bills for which you are responsible to pay once everyone has gone back home.

Mistake #7 Underestimating Time

Look at how long it takes to magnificently plan a wedding. Planning an event is not as easy as slapping something together in a flash. It takes ample time to thoroughly plan a successful event. Give yourself the gift of planning and overestimate the amount of time you will need to pull all the details together. Our recommendation is no less than 1 year for a small to mid-size event.

Mistake #8 Can't See the Big Picture

Don't just wallow like a pig in every muddy detail, but look up and see the vision of your event, seminar, or conference. Be sure to write out measurable goals and objectives. Having clear goals, objectives, and a vision determines a successful event.

Mistake #9 Going It Alone

Exercise a team approach and enlist the help of an event planner, family, friends, and other professionals instead of biting off more than you may be able to chew. You may want to consider co-sponsoring an event with another business or an established ministry or charity. Be realistic about what you can accomplish in your event planning.

Mistake #10 Poor Promotion

Once you are clear on your vision, goals, and objectives, you can begin to spread the word about your event. There is nothing worse than planning a spectacular event to which no one or the wrong people show up. Be unique and memorable in how you spread the word. We are all bombarded with invitations to events, classes, and seminars. Stand out, be bold, and say the same things we hear all the time in a fresh, new way. You may consider hiring a designer for your website and invitations.

One of the joys of our leadership calling is the opportunity to positively influence others in our meetings, conferences, and special events. As a leader planning and organizing an event, you are providing a service. I encourage you to see it as a labor of love. Yes, hosting a conference is a lot of work. If you implement the above suggestions and avoid these mistakes, you should end up with an event that brings God glory and blesses all who attend.

Many leaders overlook nitty gritty project details or simply give them no thought. If you found this article helpful, you can experience more support by hiring me to identify where you are most vulnerable in planning your special events. I can coach you through the details of every phase, from the project start to the very end-project implementation. I also support you through prayer and by bringing an open, unbiased ear to listen to all the ebbs and flows of the project. I literally mean every ebb and flow...from scope creep to budget constraints. I can help. Call me now before you start planning your next special event.

For additional support around planning an event, go to http://www.godscoach.com/special_event_checklist.pdf.

Divinely wise,

Karen M. Pina

GOD's Coach

Karen M. Pina is a leadership coach and the CEO of Gifts Ordained by Direction (www.godscoach.com), a coaching practice that addresses everyday leadership issues. Pick up a copy of Karen’s book “Leadership FITness” (www.fit-leaders.com) and get FIT physically, financially, and spiritually.

Mine for the gems in your career, relationships, and leadership development by joining the many readers of Gem News. Subscribe now and instantly receive a free audiobook chapter on career fitness. You can partner with Karen for more support around what you have just read or allow her to mentor you to become a certified coach.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_M._Pina

Did you notice #10? Be unique and memorable! Jigsaw puzzles can do just that. Contact us today to create invitations, favors, or promotional puzzles for YOUR next event!

Educational Jigsaw Puzzles: How Educational Are They?

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:15:27 GMT

Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much of this terminology is sales promotion and jargon, and how much is fact?

As an educator for many years, I can say with authority, that there is educational value in all types of jigsaw puzzles. The skills acquired and practiced in completing jigsaw puzzles are a foundational part of successful learning. Doing jigsaw puzzles develops several functions of the brain simultaneously as a child has fun and also learns. Most notably developed in this learning process are the abilities to reason, deduce, analyze, sequence, and develop logical thought and problem solving skills. Physically, eye-hand coordination and spatial awareness are also required to complete a jigsaw puzzle.

Putting these benefits aside, I want to look particularly at the jigsaw puzzles that are labeled "Educational". These puzzles are designed to teach a specific learning objective. Some examples of these might be a jigsaw puzzle map of the world, or of the solar system. The manufacturers claim that such puzzles will teach a child those specific facts. What educational value in reality do these types of puzzles contain?

Firstly the degree of the educational value of these types of puzzles is dependant on how the puzzles are used in the learning process. For example, let us suppose that the learning objective is to learn about the geography of the United States of America, specifically the position of the individual states. You buy a puzzle picturing all the states and their position in the country, and give it to the child to do. Will the child ace a test on the States? Probably not! I'm sure that some learning will take place, but it will be limited and a few weeks later very little of the learning would be retained. To the child the learning process of doing that puzzle would be similar to any jigsaw puzzle that they do. Their focus on the states and where they fit is limited to the process of completing the puzzle.

In order to maximize the educational value of a jigsaw puzzle, it needs to part of the learning process, but not all of it.

Children have different styles of learning and an advantage of a jigsaw puzzle is that it does involve using more than one type of learning aptitude in the process of completing it. The most obvious learning style for a puzzle is the visual. In doing a puzzle of the USA the child will see the overall shape and also how the various states fit together to complete the whole. Jigsaw puzzles involve both the global (big picture) and analytic (details) aspects of learning. Puzzles are also good for the kinesthetic tendencies of learners. Kinesthetic learners learn best by practical hands on activities. For those with a auditory preference in learning, conversation about the learning and the correlations in the puzzle combined with the overall learning objectives, needs to happen at the same time as the puzzle is being done.

However the greatest educational benefit comes when the jigsaw puzzle is done as part of the overall learning objective. A jigsaw puzzle can be used to introduce a new subject as well as reinforce learning that has already occurred. The educational value increases to the extent that the subject of the puzzle is meaningful to the knowledge the child already has. To the degree that the child can correlate his prior knowledge with the puzzle experience, the more educational value is gained.

The jigsaw puzzle can also create new learning experiences. These experiences can then be developed in many other ways for an overall learning experience. For example, in doing a puzzle on American Geography, famous landmarks located on the puzzle could then be looked up and researched in books or on the Internet. Stories can be read or told about historical events that occurred. The actual size of an American state could be explored by working out how long it would take to travel across by car or train. The learning possibilities are endless.

Some educational puzzles such as 'Faces and Places' and 'The Map of the Solar System' ,produced by the Great American Puzzle Company come accompanied by a guide book that can be used to get the maximum educational benefit and value from the jigsaw puzzles.

In conclusion, it can be said that all jigsaw puzzles have educational value to some extent. The puzzles that are advertised as 'educational' can be of great educational value if introduced, not in isolation, but as part of a specific learning goal that has both relevance and purpose for the child.

Any time spent doing a jigsaw puzzle with your child will make it a more meaningful and memorable experience. Don't just give your child a present of a jigsaw puzzle-instead give your child an educational experience and a memory that will last a lifetime.

Barbara White, of Beyond Better Development, has over twenty years experience as a parent, teacher and Principal. The jigsaw puzzles referred to in this article can be purchased at http://www.thepuzzlemania.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_White

Looking for educational puzzles, or maybe you want to create your own? Start here!

We Have Liftoff!

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:12:00 GMT

We are going live today. After a solid 2 months of work, loads of glitches, wracking of the memory to make sure all the pieces of our business is accurately reflected in our new home, we are finally going live. But that doesn't mean the site is done. No way! There are still some elements to add in after we are sure of how we want them to be. The homepage is being designed but is not quite there yet but we didn't want that to prevent our debut the day before Thanksgiving as we planned. So our temporary homepage is doing the job brilliantly. I hope all of you who find your way here take the time to leave a word or two about what you think, want to see, and what you are dying to create!

And in your travels on this site, if you do happen across a snafu, do let us know. And being the writer that I am, I am also open to help such as mispellings and missing words. We want to make this as easy to use and fun to look at as possible. Just give us time. ;-)

Behind the Scenes

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:49:00 GMT

This blog post is sorta a clandestine one. Most people won't be reading it anytime soon. But there are a few who may. You see I am writing this while the website that is the new home of Village Works Enterprises LLC continues to be built around it. I have trusted people who are going in to look around at what's here so far and to give their input as we work on content, wording, design, consistency, pricing, payment, etc. The site, unfortunately, has to go live in order for anyone to be able to get in and click around so I know there is the chance that anyone could stumble upon our humble abode while we are still in building mode. It's only for the weekend and it's a chance we'll take to get things as user friendly as possible. And as for me? I am taking a mini mental vacation from the building of this site to just say a few words about it - and test our new blogging platform to boot. I'm very excited about the changes to come, and there are a few planned. Something for storeowners. Something for customers. And all in one convenient place so that all anyone has to do to get the site, the blog or even the newsletter is remember vwepuzzles.com. We're excited!

Now to start thinking of pictures to help enhance these blog posts. I know! Why don't you scroll down a bit and meet a couple of customers from the Women's Expo we attended in Hartford this past September? Lots of visual interest there. And in the meanwhile, I'll continue slowly moving over posts from the old platform to this one and eventually you'll see even more pictures.

Thanks for stopping by!

Another Step Closer

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:45:00 GMT

Got our homepage under construction page live today. We've been doing a lot of work to get things just right and there is still much to do but we won't have you waiting too long. We think you'll enjoy just checking it all out. Actually, it was even interesting for us going back down memory lane, thinking about past puzzle jobs and thinking about the development of our business. This site is the culmination of all that. We know you're going to love it!

Coming Soon!

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:45:00 GMT

The revamp of the website is under way. You wanted to be able to see all we do and have done. You will. You wanted to be able to shop. You will. You wanted to be able to get information about our customization. You will. You wanted to know about selling our puzzles. You will. Now, it's going to take some time to get all the new images in and get it all flowing like it needs to be but step by step, change is coming. The foundation is there, the frame is there and we're starting with the face - the homepage - which will tell you a large part of what we do but not everything! You'll have to go beyond the homepage to see it all. For a little while, you may only see the homepage as we get the inside ready for you. But even on the homepage, you'll be able to get a lot of information yet you won't be overwhelmed. It's been a year of planning and decision making, picture taking and rewriting, waiting and debating, but it's going to be worth the wait. And together we're going to take Village Works to the next level.

Women's Expo 2009

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:36:00 GMT

Village Works Enterprises LLC did its first 2-day expo in Hartford and it was fun, tiring, enlightening and even painful at times. We'll get some pictures posted as soon as they come in but for now, here are a few of Felicia, of Ethnic Expressions, who was given a puzzle by her sister, Carmen, that was created on the spot by Jerry Craft, an award-winning cartoonist. This was the introduction of handdrawn puzzles. It's still a work in progress but if YOU want to have a special message done up on just one puzzle, just let us know. These were 8x10s on special for $15. The regular price is $25 but price is subject to change as level of artistry rises. Stay tuned for more on this.

The finished product!

Can you can see the resemblance?

Spending Time with Dad for the Jigsaw Hour

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:44:00 GMT

What's the news world saying about puzzles these days? Take a read!

Dan Verner

Published: June 21, 2009

My dad moved to a local retirement facility over a year ago. We had become concerned about him living alone after my mom’s death and he had several stays in the hospital in the months following. We looked at several and settled on one, and it has worked out well for him. It reminds me of a very quiet upscale hotel. Someone wrote about the silence in such places and found it sad: I think people at that point in their lives don’t need a lot of noise. It’s a very calm place to visit. The people are nice and he has made some friends.

I usually go over to see him once a day. We used to watch Nationals baseball in season, but this year that’s too depressing. Instead, he always has a jigsaw puzzle going. I don’t know if you enjoy jigsaw puzzles or not. I have worked them at various times in my life, usually during holidays when there always seemed to be one spread out on a table. I know this activity doesn’t rank up there with bungee jumping for sheer excitement, but there is something to be said for it.

It’s relaxing and challenging and offers mental stimulation. We tend not to talk much and things move at a slow pace, so the jigsaw puzzle helps occupy us and keeps us out of trouble.

My dad says any visitor has to put in at least 10 pieces before they leave, and most do. We favor manly pictures of airplanes, trains and cars, but have been known to work puzzles featuring flowers and puppies from time to time.

We joke that we are professional puzzle workers and have numerous strategies to assemble the pictures. We were amused that one puzzle came with directions:
Assemble frame pieces. Then fill in the picture. That’s what we try to do, and then go for the images that are apparent. After that, we try to match colors, then we try to match shapes. Most of the puzzles are difficult enough that usually we’re reduced to trying every piece in every available space to see what fits.

We also have evolved several guidelines for our puzzling: No fair dropping a piece on the floor if it doesn’t seem to fit anywhere. No trimming pieces off with a knife to make them fit. No forcing pieces by pressing on them several times. And no knocking a table leg out when the puzzle seems hopeless. (This actually happened once, but it was an accident. Really.)

Some of the puzzles are more difficult than others, and even with the pictures, it is difficult to find where the pieces go. The image just looks different when it’s cut into an odd shape and so much larger than the picture on the box. But once it’s fitted into the puzzle, it makes sense. That bit of blue is part of the reflection off a windshield or the red stripe goes right across a uniform sleeve. And when the whole puzzle is done, the picture comes alive in a way that is striking and startling.

Usually when we’re done with a puzzle we take a picture of it and leave it assembled on the table for a few days so anyone who worked on it can see it if they come by. We start on a new one immediately and have an ample supply. I think he got seven puzzles for Christmas, and when we run through those, the place has a nice supply in the dining room.

My dad was quite the jack-of-all trades when he was stronger, constantly engaged in some building project. Just a few years ago we added an extension onto the deck at his house so my mom could get out in her wheelchair. We also put up a shed that had about 10,000 screws involved in its assembly. As time has gone on he has become less able to do projects, and so we work on jigsaw puzzles.

As someone who experienced the Great Depression and World War II (China-Burma-India theater at the end of the very long supply line), my dad has remarkable adaptability. Even when he was in rehab for a week following his bouts with pneumonia, he did not complain but instead found something positive in the stay. I am not half so adaptable and so, on this Father’s Day, I salute you, Dad, for who you are and what you’ve done. I’ll be over this afternoon to work some more on the puzzle.

Dan Verner is a Manassas resident. He contributes his thoughts and stories to the Perspective page on Sundays.

Children's Puzzles!

Sun, 31 May 2009 22:53:00 GMT

More of our newest products fresh off the press.

It may not be easy to see these puzzles in the box but I assure you they are even more beautiful in person than on screen. The interesting thing is we loved the image when we saw it. We were thrilled to see the final prints but the puzzles themselves were simply spectacular. I wish I could explain it. We are so excited to offer them. And I don't know know if you can see the Dream Big puzzles on the table above (the five hugging kids on the right) but it too is a thing of beauty.

Both puzzles are 11x17, 30 pieces. The pieces are big and easy for smaller hands to manipulate. "Dream Big" and "Yes! I Can...Be President" are now available for just $14.99!

Around the Blogosphere

Sun, 31 May 2009 22:51:00 GMT

Doing a little blog hopping, I came across this piece on Peterman's Eye about the educational value of jigsaw puzzles.

It's not just about how U.S. students stack up in math and science compared with peers in India, China, Singapore and elsewhere.

It's also about how many children could find those places on a globe.

Such speculation is the driving force behind a bill called Teaching Geography is a Fundamental Act that would provide funds for teacher training, research and development of instructional materials.

I hope some of those “instructional materials” include the simple genius of the jigsaw puzzle.

Since London engraver and mapmaker John Spillsbury in 1767 created the first jigsaw puzzle to teach geography there's been no better teacher.

Spillsbury mounted one of his maps on a sheet of hardwood and cut around the borders of the countries with a fine-bladed jigsaw.

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the popularity of jigsaw puzzles, now cardboard, grew to astonishing levels. With sales reaching about 10 million per week.
Puzzle enthusiasts could rent a puzzle from their local store, just as DVDs are rented today.

Meanwhile, there were puzzle parties among high society. They would pick up puzzles in the fall and spend all winter working on them.

Horses gamboling in the fields. Famous Mansions. Castles. A Rembrandt. Something to remind them they hadn't lost all their money in the stock market.

Famous British novelist Margaret Drabble, who’s managed to fit writing her memoirs and her fascination with jigsaw puzzles in one book, says the Duke and Duchess of Windsor first met over a jigsaw puzzle, called "whimsies.”

(Specially shaped pieces cut "on a whim.")

Which could account for his whimsical decision to give up the crown.

Drabble also deplores the fact that some U.S. manufactures have put the average time for completion on the box. She’d be happy to work at the same picture for months on end.

Most jigsaw enthusiasts know the most common approach to building a puzzle is to start by separating the edges from the inside pieces. Once the edges are built it can become easier to move to the center.

Technology has changed the landscape and we now have more sophisticated games.

But there’s still nothing that can teach patience (and geography) to children and adults (who don't know where anything is either) like a good 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle.

Getting the right pieces to fit.

Sort of like life.

What's Up With Your Website?!

Sat, 30 May 2009 22:55:00 GMT

Yeah, we know. It doesn't show everything. It doesn't have that same flava. We've grown and it's time for our website to grow too. But it can't be just any old thing. After all, it's Village Works and we want to love everything we do. So just FYI, our new website IS being planned and we are going to get it updated this year. It's a lot of work because new pictures need to be taken and a new developer had to be acquired. We almost settled on one and then learned of another potential one that might work out better. So we're investigating that option but we don't plan to ponder too long. We really want to get this done. We need to make ordering from us easier and give you all an easy place to see everything we've done and can do. Our Facebook fan page is serving the place of keeping you updated right now, along with this blog. And trust me, I am grateful to have these platforms. But it's nothing like having a proper website.

So please bear with us. It's coming. We promise. And if we love it, you will too!

Puzzle Pails

Fri, 29 May 2009 22:57:00 GMT

You gotta love it! We do. Remember our recent sale on 11x17 puzzles for $19.99? These are what we created and packaged. Our customers didn't know they would be packaged this way and neither did we. For us, every job is unique and has it's own vibe. We go with whatever we feel will enhance it the best. You just never know what that will be!

Here's one a little closer up.

Our 11x17 custom photo puzzles are regularly priced at $24.99.

Picture This!

Thu, 28 May 2009 22:58:00 GMT

We are working on some new product photos. What do you think? Tantalizing, eh? Yeah, you know you want it.

Seen in the News

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:59:00 GMT

Here's an interesting little article to help you see the myrid of ways jigsaw puzzles are used in the world:

Truancy judge uses array of punishments - including jigsaw puzzles
By HOLLY YAN / The Dallas Morning News
metro@dallasnews.com

Starling Jennings looks peeved to be in truancy court. She is there for the first time after racking up 12 unexcused absences from a Mesquite middle school."Why are you missing school?" Judge John Sholden asks.

The 15-year-old sheepishly answers in a barely audible voice.

After a few minutes of questioning, Sholden deftly doles out her punishment – a $195 fine, counseling sessions and a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle.

So how do jigsaw puzzles fit in with preventing truancy?

According to Sholden, they leave students and parents no choice but to sit down and talk with each other.

"The rules are a parent can't put in a puzzle piece without the child being present, and the child can't put in a piece without the parent being present," said Sholden, whose courtroom and chambers are lined with jigsaw puzzles of students past.

In Texas, a student is truant after missing 10 or more days or partial days within six months, or three or more days or partial days within four weeks.

Punishments in truancy court vary wildly. In addition to Sholden's jigsaw puzzles, students can face up to $500 for every day missed in violation of state law. Parents can be fined for contributing to their child's truancy. The judge can order community service, tutoring, anger management programs or one-year driver's license suspensions.

Sholden assigns puzzles in about 10 percent of the cases he hears. Typically, they involve younger students unsuitable for other punishments or those who are dealing with problems at home as well as at school.

"A lot of times, [students] are upset with rules the parents have made," he said. "The way to get back at parents is by not going to school." For example, some students skip class to hang out with friends that their parents forbid them to see.

The puzzles have other benefits, too.

"So many kids don't think they can accomplish anything, so they don't go to school," the judge said. "When you open [a puzzle] up, it's a mess. But you get it in your head that you can solve the problem. Once [students] have a sense of accomplishment, that transfers to accomplishment at school also."

He said few of the students he assigns jigsaw puzzles reappear as repeat offenders.

Starling and her mother, Lea Jennings, were upset about the stiff fine Sholden administered. But Jennings said she thought the 1,000-piece puzzle was a good idea.

"Honestly, that's probably the best thing – quality time with the parent," she said.

The judge's unusual approach has been well received in a court that is bursting with case filings.

Sholden presides over Dallas County's East Truancy Court in Garland, which handles the Richardson, Garland and Mesquite school districts. Dallas County's other three other truancy courts handle DISD cases.

Since opening in 2007, the east court has received about 34,000 truancy case filings. That's three times the caseload of each of the county's three other truancy courts.

Last week, the Dallas County Commissioners Court approved funding for a fifth truancy court, to be housed in the same building as the existing East court.

"We're looking at having it set up pretty soon, in the next few weeks," said Steve Griggs, executive assistant to Dallas County Judge Jim Foster. "We're moving forward pretty quickly as far as hiring staff."

The new court will cost about $350,000 for its first full year. That includes costs for a judge, a bailiff, two clerks, construction and furniture.

Duane Steele, Dallas County truancy courts manager, said he hopes to start hearing cases in the new court by the beginning of the next school year.

Sholden says he looks forward to the new court because it would allow him to spend more time with each case and follow-up with students when they report back to court.

"I could really use some help," he said.

In a typical day, Sholden hears more than 70 cases. Sholden said he thinks the court's high caseload is due in part to better enforcement, not necessarily more truant students.

"Does truancy court work? Absolutely," he said.

Parents and students who sat in court for hours agreed.

"This is too much of a hassle to come here," said Minnie Akhtar, whose daughter Amber Galvan attends West Mesquite High School.

"Lesson learned," Amber said.

Inspired? Order a puzzle today!

Welcome!

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:01:00 GMT

Welcome to Village Works, Piece by Piece! Now we weren't planning to blog because we already have a lot on our plates creating wonderful things for our wonderful customers. But in an effort to keep you all in the loop about what we do and about the puzzle world in general, we felt this might be needed. So here we are. If you stumbled across us, you should know a little about us.

We are Ramona and Monica. We are Village Works Enterprises LLC, a woman-owned jigsaw puzzles and greeting card business. We have been in business officially since 2005 but we've been working on our craft for longer than that. I assure you, we've got some time put in so we can have something to offer you.

All our artwork and greeting card copy is original to us. We create it. We write it. Everything is made in the U.S.A. and we customize! We love what we do and we know you will love it too. Feel free to comment here on anything we've done for you or you wish we would do. Talk. We listen.

Thanks for visiting and please come back again!

Greeting from Starwel Group, LLC

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 07:00:00 GMT