After 12 years it?s finally over. Together, Richard and I toiled over umbrella policies, term life, jewelry appraisals, auto and home insurance. And through it all, I was in good hands. He returned calls quickly, gave me the answers I needed and was always professional. So why after doing a good job for all those years did he lose my business? The answer is simple. While being adequate or even a good salesperson may prevent customers from actively pursuing other business, it does not defend against a another salesperson offering something more than ?good enough.?
So when rookie insurance agent Marcus gave me a call, asked to meet with me, delivered his presentation, showed how he would save me money, and then asked for my business?I jumped!
Because when products are equal and the relationship is purely transactional, the only thing that matters is price.
Let me explain. If I put five soda machines in front of you that dispensed almost the exact product, but one of them was 10% less expensive, which one would you put your money into? Correct! But what if one of them offered a soda that came in a frosty mug, crushed ice, whipped cream (optional for you health nuts), a cherry and a pink umbrella? Wouldn?t that experience be worth the 50 cents extra? Heck yes! And after that liquid ecstasy came out, wouldn?t you tell everybody you knew to run to that machine and buy one? That, my friend, is called referrals.
So this week, I want you to think of your top 10 customers and ask yourself, ?What have I done to create an experience or add value in a way that shows my customers I am irreplaceable?? If the question scares you?GOOD! Because sometime over the next 30 days your competition is coming for your business. NOW is the time to defend it. Because there are few words more painful to the ears of a salesperson than, ?You did a good job, we just decided to give somebody else a try.?
As president of PRECISE Selling, Brian Sullivan, CSP helps improve sales, customer service, negotiations, leadership, and presentation skills through seminars and Internet training programs. To learn more, go to www.preciseselling.com. Or let?s hook up on LinkedIn at tinyurl.com/cynamx6
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Poland?s President Bronislaw Komorowski, right, hugs newly elected German President Joachim Gauck, after he presented him with an original historic Solidarity poster in Warsaw, Poland, on Tuesday March 27, 2012. Words in Polish at the bottom of the poster read: High Noon June 4, 1989. Gauck, 72, is a former East German pro-democracy activist and Lutheran minister who was elected March 18 and inaugurated Friday. German leaders in recent years have sometimes chosen Poland for their first trips abroad, a symbolic gesture stressing the strong alliance that has developed between the nations in the decades since Germany invaded and occupied Poland during World War II. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Poland?s President Bronislaw Komorowski, right, hugs newly elected German President Joachim Gauck, after he presented him with an original historic Solidarity poster in Warsaw, Poland, on Tuesday March 27, 2012. Words in Polish at the bottom of the poster read: High Noon June 4, 1989. Gauck, 72, is a former East German pro-democracy activist and Lutheran minister who was elected March 18 and inaugurated Friday. German leaders in recent years have sometimes chosen Poland for their first trips abroad, a symbolic gesture stressing the strong alliance that has developed between the nations in the decades since Germany invaded and occupied Poland during World War II. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Poland's President Bronislaw Komorowski, right, hands over an original historic Solidarity poster to the new German President Joachim Gauck, in Warsaw, Poland, on Tuesday March 27, 2012. Gauck, 72, is a former East German pro-democracy activist and Lutheran minister who was elected March 18 and inaugurated Friday. German leaders in recent years have sometimes chosen Poland for their first trips abroad, a symbolic gesture stressing the strong alliance that has developed between the nations in the decades since Germany invaded and occupied Poland during World War II. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Newly elected Germany's President Joachim Gauck speaks to the media during his visit to Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, March 27, 2012. In front a German flag symbol, behind Gauck the Polish flag. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Newly elected Germany's President Joachim Gauck speaks to the media during his vist to Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, March 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Poland's President Bronislaw Komorowski, right, shakes hands with the new German President Joachim Gauck. as he presents him an original historic Solidarity poster in Warsaw, Poland, on Tuesday March 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
WARSAW, Poland (AP) ? Germany's new president praised Poland as a land of freedom and expressed remorse over the cruelty inflicted by Germany on the country during World War II, in a first foreign visit heavy with symbolism.
Joachim Gauck's words of reconciliation and warmth for the eastern neighbor were made Tuesday in Warsaw four days after he was inaugurated into a role that carries more moral authority than real power.
Trips to Poland by German leaders always carry a degree of symbolic and emotional weight due to persisting memories of the war. In recent years, some German leaders have made their first visits abroad to Poland, though France remains a common destination too.
Though the two countries are strong allies today, many older Poles remain bitter, and negative stereotypes on both sides still exist. Gauck, who is 72, noted that he remained conscious of German "guilt."
"It's been a big joy for me to be received here with an openness and warmth that I would never take for granted," Gauck said. "I am an older German, born during the war and deeply remember the changing history and the brutality of Germans before my time toward Poland."
A former Lutheran pastor and democracy activist in East Germany, Gauck also spoke of the inspiration Poland was for him during the 1980s, when the Solidarity movement led by Lech Walesa struggled for freedom in Poland.
"For me, Poland is the European country of freedom," Gauck said during a joint news conference with Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski. He said that while there were political considerations for coming to Poland first, the decision above all "came from the heart."
Komorowski, who was also an anti-communist dissident, gave Gauck an original historic poster of Solidarity.
Gauck appeared surprised and moved by the gift, and said he already has the same poster hanging in his home. He said the new one would be displayed in his office.
He thanked Komorowski, and the leaders shook hands and then hugged.
Poland and Germany today belong to the European Union and NATO and are major trading partners. The presidents said they discussed ways to deepen their ties further, for instance through youth initiatives or rock concerts ? with Gauck saying he would attend such a concert despite his age.
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Modded PS3 controller is the controls that are used in the play station games. This is a game that is known for the ability of the user and the people playing the game to have fun and also enjoy. The controls are easy to use and above all are flexible. Flexibility of the control is important in any game. modded ps3 controller
The gaming community is one that keeps growing with the introduction of new games in the market. Gaming companies therefore have a way to make money through the provision of the gaming facilities that are required. Each game will come with its own set of gaming needs.
There are various types of controls. There is the basic control kit, the custom kit and the programmable kit. The programmable one is for the gamer who would like to change the way they play the games. They make the controls more user friendly to them.
Online shops are the best for any type of shopping. One is able to order to the controls that they feel they can use comfortably. They also get to choose the color and the design that they would like the control delivered in. This is all done online.
Verifying the authenticity of any controller pads is a must. It is the only way to avoid experiencing problems with the pads once one has started playing. Faulty pads may cost more in the long run. Authentic products will last longer than any other products.
Modded PS3 controllers are just a way to enable the gaming community have fun playing games. Games are not for children or teenagers alone. There are games that the adult male would have fun with and not feel child like when playing. Innovations have made this possible. Each gamer has something to enjoy.
After speaking to her PR team and being told what to do thinking about the act of violence perpetrated against her on a Los Angeles red carpet last week, Kim Kardashian has decided to press charges against the woman who threw flour all over her.
She will reportedly contact law enforcement officials over the next few days and take the appropriate steps.
In response to this decision, PETA has gone on the attack against Kardashian. That lame organization denies involvement in the act, but has released a statement that reads:
If she presses charges, at least people will be constantly reminded of her selfish, callous disregard for the cruel deaths that she causes by wearing fur.
How much better it would be if she decided to evolve and enhance her image by donating her vulgar furs and exotic-animal skins to the homeless. The activist acted from the heart, something Kim doesn't seem to have. If anything, Kim should get a life, the very thing that she denies animals.
What do you think? Should Kardashian press charges against her attacker?
Cryoablation therapy spot-freezes breast cancer tumorsPublic release date: 26-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Ellen Acconcia eacconcia@sirweb.org 703-460-5582 Society of Interventional Radiology
Icy interventional radiology treatment controls metastatic breast cancer with less pain and no major complications
Individuals fighting metastatic breast cancer, where the disease has progressed to other areas of the body, may finally have another weapon in their arsenal: percutaneous cryoablation. The cancer treatment could potentially be used as a last line of defense to halt individual spots of remaining metastatic disease by freezing and destroying tumors, say researchers presenting a study at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 37th Annual Scientific Meeting in San Francisco, Calif.
"Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, causing 1 million new cases and killing 370,000 people worldwide each year, and approximately 10,000 to 15,000 cases of stage IV breast cancer occur in the United States annually," said Peter J. Littrup, M.D., director of imaging core and radiology research at the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, Mich. "If you envision cancer treatment as a three-legged stool: you have radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy. When you get to the point of metastatic disease, you end up managing people whose treatments have failed. We are introducing the fourth leg on the stool of cancer care: tumor ablation."
"Stage IV metastatic breast cancer means tumors have spread widely from the primary tumors in the breasts to other tissues of the body. This stage of disease is currently viewed as incurable and associated with a low rate of survival. While less than 5 percent of those are initially diagnosed with metastases, an estimated 25 to 40 percent will develop these additional tumors, which are notoriously difficult to wipe out, even with multiple forms and repeated rounds of treatment," said Littrup. "At this point, treatments are considered palliativewith the intent to keep metastases at bay while hopefully providing individuals more time and improved quality of life, rather than a complete cure. But after mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy, it is time to try something new," he added.
"Why should people have to keep changing from one expensive chemo drug to another when there are just a few remaining spots?" said Littrup. "Cryoablation could offer these individuals a new treatment option," he added.
Most commonly, these metastatic tumors take up residence in the liver; the lungs and pleuraa thin layer of tissue that wraps around the lungs; the soft tissues; the kidneys; and in the bone. Percutaneous cryoablation essentially comes in and cleans up single tumors that persist after first and follow-up treatment. This interventional radiology procedure involves the use of tiny probes inserted with a catheter from a small cut in the skin and then guided to the tumors, at which point pressurized argon gas is introduced, turning the tumor into a ball of ice, effectively killing the cancerous tissue. Helium gas is then pumped in to help release the needle. This process is guided by medical imaging such as computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound, which capture the procedure by picking up the distinct densities between the normal tissues and frozen cancer tissue; the ice ball can be seen as a clearly defined darker mass, as it has a lower density than the surrounding tissue. This treatment could provide a valuable alternative to other spot-therapies because there is minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissues and the side effects and recovery time are dramatically reduced when compared to those of other therapies, said Littrup.
"Cryoablation as a targeted therapy is beneficial because it can significantly reduce discomfort and incidence of disease," said Littrup. "It's a much better option, we think, than surgery, especially since many metastatic patients are not candidates for surgery, and it may potentially lead to longer survival if it coincides with more data concerning primary metastases in other regions of the body," he said.
For the study, a total of eight people with nine tumors received percutaneous cryoablation procedures guided with CT, ultrasound or a combination of both methods. Six of the eight subjects had formerly undergone at least a single mastectomy prior to treatment with percutaneous cryoablation. The secondary tumors of these people were found in the liver, lung and kidney. There were no serious complications and all procedures were considered successful. All individual tumors remaining in the body were found and the local cancer did not recur. The median overall survival for those in the study was 46 months, and 25 percent survived past the five-year anniversary of treatment. Researchers conclude that percutaneous cryoablation could potentially be used as an effective alternative treatment for metastatic breast cancer, especially with the promising results they have had with many more patients suffering from other types of metastatic disease.
"This therapy provides a minimal rate of cancer recurrence and no major complications, making these ice balls ideal for targeting metastatic tumors that are limited in number and location," said Littrup. "This is a preliminary study, and at this point we're hoping that the evidence could be a stepping stone for a bigger study to look at more patients. If we can get more data that supports percutaneous cryoablation for metastatic breast cancer, it could be a huge finding," he added.
###
More information about the Society of Interventional Radiology, interventional radiologists and minimally invasive treatments can be found online at www.SIRweb.org.
Abstract 272: "Percutaneous Cryoablation of Metastatic Breast Cancer: Initial Survival, Local Control and Cost Observations," H.J. Bang, B.P. Currier, J. Kuo, Radiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich.; P.J. Littrup, H.D. Aoun, B. Adam, radiology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Mich.; L. Klein, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.; D.J. Goodrich, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif. SIR 37th Annual Scientific Meeting, March 24-29, 2012. This abstract can be found at www.JVIR.org.
About the Society of Interventional Radiology
Interventional radiologists are physicians who specialize in minimally invasive, targeted treatments. They offer the most in-depth knowledge of the least invasive treatments available coupled with diagnostic and clinical experience across all specialties. They use X-ray, MRI and other imaging to advance a catheter in the body, such as in an artery, to treat at the source of the disease internally. As the inventors of angioplasty and the catheter-delivered stent, which were first used in the legs to treat peripheral arterial disease, interventional radiologists pioneered minimally invasive modern medicine.
Today, interventional oncology is a growing specialty area of interventional radiology. Interventional radiologists can deliver treatments for cancer directly to the tumor without significant side effects or damage to nearby normal tissue. Many conditions that once required surgery can be treated less invasively by interventional radiologists. Interventional radiology treatments offer less risk, less pain and less recovery time compared to open surgery. Visit www.SIRweb.org.
The Society of Interventional Radiology is holding its 37th Annual Scientific Meeting March 24-29 at Moscone Center, San Francisco, Calif. The theme of the meeting is "IR Evidence," chosen to reflect interventional radiology's gathering, presenting and discussing results of care-changing investigations.
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Cryoablation therapy spot-freezes breast cancer tumorsPublic release date: 26-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Ellen Acconcia eacconcia@sirweb.org 703-460-5582 Society of Interventional Radiology
Icy interventional radiology treatment controls metastatic breast cancer with less pain and no major complications
Individuals fighting metastatic breast cancer, where the disease has progressed to other areas of the body, may finally have another weapon in their arsenal: percutaneous cryoablation. The cancer treatment could potentially be used as a last line of defense to halt individual spots of remaining metastatic disease by freezing and destroying tumors, say researchers presenting a study at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 37th Annual Scientific Meeting in San Francisco, Calif.
"Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, causing 1 million new cases and killing 370,000 people worldwide each year, and approximately 10,000 to 15,000 cases of stage IV breast cancer occur in the United States annually," said Peter J. Littrup, M.D., director of imaging core and radiology research at the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, Mich. "If you envision cancer treatment as a three-legged stool: you have radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy. When you get to the point of metastatic disease, you end up managing people whose treatments have failed. We are introducing the fourth leg on the stool of cancer care: tumor ablation."
"Stage IV metastatic breast cancer means tumors have spread widely from the primary tumors in the breasts to other tissues of the body. This stage of disease is currently viewed as incurable and associated with a low rate of survival. While less than 5 percent of those are initially diagnosed with metastases, an estimated 25 to 40 percent will develop these additional tumors, which are notoriously difficult to wipe out, even with multiple forms and repeated rounds of treatment," said Littrup. "At this point, treatments are considered palliativewith the intent to keep metastases at bay while hopefully providing individuals more time and improved quality of life, rather than a complete cure. But after mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy, it is time to try something new," he added.
"Why should people have to keep changing from one expensive chemo drug to another when there are just a few remaining spots?" said Littrup. "Cryoablation could offer these individuals a new treatment option," he added.
Most commonly, these metastatic tumors take up residence in the liver; the lungs and pleuraa thin layer of tissue that wraps around the lungs; the soft tissues; the kidneys; and in the bone. Percutaneous cryoablation essentially comes in and cleans up single tumors that persist after first and follow-up treatment. This interventional radiology procedure involves the use of tiny probes inserted with a catheter from a small cut in the skin and then guided to the tumors, at which point pressurized argon gas is introduced, turning the tumor into a ball of ice, effectively killing the cancerous tissue. Helium gas is then pumped in to help release the needle. This process is guided by medical imaging such as computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound, which capture the procedure by picking up the distinct densities between the normal tissues and frozen cancer tissue; the ice ball can be seen as a clearly defined darker mass, as it has a lower density than the surrounding tissue. This treatment could provide a valuable alternative to other spot-therapies because there is minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissues and the side effects and recovery time are dramatically reduced when compared to those of other therapies, said Littrup.
"Cryoablation as a targeted therapy is beneficial because it can significantly reduce discomfort and incidence of disease," said Littrup. "It's a much better option, we think, than surgery, especially since many metastatic patients are not candidates for surgery, and it may potentially lead to longer survival if it coincides with more data concerning primary metastases in other regions of the body," he said.
For the study, a total of eight people with nine tumors received percutaneous cryoablation procedures guided with CT, ultrasound or a combination of both methods. Six of the eight subjects had formerly undergone at least a single mastectomy prior to treatment with percutaneous cryoablation. The secondary tumors of these people were found in the liver, lung and kidney. There were no serious complications and all procedures were considered successful. All individual tumors remaining in the body were found and the local cancer did not recur. The median overall survival for those in the study was 46 months, and 25 percent survived past the five-year anniversary of treatment. Researchers conclude that percutaneous cryoablation could potentially be used as an effective alternative treatment for metastatic breast cancer, especially with the promising results they have had with many more patients suffering from other types of metastatic disease.
"This therapy provides a minimal rate of cancer recurrence and no major complications, making these ice balls ideal for targeting metastatic tumors that are limited in number and location," said Littrup. "This is a preliminary study, and at this point we're hoping that the evidence could be a stepping stone for a bigger study to look at more patients. If we can get more data that supports percutaneous cryoablation for metastatic breast cancer, it could be a huge finding," he added.
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More information about the Society of Interventional Radiology, interventional radiologists and minimally invasive treatments can be found online at www.SIRweb.org.
Abstract 272: "Percutaneous Cryoablation of Metastatic Breast Cancer: Initial Survival, Local Control and Cost Observations," H.J. Bang, B.P. Currier, J. Kuo, Radiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich.; P.J. Littrup, H.D. Aoun, B. Adam, radiology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Mich.; L. Klein, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.; D.J. Goodrich, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif. SIR 37th Annual Scientific Meeting, March 24-29, 2012. This abstract can be found at www.JVIR.org.
About the Society of Interventional Radiology
Interventional radiologists are physicians who specialize in minimally invasive, targeted treatments. They offer the most in-depth knowledge of the least invasive treatments available coupled with diagnostic and clinical experience across all specialties. They use X-ray, MRI and other imaging to advance a catheter in the body, such as in an artery, to treat at the source of the disease internally. As the inventors of angioplasty and the catheter-delivered stent, which were first used in the legs to treat peripheral arterial disease, interventional radiologists pioneered minimally invasive modern medicine.
Today, interventional oncology is a growing specialty area of interventional radiology. Interventional radiologists can deliver treatments for cancer directly to the tumor without significant side effects or damage to nearby normal tissue. Many conditions that once required surgery can be treated less invasively by interventional radiologists. Interventional radiology treatments offer less risk, less pain and less recovery time compared to open surgery. Visit www.SIRweb.org.
The Society of Interventional Radiology is holding its 37th Annual Scientific Meeting March 24-29 at Moscone Center, San Francisco, Calif. The theme of the meeting is "IR Evidence," chosen to reflect interventional radiology's gathering, presenting and discussing results of care-changing investigations.
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Public release date: 26-Mar-2012
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