Viagra and Debunking the HIV Connection
Since its introduction to the world market more than ten years ago, Viagra has been the subject of urban legends, bar room jokes, barber shop gossips and medical mythologies. Thanks to the social networking websites and the blogosphere, some people are now linking Viagra with Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection. The perceived connection arose from pure ignorance of the HIV infection, its mechanisms and the sources of infection. One may argue that it is time for the government to have a better reproductive health education system to help destroy the urban legends.
PDE5 (Phosphodiesterase) Type 5 inhibitors like Cialis and Viagra are taken orally, but there is no way that the virus can be transmitted orally. Hepatitis A is known to be transmitted orally and when you dip the blue-diamond pill in a substance containing enough Hepatitis A viruses, there is a chance that the person would get the liver infection. The same could not be said about HIV because the transmission is mainly through blood and body fluids like sex. Upon exposure to the outside environment (different temperature and pressure), the virus quickly disintegrates. Let’s say that you dip the blue-diamond Viagra pill in a concentration of human immunodeficiency virus and the person took the pill, he would not be infected because the viruses would have been killed already upon exposure to the outside environment. Assuming that the viruses were still alive, an oral transmission is very unlikely because the mucosa would not allow entry of the virus. And if they survive the harsh environment in the oral cavity, there is no way that these viruses can survive the very acidic fluids in the stomach. Thus, do not think about that nonsense lie when you buy Viagra.
How to Choose the Right Office Space to Rent
Before you think about moving your business to another rented premises, or if you are thinking about moving a business that you started at home, which has now grown to the point that you need to rent office space, it is important to think about your business needs. You need to prioritise your needs and be clear about what you are looking for before you even begin the search for the right office to rent. Being clear and setting objectives will make the hunt easier and also shorter as there will be plenty of offices to rent – you just need to make sure that you get the right one.
If you have a list of necessary facilities and requirements, it will be easier to strike of those on the list that do not meet your requirements. You will more than likely have to compromise on some of your ‘wish list’ requirements, but as long as you are not compromising on aspects that are essential to the successful operation of you business then finding an office to rent will be easier.
What to consider when renting an office:
What is your budget? It is important to look at this first as it will give you an idea of what you can afford. You need to remember about business rates, legal fees and any service charges that come with the office. You will also need a budget for any alterations and improvements that you need to make to the space in order to make it the right office for your business.
Look at the needs of your business – do you need to be more central to attract people walking past or do you need to be near a motorway for access?
Size of your business – how many people do you have working for you? How many visitors will you have on a daily/weekly basis? You need to think about your employees, customers and any suppliers. You need to calculate the minimum space required so that you don’t make the mistake of renting an office that is too small.
Any special requirements you have. For example IT requirements – again, you must think about this and put them down in a list of essential and non-essential. The likely hood of you finding an office to rent with all your IT requirements catered for is slim – you may have to invest in upgrading what is already there or putting your own systems in.
Access for customers, employees and any disabled people who may be using your office.
Facilities such as toilets, canteen and kitchen areas and places for people to relax in.
It is important to look at your business plan and forecast. It would be a mistake to rent somewhere that is going to be suitable for your business for 6 months – you need to look to the future and rent somewhere that will be right if you expecting your company to grow significantly. You could look and see if there are other areas of the building that you could extend in to if this was the case.
The advantages of renting an office are that the up front costs are much less than buying. You don’t need to have a huge deposit or take the commitment that buying involves. You are protected from the decreasing property market, something that in the current market is a major consideration. Renting is also a fixed cost which is easier to put in to your budget which again, in today’s economy is a good thing. The landlord of often responsible for the upkeep of the exterior of the building and any shared areas, with the tenant being responsible for the upkeep of their own office – though this is something that you must get checked out by a solicitor before you sign the lease.
Once you have found somewhere that meets your requirements you then need to make sure that you and your employees would feel comfortable there. The office has to be a place where people will be able to work in a productive way. It Is amazing the positive impact of working in the right office can have, people will feel more inspired and will enjoy coming to work more than if you just settle for somewhere that isn’t suitable. Employees will thrive in the right building with the right atmosphere, this is why it is so important to think about your business needs before you even start to look for an office to rent.
How to Win at Telephone Interviews
For the more hotly contested jobs in the market it’s not unusual for the first round of interviews to be over the phone.
This can be an uncomfortable experience for even the best-trained job seekers.
The reasons are numerous – you are often in the middle of something else when you ring, you may be out and about on your cell phone so can’t hear them properly. Maybe you’re tired. All of these factors and more can contribute to the stress of the situation.
So when there is a chance of a telephone interview a game plan is essential.
Here, then, are 5 tips to help you get the upper hand when it comes to telephone interviews.
1) Use Your Cell Phone
I would suggest carrying out your telephone interview on your cellphone. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, you’re unlikely to miss the call. You always want to be interviewed then and there if possible. You stand out as a professional and reduce the chances of an interviewer finding someone so good they don’t bother calling you back.
Secondly most cell phones have caller id so you can see the incoming call.
That way you can make an educated guess as to whether it is a potential interview or not. Answering your phone while half asleep, when you expect it to be your girlfriend, while at a bar etc. are all unwise moves.
If you see a number calling that you don’t recognise, compose yourself, quickly find somewhere quiet and answer it politely and professionally. “Good morning, John speaking”. Much better than a slurred “Yeah?” while out at a bar!
Lastly, as soon as they ring off you can save the number into your phone for the next time they call.
2) Sleep Business Hours
If you’re currently unemployed or work shifts you may sleep some funny hours. You may have days off during the week. You may not get to bed till late etc.
Most telephone interviews will be carried out between 9 and 5 on a weekday so ensure you’re as free and ready as possible at that time. Don’t sleep till 1pm and miss the call. Don’t go to a baseball match where the crowd is so loud you can’t think when they call.
Outside of those hours, do what you like.
3) Do Your Research
Try to get some ideas on the job. Keep the advert and any research you do so that when they *do* call you can open your folder and you’ve got essentially a que card to help keep your mind focused.
4) Maintain Your Poise
Voice coaches suggest standing up (or even walking around) and physically forcing yourself to smile will make your voice sound friendly, warm and energetic. You can get excited. You can use your hands to talk. Just don’t sit in a heap with a frown on your face. A telephone interview is a performance, so make it good! Your interviewer will notice how different you sound to all the other peopke they have rung so far that day – and that’s a good thing!
5) Build Rapport
Wherever you can, try to biuld rapport with the caller. Simple often works. Here’s an example of how the coversation might go if you put some effort in…
- Good morning, John speaking.
- Hello John, this is Natasha calling from XYZ Inc. I’ve been looking over your resume and I wondered if you had a few minutes to spare so we can have a chat about it?
- Sure Natasha. Now is fine. How’s your day going so far?
- Not too bad actually John – thanks for asking.
And so on. Instant rapport. Natasha will remember you. You levelled with her. You were as interested in her as she is in you. And people love to talk about themselves – so use this to your advantage.
Make the most of these 5 points and you will certainly prove to be a cut above the rest and should have some real successes with telephone interviews.
Tags: Cell Phone, Game Plan, Girlfriend, Sleep, Telephone Interview
