Appellation Spring

Guest post by Jennifer Rosen

If you've got some time, say, five years, I'll explain all about reading wine labels. Ten, if you want Germany. Since the bottling statement alone (there's a difference between "made" "cellared," "grown," "produced," and "vinted") will spin your head, today we'll just look at appellations.

To head the obligatory joke off at the pass, an appellation is NOT a guy with five teeth who plays the banjo. It's a legal statement about quality and where the grapes came from. It shouldn't be too difficult to explain just as soon as I finish this bottle of valium.

In the New World, comprising Australia, South Africa and the Americas, appellations are purely geographical. But they are not laid out edge to edge like tiles on the kitchen floor. Imagine, instead, that you spill a cup of coffee on the floor, and then drop a bowl of cornflakes into and around the puddle. What have you got? Layers. American Viticultural Area, or AVA, is the term for appellation in America. Let's say the whole floor represents the United States AVA. Each tile is also a state AVA. Within the California tile, the coffee splatters are also county AVAs. One of the cornflakes in the Sonoma County coffee spill is also the Alexander Valley AVA. 

A winemaker in that cornflake could claim any one of those AVAs. But he'd choose Alexander Valley, because the more specific the appellation, the better (and more expensive) the wine. A bottle from the "Pacific Northwest" generally delivers less than one from "Jean-Pierre's Half-Acre." 

Jean-Pierre can plant Catawba, for all our government cares, but in Europe, appellations are strictly controlled for quality. In France, for instance, if you're lucky enough to make red wine in Burgundy's Côte d'Or (pronounced: coat door), the grape must be Pinot Noir. You may not irrigate, or produce more three tons per acre. Your vines must be spaced exactly one meter apart in every direction and be no higher than three feet, and, as far as I can tell, your name must be Jean-Noel, Jean-Pierre, or Jean-Marie, which - I can't help it - always struck me as a silly name for a man. 

Appellations in Burgundy are so convoluted and layered that even most Burgundians don't understand them, but they do ensure a certain level of quality. 

An Italian label might list the place, the place plus the grape, the grape plus the place, or the place plus the wine style. If you don't know the names of the over 100 Italian wine grapes, I challenge you to even find the appellation. 

In Germany, an appellation is a meld of region, vineyard, grape, and quality level, determined by the amount of sugar in the grapes.

Just when you start to get a handle on all this, along comes the European Union and slaps its own regulations on all 18 EU countries, trumping all the national labeling laws.

Why the big deal about where the damned grapes grew, anyway? Because certain minute areas of the globe produce grapes like no others. Ernst Loosen, who makes highly-acclaimed Riesling from his family's estates in the Mosel and Pfaltz, rants for hours about the strangling German government regulations that make doing business there a nightmare. So why doesn't he just up and move to a country that supports free enterprise? Because his handful of acres is pure gold.

At least European appellations have the decency to change at glacial speed, unlike in the New World where they're dividing like cells in a petri dish. Australia is poised to expand its number of apps ten-fold, and wineries are fighting tooth and nail to hang onto the prestigious ones, instead of being stuck with a new, untested name.

But where does this mess leave you, the label reader, the drinker? The sidebar explains how to identify the appellation. As a rule of thumb, go for the most specific app you can afford. If you discover a wine that really pops your cork, look for others from the same appellation Oh, and clean up that kitchen floor. 

Find the Appellation

European wine:
A legal statement, usually in smaller letters, shows up under the appellation name. Some statements to look for:
France: Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC)
Italy: Denominazione di Origine Controllata (e Garantita) (DOC, DOCG)
Spain: Denominación de Origen (Calificada) (DO, DOC)
Germany: Qualitätswein mit Prädikat (QmP) (This is technically a quality statement, not an appellation.)
New World Wine
Look for a place. Examples: New South Wales, Maipo Valley, North Coast, Santa Barbara.
 

The Magical Job Hunt

Guest post by Janina Renée
Author of By Candlelight: Rites for Celebration, Blessing & Prayer

Job hunting can be a grueling and discouraging process, but we can turn it into more of a game and a quest by approaching it with a magical mindset.

For example, job hunting is something of a "numbers game." Many of us have to send out hundreds of cover letters, resumés, and applications, and then go to numerous interviews before we get an offer. When we are rejected, it is not necessarily that we are unqualified, have made a bad impression, or are being discriminated against, it is just that there are such huge numbers of qualified applicants for the jobs available. However, a numbers game can be turned into a blessing game. Every time you sign another cover letter (and you should generally always include a cover letter because it "sells" your application or resumé), you can say, "As I send this out, I extend my blessings. Abundant blessings to one and all." When you go in person to put in an application or show up for an interview, you can pause, squeeze the door handle, and think, "Abundant blessings!"

By getting around, you are opening more channels for the inflow of your own luck. However, do all of these things without expecting anything in return. Here, you measure your job hunting success not by how quickly you get hired by an ideal employer, but by how many blessings you are able to spread around.

Occasionally you may encounter an employer where you observe or suspect unfair hiring practices or exploitative conditions. Even though such employers might rightly deserve a curse instead of a blessing, bless them anyway, perhaps by saying something like, "AcmeCo and Mr. X., chief of AcmeCo, are magically blessed; may they now do right by others, and be a blessing to our community." (This does not mean you can't report them to the appropriate authorities, if their practices are overt enough to provide proof of wrong-doing.)

You can keep count of all the companies you've blessed by keeping a log of the letters you've sent out and visits you've made. To better visualize your achievement, you could create a material record by setting out an abacus, or stringing beads on a necklace or garland (interviews get bigger beads), forming a chain of paper clips, or coming up with some other visual counting device. You could also mark the places that you've applied to on a map, so that you can see how you have extended your magical presence as a bestower of blessings in your community. As you contemplate your map or list of jobs applied for, (or your garland, paper clip chain, or whatever), don't be pessimistic and say, "50 companies have turned me down!" Rather, say, "Wow, I've contacted (and blessed) 50 companies! I wonder if I can contact 50 more?" Indeed, you can take the view that the job hunt is just a ruse, an excuse to get out and around, to get to know more places than are normally accessible to the public.

There is a magical psychology behind this. When we are desperate to get work, we put out subtle signals, and the people in charge of hiring pick up on them and judge us unfavorably. Indeed, one study showed that human resources people routinely made job offers to actors who were secretly sent in as part of an experiment, rather than the real job seekers. Because the actors weren't worried about getting hired, they didn't convey a sense of anxiety--unlike the people who actually needed the job. Thus, if we can make the job hunt more playful, the desperation vibes are diminished. Of course, once you do get a good job offer, whether sooner or later, you can set the game aside and graciously take the job, thanking your Higher Powers or the Living Universe.

Here are some additional suggestions for job hunting with a magical mindset:

After each interview, consider it a blessing if you can discover at least one way to improve your self presentation, skills, or answers to interview questions. 

Maintain a sense of openness, without an expectation that you have to have a particular job or a particular kind of job. This way you make it easier for your Higher Powers to lead you to some other interesting possibilities.

It has been said that "the best way to get a job is to get a job." It is an unfortunate fact that unemployed people are often perceived as losers. However, if you are able to get any kind of a job at all, whether that be a part time, temporary, lower paid, or less prestigious position, you will be perceived as more desirable, and will therefore be in a position to find a better job. The situation can be compared to the common phenomenon of persons who have a hard time finding dates, but once they do get into a steady relationship, they suddenly start attracting all kinds of interest from the opposite sex.

Volunteer work magically primes the pump, because it affirms that you are working. It can also get you out into the wider world, help you make contacts, and build references.

From an astrological viewpoint, the more companies you contact and the more people with whom you interview, the greater the chance that you'll hook up with some whose planets are in a friendly, fortunate aspect to your own, (as all of us have many planets in different positions in our horoscopes). Again, it's a numbers game.

Manipulation @ Work How Do You Get What You Want?

Guest post by Jamie Showkeir and Maren Showkeir

n today's do-or-die workplace, authentic conversations are out-and manipulation is in. In fact, four out of five careerists say that people who do it "best" seem to get ahead. And with manipulation so common in everyday conversations, odds are, most of us don't even realize when we're the ones doing the manipulating. Find the "you" in manipulation-your personal favorites in 12 popular techniques: 

Over promising
Do you make unrealistic promises to win people over or get something in return?

"Sure, I can get it to you tomorrow-or maybe even later today. I've got three other reports due this week, but I'll make yours a priority."

Spinning the facts
Do you dance on the edge of dishonesty and give calculated descriptions that
favor your positions or ideas?

"Employees will surely resist another reorganization. Let's emphasize how it will benefit them-or they might not buy in."

Feigning interest
Do you fake interest in someone or something to get what you need?

"Oh! Are those your vacation pictures? I'd love to see them. And, hey, now that you're back, when can I get the new numbers?"

Overstating
Do you exaggerate threats or create a heightened sense of urgency to "motivate" people?

"This is our worst quarter yet. If we don't double production, we'll be out of business-and you'll be out of a job."

Understating
Do you downplay major issues or problems to keep others calm-and focused on work? 

"Stop worrying and just do your job. Things aren't as bad as they seem, and even if they were, this stuff always blows over."

Playing to emotions
Do you appeal to others' overtly positive or negative emotions?

"I know you're tired of putting in all these extra hours. But just think how proud you'll feel when the product launches."

Reassuring-without assurance
Do you assure people that "everything will be fine" when you have no real evidence it's true? 

"This is just a slowdown. Trust me, things are going to be alright."

Disguising agendas
Do you mask your true intentions and say or do something else? 

"Boy, have I got a great overtime opportunity for you. It's a chance to make some big bucks and be a real star on the team."

Being intentionally vague 
Do you stay mum-and purposely not clear things up-when a misunderstanding serves your self-interest? 

"Thanks! Sounds like you've got it."

Dropping names
Do you drop a name or two just to get people's attention or commitment? 

"I know you'll do a great job. In fact, I may even show this one to Mr. Jones and the executive team when I'm with them next week."

Using sarcasm
Do you make your point by making others look and feel foolish? 

"How brilliant are you? You promised delivery to the customer in three days when everyone knows those orders take a week. Good job."

Sucking up 
Do you go over the top and give phony praise to get what you want? 

"You're the best writer here, and everything you do is perfect. That's why I couldn't ask anyone but you to take this on."

(Sidebar)

Odds are, most of us don't even realize when we're the ones doing the manipulating. 

Helpful Tips for Authors

Guest post by Janice Woods Windle

Following are some tips I feel have helped me become a best-selling author:

o Personalize the process of writing the book. Make it your own. The publishing industry is tough right now, so stick to your guns!

o The book is an art form while it's written and a product when finished--market it as a product. The marketing of books is very competitive.

o Overall, you must have a willingness to travel and spend time with readers. Keep in touch with your readers. They are your fans and advocates. You must travel for a book tour and be willing to do those 5 a.m. interviews.

o Don't hesitate to ask for help from relatives and friends. Ask them to buy books and tell everyone they know about your book. Develop a network from these friendships. This creates your team of people talk up the book. Buddy emails are always a good form of "word of mouth" promotion, too.

o Visit book clubs and other organizations to do readings.

o Tailor the readings to the audience. Junior high girls would want to hear about the stories of strong frontier women, whereas the philosophic society would want to hear about the research process.

o Ask for adequate time to be effective when you are invited to speak. Many organizations do their business up front and try to rush the speaker. Make sure there's a clear understanding of how much time you need.

o Promote each speaking event as a book/author event. 

o CRC's at bookstores should send out flyers and hang posters. You can anticipate an audience for the first 30 minutes. Make the signing no more than an hour. Try to get local media the day of the signing. And newsletter coverage, of any sort, is helpful.

o Bookstore customers have become very jaded. They are accustomed to seeing a book signing each time they walk in the door. Make yours unique in some way.

o Always inform the event coordinator that you want a microphone. Many book events attract senior citizens who need to be able to hear the author.

o Make yourself accessible to your readers and then be prepare for an onslaught of emails. If they care enough to come to an event, you owe it to them.

Conversations @ Work 10 Way to Revolutionize Your Workplace-one Conversation at a Time

Guest post by Jamie Showkeir and Maren Showkeir

Seven out of ten people say that conversation is essential to getting things done at work. Yet, roughly half of today's careerists-regardless of level or position- admit to finding it difficult to have open, honest conversations at their company.  The result? Everyday conversations-the "invisible" driver of workplace culture and business success-are frequently manipulative and counterproductive. Ten waysto take the lead and create change-one authentic conversation at a time:

Have a point of view. 
Develop an informed, independent viewpoint about the topic at hand. Have a strong voice, but be open to others' perspectives, too. 

Focus on choice. 
Need to be right or do everything your way? Get over it. Leadership-formal or informal-is no longer defined as "having the right answers," but as an ability
to engage others in considering all the choices and finding the best solution. 

Raise difficult issues. 
It's not easy to bring up a hard subject. Still, be the one who acknowledges
the "elephant in the room" and concentrates on resolution. 

Extend goodwill. 
Approach others as allies-not adversaries. Choose to convey goodwill-despite any existing stress or strain-and manage your emotions. 

Take the other side. 
Go ahead-argue the other person's point of view. You'll help people feel heard and understood, and get to the heart of collaboration. 

Own it. 
Resist the urge to point the finger when things go wrong. Identify your own contribution to the problem and make it public. 

Deny denial. 
Denying or downplaying difficulties is dishonest and demeaning. Address the truth of a situation-the cold, hard facts-and invite others to join you in moving forward. 

Confront cynicism. 
Beware the cynics, victims, and bystanders. Sure, they're everywhere in the workplace, but if you're clear on where you stand, you needn't pour your energies into winning them over-just invite them to make their own choices instead.

Deal with resistance. 
Turning a blind eye to resistance won't make it disappear. Learn to see it, 
call it out, and deal with it.

Process. 
When a conversation takes a turn for the worse, stop and "process" what's happening. Admit you're at an impasse, make a good-faith statement, and
ask for help. 

Finally, stop playing the parent and taking responsibility for others' feelings.
Encourage everyone-co-workers, direct reports, and even the boss-to deal with their own emotions and let go of the childlike hope that somebody else will make
it "all better."

(Sidebar)

Roughly half of today's careerists-regardless of level or position-admit
to finding it difficult to have open, honest conversations at their company. 

How To Get Your Consumer Invention to Market©Guest

Guest post by Joan Lefkowitz
Watch her interview on The Woman's Connection YouTube Vlog!

So you have an idea for an invention? What do you do now? The most successful hair accessory in history, the TopsyTail, made 100 million dollars. This did not happen by miracle or chance. The key was a well-conceived and executed plan. Following an informed approach will help you turn your invention into a bonanza of extra income.

Getting Started: 

The Ideabook
Keep a bound ideabook of your invention idea. Date your entries. Draw it. State what it is, how it’s done and for whose use? Examine possible variations. Add and define over time.

Get it Notarized
If your idea still seems brilliant after a month or two, get it officially confirmed that you conceived your invention idea on a particular date, and have your notes notarized. This may help if you, at some point, need to prove that you were ‘first to invent’ that idea.

Seek and Search
Do your own patent search to ascertain if your invention is original and prospectively patentable. Go on the internet to uspto.gov and study all patents in the product category of your invention to see if something like yours already exists. Better yet, use a professional patent searcher who will do a thorough search and may advise the patentability of your invention. Go to an inventor’s association, books on inventing, or websites such as patentsearchinternational.com, to find resources.

Create the Initial Prototype
Use simple materials to rig it up, to see if it works. Some of the most successful consumer inventions today started as pipe cleaner, coat hanger wire or foam rubber embryos.

Get Educated
Educate yourself on the inventing process. Go to a bookstore or inventorhelp.com and review the plethora of books written on the subject. From Patent to Profit by Bob De Matteis is particularly informative.

The Non-Disclosure Form
This is an Agreement signed between you and anyone you reveal your invention to. It states that the information and materials belong to you and cannot be used without your written permission. It allows you to show your invention to parties who might be helpful in bringing your product to market such as prototypers, product evaluation services, manufacturers, packaging designers, licensing agents and marketers. Variations of the Non-Disclosure form are easily accessible in invention books and on the web.

Moving Ahead

Analyze Costs to Produce
Ascertain what the costs will be. Research domestic and foreign resources. Add up all costs to manufacture a unit of your product. Include molds, packaging, naming and trademarking, promotion, marketing, distribution and mark-up. Seek sources through the Thomas Register, libraries, the yellow pages, the web, Chambers of Commerce, foreign trade bureaus and referrals.

The Evaluation Process
Analyze the benefits and features, strengths and weaknesses of your invention.
Can it have longevity in the marketplace?
Is its timing aligned with market trends? 
Research the size of the potential market. 
Identify your competition. Question why a retailer would buy your product if they can do business with experienced, multi-product, well financed suppliers, who may take back unsold products and replace them with ongoing new items? Visit the marketplace and talk with managers and consumers. If your product represents a significant improvement or simplification in the way that something is currently done, you have a better chance of breaking through to success.

Get a Professional Prototype
Have professional prototypes made, the quality of which can be shown to potential retail buyers. For sourcing suggestions, see ‘Analyze Costs to Produce’.

Protect Your Idea
Apply for a provisional patent yourself. This can be done by downloading the application from the patent office website: uspto.gov. The provisional patent will secure patent pending status for the invention for one year during which time you must apply for a non-provisional patent, if desired, or lose the option to get the invention patented. Using a patent attorney to make the application for the provisional patent secures more complete specifications of the invention and lays the groundwork for an effective non-provisional patent application.

The Non-Provisional Patent
Your patent attorney files your non-provisional patent application. If the patent is rejected on examination by the patent office, as most are, the attorney will respond with revisions. This may reoccur several times before your patent is finally granted or rejected. This process can take up to two years. If a patent is issued it becomes your personal asset for twenty years. Like other assets, you can lease or sell it to earn income.

To Market, But How? 

Licensing
The inventor has the choice to license the invention to a manufacturer in exchange for a royalty percentage in sales. Typically, an inventor can expect to receive royalties of between 3 to 7 percent of net sales. The most efficient way to secure a licensing agreement is to hire a licensing agent with expertise in the field of your invention. The licensing agent is conversant in the language and varieties of licensing agreements, can advise you on options and help negotiate the agreement. Licensing agents ordinarily charge between one-third and one-half of your royalty fees. Royalties are an excellent way to create supplementary income.

Manufacturing
Manufacturing and distributing your invention entails higher financial risk but can reap greater profits. If you have the time, financing, manufacturing connections, a storage and distribution point, bookkeeping and legal skills or assistance, sales and marketing channels and mainly the desire to be your own boss; this may be the route for you. 
Teaming with specialists and hiring outside sales representatives to grow your business can create economies of scale. Successful manufacturing and distribution of a protected product can provide you with active income.