The fact that you love your dog speaks for itself, and of course he deserves to be loved, after all he’s humanity’s best friend. There is no doubt that you want to keep him in the best of health. Many ways exist for you to achieve that goal and providing a nutritious and well balanced diet is just one of them, doing this will ensure that your pet’s longevity and good health is guaranteed.

Just consider how distasteful a hungry or malnourished person can be, and you will see the importance of well balanced and healthy selections when choosing a diet for your dog. If you compromise your dog’s diet then you should not expect to enjoy a life at its fullest together.

A carefully selected good quality dog diet for your pet friend is surely going to maximize the possibility of a long lasting relationship together. Talk of healthy options for your pet’s diet, and you should remind yourself that this includes vitamins and essential mineral nutrients that are vital to your pet’s health. Don’t forget to include additional nutritional supplements in your dog’s diet. Consult with your vet about your pet’s diet. They are best placed to offer you with professional advice, vital for you to make informed decisions about the diet of your pet. Remember to inquire about glucosamine and other essential fish oils that help fight health problems like dandruff and arthritis.

A dog’s diet has great effect on your dog’s energy levels. if you give vitamin and nutrients deficient diets to your pets, this will result to slothful and tired pets that cannot rest well. Suppose your pet requires additional nutrition for more physical activities, then a good diet is a must.

Your dogs output is greatly affected by the diet you give. A dog fed on a healthy and well balanced diet low on fillers has less output. This could also save you from the task of cleaning up the yard and dog kennel. Inquire from any handler who picks up their dogs waste and you’ll appreciate the importance of a good dogs diet.

Remember that obesity is not just a human problem, it affects dogs too. Weight is another problem that you should watch out for. Diet also plays a crucial role in sustaining a healthy and stable weight for your dog. Additional snacks could seem like plain luxury, but they can lead to terrible health problems later on. Especially when overdone.

Best selected dog diet can also go a great distance in preventing reactions that come from food allergies. Reducing allergy problems will enhance your dog’s well being and make him feel pleased. Most often easy change in the varieties of food we give to our dogs can make a great difference. Dog’s diet has far reaching effects your pets well being.

A good pet diet greatly affects his exterior appearance and makes him look great. Reinforce good diet with proper grooming and you have a pet that has a magnificent looking and shiny coat. What a better gift to give your dog!

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Dog’s Diet – The Importance Of A Balanced Diet is a post from: Leisure Pet Products

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A few years ago I looked at a lot of fire pits when I was shopping for one for my husband’s birthday. I was quite surprised, and pleased, with the great selection on the market. Besides fire pits, there are some other great options that you may prefer. Lets take a look at all the options available so you can make the best decision for your circumstances.

First, there are the standard fire pits. You can find these made out of a variety of materials and in different shapes and configurations. Most of them look like small tables, usually round or square though you can find fancier shapes, in which there is a steel fire bowl with a ledge around the top edge. The ledge is often what distinguishes each table. I found some made out of black marble, others glass and marble mosaic, slate, granite, bronze and cast iron. In most of them you build a regular fire with wood, but there are gas ones available also. The styles available range from Tuscan to American South West to Asian and others, so there is something to suit any taste or landscaping. Most have fancy cast iron legs, though there are exceptions. Also, almost all fire pits come with a mesh safety screen to go over the fire to help contain random sparks.

Another great option to traditional fire pits, and that have become more popular over the last several years, are chimineas. A chiminea is an outdoor fireplace that is free standing. Traditionally they are earthenware, but you can also find modern styles made from cast iron. The cast iron ones I have seen have come in a variety of molds designs, mimicking many different cultural styles. A chiminea is typically shaped like an upside down light bulb on legs: a bulbous end for the fire with a short chimney. These can really add a classic feel to your back porch or landscaping.

Similar to chimineas, and serve the same basic purpose as fire pits, are outdoor fireplaces. The main difference that I can see is that they do not have the traditional chiminea shape. The box can be round, square or other shape, and there usually is not chimney. All the ones I looked were made of metal, either painted black or stainless steel and some had copper accents.

If you just have a small area, one that wouldn’t allow for a fire pit, then a great option for you might be a table top fire bowl. Though one of these might be too small for roasting hot dogs, but you could still manage one marshmallow at a time! These add great ambiance to a basic patio table. Fire bowls have a gas flame, and the available styles are endless. A few that I have seen are copper bowls, hammered polished brass, nickel towers and chrome. As you can guess, they also come in many shapes: round, rectangular, towers (straight and wavy), square, oval etc. Even if fire pits would work for you, or you already have one, these can still have a great place on you patio.

Fire pits can add so much to your landscaping. They offer a place where you can gather with family and friends. The fire pit I ended up getting for my husband was round and copper. Our family spent many summer evenings sitting around the fire, roasting marshmallow for s’mores, talking and laughing. Our entire family has fond memories from those evenings. So, if you are looking for a great way to build family connection, and add some ambiance to your back yard, then fire pits may be for you.

Fire Pits In Any Shape Or Form Can Benefit Your Family is a post from: Leisure Pet Products

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BREAKUP

Fiction Short Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

It’s a warm Sunday morning in Pune.

Let’s go to the apartment of a young Double Income No Kids (DINK) couple in a posh residential complex in Aundh.

The man and the woman, both in their late twenties, sit across a table in the drawing room.

Let’s eavesdrop and hear what they are talking…!

“Let’s start with the house,” the man says.

“Okay,” the woman says.

“We bought it for 25. It’s worth more than 50 today.”

“You keep the house,” the woman says.

“Thanks. I knew you would let me keep it,” the man says with a sigh of relief and opens a folder on the table between them. “I’ve worked it out exactly. Here’s a cheque for 15 Lakhs. I’ll take over all your EMIs and your part of the loan. Have a look at the papers and sign.”

The woman signs the papers without reading, picks up the cheque without even looking at it and puts it in her purse.

“The car. You want to keep it…?” the man asks.

“Of course. It’s on my name. I got the loan, remember…!”

“Please. Let’s not start yours and mine again. We agreed the breakup would be as amicable as possible.”

“I’m sorry,” the woman says a bit contrite.

“It’s just that I thought you’d like to buy a new car.”

“No. I like the Santro.”

“Okay. I’ll make do with my old bike for a few days. Then I’ll go in for the SUV I always wanted.”

The woman looks at the wall-clock. “Oh my God…! It’s ten thirty already. The packers and movers will be here any moment. Let’s hurry and finish it off once and for all…!”

“Okay. Let’s go room by room,” the man says.

He gives the woman a notepad and a pen, “You better write it down, so you can tell the packers.”

“You write,” the woman says.

“Okay. Let’s start with the living room.”

“The TV, DVD, Music System – you can keep everything. I only want all the beautiful wrought iron furniture I’ve specially got made.”

“At least leave me a couple of chairs and a table…!” the man pleads.

“Oh, come on…! When will you understand…? It’s a whole set…! You can buy the cheap molded furniture you always liked.”

“Okay. Let’s go to the kitchen.”

“I’ll take the microwave and dishwasher; and some good crockery and cutlery. You keep the stainless steel stuff which you love for its utilitarian value.”

“Don’t be sarcastic…!” the man snaps.

“I’m not being sarcastic…!” the woman answers, “I’m sick and tired of your ‘Value For Money’ obsession. You never like anything elegant and refined.”

“I prefer to drink the best scotch in a stainless steel tumbler rather than a third rate whisky served in fancy cut-glass…!”

“Oh yeah…So go ahead Cheapie…! Once I leave, you can eat out of earthenware bowls and sit on straw mats for all I care…! But I like classy stuff. Oh, yes… I’m taking the new carpet you’ve kept packed inside, those new lace curtains and all the curios.”

“Sure. Take anything you want. Except my books…Please let me have all my books…!”

“Books…! I don’t want any of your books,” the woman says, “That’s all you’ve done. Buy books and wallow in them. With the money you’ve squandered on your books you could have bought me a diamond, the solitaire I wanted for my last birthday.”

“Please Anju…! Let’s not start again.”

“Okay Abhi. I’m sorry. Let’s get all this over with as quickly as possible and part happily as good friends.”

And so they go about it, without a trace of acrimony, scrupulously and systematically, room by room, cupboard by cupboard, item by item – clothes, air conditioner, computer, washing machine, furniture, beds, linen, everything; even the playthings and investments they had diligently accumulated for the unconceived and unborn baby they had planned to have after they both were well established in their careers – each and every asset in the house is meticulously divided between the two and the woman’s items are segregated, packed and loaded in the truck by the packers.

“Thanks for making it so easy,” the woman says.

“You too…!” the man says.

“No hard feelings…?”

“No hard feelings…! It’s best for both of us.”

“I know. We were mismatched, just not compatible, that’s all.”

“There were good times too…!”

“Yes.”

“It had to happen. I’m so happy it’s happened so amicably.”

“Me too. Bye Abhi. Take care,” the woman says and calls out, “Dolly…! Dolly…!”

A cute and fluffy little snow-white Lhasa Apso dog, who till now was sitting quietly in the balcony, runs up to the woman, excitedly wagging its tail. The woman lovingly picks up the adorable little dog in her arms and begins to walk towards the door.

“Hey…? Where are you taking Dolly…?” asks the man apprehensively.

“With me, of course,” the woman says holding the adorable dog in her arms.

“No, you’re not…! Dolly stays with me…!” the man says firmly.

“How can she stay with you…?”

“What do you mean ‘how can she stay with me’…? This is her house. She will stay here like she has stayed all these days. I’ll look after her…” the man says emphatically.

“No. I’m taking Dolly with me. Look how she’s cuddling in my arms…” the woman says.

“She cuddles in my arms too…! Dolly stays with me.You can’t take her…” the man says firmly.

“I’m taking her. Try stopping me…!” the woman says defiantly and moves towards the door.

In a flash, the man rushes to the door and menacingly blocks her way.

The dog senses the tension and stiffens.

“Look, you’re scaring her,” the woman says.

“Give her to me,” the man says in a firm no-nonsense voice and he takes Dolly in his arms and begins baby-talking to her, petting her and gently fondling her neck lovingly with his hand. The dog relaxes, snuggles and begins to lovingly lick his hands.

“Be reasonable, Abhi,” the woman says. “I always assumed Dolly would be coming with me. That’s why I’ve found a ground floor flat with a small garden where she can play. She feels cooped up here and you’ll find it difficult to look after her.”

“How can you assume such things…? Dolly is staying with me. I’ll look after her. You don’t worry.”

“Don’t be stubborn, Abhi…! Give her to me please…” the woman pleads.

“No. Dolly stays right here with me.”

“I’m not going without her.”

“Don’t go…” the man says.

“What do you mean ‘Don’t go’…! We had agreed to the separation and that we would work out things amicably. That there would be no acrimony or rancor and we would always remain good friends. Then why this bitterness at the last moment…? Please give Dolly to me…” the woman says.

“No. Dolly stays with me right here. I can’t live without her.”

“I too can’t live without her.”

“Then stay here…!” the man says.

“Okay. I’ll stay put right here,” the woman says defiantly. “I’m not moving an inch from here till you don’t let me take Dolly with me.”

“Fine…”

“Fine…”

In the evening, the man and the woman, the DINK couple, are playing with their cute little dog, Dolly, on the lush green lawns of their residential complex.

Epilogue

Three years ago when our protagonists, the man and the woman, newly married, were in Shillong for their honeymoon, their jolly dog-loving uncle, a retired Colonel, presented them with a beautiful month old baby female Lhasa Apso pup as a wedding gift. He had already named her Dolly. The Colonel’s wife scolded him saying that the pet would encumber the young couple’s married life. 

In fact, their darling pet dog Dolly saved the DINK marriage. She turned out to be their bundle of joy – the “Kid” in the “Double Income No Kids” family.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

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BREAKUP a Story of a Young Couple is a post from: Leisure Pet Products

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Many of us know actor Harvey Keitel for his fetching performance in Pulp Fiction as Winston “The Wolf” Wolfe. This is one of the many roles that Keitel has starred in throughout his acting career. He is an acceptional actor and is a co-president along with Al Pacino and Ellen Burstyn for The Actor’s Studio in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, NY.

Keitel is a native New Yorker, born in Brooklyn to parents Miriam and Harry who ran a luncheonette. He joined the US Marine Corps at the young age of 16 and would go on to serve three years from 1956-59. In a 2003 interview in Boston, MA, Keitel claimed, “Anytime I felt anything difficult, I felt darkness – and I could survive in it. For me the Marine Corps was a spiritual journey. It’s not about war. It’s only because the spirit has been so deeply manifested that Marines have been so successful.” He was a fire team leader in Lebanon in 1958 and earned a medal for his dedication.

He was first trained at HB Studio in Greenwich Village, NY and studied under Lee Strasburg, creator of “Method Acting” and Broadway star and teacher Stella Adler. Keitel was involved in a few off-Broadway productions when he had his first big break by meeting Martin Scorcese. Scorcese was not as famous as he is now and was actually struggling for work at the time though he was preparing a student production of the film Who’s That Knocking on My Door? Scorcese brought Keitel on board for his first feature film in the role of J.R. and they’ve worked together on four movies since. Scorcese’s hit movies starring Harvey Keitel including Mean Streets and Taxi Driver.

Keitel was responsible for helping Quentin Tarantino make his first hit, Reservoir Dogs. Tarantino had a very limited budget and great expectations. He was not able to pay the salaries of major actors like Michael Madsen and Steve Buscemi and would possibly have to use unknown actors for the film. Keitel took a look at his script and was inspired to help him with production costs and to play one of the main characters in the film. Quentin was grateful and enjoyed working with Harvey Keitel for years to come. Keitel has been in four Tarantino films including the recent Inglorious Basterds. He has also helped directors Ridley Scott, Paul Schrader, Tony Bui and James Toback find their claim to fame. Keitel certainly seems to have a way of maintaining great relationships with the directors he has worked with and can be found in repeat performances in their movies. Other directors that have befriended and worked with Keitel are Paul Auster and Jane Campion.

Harvey Keitel has gained many fans and has been nominated for numerous acting awards. He won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Actor in Bad Lieutenant (1992) and the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his work in The Piano (1993). He was also given the Stanislavsky Award at the Moscow International Film Festival for his exceptional work in film. Harvey Keitel is 70 years old and going strong. Keitel is also starring in ABC’s TV series Life on Mars as detective Gene Hunt. He is currently working on the third edition to Meet the Parents titled Little Fockers slated for release on July 30, 2010.

Quotes from Harvey Keitel:

“The way I see things, the way I see life, I see it as a struggle. And there’s a great deal of reward I have gained coming to that understanding – that existence is a struggle.”

“To create characters, one must build background. And one of the tools we use is improvisation.”

“Well unfortunately I didn’t work with Andre much. But rap is a strong presence in the culture and anyone is going to grateful for its appearance, grateful for any kind of music that has the kind of effect that rap has had on us all.”

“You’re working on being a father, so that is something that when you experience it you’ll understand the profundity of wanting to protect something dear to you.”"

By: Frank Bilotta

Harvey Keitel Accomplished Actor is a post from: Leisure Pet Products

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Pet dogs are considered as part of the family to which they belong. Just like the other family members, special care is taken of them. Efforts are taken to ensure that they remain healthy by providing them with quality food, proper grooming and adequate training. Although a part of the family, their needs differ in comparison to the other family members. For instance, they may be served food in elevated dog feeders and not in the regular bowls to ensure that they do not suffer from gastro-intestinal disorders.

This was not the situation in the past. In earlier days dogs were not treated well. They would just be left to sleep either outside the house or in some shabby corner of the house. They were generally fed leftovers of food. The food was usually thrown on the floor for them to grab. Some were even given food in chipped bowls. With change in the attitude of pet owners, the situation changed drastically. These days, dogs are not only given good quality dog foods to eat, they are also served in attractive dog bowls and elevated dog feeders.

A variety of dog bowls are available. These include those made up of plastic, ceramic or stainless steel. Plastic bowls are the commonly used type of dog bowls. They are available in almost all colors, shapes and sizes. This variety is preferred as it is both economical and unbreakable. However, dogs easily scratch the soft plastic bowls. Therefore, care should be taken to see that bacteria do not accumulate in these scratches so as to prevent pets from acquiring an infection. When these bowls are placed on a stand, then they are referred to as elevated dog feeders. The elevated stand that holds the two dog bowls to make up the elevated dog feeders is made up of wood, plastic or metal. These come in varying heights and bowl sizes. Some are even designed to store food and water. One must choose the appropriate elevated dog feeders based on the specific requirements of the pet.

Elevated dog feeders are of great use as they help in keeping food and water off the ground, which in turn keep the surroundings clean. They also facilitate in maintaining the right posture of the pet while eating and drinking, thereby reducing the chances of the dog suffering from head, neck and back problems. Veterinarians also recommend the use of elevated dog feeders as they cut down on gastrointestinal disorders. When a dog eats from a bowl placed on the floor, he tends to take in excess air along with it. This hampers the digestion process, as a result of which the dog vomits. Bigger dogs are often found to suffer from these gastrointestinal problems unless they are fed in elevated dog feeders. These elevated bowls also help in reducing the formation of gas in dogs. Thus, in short, elevated dog feeders create a comfortable eating experience for the dog.

Elevated Dog Feeders – Show Your Dog That You Care is a post from: Leisure Pet Products

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Pets nowadays are often counted as members of the family and some individuals even go through great lengths and spend a fortune for dog grooming. Taking care of your pets require you to keep a steady supply of pet supplies because there is no point having a pet if you are not able to take care of them properly and give the love they deserve.

Keeping abreast with the latest trends in dog grooming could help you take care of your pet, but the question is do you even know what kind of pet supplies you need? Keeping a pet whether a dog, cat, rabbit, horse or any other animal is a rewarding experience but it comes with certain responsibilities that you cannot turn your back on.

There are many available facilities and pet supplies for dog grooming in the market these days. This could range from the basic needs to the luxurious things like pets exercise machines, treatments, pet food, hair combs, hair dryer, heated beds etc. Dog grooming involves tasks like bathing him, cutting his or her nails, cleaning her ears etc. and for this, you will need the right equipments from a pet store. Here are a few basic things to remember in dog grooming:

A regular, refreshing bath is one of the dog grooming basics. This task does not require more than spraying water on your pet, rubbing shampoo and rinsing it off. A bath is the first necessity and the rest can follow, like clipping nails, applying flea control, spending on pet grooming supplies, oiling your pet’s coat, or you can indulge in other luxuries like hydrotherapy, and water massage.

A pet will need a haircut. No one wants to cuddle a dirty pet and then the kind of diseases they are capable of spreading can be harmful for children as well as adults. Dirty pets will not present an attractive sight. However, not all pets need a haircut, though. With some pets, you can just brush the hair to keep it neat and nice, while some pets may require an occasional trimming. If you love your pet, give him the attention he deserves. If you have no time or are too lazy to do the job of dog grooming at home then you can always hire the services of a grooming company. Another option is to put your pet into a dog grooming school. These institutions have been established for the sole purpose of taking care of other people’s pets but their services are not available for free. You have to spend a certain amount of money for dog grooming and on pet supplies.

If you have all the time in the world and are able to do the grooming at home then all you need are some equipment like nail cutters, shampoo, flea sticks, conditioner, hair comb etc and you are all set for a session on dog grooming. Make sure when buying your grooming products to find a quality pet supplies store, either on the high street or on line, these stores will stock the best range and brands on the market for all your needs. The great thing about buying pet supplies on line is that you can take all the time in the world and choose the exact product you want, allowing a little more time for you and your companion.

The Importance of Dog Grooming is a post from: Leisure Pet Products

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You have purchased your Chihuahua puppy and now preparing to bring it home. You want your new family member to feel comfortable in its new home and you want your home to survive this new family member. How should you prepare?

First of all decide which part of your home will be off-limits. It will be better for your new Chihuahua to allow freer reign as he ages rather than to suddenly no longer allow him where he once could go.

Chihuahuas seem to like to perch on high places while surveying its surroundings. A Chihuahua can be severely injured jumping off high places. As a general rule if they can’t jump up to a place by themselves, they shouldn’t jump down from that place. You can make a ramp that leads to favorite lookouts or nesting spots.

You need to prepare for a new Chihuahua puppy just as you need to prepare for a new baby, with some changes of course. Furnish your home with Chihuahua “stuff” as the next step toward making your house his home. Some sources for supplies are large pet stores, dog shows, discount pet catalogs and the internet.

Toys

Fleece-type toys, balls, stuffed animals…..make sure no part of the toy including squeakers or plastic eyes can be pulled out or swallowed.

Chew bones

A chew bone is the equivalent of a teething ring for babies.

Food and water bowls

Avoid plastic, which can cause allergic reactions in some dogs. The best food dishes are stainless steel and for water, use a water bottle.

Food

Start with the same food the pup is currently eating. If you change his food, do this gradually.

Soft buckle collar

A cat collar may work better for Chihuahua puppies.

Lightweight leash

An adjustable show lead is good for puppies.

Grooming

Soft brush

Clothes

According to your climate, you may need sweaters, coats or fleece t-shirts. Purchase stylish lightweight shirts for warmer climates.

Accessories

Chihuahuas look nice in necklaces pearl or jewels with fancy charms. Experiment with different looks and have fun with the accessories you choose to compliment your Chihuahua’s clothes.

Dog shampoo is essential to have on hand for your new puppy. Use guillotine type nail clippers. A first aid kit is also helpful.

Other Items to have on hand include but are not limited to: baby gates, dog beds, a crate, X-pen or playpen, fenced outdoor area, doggy door, poop scoop (a two-piece rake type is best for grass.)

Identification: A license tag is a good means of ID, but large tags should be avoided. A tag made of a brass plate fit snug to the collar is best. Collars can come off and dogs aren’t always wearing them when they’re lost. Microchips are proving to be very successful for tracing lost dogs. Your vet injects a microchip about the size of a grain of rice just over the dog’s shoulders. There are special readers that pass over the dog to read the owner’s information from the chip.

Nobody plans to lose a dog. Those who plan ahead with proper identification have a better chance of finding a lost dog.

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Chihuahua Puppy Is Coming Home is a post from: Leisure Pet Products

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Often a change begins with technological innovation leading to new products, services and ultimately new behavior patterns though not necessarily linear in order. Fierce competition is a phenomenon in modern dynamic business environment and the strategies capable of being responsive are essential in order to survive in long run and to remain in the competitive stance in future.

A firm maintaining a monopoly in its industry may not feel any threat to its market share and dominance and is likely to perceive its products and services as a ‘cash cow’. This happens when there is no true rivalry in that industry. The extent of dominance starts reducing as the market changes its mode to an oligopoly. When the industry started to characterize by fierce competition, the buyers get stood in a strong position capable of switching to firms that are responsive to their concerns. The customers initiate a ‘demand pull innovation’ for the firms to critically think of their products.

On the other hand, to succeed in a technology business, where the market is volatile in nature, the firms have to constantly engage in the pursuit of innovation. A firm must come with improvements to its products and services resulting in a ‘supply push innovation’.

Innovation refers to how an invention is brought into a commercial usage. As an example, Henry Ford did not invent the automobile; companies in Europe such as Daimler were producing cars well before Ford founded his company. Henry Ford instead focused on the innovation of automobiles, creating a method (mass production) by which cars could be manufactured cheaply to a large number of customers.

Innovation is a core process of turning opportunities into new ideas and of putting these into widely used practice. It can concern with renewing what the organization offers and the ways in which it generates. The success means accomplishment of the desired goals placed at the beginning of the innovation process.

Innovation started with a good idea will not merely suffice. It requires realization of the idea and converting it into a commercial and practical use. Although there is strong evidence to connect innovation with performance, success depends on other factors as well. This inspires the importance of some kind of a strategically focused innovation in any business firm. The real test of innovation success is not a one-off in short term but sustained growth through continuous innovation and adaptation.

Equally, innovation alone may not lead to business success. If the fundamentals of the business themselves are weak, then innovation will fail. Success depends on an appropriate mix of new ideas and receptive market at the right time. Success also relates to the ability to contribute consistently to growth.

Each year organizations spend a significant amount of their turnover on innovation depending on whether the organization is a cash cow, shooting star, a dog or a question mark in terms of its position on the growth-share matrix. Cash cows are organizations that have low market growth potential and high relative market share. Shooting stars on the other hand have a high market growth potential and high relative market share. Organizations with low relative market share and low market growth rate may receive very little investment. The principle goals required in return for this investment can be improved quality, search of new markets, extension of the product range, reduced labor costs, improved production processes, reduce environmental damage, replacement of products/services, reduced energy consumption or conformance to regulations. These goals dispel a popular myth that innovation deals mainly with new product development.

Despite these ultimate objectives, the efforts in innovation fail to meet them. Some research quotes failure rates of fifty percent while other quotes as high as ninety percent. One survey regarding product innovation quotes that out of three thousand ideas for new product only one becomes a success in the marketplace.

The causes of failure have been widely researched and vary considerably. Some causes will be external to the organization and outside its influence of control. Others will be internal and ultimately within the control of the organization. Internal causes of failure can be divided into causes associated with the cultural infrastructure and causes associated with the innovation process itself. Failure in the cultural infrastructure varies between organizations but the following are common across all organizations as some stages in their life cycle (O’Sullivan, 2002):

            (1) Poor Leadership

            (2) Poor Organization

            (3) Poor Communication

            (4) Poor Empowerment

            (5) Poor Knowledge Management

Kotter (1996) points out the reasons for the high rate of failed change initiatives. Amongst them are lack of urgency, too much complacency, lack of sensible vision, and leadership issues. The main obstacle to any change-of-direction is what is known as the inertia, the virtual power that keeps moving at the current direction, and rejects any deviation from it. Tidd (2005) highlights it by the metaphor of ‘riding two horses’ when referring to the innovator’s dilemma. Common causes of failure within the innovation process in most organizations can be distilled into five types;

            (1) Poor goal definition

            (2) Poor alignment of actions to goals

            (3) Poor participation in teams

            (4) Poor monitoring of results

            (5) Poor communication and access to information.

Poor goals definition requires that organizations state explicitly what their goals are in terms understandable to everyone involved in the innovation process. This often involves stating goals in a number of ways. Poor alignment of actions to goals means linking explicit actions such as ideas and projects to specific goals. It also implies effective management of action portfolios. Poor participation in teams refers to the behavior of individuals and teams. It also refers to the explicit allocation of responsibility to individuals regarding their role in goals and actions and the payment and rewards systems that link individuals to goal attainment. Finally, poor monitoring of results refers to monitoring all goals, actions and teams involved in the innovation process.

Innovations that fail are often potentially ‘good’ ideas but have been rejected due to budgetary constraints, lack of skills or poor fit with current goals. Pearson who joined with Mindscape in the emerging market of consumer multimedia was a failure due to unfamiliarity with the technology and market, a misjudged assessment of Mindscape’s position, and lack of awareness of the multimedia activities.

Gary Hamel lists few myths about innovation; that innovation is risky, is mostly about products, is about big ideas, etc – all these myths do act as barriers to innovation.

Early screening avoids unsuitable ideas devouring scarce resources that are needed to progress more beneficial ones. Organizations can learn how to avoid failure when it is openly discussed and debated. The lessons learned from failure often reside longer in the organizational conscientiousness than lessons learned from success. While learning is important, high failure rates throughout the innovation process are wasteful and a threat to the organizations future.

The impact of failure therefore goes beyond the simple loss of investment, upto loss of morale among employees, an increase in cynicism and even higher resistance to change in the future.

Then the issue is how would you successfully manage innovation in a growing technology business? Successful innovation correlates strongly with how a firm selects and manages projects, how it coordinates the inputs of different functions, how it links up with its customers etc. These points inspire managing innovation process in an integrated way. For example, there are firms with a high strength of R&D but lacks the ability to link the innovative potential to their business strategy. Tidd says that successful innovation management involves;

a. taking a strategic approach to innovation

b. using effective implementing mechanisms and structures

c. extending a supporting organizational context

d. building and maintaining effective external linkages.

Successful innovators acquire and accumulate technical resources and managerial capabilities over time; there are plenty of opportunities for learning – through doing, using, working with other firms, asking the customers etc- but they all depend upon the readiness of the firm to see innovation as a lottery than a process which can be continuously improved (Tidd : 2001). 

Activity

Signal Processing

Strategy

Resourcing

Implementation

1

scanning environment for technological, market, regulatory and other potential sources for changes and opportunities

choose the change or opportunities that fit with the overall business strategy within technical and marketing competence.

procure solution(s) which realize strategic decisions

develop to maturity

2

develop a mechanism to gather related information and filter  them 

assess signals in terms of possibilities for action

invent in house through R&D activities

parallel technical development and development of the relevant market.

3

scan forward in time

link with overall business strategy

acquire via external R&D contract

for product development it is external customer market

4

process signals into relevant information for decision making

link with core knowledge base competencies

license or buy in

for process development it is internal user market

assess costs and benefits of different options

technology transfer

launch and commission

select priority options

after sales support

agree and commit resources

plan

A number of models for auditing innovation have been developed to provide a framework against which to assess performance in innovation management.

The first stage in innovation is for someone to generate an idea, which is typically a technical insight into a product or process or thought about a service. Idea generation leads to opportunity recognition where ideas are prodded and tested. Often ideas are improved, merged with other ideas and in many cases abandoned. An important test for an idea is that it matches the goals of the organization and available resources – people and money. If an opportunity is recognized then the idea moves to a new stage where it can be developed further. The development phase may involve prototype development and marketing testing. Many ideas wait at the end of the development phase for market conditions to be right.

There are currently many new products languishing in the laboratories of Philips and Nokia waiting for their moment to begin replacing or even disrupting existing technology. The final stage of the innovation process is realization and in many cases exploitation where the customer makes the final evaluation.

Porter (1990) argues that even global firms who operate businesses worldwide still depend on strategic skills and experience gained in their country of origin. Statistics show that only 12% of innovation activities have taken place in countries outside the firm’s base country showing a high degree of correlation between the area of innovation (industry) and regional base (country). For instance, European firms have had innovation in areas of industries whilst Japanese dominated in consumer electronics and motor cars.

The investment in R&D is amongst the most critical factors that influence innovation. Statistics again show a correlation between the countries investment in R&D as a percentage of GDP. For national firms, patterns of national demand play an instrumental role, in particular the demand pull innovation. Competitive rivalry is dependant on national factors including domestic competencies, and country resources, level of research, rate of literacy, level of higher education etc.

The development of chemical engineering sector in the USA emerged in response to challenges and opportunities of refining petrol are a classic result of the national innovation system.  The OECD National Innovation Systems Project is another one, the objectives of which will describe as follows;

“For policy makers, an understanding of innovation systems can help identify leverage points for enhancing innovative performance and overall competitiveness. The concept of national innovation systems directs the attention of policy makers to possible systemic failures that can accompany the more generally recognized market failures in the development of technology. The lack of interaction between the actors in the system, mismatches between basic research in the public sector and more applied research in industry, malfunctioning of technology transfer institutions, and information and absorptive deficiencies on the part of industry may all limit innovation and the diffusion of knowledge. In search of improved interactions, governments can provide the foundations for effective partnering among the elements in the system”.

It is evident that in formulating and executing their innovation strategies, business firms can not ignore the national systems of innovation in which they are embedded. Through their strong influences on demand and competitive conditions, the provision of human resources, and forms of corporate governance, national systems of innovation both open opportunities and impose constraints on what firms can do. However although firm’s technological strategies are influenced by their own national systems of innovation, they are not determined by them.

The next issue is how would you allocate resources for innovation? Innovation activities are characterized by high level of risk, uncertainty and instability. The first phase of innovation is basically knowledge building requiring fewer resources and taking long time to complete. Hence, this is the most risky yet the least resource consuming phase.

Competition, mistrust, and scarcity of resources make innovation imperative. Even successful innovations cause incredible booms and busts. People under- or over-estimate the potential profits of innovations. Electricity, the railroad, the telephone, the fax machine, and the Internet are all examples of the chaos that new innovations can cause for people who work with and/or invest in them. The larger an innovation is, (that is, the greater potential gain) the more difficult it can be to manage. More people get involved, more money is staked, and more is put at risk.

In order to capitalize on the innovative capacities within a company, it should have some basic elements that foster it. The way it is provided can be formal or informal, and adapted to the size of the company, but they must be present in some form to truly encourage and leverage innovation. They are direction and alignment between the goals of the individuals and the company, a safe environment to take risks and share ideas, and a compensation system that recognizes and rewards innovation and its close cousin, collaboration.

For innovations to be truly exploited, they need to be shared. Great developments by lone inventors, such as Thomas Edison, are largely of the past- most truly great inventions of today are the result of collaborations. Ideas are usually just starting points. They need to be refined, augmented, and merged with other ideas.

As mentioned, Innovation is the successful exploitation of new ideas ahead of the competition. This results in an organization being able to bring new value added products and services to world markets. The innovation that results from sustained investment in R&D, combined with other related investment at the right levels, is essential in providing innovative environment that is crucial to improve competitive edge. It is equally vital to many companies looking to sustain profits.

The first step in creating a culture of innovation is unleashing the creative potential of the employees. The challenge is getting them to see the world with fresh eyes in order to develop fresh solutions. This is relatively inexpensive research for nurturing expertise in fields that could lead to future opportunities and threats. The key question is what are the potential costs and risks of not mastering or entering the field? For instance, no successful firm in pharmaceuticals could avoid exploring recent developments in biotechnology. Besides market analysis, sound technical judgments are the ones that should matter deciding innovative activities. 

Creative ideas are not enough for business to survive. It needs a process and culture that maximize creative assets. This is a discrete innovation capability that helps pull together the best thinking within the company, enabling connect the organizational dots. The most powerful form of innovation is real-time innovation – innovation without any external stimuli. This requires rethinking of all aspects of the business (strategy, processes, measures, competencies, leadership). The result is a culture that thrives on change, flexibility and adaptability. This stage involves applied R&D and feasibility demonstration, in order to reduce technical uncertainties and to build in-house competence so that the firm is capable of transforming technical competence into a profitable venture. This helps determine strategic options open to the firm at a later stage. As usual, costs will be higher than the knowledge building but much lower than the full scale business investment.

The business investment stage involves relatively large scale expenditures to develop, product and market of new and better products, processes or services. The key question in such a project is what are the potential costs and benefits in continuing with the project? Success depends on meeting the user needs and thereby targeted marketing. The external linkages need to be tightly controlled through majority ownership or a joint venture.

Resource allocation should follow the principles of ;

Incrementalism – developing gradually and allowing dying peacefully or changing direction, if it is            entering a dead-end. building sample rules and models setting criteria for stopping using sensitivity analysis seeking reduction of key uncertainties.

Reference

Burgelman, Robert A (2001) Strategic Management of Technology and innovation, (3rd Edition), McGraw-Hill

Byars, Lloyd, Rue, Leslie, Zahra, Shaker (1996), Strategic Management, Irwin

Cabral, R. (1998) ‘Refining the Cabral-Dahab Science Park Management Paradigm’, Int. J. Technology Management, Vol. 16, pp. 813-818.

Chakravorti, B. (2003) The Slow Pace of Fast Change: Bringing Innovations to Market in a Connected World. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.

Christensen, Clayton M. (1997). The Innovator’s Dilemma, Harvard Business School Press.

Christensen, Clayton M.;Raynor, Michael E. (2003). The Innovator’s Solution, Harvard Business School Press.

Tidd, Joe (2001) Managing Innovation, Integrating Technological Market and Organizational Change (2nd Edition), NY: John Wiley and Sons.

Tidd, Joe (2001) Managing Innovation, Integrating Technological Market and Organizational Change (2nd Edition), NY: John Wiley and Sons.

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If you want to show off your cute little pooch and let the world know how much you love him, you will not want to miss these 10 Must Have Pet Accessories.

Doggie Doo Doo Bags

Everyone knows that not only is it the law in most places but it is also common courtesy to pick up after your doggie does his business. While you can just use an average spare grocery bag or whatnot, there are also cool accessories that look like fire hydrants and store 24 bags that are perfect for poop and scoop purposes. You just slip the hydrant on the leash and it will always be there so you will never forget to grab a bag again.

Perky Dog Collars

Dog collars come in all sizes. You need to make sure you get the type of collar that is just right for your pooch to avoid any slip offs, choke holds, or irritations. If your pet is short haired and sensitive, you would want to find a plush, fleece lined hound collar to protect and keep your pooch’s neck warm. For an average sized dog, a durable and fully adjustable collar that is machine washable would be an ideal choice.

Fashionable Dog Leashes

There are many types of dog leashes you may find yourself sorting through. Nylon dog leashes are always a good investment for the most part. Sometimes though you may need another type such as a retractable leash for those frisky little ones who want to get away from you and frolic in the park.

Snazzy ID Tags

You can now get your ID tags in stainless steel, brass, plastic, or aluminum. You can also choose shapes and colors. Certain colors may stand out better against your puppy’s fur than others. Little dogs may prefer plastic to stainless steel, for example.

Eco-Friendly Designer Dog Beds

Know how your dog always wants to jump up on your bed and snuggle down. There are no eco-friendly dog beds that are made out of buckwheat hull and sewn with organic cotton fabrics that will leave your furry friend warm in the winter and cool in the hot summer months. The best part is it can easily be thrown into the wash any time you need to.

Pet Feeder Doggie Bowls

What else could be sweeter than a meal on a timer. Fill the bowl with Fluffy’s favorite doggie mix, close the lid, set the timer, and when dinnertime comes, the lid pops open for happy helpings.

Fantastic Tug and Train Rubber Toys

Your dog will love you for getting him a rubber tug rope that he can play with in the park, the yard or where you and he might end up. Dogs love to chew and whip things around, with a toy like this you could play tug of war with your pooch for hours on end without worry of any fibers coming apart.

Groovy Grooming Gear

We all know how a good brushing feels. Getting rid of all that dead hair, unsnarling those pesky clumps of matted fur. A must have for any dog with lots of fur is a double sided dog brush. You can rid your furry friend of snarls and tangles and then bring out the shine in his lush coat with the other side.

Total Pet Health Kit

No home is complete without an emergency kit. Your four-legged pal needs all the care he can receive for his ailments as well. Get a kit stocked with everything you need for bleeding, burns, ticks, insect stings, and minor wounds. Compact carrying case allows you to bring it wherever you go.

Exercise Pens with Pizzaz

We all need to protect our pets when we go places like camping trips, parks or any other wide-open space where we would like to give our pet room to roam yet want to keep him safe from running off. Now they have portable exercise pens you can take with you.

For more info: www.bigappleherp.com The Designer Diner Series by Our Pets are healthy feeding dog bowls which provide an ergonomically correct feeding position for improving digestion and posture. Any of the Designer Diner Series can fit into any home décor while providing a sturdy and healthy feeding station for your pet.
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If you’re anything like us, it probably feels like we just barely made it through the holiday season and here we are; it’s Valentine’s Day already. We’re going to be your personal cupid and make this year’s Valentine’s Day a little bit easier on you. While the traditional candy, cards, and flowers can always win you points with the heart, planning a romantic or love-themed getaway for Valentine’s Day is a sure way to your lover’s heart and, with some cheap airfare, to a break on your bank account.

Las Vegas, Nev. Vegas may be know for what it offers bachelor and bachelorette parties and 21st birthdays, it’s also great for decadence, romanticism, and maybe even a spontaneous wedding … Flights to the city of sin are never in short supply so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding cheap tickets; what you should splurge on is the hotel. Caesar’s Palace is running a two-night special, with a dining credit, and two massages; your honey doesn’t have to know that this sweet suite starts at around only 0. Top off the weekend of love with a pair of tickets to the Cirque du Soliel production of The Beatles LOVE.

Loveland, Col. For those who love a good play on words, take a trip to the literal love capital of the country. It may be a stretch to find cheap airline tickets to this semi-remote destination just outside of Fort Collins, but once you’re there you and your sweetie can bond on an entirely new level. Sign up for the Loveland Sweetheart Classic Four-Mile Race – it may sound crazy but they say that the endorphins released between two partners during exercise can be one of the most powerful ways to bond.

Vero Beach, Fla. Dying for a Valentine’s Day getaway but can’t bear the idea of parting with your pooches? Snatch some airline tickets to Vero Beach’s Kimpton Resort. We just can’t get over how adorable the Pooch n’ Smooch special is. Starting at 8 per night you can have a picnic with your dogs at the park, including a basket full of human and pup treats as well as toys and poop bags, and get a bonus bottle of Champagne and package of homemade dog treats in your room. Memorialize the weekend with a photo shoot on the beach with the whole family. You can even show some love for un-rescued pets by donating to the Indian River County Humane Society.

San Francisco, Ca. Home to Ghiradelli Chocolate and the famed red trolleys, San Francisco is a lovers’ playgroun d. But more than just sweet rides and sweet treats, San Francisco offers stunningly romantic views and vistas overlooking the bay and some of the best dining in the world on Fisherman’s Warf. Look for package deals on discount airfare and hotel Websites for the best deals, but don’t worry about car rental; you won’t need your own transportation in this city. Head to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art on the 14th to have Valentine’s Day photography portraits taken by documentary photography Jason Winshell or take part in a less-than-traditional day with a public pillow fight in Justin Herman Plaza.

Lenox, Mass. Canyon Ranch in Massachusetts offers Valentine’s Day tourists a more full-body experience. The “Nourishing Your Heart” seminar offers practical strategies for keeping your heart healthy. Soothe the soul by participating in meditation practice, learning the art of forgiveness, and signing up for some of the resort’s state-of-the-art treatments. You’ll round out your day of love with a full heart and a surprisingly full wallet when you find cheap flights to Albany, NY or Hartford, Conn. to get to Lenox.

New York, NY. The big apple offers something for everyone all throughout the year, but especially for Valentine’s Day. Be flexible with your airport selection; you could find cheap tickets to Newark, LaGuardia, or JFK International airports. Bundle up with your cutie on the ice for the Skate-a-Date package at Rockefeller Center, which includes two VIP entries to skip the line and dinner for two with a view for . For a more risqué stay, check in to The Library Hotel where you can read erotic texts in room 800.001 (the rooms are listed by the Dewey classification system).

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