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Steel, the biodegradable super-metal, is incorporated into countless facets of human life. One of the most widespread uses for steel is the manufacturing of automobiles. The cars that we drive are made up of this lightweight, durable material. However, due to the current faltering condition of the auto industry, steel manufacturers are seeing a drop in sales due to decreased demand for consumer automobiles.

In the United States, the automotive industry accounts for a large portion of steel manufacturing business. In North America alone, automakers produced 16.5 million units in 2006. The projected output for 2009 is 10.5 million units, a 36 percent decline. For those of us living in the Midwest, this economic crisis hits close to home. Detroit and the surrounding area has always been a hub for automobile producers, home to Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. Due to their close link with the auto industry, steel producers and manufacturers are also hard-hit. MCN , or Metal Center News , recently published a survey of 45 toll processing and steel manufacturing companies. The results indicated that a majority of the respondents (57 percent) sighted their business being down by an average of 22 percent in 2008. However, 16 percent claimed flat revenue and 27 percent recorded gains. So, even though the general market trend is headed in a downward slope, there are still companies that site profit.

In this dismal economy, it is important to remember the positives. Chrysler, one of the United States' top three auto producers, has recently declared bankruptcy. However, on May 30, 2009, the auto giant entered into federal bankruptcy protection. With help from President Obama and government funds, Chrysler has partnered with Fiat and will continue to produce automobiles for the American market. Many of these auto companies are forced to merge, considering that current economic conditions will not allow them to stand on their own feet. These collaborations can yield positive and negative returns for steel producers. When one company partners with another, two clients then turn into one, which may result in increased profits. However, steel producers benefit because Chrysler did not go under. The company is still producing automobiles, which means that they will still need steel to make these cars, which is good news for steel producers.

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The author of this article is a representative of Capital Steel & Wire, an international distributor of steel bars, steel wire and wire rods. Visit them on the web at capitalsteel.net .

Technical knowledge is becoming increasingly more important in modern auto sales training. In the past it was sufficient for salesmen and women to be able to explain to customers how their cars should be serviced and answer general everyday questions such as what the carburetor does.

In fact, even these questions were few and far between because cars driven by gas (petroleum) powered internal combustion engine had not changed much since Karl Benz’s invention in 1885. Yes, various aspects of car design had changed significantly but not the way they were powered. Today we have alternatives.

Staff selling automobiles today must be trained in the differences between the various fuel types: gas, diesel, electric, LPG and whatever else is developed. The days are gone when new developments in automobiles and other vehicles take years to come into production, let alone become available to regular customers.

Potential Questions on Modern Automobile Technology

Here are some of the technical aspects of automobiles about which your sales staff are liable to be asked, and for which they will be expected to have expert knowledge.

• What’s the difference between diesel and gas?
• Is diesel cheaper than gas and are diesel cars harder to maintain that regular cars?
• What’s a hybrid?
• How do hybrid running costs compare to diesel and gas?
• How do I change from gas to electric in a hybrid?
• Where is the nearest electric car charging point to me?
• Will an electric car get me to my work every day for less cost than another fuel?
• What’s a hydrogen cell?
• Are hybrids/electric/hydrogen cell cars easy to maintain – can I fix faults myself?

If you sell vehicles that use any of the above alternative energy sources then visitors to your dealership or car lot will expect you to be able to answer these questions – or questions like them. You can likely think of several more – perhaps through experience!

Importance of a Car Sales Course

Do you have a training course that helps your staff find out where to get this information? Do you teach your staff – or even yourself – these basic fundamentals of modern car technology? Or do you expect them to teach themselves? It is extremely important that your auto sales personnel are aware of each of the above auto fuel options and are able to answer questions about them. But that’s not all they must know!

Another aspect of auto sales knowledge that has changed in recent times is the interaction between prospect and salesperson. Has every member of your sales staff been trained in how to approach and communicate with a new visitor to your lot or showroom? If the first approach and interaction goes wrong, then you can forget about that prospect becoming a customer.

The days are well gone when you could take on a new salesmen or women with little or no sales experience and expect them to learn on the job. Effective auto sales personnel are now well-trained people who understand sales psychology as well as every car on the lot! They can answer questions on hybrids and power cells, and offer advice based on sound technical knowledge.

Sales Staff Auto Sales Training

However, it’s the approach that counts, and how auto sales personnel can interact with prospects that make the difference between a sale to a happy customer and a disgruntled prospect walking off the lot to go somewhere else. A car sales course can make the difference between success and failure, and by sending staff to an auto training course, you can make a significant improvement to your sales figures.

If you are an individual with a desire to make auto sales your chosen career, a recognized car sales course can make all the difference to you as well. By showing a prospective employer your course diploma, you will put yourself ahead of all those applicants without one.

So what is needed by successful car sales staff today – male or female? It is a knowledge of cars and their alternative power sources, and also proper training in how to sell the; how to approach visitors and convert them into new customers; how to retain the customers you have and how to send everybody way so impressed that they will sing your praises to everybody willing to listen! A car sales course can offer most of this – if not all!

There can be several reasons due to which car batteries can lose their ability to start an engine. It is possible to recharge the batteries by undertaking a jump start. While undertaking a kick off start it is essential to follow a methodical process. By means of following a systematic process, it is possible to ensure personal safety and avoid electrical problems. Automotive batteries are subjected to frequent explosions. This is the main reason as to why one should wear protective goggles while undertaking any kind of repair work. Mishaps can frequently occur in these devices as they contain hydrogen gas. It is a fact worth mentioning that exploding batteries are an extremely rare phenomenon. In order to impart a jump start, two vehicles are required. It is necessary to park the booster vehicle in close proximity with the vehicle that needs the kick off start. After that, it is necessary to apply brake on both the automobiles. One should ensure that one end of the jumper cable is attached to the red clamp while the other end is fixed to the black clamp. The metal clamps should be free of corrosion.

While making the connections, it is necessary to connect the red clamp to the positive terminal of the malfunctioning power unit. One should make sure that the connection is secure. The other clamp should be connected to the positive terminal of the battery of the booster automobile. The black clamps of the jumper cable should be connected to the negative terminal of the booster automobile. The last free clamp should be fixed to a metal ground on the engine. By following the above mentioned steps, it is possible to successfully set up the connection. Batteries are known to lose charge on a regular basis. It is necessary to jump start them on a regular basis. In order to ensure the safety of the vehicle it is mandatory to follow the above mentioned guidelines.

It is not wrong to say that after home, an animal hospital is the next important thing for your lovely pet. It is essential to select the one for your pet so that in case of an emergency you can take your pet without any delay. You need to see that the hospital you are selecting has a specialized team of doctors and the trained staff. It is important to note that the animal hospitals aren’t just offering treatment of domestic animals and pets rather wild animals that are ill or injured in any accident.

Selecting a veterinary hospital may seem like a simple task, however there are a number of factors associated with selecting the best hospital for your needs. It is not only the location of the hospital that matters a lot, the hospital must have the hours of operation that match your work schedule.

A special bond is developed between the pets and their owners. It is for this reason; they become your very close friend or family member is a very short duration of time. When you adopt a pet, there come my responsibilities. One of these responsibilities is arranging a suitable animal hospital where general checkups as well as complicated operations in time of need are possible.

In addition to the location, it is also important to consider the services that are available with the hospital. For instance, many animal hospitals offer special appointments or programs to the new clients. They offer expert advice and treatment for elderly animals or those with serious ailments. In the very first meeting, it is important to discuss with your veterinarian what exactly are your expectations and how you want to proceed further.

In addition to above, there are a few other aspects you need to consider while selecting a suitable animal hospital for your pet. For instance you should inquire about the license of the veterinarian and find out if the hospital has a registered veterinary staff or not. There are a number of tests a registered veterinary personnel have to pass. These include the regulated state tests for treating all vets. It is important to go to a registered technician because he will have the skills and experience that are considered must for the examinations and proper treatment of the vets.

You should not allow a non-registered technician to administer pills and shots or to treat your pet as this can prove to be very dangerous. It is also important to first tour any animal hospital to interview the veterinarian. While doing so, you should observe if proper hygiene is maintained in the hospital or not; especially in the surgical rooms and examination rooms.

So, the above mentioned are a few important aspects you need to consider while selecting an animal hospital for your lovely pet.

Santiago is the capital of Chile and also the largest city of the country. Santiago is the center of finance and trade in Chile and the headquarters of many multinational companies in the country are located here. The city has many well-known shopping centers and high-rise architecture and has become one of the most modern metropolitan areas of Latin America.

Santiago has many good hospitals in both public and private sectors. Many of the leading private hospitals offer world-class health care service, which is affordable too. These hospitals are well equipped and accept all major health insurance companies.

This is a brief description of some of the major hospitals in Santiago.

Clinica Las Condes located at Lo Fontecilla 441 – Las Condes, Santiago is a reputed private hospital in Chile and Latin America that has all modern medical facilities to deliver excellent health care. The hospital founded in 1978 by a famous doctor has now achieved the prestigious Joint Commission International accreditation and has affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine International for training. This 220-bedded modern hospital has well equipped specialties in every branches of medicine. The hospital’s surgery department is well known and performs most modern laparoscopic surgery for digestive endocrine tumors, breast surgery using advanced technique like mammography, stereotactic biopsy equipment, and trauma surgery. CLC has facilities in blood bank, clinical laboratory, diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine and physiotherapy. The hospital has many special centers like anti smoking center, kidney stone, travel medicine, advanced center for epilepsy and spine center. Its new emergency service with separate laboratory system was built under the guidance of Johns Hopkins Hospital,US. This favorite hospital among the foreign patients offers luxurious accommodation and has agreements with all major insurance companies. Phone: (56-2 ) 210 4000

Clínica Alemana is one of the leading private hospitals in Chile and is situated at Av. Vitacura 5951 – Vitacura – Santiago. This hospital was founded by a well-reputed nonprofit foundation-“Sociedad de Beneficencia Hospital Alemán”- that has established many modern hospitals across the country. This 350-bedded hospital with 18 operating rooms offers best medical service to over 35, 000 patients annually by employing more than 700 eminent doctors and 3000 dedicated staff. This multidisciplinary healthcare facility has full-fledged departments in cardiology, ENT, neurology, pediatrics, gynecology, gastroenterology, psychology, bronchopulmonology, physical therapy and many more. Clínica Alemana has many special centers like comprehensive adolescent care unit, breast care center, center for oral and maxillofacial surgery, round the clock blood bank, radiation therapy center, maternity ward, and five well-equipped ICUs. This hospital possesses an outstanding diagnostic imaging department with service in radiology, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, mammography, MRIs, Computed Tomography and angiography. The hospital staffs some of the best surgeons in the country and its surgery department has five different kinds of operating rooms (OR) including main operating room, cardiology OR, obstetrics/ gyn OR. The hospital has well equipped emergency department with separate general emergency room and pediatric emergency room. Clínica Alemana offers comfortable accommodation in various rooms and suites including rooms for non-paying patients and provides all modern facilities. Phones: (56-2) 210 1111

Hospital San Juan De Dios situated at Huérfanos 3255, Santiago, is another major hospital in the city that offers complete and cost effective medical service. The Western Metropolitan Health Service manages this service-oriented polyclinic, founded in 1954.This is also a premier teaching hospital and has affiliation with the University of Chile. Hospital San Juan De Dios has four large buildings and staffs 332 doctors and 17 dental practitioners. The hospital has lounges and restrooms for users, well-equipped coronary care unit, new custom delivery rooms and modern Surgical ICU. The hospital has adult and children sub specialties in all major departments. The hospital has an emergency sector featuring 3 focus rooms of 19 beds, an observation room, a modern recovery room and a procedures room. Hospital San Juan De Dios has implemented AUGE system to improve care for the sick and included more than 50health problems in this like chronic renal failure, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, advanced palliative care and congenital heart diseases in children. Phone: (0)2 360 1053

Clean and sterile linens, changed frequently, can create the baseline of infection control at any major health care facility, but creating a proper linen care policy does not happen by accident. A hospital administrator needs to establish and enforce strict policies for storing bedding and other cloth in the hospital, whether soiled or clean.

Soiled Linens

Staff members tasked with the removal of soiled linens should be trained in the proper removal and handling of dirty sheets, towels and washcloths. While at home it may be no big deal to shake sheets out to find wayward socks, hospital staff need to be reminded that virtually every patient is a potential source of infection. Staff members should wear gloves whenever handling soiled bedding, and it should be folded toward the middle so that any contaminants in the sheets remain there.

Once the soiled bedding is collected, it should be placed in clearly marked carts or in bags which can then be closed, preventing infectious material and odors from the linens from permeating the area.

Soiled linens should then be pretreated with stain remover as necessary and placed in a loosely loaded washing machine. Stuffing as many sheets as possible into the washer is a good way to prevent cleanliness. They should be washed in hot water and detergent for a minimum of 10 minutes at 105 degrees Fahrenheit before being dried in dryers that reach a minimum of 160 degrees.

Clean Linens

Clean linens should be handled by staff members also wearing gloves to prevent them from transferring contaminants. Clean linens should be folded in an area separate from the handling area for soiled linens. Once folded, the bedding must be placed in clean laundry bags or on covered laundry carts for transporting to proper storage areas.

Unlike a home linen closet which typically gets cleaned during spring and fall cleaning or when things start tumbling down, hospital linen storage areas should be sanitized and sterilized often, preferably at least once a week. Clean linens should be kept in orderly stacks in the linen storage facility and removed only as needed. For transport between the linen storage area and the site where they are needed, clean linens should be kept on a linen cart which is sterilized daily. The cart should be kept covered.

The recommendations for hospital linen storage help prevent the spread of infectious disease and can easily be met by a professional linen service. A professional linen service can be contracted to maintain the cleanliness of the hospital’s linen storage area as well as providing clean and sanitized linens. Professional linen services can provide proper storage and delivery of hospital linens as well as inventory and linen maintenance.

Hospital services are increasing and becoming like any other corporate business day by day therefore a hospital logo should be managed like any other corporate identity.

Hospital logo design is the best way to represent the healthcare services you intend to provide to your target audience.

It is the graphic representation of your hospitals identity. By looking at the logo your target audience gets an idea of your professionalism and expertise. What things should be kept in mind while designing a hospital logo?

• What’s the hospital mission and for whom are you designing the logo for?

The first thing you should be very clear is what is the mission of the hospital? Is it providing services to the under privileged or is targeting the elites of the society.

For instance if you are targeting the underprivileged class of the society logo should reflect a warm feeling, use of soft colors with images people easily relate conveys your message to your audience in a much effective way.

A more businesslike approach is required for targeting the elite using sharp colors and images with bold outlook attracts the elites and educated class.

• Appropriate Choice for hospital logo design

Color

Color choice is very important while creating a hospital logo. It should be designed to grab the attention of the audience while giving them a sense of security and trust. Colors play an effective role in conveying what your hospital services stands for, usually red, blue, green or any bright color is used in hospital logo mainly to grab the attention.

Graphic

Most people hold the misconception that a logo should always suggest what a company does. This is not true for instance it is not always necessary to show a dry cleaning machine in a cleaning logo. Hospital logos should show the specialties that you offer, the graphics and symbols used in the logo should convey the sense of comfort and professionalism. Use of relevant medical symbols or images of the areas of specialty like orthopedics or gynecology change the entire look of the logo giving it a feel of geniuses and effectiveness.

Font

Font is yet another important part of your logo design. Using a stylish perky font for a hospital design is appropriate?? Always use a simple straight font that is readable and understandable by all audience.

Like any other business a hospital also has its own personality but most often we see almost similar logos presenting different hospitals using identical images, fonts and colors.

The most important thing for a hospital is to build trust and reliability among the audience therefore hospital logos should be designed while keeping in the mind the individuality, trust, responsibility as well as it should be compelling.

The Republic of Azerbaijan is one of the previous constituent republics that made up the United Soviet Socialist Republic or the USSR. The country is located in Transcaucasia, on the shores of the Caspian Sea. It has Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Iran, as its neighbors. Azerbaijan underwent a lot of political assaults and disputes. However, as of late, it has come out of its past and is gradually developing an independent economy, by banking on its oil and gas resources. The healthcare industry is not very well developed, but it has come a long way from the past.

The country has Baku as its capital city. Baku is a top tourist spot and draws huge numbers of visitors, from all corners of the world. The medical facilities are among the best available in all of Azerbaijan. There are both public hospitals as well as privately run clinics in Baku. The public hospitals house ample beds but suffer from lack of adequate practitioners or related staff. However, for basic treatment tourists can seek the aid of these public hospitals.

The private clinics are a better option for more specialized treatment and complications. These clinics along with few international hospitals offer up to date, quality treatment to their visitors. There are separate wards for accidents and emergencies as well. The doctors are well qualified. The hospitals have labs attached that give accurate test results. The nurses are well trained and extremely caring as well. The hospitals have a sufficient number of beds. However, patients are recommended to bring their own basic toiletries as Baku clinics often fall short in that area.

Language seems to be the main concern of foreign patients of Baku hospitals. As of late it has been observed that many Baku doctor are comfortable conversing with their patients in English. It is, however, always safe to get in touch with your respective embassies, in order to obtain a list of doctors who speak your language.

The most popular hospitals and clinics among tourists visiting Baku are Western Medical, Turkish-American Medical Centre, Oil Workers Hospital, Mediclub Centre, Mediclub Paedriatic, German Medical Hospital, and Central Clinical Hospital.

MediClub Centre:

More than a traditional Hospital, the MediClub Centre can be branded as a complete medical assistance organization. Tourists can receive excellent treatment at MediClub Centre. The doctors and staff are very conversant in English, the wards are clean and there are specialized departments to treat various types of illnesses. The food served at this center is of great quality and the help lines to the clinics are open round the clock. The ambulance service is very active and will be able to provide emergency transportation easily. The doctors and nurses take proper care to ensure the satisfaction of all of their patients. All that expats need to receive care from this center is a card that allows them to access the quality services on offer by the MediClub group.

German Medical Hospital:

Set up under German authority, the German Medical hospital is one of the leading medical service providers in Baku. The staff members are well qualified and trained in the western methods of medicine. The facilities are up to date as is the equipment which is state of art. Tourists may also come across staff who possess a working knowledge of English.

Turkish-American Medical Centre:

Dating back to 1998, the Turkish-American Medical Centre is one of the most modernized medical centers that caters to tourists and residents alike. The treatment methods, labs and facilities are all at the latest standards. The staff and doctors are committed and well qualified. The hospital has departments for almost all aspects of medicine and diseases.

Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, lies in the Judean Mountains nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. Together with East Jerusalem it forms the largest city of the country. It is a great tourist attraction for religious and cultural reasons.

Bikur Cholim Hospital is situated in the heart of the city at the junction of Strauss and Hanevi'im, Jerusalem, 492. It was set up in 1826 and over the years it has emerged as one of the largest and most important hospitals of Israel. The branches of medicine for which the hospital offers treatment are surgery, pediatrics, ENT, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, nephrology, neurology and urology. The hospital also has an Alternative Medicine Clinic, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Baby Welfare Clinic and a Women's Clinic. The emergency department at the hospital offers quality services to its patients and is also the largest emergency department in Israel.

The Shaare Zedek Medical Center located at Jaffa Road is a century old hospital that provides high quality medical care. The hospital started as a modest healthcare center with 20 beds and is now a modern hospital with state of art infrastructure. It is a multidisciplinary hospital of international repute which specializes in the following fields: cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, women's health, medical genetics, neonatology, pediatric neurology, oncology and palliative medicine, laparoscopic surgery and Gaucher's Disease. The Emergency Department at the hospital is well equipped and this department includes the Kennedy Leigh Trauma & Resuscitation.

The ALYN Pediatric and Adolescent Rehabilitation Center was set up as a voluntary organization by Dr. Henry Keller, an American orthopedist in 1932. The multidisciplinary hospital is dedicated to providing modern and advanced care to children. The hospital provides an array of medical and paramedical services that include physiotherapy, speech therapy, rehabilitation, cerebral palsy, acquired brain damage, respiratory disorders, and psychosocial problems. It is also is the leading pediatric orthopedic clinic in the country treating both simple and highly complex cases.

The St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group is part of the Foundation of The Order of St John which is the oldest charity in the world. This hospital is known for its high level of services and specialization in eye related ailments throughout the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. The hospital has an ISO accreditation and is staffed by well trained doctors and paramedical staff from within the country and from offshore countries as well. This modern hospital runs a 24 hours emergency room and also runs an outpatient department and treats patients regardless of their ability to pay. The hospital specializes in Retinal, Corneal and Pediatric services. The address and telephone number for the hospital are; Nashashibi Street, Sheikh Jarrah, Jerusalem 97200; Tel: 00 972 (0) 2 5828325

Hadassah's Medical Organization has two medical centers at Jerusalem; one is at Ein-Karen and the other is at Mount Scopus. Both the hospitals have a large team of doctors and support staff which makes them ready to deal with all kinds of medical emergencies and routine procedures and care. The Hadassah is known for its proficient services and contemporary infrastructure. Both the centers are multidisciplinary and the medical branches for which they provide services are orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, oncology, rehabilitation, dermatology, ENT, endocrinology, hematology, genetics and metabolic disease, bone marrow transplant and psychiatry. The hospitals are also outfitted with Emergency Rooms, Trauma Units, Pain Clinics and Blood Banks. The Emergency Department at Ein-Karen provides comprehensive and quick care to patients for a large range of medical problems and is supported by modern technology. The Mount Scopus Emergency Department receives a large number of patients each year owing to its highly specialized care especially in the neurological and cardiac surgery field.

A study by the The Commonwealth Fund, a private institution in the United States which seeks to promote a better health system, showed that a third of American adults forgo a visit to the hospital because they either have no insurance or a plan that is inadequate for their true needs. Those who seek medical care and pay their hospital bills did not end up any better anyway because they have no money to purchase medicines. Contrast that with some areas in Europe such as United Kingdom and the Netherlands, for example, which boast of just 5-6 percent slippage in the number of patients in population who failed to seek medical care due to insurance concerns.

The same survey showed that one in five adults or about 20% in the US could not pay hospital bills. You know what’s the second developed country in the list? France, with a measly nine percent. The issues don’t stop there because the U.S. also has one of the highest out-of-pocket expenses-meaning the amount patients pay before insurance kicks in-for medical bills in the world, right up there (or to be more specific, right down there) with other third world countries with poor government allocation for health service.

The study compared the health care systems in 11 countries like Canada, Australia, U.K., Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Australia, France, U.S. and Germany. The gap between the rich and the poor has more impact on the capacity of the patient to pay hospital bills compared to other countries where the “haves” usually foot the bill for the “have-nots.”

The report result is nothing new, of course, because it only confirms what most of us already knows: there’s a need to reform the U.S. health system.

The study analyzes findings from the Commonwealth Fund 2010 International Health Policy Survey in Eleven Countries, focusing on insurance and access to health care experiences reported by 19,700 adults from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. The study reveals widespread disparities by income within the United States. Lower income U.S. adults were far more likely than those with above average incomes to report difficulty with medical bills and timely access to health care.

“We spend far more on health care than any of these countries, but this study highlights pervasive gaps in U.S. health insurance that put families’ health and budgets at risk,” said Commonwealth Fund Senior Vice President Cathy Schoen, lead author of the article. “In fact, the U.S. is the only country in the study where having health insurance doesn’t guarantee you access to health care or financial protection when you’re sick. This is avoidable – other countries have designed their insurance systems to value access and limit out-of-pocket costs.”

A new 11-country survey from The Commonwealth Fund finds that adults in the United States are far more likely than those in 10 other industrialized nations to go without health care because of costs, have trouble paying medical bills, encounter high medical bills even when insured, and have disputes with their insurers or discover insurance wouldn’t pay as they expected. According to the report, the findings highlight the need for Affordable Care Act reforms that will ensure access to health care, protect people from medical debt, and simplify health insurance.