Name Your Way to Success: How the Perfect Brand Name Can Propel Your Business

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Your brand name is often the first impression people form of your business and a chance for it to stand out amongst competitors, so choosing an effective name should be top of mind for business owners and managers alike. Words Have Power Your brand name selection must reflect positive, memorable words that reflect on and relate directly to the essence of your business. Use keywords relevant to your business that will enable people to easily find it when searching online, for instance, if it’s a streaming service like “Netflix” or “Hulu”. Keep your brand name short and easy for people to remember; long or complicated names could become difficult to pronounce or spell correctly, potentially alienating prospects who could buy your products/services. Avoid including numbers or symbols in your brand name, as this makes it harder for customers to remember and type accurately while looking unprofessional. Ensure your domain name and social media handles are available so people can quickly locate you online. The Psychology of Brand Naming The psychology behind brand naming can be complex, yet some general principles can guide your choices for selecting names for products or businesses. When picking names that elicit positive emotions, easy pronunciation/spelling capabilities are crucial when choosing names for brand identity. People must easily recall your brand name to ensure customers return again and again for business. This will increase sales as people remember your business more efficiently and return for more. Your brand name must reflect your business and target audience, helping people understand why it matters to them and why they should care.  In addition, its meaning or association should foster positive associations for consumers when thinking of your company and help create favorable associations when people hear or think of your name. The Story behind the Brand Name Your brand narrative can effectively connect with customers and showcase why your company stands apart from competitors. It helps them understand why you make an excellent business partner or should choose you over competing businesses. By finding the best domain name, your brand story can effectively connect with customers and showcase why your company stands apart from competitors. Storytelling should be relevant to your business and its target audience, creating an emotional bond with them and increasing brand recognition through word of mouth.  A memorable narrative will ensure maximum word-of-mouth spread for maximum brand reach and exposure. Your story should motivate and inspire customers to feel good about you and what your business stands for. How Technology can Assist Technology There are several tools and resources that can assist in selecting a brand name for your business, from name generators online to hiring professional brand name consultants. Online brand name generators can provide an easy way to start, creating hundreds of potential names within seconds.  Professional branding consultants also possess years of expertise in brand naming services and can assist in selecting an ideal name for your company or venture. The Brand Name Community There are various online communities dedicated to brand naming where you can connect with fellow brand names to support brand name ideas. Such communities can be invaluable when gathering feedback on potential names for products or businesses. Community resources offer invaluable advice and insights into brand naming trends. Staying up-to-date with what’s currently going on can also provide helpful assistance when planning brand names for businesses or products.  The Future of Brand Naming Technology is changing how we think of brand naming; artificial intelligence can generate unique brand name ideas. Artificial Intelligence can assist with creating creative and innovative brand name ideas while saving time and money. Conclusion Your brand name is essential in differentiating you from the competition and engaging with target customers. Following the advice in this article, you can select an ideal name for your general entertainment and media business. Here are a few additional guidelines for selecting an excellent brand name for your general entertainment and media business: Choose a name that stands out from the competition; something unique and memorable should make an impactful first impression with customers and prospects. Furthermore, make sure the name relates well with your target market so people understand who and what your business stands for. Choose a positive and aspirational name – people should feel inspired when hearing what your business stands for! An easy name to pronounce and spell will ensure people remember your brand name easily. Mark Smith is passionate about storytelling and word crafting. Mark brings a special blend of creativity and strategic thought to his role. Devoted to exploring branding-storytelling relationships online for businesses of all kinds, his innovative ideas and ability to bring brands alive make Mark an invaluable addition to brands globally.

TRAPPED WITHIN THIS FRAME

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By Suzanne Treichler I spend my days sitting in my chair trapped within this frame.I have deep thoughts and feelings, but they don’t come out.I can’t seem to find the words to express them – so I hold them in and they fleet away. I know the activity that goes on around me – yet I’m not a part of it.I just sit here trapped within this frame.My loved ones try to help me be a part of the activities, yet they become frustrated and don’t know what to do to best help me – and I don’t know what to tell them.  Many times I sit among them and listen to them tell each other what I’m like. It wasn’t always like this – my frame that is…..it was a wonderful frame that housed me and served me. I remember the many years of hard work at several different vocations and the many places that this ole body took me – the joy of being someone so well loved and respected wherever I went.  Sometimes I think about and long for those days again. I wonder sometimes why this ole frame had to fail me in these recent years – why I have to suffer in this way.  Then I remember some words that are hidden in my heart.  Words that are from my Heavenly Father….they come back to me and reassure me. “Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am, there you may be also.” And then I have comfort – oh, I still wish this ole frame worked a little better than it does – but I’m not trapped within this frame – I’m just resting in it until I enter my mansion – put on my new frame and truly live in freedom.   Rest peacefully Dad Treichler,                                                    I love you Suzanne About the Author: Suzanne Treichler is a deeply spiritual person with many Godly talents. She is very much inspired by being with God.  This poem was an inspiration from God.

Of Two Veterans and the Value of a Legal Education

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By Colleen Murphy in Honor of Veteran’s Day, November 10, 2020 “You should go to law school. With a legal education, you can go on and do whatever you want.” These words were frequently said to friends and even strangers by my late father, James W. Murphy, a veteran and a law professor. As an Army infantry officer in WWII, my father led a rifle platoon along the French/German border. After the cessation of hostilities, he was assigned for two more years in Europe to serve as a war crimes liaison officer, investigator, and prosecutor (likely because he had earned an undergraduate law degree before the war.) He was involved in the many U.S. trials of war criminals at the Dachau concentration camp. Upon return to the United States, he eventually became a law professor and rose to the rank of Colonel in the Army Reserves. My father often said to me, “Everything I am, I owe to the Army.” He was also the biggest believer in the value of a legal education that I have ever met. For my father, it wasn’t enough that I was a young lawyer and my brother was in law school. He wanted my mother to go to law school too. My mother, who really wished she could have gone to seminary, replied, “No, I’m not going to law school. Someone has to pray for all the lawyers in this family.” Many years later, it was time for my father to go home from the hospital to die. An ambulance was arranged to transport him. My mother sat beside the driver, thinking about the sadness that was ahead. But then she heard a sprightly voice from the back saying to the medical attendant, “You should go to law school. With a legal education, you can go on and do whatever you want.” After my father died, my mother met and then married another veteran, Steve Golnik. My stepfather completed 30 years of active duty in the Army. He would often say to my mother, “Jim would have liked me,” and my mother, in a running joke, would reply, “Yes he would, but only if you went to law school.” On October 16, 2020, my stepfather, having been very impressed with how a journalist had questioned a presidential candidate the night before, sent me her Wikipedia entry that mentioned that she had earned a law degree. My stepfather texted me that the journalist “is a classic example of what your Dad always said about everyone going to law school. It makes her a better interviewer.” Those were his last words to me; he died unexpectedly that night. These two veterans, I am certain, would applaud you for pursuing a legal education—especially in these very hard times. As another veteran, the author C.S. Lewis, said during a time of war, “The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while the conditions are still unfavorable.” I admire you for continuing your law school education when the conditions are less than favorable, and I wish you all the best as you finish your degree and then go on and do whatever you want. About the Author: Colleen Murphy is a Professor of Law at Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol, Rhode Island.

Stack of various Chinese tea jars with character inscriptions for chinese culture quiz

Chinese Cultural quiz

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Here’s a fun and short quiz to gauge your aptitude in Chinese Culture! See how well you score. Don’t worry if you don’t get 100% correct. We offer Chinese Culture courses online to sharpen your cultural knowledge.

Applying for the CSC Chinese Government Scholarship

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By Keri Schnabel   Have an interest in learning Chinese? The best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself as much as possible. Imagine an opportunity to study at almost any university in China, on a full scholarship, with housing provided and a stipend to cover most other living expenses! It’s all possible with the CSC Chinese Government Scholarship. When I first heard about this opportunity, I thought it was too good to be true. After going through the application process, I was able to study Chinese at Yunnan University in beautiful Kunming for a year. It was an amazing opportunity. Though I had to return to the USA early due to COVID-19, I had an incredible time learning Chinese while also immersed in the culture. I encourage anyone interested in living abroad and studying Chinese to consider this opportunity. The process for each University varies slightly, so research which universities you would like to apply to first. I applied through the Chinese embassy in the USA, so I used the CSC scholarship website to apply, and I had to list my top 3 choices. I was accepted at my first choice which was Yunnan University in Kunming. Determine what program you want to go for and what requirements are needed.  You can apply for the following programs:  -PhD -Master’s  -Bachelor’s -Studying Mandarin for one year (General Scholar) I will be focusing on the process for studying Chinese for one year, however the other programs ARE available if that is something you are interested in!  I knew going in that I only wanted to study Mandarin. I received my bachelor’s degree already, and though I considered applying to receive my master’s, I actually found out about the scholarship a little late in the process to decide on a course of study. I decided to take the year studying Mandarin, as becoming more fluent in the language is one of my principal goals.  Gather documents Gathering documents to move abroad always feels like a daunting task. It really isn’t too bad for this scholarship. You will have to get a few documents notarized and do a health examination as part of the application. Take a look at this step-by-step guide here that lists documents you will be required to submit. For me, the health examination was the most difficult part of the application. You will have to find a doctor to fill out this form It can sometimes be hard to find a doctor who will do this specific exam. After trying some Urgent Care locations, I ended up going to my primary care doctor. I recommend starting there first, if you have a PCP. The health exam itself is not too bad, however be aware that if you do receive the scholarship, you will have to do this exam again when you arrive. Determine your top 3 choices for Universities Think about where you really want to be. Beijing is probably the best city to study Mandarin, as Beijing Mandarin is what is generally taught when studying Chinese. I really wanted to be in a smaller city with good weather, so I chose Kunming as my first choice. Location is definitely an important point to consider, so take your time to do as much research as possible before choosing your top 3 schools.  Wait… This is DEFINITELY the absolute hardest part of the whole process. I submitted my application in March 2019, and then had a few months of waiting…I’m not going to lie, it’s a little hard because you have to plan as if you are moving to a new country, even though you aren’t 100% sure if you will receive the scholarship. I’m someone who always feels most comfortable when I have a backup plan, so I recommend this for anyone who feels a bit stressed out by the uncertainty. I believe the odds are relatively high when applying as a General Scholar to study Chinese, though the program can be a lot more competitive if you are applying to study for your master’s or PhD. Toward the end of July/ beginning of August, expect results! I found out that I received the scholarship mid-July, though I didn’t get any information from my University until the very beginning of August, in which I was told I had to be there for registration around August 25th. Don’t wait to make all of your preparations until you find out, start early if you can! There’s a good possibility you won’t get too much advanced notice about your departure date. Fly to China! Congratulations! If you received the scholarship, get ready for the journey of a lifetime. Be prepared for lots of studying, hard work, and adventure ahead.  Helpful Links: Check out this forum to chat with and hear from other people currently applying for the CSC scholarship- I found this really helpful at the beginning to get some tips on the process, as well as afterwards as I was waiting for the results CUCAS has lots of information about schools and was really helpful when I was doing research on which schools to choose as my top 3 choices.

Chinese New Years Foods Slideshow

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Chinese New Year is the most important of all the holidays to the Chinese people. It is also known as the Spring Festival or 春节 (春節). In Mainland China, it is celebrated for 15 days. All government agencies and schools are closed for this holiday. The following slide show illustrates the most popular and traditional food that Chinese people eat during this festival. There is a reason for each food to be eaten on the Chinese New Year. Read on to find out why. On the 15th day of the first month of the Lunar year, it is also known as the Lantern Festival 元宵节 (元宵節), which marks the last day of the New Year celebration. There are many festivals in Chinese culture. Each is celebrated with different food. Previous Next This slideshow is original content and protected by copyright (© 2020 CSEBRI)

Chinese Calligraphy

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The following slide show will give you some background of Chinese calligraphy. You don’t have to have any Chinese background to learn Chinese calligraphy. If you are interested in taking Chinese calligraphy, we are offering a 8-week course this fall. Click here to register. We will begin with the basics. We will begin writing with a pen or pencil first. Then we will proceed to using the “magic cloth”. After plenty of practice, we will use the brush. We do it step- by- step and methodically.

Understanding Mindful Yoga (Full Version)

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By Kelly Ravenscroft, LICSW, RYT What is meditation and yoga Meditation and yoga are both mind-body practices that can help you to relax and gain a deeper sense of wellbeing. Meditation tends to help the mind relax, while yoga tends to help the body relax. Meditation is usually a sitting practice, but it can also involve movement such as slow deliberate walking. On the other hand, yoga primarily involves movement but can also incorporate meditation, usually towards the end of the practice. Since yoga can include meditation and meditation can include movement, it seems only natural that the two practices would eventually find each other and merge together. What is mindfulness  Mindfulness is a type of meditation that helps the mind to focus and become more aware of the present moment. Specifically, mindfulness is concerned with cultivating a nonjudgmental compassionate awareness with an emphasis on body sensations, emotions, and thoughts. Mindfulness is learning how to be present with whatever is happening in the moment without trying to avoid unpleasantness like fear, anger, sadness or trying to cling to pleasant sensations like happiness, joy, and excitement. Many people find that they mostly live in their heads and pay very little attention to what is happening in their bodies. Mindfulness teaches a person how to become attuned to the body and pay attention to what is happening in the present moment instead of becoming distracted and absorbed by thoughts.  Understanding mindful yoga Typically, mindful yoga is a slower practice with an emphasis on noticing body sensations, habitual thinking patterns, and emotions. It is not about striving for perfection or trying to make your body look a certain way in a pose. There is more emphasis on accepting the body rather than getting frustrated that you cannot do the full expression of a posture. Its more about noticing how a pose feels rather than focusing on how it looks.  The difference between yoga breathing and mindful breathing Yoga breathing techniques are breath control practices that involve a person breathing in a particular way e.g.: trying to breath deeper, quicker, slower, or in a particular rhythm.  In Mindfulness you never control the breath, instead you simply observe its natural rhythms. Typically, an instructor might give a cue to notice qualities of the breath like, is the breath short or long, choppy or smooth. There may also be a prompt to notice breath sensations such as air passing in and out of the nostrils, or the rising and falling sensations of the breath in the torso. Learning to switch from breath control practices to observing the natural rhythms of the breath can be challenging and require patience. What happens in a mindful yoga class? The postures in Mindful Yoga are usually simple because there is an emphasis on noticing what you feel. There is also an emphasis of slowing down since it can be harder to notice sensations when you are moving at a faster pace.  A teacher might ask you to notice if you are experiencing the posture as pleasant or unpleasant, or if the posture is generating warmth or coolness. If you are in a difficult posture like chair pose, the instructor might guide you to notice what is happening with your breath. Typically, if you are in a challenging posture you might notice that the breath will become constricted, shallow, rapid or you might stop breathing all together. If you are in a pose that is less challenging you might observe the breath to be smoother, longer, or more relaxed.  In addition to sensations, there is an emphasis on recognizing habitual thinking patterns such as striving and comparing. For instance, if you are always striving in your personal life, then you might notice that striving is also showing up in your yoga practice, e.g.: are you trying to force yourself to go beyond your bodies limits rather than accepting how your body is in the moment, or are you comparing yourself to others. As you practice mindfulness you begin to recognize these habitual thought patterns and when they are noticed you can simply recognize them as thoughts and redirect your attention back to the present moment. Conclusion Mindfulness and yoga have a lot in common. They naturally complement one another, as one helps the mind to relax and the other helps the body to relax. Combining the two practices into one can really enhance and deepen their benefits. Mindful Yoga teaches you to slow down and be more present, aware, and compassionate in your life. If you are new to yoga or want to deepen your yoga or meditation practice, then mindful yoga is definitely worth exploring. About the author: Kelly is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. She teaches meditation at Cultural Society. You can find her meditation course offering here and her full bio here. At Cultural Society, we offer yoga classes by themes. We address a special aspect of your health each month.  The Small Group Yoga offers continuous coaching based on the needs of the small group of participants. It is also available for the public to join. Check it out here.

What Can You Do with Chinese Language Skills?

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By CSEBRI Staff Have you ever wondered what you can do with the Chinese language?  When CSEB first was founded  in 2011, we had the goal of helping young children begin the journey of bilingualism by exposing them to the Chinese language.  Our method was to introduce them simple and most frequently used vocabulary words. We introduced a song to go with a lesson and exposed the child to the Chinese characters as well.  Students took lesson with us usually once a week.  As more children enrolled in our program, our method evolved from introducing simple vocabulary word to immersive style depending on the background of the child, their dominant learning style , adaptability and the age of the child…etc.   After receiving several requests from adult learners, we opened our door to adult learners in 2015.  Since then, we’ve had quite a few adult learners in our Chinese program.  Some of them are working professionals who already have a career but want to learn Chinese for personal enrichment.  Some of them took Chinese because they want advancement in their career and having Chinese language skill will give them the additional credential.  Others want to learn Chinese because their companies are already working with China and having the Chinese language skill will let the company entrust them with more responsibilities, thus, an advancement inadvertently.  Many times, there are no clear path in terms of career advancement for someone with additional Chinese language skill but the benefits are noticeable to be mentioned.  Companies are hesitate to name Chinese language as one of the skills they are looking for because Chinese and English languages are starkly different and obtaining a proficient level in Chinese may take years; plus it is much easier to hire an interpretor or a translator outside of the company to take on the job that requires Chinese language skill.  On this page, we obtained the permission of one of our adult learners at CSEB to let you peek into the life such a journey.  I want to thank, Keri in advance for her geniousity of heart in sharing her experience with us.  In her sharing, you will hear: 1) how she started getting interested in learning Chinese, 2) what she did  after she discovered her interest in the Chinese culture and language 3) What did she do to nurture that interest. 4) How did her interest come to fruition and what she is continually doing and currently doing with her Chinese.    You are also welcome to ask her a question, which I will feature in the next newsletter and/or on our website.    Lastly but not least, we have provided you a forum to ask your questions about what you would like to do with Chinese. What are your dreams and aspirations that having the skill of Chinese can help you to obtain or reach? I hope you will enjoy reading Keri’s sharing and experience and would like to hear from you.  Keri’s Sharing on her journey to learning Chinese: I am so incredibly grateful for Jeannie and the Cultural Society. Jeannie is an amazing Chinese teacher, I am so glad that I found her. From class number one, she made sure she knew my goals and what I wanted/ needed the most help in. She developed a customized plan for me and made sure to find materials that best suited my goals. Within months, my skills improved immensely. I was able to read and write hundreds of new characters, learning many new words every single week. Jeannie also made sure to include some cultural lessons as well that supplemented class material. My background: I fell in love with the Chinese language and culture after a month long trip to Beijing in 2015.  After graduating college in Chicago, I taught English in Shanghai for one year. This was an absolutely incredible experience, but unfortunately I had to return home to Rhode Island for a family emergency. Since the day I returned to the US, I knew I wanted to move back again, but with a bit more of a grasp on the language. I began searching for a Chinese teacher, and contacted Jeannie. Jeannie responded almost right away, and I began taking classes with her not even a week after our initial phone call. Picking up the phone to call Jeannie and schedule classes with her at CSEB completely changed my life. I am writing this from Kunming, a beautiful city in Yunnan Province in China. Not only did I learn a lot from studying with Jeannie, but she told me about an incredible opportunity to study in China on a scholarship program. I currently attend Yunnan University, taking classes on the Chinese language every day. With this scholarship my tuition and room are covered, and I get a stipend every month to use for my other living expenses. When I told Jeannie about my story, and that I was hoping to return to China again, she told me in great detail about this program. She advised me through the application, and gave me some information from the Bangor Chinese School in Maine who also worked with me on the application.  I am even considering applying for this program again next year, potentially to get my Master’s Degree.  Though I have not had a chance to take a wellness class with Jeannie, believe me, she can make miracles happen! When I return, one of the first things I will do is take a yoga class with her. For Chinese or for wellness, I know that Jeannie is a wonderful teacher who will make your goals come to life. She made my dream come true of living in China again to study the language. She also was incredibly helpful in improving my language skills and confidence in speaking very rapidly, and it made the move here all that much easier.  ~ Keri If you are interested in submitting a question for Keri about her experience in China. (Please use the form below and write your …

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COVID-19 Lockdown Guide: How to Manage Anxiety and Isolation During Quarantine

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By Aarti Gupta, PsyD Since the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic, many of us, even those who have not been infected by the virus, will choose to quarantine in our homes for the upcoming weeks. Capsized travel plans, indefinite isolation, panic over scarce re-sources and information overload could be a recipe for unchecked anxiety and feelings of isolation. Here are a few pointers that could help you survive spiraling negative thoughts about this uncertain time. 1.) Reframe “I am stuck inside” to “I can finally focus on my home and myself” As dismal as the world may feel right now, think of the mandated work-from-home policy as an opportunity to refocus your attention from the external to the internal. Doing one productive thing per day can lead to a more positive attitude. Set your sights on long-avoided tasks, reorganize, or create something you’ve always wanted to. Approaching this time with a mindset of feeling trapped or stuck will only stress you out more. This is your chance to slow down and focus on yourself. 2.) Stay close to your normal routine Try and maintain some semblance of structure from the pre-quarantine days. For those individuals with children, sticking to a routine might be easier; however as you work from home, it could be tempting to fall into a more lethargic lifestyle, which could lead to negative thinking. Wake up and go to bed around the same time, eat meals, shower, adapt your exercise regimen, and get out of your PJ’s. Do laundry on Sundays as usual. Not only will sticking to your normal routine keep you active and less likely to spiral, it will be easier to readjust to the outside world when it’s time to get back to work. 3.) Avoid obsessing over endless Coronavirus coverage Freeing up your day from work or social obligations gives you plenty of time to obsess, and if you have a tendency to consult Google for every itch and sneeze, you may be over-researching the pandemic as well. Choosing only certain credible websites (who.int or cdc.gov is a good start) for a limited amount of time each day (perhaps two chunks of 30 minutes each) will be in your best interest during this time. 4.) A chaotic home can lead to a chaotic mind With all the uncertainly happening outside your home, keep the inside organized, predictable and clean. Setting up mental zones for daily activities can be helpful to organize your day. For example, try not to eat in bed or work on the sofa- just as before, eat at the kitchen table and work at your desk. Loosening these boundaries just muddles your routine and can make the day feel very long. Additionally, a cluttered home can cause you to become uneasy and claustrophobic of your environment- so keep it tidy. 5.) Start a new quarantine ritual With this newfound time, why not do something special during these quarantined days? For ex-ample, perhaps you can start a daily journal to jot down thoughts and feelings to reflect on later. Or take a walk every day at 4 pm, connect with your sister over FaceTime every morning, or start a watercolor painting which you can add to everyday. Having something special during this time will help you look forward to each new day. 6.) Use telehealth as an option to talk to a professional if your anxiety becomes unmanageable Many licensed psychologists are offering telehealth options over HIPAA-compliant video chat platforms. Remember to reach out for help if your anxiety is reaching proportions that is unmanageable without professional help. Letting go of illusions of control and finding peace in the fact that you are doing your part to “flatten the curve” will certainly build mental strength to combat the stressful situation the whole globe is experiencing.