One of the things I like about giving presentations to companies is meeting a new group of people and exchanging ideas with them. After a recent talk, several attendees and I had a great discussion about the power of branding.

Later while changing my clothes, I was reminded how Levi Strauss & Company is one of the best in the business at branding. Just before I stuck my legs in the jeans I noticed a printed message on the outside of the inside flap of the pocket. From this short note, I've pulled three lessons that can maximize your brand.

Be Different: Often when you buy clothes the only message you get is a piece of paper telling you that it's been approved by Inspector #5 or worse, a sticker that ends up sticking to you! Some companies do have attached messages about their products. But they're gone once you remove them.

Levi's uses a non-traditional yet permanent location for its statement of principles. You can see it every time you put on and take off the jeans.

State Your Values: In a few short lines, Levi's states that you've bought an authentic pair of their jeans, their jeans have been around for more than 150 years, and that they are an American tradition that is popular worldwide.

There probably aren't a whole lot of differences between a pair of Levi's and all the other jeans on the market. But you wouldn't know that from how the company promotes itself. To them, you don't ask, "Are those a new pair of jeans?" but rather, "Are those a new pair of Levi's?"

A Call to Action: The message on the pocket also thanks the consumer for carefully examining the quality of the sewing and craftsmanship of the jeans. Instead of saying the jeans were inspected by #5, they're so confident in the workmanship, they're almost daring you to find an imperfection. Most people aren't going to carefully scan the stitches but you love the idea that it's a big deal to Levi Strauss & Company.

Keep your eye out for other good examples of branding. How a product makes you feel will likely determine whether you'll buy it.

Levi's Men's 514 Slim Straight Jean
Levi's Boys 2-7 Styled Jean
Levi's Men's 2 Pack Trunk
Levi's Girls 7-16 Cable Knit Legwarmer
Levis Men's Hooded Jacket
Levi's Girls 7-16 Coco Legwarmer
Levi's Boys 2-7 Short Sleeve Tee Shirt
Levi's Men's 505 Regular Fit Jean
Levis Men's Faux Shearling Trucker Jacket
Levi's Men's 501 Jean
Levi's Men's 2 Pack Knit Trunk
Levi's Men's 2 Pack Knit Boxer Brief
Levi's Men's 501 Shrink To Fit Jean
Levi's Boys 8-20 25Mm Leather Logo Buckle Belt
Levi's Boys 2-7 Hooded Layer Top
Levi's Men's 550 Relaxed Fit Jean
LEVIS 510 Super Skinny Boys Jeans
Levis Men's Faux Leather Trucker Jacket
Levi's Men's 557 Relaxed Boot Cut Jean
Levi's Men's 559 Relaxed Straight Jean
Levi's Women's Motorcycle Jacket
LEVI'S 511 Skinny Boys Extra Slim Jeans
LEVIS 510 Super Skinny Boys Jeans
LEVIS 510 Super Skinny Boys Jeans
Levi's Boys 8-20 25Mm Reversible Black To Brown Bridle Belt

Men's skinny jeans are crawling back to our modern fashion each day and more. These jeans were originally worn by famous rock stars back in the eighties but today everyone seems to be wearing them. Large jeans manufacturers such as Levi's, Gap and Banana Republic, which have their special line of men's skinny jeans have announced that these jeans are going to become the most sold jeans pretty soon. It might feel a little weird for you to wear these jeans because you thought that only punk rockers, emo people and skaters should wear them, but you shouldn't think that way. Many celebrities including Kanye West, Justin Timberlake and many others are already wearing these tight jeans because they match their style. So why shouldn't you wear these jeans?

These skinny jeans are not too tight. If you look carefully, you will notice that tight jeans specially made for men are much loosen on the crotch and the thigh areas so that you can have your freedom. But however, the rest of the jeans are skin fit so you will still end up wearing skinny jeans. Their price is not that high too, for instance, Levi's offers many models for low prices starting at $30. You can find a very trendy pair of jeans for a price under $100. If you are a plus size, there is still a number for your skinny jeans, however if you cannot find a pair that perfectly fits your size, then wearing a smaller size is never advisable. If you want to look fashionable, always choose your own size.

Tight jeans for men can be combined with almost anything. However since you are planning to get the attention to your legs, it is always best to wear a simple top with simple shoes. If you carefully follow these rules, you will be a part of the trendy ones.

In order to attract the man of your dreams, it helps to dress in a way
that honors your beautiful body. When I use the word "honor," I don't
mean you should dress like a nun or hide yourself in an ankle-length
skirt and a turtleneck.

But you should wear only clothes that make the best of your unique
shape. Too many fleshy women (and there are lots of men who prefer robust
females over skimpier lasses) are currently wandering the planet in
low-rise jeans and tank tops, which results in a phenomenon known as
"muffin top." In other words, they're walking around with a wedge of flab
over their waistbands. Not a good look.

Before you hop on whatever trend they're pushing in InStyle magazine,
ask yourself if the look works for you and your beautiful body. I once
read an interview with the actress Sela Ward, in which she said she
chooses clothes to show off her amazing flat stomach but avoids items that expose her flabby thighs. You see, nobody's perfect!

The key is to emphasize what you do have and to detract from what you
don't. Buy only the clothes that you know you'll put on over and over
again because they make you feel fantastic. Think twice about any garment
heralded by women's magazines as "must-have" items. The only
"must-haves" in life are oxygen and self-esteem.

Which brings me to my next subject: When you go out to a club, a bar or
a party, you will notice that 3/4 of the other women are half naked.
Yes, some of them look quite good half naked (while the other half look
quite scary), but dressing provocatively often attracts the very guys a
woman would do better to avoid.

Put it this way: If you don't leave anything to the imagination, you
usually attract a guy with no imagination.

At the end of the day, you don't want to attract a guy because he
thinks you're hot. You want to attract a guy who likes you for you. Dress
sexily but subtly. You don't want your clothes to scream, "I gotta find
me a man tonight!"

Dress comfortably. If you feel comfortable, you'll look comfortable,
and that's sexy. Here's an example: Once upon a time I went to the beach
with some friends who actually have melanin in their skin. They took to
their blankets in their cute bikinis, while I (so pale I make Snow
White look like Grace Jones) sat beside them wearing Levis, a long-sleeved
shirt, and sunglasses.

Out of nowhere, a gorgeous, well-toned man appeared (the type of guy
you see in suntan lotion commercials) and asked me, the freak on the
beach, what I was reading.

"Wuthering Heights," I said.

"Really?" he asked. "I just finished Jane Eyre."

And so began a little romance.

Still bewildered, I told my male friend B. this story years later. I
didn't understand why this Adonis chose Glow-in-the-Dark Terry over the
dark lovelies in bikinis.

"I understand completely," B. responded. "The beach was crawling with
girls in bikinis, and you presented something else. A little mystery."

"In a pair of Levis?"

"Yeah," he said. "The guy probably thought, this girl is different. I
want to talk to her."

Does this mean you should throw away your bikini? Heck, no, especially
if you look good in it. But the point is, be true to yourself. Dress to
make the very best of your unique and beautiful body.

You'll attract men who are looking for someone special for a change.

In order to attract the man of your dreams, it helps to dress in a way
that honors your beautiful body. When I use the word "honor," I don't
mean you should dress like a nun or hide yourself in an ankle-length
skirt and a turtleneck.

But you should wear only clothes that make the best of your unique
shape. Too many fleshy women (and there are lots of men who prefer robust
females over skimpier lasses) are currently wandering the planet in
low-rise jeans and tank tops, which results in a phenomenon known as
"muffin top." In other words, they're walking around with a wedge of flab
over their waistbands. Not a good look.

Before you hop on whatever trend they're pushing in InStyle magazine,
ask yourself if the look works for you and your beautiful body. I once
read an interview with the actress Sela Ward, in which she said she
chooses clothes to show off her amazing flat stomach but avoids items that expose her flabby thighs. You see, nobody's perfect!

The key is to emphasize what you do have and to detract from what you
don't. Buy only the clothes that you know you'll put on over and over
again because they make you feel fantastic. Think twice about any garment
heralded by women's magazines as "must-have" items. The only
"must-haves" in life are oxygen and self-esteem.

Which brings me to my next subject: When you go out to a club, a bar or
a party, you will notice that 3/4 of the other women are half naked.
Yes, some of them look quite good half naked (while the other half look
quite scary), but dressing provocatively often attracts the very guys a
woman would do better to avoid.

Put it this way: If you don't leave anything to the imagination, you
usually attract a guy with no imagination.

At the end of the day, you don't want to attract a guy because he
thinks you're hot. You want to attract a guy who likes you for you. Dress
sexily but subtly. You don't want your clothes to scream, "I gotta find
me a man tonight!"

Dress comfortably. If you feel comfortable, you'll look comfortable,
and that's sexy. Here's an example: Once upon a time I went to the beach
with some friends who actually have melanin in their skin. They took to
their blankets in their cute bikinis, while I (so pale I make Snow
White look like Grace Jones) sat beside them wearing Levis, a long-sleeved
shirt, and sunglasses.

Out of nowhere, a gorgeous, well-toned man appeared (the type of guy
you see in suntan lotion commercials) and asked me, the freak on the
beach, what I was reading.

"Wuthering Heights," I said.

"Really?" he asked. "I just finished Jane Eyre."

And so began a little romance.

Still bewildered, I told my male friend B. this story years later. I
didn't understand why this Adonis chose Glow-in-the-Dark Terry over the
dark lovelies in bikinis.

"I understand completely," B. responded. "The beach was crawling with
girls in bikinis, and you presented something else. A little mystery."

"In a pair of Levis?"

"Yeah," he said. "The guy probably thought, this girl is different. I
want to talk to her."

Does this mean you should throw away your bikini? Heck, no, especially
if you look good in it. But the point is, be true to yourself. Dress to
make the very best of your unique and beautiful body.

You'll attract men who are looking for someone special for a change.

Men's skinny jeans are crawling back to our modern fashion each day and more. These jeans were originally worn by famous rock stars back in the eighties but today everyone seems to be wearing them. Large jeans manufacturers such as Levi's, Gap and Banana Republic, which have their special line of men's skinny jeans have announced that these jeans are going to become the most sold jeans pretty soon. It might feel a little weird for you to wear these jeans because you thought that only punk rockers, emo people and skaters should wear them, but you shouldn't think that way. Many celebrities including Kanye West, Justin Timberlake and many others are already wearing these tight jeans because they match their style. So why shouldn't you wear these jeans?

These skinny jeans are not too tight. If you look carefully, you will notice that tight jeans specially made for men are much loosen on the crotch and the thigh areas so that you can have your freedom. But however, the rest of the jeans are skin fit so you will still end up wearing skinny jeans. Their price is not that high too, for instance, Levi's offers many models for low prices starting at $30. You can find a very trendy pair of jeans for a price under $100. If you are a plus size, there is still a number for your skinny jeans, however if you cannot find a pair that perfectly fits your size, then wearing a smaller size is never advisable. If you want to look fashionable, always choose your own size.

Tight jeans for men can be combined with almost anything. However since you are planning to get the attention to your legs, it is always best to wear a simple top with simple shoes. If you carefully follow these rules, you will be a part of the trendy ones.

A new documentary sheds light on the life of Billy Strayhorn, a jazz composer, arranger and pianist. The documentary, Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life, chronicles his experiences and the groundbreaking musical compositions he created. The ninety-minute film weaves together a rich tapestry of interviews, archival footage and musical performances, showing his triumphs and disappointments as a gay African-American composer.

The main focus of the film is Billy Strayhorn’s partnership with Duke Ellington, a famous jazz composer and musician. Through interviews with Strayhorn’s friends and colleagues, filmmaker Robert Levi reveals that Strayhorn wrote many popular songs for Ellington but received very little credit.

“With Strayhorn as catalyst, Ellington ushered in what is arguably the greatest period of his career,” says Actor Keith David while narrating one segment of the film. “[The song] Take The ‘A’ Train has always been [Ellington’s] greatest revenue producer, but Billy Strayhorn, its author…received none of the song’s royalties.”

In the film, on-camera interviews are combined with archival footage to show that Strayhorn was gay but was forced to be discreet about his sexual orientation due to public intolerance of homosexuality. The film shows him attending private parties where he socialized with other gay men. It also points out that he participated in the civil rights movement and met with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ultimately, Robert Levi’s documentary portrays Strayhorn as a brilliant composer who was never able to obtain true stardom. That unfulfilled quest to be in the spotlight appears to have affected him deeply. In an interview with EDGE New England, a gay news publication, vocalist Dianne Reeves said, “…the majority of Strayhorn’s songs have a kind of sadness. They’re about not being able to find the love you desire.”

Strayhorn’s sadness is vividly detailed in his heart-wrenching song, My Flame Burns Blue, which is performed in Levi’s film by singer Elvis Costello. According to PBS.org, Strayhorn wrote the song while dying of cancer.

In Levi’s film, Dianne Reeves expresses regret that Strayhorn’s life ended at the age of 51. “Had he lived, he would still be writing all of this wonderful music,” she says. “…he would’ve seen a new world because I think that there would be a great community of people that would’ve embraced him.”

Written by Glenn Bossik Exclusively for OutOnTheNet.com

© 2007 OutOnTheNet.com

Interview is the resulting step of your life which can evaluate your merit. There are many resume tips for writing professional resume and even tips are available to prepare your interview questions and answers. But, the most important part of the interview is "first impression"

There are three main things which help you to improve your first impression. Those are: eligibility, presentation, etiquettes. If you fulfill these three criteria, you can persuade your interviewer to appoint you for the post.

Eligibility:

Take care that you fulfill the eligibility criterion of the post you are applying for.

Educational qualification, vocational courses, required merits and experience and such factors are necessary to validate your candidature. Such perfect profile builds a good first impression. Preparing best answers for possible questions related to your employment history, career gap, achievements, subject related knowledge, up dated general knowledge to show your competency for the post.

Presentation:

Language, dress and demonstration are main presentational issues.

Respectful, straight forward and precise conversation impresses your interviewer. Unnecessary usage of heavy phrases or too brief answers hurt your communicational reflection.

Comfortable, neat and clean and formal dress reflects your sensibility towards the career.

Good texture, sober color and well covered dress add positive points to your first impression.

Accessories like wrist watch, proper shoes and matching briefcase helps you to develop a good appearance.

Body Language speaks louder than words. Gestures, postures, facial expressions, eye contact etc. helps the interviewer judge your personality. Your body language is judged by the way you enter, sitting posture, eye contact while answering the questions, way of shaking hands and leaving the interview hall. In some reputed firms, they arrange video cameras in the entrance to judge the confidence of the candidates. Even the chair you choose to sit to on reflects your attitude. Shivering body shows lack of confidence and relaxed sitting posture with spread feet shows your arrogant nature.

Same thing is applicable to your hand shake. Eye- contact shows your confidence while answering. People staring at walls or gazing in space are considered as irrational or frightened to face the situation. Some candidates have habit of looking into wristwatch again and again which shows their restlessness.

So, be careful about your body language.

Etiquettes:

Etiquettes are behavioral rules you must follow in every social event. Interviewers mark

Your manners speak about your social status. Punctuality, permissions for entry and exit, wishing according to the situation, obligations for mistakes (wrong answers or blank replies)

Express gratitude before leaving are some etiquettes you must follow in all situations.

When you present your file of documents, open it and circulate it to all committee members. This shows your concern towards all of them and alertness.

Remember to wish the ladies in the committee first and then wish the male members. Pay attention to all committee members' questions. Try to answer all of them. While answering, make eye contact.

These are few tips to build your first impression. Remember, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression".

Ripped jeans have been worn as a fashion statement since the 1970's. During the 1970's many chose to deform their jeans in an effort to separate themselves from mainstream culture. Ironically, the mainstream eventually embraced ripped jeans. Today ripped jeans and patched jeans have become part of the fabric of American culture. Both styles are now welcome in places that range from the dorm room to the board room, the art studio to the art opening, and the vegetable garden to the garden gala.

The truth is, we just love to abuse our jeans. Since their invention, jeans have been ripped, bleached, shrunk, permanent pressed, cut off, torn, shredded, distressed, sanded, stone washed, and acid washed. On the other hand, they've been lovingly embroidered, beaded, patched, painted and sequined. We definitely have an intriguing relationship with our favorite article of clothing. Through the good times, and the bad ones, our loyal jeans still love us. And we still love them.

Which reminds us, in the 1970's, during the height of the free love movement, the US also saw an outpouring of denim love. Americans were using their jeans to visually express their hopes, political views, and religious beliefs. In 1974, Levi's held a denim art contest and received thousands of entries.

The worst part (or best part!) is that people actually wore these jeans. That's right, take a look at the bad boys and their jeans from Levi's Denim Art Contest Catalogue of Winners by Richard M. Owens, Baron Wolman, John Burks.

A job application letter is an effective tool to provide additional details of your career history, experience, skills, achievements and awards in the field related to the job for which you have applied. These letters are also known as the cover letters that make your resume more impressive than other several common resumes.

Most of the applicants are not serious about the application letters while applying for a job. They use same format for the different jobs in different companies. This ignorance to update and modify the application letter makes wrong impression on the employer. In this case, candidates need to follow some tips that are helpful while writing their letters. These tips include:

* Before sending a job application letter, you must study the company in which you are going to apply for job. This will help you to make an impression on the employer that how well you understand the company and how you can contribute to the growth of Company.

* Generally, the business letters are typed, but some employers want the cover letters to be handwritten. Some of the companies prefer theses letters in the form of e-mails. Hence, the format of your job application letter depends upon the employers' choice.

* An introductory paragraph should be effective, and it should include from which reference you are applying, how you came to know about this job and what do you think about the desired job.

* You must be careful about not mentioning your personal details in application letter. Gender and religion information should not be given unless the employer requires it. Sometimes if these details creates wrong impression on the hiring managers. Hence, you must confirm this aspect before sending the job application letter

* The closing paragraph is an opportunity to ask an employer for an interview. You can ask the hiring manager that you would like to meet in-person to discuss your experience and qualifications.

Finally, you need to proofread and review your job application letter after you have completed. Proofread is very important to remove the grammar and spelling mistakes in your letter. An effective job letter with clear and specific details will create positive impression on the hiring manager.

Poverty and environmental pollutants have a lot in common. Both contribute to adverse living conditions and ill health. The cure may be a prescription for green manufacturing jobs. There are no factories producing complete wind and solar systems in the USA. Major components for solar panels and wind turbines are assembled domestically but are manufactured oversees. In the wake of a job shortage and miles of rusting factories it seems logical for a national initiative to revive the domestic production of goods.

This requires a massive retooling project combined with powerful incentives for industry to come home to Uncle Sam. Our dear uncle seems to be on an oversees cruise at the moment. Ipods are produced in Malaysia, iPhones in China, many LCD TVs from Korea, and the list continues. The former technologies were pioneered in the USA and are manufactured overseas for domestic distribution. We've even lost our last Levi's jeans factory. Apple computer and Levi's jeans are about as apple pie as it gets! Yet, these companies cannot compete if they utilize domestic production. So, with a burgeoning industry of solar and wind energy production - why not push to have production at home?

Tax breaks and cheap loans are step number one. Current federal incentives often require mountains of bureaucratic paperwork for small and medium sized businesses to obtain loans. This is an important area that needs to be streamlined.

Tax breaks are not enough. The government needs to work with industry to immediately build enterprise zones filled with factories to produce solar panels and wind turbine components. This, coupled with a program to put a solar panel on every sunny roof and wind farms in every state, creates the demand for these products. Current subsidies bring the cost of installing solar in the home down 50% in many areas. Nonetheless, most people will have a hard time coming up with the net cost of approximately $15,000 for a solar system. The federal government and state governments need to bring this price into the $5,000 range to make solar a realistic investment for home owners.

This is an investment and not an entitlement. Rebuilding the domestic manufacturing base creates wealth. If we plant a seed and grow corn we have created wealth. The government can incentivize industry to plant those seeds in domestic energy production to create wealth in our society. US steel and carbon fiber combined with American ingenuity can be tapped to create a wealth of green products needed to revive this economy, fight poverty, and provide for a healthier and self-sufficient society. The return on investment includes a reduction in healthcare costs associated with poverty and environmental pollutants. Another advantage to encouraging local solar energy production is solar's independence from our aging national grid of power lines.

The power grid issue prevents wind farms from reaching their full potential. Many wind farms are hampered in their ability to transmit power because they will overload the power grid if they activate 100% of their wind turbines. Additionally, the fragility of the grid weakens our national defense by putting local, state, and federal agencies at risk and destabilizes the ability of our communities to function after disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fires, and tornadoes. The power grid needs shovels in the ground now. It seems that the government has an opportunity for job creation that will yield quick dividends.

Domestic manufacturing seems impossible in the face of cheap oversees wages in many factories without restraint from human rights protections and environmental & safety standards. Conversely, some countries provide healthcare coverage for workers unlike US industry which is bootstrapped to health insurance costs. It is reasonable to only allow imports from factories meeting the same standards as the demands placed on their US competitors.

The concept of federally mandating insurance coverage to employers is a well-intentioned yet unfunded mandate that has the potential to hurt the US production of goods. The disconnect with this approach is that jobs are tied to healthcare coverage. Healthcare costs often contribute to an industry moving oversees thereby reducing domestic jobs. Why do we want to burden the manufacturing base with healthcare costs if this may push jobs offshore? No jobs? This leads to poverty, malnutrition, and poor health.

Extending Medicare coverage to all US citizens is one fix. Industry will be freed from healthcare costs. If big government seems too scary with the fears of outrageous tax hikes associated with national healthcare coverage then perhaps the addition of competition may help bring down the costs associated with healthcare. This requires the federal government to repeal anti-trust protections from insurance companies and to provide a public option with competitive pricing. Looking to Congress for a streamlined and efficient healthcare package? On this one, the lobbyists have scored the first touchdown. Right, left, center, whatever the political solution may be... until we, as a nation, pull together and provide some kind of comprehensive healthcare coverage to all US citizens without forcing the burden onto the manufacturing base - we will not see the type of job creation needed to move this economy forward.

Green manufacturing is a great way to test our economic fortitude. The US must combine the knowledge base of US industry and universities with efficient financial structures to support the rebuilding of domestic factories for this to work. Are we to replace foreign oil with foreign wind turbines and solar panels? A sound domestic energy policy is one wherein the US can provide for its own power. Job creation, a cleaner environment, and a healthier populace are the rewards for this effort.

There are several videos you can use at home to exercise with and this will guide you in the right path and give you the inspiration you want to decrease fat and have rapid weight loss. But, what are the reasons exercises videos are an excellent choice for your home exercise program?

It Is Convenient For You?: You can do your exercises whenever it is convenient for you. When you have an exercise regime you will make it easier for your body to lose fat and you will have a higher metabolism rate. Your body will use fat as fuel and in the end you will be thinner and have a firm physique. You will be in better physical shape as you continue to exercise. Exercise videos can teach you how to do the best exercises to get rid of extra fat and develop a trim muscular body while you have the opportunity to work out at home in your spare time.

Low Cost: You don't have to join a high priced athletic club or buy fancy machines to work out on.You can enjoy yourself with lively videos starring popular exercise trainers, and famous celebrities that will inspire you and give you the necessary instruction to set up a successful exercise regime at home. Do you have enough money to hire Denise Austin for your personal trainer? Well, if you have her video to exercise with at home, Denise will be there for you anytime you need her for just a few cents a day.

Any Level: It does not matter whether you are just starting to exercise or if you have been exercising for a long time. You can change your exercise routine as your fitness level improves and you are able to do harder exercises allowing your body to stay healthy and it will help you lose weight faster than if you just diet.

More Variety: You need variety and different kinds of exercise to make your body work harder so that you can keep on losing weight. If you repeat exercises again and again, your body will need a harder workout to be able to keep burning extra fat and calories. You can work at your own pace when you use exercise videos. There are several kinds of exercise videos from Ballet to Hip Hop available depending on what you are interested in. Your body will react to some exercises in a different way than it reacts to other exercises. You have to figure out what kinds of exercises are best for you to get in shape and lose pounds quickly.

Consistent exercise is crucial to be healthy and to feel well. When you discover the right exercise videos, then you can start your exercise routine in your house right away. Your body will appreciate this and your appearance will improve as feel more wonderful than you have felt in a long time.

It is more easy to lose weight when you diet and exercise at the same time. When you exercise in your house you can enjoy yourself with exciting videos and this is a fantastic way to get in shape while you lose weight quickly.