31-Day Email Onboarding Sequence

No matter what you read, I can tell you bluntly that email lists work. They help you turn leads (“Anyone with a heartbeat”) into prospects. Used correctly, they can also help you turn prospects into first-time purchasers.

The base of an email list, however, is the automated onboarding sequence. You should have this set up before you post your sign-up form. I’ve developed an outline for a 7-email onboarding sequence, sent over 31 days after a person signs up, that will help you develop a relationship with the list member.

Relationship Building

It’s a hoary old chestnut, but “People do business with those they know, like, and trust.” The whole point of an email list is to build a relationship between each member on the list, and the business. But how do you get there?

Give Without Receiving

Many, many email lists are based on the concept of the “lead magnet.” That is: your business trades something of value – like information, or a checklist, or something else the recipient might find useful – in exchange for adding that person to your email list. And that’s where a lot of businesses stop, which is one of the reasons people quit reading their emails, and fail to develop the relationship.

The best way to build trust and likability is to keep giving. You’re not losing anything, so why not continue to provide value? Make sure at least two emails in your onboarding sequence give the recipient helpful, actionable information. Even if they don’t need that information, they will most likely recognize the value you’re giving them.

Ask Their Opinion

When we first meet someone, our brains love it when they ask about us. What do we like? How do we feel about a topic? What is our opinion of a situation? One of your onboarding emails should ask their opinion of a subject related to why they might have joined your list. You might start your question with –

  • What is your opinion of…
  • What’s your favorite…
  • What do you think about…

The best start: “We need your help.”

Show You’re Listening

Communications experts call this “active listening.” You should reflect back that you’ve heard the thoughts and opinions of the list, and that you appreciate their feedback. You don’t have to agree with or even acknowledge each individual reply. You could show poll results of the aggregate answers, or reflect back that, “Most people we’ve asked think… ” The important thing here is to ask for their input, and show that you’re listening.

7 Emails

You don’t want to beat new members over the head with emails every day. Then you’re that person they just met who won’t leave them alone!

By the same token, you don’t want to leave them wondering if they’re really on your list, or what to do next.

So here are the seven email topics I suggest for building that initial relationship with new members, along with the schedule for sending them.

Note: The schedule starts on the day they sign up – Day 01. It doesn’t matter what month and day is on the calendar when they sign up – this schedule takes care of that. If you have someone who joins your list on May 3rd, then that’s Day 01 for them. Someone who joins on October 14th has their Day 01 on that day.

1) Thank You/Unsubscribe any time – Day 01

As soon as the person confirms that they’ve subscribed (you should always use a double opt-in process), they should get an email thanking them for signing up, and pointing out the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email. You don’t want them to feel trapped. Besides, if at any point they decide receiving your emails is not for them, you want to make it easy for them to leave. Too many autoresponder lists are choked with people who don’t open the emails sent to them.

2) About Us/Services & Products – Day 02

The next day, send them an email that spells out what your company does. Short and simple is always best!

3) Mission Statement/Philosophy – Day 09

Your next email gives them a bit of background. It might be, “I started this business because… ” or “Here at ZYXCo, we believe that… ” The important message here is, “This is why we do what we do.”

4) Helpful Info/Article – Day 13

As I said near the beginning, too many businesses quit giving of themselves. Here’s another chance to give your new list member something they can use. Maybe it’s a checklist, or a graphic they can keep on their desk, or an article (one of your blog posts) that provides helpful info, and solves one small problem – I like to say that it scratches an itch – that they might have.

5) What’s Your Opinion? – Day 19

Don’t you hate it when you meet someone, and any conversation is all about them? We call them boors – and not just because they’re usually boring!

So, don’t be that person. Create a blog post that’s a poll, or asks a question. Ask people that question in this email, and point them to the post where you encourage them to leave their opinion, or their thoughts on the subject.

This accomplishes several things. First, you’re soliciting their input, and that will make them feel important! Also, when they go to the post, they will see you have several other people who are interacting with you, so they know they’re not alone on this email-centric journey. Warm and fuzzy feelings will abound.

6) Helpful Info/Article – Day 25

Here’s your second chance at providing help to the people on your list. One of my dear friends keeps this in mind with a plaque above his desk – “Be a blessing in peoples’ lives.” Stretch that helpfulness muscle!

7) Direct Sales Pitch – Day 31

I’m on a couple lists where every single email I get is a hard-core sales solicitation. “BUY THIS NOW!!!” I mean, that’s very tiring. I get it: “Buy my stuff, or get off my list.”

But you’re in business, and that’s what businesses do – they sell products and services. Every person who signed up for your list knew that going in. A very good way of looking at sales is that you’re helping each customer resolve a problem they have. You’re providing a solution. True, not every solution fits every problem, but it doesn’t hurt to offer. And your last email in the onboarding sequence is a great time to do that.

And that’s a good onboarding process that will help you develop a relationship with each person on your email list.

Understanding Infertility In The Modern Society

There are some things that the passing of time just couldn’t change. And the joy of being blessed with children is just one of these things. Generally speaking, children can be considered as God’s most special gifts to couples. However, it is sad to note that at least ten million people in the United States alone cannot enjoy this blessing. They simply do not have the capability to bear children.

It is sometimes bewildering to imagine that at least one out of every six couples of childbearing age in this country will not enjoy the joys and wonders of parenthood. With such a staggering number of couples affected by this situation, it is surprising that the issues surrounding infertility are rarely discussed. What is even more surprising is that even in this technologically advanced era, this condition is understood even less.

Infertility may come as a shock to most couples that desperately wanted to have their own flesh and blood to complete their union. And why not? With the world preoccupied with population issues, such as preventing unwanted pregnancies and controlling the ballooning population in some countries, nobody would expect that some couples simply could not bear their own children. Infertility can be defined as the inability to conceive after trying so for about a year or more. It can also be referred to as the inability to carry pregnancies up to a full term. When such problems take place, it is necessary for couples to undergo a lengthy and quite expensive series of tests called an “infertility work-up” to pinpoint the exact cause (or causes) of the problem.

However, due to the limitations in financial resources, time and motivation of some childless couples, the problem becomes a concern mainly of those who can afford such a lengthy and expensive procedure. Hence, the problem of infertility becomes an issue for the middle and upper-middle class.

If you are taken aback by the sheer number of childless couples today, you will be more aghast by the prediction that infertility will continue to create anguish in many more numbers of couples in the next few years! A good number of people who have postponed marriage and childbearing in favor of their careers may eventually find it difficult or even impossible to have their own children.

Possible Causes of Infertility in Males – Both men and women who are seemingly in the best of health may find themselves incapable to bear their own children. For males, impotence and low sperm count can be considered as the main causes of infertility. Impotence accounts for less than five percent of all the cases of male infertility and can result from a number of possible causes. However, some sexually active men may also be in for an unwelcome surprise. A significant number of men will be shocked to learn that they have low sperm counts; or perhaps their sperms are just not active enough to effect a conception.

Possible Causes of Infertility in Females – Some women, on the other hand, may inadvertently suffer from endometriosis, a condition in which parts of the uterine lining seed themselves in various places along the reproductive tract. This condition was once labeled as the “working woman’s disease” since it is a very common finding in American women past 30. The fact that the medical community still has no conclusive studies to indicate the real causes of this disease adds a sad note to this situation. Another factor that plays a significant role in the increasing cases of infertility in today’s women is the pill. Taking the pill indiscriminately for quite a long period of time may affect a woman’s ability to conceive and bear children.

Some cases of infertility can be corrected. Just do your research and work closely with your doctor to know what options are available for you and your partner.

  • 3 years ago
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The Galapagos Islands: A Honeymoon Destination

The Galapagos Islands draw thousands of visitors every year, including scientists, students, naturalists, photographers and more. The Galapagos Islands’ status as a must-see, “bucket list” sort of destination also draws in retirees and off-the beaten path travelers. While the Islands are often overlooked by the “in-between” crowd of people in their 20’s and 30’s, the Galapagos Islands actually make for an outstanding honeymoon destination. Why pick Galapagos for your honeymoon? Here are five reasons:

The Galapagos Islands are Romantic

That’s the number one qualification after all, isn’t it? A honeymoon is a romantic vacation, and the Galapagos Islands fit the bill. Moonlit cruises? Check. Exotic location? Check. Excellent facilities and service? Check and check. The dramatic sunsets, fearless wildlife and memorable landscapes combine with first-rate services to create the perfect atmosphere for romance.

The Archipelago has something for everyone.

He wants hiking, she wants a beach. He wants water sports, she wants shopping. Galapagos is about not having to sacrifice or compromise. There are great beaches and hikes on the islands, as well as snorkeling and other water sports. The towns on the islands have a surprising amount of quality souvenirs from all over Ecuador and South America. You can even decide between land-based and cruise ship tours. Why fight over a destination when Galapagos has it all?

The “Enchanted Islands” are a destination for the young and vibrant.

The Islands are on many people’s “bucketlist” of places to visit. Many retirees go because they finally have the time and money to do so. Unfortunately, by the time they get there, many seniors find that some of the hikes and islands are too challenging for them and they miss out. The Galapagos Islands are best enjoyed by those who are old enough to appreciate them and still young enough to hop from one lava rock to the next, perfect for young newlyweds!

The Islands are more affordable than you think.

Many young couples are not yet established and may avoid seemingly pricey destinations like the Galapagos Islands. Although the costs are undeniable – airfare to and from Ecuador and then to the islands, plus park fees and the cost of cruises or lodging – they are relatively low right now. The worldwide economic downturn has had one positive effect: fewer people are visiting Galapagos and the tour companies and hotels are willing to make deals they would not have considered before.

Ecuador has much more to offer than just the Islands.

A honeymoon to the Galapagos Islands carries the side benefit of a trip to Ecuador. Why not spend a few days relaxing in the natural spas of Papallacta surrounded by the Andes, or taking a romantic carriage ride in Quito’s charming colonial center? For such a small nation, Ecuador is home to a wonderfully diverse ecosystem with everything from snow-capped volcanoes to sandy beaches.

Trips to these and other Ecuador destinations are very easy to combine with a trip to Galapagos. So start using our free trip planning serviceand book your honeymoon today!

  • 3 years ago
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Childhood Obesity and Carbohydrate Intake: Review of a Recent Study

I think it’s safe to say that we all know obesity is a problem in this country. Sometimes we might be in denial about what an enormous problem it is, but once you pay attention and look around, you realize we have an epidemic on our hands. This is going to cripple our nation in terms of rising health care costs, inability to work, and general lack of joy and vitality in one’s life. It’s not just costly, it’s just sad.

The even scarier situation on the horizon is the thousands of kids who are now facing this terrible scenario at such a young age. Children are now being diagnosed with pre-diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. This is often in direct correlation to their weight. It’s not just the older children either. Kids as young as 3 or 4 are seeing these elevated numbers on their lab results. The question is: what do we do about it?

I worked in WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) clinic for some time after graduating from grad school. My job was to counsel parents with their young children as well as high risk pregnant women about healthy nutrition. For some, this was the only time they would ever receive such one-on-one education. It was a rewarding experience. Unfortunately, we did often see young children climbing quickly on their growth charts. The system would flag these individuals and we would be reminded at each visit to discuss ways to reduce caloric intake. Often it was a recommendation to switch to lower fat milk, or cut down on portion sizes, or drink less juice. Sometimes these answers worked, and sometimes they didn’t. Honestly, we didn’t always know what the right solution was. The main goal was to somehow get through to these parents that something had to change. A simple directive such as “eat healthy” wasn’t going to cut it.

That is why this new study that recently came out caught my eye. It brought me back to those WIC days and made me think about how I would approach these clients differently if I had known a more direct and positive recommendation to make with known health outcomes. You see, people often forget that when you work in public health, the recommendations need to be simple and easy to remember. I am not saying people are dumb or don’t care, but they aren’t necessarily in my office out of their own will and volition. They have to be there, and so I have them captive for a few brief minutes. If we can convince them simply and firmly with solutions that will work, that is a take-home message they might employ.

So back to the study. The premise was to see if changes in the types of sugars being ingested, with no change in overall macronutrient or caloric composition of the diet, could affect basic biochemical markers on health. Some of the markers they looked at pre- and post-diet included fasting blood glucose levels, fasting insulin levels, cholesterol levels, and the liver enzymes AST and ALT.

The study design was this. They took a group of kids, ages 6-18, with high BMI, and at least one other co-morbidity (hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, impaired fasting blood glucose, hyperinsulinemia, elevated alanine aminotransferase, or severe acanthosis negricans) and evaluated their typical macronutrient and caloric intake. The goal was to keep this, along with their weight, stable throughout the study.

Fasting blood samples and an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test were administered on day 1 of the study. Afterwards, they were to start on a diet of foods provided solely by the clinic. These foods matched, as stated before, their precise macronutrient intake. The only change was swapping out added sugars, mainly fructose, and substituting other types of carbs from things like bagels, cereal, fruit, pasta and bread. Total dietary sugar and fructose was reduced to 10% and 4% of total calories, respectively. Would this be enough to see any changes in overall health?

As I am sure you can guess, there was a significant impact. Not in 3 months, not in 1 month – but in 10 short days. That was why this study so quickly caught my attention. If this is true, as I assume it likely is (hopefully follow up studies will continue to confirm this), this is an immediate and easy take home message we can give to parents and to older kids themselves. Reduce added sugars, eat other types of carbs instead (with colorful handouts included, of course), and see improvement in your risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Additionally I found it interesting that the researchers had a hard time keeping the study participant’s weights perfectly stable, namely they did lose a small percentage of weight overall, which the researchers noted may have skewed the final results ever so slightly. You have to wonder in a real world setting then, with implementing the diet but not being told they had to so closely control for identical macronutrient intake, if weight loss would not be a natural byproduct of simply altering the types of carbs one consumes.

I won’t dive into all the precise numerical findings here, but do feel free to peruse them and the entire study yourself via the link provided at the beginning of this article. It is worth the read.

I think the take home message is this. The types of carbs we consume do matter, and they definitely matter in our young children. We have got to get the added sugars out of our diets. I am not saying bagels and cereal are the answer, but we cannot ignore what a problem refined sugar has become in our diets and especially in the foods and products promoted to our youth. For those of us in public health, we can use this study as a clear example of a simple, tangible way to make a difference in someone’s health. You may not solve every problem, but you might empower a client to get on the path to better health.

  • 3 years ago
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Home Buying Decision Making: 5 Factors

Since, for most of us, the value of our home, is our single – biggest, financial asset, doesn’t it make sense, to do, everything, possible, to proceed forward, in the wisest possible manner, using the best, decision – making processes, and steps? Before, one begins, what is referred to, as house – hunting, he should, be, as prepared, and knowledgable, as possible, and give himself, a thorough, check – up, from the neck – up, to ensure, he balances, his emotional and logical considerations, in a head/ heart balance! With that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, 5 key factors, which must become a component, in that process.

1. Your personal intentions: What are your intentions, for this property? Do you intend, to remain there, in the longer – term, or do you envision, it being, somewhat, of a short – term, starter home? Why are you choosing this particular property, instead of some of the competition? Why do you believe, it might, fulfill the combination of your wishes, needs, and personal vision? Will you be honest, with yourself, understanding both your individual strengths, and weaknesses, in moving forward?

2. Personal finances: How secure, do you feel, about your personal finances? Have you secured, sufficient financial reserves, to proceed, with far less stress, and tension? Will you be able to enjoy this residence, without undue stress, strains, and unnecessary tensions, and anxieties?

3. Your individual priorities? Why do you consider, certain things, to be priorities, and others, less essential, for you, personally? Why do you want to become a homeowner? How will it make your life, more fulfilling, or will it, actually? Are you able, to do, what you feel, you want, and need, rather than trying to fit – in, with the crowd, etc?

4. Job/ financial security: How secure do you feel, about your job, and future, financial security? Will buying a house, at some price level, become a stress, rather than a joy? Will you have the discipline, and commitment, to consistently, put away funds, every month, for contingencies, reserves, etc?

5. Your perceptions: It’s a matter of mind, over matter. If you don’t have a mind, it doesn’t matter. These famous words, from Groucho Marx, reminds us, our perceptions, and beliefs, are personal, and it’s up, to each of us, to handle life’s obstacles, either, as a problem, or a challenge, to overcome! Henry Ford is credited with saying, You can believe you can, or can’t. Either way, you’ll be correct. Are you prepared, emotionally, to own a home, of your own?

Will you make your decisions, about, home – buying, in a wise, personally fulfilling manner? Are you ready to be, up, to the task?

  • 3 years ago
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Visitability: A Way of Thinking About Aging and Design

As the population ages and more people are living with physical disabilities, housing and community development must be re-examined. Inaccessible homes impede the daily lives of people who are mobility impaired due to illness, accident or age. Visitors to inaccessible homes face the danger of falling on the entry steps, the worry of not fitting into a bathroom and the embarrassment of being carried up the stairs. An affordable, sustainable and inclusive design approach for integrating basic accessibility features into all newly built homes is a movement known as Visitability.

In 1988, The Fair Housing Amendments Act created accessible units in all new multi-family housing apartments and condos with four or more units. In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act greatly increased accessibility to all government and public buildings. But detached single-family houses and town homes, where the majority of the population lives, are the last part of the built environment that is not covered by federal law. No accessibility codes exist. To date, private houses and town homes continue to be built with the same basic accessibility barriers: steps at all entrances and narrow doors to bathrooms.

In an effort to pass legislation for accessibility in new single-home construction, Eleanor Smith, the founder of Concrete Change, started the Visitability Movement in the US. The movement asks that three basic accessibility needs be met:

* One zero-step entrance on an accessible route from a driveway or public sidewalk.

* Doorways with a 32″ minimum clear passage space.

* A half bathroom on the main floor to accommodate a wheelchair.

If these three requirements are met in the construction of every new home, future adaptations for specialized needs can occur as needed. Visitability features make it easier for the mobility impaired to visit friends and family and to remain active in their communities..

COST OF VISITABILITY

Over the lifetime of a home, 25-60% of all new homes will have a resident who becomes mobility impaired. This may be muscle weakness, lack of balance, arthritic stiffness or wheelchair confinement. 95% of all new homes are constructed with steps at every entry and narrow doorways to the bathroom. Because of architectural barriers, the risk of falling for the homeowner is greatly increased and the success rate of first responders may be compromised during medical emergencies.

In 2005, 1.8 million Americans age 65 and over were treated in emergency rooms for injuries from falls, and 460,000 were hospitalized. 60% of all nursing home residents enter these facilities directly from hospitals after a fall, a stroke or heart attack. With the majority of homes having steps at all entries and narrow doors to bathrooms, one can only surmise that large numbers of people are not returning to their homes after accidents because of no accessibility.

Below is a cost comparison of Visitability built into a new home versus Visitability retrofitted into an existing home. The nursing home cost reflects the extreme expense of “doing nothing”. (Maisel, Smith and Steinfeld, 2008, “Increasing Home Access: Designing for Visitability”)

New Home Visitability Construction

* Zero-step entrance on concrete slab-add $100

* Entrance over crawl space or basement -add $300-$600

* 34″ door-add $2 to the cost of a 32″ door

* Average cost for visitability features, depending on region-add $98 to $573

* Average cost for Universal Design features-add 1% to total project cost

Existing Home Visitability Retrofit

* Zero-step entrance -add $3,300

* Widen interior doorway-add $700 per doorway ($22 for a swing-away hinge)

* Home elevator-add $15,000-$25,000

Nursing Home Costs

* Nursing home for individual-$85,000 per year

* Nursing home for US-$122 Billion in 2005 (60% of cost borne by public through Medicare & Medicaid)

* Cost of falls among older people for US-$19 billion in direct medical costs (Maisel, Smith and Steinfeld, 2008)

LEGISLATION

Cities and towns across the country are preparing to assist their ever-growing senior populations. With a short supply of affordable senior housing and the desire of most seniors to remain in their homes, home-based programs are in the forefront: meals-on-wheels, home healthcare, hospice-at-home, physical therapy at home, senior transportation from home. But for home-based programs to succeed, basic accessibility in the home must be provided. Visitability in private homes is crucial for the safety and social sustainability of older adults who are mobility impaired. Without the independence to enter or leave their home or to use the bathroom when needed, older adults can become isolated, depressed and sick. Visitable homes are needed for the safety and independence of everyone: older adults, the physically impaired, visitors, caregivers and first responders.

In the late 1980s, Eleanor Smith of Concrete Change began pushing Atlanta homebuilders to incorporate Visitable features into their new homes, but was met with great opposition. Habitat for Humanity listened and today there are more than 800 Visitable Habitat homes in the Atlanta area.

1992- Atlanta Visitability Ordinance

Atlanta became the first city to adopt a Visitability ordinance that mandates all builders of new single-family dwellings, duplexes or triplexes, who receive any financial benefit from or through the city, must meet several basic access requirements, including at least one zero-step entrance and adequate interior door widths.

2002- Pima County Inclusive Home Design Ordinance, Tucson, AZ

Pima County adopted the first ordinance in the nation to require a zero-step entry into single-family homes with door openings at least 34″wide, lever door handles, reinforced walls in bathrooms for grab bars, switches no higher than 48 inches and hallways 36″ wide throughout the main floor.

In 2003, the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association sued Pima County over the legality of the Visitability Ordinance. In a unanimous decision, the Arizona Court put to rest efforts by Tucson builders to void Pima County’s law requiring minimal access in newly constructed single-family homes. By 2008, Tucson, AZ had built 15,000 Visitable homes.

2004- Visitability Code, Bolingbrook, IL

Bolingbrook initially approved a voluntary Visitability ordinance that was unsuccessful among homebuilders. In order to make homebuilders comply, Bolingbrook enforced the ordinance requiring that all new homes be built with Visitability standards:

* A minimum of one zero-step entrance

* Doorways with 32″ clear passage space

* One bathroom on the main floor that will accommodate a wheelchair

Today Bolingbrook has 3,600 single-family Visit-able homes.

2009-Inclusive Home Design Act

US Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-ILL) introduced legislation that would apply Visitability standards to all new single-family homes and town houses receiving federal funds. Currently, 95 % of new single-family homes and town houses built with federal assistance fail to incorporate accessibility features, making it impossible for many people with disabilities to live in or visit homes. Representative Schakowsky reintroduced the bill in 2010.

Since the induction of the Atlanta City Ordinance of 1992, more than 50 ordinances of varying quality have been passed nationwide. Legislation has resulted in more than 30,000 Visitable homes built for the open market, regardless of whether the first occupant has a disability or not. States whose cities are adopting visitability ordinances or voluntary programs are: GA, FL, TX, VA, VT, MN, NM, KN, IL, OR, KY, NJ, MI, PA, OH.

ICC/ANSI A117.1, the standard for accessibility referenced by most building codes in the US, is currently developing a Type C section that includes technical design criteria for visitability. This will provide an accessibility model that can be adopted to new single-family homes and clarify the design of a zero-step entry, an accessible bathroom and accessible doorways. The standard can be referenced by visitability laws and programs, thus promoting uniformity in applications and aiding in their interpretation. Please note, the IBC will not require Type C dwelling units. If a jurisdiction or state chooses to require visitability in single family homes, the Type C unit criteria will be available for adoption as a baseline. The 2010 edition of ANSI A117.1 will contain the Type C (visit-able) dwelling unit specifications. (Maisel, Smith and Steinfeld, 2008, “Increasing Home Access: Designing for Visitability”)

References:

Jordana Maisel & Edward Steinfeld, Buffalo, NY, IDEA Center and Eleanor Smith, Concrete Change, Atlanta, GA, “Increasing Home Access: Designing for Visitability”

Related Links

IDeA Center: http://www.udeworld.com

Concrete Change: http://www.concretechange.org

  • 3 years ago
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The Yoke of Domestic Workers in Nigeria

Samuel Akpan, a 49-year-old indigene of Abak Oko in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, read English and Literary Studies at the University of Calabar.

Today, he earns N30, 000 every month working as a contract security guard with a pharmaceutical firm in Ilupeju, Lagos.

“Security guards contracted out to guard companies and private residents are not paid uniform salaries, depending on their beats or locations”, he said.

Richard Amuwa, managing director, Mega Guards Limited, Abule Egba, Lagos, confirmed this saying the payment is usually on a: 70: 30 percent ratio.

Independent check however reveals that the operations and activities of the over 250 registered and recognized private security companies are regulated by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.

But, who regulates the activities of domestic workers in their millions in Nigeria today? Gbenga Komolafe, general secretary, Federation of Informal Workers’ Organization of Nigeria, FIWON, says there is no regulation whatsoever for domestic workers in the country.

Miss Funke Lawal, who hails from Abeokuta, Ogun State is receiving N300 everyday doing all sorts of menial jobs from dawn till dust at a restaurant located at vesper bus-stop, along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway in Ifo, Ogun State.

By her calculations, her slave wage salary translates to N7200 every month, as she lamented that “she will resume as early as 5. Am, Monday to Saturday, sweep, cook, wash plates, pots, and then begin serving customers when they come”.

National Bureau of Statistics- Nigeria, says in our country with an estimated population of 203million people, the number of unemployed persons rose from 5.5million in 2015 to 21.7million in 2020.

In the same period under review, those living below the poverty line increased from 43.1million to 102.1million, today.

“Therefore, the likes of Akpan and Lawal, are among the millions of people out there desperate to make ends meet, doing all kinds of menial and domestic jobs to survive”, Komolafe said..

The FIWON scribe further lamented these domestic workers who take care of people’s most important valuables like: children, elderly, property, welfare, etc, are paid slave wages at the whims and caprices of their boss and with heavy work overloads.

He explained that it was based on this that FIWON decided to establish the cooperative society and training arms of the NGO, where domestic workers in the country, who do not have retirement benefits, maternity, or social benefits or grants from government, could be assisted in forming credit and saving cooperatives, regardless of their locations.

  • 3 years ago
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FC Barcelona Pictures and News

Experience the glorious past and the vibrant present of FC Barcelona through pictures and news readily available online. Apart from the official club website, exciting and breathtaking FC Barcelona pictures are in abundance in several blogs, news sites, and websites dedicated to the club. Check out the latest FC Barcelona news in the top news sites in the world as well as in the official and other unofficial websites.

Futbol Club Barcelona, nicknamed Barça, is not as much as a football club as it is a Catalan institution. Founded in 1899, it is one of the best Spanish clubs with Real Madrid as its closest rival. At present, it home to other sports teams apart from the football club.

FC Barcelona is said to be the most popular football club in the whole of Europe. Some surveys show that it has a fan base of 44.2 million fans in the football-crazy continent alone. Hence, FC Barcelona news and Barça rumors are in great demand online. Fans are also racing to shoot photos of their beloved club during matches and sell them online. Online buyers are faced with several options.

Track Record

Barça is among the big three Spanish football club. Alongside Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, it has never been relegated or demoted from the La Liga, the premier league in Spain. All in all, the club has lifted 18 La Liga titles, a record of 24 Spanish Cups, two League Cups, and seven Spanish Super Cups.

In European leagues, FC Barcelona has won four UEFA Cup Winners’ Cups, two European Cups, two UEFA Super Cups, and three Inter-Cities Fairs Cups.

Camp Nou

The home stadium of Barça is Camp Nou, also referred to as “Nou Camp.” Constructed in 1957, it has witnessed hundreds of football matches against visiting clubs since 1857. Camp Nou is rated by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) as a five-star stadium. It can hold up to 98,772 people and is the biggest European football stadium.

Camp Nou is one of the preferred hosts of UEFA Champions League Finals. The club won their very first game at their new stadium in 1957. They thrashed Legia Warsaw of Germany, 4-2.It was built from 1954 to 1957 and was designed by a group of three architects. The stadium has also been the venue for several major music events.

There are plenty of FC Barcelona pictures with Camp Nou as the background available to fans. They come in colored and black-and-white. Sometimes, the pictures are able to capture the club in their most intense action. There is drama, joy, love, and passion in pictures. You could also easily find group and individual photos.

Latest News

In the most recent Barça news, the club bulldozed Malaga in a pre-weekend La Liga match. The resounding win catapulted the club to the topmost position in the league standings, six points ahead Real Madrid. They are slated to next face Valladolid but their recent triumph over Malaga is bound to boost their spirits prior to their anticipated UEFA Champions League quarterfinal fixture against Germany’s Bayern Munich. Browse online for photos and the latest news of the match.

Foot Pain and Diabetes

Foot pain can certainly be caused by any number of reasons. However, foot pain resulting from diabetes is both painful and very common for those living with diabetes.

Diabetes and foot pain is generally defined by four different types.

A nerve problem (where the nerves themselves are affected by the disease) called peripheral neuropathy is the most common source of foot pain tied to diabetes. Peripheral neuropathy comes in the form of sensory, motor, and autonomic neuropathy.

Sensory neuropathy is the most common and is defined by symptoms where the amount of pain is much greater than the source that is causing the pain. As an example, just touching, or lightly pulling on your socks triggers a painful reaction. Also, with sensory neuropathy you may experience some numbness along with tingling, burning, or even stabbing type pain symptoms.

Because blood sugar can be a player in this type of pain, check your blood sugar levels for the past several weeks to see if perhaps there is an upward trend toward high levels.

Relief is of the utmost importance in these cases and can come from various applications. Massaging your feet or using a foot roller can sometimes drop the level of pain. Anything you can do from a shoe perspective such as cushioned supports and inserts can assist as well. Anything to help mitigate the pressure and pounding of daily activities on the foot and/or any rubbing or chaffing is beneficial. There are also prescription drugs that your doctor can recommend that will often times work.

When the nerves to the muscles become affected by diabetes (motor neuropathy), your muscles will begin to feel weak and achy. Although the smaller muscles of the feet aren’t usually the first to be affected, your balance can eventually become affected which may cause alignment problems and/or rubbing on the feet which ultimately results in pain. Support, exercise, stretching, and massage are your best weapon against motor neuropathy. Keeping your muscles healthy and flexible is a key element in relieving this type of foot pain.

Autonomic neuropathy affects the nerves that we don’t consciously control, hence the ‘auto’ of autonomic. With this condition existing your sweating triggers are altered and as such you may suffer from dry or cracked skin. For your feet this may result in a build up of foot calluses, thickened nails and such that lead to foot pain. The daily use of conditioning agents formulated specifically for diabetes can aid or prevent this problem.

With diabetic people proper circulation is a primary concern. Circulation problems in the feet can cause severe pain. Addressing circulation problems should always be done in conjunction with your medical doctor. Various approaches may include an exercise program, physical therapy, medication, or even surgical procedures, but again, consult with your physician before considering any strategy that involves addressing a circulation issue.

With diabetic people muscle and joint pain is not uncommon. If tendons and joints begin to stiffen coupled with imbalances associated with peripheral neuropathy and walking alignment occurs, the foot and the joints become painful. In fact, if the walking misalignments continue, this can lead to other foot disorders such as corns, bunions, and hammertoe.

People living with diabetes are more susceptible to infections within their body because of the changes that have taken place in their body. If a bacterial infection attacks the foot, the foot can become red, experience swelling, feel warm, and be painful. Keeping the immune system as healthy as possible by controlling your blood sugar, proper nutrition, and exercise, should be a top priority in your defense against infections.

If you are afflicted with diabetes, in addition to being mindful of the above information, work closely with your primary care physician to ensure that you receive proper information and care for your personal situation.

What’s Covered? How to Use Medicare’s Website to Understand Original Medicare Coverage Better

Many people want to know how Original Medicare will cover a specific health condition, treatment, service, etc. Luckily for me, as an agent, and for you, as a Medicare beneficiary, the Medicare.gov website lets you easily search for this. For example, I am going to search how Original Medicare covers Kidney Dialysis. First, I go to medicare.gov. On the homepage, you will see a search field. This is where you can type the service you’d like more info on. Once I have typed Kidney dialysis, I hit “GO”, and within a few seconds, a list of services pops up, dialysis services and supplies being the first. I click on the link, and am led to a detailed summary of coverage. It discusses inpatient coverage versus outpatient, training for home dialysis, support services, equipment and supplies, and certain drugs for home dialysis that are covered under Original Medicare. In addition to a list of what is covered is a brief mentioning of what is not. Medicare does not pay for aides to assist with home treatment, any lost pay during self-dialysis training, a place to stay during your treatment, and blood or packed red blood cells for home self-dialysis unless part of a doctors’ service. The page then details how much Medicare will pay for the coverage offered, which in this case seems to be an 80/20 split for just about everything. This is where Medicare Supplements step in to help you with out-of-pocket costs. As you can see, with Original Medicare alongside a Supplement, your coverage will be quite comprehensive.

Medicare.gov also explains, in broader terms, what Parts A and B cover. There is a link to “What Part A Covers” as well as a link to “What Part B Covers.” I truly love Medicare’s website, I think it is so well done, and I urge you to explore it more!

Just as I discussed with Kidney Dialysis earlier, Medigap policies fill in the gaps of Original Medicare’s coverage for different services and treatments. For example, Medicare pays for the first 60 days of a Hospital Inpatient Stay (there is a deductible that has to be met before they pay anything), but from days 61-90 you pay coinsurance every day, which is $304/day. All Medigap Plans cover this hospital donut hole, and this is good news, because the coverage gets even worse the longer you stay in the hospital. Days 91-150 include a $608 daily coinsurance. A Medigap plan will cover this, and you won’t have to worry about these gaps in coverage with Medicare. In fact, Medicare Supplement hospital coverage will go up to an additional 365 days in coverage past what Original Medicare will help cover!

A quick note: there have been stories in the news lately concerning the labeling of hospital patients as outpatient instead of inpatient and making sure you know your classification. This is another important factor in whether Medicare will cover the costs; how they label you can determine whether Medicare will pay. Part A (which covers hospital stay) will pay if you are labeled an inpatient, and Part B (which does not cover hospital stay) will pay if you are an outpatient. I am going to write a blog about this soon; keep on the lookout for more detailed information!

The list below should help to give you a foundation in understanding what is covered and what is not covered by Original Medicare (and therefore Medicare Supplements):

1. Dental and Vision

2. Nothing cosmetic is covered.

3. If it is routine, preventative, and a yearly sort of deal-you will most like get help with it, although it is always good to check with Medicare.

4. If your doctor is a Medicare provider and accepts Medicare Assignment.

My fourth point in the ground rules list is important to understand. After making sure that your provider works with Medicare, your next question should be whether or not they accept Medicare Assignment. This is a term used to describe the price per service that Medicare is willing to pay. For example, if Medicare pays $1,200 for a certain surgery, if the doctor accepts Medicare Assignment, he is accepting this amount as payment for the surgery. Doctors who work with Medicare are allowed to charge an additional 15% above the Approved Amount (the $1,200), which means they are not accepting Medicare Assignment although they work with Medicare. Now you see why it is imperative that you ask both of these questions before receiving any service from a provider. Medicare Supplement Plans F and G covers this 15% “Excess Charge” for Part B services.

There are many nuances like the one above, but the ones in this article are the major players in the game. I hope this article gave you a better understanding of what is covered by Original Medicare and how Medicare Supplements work alongside Parts A and B.

I have also made a YouTube video that will give you a visual to this article, and also introduce you to my website, which has more information on how Medicare Supplements work with Parts A and B. The link for that video is below!

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