I just got the news that Nobel Biocare’s NobelProcera factory will be featured on the tv show How It’s Made. This is huge on so many levels and I thought I would take just a minute to talk about it here.

First, Nobel Biocare must be given credit where it is due. They really did launch CAD/CAM manufacturing for dental technology. They were the innovator of not just CAD/CAM manufacturing, but also the center-of-excellence manufacturing model that uses remote scanners and centralized manufacturing. In fact, if not for Nobel Biocare and Procera, Dale Dental would not have begun when it did. Read story here.

I’ve walked through the Nobel Procera facility where the show was filmed and its sheer size would sooner have you believe it makes cars rather than tiny little teeth. The amount of equipment, automation, and technology under that one roof is enough to make anyone marvel and definitely worthy of the retail consumers attention.

As a fan of How It’s Made I’ve often thought what a natural fit the technological evolution in dental technology would make for that show, but sometimes wondered how it could be positioned to capture the real interest of the consumer. I get the possible headlines, High Tech Teeth, 21st Century Teeth, etc. Even dental technologies humble and most well-known beginning carving wooden teeth for George Washington compared to modern CAD/CAM, offer an immediate “stay tuned” appeal.

What I am most interested in seeing, however, is the part that will affect demand for the Nobel Procera restorations and how that affects our business. Nobel Biocare’s NobelProcera line has so many options and features that it is hard to know exactly what they will choose to make the big focus and “take away” message of the show.

The mass market appeal and opportunity Nobel would likely want to capitalize on is the ease and speed of doing implant procedures using patient scans and pre-planning treatment and the crown and rest of parts that follow, however, I am not sure that procedure offers the most sizzle for the target audience. The How it is Made show typically like showing mechanized robots and don’t always capture on the value created for the customer, although the latter is not really the shows purpose. Add to that the fact that Nobel does not do intra oral impression scanning yet, so the show cannot really capture that huge benefit unless they plan on including other manufacturers, etc – which I doubt is the case.

Anyway, it’s a win on so many levels and I am sure that Nobel and the show’s producers have already figured out how to create the most wins for both sides. As someone in the industry, I am always happy to see increased exposure brought to what we do and I applaud Nobel Biocare’s efforts in continuing its efforts to bring our industry to light.

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In Australia, it’s quite common for Painfree Dentistry Parramatta to be ahead of the game, which includes their injex system and cosmetic orthodontics.

Here’s some information straight from the press release:
NobelProcera™ manufacturing facility to be featured on the television program “How It’s Made”

Nobel Biocare is pleased to announce that their state-of-the-art CAD/CAM dental manufacturing facility has been chosen to be featured in an upcoming episode of How It’s Made. The segment was filmed at the company’s Mahwah, NJ facility and will focus on how a dental crown is designed and then individually manufactured.

How It’s Made is an international program produced by Productions Maj in Quebec, Canada. The show airs in more than 180 countries and focuses on the manufacturing process of many items such as airplanes, fiber optics, even toothpicks. The show has been on the air since 2001.

The segment on dental crowns is one of four topics that will be featured on this 30-minute season premiere on April 2, 2010 at 9 p.m. EST on the Science Channel. Check your local listings for the Science Channel in your area. If you have satellite TV you can view the program on DirectTV Channel 284 and Dish Network Channel 193.

If you’re located in Australia, then perhaps you’re aware of businesses like Modern Shutters or Crimsafe (with that old granny and rugby player in the ad) that promise to keep criminals out. They’ve been pushing roller shutters down our faces for year (longer than I’ve been alive). My point is I’ve been put in the middle of this debate amongst friends and have no idea how to settle it. It’s pretty much “what is a better product” when it comes to roller shutters or window bars.

According to this post on the Allianz website “the most common way for burglars to enter your home is by forcing a window (39%) or door (31%)” which I completely agree with. The window is one of those things that you might forget to shut, where a door you’re going to close as you leave. So the argument is not if it’s safe or not, we all agree there, but a few of think window bars look like shit and imply the house has a shit tonne of valuable stuff. Roller shutters could just mean you’re a vampire or hate glare on the tele in the arvo.

This is pretty much what started the debate with my mates, and it all comes down to what is the better option.

Window Shutters

They have more than one purpose, which is my main argument. If you look at a place like Modern Roller Shutters, then you’re going to get a “security and privacy” guarantee. Sounds bloody good to me and you can just roll them down when your next door number has his Sunday afternoon naked stroll around the house. Can’t do that with bars!

That is not my entire argument, by the way, I’m also keen on having the ability to completely roll them up into the roof. That is badass to me and you can’t hide away your permanent windows bars.

Another point I’d like to make is window bars are often fitted incorrectly, where the bolts are visible. Well, well, well, doesn’t take a genius to know that taking out the bolts will allow the bars to slide out easily.

Window Bars

Ok, so to keep this argument “fair”, I’m adding in window bars and I’ll hand over the laptop for it to be written by someone on “team bars”.

Yes, window bars are much better because they don’t use electricity, some roller shutter don’t actually keep criminals out as a guarantee either, so you’re not always going to get the product you pay for. I’m always open to trying things out and I have tried roller shutters from crimsafe already. Load of crap! Wouldn’t recommend it to my worst enemy.

Sure, bars can be bolted from the outside but most of them time they’re sealed in so you can’t take them out easily.

Summary

I guess the best option depends on your preference. If you don’t mind the look of window bars and don’t particularly care about blocking out the sun, then go for your life. If you prefer to have a nice open window, roll down when the sun comes in or when you need privacy then go for roller shutters.

If you want to throw your two cents in, leave a comment below and I’m sure one of us will have a go. 🙂

When faced with a no hot water situation, it is of utmost importance that you deal with the situation immediately. This is in order to get your hot water up and running again, and also, so as to avoid any possible damage to your home from a potential leak coming from the hot water unit. The circumstances of your no hot water issue will depend on a variety of factors, including ; the age of the hot water system, the type of water heater and its capacity, and, whether or not it has been serviced regularly. This article offers advice and includes some of the main issues to help get you through your no hot water difficulty, and ultimately help resolve the problem efficiently.

No hot water OR No water coming out of hot water taps at all

So, what do you do when you have no hot water ? Prior to calling a repairman, the best way forward is to write down a brief description of the problem at hand, so that the repairman is able to better prepare for your job.

1. So, for example, you may have no hot water at all throughout the house (i.e. the water coming out of every single hot water tap is cold). This should be noted and brought to the attention of your repairman when phoning through the job.
2. Whilst on the subject of no hot water, it is crucial not to get this confused with a similar situation in which you have no water from the hot water taps whatsoever. This will be treated in a different way to a no hot water circumstance, and so just to reiterate, it is essential that you give an exact job description to your repairman.

Hot water system details

The repairman should also be made aware of the specific details of your hot water system, such as:

•   brand (e.g. Rheem, Dux, Rinnai, or Bosch)
•   type (e.g. Electric, Gas, or Solar)
•   model number
•   date of manufacture
•   location of hot water system

This information will automatically notify the repairman of all the necessary details of your water heater. These water heater details can also become important in the sense that some companies have experts on board who specialise in the repair of certain types of hot water systems.

So, if indeed you have an electric storage tank, you may want to get it serviced by a tradesman who is an absolute expert, specialising in the repair of electric hot water systems. That is, some repairmen are only familiar with electric water heaters, whereas others may only be familiar with gas water heaters. However, it is best to get a specialist hot water company to do this job as they will be familiar with all types of water heaters, and will even be prepared to replace your water heater immediately if it is required.

The number of times you will have no hot water during the life of the hot water system

It is not uncommon for you to encounter your first “no hot water” situation after as little as 2 years from the time of installation of the water heater. This will largely depend on the:

• way in which your services to the house or apartment are set up
• quality of the water heater
• installation performed by the installer
• degree in which the water heater is being used by the occupants of your home, and
  regular servicing of the water heater

However, statistics suggest that your hot water system would need a no hot water repair around 2-3 times (on average) during the course of its life.

Leaking hot water systems

You should also check to see if the water heater is leaking because, if it is, then it is important to let the repairman know of the exact location of the leak. For instance, the leak may be coming from the top of the tank, or it may be coming from the bottom of the tank. If the leak is coming from either the very top of or the base of the tank, then this will normally mean that the tank needs replacing, especially if the tank is more than 7 years old. However, this will typically happen at some point between 8 to 10 years after your water heater has been installed. This being the average lifespan of all hot water systems, regardless of quality and type.

This precise explanation of from where the leak is coming, will be vital information for the repairman. For example, in the case of a leak coming from behind the electrical panel of an electric water heater, this could mean either a leaking element OR a burst tank. Only an onsite inspection by the repairman will determine whether the hot water system can be repaired or whether it needs replacing. it is highly likely that it would be in need of complete replacement.

Phone a trustworthy hot water company for a quote

In addition to the above, and, in the event of a no hot water situation, your hot water system details would enable the repairman to provide you with a quote to get your hot water back on. When phoning a reputable (trustworthy) hot water company, it should be possible (the majority of the time), to get a quote over the phone, even before the repairman arrives on site. This is advantageous, in that you will at the very least have a guide as to how much your repair is going to cost, to get your hot water back on, before you commit to booking in the job. The information you provide will also allow the repairman to arrive on site well prepared, in anticipation of the exact nature of the repair. For example, what parts, if any, will be required to get your hot water returned to normal.

You should make the job description / hot water system details as accurate as possible, as the more accurate the information, the more accurate the quote will be. This accuracy of information is important because it will also allow for an accurate and professional finish to the job, without incurring any costly delays. Just a side note, even so, an important one, is to make sure that your chosen repairman has a full plumbing license. If your hot water system is electric, then you should ensure that he is equipped with both a full plumbing and electrical license.

One such company who can provide you with an excellent hot water service that is unsurpassed, is (business name removed). They have become leaders in the hot water industry over the last 30 years, with numerous legitimate customer testimonials, and are award winners for their excellence in the field. In fact, upon phoning their office you can be assured to be greeted by a friendly professional member of staff, who will methodically talk you through your no hot water situation in order to accurately quote you on the job at hand, and at the same time, organise for an appropriate repairman to come to your place, always at your convenience. By the way, due to their expertise in the field, (business name removed) can also help with hot water system installations, should your water heater be in need of replacement.

For further information on what to do if your hot water system bursts please refer to the article (what to do when your hot water system bursts). They provide a 24/7 emergency service, and so you can be rest assured that you will be treated promptly. This attention to being both professional and prompt can be a god send at times, especially, for example, when it comes to that unexpected infuriating moment, in the shower, when you run out of hot water. Getting a no hot water job rectified can also become super urgent, if for instance, you have a family with kids. However, regardless of your personal circumstances, you will still want your hot water back on as soon as possible.

Regular servicing of your hot water system

It is worth your while keeping a note in your diary as to when you should have your hot water system serviced. The regular servicing of your water heater will keep ongoing costs to a minimum and will ensure that it is working at its optimum level. If you have an electric or gas storage tank, the norm would be to have it serviced once every 3 years. If you have a gas continuous flow unit, then this should also be serviced once every 2-3 years as they tend to get clogged up, which will affect its performance.

In conclusion, we hope the above information helps you get the best advice and service during the life of your hot water system, and that it guides you when faced with a no hot water situation.

People often speak of the law of averages, but very few fully understand what it means. It’s often misunderstood as chance, or luck, which isn’t the same thing at all. Understanding the law of averages is essential if you’re going to flourish in many different businesses and in many different walks of life. Before we get to how the law of averages can help you succeed in business, let’s explain what it really means.

The law of averages means that if you perform a random action enough times, the results will even out.

Sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it? That simplicity can lead to trouble. It’s easy to misunderstand the concept of results evening out, and it can lead you to make rash decisions. Take this example:

Flip a coin one hundred times. The law of averages states that the coin will land on heads about fifty times, and on tails about fifty times.

That’s true as far as it goes, but where people get into trouble is expecting the coin to land on heads every other time. That’s very unlikely. Results even out over time if the sample size is large enough, but there can be streaks of outcomes that happen during long runs of the same activity. Businesses like casinos and insurance companies understand streaks, and calculate their profit margin on the sample size to guarantee that they make money.

Human Nature Sees Patterns Where They Don’t Exist

If you were to spin a roulette wheel, and you won on your first try, you’d be smart to leave the table. But human nature being what it is, you begin to convince yourself that small sample sizes are enough to determine outcomes. If you kept spinning the wheel, and kept losing, you might make the same mistake in the other direction, and assume that you’re “due” because you’ve lost so many times in a row. The law of averages doesn’t work that way. Your chances on the next spin are the same as on any random spin, and aren’t affected by what’s already happened. The casino has more money than you, so it can afford to wait for you to run out of money before your winning streak returns.

Use the Law of Averages To Stay on Track in Business

In business, if you know the ratio of success for an activity you’re familiar with, you can extrapolate using the law of averages to determine how much work you’ll have to do in the long run to make a quota, for instance. If one person in one hundred that receives a phone call pitch for a sale buys something, and you have to sell ten things, you should expect by the law of averages that you’d have to call a thousand people before you make your quota. If the first three people buy something, that doesn’t mean everyone will.

By using the law of averages, you can keep yourself from getting too depressed when a streak of bad luck comes along, or from getting giddy when you’re on a hot streak. In the long run, you’ll always prevail if you stick to your plan, and the plan was based on sound statistical analysis.

 

Do you remember a time before the Internet? Probably not. The Internet has become a fact of life for everyone worldwide, and it’s a rare business indeed that doesn’t have at least a small web presence.

Businesses did exist before the Internet, and some of them flourished, too. If you’ve got a very limited marketing budget, and don’t have time for labour-intensive SEO strategies to bear fruit, or just like thinking outside the box for your marketing ideas, then you should think about using approaches that worked before there was an Internet at all. While we can’t recommend ignoring the Internet in today’s day and age, it’s possible to make a lot of money outside the Web, and it’s also smart to drive traffic to your web business from outside the web as well. Here are some approaches that worked in the era before the web was born:

Telephone Calls – Depending upon what you’re selling and who you’re calling, phone calls can have a much larger return on effort than almost any other form of customer interaction. If you’re familiar with Internet marketing statistics, conversions of web traffic into paying customers can be a fraction of one per cent and still be profitable. Phone calls to interested parties can convert at many times that rate, because you can persuade people that are talking to you in a way that a website can’t. Smart companies often have limited information on their website, and urge potential customers to call if they want more. It’s a great way to per-qualify customers.

Snail Mail – All mail is junk mail now. With so much being delivered digitally now, people’s mailboxes are almost empty. A mailer with interesting information is more likely to get some attention than just a few years ago when everyone’s mailbox was full every day. Try using regular mail that’s targeted to neighbourhoods that have the right demographic for your business

Newspapers and Flyers – Like mailboxes, print newspapers are getting to be lonely places. Many people read newspapers solely for the advertising. Offbeat print publications are especially good for getting people to read the advertisements.

Point of Sale – Racks of brochures were once stationed next to every checkout counter in the world. Internet marketers use online shopping carts for upsells now, but there’s no reason you can do it the old-fashioned way. If you sell retail, have printed goods for customers to grab on the way out the door, whether they’ve made a purchase or not. If you’re on a tiny shoestring, make a deal with a friendly shopkeeper to display your POS material at their checkouts.