Articles written by Zaf R.

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About me - Zaf R.

Ever since I was young I was told that I had a way with words. When my mother noticed my affinity for reading, a birthday never passed without her gift being a book. Like every young boy, I grew up reading The Hardy Boys, Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators

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Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Family stories and memories: 2 of 205
In a few months my son will be nine years old. Wow, nine years old- one more year and he'll be in double digits. Echoes of the old cliche "It seems like only yesterday" reverberates in my head. And for all of you out there with kids, especially that category of kids who grow up too fast, well, you'll relate to my story. For t... More..
Creative Writing > Essays Essays: Friendship: 4 of 54
There are friends and there are friendships. Friends come and go, but friendships endure. How many friends do I have? The list is endless. How many friendships do I have? I can count them on just one hand. Why is it that from the vast number of people we meet over a lifetime does only a select few rise to the status of friend... More..
Relationships & Family > Dating Psychology Do nice guys really finish last?: 6 of 80
The answer is no. While it may appear that the "bad guys" or "bad boys" are the ones who catch all the breaks, get further ahead in life, and ultimately get the girl, the reign of the bad boy is usually short-lived.The bad boy persona is manifested in undesirable qualities. But it's assumed that this is the persona most girls... More..
Business > Advertising An advertising method you won't believe!: 1 of 8
I've had this wild advertising theory for some time. It's so crazy it just might work. I target it towards retailers who sell generally the same products as their competitors. Are you sitting? Here it goes: NO ADVERTISING!Whoa, you say? Well before you reach for the straitjacket just hear me out. Every year the big guns shell... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Personal Morals & Values Honesty is the best policy: 22 of 133
Honesty is the best policy. While it appears that in today's world that this policy has fallen out of fashion, it would do us all a great deal of good to return to this aspect of our humanity, which is at the heart of our moral values. And there's a whole lot to gain by adopting this novel idea. Such as:RESPECTAt your job, ar... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics in the Middle & Near East Achieving democracy in all the Middle East countries: 3 of 18
Democracies in all Middle Eastern countries you say? Clearly one who even proposes such an idea has no clue about the Middle East. The analysts and pundits talk of democracy like it's an antidote. But truth be told, the notion that only democracies will bring stability to the region is false.Let me be clear. I live in the USA... More..
Business > Marketing The importance of having a brand/logo for your business: 2 of 12
What grows a business? One word: customers. Ask the corporate behemoth whose name seems permanently entrenched in the Fortune 500 or the Mom and Pop store at the corner and they'll both agree. Not to over simplify, and financial metrics notwithstanding- fourth quarter earnings, earnings per share, shareholder value and so on,... More..
Business > Advertising Has the prevalence of false ads led people to become jaded?: 3 of 16
To say that false ads have led people to be jaded is an understatement. Can anyone name any business, institution, or politician in existence anywhere on earth, who can claim that they don't have to work harder every time, to convince their audience that their message is what they say it is?The lengths that advertising agenci... More..
Business > Advertising Will online storefronts wipe out brick-and-mortar businesses?: 1 of 5
The writing is on the wall. We are all witnessing one of the greatest life changing transformations in human history; do we dare say that something is impossible? Lest we forget the past:"I think there is a world market for about five computers".Thomas J. Watson Jr., chairman of IBM (1943)"640 K [of computer memory] ought to ... More..
Business > Marketing Understanding the difference between marketing and sales: 4 of 16
The Marketing function creates the dark clouds, and the Sales function makes the rain. The two share a symbiotic relationship within their organization. The sales force is concerned with pounding the pavement, cold calling, knocking on doors or surreptitiously staking out potential leads, while the marketing force provide the... More..