6 ways to curb your snacking while in the office

6 ways to curb your snacking while in the office6 ways to curb your snacking while in the officeThis year, you decided youd go through a painful, difficult breakup. You knew it wouldnt be easy, but you were prepared for the separation anxiety. The onset of tears. The rumbling in your soul. You didnt want to, yet your waistline was begging you to cut the cord with the unhealthy snacks at work. Doughnuts, pizza, bagels, candy, cupcakes - ugh and oh my.Its all too easy to let your diet fall lower on your priority list at work thanks to a slew of factors, according to Gabriele Geerts, a registered dietitian at Green Chef. Whether it be break-room snacks, vending machines down the hall, or a lack of planning, mindless snacking is especially easy at work.The feeling of being hungry can be influenced by things like stress, boredom, and fatigue, which means a mid-afternoon craving may elend even be triggered by legitimate hunger, she continues. Avoiding mindless snacking is especially diff icult when food is accessible and free, making us more likely to eat and continue to overeat.To prevent you from going back to those habits that are toxic and terrible for you, try these effective hacks from nutrition prosReplace your snacking habit with something more productive.After you down your salad, health bowl or veggie-rich soup, you instantly want something sweet. So you poke around the kitchen at work, grab something, down it - and then suffer the consequences a few hours later. It might not seem like much of a routine, but it is nonetheless, according to nutrition expert Jen Silverman. Much like quitting smoking, to get yourself out of this rut, you need to replace this action with something productive.Walk away from your workspace and find something more productive than consuming unnecessary calories. Whether its sipping hot tea, taking a 10-minute walk, or making a quick call to your mom, break the habit. You could also read that NY Times article you were eager to get through, listen to music, get some fresh air, take a walk, she continues. Clearing your head is more beneficial to your wellbeing and it wont leave you with a brain-fog or afternoon fatigue.Rate your hunger on a scaleMonica Auslander Moreno, MS, RDN, a nutrition consultant for RSP Nutrition,urges professionals to take a long hard think about why they are reaching for a snack. How? Rating their hunger on a scale of one to ten, with one being starving and 10 being terribly full.Sit back. Turn off your digital distractions. Go outside the building or in the hall, alone, if you have to. Assign yourself a hunger number, she recommends. Think about when and what the last thing you ate was. What number would seem appropriate for you to begin eating? Why are you at that number (did you eat too much/ too little at your last meal?) What number do you expect to get to after your snack?Dont be afraid to speak upSilverman shares sometimes it isnt about lack of willpower - but rather, workplace culture. If every single time you walk into a meeting there are cookies, cupcakes or another schriftart of sugar or carb-heavy snack, its worth speaking up to your manager or human resources. You might be surprised by how responsive and receptive they are to the feedback.Companies are willing to invest in their employees health and productivity. They understand that sugar-laden, nutrient-poor food have negative effects on workplace efficiency, Silverman shares.Plan aheadBefore you leave your homestead, Geerts suggests eating a well-balanced, fulfilling breakfast that will hold you over for at least a few hours. And to save money - and help you resist temptations - pack a satisfying lunch. A fueled mind and body is more likely to focus on work, not excessive snacking. Make your meals count and focus on a healthy ratio of protein, carbohydrate, and fat, she adds.Remember You cant have just one biteIf no one saw you take a big ol bite out of the brownie - did it ever happen? Sorry, but it did and even a single nibble can impact how well you perform in the office.The minute the tasty treat hits your lips - even if its as small as a Hershey kiss - your blood sugar spikes and it signals your brain and hunger hormones ghrelin, Silverman explains. Suddenly, you want more Believe it or not, its actually easier to refrain entirely than it is to have a small piece. Youre better off refraining altogether.Refrain from eating while you workEspecially when youre under the gun on a deadline, chowing down while you get through emails, proposals, and projects. It may seem efficient, but its actually the opposite, according to Geerts, if you want to stay healthy. How come? She explains whether it is a snack or a meal, its important to pay attention to your food and enjoy it, so you dont overeat.As she explains, studies show the snacking decreases significantly when its near you- or in your desk drawer.

Emotions If you must talk about politics at work, a trauma expert tells you how

Emotions If you must talk about politics at work, a trauma expert tells you howEmotions If you must talk about politics at work, a trauma expert tells you howThe topic of politics hasalways come up in theworkplace, and, for years, many of us have been able to control our emotionsand engage in respectful dialogue. But the recent election season and the current U.S. presidency havesome of us so on edge that defensive debate and discord are coming to the forefront more than ever before.Different people deal with political stress in different ways.Some may identify like-minded colleagues and find solace deep in theirred or blue camps. Some may nottalk about issues in the office- and thensilently engage on social media. And somemay avoid conflict altogether.Regardless of political leaning or approach to political issues at work, its clear whats going on in our country hasdeeply affected many of us.Now, more than ever, it feels like many Americans fundamentally and strongly disagree on dee ply held core values. More and bigger issues binnenseem to be at risk. Put together with never-endingnews coverageand Twitter feeds, and we have a potentially combustible combination.According to a recent surveyby BetterWorks, 87% of employees read political social media posts at work, and 49% have seen political discussions turn into arguments. Out of the 500 survey respondents, 29%said theyhave been less productive since the election.As a psychologist, Ive worked for years to help people feel heard and help them listen to one another. Inthese particularly contentious times, with people experiencing limited energy and feelings of hopelessness, it can be hard to conjure up the skills to survive politicalinteractions at work- let alone master them.Here are some things you can do when politics come up in conversation at work.Be a good listenerIts easy tolet conversations go off the rails. But you can learneffectivecommunication skills.Theseinclude active listening (making a conscious effort to hear and really understand the message), paraphrasing (repeating back succinctly your understanding of what the person just saidin your own words), making good eye contact, and exhibiting open voice tone and body language (e.g., not having your arms crossed in front of your chest).Take a step backWhat underlies some of these conversations is a staunch belief that were right.We often assume the worst about the other person, and we try hard to persuade them to see our point of view.Then we want, expect, and demand that our colleagues change- without exerting energy to try to understand their side.It can be helpful togain a healthy distance and remember that everyones perspective is different and that everyone has the right to have theiropinion heard.Dont focus on negative emotionsHeated debates can leave us feeling threatened, rejected, or defensive. At best these interactions are stressful and unproductive. They can make usdread going to work the next dayand make us not wan t to see- let alone work with- our colleagues. These feelings can bleed over into our productivity and sanity.Negative emotions are a part of life. Pushing these emotions away as soon as we feel them often has a boomerang effect. If emotions are not experienced, they can leak or burst when we least expect them to. But if we allow ourselves to feel these emotions, they often come in and flow out like a wave.If negative emotions persist over a period of time, then seeking ways to process those emotions, such as meditation, physical exercise, or talking with a friend or therapist, may be necessary.Stop trying to win argumentsWere not moving forward when were arguing. Whenwe engage in adversarial posturing, digging our roots into the earth and daring our colleagues to try and move us,it doesnt makefor effective and efficient workplaces, let alone ones we want tobe in.In Difficult Conversations How to Discuss What Matters Most, Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen of the Harvard Negotiation Project advise that mutual agreement should not necessarily be the goal. Rather, we might want to change our aim to a better understanding of others perspectives and offer an invitation for joint exploration.Put yourself in the other persons shoesPeoples choices are complex, and political views recently seem particularly tied to peoples identities and beliefs.Rather than judge others, can we encourage or even challenge ourselves to actively listen and try to understand others? Its easier said than done, for sure. But it can be worthwhile.Be respectfulLife can be hard, and not every person we come into contact at work or in our home community is someone we will click with or understand. We need to decide for ourselves which relationships we need to invest in or make sure theyfunction well enough.Sometimes, despite our best efforts and intentions, despite our restful sleep and good communication and emotion-regulation skills, we have to realize that some things may not eve r get sorted out. Sometimes we are going to have to walk away. And the best we can do is to respectfully agree to disagree.Dr. Joan Cookis a psychologist, an associate professor at Yale University and an Op-Ed Project Public Voices fellow.

Martha Stewarts 7 best pieces of business advice

Martha Stewarts 7 best pieces of business adviceMartha Stewarts 7 best pieces of business adviceFor any female entrepreneur or career woman, Martha Stewart is the icon to look toward as a shining star example. Stewart has had so many titles throughout zu sich career that its uncomfortable to name them all in one sentence, so instead, well list them here model, stockbroker, verpflegung company founder, author, television partieality, magazine editor-in-chief, and overall businesswoman.Ladders welches able to catch Stewarts conversation with Create Cultivate Founder Jaclyn Johnson at the Create Cultivate New York on May 4. Here are seven pieces of advice that Martha Stewart has for women pursuing their dream careers.Martha Stewarts biggest piece of business advice is simpleWe want to be where the customer needs and wants us, Martha said. Its that simple and that hard.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreStewart realized that her early books were successful because people needed these books, which is why she, in turn, founded the Martha Stewart Livingmagazine in 1990.I learned right then that I wanted to create a business that people needed and wanted, Stewart said. That need and want is still part of my business plan.Martha Stewart has no time for impostor syndrome, and neither should youImpostor syndrome, which Johnson described as the feeling that ones success is not earned or deserved.While 70% of women have reported experiencing this phenomenon, when asked if she has ever felt this, Stewart replied with a simple, and slightly disgusted, No.You shouldnt even know that exists, Stewart said. You have to really take the reigns and ride the horse.Stewart said that is is especially important for female entrepreneurs.Somebody asked me once about breaking through the glass ceilingI didnt even know what they were talking about, Stewart said.By paying no mind to the se phenomenons, youre able to focus on your career, goal setting, and achievements.Its about being a strong, self-possessed person that you have to be if youre going to be in business for yourself, Stewart said.Martha Stewart advises you to embrace new technologyStewart revealed that she drives a Tesla because she truly believes in electric cars and wants to know for herself if theyre a good investment.Investigating new technology is a wise thing to do I go for it all, Stewart said.While Stewart checks out the latest advancements in cars, she encourages entrepreneurs and career women to investigate technology as a means to build their brand, whether it be for their company or themselves. She believes social media can be an extremely strong tool for women starting companies or careers.I have been an early adopter of most everything, she said.Martha says you need to welcome changeIn addition to embracing new tech, Stewart also believes in welcoming change. Though she referred to it a s a silly little motto, Martha Stewarts life mantra is a sentiment that all women need to hold near and dear to their hearts throughout their careers.When youre through changing, youre through, Stewart said are the words that she lives by.Its a very good motto to keep in mind because you have to be able to change you have to be able to swerve here and there if you have to you have to be able to move around.Based on her many professional titles, Stewart obviously embraces change in her career. Her latest venture is investing in CBD (cannabidiol) through Canopy Growth, one of the worlds largest marijuana producers.Its the modern thing, Stewart said, explaining why shes excited to venture into the booming marijuana industry.We still are doing a tremendous amount of research in the cannabis industry, Stewart said. We want to know if CBD really does help, if it really is not harmful, if it really is as good as we think it is.Stewart mentioned CBD is currently being researched to see if it can help animals as well as if it can be combined with cosmetic products for people.Martha Stewart stresses the importance of being a good teacherI want my legacy to be a good woman, whos a good teacher, whos fun, and has accomplished a lot, Stewart said.Any successful entrepreneur will eventually have to hire staff one day, which can be a daunting task. Stewart recommends giving people a chance, even if they dont seem like theyre the person with the most knowledge on a specific topic.Instead of hiring someone with all the hard skills, Stewart recommends searching for a person youll be able to train. Taking time to train new employees is critical.Stewart recalled one brilliant intern whom she wished she had spent more time with, saying, She went off and got a fantastic job and Im happy she did, but I was sorry to lose her.You have to spend time with a new employee, Stewart said. You have to really help them understand what their jobs are all about.Martha Stewart advises staying true to your beliefsWhile this was technically a piece of advice she would give to her younger self, that makes it an even more important message for young women to hear.Stewart recalled going to her publisher with an idea to create a series of How To books. She got shut down. Instead of naysaying this idea altogether, she decided instead that a magazine would be the more appropriate format for this idea.That was the first big challenge. Magazines were closing at the rate of about 10 to every startup at that time, Stewart said.The first issue of Stewarts magazine was published in 1990, meaning the publication is about to celebrate its 30th anniversary, for which it will publish a special 300th edition.We still have the same number of subscribers, the same rate base of 2.1 million copies a month thats a big magazine.Magazines are again at a crossroads- with print magazines failing and closing at a pretty healthy rate right now. But Martha Stewart Living is still going strong because it knows what its customers need and want. We still produce a very beautiful magazine every single month, Stewart said.For the modern working woman, Martha recommends staffing two to three housekeepersThis piece of advice isnt relevant for all of us, but Stewart swears by it.So you never have to make that bed again, Stewart said.With Marthas advice, maybe well all be able to have a few housekeepers in each of our four houses one day.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

17 Quick Tips to Get Your Cover Letter Noticed

17 Quick Tips to Get Your Cover Letter Noticed17 Quick Tips to Get Your Cover Letter Noticed

Creative Resume Formats What You Need to Know

Creative Resume Formats What You Need to Know Creative Resume Formats What You Need to Know After submitting resume after resume and hearing notlagehing back, you might be considering a daring new approach. Maybe its time to ditch that trusty Microsoft Word resume template in favor of a bold, creative resume that wont be missed and cant be ignored.Before you spend your weekend crafting your resume into a pizza pckchen like Zvina Luke, be sure you know when an outside-the-box resume will bring positive attention and when it will eliminate you from consideration.Creative Resumes are for Creative IndustriesThis is the reason I love being a graphic designer, writes Luke on herpizza box resume web page. Our resume doesnt have to be formal, and shouldnt be limited in a piece of paper, in fact the more out of the box it is the better.A graphic designers qualifications include their design aesthetics, ideas, and ability to create. Whether theyre building something like Luke above or showing off their design chops like the examples below, the resume format is an extension of the resume itself.If your creative resume doesnt align with your position or industry, it could be dismissed as a gimmicky stunt.Creative Resume vs. Applicant Tracking SystemEven a talented graphic designer could design themselves right out of consideration without an understanding of how the application process works.Many companies utilize applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter applicants. If youre applying for a job online, youre probably applying through an ATS. This poses a problem for anyone uploading a custom resume.fromEnhancvThese examples of creative resumes by graphic designersLinda Yuki Nakanishi, Harrison Carter Watkins, and Hagan Blountwill impress other artists and are effective in the right context, but they might not be ATS friendly resumes. ATS scan the text of your resume for recognizable sections including your name, contact information, work experience, and hard skills. If th e ATS cant properly parse your resume, the hiring manager wont find you when they search their pool of applicants.Jobscans resume scanner parses your resume the same way an ATS would. Upload your custom creative resume to get a better understanding of how your resume looks through the eyes of an ATS.Account for Company SizeMost large companies,including 98% of Fortune 500 companies, use an ATS.If a company uses an ATS, it is likely that the hiring manager will view the ATS applicant report generated from your resume rather than the original resume file you uploaded.Furthermore, if you manage to hand-deliver an unconventional resume to a large company that uses an ATS, you risk the company rejecting your resume for not following protocol. If they accept your application, an employee might have to manually enter the information from your resume into the ATS. Neither scenario helps you get hired.Small companies (under 50 employees) are less likely to use ATS and hiring managers are mor e accessible. A job seekers crafty resume is more likely to be seen and appreciated in a smaller environment.Going Viral Isnt the Goal, Employment IsEarning attention for your creative resume might help open some doors, but going viral doesnt guarantee a successful job search. Creative resumes and bold job hunting tactics provide good fodder for social media, blogs, and news outlets, but you still have to present yourself as the most qualified candidate for the job in order to turn 15 minutes of fame into a job offer.Back in October 2016, a young absatzwirtschaft professional went viral for his daring strategy of posing as a Postmates delivery person and hand-delivering donuts that contained his resume to dozens of top Silicon Valley ad and tech firm CEOs. He was rewarded with at least 10 interviews, received public praise from some of the CEOs, and wascovered by countless media outlets. But none of the news stories ended in a job offer.You might be willing to do anything to get you r foot in the door, but youre better off sticking with convention unless your industry specifically rewards creative ambition. Your time will be better spentoptimizing your resume. In most situations, tailoring your skills and experience to the job you want will help you stand out from the crowd more than any gimmick.

Why No One Is Discussing Event Planner Resume and What You Need to Do Right Now About It

Why No One Is Discussing Event Planner Resume and What You Need to Do Right Now About It The Lost Secret of Event Planner Resume In case the event does not have any media page or possibly a site, attempt to find the organizing companys phone number or workplace. An event planner may take care of a large assortment of events, which range from professional meetings to weddings to conventions. It is responsible for covering every aspect of a large, organized meeting from start to finish. It can also be referred to as an event coordinator. When reviewing resumes, hiring managers wish to be aware of if you possess skills that let you relate nicely with other people. Some employers request that you tell them something interesting about yourself in work interview. Your resume objective ought to be strong and confident so that a possible employer will learn that youre the very best candidate for the job. Making divorce finances work sometimes suggests that the stay-at-home spouse sh ould reenter the work industry. In case the assignment isnt done correctly and you must return and repair it. There are lots of abilities and job functions a wedding planner performs which need to be listed and organized in a very clear format. To begin, you can market your strengths on a daily basis to accomplish increased fulfillment at your work. Attempt to delegate different tasks to every member involved with the planning and preparation of the event, but in case the tasks are too complex to deal with, I think that it would be good to get hold of a trustworthy event planning agency and schedule a one-on-one consultation to talk about your company events planner objective. Event Planner Resume No Longer a Mystery The statistics in PR can be quite depressing, but its sometimes a numbers game. Event organizers know more about the publicity that the event will attract, so they normally have a page dedicated to alert the media of what it is that they are to do and ways to get press releases for the occasion. Supervising a corporate event can be exceedingly tedious if you do it all on your own. As an Event Coordinator, you need to be thorough. Most prospective employers decide after reading the very first few lines whether they need to interview you. For those who have questions that arent answered on our site, representatives are offered via LIVE chat. Others are going to request that you cut the checks for different pros yourselves. Handling an event from beginning to finish is a rather challenging endeavor. If you want to observe the manner it works, theyre very open concerning the process, he states. Your objective is the huge picture reason your event exists where you wish to be vs where youre now. Ask about the procedure as soon as you have contacted the suitable individual. Find a means to put all of it into words to create your resume stand out from the pack. Be realistic, and remember to allocate a certain quantity of time to a job, othe rwise you may wind up sticking on the very first undertaking. Be as informed as possible because the more you comprehend the procedure, the sooner youre able to submit the application and consequently, the better your odds of obtaining a press pass. The time allotted for course completion was calculated depending on the range of course hours. Sample advertising Coordinator Resume Objectives A potential employer is going to be convinced that youre sincerely interested if you employ the anthroponym of the institution in your resume objective for a Marketing Coordinator position. Discover the best Special sights Manager Resume Sample s that can help you improve the exact own curriculum vitae. Professional certification can be found from several industry organizations and clubs. Sample Event Coordinator Assistant Resume Objectives As youre writing your resume objective, make sure you incorporate the name of the business you are applying for.

Near Me Offers Peer-to-Peer Marketplace Solution for Joining the Sharing Economy

Near Me Offers Peer-to-Peer Marketplace Solution for Joining the Sharing Economy The Near Me platform-as-a-service seeks to provide brand and entrepreneurs with the tools to create customizable peer-to-peer marketplaces sans the traditional costs and time. Near Me will provide predictive analytics, cooperative competitions, and aim to reshape e-commerce through the multiple marketplaces powered by the platform. Near Me provides customizable branding, payment solutions through PayPal, Balance and Stripe along with administrative and analytics dashboards. Near Mes support team provides 24/7 support and is search optimized and mobile responsive without the need for additional coding. The saatkorn analytics used in criminology, fraud and organized crime detection, will help marketplaces build trusted networks, said CTO and Co-Founder of Near Me, Adam Broadway. Fold-on-top peer group analysis, comments and reviews and marketplaces will no longer be the wild-west of commerce, but credible places to connect, swap, rent/subscribe and buy.Think of a home hardware chain store, for example, powering a marketplace for the community to rent/share their rarely used lawn-mowers, hedge trimmers, power tools, Broadway continued. And what to do with all that great data? That hardware store can learn, refine and provide better services, based on participation rather than protection.We are creating customizable marketplaces that all have a unique twist to them, said Michelle Regner, CEO and co-founder of Near Me. We are pushing the collaborative economy forward by making it easier for non-developers to build a marketplace quickly, whether its a pop-up marketplace for a brand event/campaign or for longevity as a complete business.

THIS IS NOT A DRILL Dont blame the button presser, blame the button designer

THIS IS NOT A DRILL Dont blame the button presser, blame the button entwurferTHIS IS NOT A DRILL Dont blame the button presser, blame the button designerOn Saturday morning, people living in Hawaii faced a false-but-terrifying nuclear threat after an employee at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency erroneously sent a public emergency alert that read BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL to peoples smart phone devices, causing widespread panic and fear for the 38 minutes it took for Hawaii authorities to correct the error.How could such a massive error have happened? According to the Washington Post, the unidentified employee saw two options in a drop-down menu on a computer program - Test missile alert and Missile alert - and incorrectly picked the latter option of a real-life threat, which triggered alerts to the publics smartphone devices and television screens.Design failure, not menschenfreundlich error, to blameThe employee r esponsible for the push alert failure has reportedly been reassigned but not fired. Instead of blaming the person who pushed the wrong button, the government blamed the state system that allowed one person to have so much power. Based on the information we have collected so far, it appears that the government of Hawaii did not have reasonable safeguards or process controls in distributions-mix to prevent the transmission of a false alert, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement on Sunday.User interface expert Don Norman said the error is the incompetent design in the alert system that allowed it to occurIn 2003, Norman wrote an oft-cited essay on how system failures within organizations too often get attributed simply to human error, which allows the errors to continue to occur unexamined.If we assume that the people who use technology are stupidthen we will continue to design poorly conceived equipment, procedures, and software, thus leading to more and more accidents, all of whi ch can be blamed upon the hapless users rather than the root cause - ill-conceived software, ill-conceived procedural requirements, ill-conceived business practices, and ill-conceived design in general, Norman wrote. It is far too easy to blame people when systems fail.Under this logic, yes, humans can cause errors, but more attention and responsibility should be paid to the processes in place that led to such an error.When a contractor can disable the presidents accountNormans philosophy can be applied to another recent incident of one workers mistake causing an outsized impact. In November, social media company Twitter blamed a contractor on his last day for disabling President Trumps Twitter account for 11 minutes.In a later interview, the contractorBahtiyar Duysak explained that his action was a mistake because he never thought the account would actually get deactivated, according to TechCrunch.The New York Times reported that Twitter employees had long expressed concerns that h igh-level accounts like those belonging to the U.S. president were too easily accessible for hundreds of the companys workers. By having a procedure that allowed for contractors like Duysak to access them, a system failure was more likely to occur.The nuclear threat triggered by a dropped socket wrenchThis is not the first time a nuclear situation has been caused by a human error facilitated by a flawed system. In 1980, two airman were performing maintenance on a U.S. Air Force Titan II ballistic missile in Arkansas when a socket wrench was accidentally dropped into the shaft of the missile silo. The socket hit a fuel tank and caused a missile explosion that lifted a warhead out of the ground and caused two peoples deaths.If the warhead had actually detonated, the maintenance mishap could have made part of the state of Arkansas uninhabitable and countless lives would have been lost. The safeguards for such a fluke event were not in place. As one of the technicians in the missiles co ntrol room put it, an accident like this wasnt on the checklist.If the system worked properly, someone dropping a tool couldnt send a nuclear warhead into a field, Eric Schlosser, who wrote a book on the Air Force incident, said in a PBS documentary.These examples show us that blaming a person is easy when an error causes headlines and panic. Whats more important, designers like Norman argue, is making sure the problem gets fixed so that mistakes and fluke events cannot be repeated by someone else.

A Racket for Engineers

A Racket for Engineers A Racket for Engineers A Racket for EngineersWatching professional tennis now compared to 30 years ago, its hard to even compare. Thats because at times its hard to even, well, see the ball. The increased speed of serves and ground strokes is undeniable and, though shot technique has changed and improved, its clear that racket improvements are at the forefront of what changed the game forever.And with more than a billion people playing tennis worldwide, theres much money to be made in continued improvement. Dr. Tom Allen, lecturer in engineering design at the Centre for Sports Engineering Research, Sheffield Hallam University, UK, has actually made a career out of analyzing what makes a stronger racket. In fact, his PhD welches sponsored by Prince, among the most recognizable companies in all of tennis products.I got into this because I liked the idea of mixing tennis and engineering in terms of applying finite analysis, he says. Im constantly looking at number s based on programs and also seeing players in action. Improvements never end.But where did the growth in racket technology, which led to the lightning-fast game we see today, really start? Its been a slow transition, Allen says. It started with wooden rackets, then laminated, then reinforced around the throat and, of course, the Howard Head and the Dunlop Max 200G.The Howard Head model brought on an increase in racket head size, allowing players to get to balls theyd otherwise fall short of, while the Dunlop had greater control because you could precisely place materials, Allen says. Remember the wood by contrast would only give so much, Allen offers. If, for example, you made a racket skinnier to reduce stiffness do that enough and it would break.Allens biggest contribution to the sport came much later. We were able to show the influence of friction on tennis strings wasnt like people thought, he says. They conceived that as you increase the friction of the surface you get more s pin, but our experiments demonstrated that lower friction actually is what does this, and I believe youve seen this change rackets across the board It was the result of a model. Its an advantage over an experiment because you can go right through to impact and measure what happened.Research can be intensive, as the friction conclusion took more than six months, but Allen continues to refine his methods. We use high-speed video to see what the player likes based on the video of them playing and then go to the step of creating a racket, he says. We used to not do that and that meant a much higher chance that the players wouldnt like what we made.Racket manufacturers today can use graphite, fiberglass, and still more options, making for different levels of flexibility and weight. And they still have engineers like Allen that wont stop tinkering. Even after you look at the speed of the ball, he says, you can look at adjusting rackets to limit injuries, so many areas. I know I wont run out of things to research anytime soonEric Butterman is an independent writer.I got into this because I liked the idea of mixing tennis and engineering in terms of applying finite analysisImprovements never end.Dr. Tom Allen, lecturer in engineering design, Centre for Sports Engineering Research, Sheffield Hallam University

How to File an Article 138 Complaint Under the UCMJ

How to File an Article 138 Complaint Under the UCMJHow to File an Article 138 Complaint Under the UCMJArticle 138 is one of the most powerful rights under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), but it is one of the rights least known and least used by military personnel. Under Article 138 of the UCMJ, any member of the armed forces who believes himself (or herself) wronged by his (or her) commanding officer may request redress. If such redress is refused, a complaint may be made, and a superior officer must examine into the complaint. Article 138 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) gives every member of the Armed Forces the right to complain that he or she was wronged by his or her commanding officer. The right even extends to those subject to the UCMJ on inactive duty for training. Matters appropriate to address under Article 138 include discretionary acts or omissions by a commander that adversely affect the member personally and are In violation of law or regulati onBeyond the legitimate authority of that commanderArbitrary, capricious, or an abuse of discretionClearly unfair (e.g., selective application of standards) Procedures for Filing Complaint Within 90 days (180 days for the Air Force) of the alleged wrong, the member submits his or her complaint in writing, along with supporting evidence, to the commander alleged to have committed the wrong. There is no specific written format for an Article 138 complaint, but it should be in normal military letter format, and should clearly state that it is a complaint under the provisions of Article 138 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The commander receiving the complaint must promptly notify the complainant in writing whether the demand for redress is granted or denied.The reply must state the basis for denying the requested relief.The commander may consider additional evidence and must attach a copy of the additional evidence to the file. If the commander refuses to grant the requeste d relief, the member may submit the complaint, along with the commanders response, to any superior commissioned officer who is mandated to forward the complaint to the officer exercising General Court-Martial Convening Authority (GCMCA) over the commander being complained about. The officer may attach additional pertinent documentary evidence and comment on the availability of witnesses or evidence, but may not comment on the merits of the complaint. Special Note Article 138 clearly states that complaints may be addressed to any superior commissioned officer. However, only the Air Force regulations allow the complainant to bypass their chain of command when filing a complaint. The Army requires that the complaint is filed with the complainants immediate superior commissioned officer. A complaint in the Navy or Marine Corps must be submitted via the chain of command, including the respondent. Before reaching the general court-martial convening authority, an intermediate officer to wh om a complaint is forwarded may comment on the merits of the complaint, add pertinent evidentiary werkstoff to the file,andif empowered to do sogrant redress. In the Air Force, the complainant may submit the claim directly, or through any superior commissioned officer to the general court-martial convening authority. GCMCAs Responsibilities Conduct or direct further investigation of the matter, as appropriate.Notify the complainant, in writing, of the action taken on the complaint and the reasons for such action.Refer the complainant to appropriate channels that exist specifically to address the alleged wrongs (i.e., performance reports, suspension from flying status, assessment of pecuniary liability). This referral constitutes final action.Retain two complete copies of the file and return the originals to the complainant.After taking final action, forward a copy of the complete file to the Secretary of the Service (i.e., Secretary of the Army, Secretary of the Air Force, ect.) , for final approval/disposition. The GCMCA is prohibited from delegating his or her responsibilities to act on complaints submitted pursuant to Article 138. Matters Outside the Scope of the Article 138 Complaint Process Acts or omissions affecting the member which were not initiated or ratified by the commanderDisciplinary action under the UCMJ, including nonjudicial punishment under Article 15 (however, deferral of post-trial confinement is within the scope of Article 138)Actions initiated against the member where the governing directive requires final action by the Office of the Secretary of the ServiceComplaints against the GCMCA related to the resolution of an Article 138 complaint (except for alleging the GCMCA failed to forward a copy of the file to the Secretary of the Service) Complaints seeking disciplinary action against anotherSituations where procedures exist that provide the individual notice of an action, a right to rebut, or a hearing and review by an authority s uperior to the officer originating the action. (This includes most administrative boards)