MPi (http://www.mpi-edge.com), the pioneer and leader in vehicle inspection tools, service workflow expertise, and consulting for automotive dealership service centers, today announced that Mercedes-Benz of Santa Rosa has increased overall numbers in the service department by more than 15 percent over average and monthly parts and labor sales by more than $ 100,000, since implementing MPi?s World Class Inspection program and a more consistent approach to vehicle inspections.

According to Service Director Vinnie Lamica, a few months ago his service department was run as a standard, flat rate shop. Vehicles were not inspected as regularly as he would have liked and the inspection rate was sitting at a less than stellar 43 percent. Lamica was looking for a solution that would boost profitability by maintaining processes in his dealership while also providing a robust reporting mechanism. He wanted to be able to track all areas and hold his employees; techs, advisors, etc., accountable, without spending hours and hours building and generating reports.

Lamica heard about MPi EDGE and the World Class Inspection program from his peers and when Mercedes-Benz offered an incentive program earlier this year, he decided to give it a try. The system was installed in July and the inspection rate has since risen as high as 87 percent and is on track to hit a target of 90 percent by the end of the year.

?At first my GM was hesitant to sign up. But I believed so strongly in the program that he could hardly say no. He was very concerned about the cost of the product and the speculated returns. The returns in the first month were off the charts. My entire staff quickly became believers and the GM saw the numbers increase by 15% over average. Needless to say he is onboard now,? Lamica said. ?The MPI Edge system helps my employees stick to processes and gives us complete consistency in one nicely bundled package. It?s so cleverly intertwined that it sets up personal accountability between departments.?

?Sometimes I might not even catch it but the employees will check each other as it is almost self-managing. I don?t always have to step in because the process of the program enables self-correction,? Lamica added.

Using the World Class Inspection program, Mercedes-Benz of Santa Rosa has implemented a consistent inspection process and system of accountability. It has also revamped the entire upsell process and customer interaction to help boost service department results. The new system centers on a http://www.mpi-edge.com/solutions/world-class-inspections.aspx multi-step [vehicle inspection] process that confirms owner-identified vehicle needs. Following the inspection, the technician immediately checks the vehicle for any other safety, performance or convenience needs that might merit upsell attention. Upsell recommendations that may be identified are described for the consumer in detailed and visually instructive reports, a Know Your Vehicle Report that explains why recommendations for that customer?s vehicle are being made, and a Recommended Action Plan that outlines the priority of any additional recommended repairs. Together, these tools help build credibility and trust in the advisor?s recommendations. In November alone the dealership enjoyed an average upsell per inspection of $ 420.

?The ?magic? of the Recommended Action Plan? when emailed to a customer still baffles us. My top service consultant just laughs and shakes his head when the report comes back from the client after approving all the recommendations. The technicians have a very consistent approach to vehicle inspection and now have an expectation that the client will most likely approve most if not all the items identified in the treatment plan, I wouldn?t consider going forward without this product,? Lamica commented.

The Know Your Vehicle report also helps the service advisors deal with customers and vehicles they may not be familiar with. It enables advisors to get a fast recap of what has taken place and what is needed so they are immediately familiar with the vehicle and comfortable working with a customer that may not be theirs. The new pay plan also helps to make the system work very smoothly. Each advisor gets a portion of pay based on the entire work load coming into the shop. With results such as an increase of more than $ 65,000 in monthly Parts and Labor Gross Profits, and a Monthly Parts/Labor Sales increase of over $ 100,000; the system seems to be working.

About MPi:

MPi, a wholly owned subsidiary of SRS, Inc., specializes in providing dealerships the necessary tools, processes and consulting to successfully implement a comprehensive, World Class Inspection Program (WCI) in service departments across North America and Canada. MPi?s proven results driven solution has been helping thousands of dealerships achieve significant profit contribution. MPi?s complete and all inclusive vehicle inspection program includes state of the art software solution, EDGE; personalized customer friendly communication tools (Recommended Action Plan? and Know Your Vehicle? Reports); detailed management analytical tools; ongoing consulting and training services; and process and performance metrics. For more information visit: http://www.mpifix.com/company/overview.aspx

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In the recent past Britain has been used to being viewed as second class citizens in the world of chocolate. However, according to the ChocolateReviews.co.uk survey over over 300 chocolate products during 2011 the country is fast becoming a dominant force. Although Belgian Pierre Marcolini won the overall award for his selection box, British chocolate makers have taken the bulk of the other chocolate awards on offer.

Other category winners of the best chocolates of the year incude the highly imaginative Artisan du Chocolat with their festive creations title with their ‘Magic Wands’ – flavoured sticks of chocolate which when combined mimicking other interesting flavours which were viewed as the perfect chocolate Christmas gift.

Traditionally the Italians, French and Swiss are most noted for their dark chocolate, however, it was Cleethorpes based Duffy from Red Star Chocolate with his Tierra Oscura Panama 72% which scooped the prize as being the best dark chocolate bar of 2011.

British chocolatiers dominated the novelty chocolate category with Lucky’s of London creating absolutely fantastic chocolate coated cakes, Berry Scrumptious from Scotland with their chocolate covered strawberries and Montezuma?s from Sussex with their interesting chocolate with lime pickle affair.

Commenting on the awards, Editor and Academy of Chocolate judge stated: it’s intriguing that so many people in the UK believe that companies in Europe make the best chocolate, and although Belgium won with Pierre Marcolini’s exceptional ganaches, there is a fantastic array of absolutely exceptional chocolatiers in this country we should be proud of. It’s time that chocolate lovers here support the fantastic work of our home-grown talent.”

Despite the resurgence of the UK in the creation of fine chocolate, Lee believes that British chocolatiers shouldn’t rest on our laurels, stating that “there is some tremendous chocolate being produced in USA at the moment. Currently brands such as Rogue Chocolate, Amano and the Mast Brothers can be hard to get hold of in this country. As supply channels improve, however, I am sure American chocolate will become increasingly popular amongst chocoholics in the UK and should hopefully encourage British chocolate makers to innovate and produce a much broader variety of artisan chocolate.”

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The launch of the ?Rekindle the Spark ? Save your Marriage? program brings a new approach to solving relationship problems. The program, developed by Barbara Duff, a relationship and psychosexual therapist with over 20 years of marriage counseling experience, allows couples to work on their issues at their own pace and in the privacy of their own home.

]]> http://www.themagicofmakingupsecrets.com/therapist-develops-exciting-alternative-to-relationship-and-marriage-counseling/feed/ 0 http://www.themagicofmakingupsecrets.com/dialmycalls-celebrates-christmas-with-free-calls-from-santa-claus/ http://www.themagicofmakingupsecrets.com/dialmycalls-celebrates-christmas-with-free-calls-from-santa-claus/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:46:31 +0000 tjtheper http://www.themagicofmakingupsecrets.com/dialmycalls-celebrates-christmas-with-free-calls-from-santa-claus/
Jupiter, FL (PRWEB) December 09, 2011

Christmas 2011 is almost here and while Santa trackers all across the world are getting ready to go live, one local Jupiter, Florida business is spreading some holiday cheer of their own. DialMyCalls is offering its members a special gift this holiday season ? free holiday greetings! Using their voice broadcasting service the company will send custom holiday calls from Christmas’s most famous character, Santa Claus, to kids of all ages.

A list of children’s names are available to choose from on the special holiday Santa Calls page of DialMyCalls.com. Users of the service can then choose from one of nine customized Santa Claus character greetings and the child’s name will automatically be added to that greeting. Schedule out the personalized Santa call and let the magic happen when a child receives a ?special? message from Santa Claus ? it even shows up as the North Pole calling on the caller id!

Owner David Batchelor states: ?I absolutely love this time of the year and enjoy every thing about Christmas. We here at DialMyCalls wanted to spread our holiday cheer with kids all across the country by offering free personalized calls from Santa Claus himself.?

Celebrate Christmas 2011 and spread some holiday cheer by creating a personalized telephone call from the Winter season’s loveable character, Santa Claus, that can be sent for free to children all across the country!

About DialMyCalls

DialMyCalls.com was founded in 2006 and has continued to increase its presence in the voice broadcasting industry. DialMyCalls prides itself on offering customers a quality system that is extremely easy to use. Special events such as these personalized Christmas calls from Santa Claus, a jolly character that has become a staple during the holidays, show that this company loves to have fun and enjoys pleasing its customers.

For more information, please visit http://www.dialmycalls.com or call 800.928.2086. You can also email tims(at)ontimetelecom(dot)com for additional information.

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MagicalPad is voted as the best iPad outliner topping iPad productivity charts. With more than 10,000 users in the first three months, MagicalPad is proving once again its innovative concept and excellent execution. ?Better than OmniOutliner ? It is actually surprising that something like this doesn’t come built-in to the iPad.? Said Paul D., an iPad productivity junkie who voted for MagicalPad.

The power of this productivity app lies in how cleverly it combines notes, outlines and checklists in a freeform layout enabling users to visualize their ideas and organize their thoughts seamlessly. Because of its versatility MagicalPad offers writers, manager, executives and students the flexibility they need to express and share their thoughts and ideas.

It is no surprise that MagicalPad is in the top 15 productivity iPad apps in iTunes. This success is a result of fanatic support, excellent execution, strong product vision and sharp focus on user needs. ?We are quickly responding to our users and will be introducing mind mapping capabilities early Q1 of next year? said Bouchra Benchekroun, product manager with MagicalPad. With unlimited outlines notes and checklists on the same page, drag/drop capabilities and the expected mind mapping functionality MagicalPad will become a must have tool for the iPad; ?I see OneNote for the iPad in this app, and I’m loving it.? said Mary C. a MagicalPad user.

About MagicalPad

MagicalPad is a Massachusetts based start-up provider of innovative mobile and web-based applications for visually organizing and managing information and ideas to drive structured thinking, spark creativity, and enhance business innovation and team effectiveness.

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The Williams Group, a full service Public Relations, Photography & Marketing firm announces the publication of Ron Vitale’s novel Cinderella’s Secret Diary. Have you ever wondered what happened to Cinderella after she married the Prince? What about the evil stepmother and stepsisters? Set in the late 1700s, as Napoleon is rising to power, Cinderella’s Secret Diary (Book 1: Lost) by Delaware County’s own Ron Vitale, explores the possibilities as Cinderella embarks on a journey of self-discovery. In this book, we find our beloved Cinderella stripped of her glass slippers and carriage, as she is trying to come to terms with her troubled marriage to the Prince and her inability to have his child. On a quest for self-discovery and motherhood, her journey leads her to find her long-lost Fairy Godmother who aids her in solving the mystery behind her mother’s death. Yet, the Fey Lord and the Silver Fox also takes notice of her and her world is suddenly turned upside down. In a story that started out as Cinderella’s desire to have a baby, now gains explosive momentum as she learns the secrets of her past, that will eventually affect her future.

Arriving on the scene against a backdrop of current fairytale hits such as the blockbuster Twilight: Breaking Dawn, ABC’s wholesome Once Upon a Time and NBC’s more ominous Grimm, Cinderella’s Secret Diary takes readers into a whole new world. Fueled by suspense, intrigue and mystery, Cinderella’s quest takes her to places she never dreamed possible while washing the evil stepmother’s dirty floors. It’s a revelation of self-discovery, both of her past and her future. This treatment is a fascinating approach to a well-loved fairytale that is cherished by many. Finally, we find the answers behind the story of one of history’s favorite childhood heroines.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ron Vitale was influenced by the likes of Tolkien, Stephenie Meyer and French culture, but has never forgotten his roots, proud to be able to correctly order a cheese steak at Pat’s steaks.

During his early 20s, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and French and then went on to obtain his Master of Arts in English, at Villanova University. After graduation, Ron entered the world of medical publishing, utilizing his editing and technological skills. In October 2007, Ron published his science fiction short story collection The Jovian Gate Chronicles that answers the question: What happens when humans cross paths with intelligent aliens who claim to be prophets from God? In the fall of 2008, he released his fantasy novel Dorothea’s Song, a tale of a young high school student who copes with his parents’ divorcing by dreaming up the story of Dorothea, an elf who lives in a magical forest.

Ron is taking part in the Indie Book Collective’s “12 Days of Christmas” book extravaganza. From December 12-24, the eBook version of Cinderella’s Secret Diary (Book 1: Lost) will be on sale for $ .99 on Amazon.com.

Cinderella’s Secret Diary (Book 1: Lost)

Category: Young Adult Gothic Novel

Length: 71,000 words

Age Rating: 15 or older

Website: http://www.amazon.com/Cinderellas-Secret-Diary-Book-ebook/dp/B005IHDX18

Price: $ 2.99 on the Nook, $ 2.99 for the Kindle Edition and $ 8.99 for the print version on Amazon.

For more information on this release, contact Melinda Williams at The Williams Group, 610-518-4888 or visit http://www.thewilliamsgroup.info.

For information on Ron Vitale, please contact him at 610-930-8869 or visit http://www.RonVitale.com.

Follow him on Twitter @ronvitale. Ron can be emailed at ronvitale(at)gmail(dot)com

About The Williams Group

The Williams Group is a full service Public Relations/ Photography/ Marketing firm.

Visit us at http://www.TheWilliamsGroup.Info.

Call us at 610-518-4888.

Follow her on Twitter @MelTellsIt

Email us at Melinda(at)TheWilliamsGroup(dot)Info

About Author Ron Vitale

Visit him at http://www.RonVitale.com

Call him at 610-930-8869

Follow him on Twitter @ronvitale.

Email him at ronvitale(at)gmail(dot)com

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LifeStorage, Chicago self storage provider for home and business, records management and office solutions, is continuing its seasonal events this December with most Chicagoland locations* transforming LifeStorage lobbies into Santa’s Workshops. In addition, nine** LifeStorage locations will also have a Pictures With Santa Event on December 10th. These are just two more ways that current LifeStorage customers and interested parties can have some fun, enjoy the holiday season, and see what LifeStorage has to offer.

The Santa’s Workshops, which began on November 27th, run through December 23rd. Each workshop includes gift-wrapping stations with free gift wrap, and hot cider and cookies to enjoy while you wrap your gifts. Also, each participating LifeStorage is offering great deals and discounts on storage units to hide your presents from your loved ones. The Pictures With Santa Event is the perfect alternative to the mall this year to bring your children and have their pictures taken with Old Saint Nick, all for free. LifeStorage will be providing coloring books and crayons for the kids while they wait, and every child that has their picture taken gets a free print-out of the photo to take home. Children are able to experience some of the magic of the season and parents can avoid the headaches involved with large crowds during this busy time of year.

?LifeStorage is really making an effort to make the holiday season fun this year, not just for adults, but for kids as well,? said Michelle Wight, LifeStorage District Manager. ?The PicturesWith Santa Event is a great way to avoid the craziness of holiday shopping, while still getting to visit with Santa. Our Santa’s Workshops give you a place to wrap presents without your kids walking in, and with the deal we have on our storage units, you have the perfect place to hide the gifts so that the presents are still a surprise come Christmas morning.?

December for LifeStorage continues its busy charitable schedule and holiday deals. Wight adds that these are just a few of the many events LifeStorage is holding. ?We’re balancing great storage solutions, holiday fun, and giving back to the community, and I couldn’t be more proud of our staffs. The Santa’s Workshops and Pictures With Santa Event reflect our fun side, and our myriad charity drives are really making a difference in the communities where we are based. I encourage everyone to stop by your local LifeStorage and see how you can help out, and have some free cider and cookies, on us,? Wight said.

Humboldt Park LifeStorage is not participating
** Pictures With Santa Event Locations: Addison, Algonquin, Elgin, Morton Grove, Rogers Park, Little Village, Matteson, Mokena, and Bridgeview

To find the nearest LifeStorage location, or for more information about self storage and records storage, please visit LifeStorage website.

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This holiday season, why buy toys for kids to play with by themselves when you can find plenty of toys that involve the whole family? The Mr. Dad Seal of Approval and GreatDad.com Recommends awards identify products that promote interaction between dads and kids. Trusted by some of the toy world?s biggest brands including Lego, Haba USA, the Smithsonian, and the Magic Schoolbus Series, the combined awards recognize companies whose products and services help strengthen and empower families, and help fathers create memorable, enriching experiences with their children.

?We want to identify products that dads can enjoy with their child, as well as recognize companies that go above and beyond in creating products and services that help fathers become better parents and improve the father-child bond,? said GreatDad?s Paul Banas.

?With limited resources and support devoted to fathers, it?s more important than ever to recognize and champion products and services that promote positive parenting and demonstrate a commitment to helping fathers become the parents they want to be,? adds Armin Brott, founder of MrDad.com and author of eight best-selling books on fatherhood, including the recently released The Military Father: A Hands-on Guide for Deployed Dads.

A panel of dad experts judged products and services based on whether they:

Tempe, Ariz. is home to the Insight Bowl on December 30, 2011 at Sun Devil Stadium. The Tempe Tourism Office team will welcome fans of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Oklahoma Sooners who are sure to enjoy the exciting game and warm winter temperatures. Kick-off is set for 8:00 p.m. MST and the game will be televised live to a nationwide audience on the ESPN Network.

Make plans now to cheer for Iowa or Oklahoma in Tempe, Ariz. as they compete for the Insight Bowl title at Sun Devil Stadium. Visit http://www.TempeTourism.com/InsightBowl for ticket information, convenient hotel options and details about events and activities.

Tickets are available at http://www.insightbowl.org or 480-350-0911. The Insight Bowl is one of the best bargains in college football bowl games. Single game tickets start as low as $ 25.

After partaking in college football bliss at the Insight Bowl, many fans will extend their stay to celebrate the New Year at the Fiesta Bowl Block Party, Arizona?s biggest and most exciting New Year?s Eve party. The Fiesta Bowl Block Party takes place in the Mill Avenue District, located next door to Sun Devil Stadium, on December 31 from 5:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. More than 100,000 party-goers annually celebrate the New Year amidst live entertainment, beer gardens, BMX bike demonstrations, magic shows and more. There are multiple stages and a spectacular, outdoor electronic dance club. The headlining musical acts are Tempe?s own Gin Blossoms and country music favorite, Sawyer Brown. There are two fireworks shows at 10 p.m. and midnight and a confetti blast at midnight. All ages are welcome at the Block Party. Tickets are $ 20 at the gate.

After enjoying the New Year?s Eve festivities in the Mill Avenue District, fans will have the chance for another dose of college football on January 2, 2012 at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona. The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl will host Stanford and Oklahoma State. Kick-off is at 6:30 p.m. MST and the game will be broadcasted nationally on ESPN.

Football fans are sure to enjoy Tempe?s warm December weather during their stay. Adjacent to the stadium, they can explore the Mill Avenue District?s restaurants, taverns and shops. Nearby shopping destination Tempe Marketplace offers a variety of choices for dining, shopping, nightlife and live music every weekend. Arizona Mills is a bargain hunter?s dream featuring 175 manufacturer outlets and attractions such as GameWorks and the SEA LIFE Arizona aquarium.

The whole family can experience STOMP at the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed ASU Gammage, December 28-31. Additionally, it is easy to explore the scenic Sonoran Desert at Papago Park or South Mountain Park/Preserve. Hiking and biking trails are located just minutes from any Tempe hotel or resort.

For more information about Tempe, the Insight Bowl or the Fiesta Bowl Block Party visit the Tempe Tourism Office website, http://www.TempeTourism.com, or call 800-283-6734.

About Tempe Tourism Office

The Tempe Tourism Office is a non-profit organization devoted to marketing Tempe, Arizona as a desirable visitor and group destination site. The Tempe Tourism Office’s mission is to provide visitors, media professionals and meeting planners with information on Tempe hotels, Tempe restaurants, Tempe entertainment and local points of interest. To learn more about Tempe, Arizona please call 480-894-8158 or 800-283-6734 or visit our website.

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For an awakening and meaningful Holiday experience Seven Directions Tours recommends a visit to the Pueblo Indians? villages of New Mexico during their Winter Ceremonies. From Christmas Eve to the beginning of January there is an extraordinary choice among the many Pueblo Ceremonies taking place throughout the nineteen pueblos of New Mexico, usually performed from dawn to late evening.

The Pueblo culture goes back over ten thousand years and the elaborate ceremonies are rooted in the ancestor?s knowledge and beliefs and are a genuine religious expression. Every part of the costumes, from masks to colors, retains a specific significance that also guides their steps and movements.

The Winter Dances, a symbolic representation of the animals? hunt, get the dancers, and with them the whole pueblo, in harmony with the animal world. A variety of animals’ impersonations take front stage, each one with a specific meaning: the eagle, the deer, turtle and buffalo. The Buffalo Dances, for instance, where the dancers wear entire buffalo heads, are among the most powerful and honor courage, leadership, and long life celebrating the abundance of food and the continued survival of the tribe. The drummers and singers tirelessly move around the village?s plazas and fill the air with their mighty and hearty music.

A non-native dance is also often performed, the Matachines. This ancient and colorful dance belongs to the strong Spanish heritage of New Mexico and goes back to the times of Spain?s Moorish occupation.

The amazing dances together with the spectacular New Mexico’s sky and magical landscapes offer one of the most engaging and enchanting experiences.

Although outside visitors are welcome to watch the dances, there are some requirements that should be common sense but not always appreciated. In fact, dances take place on private land and are religious ceremonies; therefore visitors should not behave as if they were at a show. Actually, they are asked to refrain from talking and applauding, photographing is forbidden, and generally they should show the same respect as guests in a private home. But the Pueblos are very generous and welcoming people and Seven Directions Tours can often ask to share their time and their delicious native food with its guests.

Some Pueblos have their own hotels that are an interesting complement to the whole experience.

Through Seven Directions Tours different Pueblo programs, of any length of time, are available and tailored designed to also include visiting some of the iconic places of New Mexico as well as dining and shopping experiences.

For further information and media inquiries: Patrizia Antonicelli ? Tel.505.820.3305

In its seven years of operation, Seven Directions | Cultural and Sustainable Tours http://www.sevendirections.net has established itself as one of the finest sustainable tour operators in the Southwest. It facilitates exceptional tours which create a memorable and authentic experience that is relaxing and profound in every respect. Specifically, Seven Directions Tours caters to a wide-ranging audience that seeks a hands-on experience that puts them in touch with the landscape and the people. What its clients learn is salient information in the comfort of a tour they can customize. Seven Directions Tours caters to large and small groups, and individuals. It also specializes in Fly & Drive programs that clients can take on by themselves.

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