Revealed: How Steve Jobs Turns Customers into Fanatics

Photo via powerbooktrance

Marketers gaze in envy at brands like Apple. The firm that began with the Mac has turned their customers into legions of fanatical evangelists. But, without a Steve Jobs at the helm, or with fewer resources than Apple, is building that kind of loyalty possible? I’ve got good news: while having a visionary and charismatic CEO is a big plus, it isn’t necessary to build a fan base, or even a fanatic base. One big secret of Apple’s success lies in an experiment conducted 40 years ago.

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50 Stunning Examples of Photo Manipulation Art

By Obaid ur Rehman

Now almost everyone knows that Photo Manipulation is art with which you can create digital miracles. Yes, you got me right! If you know how to manipulate your pictures, you can do whatever you want. Photo manipulation is one of the most creative art forms today, but it requires skills and precision. Here we present some examples of photo manipulation related to nature, photography, objects, illustrations, HDR, abstract and fantasy-related concepts.

Examples of Photo Manipulation Art

2030AD

Motorcycle by oilcorner

Banshee by Poisonvectors

S P L A S H by FaerieNymph

And The Giant Awoke – Selfpor. by GiuseppeParisi

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Sai Baba.

This article is about the "Shirdi" Sai Baba, an Indian religious figure who lived from the mid-19th to the early 20th century. See Sai Baba for other persons calling themselves Sai Baba.

Sai Baba of Shirdi or Shirdi Sai Baba (c. September 27, 1838 - October 15, 1918), born under an unknown name, was an Indian guru and fakir, who is regarded by his Hindu and Muslim followers as a saint. In his life and teachings he tried to embrace and reconcile both faiths: Sai Baba lived in a mosque, was buried in a Hindu temple, embraced Hindu and Muslim practices, and taught using words and figures that drew from both traditions. One of his well known epigrams says of God: "Allah Malik" ("GOD is the Owner of us All.")

His life

There is no clear record of Sai's given name, nor of his origins. Sai arrived at the village of Shirdi in Maharashtra state when he was about sixteen years old. He took up residence in a Khandoba temple, where a villager (Mahalsapathi) at worship first called him Sai ("saint").

He fostered an extremely simple and ascetic life: living in the village as a mendicant monk, and sleeping on the floor in the temple, and later in a dilapidated mosque.

Sai soon began to attract followers who addressed him by the name Baba ("father"). He worshipped both at Hindu temples and Muslim mosques, and encouraged tolerance between the faiths.

Numerous miracles were attributed to him. He did not discourage such attributions, and his fame spread. Many pilgrims came for his blessings, and he attracted large crowds even for the most mundane of his activities.

Sai remained in Shirdi all his life. Baba breathed His last with His head resting on one of His devotees lap. His last words were, "Place my Body in Buti's wada (mansion), I'll get peace there only. People will serve me only if I'm placed in Buti's wada." Thus as per His last wish He was buried in the "Buty Wada" also known as Samadhi Mandir.
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His religion, philosophy and practices

By his example, Sai sought to unite the seemingly disparate religious communities of Muslim and Hindus. He regularly recited Hindu and Muslim prayers, such as the Hindu prayer Vishnu sahasranama. Many of his Hindu followers consider him to be an avatar (incarnation) of Shiva and Dattatreya.

He left no written records; Sai's teachings were oral: typically short, pithy sayings rather than elaborate discourses. Sai often seemed to lose his temper with those around him. His followers believe that he only pretended to get angry, in order to teach humility and foster right spiritual action.

Sai encouraged charity. He said: "Unless there is some relationship or connection, nobody goes anywhere. If any men or creatures come to you, do not discourteously drive them away, but receive them well and treat them with due respect. Shri Hari (God) will be certainly pleased if you give water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked and your verandah to strangers for sitting and resting. If anybody wants any money from you and you are not inclined to give, do not give, but do not bark at him like a dog." Other of his favourite sayings were: "Why do you fear when I am here", "He has no beginning... He has no end", "All things arise from him and into him they return". Sai Baba made eleven assurances to his devotees:

1. Whosoever puts their feet on Shirdi soil, their sufferings will come to an end.
2. The wretched and miserable will rise to joy and happiness as soon as they climb the steps of the mosque.
3. I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving this earthly body.
4. My tomb shall bless and speak to the needs of my devotees.
5. I shall be active and vigorous even from my tomb.
6. My mortal remains will speak from my tomb.
7. I am ever living to help and guide all who come to me, who surrender to me and who seek refuge in me.
8. If you look to me, I look to you.
9. If you cast your burden on me, I shall surely bear it.
10. If you seek my advice and help, it shall be given to you at once.
11. There shall be no want in the house of my devotee. http://saibaba.ws/avatar/shirdisaibabaselevenssayings.htm

His eleven famous sayings are:

1. No harm shall befall him who sets his foot on the soil of Shirdi.
2. He who cometh to My Samadhi, his sorrow and suffering shall cease.
3. Though I be no more in flesh and blood, I shall ever protect My devotees.
4. Trust in Me and your prayer shall be answered.
5. Know that My Spirit is immortal. Know this for yourself.
6. Show unto Me he who sought refuge and been turned away.
7. In whatever faith men worship Me, even so do I render to them.
8. Not in vain is My Promise that I shall ever lighten your burden.
9. Knock, and the door shall open. Ask and ye shall be granted.
10. To him who surrenders unto Me totally I shall be ever indebted.
11. Blessed is he who has become one with Me. http://www.saibabaofindia.com/shirdi_sai_baba.html#100sayings

Sai started an ever-burning dhuni fire, and distributed its udhi (ash) among his followers. (Ash has symbolic meaning in Hinduism.) He often demanded money (dakshina) from his visitors, which he gave away to others the same day. Followers believe that this action was meant to help them be rid of greed and material attachment.

The best-known book about Sai is the Shri Sai Satcharita, written by Govindrao Raghunath Dabholkar, who Sai nicknamed Hemadpant. The book, which is quite devotional in style, recounts Sai's life, teachings, and stories of his miracles.

Many of his followers believe that Sai will continue to do miracles despite not being physically present.

His legacy

Sai Baba is among the most popular of Indian saints, and continues to have a large following. His image seems to be everywhere: it may be seen on shrines, lockets, billboards and cars of Hindus. While he is recognizable throughout India, his devotees are especially numerous in the state of Maharashtra, the place of his birth and in Andhra Pradesh. His samadhi is a well-known place of pilgrimage.

Many religious teachers, groups and organizations promote his teachings and devotion to Sai. Among the most prominent is the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, which also takes care of the shrines and temples in Shirdi.

Some followers of Sai Baba achieved fame as spiritual figures: these include Upasni Maharaj of Sakori and Meher Baba of Ahmednagar.

At least three gurus and two youngsters have claimed to be the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba. By far the most famous is Sathya Sai Baba (born circa 1926-1929) who lives at Puttaparthi Andhra Pradesh, India. Another guru who claims to be Shirdi Sai Baba's reincarnation is Bala Sai Baba.

A Hindi film was made in 1977 on his life and Sudhir Dalvi played the title role

World's top10 Billionaires

Mexico's Carlos Slim Helu and his family have a net worth of $53.5 billion, due in large part to Slim's telecommunications business endeavors.

Number 2: Bill Gates

American Microsoft co-founder and chairman, 54-year-old William Gates III has a net worth of $53 billion.

Number 3: Warren Buffett
79-year-old American investor Warren Buffett is worth $47 billion.

Number 4: Mukesh Ambani

52-year-old Indian business tycoon Mukesh Ambani is chairman of Reliance Industries. He's worth $29 billion.

Number 5: Lakshmi Mittal

Lakshmi Mittal is a 59-year-old Indian CEO and the current vice president of the World Steel Association. Mittal is worth $28.7 billion.

Number 6: Lawrence Ellison

Lawrence Ellison is an American entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of Oracle Corporation. At 65 years of age, he is worth $28 billion.

Number 7: Bernard Arnault

61-year-old French CEO of LVMH, the conglomerate of luxury brands Louis Vuitton and Dior, is worth $27.5 billion.

Number 8: Eike Batista

Eike Batista is a Brazilian entrepreneur and founder of several companies, predominantly in the mining industry. At 53, he is worth $27 billion.

Number 9: Amancio Ortega

Worth $25 billion, Spanish billionaire Amancio Ortega is the chairman of the Inditex Group. He is 74.

Number 10: Karl Albrecht

90-year-old German entrepreneur Karl Albrecht's net worth is $23.5 billion. Albrecht co-founded the popular supermarket chain Aldi.

40 most enchanting examples of Staircase Photography

1) The Expedition yushimoto_02 by christian

2) Wings of rise by Sven Fennema

3) Phare des Baleines by Guido Franssens

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Salesmanship Lessons From Donald Trump

By Mark Stevens   |   June 17, 2010In his bestselling book The Art of the Deal,

Donald Trump provided a unique perspective on constructing and negotiating business transactions. But as much as we know Trump as a deal-maker extraordinaire, his greatest skill is his salesmanship.

Think of The Donald as a salesman on steroids. And in this lesser-recognized role, Trump practices the art of the thrill.

Want to know what I mean by this and what we can learn from it for our own salesmanship?

Consider the following:

Never do things for your customers and prospects in a small way. Make it big and important or don't do it at all. I can assure you that when Trump takes a banker out to lunch to discuss a construction loan, he takes him out for a feast. He's not out to save money on the meal; he's determined to make money

from it.

Now think of your own mental gymnastics when you invite a prospect out to dine. Chances are you think through the options, searching for a nice enough place but affordable.

Affordable?! If you've set aside $100 for dinner and drinks, push it to $200. If the prospect is big enough, consider $300 or even $500. Is it extravagant? Yes, but you're out to practice the art of the thrill. No one will remember another run-of-the-mill dinner, but an over-the-top feast will make you the thrill-maker they remember.

Everyone likes to do business

with a winner. No matter what stage of your career, you need to look like you've made it. That means wearing a suit that will impress. As a universal rule, make it your business to be the best-dressed in the room. If you lack the fashion sense, a premier store will be more than happy to assign a knowledgeable salesperson to assist you.

And if you're thinking of the budget thing again, forget it. Put it this way; a smashing, well-tailored suit will last you for years. Allocate the upfront cost over dozens or possibly hundreds of business meetings and the investment becomes a mere pittance. Remember that your goal is not to save money; it's to make the sale--leave the penny pinching to others.

Bring your ego with you in full bloom. It's not enough to look successful; you need to act it as well. This demonstrates that you are also one of the smartest people in the room.

Again, take a page from Trump. Sure, he can be garish and way over the top, but no way is he going to check his ego at the door. Neither should you. So find a way to bring up your most significant achievements, tell an intriguing story and talk up your travels, discoveries and epiphanies.

The timid and the small thinkers will talk sports and weather. They will pale in comparison to the bold winners who regale their prospects and customers with compelling ideas and stories.

I'll never forget the afternoon I spent with legendary Washington attorney and presidential advisor Clark Clifford. He didn't just "meet" with me; he held court in a walnut-paneled office, wore a suit fit for a monarch and fascinated me with vividly colored stories that thrilled as much as educated and entertained. He established himself as one of the most important people in a town filled with big egos and left the impression that when it came to lawyers in the nation's capital, there could be only one choice.

This is the challenge and the opportunity before you--to make certain that of all the salespeople your customers and prospects come in contact with, you are the one indelibly imprinted on their brains. You don't sell. You thrill.

Mark Stevens is the CEO of MSCO , a results-driven management and marketing firm, and the bestselling author of Your Marketing Sucks and God Is a Salesman . He is also a popular media commentator on a host of business matters including marketing, branding, management and sales. He is also the author of the popular marketing blog, Unconventional Thinking .

10 Powerful Prosperity Lessons from Napoleon Hill

By Mr. Self Development on Aug 3, 2010

Napoleon Hill was one of the earliest creators of self-development literature.  He is considered by many to be one of the great writers on success.  His classic work, “Think and Grow Rich,” is one of the best-selling books of all time.

How it all began:

Andrew Carnegie, the industrialist and one of the most powerful men in the world in Hill’s day, believed that success could be explained by a simple formula (although Carnegie wasn’t sure what that formula was).

One day Andrew Carnegie was interviewed by Napoleon Hill; Carnegie was so impressed with Hill that he asked him to interview (or analyze) 500 (+) men and women to discover this secret formula to success.  Hill accepted the assignment; this would eventually be the turning point in Hill’s life.

As part of his research, Hill interviewed many of the most famous people of the time, including Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, George Eastman, Henry Ford, Elmer Gates, John D. Rockefeller, Sr., Charles M. Schwab, F.W. Woolworth, William Wrigley Jr., John Wanamaker, William Jennings Bryan, Theodore Roosevelt, William H. Taft and Jennings Randolph.

The results from this assignment yielded one of the greatest success workbooks ever written, it was called “The Law of Success.”  It happens to be one of my favorite audiobooks.

In the “Law of Success” workbook, Hill taught how success occurs, as well as the formulas behind success.  Hill made success quite simple for the average “Joe” to understand.

After the completion of the “Law of Success assignment,” Hill went on to have tremendous success personally, writing “Think and Grow Rich,” and eventually becoming the person we consider the father of modern self development.

“What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve” is one of Hill’s most famous sayings.

10 Powerful Prosperity Lessons from Napoleon Hill

1. The Imagination is Powerful

“All the breaks you need in life wait within your imagination; Imagination is the workshop of your mind, capable of turning mind energy into accomplishment and wealth.”

You need not sit around waiting for your big break.  In between your ears lie all the power you will ever need.  Are you using it?  Are you using the priceless gift of your imagination to create the life of your dreams?

Do you ponder on your visions both night and day?  Napoleon Hill said, “Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.”

2. Repetition of Thought is Required

“Any idea, plan, or purpose may be placed in the mind through repetition of thought.”

The best way to plant an idea into your mind is through repetition of thought.  The best way to create repetition of thought is to repeatedly say the thought you want planted in your mind.

You are the door keeper of your mind, don’t let the media plant thoughts into your mind, don’t let day time television plant thoughts into your mind, there’s no telling what that harvest will yield.  You take responsibility for your mind, and you plant the thoughts that you desire to see manifested, based on your dreams and desires.

3. Hard Work is Mandatory

“Big pay and little responsibility are circumstances seldom found together.”

Napoleon Hill said, “Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.”  Everybody wants something for nothing, but unfortunately life doesn’t work that way.  Great achievement requires great labor and great sacrifice.

But I will say this, in the long-term, the price of success is less than the price of failure, in the end it will cost you less to succeed.  If you suffer now, you can reign later.

4. A Plan Is Necessary

“Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.”

As I like to say, “If you don’t have a plan, you will fail, and you can quote me.”  You need a definite plan, it should be written down, and it should dictate, with military precision, the moves that you will be taking.  Napoleon Hill said, “First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality.”

5. You Have to Make a Move

“It is always your next move.”

Quit waiting and start moving, it’s your move!  And then after you make that move; it’s your move again, and again, and again.  The ball is always in your court, get into action and stay into action until you arrive at your intended destination.

6. Never Let Failure Discourage You

“Edison failed 10,000 times before he made the electric light. Do not be discouraged if you fail a few times.”

If at first you don’t succeed, then please don’t be surprised.  If Edison failed 10,000 times, no offense, but you will probably have your own set of failures as well.  But be of good cheer, those who have achieved greatness have usually failed greatly as well.

7. Defeat is a Sign

“When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal.”

Everything sends a message, if you are failing, then that’s a “message” that your current plan isn’t working very well.  No need to give up; just adjust your plan.  Use “messages,” to make adjustments.  Keep on making adjustments until your plan produces the results you desire.

8. Ideas Are How You Manifest Prosperity

“Just as our eyes need light in order to see, our minds need ideas in order to conceive.”

Randy Gage said, “You don’t have a money shortage, you have an idea shortage.”  He said, “Ideas my friend, are how you manifest prosperity in the physical world.”  If you are to give birth to wealth, you must first become pregnant from an idea.  You “need ideas in order to conceive.”

9. You Must Have a Definite Purpose

“There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.”

You must know what you want, and you must have a burning desire to get it.  That’s pretty simple!  Do you know what you want?  Do you know “exactly” what you want?  Do you have a “burning” desire to get it?  …Not do you “kinda” want it, …not it would be nice to have.  Do you have a “white hot burning desire” to possess it?

That’s what you need to have, and here’s how you get it.  Hill said, “Hold a picture of yourself long and steadily enough in your mind’s eye and you will be drawn toward it.”

10. Use Must Use Autosuggestion

“Your ability to use the principle of autosuggestion will depend, very largely, upon your capacity to concentrate upon a given desire until that desire becomes a burning obsession.”

Autosuggestion is the process of suggesting thoughts to yourself.  The word “autosuggestion” should be part of your everyday vocabulary.  As we mentioned earlier, the best way to make suggestions to yourself is to “say” what you want to suggest to your subconscious.  I wrote an entire article on this called “100 Times a Day.”  This is a very powerful concept; extremely powerful.  Napoleon Hill said, “When your desires are strong enough you will appear to possess superhuman powers to achieve.”

You have “superhuman powers,” make sure you use them!

This concludes this article on “10 Powerful Prosperity Lessons from Napoleon Hill,” be sure to bookmark this page, and refer to it as necessary.

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