What Is The Best Digital Camera Brand?

If ever there was a controversial question amongst the hordes of digital camera enthusiasts, it has to be "What is the best digital camera brand?". Sometimes referred to as "What is the best brand of digital camera to buy?", but not to be confused with "What is the best camera to buy?". Because everyone knows that regular (film) cameras are far superior to digital cameras. Hang on a sec, or was that the other way around? Who can keep track these days? Now before I digress too far from the topic, lets take a look at that age old battle, and see if we can determine which brand is best.

First things first, in the spirit of full disclosure, I need to declare that I do in fact own several cameras. They represent a variety of brands. I have two Canons, a Fuji, and a Kodak. I must confess, that I am somewhat partial to Canon, but I'll try not to let that cloud any editorial comments I may subsequently make.

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If digital camera sales were any indication of what the best brand was, then according to Amazon.com Canon would be a clear winner. As I write this, Canon manufactures 18 of the top 25 bestselling cameras on their best seller list. In addition, Canon holds 9 of the top 10 spots, with the top 3 being the PowerShot A570 IS, the PowerShot SD1000 Digital Elph, and the PowerShot SD850. Sharing the top 11 spots with Canon are 2 of the Pure Video manufactured Flip Video cameras. Nikon has 2 cameras in the top 25 including the Nikon D40, and the Nikon D300. Panasonic sneaks in with a couple of their Lumix models, specifically the DMC-TZ3K and the DMC-TZ3A. And finishing in a strong 25th spot, that old stalwart Kodak with the Easyshare Z812IS.

What Is The Best Digital Camera Brand?

Of course being popular, or the best seller does not the best brand make. It simply means you have the best salesmanship. In that world, Canon seems to be having the most success. How exactly would we determine the best brand? Best service, best design, best features, best customer support, best images, and best user experience are all valid traits. Perhaps a critical / scientific /empirical examination of all cameras models by manufacturer would be in order. Let's see if we can aggregate a lot of the work already done by a couple of camera review sites who take the above traits into consideration.

A perusal of one top camera review site under their 5 star category, show 39 Canon cameras, 18 Sony cameras, 17 Nikon cameras, 6 Fuji cameras, 5 Olympus cameras, 5 Panasonic cameras, 3 Pentax cameras, and 1 Konica camera. A second camera review site under their top 103 cameras showed 46 Canon cameras, 21 Sony cameras, 20 Nikon cameras, 5 Pentax cameras, 3 Fuji cameras, 2 Samsung cameras, 2 Panasonic cameras, 2 Kodak cameras, 1 Konica camera, and 1 Casio camera. If you total all that up, the top 3 end up being Canon with 85, Sony a distant second with 39, and Nikon a very close third with 37. Everyone else had less than 10 top rated cameras.

What Is The Best Digital Camera Brand?

Interesting huh? Canon seems to be dominating sales, and wowing the critics. That's a pretty strong one-two punch. The only reasonable conclusion here, is that Canon is the best overall brand out there. Of course I would never recommend anyone buy a camera based solely on brand. What I do suggest, is to do your homework by researching some good cameras. Once you've got your short list, and with everything else being equal, maybe then you should pick the Canon.

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The Nikon D800 Vs The Canon 5d Mark III

Canon 5D Mark III and Nikon D800 are both high performance cameras with incredible resolution. Photographers enjoy using both cameras for capturing high-definition movie-quality recordings. Nikon and Canon both do an excellent job of focusing on technology to improve image and sound quality. With advanced features, photographers shoot realistic and accurate images without significant effort. There is a bit of a price difference between the cameras, but each camera excels in different areas.

Features of Nikon D800 versus Canon 5D Mark III:

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• Advanced Image Processing. Advanced image processing is made possible by D800's 36.3 mega-pixel CMOS sensor. This sensor is more advanced than Canon's 5D but is offered at a lower cost. Canon's 5D only features a 22.3 mega-pixel CMOS sensor. Canon uses other advanced features to compensate for the sensor and to produce a higher resolution image.

The Nikon D800 Vs The Canon 5d Mark III

A 14-bit A/D convertor and DIGIC 5+ image processor is capable of reducing noise and producing clarity in Canon's images. Nikon's EXPEED 3 technology is responsible for its rich, accurate images and noise reduction. Canon produces higher ISOs than Nikon, and it also is faster. Canon reaches speeds of six frames per second, and Nikon can only achieve four frames per second.

• High Density AF Points. Canon Mark 5D outperforms D800 Nikon with 61 high-density, high-resolution AF points. Nikon's D800 only features 51 high-resolution AF points. Improved accuracy of images and subject tracking is made possible with this feature. Even in low-light situations, both of these cameras perform well. Canon Mark 5D is slightly more sensitive in low light situations.

• Optimized Exposure and Image Quality. Canon Mark 3 uses 63-zone Intelligent Focus Color (iFCL) dual-layer metering sensor. Accurate photographs are produced with this technology. By contrast, Nikon uses TTL exposure metering with a 91,000-pixel RGB sensor. This feature combined with an optical low pass filter (OPLF) aids in the accurate production of colors with Nikon's D800. Both cameras produce sharp images, but each camera excels in different categories. Canon performs well even when lighting changes quickly. Nikon has problems with blurring.

• Incredible High Definition Video. Both Canon and Nikon produce movie-quality or broadcast-quality video. Multiple frame rates and manual exposure control allows photographers to produce high-definition video. Canon is known for its All i-frame technology and IPB compression. Nikon features 1080p high definition technology with exceptional audio quality.

• LCD Monitors. Canon 5D Mark III features a 3.2-inch Clear View II LCD monitor with 1,040,000-dot VGA and 0.71 magnification. Nikon's D800 has an impressive viewing angle with 921,000-dot VGA. Both monitors are durable and feature vibration dust removal.

Thoughts from Reviewers:

Both cameras are expected to be available for purchase at the end of March. While experts are providing rave reviews about both cameras, consumers have not had an opportunity to comment in detail. Negative comments are expected to include:

Canon 5D Mark III's Negatives:
• Heavier than most but 50g lighter than Nikon's D800
• Buttons are reachable by most users, but some are misplaced.
• No white balance "hard button" available.

Nikon's D800 Negatives:

• Moire and False Color Not Eliminated Completely
• Slower than Canon's 5D Mark III
• 1:1 Pixel Matching Mode Not Supported

Canon Mark 3 5D Digital Camera versus D800 Nikon Summary:

Nikon's D800 will be offered for introductory price of 99, and Canon 5D costs ,299. Both cameras produce high quality images, but Canon seems to outperform Nikon in many categories. The question becomes whether the improvements are worth 00 more. Nikon's camera is affordable and shoots quality images.

Canon's Mark 5D III and Nikon's D800 Warranty:

Canon and Nikon both will offer a limited manufacturer's warranty, but the details have not been released yet.

The Nikon D800 Vs The Canon 5d Mark III

Check out my blog to find out more info on the Canon 5d Mark III and the Nikon D800, as well as many other popular DSLR cameras!

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What Kind of Camera Should My Wedding Photographer Use?

If you are in the process of looking for a wedding photographer, chances are you will soon hear the terms: medium format, 35mm, and digital. Those are the three primary types of camera systems currently used by wedding photographers. We, the wedding photographers, have argued amongst ourselves for years as to which camera system is best. I'll start by sharing with you about the different camera systems and will then give you my opinion of which camera system your wedding photographer should use.

Medium Format

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For many years medium format has been the absolute best option. A medium format camera uses film that is 3 times the size of a 35mm negative-- resulting in higher resolution images and beautiful enlargements, however, the cameras and processing costs are very expensive.

What Kind of Camera Should My Wedding Photographer Use?

Primary advantages: high resolution negatives. Previously, the fact that a person owned a Medium Format camera was almost, in and of itself, a sign that they were a true "wedding photographer" (due to the expense of the system).

Disadvantages: expensive to operate (film costs are so high that some wedding photography books encourage medium format photographers to limit the photos they take); film can be lost or damaged during processing; slower to focus and operate.

35mm

For many years 35mm has had a bad reputation for providing poor quality enlargements -- especially when compared to medium format. However, over the past 10 years the quality of 35mm film has improved tremendously. It is now a common format used by many professional photographers, especially those who use the photojournalistic style and shoot close to a thousand or more images on a wedding day.

Primary advantages to 35mm: fast (easy to quickly focus and shoot during), much improved quality of enlargements (many people would have a hard time telling the difference between a 35mm and medium format 8x10 enlargement).

Disadvantages: processing film is becoming more and more expensive, and film can be damaged or loss during processing. Many photographers that shoot film are now having the negatives scanned so that the files become a digital file.

Digital

Professional digital wedding photography has been a viable option since about the year 2000 (although some would argue that date). The quality of digital cameras has now reached a point where I now feel digital has surpassed the quality of medium format negatives. Keep in mind there is a broad variety of cameras, and a "professional" digital camera from 2004 that cost ,500 new will not capture the quality of images that a "pro-am" (a camera targeted to advanced amateurs and also professionals) from 2010 that costs ,000 will capture. "Digital camera" covers a massive spectrum of cameras and camera quality.

Primary digital advantages: instant review of images on the back of the camera; no film and processing costs (although the savings is offset by the additional computer time required to process the digital images); more control over the images (i.e., a slight rotation or cropping of an image is quick and easy with digital but requires a custom print from 35mm or medium format). Many digital cameras surpass the quality of even medium format.

Disadvantages: technology changes rapidly over time and cameras soon are outdated (although this doesn't necessarily effect you, as the consumer). Memory cards are easier to lose than rolls of film (if your wedding photographer uses a digital camera, ask them how they make sure the photos arrive safely back at the studio).

So, which camera system should my photographer use?

No matter what you have been told - all three formats are a viable method for wedding photography. Some might be more expensive than others, but they all CAN produce good results. The fact is that all three systems can result in poor-quality photos, too. Many photographers use several of the camera systems. Some might use medium format for the formals but 35mm for the reception and ceremony coverage. Others will primarily shoot digital, but might bring film cameras as backup equipment.

This is the key: before signing a contract with a photographer, ask to see sample enlargements that were taken with the same equipment that would be used at your wedding. If you like the quality and color of the images, it doesn't really matter whether 35mm, digital, or a medium format camera was used to record the image!

What Kind of Camera Should My Wedding Photographer Use?

Christopher Maxwell is a Kansas Wedding Photographer who accepts limited weddings and provides wedding photography tips. He is a primarily photojournalistic photographer and has traveled to a number of weddings.

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How to Start a Magazine in 6 Steps

Starting a magazine is not as hard as you would think. I have started several myself and successfully published them for years. Make no mistake, it is hard work, but if you can meet a few key requirements you can get your magazine off the ground.

What are those few key requirements?

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1) You need some money to do this - Every business start up needs some capital and magazines are no different. How much do you need? As little as a few hundred dollars will work (not including your printing costs) to get your first issue on the streets and/or news stands. For a projected higher end book, you will need thousands of dollars dependent on what market you are entering and how big you are going right off the bat. The key will be to learn the skills you need to publish and do the tasks yourself rather than hire an office full of workers and payroll (I will hit on those skills in a minute and talk more about cash in a minute).

How to Start a Magazine in 6 Steps

2) Equipment - At least one good computer capable of operating the various software you will need (Adobe InDesign and at least Adobe Photoshop), a good digital SLR camera like the Nikon D50 which runs about 0, a phone and a dependable vehicle.

3) The ability to sell - Magazines big and small run off of advertisements and yours will be no different. I cannot stress enough how important it is to have a solid sales strategy in place before you take on this project. I will talk more about selling further along.

4) Creativity - You can't survive without offering something new to your readers in an attractive package and for this being creative is a necessity.

Step #1 - Develop the Framework

You probably have an idea of what type of magazine you want to publish but from here you need to construct some basic framework. Pick a name for your magazine carefully, make sure you are not stepping on anyone's trademark by searching the US trademark database.

Your website's domain name is also something to consider when choosing your name. Search for open domains that match your magazine's name as closely as possible. It is okay to use a few sudo-odd takes on domains for magazines like magazinenameonline.com or magazine-name.com. Register your domain and contact a web development company that you like to start work on your magazine's new website. I personally like 22 Creative as they specialize in websites for magazines. Your website does not need to be awesome right out of the gate, just something professional that is clear about who you are and what your book is about - expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands here. A website is an essential part of this process though, do not skip out on this one.

Okay, you have a name and a website, what's next? Figure out what you are going to include in your first issue by writing out an editorial outline. Fancy name but in reality, just write out what you want to feature, how many pages you want to devote to each item and how many pages for ads you want to stash away (this will be dependent on how many ads you sell for your first issue). How many pages should your magazine be? Two factors are in play here. One is the cost of printing the magazine as it costs more to print a bigger magazine obviously, the second is how much editorial can or do you want to produce? You do not need a 100 page book your first go around so, dependent on what your competitors are doing, aim for around 50 pages for a local or lifestyle magazine and 90+ for a magazine you want to distribute on national news stands.

Step #2 - It's Time to Produce Content

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need an army of 'journalists' to publish your first issue. I have produced content for hundreds of magazines by myself or with the help of just a handful of people, it is not that hard.

Start with item number one on your editorial outline. Write your text first, making sure to follow basic guidelines for writing editorial (Google search it for tons of help). Have friends read the copy and get their honest opinion. Did you lose your readers attention at any point? Are your facts correct? Do you have any typos?

A picture is worth a thousand words literally. People like pictures, big, colorful pictures and lots of them. Decide on how many pictures you need for the piece and whether or not you can take the photos yourself or if you need to buy them/license them from a stock photo service. If you can take them yourself, head out and start snapping. Take clear, in-focus images and take lots of them. You do not want to have to go back and re-shoot anything because you did not get the shot. Also, set your camera to take 300dpi images, normal smaller resolution images will not work and will look pixilated in the final product - nothing comes off as more rookie than low-res photos in magazines. Remember if you have any people in your photos, get them to sign a 'model release' allowing you to use their image in your publication. If you need to buy an image from a stock photo website, make sure you buy a 300dpi image that is suitable for printing. Expect to pay anywhere from - for each photo, if you encounter a website that charges more, you would be over paying.

After you have knocked your editorial out, sleep on it and go over it yourself. Is it good? How many magazines have you seen that all regurgitate the same tired 'electronics features' of iPhones and some silly whatever that not many people care about? Lots. You have to have a new take on things if you want to see issue number 2, 3, 54, etc.

Step #3 - Start Selling Ads Yesterday

New publishers often fall into the trap of just focusing on the creative side of the magazine and not the sales. As an independent publisher, you have to wear both hats. Start by putting together a media kit for your new magazine. A media kit is a couple pages, printed out that act as a resume for your magazine featuring all of the details of who your magazine is for, how many you print, your distribution tactics, what ads you offer and how much they cost, etc. In the beginning most of your sales will not be because of your media kit, this is just an essential thing to have to leave with prospective advertisers. I could go on and on about how to sell ads for new magazines but if you read it, you would have to send me a pretty big check as that is closely held information by all in the industry. What I can tell you is start with a plan; call on advertisers that make sense for your magazine. It is a waste of time to try and sell an ad to Budweiser if you are a new magazine that is about quilting - it's just not going to happen. Put yourself in that business owners shoes, would you consider it?

Now is not the time to get rich quick. You want to sell ads to pay the bills and hopefully recoup your investment and live. That means price your ad offerings in reality. For an idea of what reality is, try and find out what similar magazines in your market are charging. Do not go to low on your pricing however, believe in the value of your magazine - giving it away free almost guarantees future failure. I know of one magazine that just kept throwing money at itself, starting in new markets without first being profitable in one and to appear successful, they gave away their ad space. A couple years later and it is common knowledge in the media buying industry that no one pays for ads in that magazine ever. If a potential advertiser says they want it for less than you want to sell it for, pass on them politely and come back to them in a few months after you can prove a stronger value to justify your rate card.

Most importantly, offer value to your advertisers. There are a gazillion different ways to do this but it all starts with you delivering a strong, readable publication on time. The old under-promise and over-deliver adage works well here.

Step #4 - Layout Time

It's crunch time. Layout is hardly ever pleasurable, my first issue I ever designed took me about 72 hours of work with about 6 hours of sleep in that period - not exactly what I call an awesome good time. Make sure you know how to use your software BEFORE you need to start laying out your pub. Pretty much the whole free world uses Adobe InDesign to layout their magazines. It is a reliable and easy to use program that will run you about 0 unless you can find a deal. You should seriously consider purchasing one of Adobe's Creative Suites that bundles InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. Those three programs will take you anywhere you want to go in publishing as I have been relying on them for years. Yes that is some expensive software but is essential and well worth the money if you are serious about doing this right.

If you flip through a random magazine here and there, you will notice that a lot of them have an inconsistent layout throughout the book, meaning that the fonts and styles change every few pages or every story. If this appeals to you knock yourself out, just know that it is not a good practice to follow. You need to aim for a balanced flow with your layouts. The first page of content should be very close to the last page and not stray too far in between. Use a text font at or above 8 points and never smaller. Don't forget those pictures, lots and lots of pictures. Learn to use Photoshop to clean your photos up. I have spent at least 60 seconds with every photo I have ever placed in a magazine layout - it is a crime to run photos with zero post work done on them, just a straight up crime.

I won't go into an InDesign tutorial, plenty of people have done that better than I can before.

What you need to ultimately do is end up with a PDF file for each page of your magazine that you will give to your printer. Name each file a standard p01_NAME.pdf. Covers will be labeled C1, C2, etc. You will have the option to view proofs of your files before your printer fires up the press to start your job (a big chunk of what you are paying them to do). Always look at every proof of every page; once it gets put on a plate and starts laying down ink, you are locked in.

Make sure you are happy with your printer. If you do not have a printer to print your job, start by talking to Las Vegas Printing to get a quote on your job. I recommend getting your finished magazines carton packed rather than skid packed and wrapped in plastic as this practice guarantees a percentage of waste due to not protecting the magazines on the outside of the skid.

Step #5 - Distribution Time

If you are starting a magazine that will have National or a large ranging distribution, head straight to one of the two major magazine distributors. I won't name them because they, in my opinion, make it very difficult for start ups to get in the game. I will leave it at that.

If you are starting a locally distributed magazine, read on. Yes there are services that offer to distribute your magazine for you, they will do a poor job and charge you and arm and a leg for the privilege. Distribution is paramount. If no one sees, picks up or reads your magazine then it is just a waste of time, money and trees. A major part of your focus should be dialing in the best distribution strategy possible. Do not just toss magazines in front of stores, bars, etc. and expect them to take the time to place them out in a neat fashion - they will end up in the dumpster out back. Do your own distribution. Personally ask permission from each distribution spot, not only is this the right thing to do but it is a great way to get your name out there and meet a few potential advertisers.

Step #6 - Do it again, and again and again

The process never stops in the magazine game, it is a fight at all times. There will always be strong competition, new people looking for their share of a market and times where you feel like you are the only person that reads your magazine. But if you do not fight at all, it's a guarantee that you will not win. Good luck!

How to Start a Magazine in 6 Steps

Rachael is a freelance writer and consultant for Las Vegas Printing a printer based out of Nevada specializing in magazine printing.

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Tweaks to Speed Up Internet Streaming Video

The birth of "Guerilla Video" sites, such as Peekvid.com, Alluc.org and Youtube.com have given users instant access to a plethora of free media files. Although streaming video technology offers instant access to video files, zero loading time is not always possible. There are many factors that attribute to your computer's ability to start videos immediately. Other factors such as choppy PC video playback and slow video streaming also hinder your viewing experience. There are easy fixes to these problems. Sometimes choosing another site for the source of the video streaming or a lower quality version of the video can award you with instant play. These alternatives are not always available. However, there are a number of tweaks that help speed up your streaming video startup times, eliminate choppy PC video play and stop slow streaming video.

Before we start with the tweaks to speed up slow streaming video, lets get a basic understanding of streaming video technology in order to stop choppy video. Streaming video is a prerecorded video files that can be distributed as part of a live broadcast "feed." The video signal is converted into a compressed digital signal and transmitted from a Web server. This server is able to be multicast the same file to multiple users at the same time. When you click on the on the video it is partially loaded before you can access it. This is known as "buffering". This helps you to load and play the video instantaneously. Now lets take a look on how to cut down on buffering time, stop slow streaming video and eliminate choppy PC video playback .

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Common Streaming Video Problems

Tweaks to Speed Up Internet Streaming Video

Problem #1: Choppy PC Video Playback--Choppy video is usually a PC performance related issue. Here are a few things you can try to stop choppy playback and improve computer performance.

Solution A. Turn Off Hardware Acceleration-All media applications require different aspects of your computer's hardware. Depending on the task, the requirements may change. Turning off hardware acceleration allows the application to set the requirements itself and not be forced to use one universal setting. Hardware acceleration has been to known to cause choppy PC playback, application crashes and slow streaming video problems.

You can eliminate the problem below:
1.Click on "Start"
2.Click "Control Panel"
3.Select the "Settings" tab and click on the "Advanced".
4.Click on the "Troubleshoot" tab.
5.Disable the hardware acceleration completely by dragging the slider to the extreme left.

Solution B. Turn off Video Acceleration-The reason for this tweak is the similar to hardware acceleration. This act frees up resources in your media player and not your hardware. However you will need to decrease video acceleration in your chosen player. Some sites like Youtube.com don't offer this option. However, Windows Media Player gives the ability to easily alter this problem, follow the steps below. Other players' instructions will vary.

1. In Windows Media Player
2. Click the "Tools" menu tab
3. Click on "Options"
4. Select the "Performance" tab.
5. Move the Video Acceleration Slider to "None"

Solution C. Adjust your Windows Desktop Visual Effects-You computer will get a significance boost in
speed. This tweak will also free up more resources for your media player and PC performance.

1.Click "Start", and then click "Control Panel".
2.Click "System" and Choose "Display".
3.Find the "Advanced" tab and Click
4.Under "Performance", Click "Settings"
5.Under "Visuals Effects", you may choose from a list of options such as "Adjust for best performance" or custom. If you choose Adjust for best performance all the features will be unchecked.

For more performance tips check the "Speed Up PC" to free up more resources to stop PC choppy playback.

Problem #2: Slow and Constant Buffering-This problem can be attributed to two factors internet speed and your media player. You can tweak your PC setting in both areas to cut down on slow streaming video. Remember that each player has its own buffer settings. Below is an how to change buffer setting in Media Player.

Solution A. Adjust Buffer Settings-- To change the default buffer settings in Windows Media Player, use the following steps:
1.Start Windows Media Player
2.Click the "View" men
3.Click "Options"
4.On the "Advanced" tab, click "Streaming Media"(Windows Media)
5.Click "Change" to alter the buffer settings.

Remember that the higher you set the buffer the more of the clip will be loaded. The waiting time before you can see or hear the file will be longer, but there should be fewer interruptions once the clip begins to play.

Solution B. Use a Video Specific Proxy-A proxy allows for popular files to be loaded onto its servers. This eliminates the need for your computer to load the files. For example if you use the proxy, YouTubeProxy.org, you will not have to wait for your computer to download popular YouTube.com content because it may be already loaded in the server. This is a great way to stop slow streaming video.

These are just a few tips to eliminate choppy PC video playback and slow streaming video. However, there are more advanced ways to stop this problem. Depending on the site, there may be independent software developed specifically to speed up slow streaming video. Also, remember the general maintenance is a good way to avoid choppy PC video playback.

Tweaks to Speed Up Internet Streaming Video

For more speed tips visit:
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What Are Your Strengths?

Can you name your five top strengths? How applicable are these strengths to your current position (or the job you are looking for)? Do they describe a skill or strength?

For example:

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Are you listing your top strength in a programming language or an analysis technique? Those are skills; not strengths. Are you listing your top strength in broader terms that define the kind of work you perform best? For example, do any of these words describe you? Achiever, Analytical, Consistency, Discipline, Includer, Maximizer, Strategic, Woo? If so, these are strengths!

What Are Your Strengths?

Ah, that's the key. Skills fall under strengths. We all can teach each other skills. We can practice and perfect them if we have the desire to do so. The skills we excel at tend to use our strengths. For example, a great project manager will be someone that has a natural skill as an "Includer" and "Consistency" (as well as many others. The best project managers have great people skills. This may include the ability to be an "Includer" to stretch the circle of the team to include people (multiple business groups) and make them feel part of the project team. This may include the ability to treat people the same ("Consistency"), no matter what the person's skill or station in life.

What's interesting is these two strengths, Includer and Consistency, can apply to business analysis, a journalist, or a party planner. What skills you learn that fall within the skills for your strengths indicate which career is right for you...and how good you will be at it. If you choose a job that doesn't play to your strengths or natural talents, chances are, your skills may be mediocre and your interest in your job minimal and your career success not that successful.

All this comes from a WSJ recommended book titled Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath. Gallup introduced an to help people like you to uncover their strengths. Achiever, Analytical, Consistency, Discipline, Includer, Maximizer, Strategic, Woo are just a sampling of the 34 most common natural ability strengths or "themes."

Why is this so important? Life is too short to be miserable for any length of time. You want to be useful and productive to your family, coworkers, and business. You want to be appreciated for your efforts. You are appreciated more if you find positions and companies that believe in your strengths.

This is a two-way street. If you are a manager, you want to help your team use its strengths. Some people are detailed oriented and others big-pictured. Sure, each individual may be able to perform the other activity but why would you want to make things difficult? People that works within their strengths are happier, motivated, and complete related tasks quickly with better accuracy. Using one's natural strengths increases the desire to perform better. Why would you not want to align the task at hand with the person with that strength? Why would you want to spend precious time fixing the employee's (or your) weaknesses! Play to your (or your staff's) strengths!

Think positive! Think Strengths! There is more potential for growth when a person invests energy in developing his/her strengths instead of correcting one's deficiencies. You minimize the frustration one feels on a project. Concentrating on your weaknesses is like hitting your head against the wall. The pain stops when you stop! If you find opportunities to work using your strengths, you are move motivated.

We've all taken the corporate "opinion" survey. How do you answer the age-old question, "At work, I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day." OK, stop laughing. It's no laughing matter when you realize that people that use their strengths daily are six times as likely to be engaged in their jobs and are more than three times as likely to report having an excellent quality of life in general.

Don't blame the corporation! Your career is in your hands! First, you need to know your strengths. That will help you focus on the right job. You can interview the companies to see if the company philosophy (and actions) appreciates the strengths you offer. You can tell if your manager will support your strengths or drill you on your weaknesses (and get out of Dodge FAST).

This isn't a magic bullet. Your character and personality as well as your learned behavior from your upbringing will affect your ability to adjust to using your strengths. Knowing your strengths is only a piece of the complex human puzzle. Yet, it is better to know and align your career to your strengths than get frustrated and a continual headache attempting to improve your weaknesses.

What's in it for you?

Well, it is the New Year and a new decade. It's the time to think about what you really want to do with your life. Should you make a career change or just change positions or company? Do you need to change at all? Are you focusing and wasting valuable time on tasks that don't correlate to your strengths? Maybe it's time to invest in someone (hire) that has the strength to do the task of a weaker strength for you?

My results confirmed that I'm in the right place, doing what I do best (funny, positivity was #5).

5. Positivity: Enthusiasm that is contagious. Upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do. I personally play to this strength as a writer, speaker and consultant to motivate others to take action.

4. Responsibility: Ownership of what they say they will do. Values include honesty and loyalty. I play to this strength in all my consulting assignments. Clients know that I will be true to the project; even if it means I need to sacrifice myself. Clients need to only ask once. I'll tell them what I can do (even if it involves work done by others) and get it done.

3. Learner: Great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. Interested in the process of learning. Look at my book recommendations. The recommendations are in the area of business, not technology. I don't plan on changing careers to be a full-time marketer or sales person...but I do want to learn these skills.

2. Activiator: Makes things happen by turning thoughts into action. My sister gave me a great card of encouragement. It had a picture of someone on a bicycle while holding a long pole with many different animals on it. Outside saying: You have some crazy ideas. Inside saying: And you make them happen! Having this strength is the reason why I was able to start multiple companies, learn speaker skills, and get this ezine out the virtual door every other month.

And my #1 Natural Strength...

1. Futuristic: Inspired by the future and what could be. Inspire others with their vision of the future. I always see potential in everyone. I see potential for a business as well. I can articulate what I see to senior management and adjust the vision to what is achievable given the reality of the situation.

The overall theme for the combination of these five strengths was to be a strategic architect, entrepreneur, coach, and consultant. I was surprised by this yet pleased. These five strengths describe how I am different from so many others. That is why I am the best at what I do. That's my Purple Cow. It is what people (and clients) notice, remark about, and spread the word to others.

Enough about me... what about you?

The only way to be "The Best" and be a "Purple Cow" among all the other candidates is to energize your strengths.

What Are Your Strengths?

Pat Ferdinandi, Chief Thought Translator & Business Architect
Improving the communication experience between business & technologists.
Strategic Business Decisions, inc.
website: http://www.SBDi-Consulting.com
twitter: thoughttrans

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