“Do You want to have healthy teeth?”

Pronouncing this phrase, the seller of toothpaste uses two techniques of persuasion. The first – the use of rhetorical questions. They are delivered in such a way that they force you to agree with the speaker, because the answer is obvious. This is done in order to inspire confidence and the feeling that the seller has the same outlook on life as the buyer. The second technique – the use of “yes-questions.” It might not be questions in relation with the product. The seller may ask: “Nice weather, isn’t it?” Once a person agrees with something, even something small and insignificant, it will be much easier to accept more important things, for example, to say, “Yes, I’ll buy it.” Just like the “yes-questions” the good humor is valid. A person in a good mood and more relaxed is much more ready to buy a product that it is associated with pleasant emotions.

“You deserve this car!”

People love flattery. They like it when they feel special, significant and intelligent. In everyday life, you can use this by talking to a man with the phrase: “I do not think that a man of such a level as you will agree to find the time to help me …” In advertising, this technique usually involves a direct appeal: “You appreciate quality”, “You do not like to waste time”. Sometimes, to grow in viewers a sense of superiority, advertising shows people doing stupid things. We like those who make compliments, and we tend to trust those who are like us. Consequently, it is easier to convince us to buy something from them. (We believe that such intelligent people as you understand how this technique works.)

“You want to sell sugary sodas for the rest of your life? Or do you want to come with me and change the world? “

In this famous phrase, thanks to Steve Jobs who managed to lure John Sculley from PepsiCo, are several applied techniques of persuasion. First, a simplification. The reality constantly makes people feel uncomfortable. Professional manipulators help them relax for a moment, ignoring the difficulties and offering simple solutions. Deodorant, car or a certain brand of beer can make a person beautiful, popular and successful. It also acts as a factor of the Big Lie. As the great manipulator Adolf Hitler said: “People are more suspicious with a small lie than with a big one.” The third technique is also quite well known: the reduction of choice to two options, one of which is obviously worse. Instead of allowing a person to think about the many alternatives, manipulators give only two options to choose from.

“Only today 50% off.”

This technique works on the instinct of survival, causing fear of missing out on something valuable. The researcher Noah Goldstein of the Anderson School of Management calls it “the instinct to grab all you can, or be left with nothing.” The ads often use the appropriate slogans: “Last Chance”, “Hurry up, before its too late.” According to statistics, in the days sales people spend on buying 10% more, led by the panic  Under stress a person loses the ability to think rationally. Renowned researcher Robert Cialdini calls this technique “the creation of scarcity”. The use of fear as a manipulative techniques possible in real life. For example, your boss may insinuate that in the near future there will be personnel cuts – that will force you to work more overtime.

“It’s worth a million dollars!”

In English, this technique is called the door-in-the-face. The principle of its operation is that the manipulator first requests the meaningless highest price that a buyer, of course, can not pay. He then offers a much lower price, compared to the first sum. Because of the strong contrast it seems to the buyer a good deal, and he agrees to the purchase. The opposite to foot-in-the-door technique is also used frequently. Here, on the contrary, the buyer is offered to buy something cheap. Agreeing once, it is easier for him later on to make a more serious rejection. A similar principle is used in the technique of “boiling point”. In this case, the dealer drives the buyer to purchase inexpensive things, and when he is ready to buy, “suddenly” discovers that this is now out of stock, but there is a similar, more expensive product. The buyer has already mentally prepared himself for buying and easily decides to spend more just to finish the job.

Do not be afraid or angry. Just smile and relax! Knowledge is the best arm against greedy businessmen. Let your logic remain always on.

St. Augustine or Augustine of Hippo was a philosopher and arguably the greatest christian theologian of all times. He believed the grace of Christ is indispensable to human freedom. He endowed mankind with the notion of just wars.  Many Protestants, especially the Calvinists, consider him to be one of the father of the Reformation. To the Catholic church and the Anglican Communion, he is a Saint. In the Eastern Orthodox Church Augustine is considered to be holy and called “Blessed Augustine”.

Mother… Tutor… Teacher… Such heartfelt words. I am the happiest woman on earth, because these three words I can pronounce proudly!

Mom. Since my birth she surrounded me with care and warmth. She taught me to distinguish good from evil, she is always near on my worst moments, she is always sincerely glad with my success.

Mom, you’re the closest person to me. Everything in our life begins in the childhood, and the childhood starts with families and schools. Family – is primarily a mother, and the school – is primarily a Teacher. Two great destinations in the world!

Teacher! Such a kind and gentle word. A Teacher not only gives knowledge about specific subjects, but also leaves a mark in the soul of every person. For me, my mother and Teacher – are one and the same person.

To work as a Tutor or as a Teacher one ought to love children. After all, any kid who feels affection and kindness will reciprocate. I think a Tutor is not a profession, but a Life style.

One day I asked her:

- “Mom, do you like your job?”

And I heard:

- “I am a Teacher and I am so proud of it. This work gives me joy, a feeling that my life is full and a sense of youth. No work in the world is more important and more painful, more joyful and more needed. It is the most noble and exciting job. When I come to a classroom, I see that look of two dozens of eyes and they are all different: hairy and vibrant, demanding and focused, persistent and bizarre, talented and open, eager to communicate. Without this multi-faceted and diverse world, called the School, I would not be able to imagine my life.”

A Tutor should possess so many human qualities. A Tutor at the school – a teacher – must lead her students into the ocean of knowledge. She makes her lessons interesting and memorable. Mommy never stops. She is always moving forward, participates in competitions, speaks at conferences. My mother is active and hard-working. She is the most caring and capable to do several things at the same time. I admire my mother in her ability to see something good and special in each student. She teaches children kindness, sincerity and hard work. For me, my mother is the best Tutor in the world! Her lessons are about kindness, wisdom and generosity. It is difficult to calculate how many students “passed through her hands”, how many she helped to believe in themselves.

Maybe sometimes I grieve my mother, I do not pay her enough attention, say something upsetting. Still, for me, she is my most beloved parent, friend and Tutor. I have this great opportunity to make a homage in her honor each second Sunday of May. As a Mother myself, I realize all the sacrifice and effort she makes day by day… though, I also know, that this sacrifice goes together with happiness, excitement and unending joy!

Thank you, Mom!

Free schedule. This is perhaps the main advantage of becoming a Tutor. There will be more time to pay attention to your family. You will be able to go on vacation whenever  you want, even 2 or 3 times a year and not when the boss lets you go. Life will stop just passing by. You will have enough time for reading, self-development, rest and for household chores.

Good sleep. Especially Owl-type (those, who goes to sleep late and wakes up late) persons will understand me. Doctors have found out that this behavior can not be cured, but nevertheless, the world continues living according to the early bird schedule.

No transport problems. For those who live in big cities, there is an advantage of avoiding trips in public transport, which looks more like a race to the bottom. But of course it applies if you invite students to your home. But even if you are a visiting Tutor, you can compose a special itinerary in order to avoid the rush hour.

Healthy lifestyle. You can always have a home-cooked meal, not just a cold snack or a sandwich. Eating at home is a significant savings. Your budget will thank you.

Tutor can choose a student. So the stress can be minimized. There is no such option in school (University, Collage, Institute). You cannot say to a bad behaved student: “That’s it! I will teach you no more!” And if you are a Tutor – you are free to decide.

Your income will depend only on you. Tutoring is a very well paid job, depending on your experience, professionalism and the ability to promote your services (for example placing your profile in a popular and specialized site)

Tutor chooses methods and learning style himself. There is no need to adjust to the school or collage program.

No Boss. Tutor’s job is an individual work. No comments needed, I think. This advantage is a great relief.

The economical crisis will not scare you anymore. Tutoring is always in demand. Especially now when  educational requirements in Schools, Collage and Universities became more strict – now is a golden age for Tutors.

In a career of a Tutor, the age is an advantage, not a heavy burden. Since it means experience and quality in the educational process.

There are many more good reasons, I would kindly appreciate if you add some in the comments.

Oprah Winfrey inspired millions of TV viewers to strive for living life at its best through her renowned “Oprah Winfrey Show”. Oprah is also known for her work in the media scene and as philanthropist who contributed millions of dollars towards the education of students without means.

Statistical studies conducted in the early 90′s, proved that the development of school reform in the U.S. is slowing down due to low parental involvement in children’s education (89% of people involved in school reform, called it the main reason). Not only were teachers dissatisfied with such state of affairs, but also parents (40% of them said that they pay poor attention to the education of their kids, and 80% expressed their desire to participate actively in the work of the school) and children (72% of children aged 10-13 years and 48% aged 14-17 years indicated that they would like to talk more with parents about school, 82% of high school students believed that parents should be actively involved).

Parent Enabling Policies for States, 1991, was trying to convince teachers that:

· Parents have the right to take part in the selection of programs, methods and forms of education for their children,

· Parents know their children better than anyone else, and this position can help professionals (teachers and psychologists) in their work,

· Good parents and good teachers are equally important for the development of children,

· Sometimes parents need help, additional knowledge on how to deal with children, and the teacher can help parents in that task.

Here are some of the principles of working with parents, that have been formulated by the Department of Education of the State of New York (Parent Partnership, 1991):

1. Each family is unique in its way to support a child and collaborate with the school and the community. The uniqueness of the family should be respected.

2. Family, community, school – they all play an important role in supporting and developing child’s mind. The basis of their partnership is trust, confidentiality and mutual respect. Participation of parents in their children’s education is to be welcomed.

3. The main task of any teacher is to provide social and emotional support to parents, a mutual exchange of information, strengthening and rainforcing parent-child dialogue, the involvement of parents in the education of the child in school and at home and support for children in further education and professional growth.

4. Establishing equal relations among school and community are not possible without the establishment of personal relationships between parents and teachers as well as between teachers and students.

Some booklets describe the simplest steps to help reach out to parents. An example is the questionnaire for school personnel (adapted version) (The Parent Institute: What’s working in parent involvement, 1993):

- Are we friendly with parents?

- Is it easy to get to school?

- Is it easy for parents to find a teacher, head teacher and the office of the principal?

- Is the school open for meetings, supplementary education courses for parents and students, etc.?

- Do we know how to talk to the parents on the phone?

- Is the entire school friendly with the parents?

- Are we educating parents?

- Are we making open consultations or workshops for parents on children’s homework, discipline, motivation, etc.?

A. Henderson in one of the teacher’s guide (North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, 1990) underlines that in order for the child to be successful in school, and then later in life, the most important thing is not his IQ, income, or social status of the family, but how his parents are involved in his (or her) education. In order to support parents in this difficult and long process, there are some of the rules for the school staff:

- School staff should be familiar with each child. Class instructor(leader) must regularly interact with students in the class,

- The teacher must personally contact each family in her class at least once a month (by phone, in person or at school events)

- Parents should at least once a month be able to come to school. In addition to meetings, it may be holidays, “open day”, volunteer work, picnics, etc.

- For parents who want to participate in the life of the school, the school doors should be opened at any time. They can attend classes, talk with teachers and the administration and use the library and the cafeteria, etc.

Also there are some guidelines and recommendations for teachers to develop contacts with the family and real life in the school. For example family photos that children bring to school, interview family members, works on the participation of family members in various events, etc. Teachers can assign homework that is not possible without the participation of the parents in order to develop the role of parents in their children’s education and to strengthen the school community.

Of course, the problem of getting parents to actively participate in the learning and growth of children in the U.S. has not been solved completely. But the principles underlying it, the presence of the legal framework, the theoretical and statistical studies of various kinds of training programs and manuals, a variety of recommended methods and ways of working, as well as its intensity indicates a greater probability of success in the actual practice of the school.

I was sent to a hospital therapy program to practice activities, like grabbing onto a door handle and turning it. Many of the patients were older and much worse than I, but this did not cheer me up at all. Over time I improved a little and was able to go back to work.  My boss allowed me to work with one hand and in time I learned how to use the left hand a little.

Although I have made much progress and lead a full life this spinal cord injury changed
my life forever. Because I am not in a wheel chair or confined to a bed people do not
really understand what I deal with on a daily basis.  After a few years I joined a gym.
I recall expressions of annoyance around me as I made an attempt at working out. In a
Santa Monica gym folks do not have patience for someone slowing down their routine. For the first year every time I went I thought about not going back.

One particular day I saw a trainer in a wheel chair. He told me how he was in a car
accident in Paris that took the use of his legs and he had to ask himself the same question I had asked myself a couple years before. Do I want to do life like this? When he answered yes, he decided to go all in. Although I am very willing to live my life as I am, I still have great hope for something the neurologists told me would be impossible, that one day I could be healed.

Human embryonic stem cell research is a controversial issue, with both political and
religious points of view.  No federal law has banned stem cell research in the United
States, but has placed restrictions on funding and use. Hence research is far from what
it could be.

I remember in 1995 when actor, Christopher Reeve, had a riding accident and was paralyzed from the neck down. After my initial reaction of compassion I realized a celebrity bringing media attention to this issue would be good for people like me. More money flowed in for research. Medical experts widely submit that stem cell research has the potential to dramatically alter approaches to understanding and treating diseases, and to alleviate suffering. I am convinced that if we do not try to inhibit the research there will be a cure in our life time and I can hardly wait for that day!

We do not. Because it flows through our veins in a  solution. And most human body’s contains about 120 grams of salt. If there is too small amount of it – our muscles will not contract, blood will not circulate, the food will not be digested and our heart will not beat. However, scientists have still not been able to agree on how much salt in the body should be considered as is too low and which amount  is too high. Recommended medical standards of salt intake are ranged from 3.5 to 8 grams per day. But our usual salt intake is 1.5-2 times higher than recommended rates.

In fact, not only the excess, but the lack of salt causes irreparable harm to health.

* Salt is an essential building block for the human body. Each of our cells is  a microscopic ion power plant, and its performance depends on many things, including the presence of salts.

* Salt deficiency can lead to depletion of cells, which may result in swelling of the limbs and internal organs, the weakening of the blood pressure. Slowed thought processes, decreases physical activity of the gastro-intestinal tract and biliary ducts.

* Salt supports hydro balance in the human body, regulates blood pressure and volume and contributes to the digestive functions.

Do not overdo the salt, but do not give up on it altogether. Listen to your body, study its reaction, and everything will be fine, tasty and healthy.

And to make it fun –  here are some of the uncommon uses of the salt, lifehack tips:

* A pinch of salt added to the coffee will improve the taste and remove excessive bitterness.

* Add a pinch of salt to the milk and it will stay fresh much longer.

* Just peeled apples, pears and potatoes, put into cold salted water, retain their color.

* Tea and coffee deposits from the cups are easily removed with a wet sponge with salt.

Jimmy Dean was the creative and multifaceted personality. He was an actor, television host, musician and entrepreneur. Dean was instrumental in making country music popular. For that he was nominated to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010.

James Dean actor career began when he was a cast in the 1971 James Bond movie Diamonds Are Forever. Dean called  Richmond, Virginia his home.

Our CEO Dirk started off by introducing the new members: Dima – the new web developer — and me the educational blogger to the coworkers.  I discovered that TutorZ consists of wonderful people: First, there is Dirk who is guiding the company for over 6 years. Then, there is Dima who boosted the speed of the production site to less then a second download time. Also there is Jennifer who with Dima makes a wonderful couple. To make April 20th even more momentous, the two decided to get married earlier that day. By now I have arrived at our creative marketing associate Lilly. Her social media work speaks for itself: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Tumblr, Pinterest, Myspace, Delicious, Linkedin. Finally, I am mentioning our hardworking, intelligent Veronika. If you called us (805-288-7338) you might have already heard her pleasant voice and received her professional help.  We all missed John, our director of marketing, who was indisposed that night.  Well, and me – I was just talking about Japanese food! And how could I not!? Sushi set (huge one), Miso soup,  Yakisoba noodles… mmm Yummy! Great with some green tea and cold Pepsi.

When Dirk talked about the accomplishments of each team member I felt touched by his warm words and special presents.  Meetings like these are always nice because many of the TutorZ employees telecommute. Thus, meeting in person and chatting directly outside the workplace is a welcome break from cyberspace. After all we are human and long to be surrounded by friends, talk about something else other than work and have fun.

Thank you Dirk! Thank you TutorZ.com for joining good people!