Bathroom Do’s and Don’ts

The bathroom is another room buyers love to examine carefully; you will want it to have a lot of appeal. If you can see a ring around your tub for each child then it’s time to replace or reface it. The shower and bathroom tiles must be clean, replace tiles that are in bad shape. Ceramic tiles are best choice for flooring and new sinks. Be certain grout and caulk are orderly and neat. New counters, sinks, light fixtures and cabinetry will enable you to get more return on your investment. Do not use wallpaper, since it does not hold up well in a moist environment.

Everyone Needs Personal Space

In a home bedrooms become each person’s sanctuary. The layout and bedroom size can affect appeal of your space. If you have small bedrooms consider taking a wall or two out and opening space up. For example, five small bedrooms can be transformed into three larger bedrooms. If home lacks in closet space closet organizers can help maximize space. Freshen up light fixtures; even match them to individual décor. A chair rail or crown molding also adds value. Of course, upgrading carpet or wood floor also makes rooms more enticing. When you replace carpet buy high quality padding, despite added expense. Cheap padding will not be a long lasting upgrade.

Time is Up….Tune In next Time

Now that you have some tools, you are ready to make your first steps towards a better home. Thinking strategically is key to increased value and perfect home improvements. Two more important tips: keep all of your permits on file when you decide to resell and consider hiring a professional when renovating your home. Good luck with your current projects! Visit http://www.vonccannonrealestate.com for Part 2 of “Renovations and Upgrades: Bring It To The Bank” to learn more about other rooms in your home, exterior maintenance and importance of garages, fences and more.

Synergize: The “Art of War” by Sun Tzu, is often superficially viewed as an aggressive approach to victory. However, it is essentially a master text on “Conflict Management” and “Win-Win” scenarios. Again modern day programs such as Covey’s “7 habits” possess such precepts (“Win-Win”, habit 4 of Stephen Covey and “Synergize”, habit 6). Japanese models of partnering and distribution encompass these ideas.

S.W.O.T: Zen, “Art of War”, and book of change (Tao de Ching) are all about self-analysis and understanding. They allow one to understand yourself and your organization’s: strengths and weaknesses, and therefore how to synergize with others to achieve positive outcomes. These things have a direct correlation to Western company S.W.O.T review (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats). A better understanding of how one can approach self and competitior analysis from an “Art of War” business perspective can be found at www.AppliedZen.com. Generally, in comparing authors dealings with Japanese workers and companies, to many Western organizations, it seems that Japan places more attention on understanding one’s own, and competitor’s, position before acting. Again this relates to setting out a strategic path before embarking on a journey rather than exploring options as you go. Again reflecting on Japanese actions with regard to modern Western corporate trainers, Stephen Covey has said, “begin with end in mind”(Habit 2 of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People).

Training: Continuing to train employee skills and undergo development both in-house and outside a company is essential. As ancient samurai saying says: “Continually sharpen sword or it will go blunt!” Generally Japanese are quite good about providing thorough in-house training for tasks and sales. However, compared to many Western companies, outside training to create new ideas is rare. On flip side, many Western companies (particularly smaller ones) are often a bit light with regards to in-house development.

Embracing Change: All above methods (old and new) are about changing base behavior, beliefs and approaches. These are core values, and are far more important than putting band-aids on problems, or approaching things with simply a behavior change. In regard to ancient philosophies, they of course must be interpreted, and applied, using case studies in a context that matches modern corporate world. Japan today is a very different place than preached by its ancient philosophical ideals. Japanese businesses and employees are generally not as good as West at embracing, or coping with change – one of few things in life which is inevitable. All people and cultures struggle with change and it is openness to it is subject of classic Chinese text “Tao de Ching”.

Etiquette: Many people at first glance take strategic approaches of “Art of War” to be aggressive. As outlined above Sun Tzu’s work is quite opposite - avoiding conflict and aggression is in fact thesis. Etiquette and humanity is absolutely built into all issues, and one obvious connection is value of partners, networking and not creating enemies. In Japan, depth of etiquette is very extreme which again provides a similar link to “Art of War” which has evolved over time.

This article only touches surface of a few of Sun Tzu’s strategies and lessons. It also eludes to some Japanese behavior in a generalized fashion (in any culture there are always exceptions). The study of Japanese corporate behavior relative to such Asian arts such as Zen and “Art of War” is a fascinating area of study with lessons that can be applied to doing better business in Asian environment, or in West. Copyright 2005.