Some publishers of free electronic newsletters ask subscribers to pass on copies to friends and colleagues. It's a way for publishers to reach potential subscribers, with an implied or explicit endorsement.

Speed of distribution: Some messages can't be sent out in mass, they need to be delivered individually and personally, but still need to go out quickly. The two-step process can do that.

For example, some associations use phoning trees. Simply sending written notices of meetings may not be enough to get a good turnout. So, one person phones three other members, and those members each phone three other members and so on. If everyone cooperates, phone trees are very effective (in my experience, though, 'if' is key word here).

Unofficial status: Sometimes, organizations use what politicians call trial balloons, which is to say, they want reaction to an initiative before officially announcing it.

For example, a politician might test feasibility of an idea by leaking it to media. If a news story refers to 'unnamed sources,' you may be seeing two-step strategy at work. It allows politician to get a reading on public's mood without making a commitment.

In summary, two-step process refers to idea of using third parties to pass on important messages. Conscious, creative use of process can extend your reach and give your message more impact. That makes it a useful addition to your communication toolbox.

Any radio scanner can be programmed to receive cordless telephone frequencies. Newer scanners have cellular telephone frequencies block, but these frequencies can be unblocked by anyone with a basic knowledge of radio electronics. Digital telephones are also radio transmitters, but a digital signal is unintelligible when heard on an analog receiver. Of course, a digital receiver would receive a digital telephone signal were it programmed to appropriate frequency. However, here is where spread spectrum technology comes in.

Spread spectrum was first used during World War II as a method to prevent torpedos being jammed en route to their target.

Digital spread spectrum uses a signal spread over a number of frequencies. These signals are difficult to intercept and demodulate and are resistant to jamming or interference. This provides for a clearer and cleaner telephone signal, as well as preventing monitoring of signal itself. It is also worth noting that cordless telephones are now available with an operating frequency of 2.4 GHz. Since most scanners do not receive into gigahertz range, this gives additional protection against interception and phone monitoring of your telephone signal as it is transmitted between handset and base.