Joined ecademy

I have joined (on the 17/11/06) ecademy it seems to be an excellent place for meeting new personal and business contacts.

I have gone with a paid membership but you can also join as a 'guest' which is free of charge...

Have a look, you might find it of use...

Martial arts ( Karate Jutsu and Tai Chi ) in Luton Bedfordshire.

I've started actively advertising and promoting the fact that I teach Karate Jutsu and Tai Chi via one-to-one sessions at my private dojo.

The sessions are designed for people who either want personal tuition or simply have very busy schedules and cannot fit into the typical 'Wednesday Night Class' regime that most martial arts clubs run. Subject to availability, sessions may be booked between 7:30am and 10:30pm Mon-Fri and 7:30am and 11:30am Sat-Sun.

I also offer classes that are tailored to the individual student's need, in so far as some people are interested in the whole art and want to take gradings and achieve a Black Belt whereas others have more specific fitness or personal security goal.

More details are available HERE.

Your Safety Matters Newsletter

I produce an email newsletter (eZine) called Your Safety Matters. It is published monthly and contains hints and tips on the management of Anger, Aggression, Violence and Stress. The content for the newsletter comes from myself as well as many of the newsletter's readers.

To see a recent issue click here and to get a regular copy sent directly to you, click here.

Special Offer

My eBook "How To Deal With Your Anger" has been selling at $49.95 on the 1st November the price is increasing to $79.95 - however to stimulate sales at the beginning of the forth quarter I have dropped the price down to $29.95 for a couple of weeks - so if you or anyone you know wants to learn how to 'beat the anger demon' then head over to http://www.your-anger.com

On my desktop...

On my computer's 'desktop' is a file simply labeled 'aikido' it is a copy of a story (I don't know if it is true or not) that was written by Terry Dobson who was an Aikido practitioner...

The story can be read online on several websites - the one I suggest that you might like to visit is http://easternhealingarts.com/Articles/softanswer.html

Anytime I need to remind myself of the important things in life, I have only to read this story...

It's short just 6301 characters, 1428 words, 19 paragraphs - it only takes a couple of minutes to read - but in that short story is wisdom beyond price...

I commend it to you...

IATAM relaunch

IATAM the International Association of Trainers in Aggression Management of which I am one of the founder members and also the web designer has just relaunched its website at http://www.iatam.org

The structure of the organisation has also undergone a major reorganisation and now, membership is free to anyone who is involved in aggression management. This includes trainers in de-escalation techniques, physical self preservation, self defense, breakaway training, control and restraint, anger management, prevention of and coping with bullying, mediation, counseling and other methods of dealing with aggression.

Elevator Pitch (USA) or Lift Statement (UK)

I'm trying to come up with an 'Elevator Pitch' to describe succinctly and powerfully what it is that I do...

Currently I have:

I sometimes get paid to hit people. My name is Robert Agar-Hutton of Protectics Limited and I provide organisations and people with information products and training courses on conflict management. That includes internal conflicts like anger and stress and external ones like violence and aggression. I help my clients achieve peace, confidence, progress and prosperity. Each month I also publish a newsletter called "Your Safety Matters" which helps over two thousand people by providing them with hints and tips on conflict resolution. It's available for free at http://www.qtvh.com/ (QTVH stands for Quit Those Violent Habits).

What do YOU think, can I improve my pitch? If you have any suggestions, please email me at robert @ protectics.co.uk

Poor service from Comet

My wife purchased a new dishwasher from Comet via the simple method of phoning them up. She was asked "Would you like us to deliver, install and take the old washer away?" it was a good price so she said "Yes".

BIG MISTAKE!!!!

The delivery was on time but the driver / installer could not remove the old washer and in trying to do so tore two holes in the kitchen lino. Comet have been to take pictures of the holes and we WILL get compensation in due course - I am fairly sure of that.

We called a builder friend of ours and without the need for any tools at all, he removed the old washer and fitted the new one in under twenty minutes.

One of the flooring firms who have quoted us for replacing the lino said "I give four or five estimates a week to people whose floors have been damaged by people like Comet and the others..."

I think that the moral of the story is that it's better to get goods delivered and then get an expert in to fit them.

I also think Comet should look at either training their delivery men better or cease offering an installation service - which in this case - is probably going to LOSE them somewhere in the region of £200!!!!!

A review of "How To Deal With Your Anger"

A review of my web-interactive eBook "How To Deal With Your Anger" has been published on the 'Circles of Light' website. To read it go to http://www.circlesoflight.com/brainwaves/anger-ebook.html.

Another use for my blog...

The last two entries in this blog about Vistaprint and 1899 mark the start of a new use for this blog - on top of all the other stuff that I intend to use it for I'm going to post positive and negative reviews of organisations that provide me with either GOOD or BAD products or services... Read and enjoy :)

Cheap Telephone Calls

Hi,

If you are in the UK check out 1899 for cheap telephone calls - I've been using their service for a couple of months and it seems really good... Not sure how long the rate of 3p for a UK call of any length will last but...

Also good for some international calls...

Their website is at http://www.1899.com

Vistaprint sends me a deceptive email...

Vistaprint are in my bad books after sending me what I consider to be a deceptive email asking me to fill in a survey and then they will give me a free gift...

This is the email that I have just sent to them...

---START
Hello

Received an email that stated:
"Thank you for your confidence in VistaPrint. We are grateful for your business and promise to do everything we can to not just meet, but exceed your expectations for a long time to come.

"With that goal in mind, I would like to ask you to click here and complete the VistaPrint 60-Second Survey.

"As a token of our appreciation for your time and input, we would like to offer you our top 6 Products for FREE. As soon as you have completed the survey, you'll receive a link to this special offer.

Filled in your survey, chose postcard - spent time designing card - then went to complete order and...

NOT FREE

'FREE' means without charge!!!!

Postage charge of over £3 is NOT FREE...

Guess what is going onto my blog and into my monthly newsletter to over 2000 people...

Yours.

Robert.
---
Robert Agar-Hutton, FFIATAM, FFA, MIAP, MICM.
Protectics Limited - +44 (0)1582 400111

Products, Training Courses and Trainer Training in the management of Anger, Aggression, Violence and Stress.

http://www.protectics.co.uk - http://www.verbalaggression.com - http://www.your-
anger.com - http://www.breakaway-training.co.uk - http://www.angercoach.co.uk

For your FREE monthly email newsletter with hints and tips on the management of Anger, Aggression, Violence and Stress, visit our website at http://www.protectics.co.uk/ma


p.s.
Putting the fact that postage is payable BELOW the signature is deceptive!!!


---END

Another new Anger Management website

I've just launched another Anger Management website. This one has details of all the Anger management products and services that I provide. It includes various things that are NOT on any other of my websites like Anger Management TRAINER training.

Trainer training is for organisations that want me to train trainers who can then train coaches who can then perform anger management coaching. This adds an extra 'level' of expertise...

The website also includeds a system that lets the site automatically recommend Anger Management coaches or groups depending on where a client wants to have coaching, this system works but will be developed further as time goes by...

The website address is http://www.angercoach.co.uk

Ironic???

Is it somewhat ironic that today the BBC website reports:

"The inventor of the infamous AK-47 assault rifle has backed stricter gun controls as a key small arms conference gets under way on Monday in New York."

Apparantly there are "about 100m AK-47s and variants in use."

WOW that is a lot of guns.

B•Tect Breakaway Training DVD Preview

I had a bright idea on Wednesday - spent most of Thursday turning the idea into reality and today, Friday, completed and posted onto the website a NEW preview for the B•Tect two DVD training course.

The preview is available from the following webpage http://www.breakaway-training.co.uk/btect-dvd.php - Just click on "Clip 3: A longer preview of the DVD course." to see it...

The original idea was to make a preview that I could (will) send out on DVD and putting it on the website was an afterthought that I hope people will find useful.

Newsletter

If you are interested in my free monthly newsletter on the management of Anger, Aggression, Violence and Stress then go to http://www.protectics.co.uk/ma

Breakaway Training

I've just launched a new website that is going to be dedicated to the Breakaway Training Products and Services that I offer. The site is at http://www.breakaway-training.co.uk

My intention is to add content to the site so that over time it becomes a repository for advice on Breakaway Training, Safe Handling and related topics.

Affiliate program

I've launched an affiliate program for my web-interactive eBook "How To Deal With Your Anger" - Details are on the site at www.your-anger.com/aff

The program allows anyone with a website, blog or mailing list to refer visitors to the eBook and to earn 50% commission from Clickbank (less ClickBank charges) which is a great way to earn money as Clickbank allows you to also sell your choice from THOUSANDS of other products as well.

New Anger Management website

I've just launched a new website for the "How To Deal With Your Anger" eBook the website is
http://www.your-anger.com

a recent testimonial said:
"My hats off to the book. It has helped me in ways you cant imagine. I have succesfully read it 4 times and it has changed my life and outlook on life itself.

Tai Chi and Karate Jutsu Website Update

Just finished a minor update to my Protectics Martial Arts website - the largest change being my decision to start offering private lessons again - I stopped taking private students a couple of years ago as it pays so poorly when compared to 'real work' - However I have had a couple of requests from people who want to take lessons and have decided to start teaching them... So I thought maybe a few more students... I will see how it develops.

So many changes

I've made sooooooooo many changes to the website for "How To Deal With Your Anger" that virtually nothing from the first edition has remained unchanged. Hopefully the many many changes explain in more depth all the aspects of this wonderful eBook and anger management programme.

It's also been fascinating as I've had to improve (again) my programming skills so that all the back end technology that manages the on-line members only website works the way I want it to.

One of my talents (or problems) is that I tend to do EVERYTHING myself. So instead of getting some young whiz-kid web expert - I do it myself. Instead of getting a professional copy-writer - I do it myself. In fact the only help I had was with the design of the graphics and there I paid someone to do them - but got involved with a change here and a change there... It would probably have been quicker if... Well you know.

The eBook is currently selling for $39.95 though I'm putting the price up on the 1st June to $49.95 - so if you EVER have problems because you get angry please check out www.protectics.co.uk.

After Midnight

It was just after midnight and I was thinking about the main webpage for my eBook on "How To Deal With Your Anger" - I decided that it needed a couple of minor changes...

Isn't that always the way - finally finished the webpage mid morning (Yes I did get a few hours sleep) and the new version is now up. Hopefully it's a bit easier to read and more straightforward. The page is "How To Deal With Your Anger".

Google Page Creator

Google Labs have launched a new 'toy'

You can see my embryonic new Google web page at http://rah2004.googlepages.com/home

It may turn out to be another 'must have' from Google. Currently it's featured on the Google Labs website - see here.

How To Deal With Your Anger

Well it's finally gone live.

The How To Deal With Your Anger eBook started selling yesterday 7th April.

This eBook is in a new format (for me) that allows the eBook to interact with a website that I have built so that the readers can download extra material - it also means that I can add new material to the 'eBook+'.

The website is currently part of my Protectics site but I may set up a unique domain name - haven't decided yet...

The eBook details are at www.protectics.co.uk.

New martial arts website

Well, after months and months of prevaricating, vacillating and being downright lazy I rewrote my Martial Arts website yesterday - It went live early on April 1st - and I spent several hours today tidying it up.

There is still LOTS to do but hopefully in time it will come to match the picture in my mind.

The site is at http://www.p-k-j.org

It has details of my Protectics Karate Jutsu class, the Luton Tai Chi Club and the various martial arts seminars that I'm going to be teaching. It also has a large number of links to many of the people I've trained with which I hope makes for some entertaining web surfing.

Nearly ready...

Well I've spent most of this week working on my eBook How To Deal With Your Anger and the website that interacts with it - it's a large and complicated task but has enabled me to improve my knowledge of .php programming quite a lot. I also had to learn how to design an icon so that when my eBook is sitting on a computer screen it looks pretty...

I really enjoy learning new things and programming certainly stimulates my creative juices...

The eBook itself is at what I call the difficult stage, with several people proof-reading it and suggesting improvements/changes. All good but it does get a little bit repetitive repetitive repetitive....

Still it's almost the weekend and I hope to take a bit of a rest. I've got my monthly newsletter ( http://www.protectics.co.uk/ma ) to finish (IT'S LATE) and get out - but hopefully that will be done and dusted by this time tomorrow.

Mysterious - the sequel...

I have published my blog but a post I've just made is not showing up... SPOOKY...

I have re-edited and re-published it and still NO SHOW... VERY SPOOKY...

So I'll copy it here and I'm betting that the minute I do that the original post will show up too - just to annoy me... That's blogging for you...

Is it any wonder that there's sometimes months between my posts.... Of course maybe it's a punishment from the blogging gods...

It's a mystery - I've just checked the sales stats for my eBook on How To Deal With Verbal Aggression and sales are down to zero for the last three weeks...
It's very strange, sales do vary and sometimes a week will go by without any sales (Best week ever was 43 eBooks) but three weeks in a row...
I've checked the website http://www.verbalaggression.com and it's working fine - and I've also checked several of my affiliates' sites (I sell the eBook via Clickbank http://www.clickbank.com) and they are fine too...
Oh well the mysteries of marketing and sales are dark arts beyond my understanding...
It's probably the Universe telling me to get my finger out and launch my new eBook on Anger Management... Soon, Universe, Soon...

Mysterious

It's a mystery - I've just checked the sales stats for my eBook on How To Deal With Verbal Aggression and sales are down to zero for the last three weeks...

It's very strange, sales do vary and sometimes a week will go by without any sales (Best week ever was 43 eBooks) but three weeks in a row...

I've checked the website http://www.verbalaggression.com and it's working fine - and I've also checked several of my affiliates' sites (I sell the eBook via Clickbank http://www.clickbank.com) and they are fine too...

Oh well the mysteries of marketing and sales are dark arts beyond my understanding...

It's probably the Universe telling me to get my finger out and launch my new eBook on Anger Management... Soon, Universe, Soon...

Spam

Well I decided today that enough is enough - some 'dweeb' posted a comment that had a link to porn... So I enabled comment moderation and deleted those comments on this blog that were ONLY spam - I don't mind creative marketing but sometimes people are simply taking the 'michael'...

So, what was I doing before the spam comment got emailed to me - Oh yes, altering my newsletter subscription script so as to try and track down why once in a while we get a void signup for the list with no data in it - very strange....
The signups come from (it seems) only the home page http://www.protectics.co.uk Oh well hopefully the new changes will highlight when it happens then I can begin to figure out why...

What did I actually set out to do this morning....

Hmmmm - I was going to work on the webpage for my forthcoming eBook on Anger Management - guess I'll get around to that soon....

God a Kolb

Got a head-cold or flu and in true manly fashion 'IT HURTS'...

Really finding 'blogging' hard work - I would like to post entries regularly but can't find the time - am busy at the moment with some new products/websites.