Information Technology

Forget the DVDs, otherwise you may find yourself far from getting the highest mode of entertainment. Of course, we were right until recently when we used to think that nothing can beat our DVDs as far as the best entertainment appliance is concerned.

Of course the sound and picture quality of a DVD was free from any direct visible challenge. But as we see that nothing is immobile in the world of technology, a new miracle happened in digital video players technology. The inventors called it Blue-Ray.

These Blue-Rays are well set to replace the DVDs as the most prominent source of video watching. To bring the DVDs to the threshold of extinction, not only its advanced mechanism and much improved storage capacity will play a significant role, but the increasing popularity of HDTVs too is a second reason.

The 1080p resolution of an HDTV, compared to 480p resolution of a DVD, can be exploited to its maximum only by a Blue-Ray player.

Apart from its picture quality, a Blue-Ray player stores more data than a DVD. A DVD can store no more than 10 GB while a Blue-Ray disc can handsomely store a thumping 45-50 GB.

Such is the impact of its arrival that even the movie makers are not left ignorant of the importance of Blue-rays. They are leaving no stone unturned while making a movie. They are more Blue-ray focused.

They are ensuring there best to come up with the most beautiful pictures, in terms of varying colors and their shades, to make watching movies on Blue-rays a magical experience. Thus you have to opt for a Blue-ray player as all the frames of new movies are inclined towards blue-rays.

Also the arrival of HDTV has made the blue-ray a must have. You will no longer find watching videos on HDTVs using a DVD player an interesting job. The difference between resolutions mars the effect. So a blue-ray player enjoys the most befitting compatibility with an HDTV.

Also you are not required to be worried about your huge DVD collection as a Blue-Ray player is capable to run your DVDs too. Thus you are free from the responsibility of getting all your DVDs translated to Blue-ray version.

What Kinds of Electronic Check Conversion Exist?

There are two major types of electronic check conversion – electronic check conversion and electronic check conversion with check guarantee. Before jumping into the key difference though, it’s helpful to spend some time explaining electronic check conversion in general.

Electronic Check Conversion Explained Using Credit Cards

The best way to explain electronic check conversion (and even electronic check conversion with check guarantee) is to point to credit cards. Years ago, instead of swiping credit cards into an electronic reader, merchants had to physically place them into a metal contraption, along with a two-piece carbon form. A heavy roller created an imprint of the credit card. After signing the form, one copy stayed with the store and the other went to the purchaser.

But in the last twenty years shoppers and stores forego using extra paper since everything is stored electronically thanks to the electronic reader. With electronic check conversion an amount is entered and the check is scanned, much like credit cards today. When the transaction is complete the check is given back to the customer since everything is stored electronically. As with current credit card transactions, the business no longer needs to have an ‘extra paper trail’.

Electronic Check Conversion Benefits

Electronic check conversion electronically records the transaction thanks to the check reader attached to the credit card terminal. Also like credit cards electronic check conversion or electronic check conversion with check guarantee, will decline a check if there is a problem with the account.

This helps reduce fraud. Any check a merchant gets is electronically verified against a database of closed accounts or accounts with risky histories. Although the businesses cannot see specifically what the problem might be, it will red flag any negative marks in the last 90 days and declines the check. This could be anything from a closed account to bouncing checks.

If the check passes the negative database, it is then converted to an electronic debit and the funds are deposited into the merchant’s bank account. This happens if the check writer has sufficient funds in his checking account at the time the check is ‘written’.

Electronic check conversion, however, doesn’t automatically cover a check in the event that something is wrong with the account in the here and now. So that’s where electronic check conversion with check guarantee comes into play.

Electronic Check Conversion with Check Guarantee

Electronic check conversion with check guarantee offers more protection to merchants. Businesses that have electronic check conversion with check guarantee don’t have to worry because they still will get paid. Many companies offer both forms – electronic check conversion and electronic check conversion with check guarantee. However, they usually recommend electronic check conversion with check guarantee because this service offers more protection to merchants.

As with electronic check conversion, the check is approved at the time of the transaction. But more importantly, the store is guaranteed funding within 48 hours, even if the check is returned for non-sufficient funds. The same cannot be said for basic electronic check conversion.

Is Electronic Check Conversion With Check Guarantee Right For You?

Every business can benefit from electronic check conversion with check guarantee. The cost of electronic check conversion with guarantee is very similar to the cost of accepting credit cards. However, the discount rate for this feature usually costs less then the discount rate for credit card acceptance.

For a company to decide if electronic check conversion with check guarantee is right for them, they should consider how often they accept checks that become NSF, or become bad for other reasons, such as closed accounts, etc. Not only will electronic check conversion with check guarantee save businesses financial loss because of bad transactions, it also provides them peace of mind that they will receive payment for products or services sold.

COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS

By M.Srinivasa Rao

The ability or the skill to transfer one’s thoughts, ideas and information from the sender to the receiver with the latter being understood the same effectively and efficiently is known as communication skills. It is one of the greatest skills of the soft skills and its importance is growing rapidly due to the rising complexities as a result of technological inventions.

In corporate terminology, communication is the process of exchange of information from the sender to the receiver and vice versa. There are different types of communication such as downward communication, upward communication, horizontal communication, crosswise communication, verbal communication; written communication etc., In downward communication, the flow of information is from the people at the superior level to the people at the subordinate level. On the other hand, in upward communication, the flow of information is from the subordinate level to the superior level. In horizontal information, the flow of information is from the people of same level to that of their counterparts at the same level. In crosswise communication, the flow of information is from one level to any other level which is either diagonal or crosswise without any reporting relationship. In verbal communication, the flow of communication, which is transferred orally to any level, and it is the most effective one as one can communicate effectively with one’s body language so as to have profound impact on the receiver. Whenever, there is a need to record the information in black and white, and then people go for written communication in which the communication is through mass mailing in written form.

Any communication has seven elements, apart from the noise, which is known as the barrier in communication and also can be treated as the eight element of communication. The first element being the thought or an idea, the second is encoding the same, third is the transmission of the message or the channel, fourth being the reception of the message and the decoding the same is the fifth element, understanding of the decoded idea or thought is the sixth element and the last and final element i.e. seventh element is the feedback of the receiver to the sender as a sign of confirmation of the communication. Any effective communication must possess the seven elements and the communication is complete with the combination of these seven elements. In case, if there is any gap between the sender and receiver or vice versa then there is communication gap or miscommunication or which is technically called as noise. The so called eighth element is the culprit of communication and all efforts must be made to eliminate it.

Every leader or manager must have great command over communication skills as communication takes major portion of time in any organization. It is aptly said, ‘Communication is the life blood of an organization’. It is through communication all the people are connected in the organization and all the activities are coordinated to achieve their goals and objectives.

The media of communication is divided into verbal communication and non-verbal communication. Both the oral and written communication falls in the fold of verbal communication. The non-verbal communication is divided into body language and sign language and the latter is further divided into visual signs and audio signs. As it is quite obvious, oral communication is the exchange of ideas, thoughts and information in oral form and if it is in written mode, it is known as written communication. A person must be strong at both oral and written forms. When an individual work in the capacity of a manager he will be required to give presentations frequently and he must be in a position to deliver the same effectively. Similarly, he may be asked to write reports on various projects or tasks and possession of written communication is sine quo non.

It is said that 93 per cent of our communication belongs to body language and the systematic study of body language is known as kinesics. It shows the impact of our body language. It is the combination of facial expressions, eye movements, gestures, posture, tone control and our over all physical features. The oral language is always supported by body language and there has to be consistency in both oral and body language, otherwise, it will give rise to credibility crisis. For instance, when an autocratic manager of an industry talks about the application of participative type of management hereafter by thumping his desk physically with force is an indication of inconsistency in his body language with that of his oral language. In a nutshell, our body language conveys our true intentions unconsciously although we may consciously speak orally different. Body movements and gestures contain 55 per cent, voice tone and inflection contains 38 per cent and the combination of the both is 93 per cent, which conveys our body language. While the rest 7 per cent belongs to verbal communication. The combination all the percentages becomes 100 per cent which becomes the media of communication.

Characteristics of an effective communicator:

He must be very clear in his mind what he wants to convey so as to reach the audience effectively.

The language must be simple, straight and should hit the bull’s eye. It is the quality not the quantity of the message that counts.

He must demonstrate his confidence by way of his body language and must radiate energy and enthusiasm so as to create positive impact in the minds of the receivers.

He must assess the maturity level of the audience and must communicate accordingly.

He must not use loaded language with phrases or complicated terminology or jargon to avoid confusion.

Must organize his mind properly with thorough preparation and enough home work to make it reachable and everlasting.

All out sincere efforts are to be made to prevent barriers in communication.

Must be total consistency in his verbal and body language

Should adjust his tone level as per the message of his speech, with pauses and emphasis whereever it is essential.

Must have ability to raise the curiosity level of the audience.

All efforts must be made to enhance the quality of communication from time to time with innovative methods and approaches. For instance, Swami Vivekananda referred the audience at the Chicago conference as the brothers and sisters of the world, which is still memorable even today. He was a great communicator and speaker.

When Stephen had beaten Abraham Lincoln. A. Douglas in the race for the US Senate, he admonished his followers,” not to give up after one or one hundred defeats”. He was also a great communicator and motivator.

Communication skill is one of the top ten soft skills without which soft skills are irrelevant. Those who are qualified in their academics and try for placement, the interviewing officer lays more emphasis on this ability. A weak communicator creates problems for himself and for others. The interviewing officer can not afford to take a risk by accommodating a poor communicator. Good communication is a feature of effective personality development. Those who want to succeed in their careers; it is imperative to possess good communication skills.

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