To a small business owner, to an employee--to anyone--there is only one way to determine success.

Flickr/Pierre-Yves Sanchis

That's right. One. No kaleidoscope, no cornucopia, no "we're all snowflakes," no we're all individuals.

One.

Sure, success in business and in life means different things to different people. (Very different things in some instances; check out some of the comments on this article about the beliefs of remarkably successful people.)

And success should mean different things. Whether or not you are successful depends on how you define success, and on the tradeoffs you are willing to not just accept but embrace as you pursue that definition of success. We can have a lot but we can't have everything.

I get that, but I also get this. To a small business owner, to an employee--to anyone--there is only one way to determine success. The answer lies in answering one question: How happy am I?

That's it. How successful you are is based solely on the answer to that question.

How happy are you?

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The Only Definition of Success That Matters

-By Andreas Fuchs

The Astor Film Lounge in Berlin

Catching up with one of the countrys most innovative exhibitors six-and-a-half weeks later (www.astor-filmlounge.de), all the stress from the 100-day, 3 million (US$3.82 mil.) overhaul of an abandoned 1950s boulevard-beauty-turned-quad seems to have disappeared. Like our Astor Lounge cinemas in Berlin and Munich before, the Residenz has been a huge success, Flebbe enthuses about the newest of his upscale theatres. I really think it is one of the most beautiful cinemas I have ever built.

Whereas Astor @cinema lounge is located in Munichs famed Hotel Bayrischer Hof, and the next site will revive the former IMAX and CineMagnum screen at Zeilgalerie Frankfurt this July, the Residenz has more in common with the first Astor Film Lounge in Berlin. Both hail back to the time of tradition-defining moviegoing, as Flebbe calls the first cinemas of the post-War period. Back then the emphasis was on creating beautiful dcor and ambiance that enhanced the experience of going out to watch a film.

While redesigning the main Residenz auditorium, from 820 seats at one point to 280 leatherette reclinerscompleted by double armrests, tables with footrests and legroom to sparethe dcor was inspired by Phillippe Starck. We borrowed some of his design ideas, Flebbe acknowledges. Capacity of the upstairs screen, which had been added in 1965 as Intimes Theater, was equally reduced to 150 from 365 and is now illuminated with a colorful LED lighting scheme. Transforming the space of a 1970s mini-box of 70 into a club-room library screen with 35 individual luxury seats covered in red velvet encompassed the addition of wood paneling throughout and 60 linear meters of books (197 feet). The people of Cologne totally dig it because of the very private atmosphere, Flebbe has observed. It is very important for us to have the highest level of fit-out and materials. Citing the additional example that the first Astor Film Lounge in Berlin is under landmark protection, we actually played up all the historic elements there, he says. We dont want our auditoriums to be rectangular boxes, with acoustical elements and all technical-looking. We want to build really beautiful Kinos.

When my contract on the managing board of CinemaxX expired, Flebbe continues, explaining how the idea of film lounging came about, I decided to do something that I would really enjoy doing. Assuring that he has nothing against CinemaxX or any of the other multiplexes, Flebbe qualifies that 20 years ago they certainly did away with the shoeboxes and split auditoriums of the prior era. Multiplexkinos represented a truly new experience. Their large screens, excellent sound, stadium seating and spacious lobbies attracted everyone back to the cinema, not just the younger generation.

Flebbe feels that subsequent market developmentssuch as over-screening, expensive real estate and construction agreements, along with lack of funding, pressure from banks and the likemade investments in upkeep and further innovation scarce. It was all about saving money to make it work, he says of the experience not just at CinemaxX but by pretty much everyone else in the German exhibition industry. Having founded the company and being on its board, I always defended multiplexes and their mass appeal. 1.5 million admissions are a great success for any given theatre, but, with that, an individual guest could not really be the front and center of the operation. Consequently, he opines, the older generation stayed away once again. Going to the multiplex became a very stressful experience, not one to fully enjoy. Kino was dead for them, he summarizes. They preferred the comfort of their homes.

Not surprisingly, those comforts were among the first amenities that Flebbe decided he had to emulate as part of the Astor experience. When developing the concept, I was originally thinking about what I would like it to be like when I go to the movies. It had to be at least as comfortable as in my home where I dont have to look for parking first, where I dont have to wait in line and where I can put up my feet if I want to. My wife may even bring me a beer, he adds with a laugh. When the lease for the Film-Palast in Berlin became available, Flebbe seized the opportunity and redid the single screen to his very liking, launching the Astor Film Lounge in November 2008. Our guests tell us over and over again that, after having experienced the Astor lounge offerings, they wont be going back to the multiplex.

After the uniformed doorman has greeted them upon arrival, guests find a coat check at their disposal. Waiters and waitresses offer them a selection of welcome cocktails served on trays throughout the lobby. From a business standpoint, Flebbe admits, it is not necessarily the smartest idea, because for many people one cocktail is quite enough. But it really creates such a welcoming atmosphere and elevates the experience. People are always very surprised when they come to us for the first time. Further on that note, Astor Film Lounge has brought back the good old-fashioned ushers from yesteryear, who do indeed accompany our guests to their seats, and, yes, with flashlights too, he promises.

During the pre-show of no more than 20 minutes, including short films sometimes, and relatively few ads, guests can order a variety of beer, wine and drinks accompanied by small food items. Antipasti, cheese plates, cold meats and more hearty fare are not intended to replace a proper dinner, he notes, but to make that bottle of wine even more enjoyable. During the afternoons, a visit to the Film Lounge is more like going to the Konditorei bakery and caf. Our guests order from a selection at the display case and have their coffee, cake and delicious Torten brought to their seats inside. Flebbe asserts that Astor does not offer warm and smelly meals and that there is no more seat-side service once the curtain has been lowered in preparation for the movie.

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Kino deluxe: Flebbe finds success in Germany with upscale film lounges

A FAMILY is adding a personal touch to the ever-expanding world of decorated cakes with no shortage of taste testers to help them along the way.

Mother and daughter duo Deborah and Lauren Gill have the steady hands and baking prowess to craft the intricate creations in the family's Shenfield-based kitchen.

Lauren Gill crafting their cakes in the kitchen of Chteau de Gateaux

Lauren Gill crafting their cakes in the kitchen of Chteau de Gateaux

Lauren Gill crafting their cakes in the kitchen of Chteau de Gateaux

BOX OF TREATS: Lauren Gill in the kitchen of her family's home

Lauren Gill crafting their cakes in the kitchen of Chteau de Gateaux

SWEET: Lauren puts the cake mixture in cases

And Lauren's boyfriend, City financial advisor Oliver Brown, is providing the marketing brains to help get Chteau de Gateaux off the ground and their cakes into homes, parties and the corporate arena, whatever the occasion.

Lauren, who works in sports therapy, said the business began when she joined a cake decorating course with her mother, a teaching assistant at Shenfield St Mary's Primary School in Hall Lane.

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Brentwood Gazette published Gill family taste success with their cupcakes

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PrqyVWH944

28-06-2012 07:46 Fundamental: Success is a repeatable approach to personal or professional success, based on industry best-practices and personal experience. The program covers five foundational concepts, defines "success", identifies common obstacles, and presents a five-step process that you can use in pursuing your own success. These materials are free of charge, and have been developed with the simple intention of sharing what I feel are important concepts that can significantly improve the lives of people. The concept of self-help (or self-education) has an odd huckster or "woo woo" reputation, and I find this holds a lot of people back from achieving their potential, hence this no-nonsense approach. This video presentation isn't exactly "action packed", and I encourage you to download the slides from and view them as you listen along. For daily shots of positive wisdom, like us on Facebook:

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FundamentalSuccess 05 Prepare Mind 2nd - Video

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vURMN5NHBjw

28-06-2012 08:00 Fundamental: Success is a repeatable approach to personal or professional success, based on industry best-practices and personal experience. The program covers five foundational concepts, defines "success", identifies common obstacles, and presents a five-step process that you can use in pursuing your own success. These materials are free of charge, and have been developed with the simple intention of sharing what I feel are important concepts that can significantly improve the lives of people. The concept of self-help (or self-education) has an odd huckster or "woo woo" reputation, and I find this holds a lot of people back from achieving their potential, hence this no-nonsense approach. This video presentation isn't exactly "action packed", and I encourage you to download the slides from and view them as you listen along. For daily shots of positive wisdom, like us on Facebook:

Original post:
FundamentalSuccess 06 Process - Video

By Tony Daltorio - June 28, 2012 | Tickers: FB, GLUU, ZNGA | 0 Comments

Tony is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinions of our bloggers and are not formally edited.

Traders buying Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) looking for a quick pop have certainly been disappointed. But what about longer-term investors? Is Facebook a company worth owning? The answer may lie in whether the company is able to come up with a mobile strategy.

On the surface, Facebook looks like a web powerhouse, with hundreds of thousands of apps and sites building on its social network site. But in the mobile world, it looks like just another applications developer. And one that, like others, is dependent on platforms owned by Apple or Google for distribution. Facebook management has recognized this and has made some moves including a series of acquisitions and a new app store as part of its attempt to adapt to the mobile device world we live in.

Data from research firm Gartner reinforces the idea that Facebook had better adapt and quickly if it is to be a profitable company. It estimates that revenue from non-mobile social media will climb to $10.2 billion in 2015 from the $1.3 billion level in 2010. But mobile social media revenue is forecast to rise to $29.1 billion in 2015 from $7.3 billion in 2010.

Clearly mobile social media is a sector in which Facebook has to become a major player. Facebook itself admitted before the IPO that growth in advertising sales isn't keeping pace with the gains in the number of users, many of which are logging on via mobile devices. Facebook sent more than 160 million visitors to mobile apps in April 2012 alone! This is a colossal opportunity for the company and it has to simply find a way to monetize those visitors.

One way Facebook can try to catch up fast in the mobile world is through acquisitions of companies rooted in mobile technology. It has already acquired mobile tech companies Tagtile and Glancee, not to mention Facebook's $1 billion offer for Instagram.

But of course, Facebook has to acquire the 'right' type of mobile technology companies from the myriad of choices out there. Many of these companies use the old-fashioned method of throwing a bunch of stuff against the wall and seeing what sticks. Mobile gaming companies, like Zynga (NASDAQ: ZNGA) and Glu Mobile (NASDAQ: GLUU) use that strategy. Zynga, with more than 290 million active users, spent over $56 million in the first quarter acquiring new users.

Glu Mobile is a leading global developer and publisher of freemium games for smartphones and tablets. Some of its most popular games are available now at the new Facebook App Center. It is well positioned in a market forecast to grow to $16 billion by 2015. But it still follows the strategy of building and hoping. Also think of the creator of the highly successful Angry Birds game, Rovio Entertainment. It was another 'build it and they will come' company that had a lot of losers before hitting upon Angry Birds.

It should be mentioned though that Zynga to date has been successful, providing Facebook with many of its most popular games including Farmville and CityVille. In fact, Zynga supplied Facebook with 12 percent of its revenues in 2011, its largest source of income.

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Facebook's Future Success Lies in Mobile

Chances are, if you are one of the hundreds of thousands of newly minted college graduates who are thrilled to be done with school, you are also now facing the prospect of entering the "real world". You may also be one of the many who are on the verge of starting your first "real job".

While it's tempting to take a well-deserved breather before your new job start date, if you want to be successful in your new job early on there's still some work to do. Just as you prepared for your interviews, you will need to put some time and energy into preparing for your new job to make sure you hit the ground running. [More from Forbes: Tips for young professionals starting a new job]

To get you headed in the right direction from day one, I thought about many of the common mistakes that had been shared with me over the years and then tested these out with individuals who lead talent and recruiting organizations with Fortune 500 firms. Here is our collective wisdom on this topic, so you can avoid many of the pitfalls that have befallen the less well prepared.

"Start" before you start

Your work reputation begins before you know it

You've heard it a million times but I'll say it again: first impressions can be lasting impressions. In an increasingly competitive and demanding work culture your co-workers will form an impression of you quickly. Make it a positive one! [More from Forbes: 20 job rules for Milennials]

Engage with your co-workers

In some ways getting the job is much easier than being successful in it and in turn leveraging each workplace experience and opportunity toward the next step in your career. Just perform well and follow the advice here and you'll be well on your way!

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Insider Secrets to Success on Your First Job

Public release date: 27-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jason Cody codyja@msu.edu 517-432-0924 Michigan State University

EAST LANSING, Mich. A groundbreaking study of nearly 250,000 U.S. women reveals live birth rates approaching natural fertility can be achieved using assisted reproductive technology, where eggs are removed from a woman's ovaries, combined with sperm and then returned to the woman's body.

The research, led by Michigan State University's Barbara Luke and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, highlights what factors help or hinder getting pregnant using assisted reproductive technology, or ART. The results indicate that when there are favorable patient and embryo characteristics, live birth rates with ART can approach those of natural fertility.

"This is good news for women who are trying to have a child," said Luke, a researcher in the College of Human Medicine's Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology.

The number of ART treatments has more than doubled in the past 10 years, and live birth rates traditionally have been reported per cycle, or per one course of treatment. While that is easily calculated and is the method used by national registries across the world, Luke's team sought to estimate cumulative success rates with continued treatment.

"Women and families want to know the overall chances they will get pregnant, not necessarily whether they will get pregnant during a specific cycle," Luke said.

Data were obtained from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology's Clinic Outcome Reporting System for women undergoing treatment between 2004 and 2009. The system contains data on more than 90 percent of all clinics performing ART treatments in the United States.

The study of 246,740 women revealed 57 percent of women achieved a live birth via ART treatment, and 30 percent of all ART cycles resulted in a live birth. Success rates declined with increasing age for women using their own eggs, especially for those ages 38 years and older, but not for women using donor eggs.

The estimated natural fertility rate of the general population is about 20 percent per month, and estimated rates of conceiving spontaneously are 45 percent, 65 percent and 85 percent after three, six and 12 months, respectively.

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Success of fertility treatment may approach natural birth rate

Survey reveals Canadian men would most like to have a drink with Prince William

TORONTO, June 28, 2012 /CNW/ - In an informal survey of Canadian men conducted last week by Chivas Regal, one of the world's leading premium Scotch whiskies, almost half of respondents (47 per cent) identified having great relationships with family and friends as best defining true success. Tied for a distant second were one's bank account and overall health, each garnering 17 per cent of the responses. Rounding out the responses, 14 per cent selected one's career while just five per cent indicated making a contribution to society as best defining success. The survey results align with similar findings from recent market research conducted by Chivas in Canada.

"Canadians' view of what defines success is both holistic and progressive," says Rachel Kubacki, Brand Manager for Chivas Regal in Canada, referring to both the survey results and supporting market research. "As part of its campaign this year, Chivas is focusing its efforts on getting young Canadian men of legal drinking age thinking (and rethinking) about scotch in a new and progressive way. Chivas is also encouraging them to step back and examine the aspects that define their personal success."

In the survey, Canadian men were also asked which modern, successful man they would most like to enjoy a glass of Chivas with, and a majority (23 per cent) chose the would-be King of England, Prince William. Coming in second was another popular Brit, David Beckham (18 per cent), followed by Facebook mogul Mark Zuckerberg (12 per cent) and Canadian rap superstar Drake (9 per cent). 38 per cent of respondents chose to write in their own choice of modern man they'd most like to enjoy a Chivas with, and of those entries, some of the notable names included, Sean Connery, Bill Gates, Ben Kingsley, Sir Richard Branson, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

Additionally, respondents were asked which attribute was the most important on the road to achieving success, with integrity leading the way at 34 per cent. The next most important attribute to becoming successful, according to the results, was determination (29 per cent), followed by confidence (19 per cent), loyalty (nine per cent), intelligence (six per cent), and finally, generosity (three per cent).

The survey was executed at the Chivas 1801: You've Arrived event on Thursday, June 14, in Toronto. Chivas Regal invited 150 lucky guests to a memorable night that included raising a glass of the super-premium Chivas 25-Year-Old Scotch with Dragon's Den host Bruce Croxon. The attendees mingled with Croxon along with former Toronto Maple Leaf Wendel Clark, Toronto Raptor Jamaal Magloire, New York Ranger Michael Del Zotto, and Flashpoint actor David Paetkau. The group was also treated to a rare and intimate surprise performance by the hot, emerging Canadian band Young Empires.

The event was designed to introduce new Scotch drinkers to the Chivas lifestyle. It followed a series of intimate tasting events in Toronto, hosted by select retail partners where consumers were given a chance to win an invitation to the larger, signature Chivas party. Those partners leading businesses from the men's fashion, grooming, gourmet food, technology, art and dcor arenas included Mankind, GotStyle, Bay Bloor Radio, The Healthy Butcher, Ben Sherman, MJG Gallery and Casalife. Partner brands were prominently featured at the main event, each offering a relevant interactive and educational vignette for attendees to enjoy.

"We call these types of events edutainment for the modern man," Kubacki added. "As Scotch continues to grow in popularity in Canada and around the world, Chivas wants to ensure it is speaking to its consumers in a way that is both relevant and memorable."

About Chivas Regal Chivas Regal is a truly global brand, selling 4.2-million 9L cases annually in more than 150 countries (more than a bottle sold every second). Chivas Regal has achieved a strong global performance number 1 in Europe and Asia, with dynamic growth in Eastern Europe, South America and most emerging markets. The Chivas Regal range is the epitome of style, substance and exclusivity, and includes Chivas Regal 12, 18 and 25 Year Old.

About Corby Corby Distilleries Limited is a leading Canadian marketer of spirits and imported wines. Corby's portfolio of owned-brands includes some of the most renowned brands in Canada, including Wiser's Canadian whiskies, Lamb's rum, Polar Ice vodka, and McGuinness liqueurs. Through its affiliation with Pernod Ricard, Corby also represents leading international brands such as ABSOLUT vodka and Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet and Ballantine's Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Beefeater gin, Malibu rum, Kahla liqueur, G.H. Mumm champagne, and Jacob's Creek, Graffigna, Stoneleigh and Wyndham Estate wines.

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Survey Says — Family and Friends More Important than Bank Account and Career in Defining True Success

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBRGpxHknvo

27-06-2012 07:20 Expect Success Fitness Galway Personal Trainer John Mulry Interviews Fintan Monahan of the Galway Greyhound Stadium on Work Life Balance. For all your fitness and fatloss needs visit http or

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Galway Personal Training Expect Success Fitness Insight Interview: Fintan Monahan - Video