How To Be Happy At Work

Good day everyone

Welcome back to the Café

Here is a piece of training I shared with a Management student this week.

It Covers their Dreams and Goals.

I hope you find it helpful.

How To Be Happy At Work

You probably like your work, but you’re not happy. It could be because of your co-workers or management, or you feel like you’re not getting paid enough. Whatever the reason, if you want to make a career out of your job, you need to figure out how to be happy in the workplace. Here are a few different tips you can try out:

1.        Maintain a healthy work-life balance

As the saying goes, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Learn to put boundaries in place. When your life is tied to your job, and you find yourself thinking about your job on days when you’re not working, then it’s time to take a step back.

How’s your social life? Your family life? You don’t want to ignore family and friends because of work. You might think you’re doing it for a noble cause, but it could bite you in the back one day.

You could be earning good money, but if your health and your relationships are at stake, then you need to assess if you’re willing to give everything up for money. I don’t know about the company you’re working for, but remember that you’re working for a business at the end of the day. No matter how good you are at work, you’re not irreplaceable.

2.        Stay away from office drama and office politics

Some may say engaging and using office politics to your advantage is a good idea. Of course, not everyone is going to agree. Gossip, office drama, and office politics are morale killers. They strain relationships and affect everyone’s productivity.

You got hired to do a specific job. Do your job to the best of your abilities and stay away from backbiters, gossipers, and downers in the office. At the end of the day, you’re getting paid to do your job. There’s no point wasting your time dealing with negative people; it’s only going to make you unhappy.

3.        Build meaningful relationships with co-workers

You probably spend almost half your day in the workplace. To make it more bearable and less stressful, you should build meaningful relationships with your co-workers. Hang out with them on your days off and get to know them personally.

Once you’ve spent enough time with them, you’ll recognize who the keepers are and who you should stay away from. Choose the right kind of friends, and you’ll end up happier at work.

Thank you for stopping by the Café. Would you please share it with someone who could benefit from it if you found this helpful? For more tips and resources, visit the website at thecafeboss.net.

Pets Can Greatly Improve Your Health

Good day everyone

Welcome back to the Café

Here is some advice pet advice I shared with a family this week.

I hope you find it helpful.

Pets Can Greatly Improve Your Health

Having a pet is one of the healthiest investments you can make to your long-term health and happiness. We know that having a pet enriches our lives, and scientific studies have clearly shown how companion animals have benefited our bodies and minds in the last decade.

Apart from lazy days in the sun, walking, fetching, and guaranteed smiles throughout the day, pets provide health benefits that extend far into the body and mind, such as lower blood pressure, heart rate, anxiety level, as well as providing pet owners with both consistent behavior and offering unconditional love and affection. Pets, in return, respond well to stability and the love and affection pet owners lavish upon them.

Pets have been known to improve the lives of pet owners, significantly benefiting health, not only for the young and families but also for the elderly. Pets may help elderly owners live longer, healthier, and ultimately, more enjoyable lives.

The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society published an article showing how independently living seniors with pets tend to have better physical strength and overall mental health and wellbeing than seniors that do not have pets. They are more active, generally happier, cope better with stress, and have significantly lower blood pressure.

It would seem that taking care of a pet would be a lot of work. That work, that maintenance – walking, feeding, grooming, fresh water, playing, and petting, lowers the heart rate, decreases anxiety and stress levels, increases serotonin, and releases beta-endorphins in pet owners.

Even just getting up to open the door for a dog to be let in or out, or changing the water for the kitty, require some cardiovascular exercise and increase joint flexibility and keep joints limber and agile. Regular minor exercise like this ensures healthier bodies for pet owners.

Many of the benefits of having a pet are less tangible. Pets allow for physical contact and offer consistent companionship, as well as unconditional love. They act as a support system for older people without homes, families, or close friends.

 People with pets generally remain more stable emotionally during crises than people without pets. Pets also offer social protection from isolation separation anxiety for people in nursing homes and people who don’t have as much opportunity to interact with other people.

Pets help elders perform daily functions and stick to regular routines such as getting up every day, buying groceries, and going outside their homes. Pets also help with All necessary physical, emotional, and social activities that help older adults be active, motivated to eat and sleep, and comfortable in their environments and themselves. Through these interactions, pets enable elders to interact with others more frequently, which lowers depression and anxiety, both frequent medical problems facing elders today.

Thank you for stopping by the Café. Would you mind sharing this information with someone who could benefit from it? For more pet Tips, Please visit the website at “The cafeBoss.Net.”

How to Answer Interview Questions

Good day everyone

Welcome back to the Café

This article is part of the Wings to Success series designed to help you succeed during a Job interview.

I hope you find it helpful.

How to Answer Interview Questions

It seems that no matter what age you are, there is nothing more stressful than going through an interview. Whether you have years of experience in your profession or are a teenager looking for a summer job, the thought is there, how to answer interview questions.

There are obvious right and wrong answers to some questions. The simple questions determine the basic skill level needed for a particular job. These are usually not the questions that determine who gets the job because they cover the basic job description and essential duties. It is learning how to answer interview questions where the interviewer is looking for a certain attitude or skill that will determine if you will stand out among the others being interviewed. 

These are the questions that are the most difficult to prepare for. These are also the questions that you repeatedly answer in your mind once you leave the interview room. I know that I have left many interviews wishing I had worded my answer differently or that I had elaborated on a specific answer. It is also essential to learn how to answer interview questions to let the interviewer know that you will bring enthusiasm and knowledge to the job.

There are several techniques and tips that are available that address how to answer interview questions. Some interview aids give a list of most asked questions so that you can practice an interview. I have found that the techniques that are the most helpful to me are those that also provide answers to how to answer interview questions. You want to be careful that you do not sound too rehearsed in an interview, but you want to have the confidence to get across that you know what you are talking about and that you are the best candidate for the position.

 If you come across too rehearsed, you might give off the impression that you are bored with the process. It is helpful to develop a brief personal pitch so that the employer knows you are a good match. This pitch goes beyond knowing how to answer interview questions and presents your skills and attitudes towards the business you are applying for.

There are interactive mock interviews for some of the higher-level jobs that are more difficult to get into. By participating in these, you will learn how to answer interview questions and get feedback from the interviewer on how you come across. This will give you tips on body language and mannerisms that also impact your chances of getting a job. Answering interview questions is a skill that will take you far in your career once you have mastered it. 

Once you have overcome the worry of how to answer interview questions, it will be much easier to appear confident and knowledgeable in your skill level. Also, having the right attitude towards learning a skill that you might not have yet is a positive sign to an employer. Many employers are willing to teach an essential skill to a person they feel is a good match for the position. You can show that you are the right match by having confidence in answering interview questions.

Thank you for stopping by the Café. Would you please share it with someone who could benefit from it if you found this helpful? For more tips and resources, visit the website at thecafeboss.net. Please also feel free to buy me a cup of coffee. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cafeboss2503

Anxiety In Dogs

Good day everyone

Welcome back to the Café

Here is some advice I shared with a family this week.

I hope you find it helpful.

Anxiety In Dogs

A world without dogs would be crazy. It would be lonely for most of us if we lost our favorite canine companions. Fortunately, almost every household in the US had had at least one dog.

Dogs are animals that need special care and extra attention from us humans. Compared to cats, dogs are more active and showy to their companions. Cats just lie and sleep most of the day. It only moves toward you to get is a dose of petting or to ask for food. Most of the time, cats would rather sleep or groom themselves.

Dogs are different. They are playful. They interact with other people and other dogs as well. They show appreciation to their owner, in one way or another. Men and dogs have become ultimate partners, helping each other enjoy a complementary relationship.

Dogs are also utilized outside the home, even in law enforcement. The police have canine units that help them search for different dangerous substances or objects. Sometimes, K-9 units are also used to search for missing people.   These special dogs can detect or identify crime suspects by tagging the smell if well trained. 

Even blind people immensely benefit from dogs. These dogs serve as the “eyes” of their blind master. These dogs enable blind people to live relatively normal lives, allowing them to leave their homes and enjoy the outdoors much like other people who can see.

Dogs have different personalities. It depends on the breed or the dog’s family history. From being a puppy to an adult dog, they are accompanied by their human masters. These people are familiar with dogs and how they live every day. The dog’s everyday routine is usually dependent on their master’s lifestyle.

However, some dogs experience anxiety that almost comes instantly when they are left alone by their master. If they are left alone, these dogs can become destructive, which is their means of expressing frustration or loneliness. This is called separation anxiety in dogs. Dogs can become restless and bored, and if they see that their master is not around, they may go out to chew on anything that they can get their paws on — from slippers, furniture, and other objects found in the house.

Chewing on particular objects that have the master’s smell (socks, shoes, the sofa, or even the door) is one of the many symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs. Other symptoms to watch out for would be continuous barking, uncontrolled “pooping,” and various ways to get the master’s attention.

Probable causes for such behavior often include dogs that were not properly socialized or dogs that have been living in different homes. With this in mind, owners should take a second look at their dogs and see if they exhibit such behavior. This will give them the idea that their dogs might be suffering from separation anxiety.

Dealing with separation anxiety in dogs can be serious if not threatening for your carpet or sofa. Begin with a no “goodbye” technique. Owners should not give their dogs any hugs before they leave home.   This will only make the dog long for more attention from the owner. Another tip would be to leave some toys or goodies to help your dog consume its time and take its attention away from its anxiety.

Thank you for stopping by the Café. Would you mind sharing this information with someone who could benefit from it? For more Dog Tips, Please visit the website at “The cafeBoss.Net.”

The First Step to Accountability

Good day everyone

Welcome back to the Café

Here is a piece of training I shared with a Management student this week.

I hope you find it helpful.

It’s Your Move:  The First Step to Accountability

A lack of accountability is frustrating. Tremendous productivity and efficiencies can be gained when more people are accountable for completing their tasks, commitments, and expectations.

Every place I go, if I’m in an organization long enough, I’ll hear people lament about the lack of accountability. Specifically, I hear things like: “They just don’t seem to care enough, I guess.”  “Those action items never get done – I don’t know why we even identify them.”  “I have trouble getting people to be committed to achieving the things they are responsible for.”  “Everyone wants to blame someone else – it is never their responsibility.”

These comments come from every level, and they refer to people both above them organizationally and those that may work for them. In other words, the concern is widespread and includes everyone.

People are concerned because a lack of accountability is frustrating. Still, they also know that tremendous productivity and efficiencies can be gained when more people are accountable for completing their tasks, commitments, and expectations.

Accountability is an important thing.

Unfortunately, in most of the comments above and in the many conversations I’ve had, people think the accountability gap is about someone else. “They” aren’t accountable. “They” need to improve. The focus is on fixing the behavior of others.

While this might be true, this is the wrong place to focus, at least at first.

Take a Look in the Mirror

If you want greater accountability around you, start by being more accountable yourself. Before you tune me out, I know what some of you are thinking…

“I’m just a middle manager – it’s not my responsibility.”

“I’m just a supervisor – I can’t change it.”

“I’m nobody – it doesn’t matter what I do.”

Maybe you are in one of these roles. Or perhaps you are a senior leader or the CEO. It doesn’t matter your role or how long you have been in the organization. Let me repeat it.

If you want greater accountability around you, start by being more accountable yourself.

If you want to engender and create greater accountability in those around you, you can start by being a good role model. You can be 100% accountable yourself.

I’m reminded of what my father often told me:  “When you point a finger towards someone else, there are four times as many fingers pointing back at you.”

Being accountable is about figuring out how you can make things better. Other people’s actions aren’t in your control, and many events aren’t in your control either, but your response to these situations and circumstances is entirely in your control. You can choose to be 100% accountable and responsible for your response.

Some Questions

While thinking about the challenges you face with accountability in your organization, ask yourself the following questions:

•          What is my role in this situation?

•          What am I doing (or not doing) to promote the situation as it currently exists?

•          What about this situation is in my control?

•          What am I thinking?

•          What are my beliefs?

•          What can I do to have an impact?

•          What can I do differently to change the result?

Asking these questions takes courage because it takes away your ability to blame others. Asking these questions may be a change in your habits. Asking these questions may be challenging because the answers may require work.

Courageous and difficult, perhaps, but these are the questions of a 100% accountable person.

Thank you for stopping by the Café. Would you please share it with someone who could benefit from it if you found this helpful? For more tips and resources, visit the website at thecafeboss.net.

How You Can Benefit from Regular Creative Visualization Practice

Good day everyone

Welcome back to the Café

Here is a piece of training I shared with a Management student this week.

It Covers their Dreams and Goals.

I hope you find it helpful.

How You Can Benefit from Regular Creative Visualization Practice

The practice of creative visualization can be summed up by this simple phrase, “if you can visualize it, you can achieve it.” The process is a method of using visual images to bring about specific results in your life. It is a technique that business people use to bring them success, professional athletes to prepare for a game, and everyday people to achieve their life’s dreams. Here are just some of the benefits you can gain by practicing creative visualization.

Achieve Your Goals

You can utilize the process of creative visualization to vividly see yourself achieving your goals in your mind’s eye. When you envision yourself accomplishing your goals and achieving success, your mind starts to believe that you can achieve these goals. This helps you think that your goals are within reach, and you begin taking the appropriate action to accomplish them.

Improve Your Health

If you suffer from a medical condition or emotional problems, like anxiety or depression, you can use creative visualization techniques to help you recover. All you need to do is close your eyes and envision your body renewing itself. You can use creative visualization to reduce stress, improve your mood, lower blood pressure, and so much more.

Improve Your Happiness

The powerful act of visualizing something that you want, or an experience that you want to have, can bring you immense happiness, even it is just in your head. When you can practice creative visualization techniques, your brain doesnÕt know the difference between the vision and reality, so it responds in the same way as if the vision was real.

Boost Your Self-Confidence

When you see yourself doing something or obtaining things you want through your mindÕs eye, it can help to boost your self-confidence. The more confidence you can build, the more likely you will take the necessary action to get or do those things you want. This can boost your self-confidence even further.

Improve Your Memory

When you hear something that you want to remember, you can create a detailed visual picture of it in your mind. This helps to embed the memory so that you can recall it much easier later on when you need it.

If you practice creative visualization for 20 to 30 minutes a day, you will start to see dramatic changes in all areas of your life. Not only will you find yourself in a better mood, but you’ll begin to accomplish things that you never thought possible.

Thank you for stopping by the Café. Would you please share it with someone who could benefit from it if you found this helpful? For more tips and resources, visit the website at thecafeboss.net.

Pets – The Love That Exists Between Pets And Their Owners

Good day everyone

Welcome back to the Café

Here is some advice pet advice I shared with a family this week.

I hope you find it helpful.

Pets – The Love That Exists Between Pets And Their Owners

Abraham Lincoln said, “I care not for a man’s religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.” Many a legend has immortalized the love between the pet and the owner. Many novels describe the love and trust that an animal and the owner share. So did many movies.

 You or I have had a pet at some point in our lives and loved our association with it. It is probably one of the purest relationships to experience for anybody.

We talk to our pets, and they listen. They give us unconditional love and await our attention. They amuse us and make us feel good about ourselves. As Samuel Butler famously said, “The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him, and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.”

After a hard day’s work, the moment your dog runs to you when you are home wipes off the day’s fatigue. There are innumerable incidents where a dog saved his owner, or a cat woke up her owner when there was a fire in the house. Do pets have psychic power? They do. They can understand when you are standing at the door or when you are depressed. Pets fill the void in our lives that no human relationship can fulfill.

Medical research says that seniors who own dogs visit a doctor less than those who do not. It is a proven fact that pet owners have lower blood pressure or that the companionship of a pet helps families and people cope with serious illnesses. Playing with your pet burns up to 250 calories an hour.

There are dogs that assist blind people in their daily lives, and there are dogs that help the police force in their mission to protect people.

But there would probably be fewer people who own a pet because of the reasons mentioned above. People who own pets simply love their pets, and any and every benefit they get because of the association is just a byproduct. And it is true that once a pet lover is always a pet lover.

When a pet passes on, we feel a huge loss that seems incomprehensible. It gets challenging to console the children in the family. Just as a loss of a family member pains us, losing a pet, how much inevitable it might be, seems difficult to cope with. We look for ways to immortalize our lost pets. We must treat the memory of the pet with dignity. That is probably the first step we can take in our grieving process.

Thank you for stopping by the Café. Would you mind sharing this information with someone who could benefit from it? For more pet Tips, Please visit the website at “The cafeBoss.Net.”

Five Steps To A Flawless Interview

Good day everyone

Welcome back to the Café

This article is part of the Wings to Success series designed to help you succeed during a Job interview.

I hope you find it helpful.

Five Steps To A Flawless Interview

Are you prepared for your next job interview? Do you know the secrets of pulling off a flawless interview and getting the job of your dreams? Use these five easy steps to prepare yourself and leave the best impression possible with the hiring manager.

1. Be Early – The worst thing you can do is show up to an interview late. What does that tell the hiring manager about your commitment level? Why would anyone want to hire someone who doesn’t have the organizational skills to show up on time? By showing up early, you demonstrate and respect the company and the hiring manager.

You are also giving them the opportunity to take you early, which could give you more face time. Face time is essential. The longer you have with the hiring manager, the better your chances of getting the job.

2. Research the Company – Never walk into an interview without knowing anything about the company. Do some research; find out how many facilities they have, who the CEO is, and what recent news about the company. Look at the financials from their website or other investor news. Be prepared to ask some questions about what you have discovered. At the end of every interview I have conducted, I always ask, “Do you have any questions for me?” I am always impressed with people who have done their research and are serious about working for the company.

3. Listen, Don’t Talk – It may seem counter-intuitive, but get the hiring manager to do most of the talking. It is a proven fact that hiring managers will think the interview will go better if they do a lot of talking. So use your research and ask many questions to get the interviewer talking.

4. Carry Copies of Your Resume – Hiring managers are busy people, and they often do not have a copy of your resume when they enter the room. Even if they do have a copy, it will be a fax copy from the recruiter a lot of the time. This is the time to hand them your resume on a quality piece of paper.

 The resume paper is thicker and has a very good feel to it, and that is what you want the interviewer to associate with you… a good feel. Later, when the hiring manager reviews your resume, you will stand a better chance of getting the job or at least the second interview.

5. Follow-Up – After the interview, it is always good to follow up with the hiring manager in some shape, way, or form. If the interviewer gave you their card, then make use of it. Call them and ask a few follow-up questions and thank them for taking the time to meet with you. If you didn’t get a card during the interview, send a polite thank you letter. The goal here is to get the hiring manager to think of you again. And the more they positively feel about you, the better your chances of getting the job.

Thank you for stopping by the Café. Would you please share it with someone who could benefit from it if you found this helpful? For more tips and resources, visit the website at thecafeboss.net. Please also feel free to buy me a cup of coffee. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/cafeboss2503

Advice To Using Positive Reinforcement And Rewards To Train Your Dog

Good day everyone

Welcome back to the Café

Here is some advice I shared with a family this week.

I hope you find it helpful.

Advice To Using Positive Reinforcement And Rewards To Train Your Dog

Training dogs using positive reinforcement and reward training has long been recognized as both highly effective for the owner and a positive experience for the dog. Positive reinforcement training is so essential that it is the only method used to train dangerous animals like lions and tigers for work in circuses and the movie and television industry.    

Proponents of positive reinforcement swear by the effectiveness of their techniques, and, indeed, the vast majority of dogs respond well to these training methods.

Positive reinforcement training is so effective because it uses rewards to teach the dog what is expected. When the dog performs the desired behavior, he is provided with a reward, most often in the form of a food treat, but it could be a scratch behind the ears, a rub under the chin, or a pat on the head as well. The important thing is that the dog is rewarded consistently for doing the right thing.

Reward training has become increasingly popular in recent years, but chances are some reward training between humans and dogs has been going on for hundreds if not thousands of years.

 When understanding what makes reward training so effective, some knowledge of the history of humans and dogs is beneficial. The earliest dogs were probably wolf pups that were tamed and used by early humans for protection from predators, like alarm systems, and later for guarding and herding livestock.   

It is possible that the wolf pups that made the best companions were the most easily trained. Or it is possible that these early dogs were orphaned or abandoned wolf pups. Whatever their origin, there is little doubt that the wide variety of dogs we see today have their origin in the humble wolf.

Like packs of wild dogs, Wolf packs operate on a strict pack hierarchy. Since wolf and dog pack hunt as a group, this type of hierarchy, and the cooperation it brings, is essential to the species’ survival. Every dog in the pack knows their place in the pack, and except in the event of death or injury, the hierarchy, once established, rarely changes.  

Every dog, therefore, is hard-wired by nature to look to the pack leader for guidance. The basis of all good dog training, including reward-based training, is for the handler to set him or herself up as the pack leader. The pack leader is more than just the dominant dog or who tells all the subordinates what to do. More importantly, the pack leader provides leadership and protection, and their leadership is vital to the success and survival of the pack.

The dog needs to see itself as part of a pack, recognize the human as the leader of that pack, and respect their authority. Some dogs are much easier to dominate than others. If you watch a group of puppies playing for a little while, you will quickly recognize the dominant and submissive personalities.   

A dog with a more submissive personality will generally be easier to train using positive reinforcement since they will not want to challenge the handler for leadership. Even dominant dogs, however, respond very well to positive reinforcement. There are, in fact, few dogs that do not respond well to positive reinforcement, also known as reward training.

Positive reinforcement is also the best way to retrain a dog with behavior problems, especially one that has been abused in the past. Getting the respect and trust of an abused dog can be very difficult, and positive reinforcement is better than any other training method at creating this vital bond.

No matter what type of dog you are working with, chances are it can be helped with positive reinforcement training methods. Training methods based on respect and trust, rather than intimidation and fear, is the best way to get the most from any dog.

Thank you for stopping by the Café. Would you mind sharing this information with someone who could benefit from it? For more Dog Tips, Please visit the website at “The cafeBoss.Net.”

Employee Development

Good day everyone

Welcome back to the Café

Here is a piece of training I shared with a Management student this week.

I hope you find it helpful.

Employee Development:

Motivate Employee Participation in Professional Development Opportunities and Improve Performance

An employee development and training program is not something to be checked off on a checklist. The strongest organizations make employee development an integral part of their culture and strategies for success. Learn how to increase your performance by motivating the seemingly unmotivated.

When companies think of employee development, they often search for training programs, educational seminars, coaching, or the latest book that might offer ideas on what employees can do to sharpen skills or strengthen expertise. 

However, none of these programs will be effective if the organization lacks one critical success factor:  individual motivation. An individual has to want to develop himself before any employee training and development program can succeed. 

Some say they’re ‘too busy.’  Some say they’re ‘already developed.’  Some blame the boss—some like burying their heads in the sand, afraid of what they might learn about themselves.

What can you do to help your employees achieve the best performance?

Here are some tips to help motivate the seemingly unmotivated and increase your organization’s overall performance

1. Target the highly motivated and strong performers. 

All organizations have highly motivated individuals. They stand out more easily. They typically like challenges and welcome growth opportunities for themselves. Engage them in activities to help them get even better. The improved performance of the highly motivated will help raise the bar for your entire organization. Those who are less motivated will have to step up the pace.

2. Focus on the future

Rather than concentrate on performance areas that aren’t working for an individual, talk about possibilities for the future. It’s easier to become energized about new possibilities than to dwell on weaknesses. Determine the positive outcome that will occur if a change/improvement is made. For example, you might say, “We can reach more buyers if you can speak more frequently to groups. What can you do to hone your presentation skills to help secure more business?” Help employees keep their eye on the goal, not their ego.

3. Open dialogue about desire.

 Discussions about development should be positive and ongoing — not limited to annual performance reviews. Let the individual lead. Rather than saying, “Here are areas you need to develop,” ask, “What would help you build on your strengths or increase your effectiveness?” When a particular approach has been identified, ask for a commitment to follow through. Create a culture where ongoing development is expected, encouraged, and rewarded at all levels. 

4. Start at the top.

Executives should model the commitment to growth and development they want to see throughout the organization. After all, many problems disguised as employee development issues actually reflect leadership deficiencies of the firm or organization.

Consider using assessments of some kind to help employees gain a more objective perspective about them. Assessments can be helpful or destructive, depending on how they are used. In the end, it’s all about achieving what both the employees and what the organization wants. Be clear about what’s most important to both. 

Again, An employee development and training program is not something to be checked off on a checklist. The strongest organizations make employee development an integral part of their culture and strategies for success. They constantly seek innovative ways to engage their people in development opportunities to achieve the best results.

Thank you for stopping by the Café. Would you please share it with someone who could benefit from it if you found this helpful? For more tips and resources, visit the website at thecafeboss.net.

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