Top Dog Publishing

Examiner.com Article Feed

topd6153 — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 19:13:12 +0000

Diane Gandy, Las Vegas Pet Friendly Places Examiner Regular contributing writer, click here!

Augustus Collection Blog

topd6153 — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:19:23 +0000

Diane Gandy, Top Dog Publishing, is a regular guest writer and editor for the Augustus Collection blog. Click here for recent articles.

Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association

topd6153 — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:47:32 +0000

Diane writes all content for the NHLA website.

Cli Groups, Inc.

topd6153 — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:38:52 +0000

Diane is a contracted writer and consultant for CLI Groups.

Augustus Collection Feature: Exploring Cedar City, UT

topd6153 — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:40:45 +0000

June 6th, 2012

Known as the “Festival City” in the USA, Cedar City is located in Utah about 160 miles northeast of Las Vegas. A small town with a population of less than 30,000 residents is actually one of the largest communities in Iron County, Utah. To the east, mountains with peaks at 10,000 feet about sea level frame a part of the area while a semi-arid desert spreads out to the west of the city. Cedar City was established in the mid-1800’s when settlers arrived to build iron works. The original name of the camp was “Fort Cedar” due to what the early settlers thought were cedar trees but in reality were junipers. Small log cabins were erected similar to a fort encampment to protect the early residents from Indian attacks such as during the Walker Indian War of 1853 which resulted in the fort community relocating to a new site suddenly after they were forced to evacuate after the war. In the early 1900’s the railroad came to Cedar City and travelers became aware of the beautiful national parks and scenic territories in Southern Utah. Cedar City was then promoted through early tourism efforts as the “Gateway to the Parks” resulting in it becoming a popular vacation destination as it still is at this time. Today the Southern Utah University in Cedar City is very well known for the annual Utah Shakespearean Festival. The plays are produced and presented every summer and are respected as professional quality plays. In fact, The Shakespearean Festival won a Tony Award in 2000 in recognition of outstanding regional theatre. Many people from Southern Nevada, Southern California and other areas within Utah spend a great deal of time in the Cedar City area due to its cooler weather, friendly people, clean surroundings and an abundance of things to do. For the nature enthusiasts, Navajo Lake and Duck Creek are very close to Cedar City and offer exceptional camping and fishing opportunities. Cedar City is also very close to Zion Canyon National Park, one of the most beautiful national parks in the United States. Zion Canyon is filled with brilliant red, pink, and sand colored cliffs, unlimited arrays of wildflowers, plants and interesting animals, with blue skies above. Hiking is a main attraction as well as camping at Zion. For those people less adventurous and preferring a more relaxing visit, there are several bed and breakfast facilities, cabins, and motels. Dozens of guided tours are available into the canyon and highly recommended for first time visitors. When winter comes along, Cedar City and surrounding areas receive a lot of snow making it a skier’s paradise. Many ski resorts are located within close proximity to Cedar City and the snow never disappoints the avid skier. Sunny skies over snow covered slopes are a dream come true for visitors and skiers. Cedar City, informally dubbed the “Festival City”, presents many festivals and events throughout the year. In addition to the Shakespearean Festival, the Midsummer Renaissance Faire attracts thousands of locals and visitors. A sports festival entitled Utah Summer Games involves over 50 different sports. For rodeo participants and spectators, the Great American Stampede is the festival to attend. The July Jamboree presents a fun car show with live entertainment, vendors, and a BBQ. The annual Paiute Restoration Gathering and Pow Wow, now in its 32nd year, brings Native Americans and friends into Cedar City to observe historical traditions, explore current issues and spend time together. Cedar City appears to be a quiet town for people driving through when actually it is alive with history, culture and beauty. It is definitely a place to visit, spend some time and admire for travelers to the western part of the USA. Guest writer Diane Gandy, owner of TopDogPublishing.com, has held high level management positions in the travel industry for over 25 years. She has worked for various hotels and management companies as well as having held management positions with major global online travel companies. Through these years in high level positions, Diane gained an extensive amount of experience in copywriting and communication for various projects and companies including website content, blogging, marketing collateral, sales letters, business forms and communications, press releases, newsletters, editing, proofreading and consulting. Diane specializes in the hospitality and travel industry as well as small company start-up and business development. Visit http://www.TopDogPublishing.com for more information. About Augustus CollectionFounded in 2011, The Augustus Collection is a professional umbrella sales and marketing company incorporating specialised programs and platforms for fashion, hotels to the European marketplace. Augustus Couture , an Augustus Collection brand dedicated to fashion featuring “Style Me” personal shopping services in London, an online fashion store “The Look”, and online fashion blog “Couture Novus”. Augustus-Lite is a customised sales, marketing and development program available to business operating within the fashion, travel and tourism industires, featuring a dynamic portfolio of over independent hotels, travel technology firm BookingCore, and the world’s largest affiliate marketing program AffiliRed. For more information about Augustus Collection, visit its website at http://www.augustuscollection.com

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Augustus’ Feature: Where Can I Find Happy Employees?

topd6153 — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 22:46:52 +0000

Guest Writer Diane Gandy. Say “Thank you” and See How Happy They Become! Have you ever heard employers or managers ask where they can find happy employees or perhaps wondered that yourself? Well, news flash…happy employees are not “found”, they are developed and nurtured. There are thousands of books, websites, studies, research papers and articles on employee recognition, retention, incentive and motivation, psychology, and programs. Most of this information is very interesting and useful, however, through the decades of spending billions of dollars on trying to figure out what makes an employee a good and happy employee, the basic employee expectations and needs seem to have been forgotten. What are the basics? Quite simple. We want to work, earn a fair and decent income, enjoy what we do, feel safe and comfortable in the work environment and most importantly, be treated with respect and appreciation. We want to be recognized for small and large contributions and we want to hear those magical words when appropriate…”thank you”. It is a known fact that the best performing companies do not always pay the highest salaries and yet the employees exceed expectations and take real pride in their companies and positions on a regular basis. Why? Because the company recognizes the importance of each employee as an individual and an integral part of the business team. The successful company openly displays company appreciation in a consistent, fair and fun manner. Employees should be recognized for accomplishments and contributions to the success of the company as well as positive behaviors. Behaviors deserving recognition include productivity, punctuality, attendance, willingness to assist others without being asked to do so, participating in meetings, making suggestions and being pleasant with minimal or no complaining. Just Say Thank You The simplest yet many times the most appreciated form (and most over-looked) of showing appreciation…is saying thank you. But don’t just say “thanks for a good job” or “thanks team” as the employee will feel that is just a general, uninformed and casual comment. Be very specific with the employee as to why you feel expression of gratitude is merited. Be very clear that it’s understood what the employee did and the effect of the contribution to the company so you will be sincere in your praise. Be sincere, be timely, be positive and be an appreciative manager or business owner…your efforts will certainly pay off resulting in creating happy, productive and dependable employees.

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Augustus’ Feature: Out of Sight but Part of the Team: Managing Remote Working Team Members

topd6153 — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 22:38:03 +0000

Guest Writer Diane Gandy. Literally millions of people around the world telecommute either part-time or full-time and the numbers keep growing as more and more companies are realizing the benefits of remote-based employees. Many of the remote positions entail sales and marketing, freelance writing, technical and accounting jobs. Whether referred to as remotes, telecommuters or virtual employees, it all means working outside the standard office environment, usually home-based. Many companies realize that employing qualified people to work from a remote location proves economical for the company as well as highly productive, deeply satisfying for the employee, good for the environment reducing pollution and congestion with less cars on the roads, in addition to saving office expenses for the employer. Communication is the Key to Success The Augustus Collection completely supports the concept of virtual offices and workers. With employees located throughout Europe, the management at Augustus Collection uses various methods of communication and programs to recognize each person individually as merited as well as team accomplishments. Managing a virtual work environment creates a few challenges, one of which can be remembering to include the remote workers in communication efforts. CFO, Danny Kazlauskas “It is extremely important that companies include remote workers in all pertinent meetings utilizing technology such as teleconferences, webinars or Skype. Regularly scheduled departmental and company-wide meetings, group emails, and other company communication should always include remote workers.” Events and Gatherings Ideally all employees, whether onsite or off-site, should be invited to company events such as annual picnics or holiday parties. If they cannot attend or be invited, a monetary or gift award equal to the amount spent on each person attending should be extended along with “sorry to miss you” sentiments. The remote team members should be given the same amount of time off as those attending the event if not able to attend themselves, even if involving just a few hours. Telecommuting Really Does Work People can work successfully from any virtual location if hired, trained, recognized and supervised appropriately. A virtual employee working remotely for the company who is included as a team member will be a valuable asset to the company. It is the employer’s responsibility to make the employee feel that he/she is a valuable team member just like the employees working onsite. Effective management means supervising, recognizing and including all employees.

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Augustus’ Feature: Happy Tails and Trails

topd6153 — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 21:25:31 +0000

Guest Writer Diane Gandy. Millions of people own dogs and treat them as family members across the globe. Traveling with pets has become a way of life for many. Traveling with your dog can be a great experience; some advance planning and preparation will make it a smooth and enjoyable road trip. First and foremost…a visit to the veterinarian is a must. We want to be sure your dog is in tip top shape for traveling including all vaccinations and that you have the necessary records in your possession. Advise your veterinarian about your upcoming road trip and the doctor will perform a general exam, administer any necessary vaccinations such as rabies, parvo, bordetella and possibly Lyme disease prevention treatment. Depending on areas you may be traveling through, your doctor may recommend flea and tick prevention methods such as special collars or liquid applications. If you are traveling with a senior dog, the doctor may give you specific suggestions to ensure your elderly dog travels in comfort and well-being. Your doctor will issue a certificate of health including a current rabies vaccination document. These items should be carried with the owner and the dog at all times. As a responsible pet owner, you know the importance of a well-fit collar and a name tag with a current phone number but collars can come off. It is wise to invest in micro-chipping your dog. The cost is minimal, usually less than US$30.00; it is administered as a vaccination between the dog’s shoulder blades with minimal or no pain. The micro-chip is about the size of a grain of rice and can be read by most scanners. However, depending on the age of the micro-chip and the entity scanning, it may not always be detectable. Therefore it is most important to always handle your dog as a caring, alert and responsible owner exercising good judgment and practicing safety measures at all times. Collars should also be worn at all times during traveling. Next step is to prepare a travel first aid kit. You can gather the items necessary yourself or you can purchase a pet first aid kit. Be sure the kit contains the following basic supplies: • Prescription medications-If your dog takes daily medication, be sure to pack it. • Supplements-If your dog takes glucosamine, chondroitin, vitamins or any other daily supplements, pack those so as not to deviate from regular routine. • Nausea prevention-Check with your doctor if your dog experiences motion sickness. Many times veterinarians will advise low dosage of an OTC (such as Dramamine) to alleviate the motion sickness but be sure your doctor recommends it for your dog prior to administering. • Allergy-OTC medicine such as Benedryl is sometimes given to dogs for allergies or allergic reactions to bites, plant encounters, etc. Again, check with your doctor for his advice on giving your dog any medications. • Immodium and Pepto Bismol-Check with your vet as to recommendations for using OTC medications for diarrhea or vomiting. Your doctor will advise correct dosage if necessary for your dog. • Rubber gloves • Blankets and towels • Gauze bandages and cotton • Hot/cold and ice pack • Liquid bandage spray • Antibiotic ointment • Peroxide • Rubbing alcohol • Thermometer • Sponges • Tweezers • Scissors • Custom splints • Ear syringe and ear wash • Muzzle – to be used only in severe injury cases where the dog may be so traumatized he may attempt to bite someone. • Pictures of the dog • A note with the owner’s name, emergency contact information, veterinarian’s contact info and dog’s name in the event the owner becomes incapacitated and cannot assist in an emergency situation. It would also be wise to gather the contact information for a poison control hotline and a 24 hour emergency veterinarian hospital in the area of your final destination. This may sound like a lot to prepare but in the unlikely event of an emergency, you will be ready and able to provide quality care and possibly save your dog’s life. The good point is once the kit is assembled, you won’t have to start from scratch again, you will just replace items as needed. There are several sites online that sell animal first aid kits. For instance, Amazon has several kits listed at time of this printing. Go to www.amazon.com and search under “animal first aid kit” to see a broad range of kits. Ebay has various kits online currently. Go to http://www.ebay.com and search under “animal first aid kit” to view a choice of products. Your veterinarian may also sell kits or may recommend another good source to buy a prepared kit if you do not wish to make your own. Very important…don’t forget your camera! You and your buddy will have a great time and you want to have happy “tails” and memories of a lifetime to reflect upon.

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Augustus’ Feature: Planning Your Road Trip with Your Best Buddy

topd6153 — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 21:10:16 +0000

Guest Writer Diane Gandy. Congratulations! You and your best furry canine friend are taking a road trip together. Plan appropriately and you both will enjoy memories to last a lifetime. It is time to get out the map or GPS to plan the most efficient and enjoyable route for you and your Buddy. Factor in necessary stops, exercise breaks and meals. It is most safe to use designated rest stops or well-known areas to ensure you and your dog are not put in harm’s way with heavy traffic, poorly lit paths, snake potential, wild animals, rocks, hot pavement, stickers or nefarious characters. There are many travel guides, both in print and online that will provide this type of information to help you plan the route. Local travel agency offices or automobile clubs may have maps and guides available as well as the local highway law enforcement being able to provide travel guidelines. Maps and travel books are available through Amazon.com or at local bookstores. These guides generally include helpful maps, hotel listings, restaurants and rest stops along the route to assist in planning the trip. Be sure to check weather conditions for the duration of your travel and plan accordingly. Weather.com is a great source for determining the forecast for up to a month in advance. If your travel time exceeds 8-10 hours in a day, plan to divide the day in two or three hour driving increments so you can stop and let Buddy stretch, do his business, eat and take a break from riding. You may also want to consider staying overnight in a hotel if the mileage is excessive for one day. Allow at least 2 hours time between Buddy’s main meals and travelling to allow for proper digestion and avoid the dangerous possibility for bloat sometimes caused from too much activity too soon after eating coupled with excitement and anxiety of travel which can be disastrous for a dog. Stress can also be a contributing factor. The medical term for bloat is Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (“GDV”) which consists of an abnormal accumulation of foam, air and/or fluid in the stomach sometimes causing the stomach to twist or extend. It is a very dangerous situation and happens frequently with deep-chested breeds like German Shepherds, Dobies and Great Danes although it does occur in other breeds, as well. You may wish to discuss this further with your doctor or research online. Planning your trip in advance with maps, GPS programming, basic scheduling and general research will ensure a smooth, safe and enjoyable trip for you and your favorite Buddy.

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Hospitality News Wire

topd6153 — Thu, 03 Feb 2000 07:33:04 +0000

Diane is the staff writer for NHLA content for Hospitality News Wire. Click here for recent articles Click here to subscribe