How to Turn Your Hobby Into a Career

How to Turn Your Hobby Into a CareerHow to Turn Your Hobby Into a CareerDo what you love, the saying goes, and youll never work a day in your life. Of course, once youve been out in the working world for a few years, you know that doing what you love - and making a living at it - is more complicated than just following your heart. If you want to swap your current 9-to-5 for a geschftliches miteinander based on your favorite hobby, the best thing to do is to think carefully about the particulars and make a plan, long before you start drafting that resignation letter. Tips for Turning Your Hobby into a Career Start smallThere are plenty of reasons to begin earning money with your hobby before you try to make it into a career, but lets start with the most obvious money. In order to get started, youll need at least a few months of expenses saved up, independent of the startup costs associated with your business, to make sure that youll have something to live on while youre getting th ings rolling.Beginning your business while youre still working at your old job will also give you a better idea of whether theres an actual need for your product or service, and how much work goes into producing it, which will give you the information you need to work out the particulars of your finances down the road. (More on this in section No. 5.)Finally, although working two jobs can be exhausting and a juggling act, its a good way to make sure that youll still love your new career when youre doing your hobby for money, not love alone. Make connectionsSocial media has made it easier than ever to make connections with like-mindedpeople, which is an incredible boon to a small businessperson. LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, etc., can help you virtually meet other people in your industry.Just remember to proceed with caution some people will be less than willing to offer business advice to a potential competitor. The best approach is to forge connections bef ore you start asking specific questions. Now is not the time for a blanker form letter, asking strangers if you can pick their brains. The goal is to become part of a community, not strip-mine the competition for ideas and run. Find out what the market will bearVia your newfound ansprechbar communities and real-life connections, get a rough idea of how much other businesses charge for the product or services you offer. Sometimes, this is as easy as looking at online marketplaces and seeing what people charge.Get a sense of what the landscape is like, and how your business will fit into it. What do your competitors offer? What needs does your business fulfill that theirs doesnt? How do you differentiate yourself from your competition? Make a planA business plan is the least glamorous part of starting a new venture, but it can be essential, especially if youre thinking about looking for funding from outside sources. Even if you plan to run your business on your own savings, a business plan can help organize your thinking about your new adventure and expose any so-far unforeseen problems.Plan your financesAs part of your business plan, calculate your monthly expenses, projected income, and total startup costs, including any new equipment you might need, and professional costs like membership fees for professional associations, online marketplaces, or accountants or tax preparers.Youll also need to plan on paying quarterly estimated taxes, and self-employment tax.Eventually, youll have to decide whether to remain a sole proprietor or to choose some other form of business organization, including limited liability company, S-corporation, and so on. Get the word outThe internet makes it easier than ever to let people know that youre hanging out your shingle. In the olden days, you might have had to allocate a significant part of your budget to advertising and lead generation, but now you can get started simply by posting on your favorite networks and letting people k now youre open for business.Just remember that if youre still working at your day job, you might need to be discrete. Make sure your company doesnt have a policy against freelancing or working part-time, and that your business doesnt rely on any trade secrets youve picked up from your job. If all those conditions are satisfied, think of a one-line description for what your business does, and share it with the world. Work Hard Working for yourself is hard, but if you do your research, plan ahead, and think critically about the potential pitfalls, youll have a much better chance of doing what you love and loving what you do. At the very least, youre bound to love the boss.

The Modern History of Forensic Science

The Modern History of Forensic ScienceThe Modern History of Forensic ScienceToday, it seems that forensic science careers are everywhere.Specialists are brought out and put on the stand in high profile trials, experts are constantly interviewed for analysis on the news, and television shows such as CSI portray the glory and intrigue of crime scene investigations. Younger Than It Looks Surprisingly, while the use of science in criminal investigations in some manner or another been around since before the Roman Empire, the idea of forensic science as a discipline and a career is barely 100 years old.It has only been within the last century that law enforcement agencies and the court systems have come to rely so heavily on the use of scientific practices in crime scene investigations. Until the mid-nineteenth century, the use of science in investigations was known and discussed, but the proper application of scientific principles had not yet been fully fleshed out. Throughout histor y, there had been examples of various pieces of evidence leading to convictions or acquittals that would seem to fall in line with what we now recognize as forensics. Accelerated Advancements During the 1800s, though, the application of the scientific principle to criminal investigations accelerated. Clothing and vegetable grains were used to place suspects at the scenes of crimes. The invention of the camera brought on the use of photography to document and preserve crime scenes. Hydrogen peroxide was discovered to foam as it oxidized when it contacted hemoglobin, demonstrating the ability to test for the presence of blood. All of these advances came fast and furious and combined to bring a renewed zeal for science within the realm of criminology. Mystery novels and detective stories gained popularity in the mainstream culture, lead by important characters such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyles iconic Sherlock Holmes. Fingerprints Forge the Way Of course, these were all important aspects of the proliferation of forensic science as a discipline. Perhaps the fruchtwein significant advance, though, was the independent works of Englishmen Henry Faulds and William Herschel and American scientist Thomas Taylor detailing the uniqueness of human fingerprints and their potential use in identifying people that lead to the codification and standardization of accepted practices within forensic science. Dr. Edmond Locard, Pioneer No mention of the history of forensic science would be complete without discussing the tremendous contributions of Dr. Edmond Locard, a French scientist, and criminologist who had studied law and medicine.Locard proposed the notion that everything leaves a trace, a principle that prevails today in crime scene investigation. Locards Exchange Principle espoused the idea that everything and everyone that enters a crime scene leaves some piece of evidence behind. Likewise, everyone and everything takes some piece of the crime scene with them whe n they leave. The First Crime Lab Locards belief and research lead him to convince the police department in Lyon, France to provide him with an office and a staff to analyze evidence obtained from crimes. The two attic rooms and his two assistants soon became the worlds first crime laboratory. Specialties in Forensic Science Today, the field of forensic science has all but exploded.Advancements in technology allow for better analysis and understanding of scientific principles in all types of evidence. This, in turn, allows crime scene investigators to branch out and gain expertise in areas such as bloodstain pattern analysis and ballistics. DNA Analysis The advancements of the twentieth century were built largely upon the groundwork laid in the nineteenth century, perfecting techniques in both analysis and preservation of evidence.In the late 1900s, though, perhaps the largest breakthrough in crime scene investigation since fingerprinting became standard practice came wi th the advent of DNA analysis and identification. The Future of Forensic Science The recent use of DNA in criminal investigations has led not only to the positive identification of countless criminals, but it has also lead to overturns of prior convictions and the release of hundreds of innocent people. With new advances in police technology and computer science, crime scene investigation and forensic science will only become more precise as we head into the future. Working in Forensic Science Working as a crime scene investigator can be an extremely rewarding prospect.Because the field is still relatively new, forensic science careers can put you on the cutting edge of new techniques, technology and research. Moreover, youll be able to sleep soundly knowing youre working to bring justice and help others.

Machine Learning Applies to Pipeline Leaks

Machine Learning Applies to Pipeline Leaks Machine Learning Applies to Pipeline Leaks Machine Learning Applies to Pipeline LeaksThe Keystone pipeline that would move crude oil from Canada through the U.S. to a refinery in Texas has been controversial, but it would only be a fraction of the mora than two million miles of pipelines moving oil and gas around the country. Many existing and proposed pipelines spark the same concerns from people as Keystone the potential for leaks, especially those that go undetected for long periods of time.Existing detection systems mostly spot large problems, often visually by inspectors walking or flying over a pipeline. Internal systems commonly used in the oil and gas industry rely on computational pipeline modeling, which searches for anomalies in flow and pressure. That works well for large leaks, but falls short in finding smaller ones, of up to one percent of pipeline flow, says Maria Araujo, a manager in the Intelligent Systems Division of the S outhwest Research Institute.Even such a small percentage adds up quickly. She notes that one percent of the flow of the Keystone pipeline is in the neighborhood of 8,000 gallons per day. To improve the efficiency of detection systems, Araujo leads a kollektiv taking the technology to the next level using sensors, artificial intelligence, and deep learning. She came to the problem of leak detection while working with machine learning for autonomously driven vehicles.Sensors, cameras and hardware can be fitted to drones for inspection flyovers. Image Southwest Research InstituteWere not adapting technology, she says. Were using existing technology as building blocks. The problem is very different. With cars, youre looking for objects. Here, you look for liquids. Gasoline and diesel are transparent to the menschenfreundlich eye. How do you differentiate between substances?Actually, the system looks for a variety of liquids. To begin tackling the challenge, the SWRI team tested four opt ical sensors thermal, optical, hyperspectral and short wave infrared. They eliminated hyperspectral and short wave infrared, keeping off-the-shelf thermal and optical systems.Theres nothing unusual about using sensors for detecting leaks, but Araujo wanted to improve accuracy. So the SWRI team set out to adapt machine learning techniques, ultimately producing a multiplatform dubbed SLED, Smart Leak Detection System, that uses new algorithms to process images and identify, confirm or reject potential problems. Using feature extraction and classifier training methods, they taught computers to identify unique features across a wide range of environmental conditions.ansicht algorithms thrive on lots of data, says Araujo. The team produced and collected thousands of images of data such as gasoline, diesel fuel, mineral oil, crude oil and water on various surfaces, including grass, gravel, dirt and hard surfaces such as concrete. The images were shot from numerous angles and under varying conditions from full sunlight to clouds and darkness. Its hard to operate under different environmental conditions, she adds. We found if you train the system under certain conditions, it gets tripped up in others, especially shading. Being able to work under shading and different temperatures was a big challenge in modifying algorithms.The ability of the system to provide a reliable fingerprint of small leaks as well as identify non-leak situations greatly increases its accuracy. Thats important because one of the biggest problems in the industry is a false alarm, says Araujo. Pipelines wind their way across long and often remote or underground rights of way. Sending work crews to remote areas and shutting a pipeline down costs a significant amount of money, and operators can dismiss alarms if there were previous false alerts, she says.SWRI further upgraded the system using deep-learning techniques. The team developed a deep convolutional neural network to process the tremendous a mount of data to identify the hazardous liquids. Such techniques have been impractical in most cases, but advances and improvements in multi-core processing hardware are making it more common, say researchers. The final product is a fully autonomous system that can be used without human oversight, says Araujo.It can be fitted to pumping station platforms along pipeline routes, often a high-risk location because of the number of valves and equipment that can break. The SWRI team also has installed and successfully tested the system on drones that can fly over long reaches of a pipeline.We simulated pipeline leaks with a high degree of replication to the real world, she says. The work was done at SWRIs Forth Worth, TX, campus, using existing piping and systems. The initial goal was to identify the difference between water and hazardous liquids, but it exceeded expectations by differentiating between gasoline, crude oil, mineral oil and diesel, as well as water.Araujo now is working to adapt the technology to detect pipeline methane leaks in a program with the U.S. Department of Energys National Energy Technology Laboratory. The team is using infrared cameras to detect the spectral response of the gas. The deep-learning algorithm also must be reworked, a task she says is much more than an adaptation.This is a very significant tweak, she says. Now you are trying to detect a plume, something that shifts with the wind. It is a different problem.The goal is to produce an automated small-scale gaseous leak-detection system along the entire natural gas supply chain, including extraction, storage, distribution and transportation. For Further DiscussionWere using existing technology as building blocks. Gasoline and diesel are transparent to the human eye. How do you differentiate between substances?Maria Araujo, Southwest Research Institute

Complete List of Military Separation Codes On Documents

Complete List of Military Separation Codes On DocumentsComplete List of Military Separation Codes On DocumentsThe Military Separation codes are contained in your military records and may be anleidated on various military separation documents. These codes are subject to change, and the Department of Defense will no longer allow the military services to release the meanings of these codes to the general public. The below definitions were obtained before this prohibition went into effect. Military Separation Codes B70 - Death, Battle Casualty - Navy B79 - Death, Battle Casualty - Navy BDK - Security reason BFS - Good of the tafelgeschirr, conduct triable by court-martial BHJ - Unsuitability (Reason Unknown) BHK - Unsuitability, substandard performance BLF - Drug use BLM - Unfitness (Reason Unknown) BMN - Unsuitability (Reason Unknown) BNC - Misconduct, Misconduct, moral or professional derelictionor in interests of national security BRB - landsee JRB, BKC BRC - landsee JRC, BKC CBL - Unsuitability (Reason Unknown) DCH - Early Release - To teach DER - Disability - in-EPTS - No Severance Pay DFS - Good of the Service, conduct triable by court-martial EKD - AWOL, Desertion ELPAC - Entry Level Performance Conduct FBC - Other FBK - Expiration of Term of Service FBL - Expiration of Term of Service FCM - Conscientious Objector FDF - Pregnancy FDG - Parenthood FDL - See JDL FFT - Physical standards, no disability FGM - To accept commission FHC - In lieu of discharge FHG - Serving under suspended sentence to dismissal FKD - AWOL, Desertion FND - Misc reasons (Unqualified resignation) GDK - Security reason GFN - Released for Conditions Existing Prior to Service GFT - Unqualified for Active Duty - Other GFV - Unqualified for Active Duty - Other GHF - Other GHJ - Unsuitability (Reason Unknown) GHK - Unsuitability (Reason Unknown) GJB -Court Martial GKA - Discreditable Incidents - Civilian or Military GKB - Civil Court conviction GKD - AWOL, Desertion GKE - Financial Irre sponsibility GKG - Fraudulent Entry GKH - Lack of Dependent Support GKK - Drug use GKL - Sexual Perversion GKQ - No listing at this time. However, all GK - Series appears ineligible for re-enlistment. GKS - AWOL, Desertion GLB - Discreditable Incidents - Civilian or Military GLF - Drug use GLG - Financial Irresponsibility GLH - Lack of Dependent Support GLJ - Shirking GLK - Unsanitary Habits GLL - Sexual Perversion GMB - Character or Behavior Disorder GMC - Enuresis GMD - Ineptitude GMF - Sexual Perversion GMG - Alcoholism GMH - Financial Irresponsibility GMJ - Motivational problems GMJ - Shirking GMK - Character or Behavior Disorder GMM - Drug use GMN - Unsuitability (Reason Unknown) GMP - Unsanitary Habits GNC - Misconduct (Reason Unknown) GPB -Drug use H21 - H23 - Death-, Non - Battle, Other (USMC) H25 - H59 - Death, Non - Battle, Other (USMC) H31 - Death, Non - Battle, Other (USMC) H4G - Death, Non - Battle, Other (USMC) H51 - Death, Non - Battle, Other (USMC) H61 - 1169 - Death , Battle Casualty - Marine HBF - Early Release - To attend school HCR - No listing at this time. HDF - Pregnancy HDK -Securityreason HFT - Unqualifird for Active Duty - Other HFV - Unqualified for Active Duty - Other HGH - No definition for this code at this time HHJ - Unsuitability (Reason Unknown) HJB -Court Martial HKA - Discreditable Incidents - Civilian or Military JDP -Breach of Contract JDR - Early Release - Other JDR -Strength reduction. first term airman, USAF JDT - USN, USMC, Failure to meet minimum qualifications for Retention JED - Early Release - Insufficient Retainability JEH - USAF Expeditious Discharge JEM -Army Trainee Discharge JEM - USAF Expeditious Discharge JEM - USN, USMC Failure to meet minimum qualifications for Retention JET - Army Trainee Discharge JET - USAF Trainee Discharge (See also JGA) JFA - No description at this time. JFB - Minority, Underage JFBI - Physical disability that existed prior to entry. welches revealed by Marine during enlistment process ing and was waived by AFEES or higher headquarters, USMC JFC - Enlisted/reenlisted/extended/inducted in error/ Erroneous Enlistment or Induction JFC1 - Erroneous enlistment a medical board determined that Marine failed to meet required physical standards for enlistment. Marine was bedrngnis aware of defect and defect was leid detected or waived by AFEES, USMC JFF - Secretarial Authority JFG(1 - 7) - USMC Other, for the Good of the Service JFG(9) - USMC Trainee Discharge JFG(B) - USMC Expeditious Discharge JFG - Army, Navy, USAF Discharge by competent authority w/o Board Action. (Failure to resign - failed to meetentrance physical requirement) JFL - Physical Disability - Severance Pay or Juvenile Offender JFL - Physical disability. entitled to severance pay., USN - Officers JFL1 - Physical disability with severance pay, USAF JFL2 - Physical disability that existed prior to service but was aggravated by the Service, with severance pay, USAF JFM - Physical disability existing prior to entry on active duty established byphysicalevaluationboard proceedings. Not entitled to severance pay., USN - Enlisted JFM - Physical disability existing prior to service as established by physical evaluation board. Not entitled to severance pay., USN Officers JFM - Released for Conditions Existing Prior to Service JFM2 - Physical disability that existed prior to entry. disability was unknown by Marine but was detected and waived by AFEES or higher headquarters, USMC JFM3 - Physical disability that existed prior to entry for any reason not falling within the purview of JFM1 or JFM2, USMC JFN - Physical disability existing prior to service as established by medical board. not entitled to severance pay., USN - Officers JFN - Released for Conditions Existing Prior to Service JFN1 - Physical disability determined by a medical board that existed prior to entry. disability was revealed by Marine during enlistment processing and waived by AFEES or higher headquarters, USMC JFN2 - Physical disability determined by a medical board that existed prior to entry. disability was unknown to Marine but detected and waived byAFELSor higher headquarters, USMC JFN3 - Physical disability determined by a medical board that existed prior to entry any reason not falIing within the purview of JFN1 or JFN2, USMC JFP - Misconduct (Reason Unknown) or Disability not in the line of duty JFR - Disability -Non-EPTS- No Severance Pay JFR - Physical disability not existing prior to entry on active duty established by physical evaluation board processing. Not entitled to severance pay., USN - Enlisted JFR1 - Physical disability that existed prior to service and not aggravated by the Service, without severance pay, USMC JFS - See KFS JFT - Unqualifird for Active Duty - Other JFU - Positive Urinalysis JFV - Physical condition, not a disability,interferingwith performance of duty, USN - Enlisted JFV1 - Discharge because of a physical condition which is not disabling. involuntary, USMC JFV5 - Medi cal board determination of obesity, USMC JFV6 - Discharge because of a physical condition which is not disabling (Pseudofolliculitis Barbae), USMC JFX - Personality disorder (See also JMB) JFW - Erroneous enlistment Medical condition disqualifying for military service, with no medical waiver approved. JG7 - Army, Navy, USMC Failure to meet minimum qualifications for Retention JG7 - USAF Trainee Discharge JGA - Entry level position performance and conduct or entry level status performance - pregnancy JGB - Failure of selection for permanent promotion JGB - Failure to select for promotion. not retirement eligible, USN - Officers JGC - Failure to select for promotion. not retirement eligible, USN - Officers JGC1 - Failure of selection for promotion, USAF JGF - Failure to meet minimum qualifications for Retention JGH - Army, Air Force Expeditious Discharge JGH - USN, USMC Failure to meet minimum qualifications for Retention JHD - Disqualified from officer candidate trainng physical, USN - Enlisted JHD - Navy Expeditious Discharge JHD - Other JHE - Failure to meet minimum qualifications for Retention JHF - Failed to meet course standards JHJ - Army, USMC, USAF Unsuitability (Reason Unknown)/ Unsatisfactory performance JHK - Unsuitability, substandard performance JHM - Misconduct (Reason Unknown) JIV - Unqualifird for Active Duty - Other JJB - Court Martial JJC - Court Martial, Desertion JJD - Court Martial, Other JKA - Discreditable Incidents - Civilian or Military JKB - Civil Court conviction JKD - AWOL, Desertion JKE - Financial Irresponsibility JKF - Army, Navy Air Force AWOL, Desertion JKG - Fraudulent Entry JKH - Lack of Dependent Support JKK - Character or Behavior Disorder (see also JPC) JKK - Drug use JLK - Unsanitary Habits JLL - Sexual Perversion JMB - Character or Behavior Disorder JMC - Enuresis JMD - Inaptitude JMF - Sexual Perversion JMG - Alcoholism JMH - Financial Irresponsibility JMJ - Motivational problems JMM - Drug use JMN - Navy, USMC, USAF Uns uitability (Reason Unknown) JMP - Unsanitary Habits JNC - Misconduct, moral or professional dereliction JND - Other, Concealment of arrest record JNG - Unfitness (Reason Unknown) JPB - Drug use JPC - Drug abuse rehabilitative failure JPD - Alcohol abuse rehabilitative failure JRA - Engaged, attempted to engage or solicit another to engage in a homosexual act JRB - Admission of Homosexuality or bisexuality JRC - Marriage or attempted marriage to a person known to be of the same biological sex KAK - Expiration of Term of Service KBD - Retirement - 20 - 30 Years Service KBH - Other KBJ - Other KBK - Normal expiration of Service KBM - Early Release - Precluded from attaining eligibility for retirement with pay KCC - Early Release - Other KCE - Early Release - To attend school KCF - Early Release - To attend school KCK - Early Release - In the national interest KCM -ConscientiousObjector KCO - Sole surviving son KCP - Other KCQ - See MCQ KDB - Dependency or Hardship KDF - Pregnancy KDG - Parenthood KDH - Dependency or Hardship KDJ - Early Release - In the national interest KDK - Security program KDM - Early Release - Other KDM1 - Marine Corps order applicable to all members of a class, USMC KDN - Other KDP - Breach of Contract KDQ - Breach of Contract KDR - Early Release - Other KDS - Breach of Contract KEA - Expiration of Term of Service KEB - Early Release - Other - KEC - Expiration of Term of Service KFB - Minority KFF - Secretarial Authority, to be discharged or retire as an officer KFG - Other KFN - Released for Physical disability Existing Prior to Service KFS - Good of the Service, in lieu of court-martial KFT - Failure to qualify medically for flight training, no disability KFV - Unqualifird for Active Duty - Other KGF - Failure to meet minimum qualifications for Retention KGH - No information on this code at this time. KGL - Officer or Warrant Officer Commission program KGM - Officer Commission program KGN - Officer Warrant Officer Commission program in an other service KGS - Officer Commission program KGT - Warrant Officer program KGU - Service Academy KGX - Officer Commission program KHC - Immediate reenlistment KHD - Other KHF - Other KHK - Substandard performance KLG - Financial Irresponsibility KLM - Unfitness (Reason Unknown) KMN - ArmyExpeditiousDischarge KND - Nodefinitionon this code at this time KNF - Other KNL - Good of the Service KOG - Early Release - Police Duty KOJ - Early Release - Seasonal Employment L68 - Involuntary releasenon-selectionfor Indefinite Reserve status, USAF LBB - Involuntary release maximum age, USN - Officers LBB - Maximum age LBC - Involuntary release completion of maximum period service according to grade, USN - Officers LBC - Maximum service LBH - Early Release - Insufficient Retainability LBK - Expiration of Term of Service LBK - Involuntary discharge at end active obligated service, USN - Enlisted LBM - Navy, USMC, USAF Short length of time remaining after return from overseas or other duty LBM - Within 3 months of end active obligated service, USN - Enlisted LCC - Early Release - Reduction in authorized strength LCC - General demobilization. reduction in force, USN - Enlisted LDG - Inability to perform prescribed duties due to parenthood LDK - Security reason LDL - See JDL LDM - Strength adjustment, USN - Officers LDN - Early Release - Lack of jurisdiction (other than void enlistment) LDP - Breach of Contract LDP6 - Nonfulfillment of service contract.the convenienceof the government, with breach of contract payment, USAF LDP7 - Nonfulfillment of service contract, with breach of contract and readjustmentpayment, USAF LDP8 - Nonfulfillment of service contract. failure of selection for promotion, with breach of contract payment, USAF LDP9 - Nonfulfillment of service contract. request for an extensionof active duty disapproved, with breach of contract and readjustment payment, USAF LDPA - Nonfulfillment of service contract. failure of selection for promotion, with breach of co ntract and readjustment payment, USAF LDPB - Nonfulfillment of service contract.the convenienceof the government, with readjustment payment, USAF LDPC - Nonfulfillment of service contract, with readjustment payment, USAF LDPD - Nonfulfillment of service contract. termination of extended active duty, with breach of contract payment, USAF LDR - Early Release - Other LED -CONUS-basedairman lacksretainabilityfor assignment, USAF LED - Early Release - Insufficient Retainability LET - Entry level status performance and conduct or pregnancy LFC -Erroneous entry LFF - Directed by service authority LFG - Other LFN - Physical disability existing prior to service as established by medical board. not entitled to severance pay., USN - Officers LFR - Revert to inactive status. Retire age 60. No disability severance pay, USAF LFT - Erroneous Enlistment or Induction or Unqualifird for Active Duty - Medical LGA - See LET LGB - Failure of selection for permanent promotion LGB - Failure of selection f or permanent reserve promotion, USN - Officers LGB - Involuntary release. Failed permanent promotion or removed from list, USAF LGC - Failure of selection for temporary promotion LGC - Involuntary release twice failedtemporarypromotion, USAF LGH - Failure to meet minimum standards of service LGJ - Early Release - Disapproval of request for extension of service LGJ - Involuntary release disapproved request for extension of tour, USAF LGJ - Request for extension of active duty denied (USNR), USN - Officers LGJ1 - Request for extension of service denied upon initial EAS withoutreadjustmentpay/not selected for retention, USAF LGJ2 - Request for extension of service denied upon extended EAS without readjustment pay/not selected for retention, USAF LHD - Other LHF - Navy, USMC, USAF Other LHH - Service under sentence to dismissal awaitingappellatereview LHJ - Unsatisfactory performance LIF - Secretarial Authority LLM - Army Trainee Discharge LMJ - See LHJ LND - Misc reasons (medical servi ce personnel who receive unfavorable background investigation orNational Agency check LNF - Army Trainee Discharge MBD - Hardship MBH - Early Release - Insufficient Retainability MBK - Completion of active duty service commitment MBK - Expiration of Term of Service MBN - (ANGUS) (USAFR) Release from active duty MBN - Expiration of Term of Service MCF - To attend an educational facility MCK - Early Release - In the national interest MCQ - Sole surviving son, daughter or family member MDB - Hardship MDF - Pregnancy MDG -Parenthood MDH - Dependency or Hardship MDJ -National interest MDL - Early Release - To attend school MDM - Early Release - Other MDN - Other MDP - Breach of Contract MDR - Early Release - Other MDS - Breach of Contract MEB - Early Release - Other MEC - Completed extended enlistment, USAF MEC - Erroneous Enlistment or Induction MEC - Expiration of Term of Service MFA - Expiration of Term of Service MFF - Secretarial Authority MFG - Other MGC - Early Release - Other MGH - Warrant Officer program MGJ - Early Release - Other MGM - To acceptcommission MGO -Early Release - Police Duty or Seasonal Employment MGP - Interdepartmental transfer MGR - Revert to Regular Army warrant officer status MGU - To enter Service Academy MGX -Officer Commission program MHC - Immediate enlistment MND - Misc reasons (in lieu of serving in lower grade than Reserve grade or by request - includes MC and DC officers) or in lieu of unqualified resignation MNF - Other MOD -Sole surviving son MOJ - Early Release - In the national interest NBD - Retirement - 20 - 30 Years Service NDB - Dependency or Hardship NDH - Early Release - To teach NEF - Secretarial Authority NET - Unqualifird for Active Duty - Other NVC - Erroneous Enlistment or Induction PGU -Service Academy RB -Retirement- Over 30 Years Service RBB - Retirement - Other RBD - Retirement - 20 - 30 Years Service RFJ -Permanent Disability- Retired RFJ1 - Permanent disability retired list, USAF RFK - Temporary Disability - Retired RFK1 - Temporary disability retired list, USAF SBB - Attain maximum age. mandatory retirement, USN - Officers SBB - Mandatory retirement on established date, maximum age, USAF SBC - Attain maximum time in grade/service. mandatory retirement, USN - Officers SBC - Mandatory retirement on established date. maximum years of service, USAF SBD - Retirement - 20 - 30 Years Service SFE - Placed on temporary disability retired list, USN - Officers SFJ - Permanent Disability - Retired SFJ - Permanent disability retirement, USAF SFJ - Permanent disability, USN - Enlisted SFJ - Permanent disability, USN - Officers SFK - Place on temporary disability retired list, USAF SFK - Placed on temporary disability retired list, USN - Enlisted SFK - Temporary Disability - Retired SGB - Failure of selection for promotion, permanent, USN - Officers SGB - Retired on established datenon-selectionpermanent promotion or retained for retirementnon-selectionpermanent promotion, USAF SGC - Failure of sele ction for promotion, temporary, USN - Officers SKU - No definition at this time TCC - See LCC VFJ - Permanent Disability - Retired VFJ - Revert to retired list with permanent disability, USAF VFK - Revert to retired list and placed on temporary disability retired list, USAF VFK - Temporary Disability - Retired VNF - Other WFK - Temporary Disability - Retired XBK - Retirement - Other XDM - Early Release - Other XET - Unqualified for Active Duty - Other XND - Other XOH - Dependency or Hardship XOP - Breach of Contract XOS - Retirement - Other YBK - Retirement - Other YKG -FraudulentEntry YND - Other

Learn How to Know If Youre Making a Profit

Learn How to Know If Youre Making a ProfitLearn How to Know If Youre Making a ProfitMost people and most businesses are in business to make a profit. At the simplest level, profit means making more money than you spend. Many confuse profit with income. As a result, they cant grasp why all their income isnt getting them ahead why no one wants to invest in their high-sales company why the bank wont extend their line of credit. In this article, we look at the most basic way to tell if your business is actually making money (a profit), not just recording sales. Profit vs. Income Most people/businesses are very good at tracking their income. Each widget sale is recorded in a book or a spreadsheet somewhere. Each check received from a client for a consulting job is recorded in the checkbook or plugged into the accounting software. Each is totaled frequently. In reality, thats not what you made. Thats not profit. It is income. Its whats coming in. In order to figure profit, you have to subtract what is going out (profit income - costs). Calculating Costs Your business has two basic types of costs (or expenses) fixed costs and variable costs. Fixed costs dont change based on your level of activity. Rent is a good example of a fixed cost. Whether you produce 10 widgets per shift or 15, your rent will stay the same. Variable costs, on the other hand, are directly tied to how many units of saleable goods you produce. If you need $10 of screws to produce 100 widgets, you will need $20 worth of screws to produce 200 widgets. Fixed Costs By and large, fixed costs can be closely estimated at the beginning of the year and projected well for the next 12 months. For instance, you know your rent on the manufacturing building is $10,000 per month. You may know of or expect a rent increase in April to $11,000 per month. As a result, your fixed cost for rent will be $129,000 for the year (3 months at $10,000 plus 9 months at $11,000). Fixed costs can also include deprec iation, licenses, interest payments, some taxes, and indirect labor. Variable Costs Variable costs are those that depend on your production level. As the production volume goes up, the variable costs go up as well. If I make toy wagons, I have to purchase one wagon body, two axles, and four tires per wagon. If a wagon body cost $3 and I need enough to make six wagons, my wagon body costs will be $18. However, if I need to make 20 wagons, my wagon body costs will be $60. I can estimate variable costs at the beginning of the year, but my estimate will not be as precise as welches my estimate of fixed costs. Variable costs include thecost of materials used in manufacturing, certain utilities, some taxes and fees, and direct labor. Fixed Cost and Variable Costs Some costthe business incurs, such as labor will have to be split between fixed costs and variable costs. The wages you pay production labor, called direct labor, is a variable cost. It is tied to how many units you prod uce. Other labor costs, such as the salaries you pay the accounting department, are fixed costs. These indirect labor costs are not tied directly to production levels. If your production increases from 10 widgets per month to 15 widgets per month it is unlikely you would hire an additional accounting clerk. Utilities are another cost that is split between fixed and variable costs. Your phone bill, for instance, probably wont change much as production increases or decreases. However, the demand for electrical power and its cost will increase as production lines run longer and lights stay on further into the night because of increased production. Income When someone pays you, that is income. Income is usually related to production levelsbut is not tied to it directly. You may produce more or less than you sell. For instance, if you have 100 widgets in the warehouse when you receive an order for 150, you only have to produce 50 additional widgets. If you make widgets for skis, you may make 20 widgets every month during the summer even though you dont sell any, just so you have enough in the warehouse when winter arrives. So income is when you actually get paid, not when you make the product you are going to sell. Total income is just the total of all your payments received during the year. Break-even Analysis The break-even point is the production level where your income for a certain number of units produced equals your fixed costs plus the variable costs for that number of units. For instance, you have fixed costs of $500, variable costs of $20 per widget, and you sell the widgets for $25 each, your break-even point is 100 widgets. If you reduce your fixed costs to $400, your break-even point is 80 units. Or if you cut the cost per unit from $20 to $15, your break-even point drops to only 50 widgets. Money In Your Pocket Any sales beyond the break-even point are profit. In the final example above (fixed cost $500, variable cost $15 each, income $25 each), your break-even point is 50 units. If you produce 50 units and sell 50 units you will break even. Your costs will equal your income. You will have a profit of $0. If you sell less than 50, you will have a loss. If you sell more than 50 you will have a profit. For example, if you sell 70 units your fixed costs are $500 and your variable costs are $1050 ($15 x 70), so your total costs are $1,550. Your income is $1,750 ($25 x 70) and your profit is $200 ($1,750 - $1,550). The Bottom Line To make a profit, you must be able to sell each unit for more than it costs to make, and you must be able to sell it for a price high enough to cover both the variable cost of making it and its share of the fixed costs. This is true whether you are selling widgets, boxcars of apples, dance lessons, or hours of financial consulting.

Powerful Techniques for Customer Service Resume Examples You Can Use Starting Today

Powerful Techniques for Customer Service Resume Examples You Can Use Starting Today The Foolproof Customer Service Resume Examples Strategy For instance, if the company is extremely tafelgeschirr-oriented, explain your sales accomplishments in a manner that equates sales with service. Hence, its very essential for sales employees to understand how to speak to people based on how they need to get treated for them to asaya you the sales they are supposed to supply to the provider. A prosperous career in sales requires a whole lot of passion. Retail sales associates want to work with many individuals, and thus they ought to be strong in communication. If you wish to apply in any position in the subject of sales, you might use our samples sales resume skill templates as references in making your own expert profile wherever your abilities and abilities will be highlighted. RESUME STYLES There are many styles of resumes together with quite a few variations. Go through the many av ailable resume template examples and elect for the one which matches your profile. Its certainly recommended to include as many of the subsequent examples of information as possible. Regardless of the demand to advertise oneself uniquely, bear in mind that most major organizations utilize Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan submitted applications. You should know just about all the things which are involved with the merchandise and services being supplied by the organization. Unique kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with lots of the exact same skills. So, you have to select the best among the rest. Special skills would be a section to spell out the sort of skills thats been developed over time. Write an objective to reveal your dedication to the job and why you would like to be hired. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. Apart from that, you could also download our Resume Skills Examples so that you can have g uides of what skills to write in your resume for the particular job position that you would like to submit an application for. Whispered Customer Service Resume Examples Secrets To compose a very first class resume you will need to make it predominantly results oriented and concentrate on your achievements and contributions during your career. When you portray your abilities or achievements, you must be specific, explain whether with good key phrases or numbers to get a better understandability to the hiring managers. You may also pick up many of the essential skills all on your own, through on-the-job training or even volunteer work. The skills you used to meet up with the objective could be sales-related. Whatever They Told You About Customer Service Resume Examples Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why Have a look at the work description to receive ideas of keywords an ATS would be searching for. If youre searching for a career in customer assistance, there are lots of excellent alternatives. If you are experiencing issues with your resume writing then employ the expert services of great resume writing services. The Fundamentals of Customer Service Resume Examples Revealed Read the work description like your life is dependent on it. Resume examples are sometimes an ideal launching point for a work search. You may want to make sure youve got a strong header that grabs the interest of the reader, while remaining professional. Before sending, dont forget to review your document in the new format to make certain it appears the direction you would like it to. Heres What I Know About Customer Service Resume Examples In the majority of cases, you shouldnt include hobbies on your submission in any respect. A summary involves the main things you would like your employer to understand that may not appear on your resume elsewhere or emphasizes points that look elsewhere on the webpage. In close connection to the very first point above, value has to be align ed with employer requirements. When youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to learn how to vary the usage of action verbs and receive a feel for what makes a highly effective accomplishment statement. Customer Service Resume Examples and Customer Service Resume Examples - The Perfect Combination The provided resume samples for customer service jobs are tailor-made to produce a candidate seem strong and distinctive, and the flow and format of the resumes are ideal for the interviewers to become impressed and receive all the appropriate information simultaneously. Like sales associate resumes, you might create certain sales resumes in the vorstellung you need to turn in an application for a targeted position wherever your qualifications will be fully utilized. Below are 11 of our very best examples of consumer service resume objectives you may use in writing your resume. Investigate correctly and consider the work offer, you will gradually find out an d adapt your resume far better. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously provide you an advantage. You must also speak about past experience. Only go back further in the event you have earlier experience that is immensely relevant. Your experience and the type of job that you are applying for will help to ascertain the style of resume you use. Customer Service Resume Examples for Dummies You would like to capture the hiring managers attention from the beginning and demonstrate that youre a great match for the position. Possessing a strong resume will enable you find quite a few great jobs. Therefore, among the typical ways the employer can trim down the amount of applicant is to start looking in their resumes. If youre attempting to acquire work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume.

How to Address Religion As You Hire - Spark Hire

How to Address Religion As You Hire - Spark HireReligion is a sensitive subject to say the least, and it becomes even more delicate when it comes into play in the work place. If youre a hiring manager and know that religious values shape your company, its important to be mindful of this as you search for new kollektiv members. In buchung to address religion properly during the hiring process, keep these tips in mindIf its important to your company, be open about itIf religious beliefs shape your businesss values and practices (for example, the kind of healthcare coverage thats offered) then you need to be completely transparent with potential employees. Its not fair to mask these beliefs, only to reveal them once a new hire has committed to a job. By speaking openly about these values, you can ensure that your new team member shares these views, or is at least comfortable with them. This helps to prevent tension in the office.Dont veil the beliefs on the company website or in marketi ng materialsYou want potential business partners or employees to understand what your company is all about before they decide to work with you. If religion is a major component of what your brand stands for, then you should touch on this in your various marketing items.Understand that theres a difference between the hiring managers views and the companys viewsIf youre a hiring manager within an organization with religious beliefs, its important to understand how this will impact your job. Youll have to be prepared to have a conversation about the companys values and vision, but this doesnt mean that you need to divulge your own personal beliefs. If your own ideas are different from the companys, thats okay. So long as youre able to articulate what the business itself stands for, youll be able to communicate effectively with potential hires.Understand the lawDealing with religion in the workplace requires a careful understanding of the law. Make it a point to educate yourself on the finer points of this subject. Some businesses choose to keep a lawyer on retainer who can advise them on these matters.How do you handle religion as youre hiring? Let us know in the commentsImage Jakub Jirsak/BigStock.com

How I had the money talk with my significant other

How I had the money talk with my significant otherHow I had the money talk with my significant otherOne of the first articles I ever wrote about money welches about how to have themoney talkwith yur romantic partner. Its so, so important to talk about money with the person youre sharing yur life with. It sets expectations, opens up the conversation about your financial goals, and makes sure that everyone is on the same page. It will also help you to understand each other and your relationship with money. Money impacts every area of our lives, including our romantic lives, so this is not a conversation that you should skip or delay.Ive always cared about financial stability, so it was important to me for someone I was dating to be in a good position, as well. Thats why I knew I had to start that conversation in the beginning of my relationship with Dan. Heres how I did (and continue to do) it.I started earlyI remember the moment I first talked to Dan about money. It was probably our f ourth or fifth date and we were walking towards my apartment, where I was going to make dinner for him. Dan was carrying a bouquet of flowers for me (aww). I turned to him and casually asked him if he had any credit card debt. I cant remember exactly how he reacted, but he told me that he did and he told me how much. I wasnt a financial coach yet, so I was slightly judgmental about credit card debt at the time. I didnt insult him, but I did show concern about his debt. Looking back, it wasnt very much at all Thats proven by the fact that Dan was able to pay it off in just three months after our conversation. Having this conversation early made it easier for us to communicate about money as other issues arose.I communicated my needsWhen Dan and I first started dating, we obviously went out a lot. We went out for dinner, we went to the movies, we went out to brunch, etc. At first, Dan paid for me much of the time, but once I found out how much he was earning in salary, I didnt feel co mfortable letting him cover everything (we were making similar income and it wasnt a lot). We began splitting costs from time to time, but eventually, that spending started to conflict with my budget and savings goals. I was living alone at the time and trying to pay off my student loans ahead of schedule. That didnt leave me with a hr of fun money. After a couple months of dating, I told him that we needed to slow down a bit with our fun spending and be mora thoughtful about where our money was going. I didnt want too much food and drink to derail my financial goals. That wasnt a fun conversation, but Dan was understanding, and we started being a little bit pickier about when we went out and how much we spent when we did.I offered my helpDan never really felt like he knew what he was doing with money. It wasnt something he felt he had learned growing up. So I offered my support and guidance to help him pay off his credit card and start saving. I also helped him fill out his budget so he was aware of his spending guidelines. Eventually, I gave him advice for contributing to his retirement account.Once we moved in together, I took over the financial management of the household. I created a joint budget spreadsheet so that we could track our budget and spending. I added Dan as an authorized user on one of my credit cards so that we could use it for joint expenses, such as groceries. This made it easier to make sure that we were each contributing equally. We continue to use a joint credit card now that we own a home together.(I should note that I trusted Dan as an authorized user, and didnt worry that he would abuse the card. I dont recommend giving someone access to your credit card if you dont trust that they will use it responsibly and always pay it back.)I practice non-judgmentThis is still a tricky thing for me, especially in my personal life. When it comes to my clients, I never judge them or make them feel bad about their money choices. When I am directly affected by someones money habits, its sometimes difficult for me to react in the same calm way. If a financial conflict comes up, I try to be careful about the language that I use. Instead of being accusatory like saying, Why did you spend so much money at that bar?, I try to be more curious by saying things like, Hey, whats this charge from the other day? I want to make sure I have the budget updated properly.I continue the conversationAs with most important topics, its crucial to continue the money conversation over time. Priorities change, income changes, expenses change. These can be good things or they can be difficult things. The point is, the conversation must evolve as life evolves.Dan and my situation is much different now than it was when we first started dating. We own a home together, weve both paid off our student loans, weve combined most of our finances, Dan has more than doubled his income, Ive more than cut mine in half (for now) by pursuing self-employment, and ou r expenses are higher overall. Before all these changes, we didnt have to talk very often about money, because we had plenty of it and didnt spend very much. Now, theres less money and more to spend on.We had to have a serious money talk earlier this year, because both of us were getting frustrated with each other. Dan felt like he didnt have any money of his own, and I felt like he wasnt being thoughtful about how tight our budget is. It was a very productive (though difficult) conversation, because we were able to walk away with solutions. Dan has a small amount of money going into his personal checking account each month so that he can spend it without worrying about our overall budget. He also has a little bit of money going into his private savings account so that he can buy gifts or fix up his bike. This has made Dan feel more autonomous while taking stress off of our joint budget.Now that were getting married, Dan and I are getting even more grown up with our financial conver sations. We recently went to see a financial advisor to talk about life insurance and making sure were making smart choices for retirement. It feels good to be talking about and making these decisions together.This article first appeared on MaggieGermano.com.

How to Get Motivated at Work When Youre in a Rut - The Muse

How to Get Motivated at Work When Youre in a Rut - The MuseHow to Get Motivated at Work When Youre in a Rut Weve all faced days at the sekretariat where were just not feeling motivated. Off days happen to everyone and its tough- if not unrealistic- to constantly do your best work. There are bound to be times when you procrastinate too much, lack focus, or struggle to start important projects.You may react by getting down on yourself, wondering where your determination has gone. It can be disappointing to feel like youre not living up to your aspirations, especially when theres important work to be done- which there alfruchtwein always is. Speed, efficiency, and productivity are what drive results, and when our energy doesnt match our ambition, it can be frustrating. When you lack enthusiasm, a single day at the office can feel like an uphill battle. A long-lasting motivational slump can leave you stressed out, feeling guilty that youre not doing enough to advance in your career. The effects on your well-being can be numerous You may have difficulty sleeping, find yourself getting sick, or notice a decrease in your ability to concentrate. Your mental health takes a beating from emotional exhaustion, with anxiety and pessimism overshadowing your mood.But you dont have to stay stuck in this rut. With some exploration and reflection, you can get to the bottom of whats sapping your energy and dig yourself out of it. Here are three reasons youre unmotivated along with solutions to getting back on track fast. 1. Youre Caught in the Busy TrapToday being busy is a status symbol, a sign that youre sought-after and in-demand. While your ego may enjoy the validation, existing perpetually in work mode and being available round-the-clock can lead to burnout.Operating under the illusion that staying constantly busy is helping you advance professionally can backfire, earning you the title of office pushover- or leading you to resent your job, boss, and co-workers.To disentangl e yourself from the busy trap, youve got to ruthlessly prioritize and eliminate non-urgent tasks, which will allow you to invest in work thats truly important. To get over your chronic busy-worshipping, begin to unhook yourself from responsibilities that are actually someone elses work. Practice saying no more often. When you do agree to take something on, do so with a clear intention. Try saying, I choose to rather than I have to It may sound simple, but your words create your reality, and this subtle verbal shift invokes autonomy and personal choice, which stokes motivation. It feels very different to say I choose go to tonights networking event instead of I have to to go to tonights networking event.2. Youre Relying on WillpowerConvincing yourself to accomplish a task out of sheer will is difficult. When willpower fails you, focus on creating habits that make your success inevitable. Often, getting started on a big goal or complicated project is the hardest part. Once you actuall y get going, the whole project feels a lot less daunting. The trick to staying motivated is to create small habits that help with productivity and make you feel good about what youre accomplishing.Conquer willpower dips by lowering barriers that get in the way of your beginning a task. If you have a hard writing assignment to tackle, for example, focus on getting just the the first sentence down (even if its a stream of consciousness). But, once you write that first line, youll likely feel your anxiety melt away.You can also try developing a warm-up routine that sets off a positive chain of events to help you generate momentum. For instance, maybe you have a cue like brewing your morning coffee or checking your email that serves as a transition into work mode. Many entrepreneurs I work with like to start their day with 10 minutes of meditation. This can be an excellent way to prepare for your day and cue your mind to get in the mood for work. Instead of conjuring willpower, youll or ganically move into the professional state of mind.3. Youre Emotionally ExhaustedIf you feel like youre sleepwalking through your workday, its likely youre among the 70% of people who feel emotionally disconnected at the office. Dont underestimate your social needs when trying to pinpoint your motivational barrier. Maslows pyramid ranks belonging as the third most important aspect of our mental health, coming only after physical needs and safety. Feeling accepted and useful at work is essential to sustaining the drive to stick with your duties day after day. In fact, psychological safety has been found to be the most important trait successful teams share. Groups characterized by interpersonal trust and mutual respect are not only happier, theyre also more productive. When employees have a sense of confidence that their co-workers will not embarrass, reject, or punish them for speaking up they accomplish more and thrive in their careers. To repair your emotional exhaustion, begin de liberately structuring social opportunities into your workflow. An easy way to start is by showing up five minutes early to meetings. Use the unstructured time for light conversation. This informal small talk is not just meaningless chitchat, and it goes a long way to building stronger relationships with colleagues.If youre a manager, try reigniting your teams motivation by giving day-to-day tasks more meaning and circling back to shared goals. Empathic leadership has everything to do with lifting up other people, which can be accomplished by reinforcing how your direct reports efforts tie into to big-picture goals and the companys mission.No one among us is motivated and productive 100% of the time, but if youre feeling lethargic and blas about your work more often than not, then youve got to find a way to climb out of the slump. Reading inspiring tips and career advice is one thing, but taking action is another. Doing something to alleviate the lethargy is the real antidote to get ting unstuck and out of a work rut.

This tool may help you avoid an allergic reaction at your next lunch

This tool may help you avoid an allergic reaction at your next lunchThis tool may help you avoid an allergic reaction at your next lunchAbout one in 10 Americans have a food allergy, according to ABC News. And for those who have to avoid commonplace ingredients such as peanuts or gluten, eating out can be a major ordeal that requires a lot of research and generates much anxiety.Thats likely why tech company Nima is trying to assuage the concerns that come with a food allergy. First, the start-up launched a line of sensors to detect gluten or peanuts in food so that people with related allergies could know if their meal would make them sick before taking their first bite. And now, Nima has announced a new mapping tool to advise users on which restaurants in their area are likely to have gluten-free or peanut-free options.Credit NimaNima staff tested menu items for the presence of gluten or peanut from over 100 popular chain restaurants using the Nima Gluten and Nima Peanut sensors, ac cording to a press release. The dishes that were found to be free of these allergens were mapped to include all additional locations of the restaurant worldwide.On Nimas website and app, users can scroll down to a search bar labeled, discover gluten or peanut free options near you. After entering a location and place, type of food, or other qualifiers, people can read up on the restaurants around them.For those 100 chain restaurants that Nima staff went to, more than 250,000 restaurant locations were put on the map and millions of dishes were officially dubbed Nima-tested. Restaurant details in a side bar show what percentage of the menu is gluten-free and peanut-free, with reviews indicating whether individual items are safe for consumption.Credit NimaOne of our key values at Nima is data for decisions, Shireen Yates, CEO and co-founder of Nima, said in a press release. Our ultimate goal is the democratization and transparency of data as it relates to food allergens and this new pl atform brings us one step closer to our mission.Nima made clear that for their chain restaurant information, tests were not necessarily done at the location in a users area. Instead, the map uses data from one branch that is likely to apply elsewhere, as chain restaurants tend to have fairly standardized menus. Nima also warned against cross-contamination, which is a risk in high volume chain restaurants.