In a recent article in “Investors Business Daily”, it was revealed that outsourcing has become more than just an easy way to cut costs. It has become a strategic tool that gives businesses flexibility and access to skilled personnel.

Since the advent of the Internet, and the rush to get online, companies have turned to outside professionals for services and solutions. Hiring a full-time IT technician is costly and not an efficient use of resources. Outsourcing allows companies to focus on their core businesses while gaining access to skilled labor when they need it.

* Outsourcing is a way to boost revenue
* Outsourcing is a way to cut costs
* Outsourcing eases labor shortages
* Outsourcing cuts payroll costs
* Outsourcing allows companies to focus on core competencies
* Outsourcing reduces or eliminates some capital expenditures

Outsourcing also allows businesses to change their corporate culture. If companies have renegade groups that are costly, ineffective, or difficult to manage, that group can be outsourced. This enables employers to change their workplace environment on-the-fly.

Still, most companies outsource projects in order to reduce costs and to gain outside expertise. A survey by “The Conference Board” indicated the following “Top-10″ outsourcing objectives (numbers are approximate):

* Reduce Costs (40%)
* Access to Expertise (38%)
* Improve Internal Service (37%)
* Focus on Core Business (34%)
* Maximize Resources (27%)
* Internal Flexibility (25%)
* Improve External Service (24%)
* Changing Customer Needs (20%)
* World Class Standards (15%)
* Continuous Improvement (15%)

When deciding to outsource your packaging, the real litmus test is whether outsourcing adds value. Does it really reduce costs? Is the investment in in-house training and machinery too great? Does outsourcing a service give you access to people with greater skill sets or companies with more resources available to them?

Bottom line: outsourcing your packaging service needs is about more than just saving money. It is a strategic option for savvy businesses and entrepreneurs.

Thomas Bacon has been involved in the contract packaging industry for more than 35 years. He is an author, speaker and owner of Aaron Thomas Company, Inc., a packaging service company with locations in Los Angeles, Memphis and Chicago. His articles on contract packaging are available on www.Packaging.com and through various media outlets.

“I am the Sun’s son.
I sit upon a turquoise horse
At the
opening of the sky”
Navajo Horse Song

In Shamanism there is much importance given to animals as
guides, totems and helpers. This is more than just having a
favorite animal or being attracted to butterflies. Animals have
been used as a source of diagnosis in healing and counseling by
Shamans all around the world throughout recorded history.

Each animal has its own nature, its own traits and is a
representation of a power such as strength for the lion or speed
for the jaguar. By learning about animal strengths or powers a
Shaman comes to understand why people are attracted to certain
favorite animals and repulsed by others. These attractions and
repulsions actually become a tool that tells the Shaman what is
needed or missing in a person’s life.

There was a woman who no matter how she tried, kept missing the
boat, missing out on opportunities that would have brought her
the abundance and connections she needed to succeed. In
hindsight she could see every instance in which she had failed
to recognize the chance to get ahead. It was very frustrating
for her but she could not find a way to break out of this rut.

When asked what animal she most feared she related an experience
she had as a child with a horse. She was introduced to a
friend’s horse that was very high spirited and when she reached
out her little hand the horse bit it causing much trauma for the
child and a lot of consternation for the mother. But since that
time, the horse had represented fear for this woman.

Yet if we look at the power of the horse it is a prey animal.
That means it is usually a source of food for some other animal.
So it is keenly aware of what is going on around it at all
times. One quick move, one strange sound and the horse will perk
up its ears and be on the alert for what is happening, ready to
run if it feels any danger. Horses also watch out for one
another and if one horse senses danger the whole herd is willing
to move as one, away from apparent threat.

So examining this woman from a Shamanic perspective we see that
she is not aware of what is around her and she is afraid of the
power represented by the horse that would be keenly aware of her
situation at all times. By dealing with her fear of horses we
can allow her once again to become aware of her surroundings, to
prick her ears up and take full advantage of opportunities
around her.

In the same regard we can use those animals we are most
attracted to for observations about powers we have or would like
to have. Recently a student became interested in developing her
spiritual gifts and stated that she was attracted to the snake.
Certainly it is an unusual animal to attract the favor of a
woman! She just seemed to think about the snake more often than
any other animal and it had only been this way for the past year
or so.

When we look at the snake we see it represents the power of
transformation. The snake can shed its skin and recreate itself
within a short time. It has always been a symbol of power and
has even been regarded as the mother of all life. The life
energy called kundalini is often described as a snake rising up
the spinal column to bring enlightenment.

So for this woman the snake was showing her that, yes, it is
time to begin developing her healing abilities and taking charge
of her own power to help others. As she progresses, other
animals will become her favorites and those too will have
significance in her own life.

It is said that we carry 12 totem animals in our lives. Usually
there are four animals that stay with us constantly and they
represent the powers that are inherent in our Spirit before, now
and after, eternally. The other eight totems represent life
changing events or growth cycles as we move along this path of
life learning and practicing what we have learned. If you pay
attention to the animals you most like or don’t like you can
learn many things about your true desires and how to attain
them. Visit HREF="http://www.shamanelder.com" rel="nofollow">www.shamanelder.com for
more information.