Healthy rivalry could boost sport and business performance

Feb. 20, 2013 ? New research shows that people can recover from poor performance when rivals comment on their failures. The research, to be published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, shows that while criticism from team members sends individuals into downward performance spirals, external criticism can be a trigger that boosts performance as people try to prove the outsiders wrong.

The research carried out by the University of Exeter, Amherst College and the University of Stirling offers a method of improving performance following setbacks and can be applied both in the workplace and in sport to avoid poor performance snowballing out of control.

Lead author Dr Tim Rees of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter said: "Careful management of performance following failure is of key importance in a range of areas such as sport and business. The study shows that simple, low cost, measures that exploit the effects of intergroup dynamics can reverse downward performance spirals by encouraging a 'them and us' mentality."

During the study blindfolded participants threw darts at a dartboard and then received poor performance feedback either from a university-affiliated researcher or from an external researcher from a rival university. Participants who received this feedback from a university-affiliated researcher seemed to believe it and enact it: if it was discouraging, they failed at the next attempt, but if it was encouraging, they improved. Receiving encouragement from a member of an external team following poor performance did not help individuals improve at their next attempt. Yet those who received the poor performance feedback from an outsider were motivated to recover from the poor performance in an attempt to prove them wrong.

"Downward performance spirals can be readily observed in every domain of human performance," said co-author Jessica Salvatore of Amherst College. "Our research shows that the 'us-versus-them' mindset isn't always a destructive force -- sometimes it can be the key to re-motivating yourself and turning your performance around."

Co-author Pete Coffee from the University of Stirling said: "The research not only highlights ways to improve performance but also demonstrates the positive and negative impact that encouragement and criticism from fellow group members can have. This work points to the need for people like sports coaches and business leaders to think carefully about the way they deliver performance-related feedback."

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

---

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Exeter.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Journal Reference:

1. Tim Rees, Jessica Salvatore, Pete Coffee, S. Alexander Haslam, Anne Sargent, Tom Dobson. Reversing downward performance spirals. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 2013; 49 (3): 400 DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2012.12.013

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/living_well/~3/kBYFrsHf5-M/130220113859.htm

cat in the hat green eggs and ham wiz khalifa and amber rose oh the places you ll go blunt amendment justin bieber birthday read across america

Budget 2013: Will FM bring back inheritance tax? | Firstpost

By Hiten Kotak and Jinesh Shah

Inheritance tax, the erstwhile estate duty, is looking at making the proverbial ?comeback?. A debate for a possible reintroduction of estate duty as inheritance tax has been initiated. The proposed reintroduction stems from concerns regarding accumulation of wealth in a few hands, inter-generational equity and a possible increase in contribution to the national exchequer.

The old estate duty was payable by the executors of the estate of a deceased under the Estate Duty Act, 1953. The maximum slab rate on an estate exceeding Rs 20 lakh was an exorbitant 85 percent. The Act was later abolished with effect from 16 March 1985. Reasons for abolishing the act were varied ? for one, the act was deemed to be too complex owing to different valuation rules for different kinds of property, leading to several tax demands subject to lengthy litigation. The revenue collection from the duty did not justify the overall cost of collections, both explicit and hidden. Moreover, the duty was perceived to be a form of double taxation of the same property ? wealth tax before death and estate duty after death.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram. Image courtesy PIB

The introduction of a separate new Act for inheritance is bound to be mired in lengthy legislative, administrative and judiciary processes. Also, along with the inheritance tax, the gift tax would have to be reintroduced simultaneously or else it would be easy to avoid inheritance tax by giving away property as gifts.

Currently, there is no separate Gift Tax Act.? However, there is a provision under section 56(2) of the Income-tax Act wherein certain specified gifts are chargeable to tax.? These are cash gifts in excess of Rs 50,000 and receipts-in-kind, being immovable property or any other specified property, the value of which exceeds Rs 50,000 in aggregate. These are taxable in the hands of the receiver if received without consideration or for inadequate consideration. However, section 56(2) exempts from tax gifts received under will or by way of inheritance and in contemplation of death.

In order to avoid a lengthy legislative process, it may be possible that inheritance tax is reintroduced as an amendment to the existing provisions of section 56(2) of the Income-tax Act, by withdrawing the exemptions available on gifts under will, inheritance and in contemplation of death.

To achieve tax efficiency, one of the ways is to implement a trust structure through an irrevocable trust whereby individuals may set aside their assets rather than directly bequeathing the same to their children/spouses.?If structured properly, distribution of assets or income by the trust would not be subject to any distribution tax. Trust structure also ensures common control over all assets, ease of distribution of annual income without actually distributing assets or control, continuity of businesses and succession planning. Matters such as rights of female child or distribution of personal properties such as jewellery or houses can also be provided for.

Inheritance tax is being perceived as one the ways to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. The estate tax in its earlier avatar covered almost all assets of the deceased. In recent times, India has witnessed an increase in the number of millionaires owing to economic growth and booming capital markets. India being a land of progressive taxation where the rich are taxed at higher rates vis-?-vis the poor, an estate duty or an inheritance tax seeks to reduce the advantage that children of the rich would have as compared to children of the not-so-rich.

However, India?s millionaires (in dollar terms, which is around Rs 5 crore or higher) constitute only around 0.01 percent of the country?s population. It may be important to debate how much tax can really be collected from such a small base to benefit society at large. Inheritance tax, if introduced, would require the heir to the deceased to pay inheritance tax on the property bequeathed to him at a rate probably ranging from 30-40 percent, subject to certain exemptions like a single house, etc.? What India presently needs is a stream of systemic reforms so that the economic growth benefits all classes of society.

The authors are Co-Head, Tax, and Director, M&A Tax Practice, respectively at KPMG.? The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of KPMG in India.

Source: http://www.firstpost.com/economy/budget-2013-will-fm-bring-back-inheritance-tax-631474.html

the cell dickclark gavin degraw gavin degraw alec time 100 bob beckel

KISS Tribute 'A World With Heroes' To Benefit Cancer Care Hospice

To mark the 40th anniversary of KISS, rock journalist Mitch Lafon has gathered some of the greatest rock musicians for a tribute album. 'A World With Heroes' features unique performances of incredible KISS songs, with pledges made through www.pledgemusic.com/projects/kiss40thtribute being used to make this amazing tribute come to life and to benefit The Vaudreuil-Soulanges Palliative Cancer Care hospice (Lafon's father-in-law passed away there peacefully on January 4th, 2013).

KISS songs from every era will be represented on 'A World With Heroes'. All basic tracks will be recorded by Eric Brittingham (bass, Cinderella), Jeff LaBar (guitars, Cinderella) and Troy Lucketta (drums, Tesla).

Vocalists and other artists that will contribute to the CD include Terry Ilious (Great White and XYZ), Bumblefoot (Guns N' Roses), Russ Dwarf (Killer Dwarfs), Ron Young (Little Caesar), Doug Alrich (Whitesnake), Rex Brown (Pantera, Kill Devil Hill), Dery Grehan (Honeymoon Suite), Bill Leverty (Firehouse), Derek Sherinian (Black Country Communion, Dream Theater), Phil Lewis (L.A. Guns), Doro Pesch, Mark Zavon (Kill Devil Hill), Slaves On Dope, Chris Van Dahl (ex-L.A. Guns), Tommy Denander, Johnny Dee (Doro and ex-Britny Fox), Jeff Paris, Phil Naro, Willie Basse and Sean Kelly (Crash Kelly and Helix) -- with more to be announced shortly.

Details on the prize packages available in this funding drive can be found at www.pledgemusic.com/projects/kiss40thtribute

Courtesy of www.sleazeroxx.com

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sleazeroxx/~3/NZZc-3RS9Mo/01824.shtml

the lucky one pittsburgh pirates mariners mets shades of grey pittsburgh penguins record store day

Must Have Iphone 5 Parts for Your Smart Phone

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://www.articlesolve.com/articledetail.php?artid=421097&catid=8

barry sanders jr nick carter sister recruiting rankings san onofre paula deen birth control recall nick carter

Growing church quickly pays down debt

Pastor James Watts greets a member of the congregation after church service at the Grand View Church in Dunnellon, Fla., on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013.

Jacqui Janetzko/Star-Banner

Published: Monday, February 18, 2013 at 3:01 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, February 18, 2013 at 3:01 p.m.

DUNNELLON ? The congregation of Grand View Church has accomplished something of a miracle.

Within 14 months, the congregation, led by the Rev. James Watts and his wife and co-pastor, the Rev. Debbie Watts, paid off a $490,000 mortgage. And they did it without holding a formal fundraiser or talking one-on-one to large donors and while the area still was reeling from a weakened economy.

The first Grand View worship service was held in September 2010 at the Hilton hotel in Gainesville, with a group of 20 to 30 people in attendance. When an empty church between Dunnellon and Ocala was found, James Watts was originally against the idea of moving there. But after the labor of tearing down and setting up their makeshift church each week at the Gainesville hotel felt like ?enough,? a member spoke to Debbie Watts about the Marion County site and they decided to take a look.

In November 2010, The Wattses met with the Realtor. The following month, they signed a lease for a year.

?Pastor Debbie and I had to know it was the will of God,? James Watts said.

?All Debbie and I did was present a vision to the congregation, and the entire congregation said, ?Yes,??? he added.

Within one year, church members added $150,000 to the building fund.

As the lease was ending, a call was made to Alarion Bank to inquire about rates and fees to purchase the property. The church bought the site, located at 12401 County Road 484, for $490,000 and put down $150,000 in November 2011.

Part of the church?s mission is to ?help people find purpose in life,? James Watts said. And, although the congregation is very active in several local and foreign missions, such as food banks and pantries, nursing homes and refugee efforts overseas, members still were able to upgrade every room in the new building and hire staff.

On December 2012, the Rev. David Ellis, a guest minister, preached on Noah and the ark and predicted that within 40 days of 2013, the mortgage would be paid off. He had congregants mark offering envelopes with the words, ?Finish the Ark.?

?That day, we had over $20,000 in seed offerings come in,? James Watts said.

In early January, a member donated two modular buildings to be dedicated for children and youth ministries as the church continued to grow.

?The point of ?Finish the Ark? was to pay off our building so we could build bigger children and youth facilities, so this generous gift was perfect in meeting our needs,? James Watts said.

On Feb. 7, the final payment on the mortgage was made.

?You can see what faith, hope and love in action can do,? Watts said.

On Feb. 10, the pastors held a mortgage burning ceremony in front of about 350 members of the church. Taking out a small black grill, James Watts said, ?I say, let the fire fall.?

The crowd cheered as he set flame to the document and music started to play. The ashes of the mortgage paperwork were then buried beneath an oak tree on the grounds.

?We give all the glory to the Lord. What a phenomenal thing done by the handiwork of God. It?s remarkable that the church is all paid for and there are more blessings on the way,? Watts said.

?I felt joyful. It was a good feeling,? said the church?s media director Len Campbell of the mortgage burning. ?We all believed we could do it and we all got it done. There is so much more to do. The money that was to go into the building will now go into the ministry.?

Source: http://www.ocala.com/article/20130218/articles/130219675

anne hathaway pro bowl victoria azarenka Royal Rumble 2013 senior bowl norovirus Coachella 2013