Article: Next, with the jelly still on it, toss your garment into the washing machine with a load of laundry. Set the washer to the normal settings for your garment (check the care label if you have any concerns) and let the wash run as normal. When you take your garment out of the wash, the stain should have improved noticeably. If some lipstick still remains, consider repeating this method or using one of the other cleaning suggestions in this article to finish it off.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Launder as normal. If needed, follow with another stain removal method.
Article: Once you identify a process to fix, discuss the process with the people responsible for implementation. Take the time to interview key participants, and ask them to identify any potential improvements. Ask your staff what they do and why they do it. Determine the inputs needed to perform each task and where you obtain each input. If you manufacture denim jeans, for example, you need to know who supplies your denim and how often the vendor ships the denim material to you. Identify the outputs of each task, and who receives the output. If you manage a car repair shop, your repair staff should document the work they perform. The repair staff should forward that information to your billing department. The billing area produces a bill for the customer Ask for suggestions on how to resolve process inefficiencies that your staff uncovers. A process flowchart can help you visualize a business process. You can use the documentation from your process discussions to create the flowchart. The flowchart should contain all of the steps required to complete a particular business process. It is important to note that a business process flowchart should only contain the defined procedures that employees must follow. Flowcharts may be prepared manually or with the use of software. Word processors and spreadsheet programs with charting functionality can be used. You can also find software that is designed to draw flowcharts. The flowchart is an excellent tool to clearly see the business process in front of you. This visual tool can make it is much easier to identify and fix inefficiencies. Once you make changes to a process, review the outcomes and see if the process made the improvements you expected. If not, analyze the process again and try to identify areas of improvement. Process analysis should be an ongoing task for your business. Many processes involve more than one department in your business. Group sessions can identify process inefficiencies that impact more than one department. These sessions can also validate the information provided during your one-on-one interviews with participants. Summarize the information you have received and distribute it to process participants. This should include both participants you have interviewed and others that you did not interview. Ask for feedback from everyone. The feedback will provide additional guidance for your analysis. Information received from participants in the process should provide you with a clear idea how the process works, and what its issues are. The discussions with personnel become the basis for making changes to a process. Your changes may reduce costs, reduce cycle time, simplify a process or improve customer service.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Talk with key personnel about the process. Create a business process flowchart for each process. Conduct a brainstorming session to find process improvements.
Article: Amtrak, for example, lets you pack a bike in a box for $10, carry folding bikes on as luggage, and even offers several trains with walk-on bike cars. Every company is different, however, so don't just buy a ticket and expect your bike to get on easily. You need to do your homework ahead of time to make sure you can transport your bike effectively. Expect a handling fee for bicycles, especially if they are not boxed up. This involves removing all the pieces, stripping off the handlebars, wheels, and pedals so that the bike fits in a large box. While you can usually get old boxes for free or cheaply by inquiring at your local bike shop, entrepreneurial packers can potentially fit the bike very large TV or appliance boxes. If you are uncomfortable with bike mechanics, you may want to get your local shop to break down the bike for you. You can then take the bike to a local shop at your new location to get it back together, for a small fee. This may be important for ensuring you're not carrying too much on board. Check the train service's website for any weight restrictions. Amtrak, for example, has a 50lb limit. This, however, should be more than enough for your bike. If you cannot weigh the bags at home, most Post Offices have a large scale you can use before you leave. Talk to the staff at the station about where you need to be, protocol, and tagging your bike so you can get it later. For longer trips, or anything requiring that you dismantle your bike and pack it in a box, arrive an hour before departure. Many bike shops will break down, package, and ship your bike across the country for you at a nominal fee, usually $20-30 plus shipping. Shipping, however, can get expensive. If you want to do it yourself, you should remove the wheels, handlebars, seats, and pedals and pack them into a bike box or large TV box, then ship the package from a post office, UPS, or FedEx.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Check your train's bike policy before booking a ticket. Know that you may need to pack your bike in a box. Weigh all of your checked bags and the bike before you leave home. Show up well ahead of time to get your bike on the train. Consider shipping your bike long distances.