CollegiateLuggage.com - Where facts and opinions share equal time.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bolstered by its popularity with celebrities and families, the Bulldog is back on the list of the 10 most popular purebred dogs after a 75-year absence, the American Kennel Club announced on Wednesday. The Bulldog ranked 10th in the Kennel Club's annual ranking of popular dogs from the 157 different breeds it recognizes. A fitting accomplishment for UGA's mascot, even as their football team is ranked #2 Nationally.

Topping the list of most popular dogs was the Labrador Retriever -- top dog since 1991 -- followed by the Yorkshire Terrier, the German Shepherd, the Golden Retriever and the Beagle, the Kennel Club said.

The broad-shouldered, stocky Bulldog with its characteristic under-bite and pugnacious gait has long been a mascot of sports teams and military units. But their docile, even-tempered personality that belies their tough-guy image makes them good pets for families with young children, dog breeders say.

"Their personality is unlike any other dog. They are so expressive. If you look in their eyes you can almost see what they are thinking," said Tammy Hollock, 36, a part-time Bulldog breeder from Delran, New Jersey.

Bulldogs have been growing in popularity with celebrities including U.S. actors Adam Sandler and George Clooney, adding to their public appeal, Hollock said. The breed is the second-most popular dog in Los Angeles, the Kennel Club said.

Coming in at No. 6 on the Kennel Club list is the Boxer, followed by the Dachshund, the Poodle and the Shih Tzu. We at CollegiateLuggage.com want to congratulate the students, alumni and fans of Georgia and of Mississippi State for having their beloved mascots back in the Top 10

CollegiateLuggage.com - Where facts and opinions share equal time.

Beginning at 5PM today and continuing through midnight on February 10th the folks at CollegiateLuggage.com proudly present their annual Jan/Feb Sale. This is not a closeout - everything in our entire product line is simply being discounted 10% to help you save during the first part of 2008.

We named the sale after Janusz Proha and "Feb" Febrino, two textile researchers who first developed the special soil-release coating that goes on all of our Swiss Army Luggage and Travel Gear. This coating also repels water and jet fuel (think about it).

Special added benefit: If you place your orders between now and February 4th, we will have your luggage items decorated and shipped to you in time for VALENTINE'S DAY gift-giving. Sure, you could give that special someone candy and flowers, but custom-decorated luggage...yowza!

There are no codes to enter, and no coupons to consult. Just place your online order and our computer "HAL" will automatically deduct 10% from the cost of your merchandise. The sale will end at midnight February 10th, so we encourage you to shop early and often.

CollegiateLuggage.com - Where facts and opinions co-exist harmoniously

In 1964, Joe Namath set aside his books at the University of Alabama to begin his legendary career with the New York Jets. Though Broadway Joe became an international superstar, his lack of a degree always bothered him. "It was a hole in my being." he said, "an empty spot." So he enrolled in a 30-hour program in interdisciplinary studies at his alma mater.

Last December, along with 900 other students, Namath graduated in robe and mortarboard in ceremonies at the campus in Tuscaloosa. "It was fun but it was hard." the 64-year old Namath said of his studies. "I had a very difficult time getting myself to sit down."

Now someone should send that man a set of Swiss Army Luggage with the Alabama logo to congratulate him on graduating. Any ideas?

CollegiateLuggage.com: Where facts and opinions share equal time.

Each year brings new excitement for every football fan. Maybe this year we will win it all. Enthusiasm and spirits are running high -- just like the beginning of a new year for a sales team. This year will be the year everything comes together and we beat our competition and move up the market share rankings.

While these feelings of excitement and optimism are great -- the reality of the season kicks in at some point. College football fans can feel the highs of victory and the lows of defeat. Playing a good game is not enough -- as every sales person knows -- second place is not victory. As a college football junkie, er, fan, watching TV during football season is a requirement for living. One day after eight hours of continuous game viewing, a question was posed: "What can a person learn or gain from all of this college football?" In answer to this question here are several lessons gleaned from watching football and look how applying these tips can make you a better salesperson.

Preparation:
As a salesperson, preparation gets you ready to make the sale and win the account's business. Always have a call plan, account plans and a personal business plan in place to reference. Anticipation is critical in your account relationships, knowing more about your customers gives you the advantage. Selling, just like college football, is a year-round activity. Do the little things today that win the big things later.

Practice:
Practice to become as perfect as you are able, then you can handle actual situations with confidence. Losers believe practice is for someone else. Then while face-to-face with a decision-maker they do not execute at a high level. Learn and practice the winning techniques -- it's your choice to be a winner.

Goals:
Know what you want and figure out what it will take to get you there. Winners take their goals and break them down into measurable units. Knowing what has to be done gives you an advantage over the "wing it" crowd. Having goals regarding measurements is similar to having an offensive and defensive game plan in football. A defensive plan is about retaining your existing customer base -- how do you keep your best customers? An offensive game plan is directed at selecting target customers and identifying how to win these accounts.

I have been a professional salesperson for over 35 years and finally have a good retort for all of us who consider a day spent watching collegiate football on TV a day well-spent. Now, thanks to the insights of Voss Graham, founder and CEO of InnerActive Consulting Group inneractiveconsulting.com I can finally justify my hobby as a sales aid. Thanks, Voss!

Postscript: Remember, the best way to show solidarity with your college teams is to travel with Swiss Army's collegiate luggage and business gear, available only through our company's website. That way, when you say "Go Team" you will really be going in style.