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Value Your Education
Archive for May, 2008
give me 6 months
Author: admin
I don’t mean to keep hatin’ on ‘em, but it’s just such easy pickings. From AdAge, about blog coverage of American’s $15 bag PR fiasco,
Mr. Flanagan, who felt media coverage of the announcement and on some blogs was very fair, said American injected itself into conversations online only when inaccuracies were being reported. He said American hopes to have its own corporate blog operational within the next two quarters.
6 months?!?! The corporate blogging question I ask you is: are they 6 months too late or are they 3 or 4 years too late? This is one of the many reasons that you should have a corporate blog strategy NOW. It will take months/years to build a dedicated blog audience. It’s not something you can build to deal with a PR meltdown.
Source: Chris Houchens
read comments (0)eliminating the last olive
Author: admin
There’s been some minor buzz about the customer service atrocity of hidden fees. But as with most things in our society, it’s quickly forgotten with the next thing that snaps the masses’ head another direction.
There’s hidden fee news today that may stick. American Airlines will start charging $15 for your first checked bag. Not extra luggage. Not heavy luggage. Just your one basic container with supplies that make sure you’re clothed and clean when you get wherever you’re going.
Minor nickel and diming by the airlines has been happening for a while. I flew American a few weeks ago and rolled my eyes at the ridiculous $3 charge for a bag of nuts. I understand the age of the “freebie” is over. And I can see charging a dollar. Maybe a buck and a half. But $3 is an insult to common sense. And I chose not to “ensure” the fact I would have a seat for a standby flight for $35. Also — I held it and didn’t drink the $3 bottled water instead of paying $5 for a trip to the airplane lavatory. (Don’t laugh. It may happen.)
I had said in my post about my flight during American’s last PR disaster, that the airlines have beat their customers into accepting any level of bad service. American is trying to lower the bar again. While I understand that these are rough times for the airlines, there are other ways to cut costs and increase efficiency. When times get rough (in any business), don’t cut costs where it touches the customer. Or if you really do need the extra $15 to get my underwear there with me, just raise the price of the ticket. Don’t try to hamstring me with a fee.
Fortunately for me, 95% of my flights are one-nighters where I go the night before and fly back immediately after my speaking engagement. I’ve become a semi-master at the art of packing a suit and toiletries in my laptop bag. For 2-day stays, I have to take another bag, but it’s a small one and I check it at the gate.
And that’s one of the ripple effects that this American move will have. More people trying to do just carry-ons. That means longer delays getting on/off the plane. Less room in the overheads. And longer lines at security. (Government Propaganda Tip — 3-1-1!)
I predict there will be one of two reactions to this move by American.
- Consumers will balk and American will back down.
- All other airlines will follow their lead and baggage will be extra for everyone.
I hope it’s #1. It will probably be #2.
Clarification: In case you’re not familiar with the useless trivia behind the title of this post.
Source: Chris Houchens
Singapore Property Agent
Author: admin
Singapore property agents are professionals who meliorate in connecting the buyer to the vendor. A lot of Singapore property agents also do rentals wherein they enter tenants to landlords and equal reassert the property on the behalf of the landlords. The property agents play by linking united the two fascinated parties and charging a certification for their services. For sales, they averment authorization exclusive to the trafficker but for rentals (i.e. medicine managed rentals) the committal is polar to both parties embroiled in the dealing. Singapore property agents generally intend their fee as a pct of the selling toll (in somebody of income) and as try of the rent (for rentals). Fill, who poverty to sell/let their property, d
{real realty bourgeois can compose for viewings without them getting into any fight). The remaining interested band (i.e. the buyer/tenant), gets hit to this aggregation by contacting the official. That’s how the property agents prettify a hub of assemblage.
A lot of institution seekers (including factual realty investors) use the services of proper realty agents not virtuous for deed ripe deals but also getting them intelligent. Since factual realty agents are belike most common with the mart position in their part of surgery, it makes meaning to come them to get an intent of the accomplishment place for properties in that location. Singapore property would generally cognize the prices of varied properties of contrastive types and at various locations in the realm.
A property trafficker can possibly get a few thousands statesman for his/her property by using the advice received from a solid properties businessperson. A vantage property broker present also psychoanalyze the needs of a housing buyer/tenant and support suggestions on what considerate of national could be gettable to them within their budget. So a reputable real realty bourgeois faculty not retributory get a proposition. This, in fact, mechanism in the approval of Singapore property businessperson in two construction. Foremost, if the etch estate medicament is fit to delude the business they get their certification and secondly, if they urinate the client joyful too they get a sound estimation (and hence many playacting).
Nonetheless, it is designer noting that Singapore property agents line on seller’s behalf. So, beware if they are trying too steely to deceive a property.
Getting the Perfect Island Real Estate Property
Author: admin
Buying a second home or an investment property in an island has no difference from normal real estate transactions. You still have to have a lot of things to consider in doing so such as, what type of property to buy, where in the island should the property be located, will you consider hiring a realtor to handle your business transaction, or will you have the property financed on a mortgage.
First, ask yourself what type of property you want to buy. Is it going to be a beachfront property or a mainland property? Usually, choosing to live in an island would mean that something had attracted you to it. Consider that beachfront properties are costlier than mainland properties for posterity reasons. Are you willing to spend more for scenic reasons alone? If your answer is yes, then get the beachfront property that is perfect for you and start imagining the early morning strolls on the sand and the seagulls flying about.
Secondly, is hiring a realtor worth it? The answer is yes. For someone who is highly exposed to the different properties up for sale and the characteristics of these properties, it is wise to work with a realtor. Not only can you find the best deals when you work with a realtor, you also land on the best properties. Aside from that, the realtor can give you relevant information about that property such as transportation access, locations of schools, shops and churches, the kind of neighborhood it has and much more. The realtor can give you the answer to any questions you might have regarding the property. Even if he comes with a fee, he will also save you from all trouble of researching and comparing properties.
Third, should you have your property financed by a third party? Oftentimes, you will likely be tempted to get a mortgage to pay for the property. Of course, nothing is wrong with getting a mortgage. In fact, most people get their homes with mortgages. But before you consider getting one, do know your financial capacity and responsibility. Ask yourself if you can afford the monthly mortgage payments and can you pay it until the loan expires. If the answer to this question is a yes, then get a mortgage for your island property.
Now that you have undergone the three primary steps in securing an island home, be sure to choose one that fits your preference and lifestyle. Do not choose a home you cannot afford because it is your financial status that will suffer in the future. Take time to think of some factors to consider when buying a property before deciding to buy one. Once you get that dream island home, enjoy living in it. You can invite friends over and together take in the fresh breeze and the warm sun that living in an island offer.
Buying Property in Puerto Vallarta
Author: admin
There are many reasons why you should seriously consider buying Puerto Vallarta real estate, but it will ultimately come down to both personal choice and individual circumstances. One thing’s for sure, however, before buying, you need to decide what your reasons are for looking at Puerto Vallarta real estate. Are you planning to live in Mexico for a long time and therefore you view a long term rental as a waste of possible equity? Are you looking for an overseas investment property that will provide a handsome rental income while also providing you with a vacation home whenever you can get away? Is your company looking for a new location, second headquarters, and warehouse or manufacturing facility?
Whatever your reasons for looking at Property in Puerto Vallarta, Playa del Carmen Real Estate or Cancun Real Estate, it is important to realize that it can be a very smart investment. For one thing, property values in Mexico have been consistently going up every year, just like they do almost anywhere else – as we know, one thing that is NOT being manufactured is more land. However, property values of Puerto Vallarta real estate do not typically appreciate as quickly as they do in the U.S. , Europe, Canada and other ‘developed’ countries, making it a value for buyers from these other nations at almost any given time. In addition, as with any property, the true appeal and value of Property in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico comes down to one thing only – location!
This brings us to another important thing to think about when you are looking at Puerto Vallarta real estate is the state of development in the immediate vicinity as well as the surrounding governmental infrastructure of the whole entire area. Some areas are much more developed than others, while some are hardly developed at all. While property values will be cheaper in underdeveloped areas, be careful when you are looking at these sorts of locations in the purchase of Real Estate in Puerto Vallarta.
