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Identifying the Need for Real Time Business Communication Solutions

Tue, 03 Jul 2018 06:33:11 +0100

Despite plenty of advancements in technology, many workplaces are still limited to inadequate asynchronous communication channels. With the widespread adoption of smartphones and other smart devices, however, both consumers and employees now expect immediacy in terms of service and information exchange. Sticking to email, text messaging, voicemail and fax just won’t cut it anymore.

Businesses need to integrate seamless, real-time business communication solutions. Here are a few useful tips to help you determine if your business stands to benefit from these tools.

Brainstorming and Team Collaboration

Good communication is essential to teamwork and collaboration of workers within your company. WIthout access to a real-time tool, it can be hard to provide feedback during time-sensitive discussions. Corporate message apps have been in existence for years now, and businesses can use them to great effect. The downside is that real time tools like these may not always come with a recording or saving feature, so information shared during the moment may not be available for recall later.

Interacting with Prospects and Clients

For members of your company that need to be in direct contact with prospects and clients, real time modes of communication are more ideal to use. People in sales, specifically, need to have computer telephony integration, access to product catalogs, customer relationship management software, and direct lines to colleagues or product experts at the very least. These make them more efficient in their roles. Meanwhile, the communication needs of those who work mainly with internal colleagues may not be real time.

Working at Home or Outside the Office

Home-based jobs have certainly become the norm in recent years. With millions of workers all over the world working in their homes at least half the time, telecommunication is more fundamental for companies. If some of your employees are required to work from home, or some other remote location or are simply on the move a lot, real-time business communication solutions are not only advantageous but crucial for operations. This way, people don’t have to be in the office at the same time to communicate with each other, and everyone stays productive.

Encouraging Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Across many offices, the bring your own device (BYOD) trend is going mainstream, especially since it helps employees become more productive and satisfied in their work environment. If you are planning to adapt this policy in your own company, you should know that you may not always have control over what operating systems, types or brand of devices your employees will use. Fortunately, some real-time business communication solutions are also unified and can integrate easily with your workers’ preferred devices. Differences in platforms and applications no longer have to be a problem.

There is no one size fits all solution to all your company’s communication needs. Some tools that work well for one organization may not be the best fix for another. It would take careful consideration of your current structure, employees’ roles and collaboration requirements to know how you can improve communication within and outside the organization

Canelo vs. GGG

Tue, 03 Oct 2017 07:21:39 +0100

On September 16, 2017 two of the biggest sports superstars had a showdown of their own in the beautiful city of Las Vegas, Nevada. These guy are not your average household names but are the best of the best in their sport. Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin squared off for the unified middleweight world title. Unfortunately for daily fantasy sports fans, this game was not available on any slates, specifically for fantasy MMA. The money for this fight was to be made in Vegas at the casinos but the problem was, expert's couldn’t decide between the two.

A few weeks ago, the UFC and Boxing world had the biggest showdown in McGregor v. Mayweather. The McGregor v. Mayweather fight was big on hype but experts easily decided between the two and frequently chose Money Mayweather to stay perfect, as he did. But here, there is little to split the two defenders. In Golovkin, better known as GGG, came into the fight at 37-0 with 33 knockouts. He has defended his title 18 straight times. Against him was no amateaur. Canelo is one of the biggest Mexican born athletes in the world and for good measure. He came into the match with a record of 49-1-1 with 34 knockouts. Also, Alvarez has yet to lose a fight since he did so against Money Mayweather back in 2013. For two guys that have fought near 100 boxing matches and have one loss between the two of them, everyone almost certainly knew that a decision was going to be the ultimate deciding factor for the twelve round boxing championship. And yes a decision was the deciding factor but not the one everyone could agree with. It seemed to be GGG’s fight to lose as he was able to maintain the pace and distance he prefered for most of the middle rounds, while he was able to get him on the ropes to land a couple of easy body blows.

The fight went the distance and it was up to the three judges to decide the victor of the twelve round roller coaster. Judge Adalaide Byrd had the most one-sided card with a 118-110 in favor of Alvarez. Dave Moretti had it 115-113 for GGG. Don Trella had it at a dead split 114-114. At the end of the day, Moretti had it correct with the championship ended as a draw. It looks like GGG, is able to keep his championship belt for now.

3 Non-negotiables When Choosing Among Hawaii Beach Homes

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 06:49:00 +0100

When scouting a thriving real estate market like Hawaii for beach homes, it is very important for buyers to know exactly what they want in a property. It will drastically limit the options from a wide, dizzying range, to a more manageable list. From this list, they will be able to more thoroughly assess their choices, and pick the ones that are worth a home visit.

“Knowing what one wants” should especially mean knowing their non-negotiables – the characteristics they cannot afford not to have, given the lifestyle they would like to lead in the Aloha State. Here, we discuss three things that the most discerning buyers should not compromise on, when selecting among Hawaii beachfront homes:

Excellent construction fundamentals. First and foremost, the home must have been solidly built – using high quality materials.The best builders of Hawaii oceanfront homes take into account the climate, the humidity, the saline air, the harsh sunlight, among other factors in constructing a property.It is easy enough to update a home to one’s liking at the cosmetic level – meaning the interior design, the color palette, the textures used, the finish of the fixtures. But it will be more difficult and costly to repair a house by the sea that’s damaged by the daily exposure to the elements.

Access to adventures and amenities. What is life in Hawaii without the promise of adventure and the sweet life? Of being able to swim with the whales, take a peek at the craters of ancient volcanoes, ride the waves, stroll by the beach, or go on a hike in the mountains and look at petroglyphs? Or of pampering oneself in a world-class spa, trying novel dishes from around the world featuring fresh farm produce and seafood, or taking a swing while enjoying fantastic views of the ocean and the fairways? The best homes are minutes, if not steps away from where these experiences await, and a property that sits next to an acclaimed luxury resort, a golf course, or a district that’s home to an array of world-class restaurants is always a good idea!

Ample space for hosting.Being a Hawaiian means being keen on bringing everyone together in your home, where they can experience the island life in style. Hosting gatherings, be it a laidback barbecue on a weekend, a cocktail afternoon, or a grand luau party is indeed a typical activity here, so a property needs to have ample common spaces – such as a garden, or a lanai, or a pool, or simply a spacious living and dining room (with lots of seating, too). The home should also be equipped with a kitchen and grill filled with top-of-the-line appliances, and even better if there’s one set for the indoors, and another for the outdoors. Other good spaces to have are entertainment rooms, game rooms, and reading rooms, for when guests are over.

Learn more about choosing among today’s Hawaii beach homes from the Big Island real estate market by getting in touch with the luxury real estate expert Harold Clarke of Luxury Big Island.

The Super Team Ripple

Thu, 27 Jul 2017 06:45:40 +0100

Stop me if you have heard this before, the 2016-2017 World Champion Golden State Warriors changed the game of basketball forever. It is absolutely apparent in the transition of playing styles that teams have switched to in trying to become a copy of the “space and pace” that the Dubs rode that lead them to raising the Larry O’Brien trophy for the second time in three years. But impact this super team had off the court is just as noticeable; and it starts with the fear they evoked into every other team in the league.

Nowadays, if you aren’t a super team why are you even trying to win a championship? A prime example just unfolded hours ago with the shocking trade that will send shockwaves through the dynamics of fantasy basketball rankings. Jimmy Butler, a dynamic two-way star entering the prime of his career, was shipped to the MInnesota T-Wolves for a package that left Bulls fan scratching their heads and wishing for more. At first glance, the entire association has to be questioning what the Bulls’ motivation was for this trade. In reality, they got two young pieces, in Kriss Dunn and Zach Lavine, they can hope to build around and the seventh pick in the draft but is that really worth giving up Butler, who is becoming a perennial superstar because of the way he can impact the game on both the offensive and defensive end of the court. The simple answer is most likely yes and that is not because the Bulls’ front office doubt the playmaking ability of their former bona-fide star, but instead it is because of that big bad super team coming out of the bay area.

The NBA team strategy has completely shifted: If you aren’t compiling a super team, you better be rebuilding your franchise from the ground up and wait your turn in line to try and make it to the finals once, or better hopefully once, the legendary Dubs break for any number of reasons. The simple reality is, there is only five time max that have any shot at dethroning this star-studded start of a dynasty the Warriors have compiled. It is fair to assume we will see the Warriors in the finals for the foreseeable future, granted their guys don’t suffer a catastrophic injury, and you can say the same thing about the Cavaliers making it to the finals, as long as the King his still defending his land. This has given NBA teams the strategy to try and collect as many assets as possible, in hopes of their franchise peaking as the Warriors begin to falter. The Warriors are supremely talented and gifted at this point and will continue to dictate the course of the NBA season for years to come.

Upgrading the Living Room of Beachhouses in Hawaii

Wed, 05 Jul 2017 06:44:08 +0100

The living room is one of the most important spaces of beach houses in Hawaii. It is where all members of the family congregate, and where guests are welcomed in. And if you are looking to have it listed, it should be the first to benefit from your renovation efforts.

What are some of the things that you can do to upgrade your oceanfront home’s living room? Here is a list:

Improve the lighting. Anice living room looks bright, fresh, and spacious.More than simply devoting a large space for it, you can create this feeling of being in an expansive space by improving the lighting. How much light comes in through the windows? Are there pieces of furniture that might be blocking some of this? At night, when you host dinner parties, is there a need to add more lamps around? Perhaps you can update the ceiling lamp, and transfer it to one of the bedrooms? What about flanking a fireplace or an artwork with two sconces? Where can you place a mirror to reflect the light and give the illusion of a bigger space? And would a drop-light be apt for your living room?

Create a focal point.In the living room, guests should not feel like they are simply waiting to be led to another more exciting place in the house: it should be exciting in itself. This feeling can be nurtured by creating a focal point, letting all the furniture and accents point towards a conversation piece, which can be an artwork, or a sideboard with framed family pictures, or a souvenir from a trip abroad. It is also important to lay out the seating places so that the room can actually be the space for intimate and meaningful interactions, even among strangers at a party.

Update the furniture.The amount of furniture in a room can overwhelm a guest, so make sure that every piece adds something new to the look, and/or serves a purpose. These are smart choices for furniture: A coffee table with storage space underneath. A stool in canary yellow or electric blue to break up the monotony. A smaller, less stuffy sofa set and velvet ottomans.

For more on updating beach houses in Hawaii, talk to leading real estate expert Harold Clarke today. Harold is a top-performing broker who knows the Big Island real estate market like the back of his hand.

Tiger's DUI

Wed, 31 May 2017 06:58:27 +0100

Major news broke the early morning of the Memorial Day holiday this year. At around three in the morning, in Jupiter, Florida, Tiger Woods was arrested for driving under the influence. This is a major shock and has sent massive ripples through the PGA community.

Tiger Woods is arguably the biggest superstar of the Professional Golf Association since Arnold Palmer’ and Jack Nicklaus’ legendary days. None of them had the cultural and fantasy golf impact that Woods had on the game. Tiger bursted onto the scene as a teenager and promptly finished atop of the leaderboards before he reached the age of twenty. Tiger dominated the 2000’s as it seemed he won every major event for a five year stretch. As it stands now, he is entrenched as one of the best of all time. The only problem is, Woods wants more. Tiger has been nursing a handful of minor injuries for most of the 2010’s and has been trying to make his way back as one of the best in golf. Unfortunately for him, that has yet to fully blossom into that because of a lack of consistent performance on Woods’ end. His last couple rounds of daily fantasy golf plays have not been helping reach his ultimate destination.

After what happened early Monday morning, it is very difficult to imagine Tiger ever having the opportunity to reclaim his throne. We don’t quite have all of the logistics what happened during this eventful night but we do know he will be out of the PGA tournament for an extended period of time. When the news broke with the incident of his affair, there was a great deal of public outlash and hypocrisy. Only time will tell what well ensue during this go around. Personally, I truly doesn’t hope this tarnishes his overall legacy. Tiger was on top of the world, not only in golf but in all of sports, and to see him plummet back down to earth like this is rough. He is undoubtedly one of the most talented athletes of the twenty first century, but his decision making has plagued him and far outweighs the magic he was producing on the links.

How does the Hawaii real estate market look like?

Wed, 17 May 2017 07:07:36 +0100

More than 10 years after the housing bubble and the ensuing financial crisis, how does the Hawaii real estatemarket look like? How good are the prospects when it comes to buying and selling properties – especially in the luxury segment? What factors will continue to drive home and lot sales in this side of the States?

This article attempts to answer these questions and more.

According to Harold Clarke of Luxury Big Island, the future is looking good for the real estate of the Aloha State, with the recent years showing a consistent growth. By 2015, Harold said,there had been a balance when it comes to the number of people aiming to sell, and aiming to buy. That is a sign of healthy market, because when the ratio is markedly skewed towards sellers – or when there are significantly more properties than buyers – the value of homes and lots go down. On the other hand, if there is a dearth in properties, even the low-quality ones can fetch a huge sum, which is not a good scenario for interested buyers.

For his part, Harold has been successful in arranging the sale of some of the highest-priced properties in Big Island, Hawaii – a feat that he considers a good sign for the local real estate market. The recent sales were villas and condos in Mauna Kea Resort, Mauna Kea Fairways South, and Villas at Mauna Kea. He had also listed properties in Bluffs, Waiulaula, and Kaunaoa, and these had price tags ranging from $1.099M, all the way to $19.5 M.

Harold welcomes the huge interest among foreign investors – especially from China – as a boon to the US real estate market. He notes that many Chinese are looking westward as they seek education for their children as well as new business opportunities. In addition, buyers of Hawaii properties also come from Hong Kong, Canada, Singapore, and Switzerland.

For Big Island in particular, Harold shares that he had, in fact, brokered luxury real estate transactions with some Chinese buyers. Along with other visitors placing their bet on the Aloha State, they are likely to be part of the thriving economy that Hawaii is experiencing these days, with tourism and construction spurring much of the growth. And it greatly helps that Hawaii is home to some of the finest hotels in America, if not the world: Four Seasons Hualalai, Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Ritz-Carlton at Kapalua, and Four Seasons Wailea.

Get in touch with Harold Clarke to know more about Hawaii real estate.

NHL's Winter Classic

Thu, 27 Apr 2017 06:57:12 +0100

The National Hockey League has been bringing new fans to the game with outdoor play in what they call the Winter Classic. It is played outdoors in a football or baseball stadium and that allows for extra large crowds compared to the hockey arenas of today. The Winter Classic began in 2008 after the success of the first outdoor regular season game, the Heritage Classic in 2003. This game was the Edmonton Oilers versus the Montreal Canadiens celebrating the Oilers twenty fifth anniversary of joining the NHL and was played in front of 57,167 fans. Both Canada and USA television stations broadcast the game and had record audiences also.

So in 2008 the Winter Classic began and it is around New Years and a great Public Relations opportunity for the NHL to grow the game. The Winter Classic has been played every year since 2008 except the lockout year and has been so great, the NHL has also added the Stadium Series so they could capitalize on the concept of outdoor game but not tied to the New Year's timeline.

The Stadium Series began in 2014 and consisted of four games in three venues, and in 2015 only one game was held, while in 2016 two games were held and this year only one game. Fans get excited to watch the games as the hype about the game and the rivalries that play makes it a fun event. Some daily fantasy managers select players from these games to add to the fun of watching the game versus the pure win of the daily competition. These events have help popularize the game and in a collegiate type atmosphere with large crowds, and fun for all.

The NHL All-Star game is another series of events that also draws interest and build the game by having new fans appreciate the elite players and all their skills, but the outdoor NHL games are here to stay and many old and new fans will enjoy them! Unfortunately, there isn’t any type of daily fantasy hockey contests for the All-Star game, but be sure to roster players who are participating in these Winter Classics. Something about this atmosphere and conditions really enhances the game players execute and result in memorable games.

Planning unforgettable vacations in Big Island, Hawaii beach homes

Wed, 29 Mar 2017 06:56:38 +0100

The Aloha State finds itself in many people’s lists of dream holiday destinations, and unforgettable vacations especially await in Big Island, Hawaii beach homes. Below are some tips for experiencing the best of this beautiful island, from a villa by the ocean.

Plan luau parties.The sense of kinship Hawaiians are known for is most palpable in activities revolving around the making – or the partaking – of food. Do invite friends and neighbors over on a weekend for a luau, or a traditional Hawaiian party. Some of the must-haves for a luau spread are:Poke or raw fish salad; Lomilomi salmon; Kalua pig, or pork cooked in an underground oven; poi, or mashed boiled taro; and a selection of sliced tropical fruits like watermelon, pineapple, and papaya. For extra touches, invite a Hawaiian band, welcome guests with leis or garlands made of fresh flowers, and decorate your table with pineapples, plumeria blooms, Hawaiian ferns, and coconut shells.

Take note of all activities to try.Big Island has lots of activities to offer vacationers. Surfing, snorkeling, sailboarding, and kayaking are just some of the watersports that you and your family can enjoy together. Or you might also like to drive to the sports clubs and spend the day golfing with friends, while taking in the beautiful view of well-manicured fairways, lava flows, and the azure Pacific Ocean from the community’s finest golf courses. Afterwards, you can then soothe your tired muscles with any of the luxurious spa packages from the renowned hotels in the neighborhood, or try the sumptuous dinners featuring fresh island produce.

Consider buying an oceanfront villa. If you and your family enjoy being by the beach so much, Big Island, Hawaii is the best choice for regular vacation destination, andbuying an oceanfront property might just be a great investment. No need to scour Big Island for the best hotel options each time you feel the need to leave the city life and unwind. There is a house that’s waiting each time you visit, and you may rent it out for the rest of the year, too.

For expert help in picking the best Hawaii beach homes to invest in, seek the advice of leading Big Island real estate broker Harold Clarke.Harold knows the Big Island luxury real estate market like the back of his hand, and will be able to help you find the house dream vacations are made of.

Building the trust of client investors through asset services for hedge funds

Wed, 22 Mar 2017 06:37:39 +0100

At the peak of the financial crisis, hedge funds became highly unpopular, at least in the United States. Now that the country has been making significant strides towards economic recovery, the hedge funds sector is also poised to regain the trust of the public, and most importantly, the client investors.

One of the ways hedge fund managers have been rebuilding this trust is by tapping asset servicing firms. Here is why it is worth the investment:

They ensure compliance to complex regulations. Through heightened regulation, authorities sought to prevent practices that would create bubbles, or promote unsustainable trading activity. The Dodd-Frank Act, cited as the most significant financial reform legislation, outlines policies for ensuring the liquidity of assets to easily distribute to the investors in the event of crisis. Not all hedge funds have the luxury of time to devote to complying with these often complex policies. But with asset servicing firms as an outsourcing partner, they can always assure their client investors that compliance is being taken care of by an expert independent party.

They allow the hedge fund managers to focus on strategic functions. Asset servicing firms take over the tedious day-to-day operations, especially the middle and back office functions such as transaction recording, trade and accounts reconciliation, tax reporting, preparation of financial statements, risk assessment, and accounting. And because they are not burdened by these tasks, hedge fund managers can then train their focus on core functions, such as client relations, making investment decisions, or crafting the firm’s overall business strategies. It makes for a good pitch to convey to prospective client investors: “We can accomplish big things because we have got the small things covered.” Furthermore, they have more time for communicating with clients.

They provide technologies for the precise completion of tasks. Through asset servicing, hedge funds can employ the latest innovations in accomplishing tasks. They can show these to the client investors, too. For instance, a Cloud-based portfolio management system may be made accessible for the investors to also monitor the performance of their funds. In an era where technology is key to being a step ahead of the competition, having access to cutting-edge tools will definitely impress clients and reassure them that the hedge fund manager is truly invested in its work.

Rebuilding trust in hedge funds may indeed take some time. But with asset services, the task is now easier to accomplish.