beach: August 2013

Friday, August 30, 2013

Hurdles To Business Adoption Of The Tablet PC

The introduction of the tablet PC in 2010 opened a floodgate of unforseen demand by consumers. Coming on the heels of the iPhone, both Apple and software makers have capitalized on the wildly popular iOS operating system. Noted for its lightweight architecture, and ease of use. Now, the tablet form factor is set to make its mark on business.

Over the last several decades, various iterations of the tablet PC have been developed by computer manufacturers. But where previous entries have been characterized as too heavy for handheld use, a complex interface, and high costs, the iPad and its newer competitors have taken apparently solved those problems. Weighing in at a mere 1.5 pounds, the light form factor is ideal for business travelers, and the simple touchscreen interface is intuitive to operate, without the strains associated with handwriting recognition software that worked so poorly in the past. And, at a cost of a mere $499, the device can be readily distributed to a large workforce.

In any business environment, computer security is an ongoing concern. But the road warrior, for whom the new form factor is ideally suited, this is of paramount importance. While this arena is a perceived shortcoming of many Apple devices, both Windows, and to a lesser extent, Android devices have the potential to fill a perceived gap before the tablet PC becomes ubiquitous. Apple is making strides in enterprise,with the introduction of remote wipe features and the addition of MS Exchange support. The capacity to sync back to a home computer is of paramount importance, and while that ease with which information can be transferred provides advantages, the ease of sharing will also present a hurdle to adoption, from a security perspective. Expect security to be an ongoing concern before widespread adoption is allowed with the new devices.

The latest version of the tablet PC form factor has the potential to offer many significant advantages to the business traveler. The ease of use, and light weight are both perfectly wonderfully suited to the business traveler, but it will take time to overcome some of the perceived hurdles before widespread adoption occurs. But, once they're solved, we can expect an explosion of these new devices to hit the market.

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Friday, August 23, 2013

A Guide on Getting Prepared For a Successful Business Trip

Having a business trip at present is not as easy as it used to be a few years back. Today, you should be familiar with the essentials and follow them perfectly if you don't want your business trip to be an annoying and awful experience. You should take note on almost everything related to your business trip in order to make it as trouble-free as possible.

First off, preparation should be done days or weeks ahead of the business trip itself. If you're not prepared for your business trip, there's no point in expecting of having a comfortable business trip.

Create a professional checklist of what you want to accomplish, to whom, and by when. If it's a professional socializing (parities, dinners, etc), you should decide on what you'll be wearing, and whom you'll be with.

The rules, regulations and restrictions of airlines normally differ from one airline to another. This is why you should conduct a thorough research on the airport you're looking to fly with. Simply by conducting a bit of investigation, it'll save you a lot of time, trouble and heartache as well.

You should only take some selective clothing with you while making a business trip. Basically, you'll require carrying your basic wardrobe in addition to some leisure stuffs. However, ensure that what you're carrying is consistent with the local custom and weather conditions.

The days are coming to an end when people used to travel with full carry-on baggage. Although many airlines will permit the pilots case in business class, some don't, so you better get yourself prepared by checking your luggage.

Traveling with a weighty load makes you tired earlier and you'll also find your trip really boring and problematic if you're carrying a huge load with you while making a business trip. So it'd better for you to remain as lighter as possible. Keep in mind that the lighter your fly the better.

One of the sickest problems for business travelers is no doubt the airport security. This is where you'll be asked a number of suspicious questions and they will also want you to corporate with whatever they want. In fact, this plays a vital role in slowing down the entire process.

So it'd be better if you prefer wearing such shoes that come on and off immediately, and also consider the same aspects while wearing a belt, or don't prefer any belt at all.

Moreover, if you're accompanied with a lot of gadgets during your business trip, pack them away or you better leave them behind if possible. Get ready with your tickets and identification and show then whenever you're asked to.

In a majority of American airports, issues are often resulted from a really small event. Therefore, don't talk to anyone as long as you come across the airline employees or workers, don't shoot joke on whatever you want and never leave you luggage unattended.

Well, it was never easy to make a business travel but it is now becoming tedious. So you better equip yourself for it and make it on its best.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Summer Travel - Healthy Hotels

Summer time is upon us. Will you travel with your family? Business travel scheduled during the sizzling summer? What hotels are doing the right things for their patrons?

Within the last few years, numbers of hotels that are providing lighter options for its patrons has risen. Among them, Starwood Hotels, (whose brands include Sheraton, Westin and W) reported it was eliminating all trans fat at its 400 plus hotels in North America and the Caribbean. Similarly, Marriott, Loews, Hampton's, Red Lion and Carlson, had plans to take out trans-fats from all foods at all or most of their hotels.

Around the same time, the Hyatt introduced its Stay Fit® Menu for the room service at all North American hotels. This menu emphasizes fresh, locally grown ingredients. Hyatt's Stay Fit® menu features appetizers such as: apple, endive and feta cheese salad; and white bean and tomato soup. Entrées include acorn squash ravioli and soba noodles with grilled tofu. Candlewood Suites is offering fruit, and a low fat, low carbohydrate breakfast choices such as cereal and yogurt as a "grab and go" option. Wyndham's "Field's and Sun" breakfasts include a cereal and yogurt bar, fresh fruit and fat free muffins. Radisson's "Tasteful Choices" menu emphasizes low calorie, low fat and low carbohydrate items. Loews offers breakfast items as tofu omelets, turkey based breakfast meats and vegetarian frittatas. Holiday Inn's Kem restaurants have changed their menus in order to cater to the demands for fresh and grilled food items. The restaurants have added more salads, a grilled or steamed vegetable plate and grilled salmon and have removed comfort foods like meatloaf and fried chicken. The Hilton worked with chefs and nutritional experts to create its chain wide Eat Right® menu that features delicious, L.E.A.N. choices.

Shortlist of hotels taking affirmative action towards healthier choices:

Starwood Hotels - including Sheraton Westin and W
Hilton Marriott
Loews Hamptons
Red Lion Carlson
Hyatt Candlewood Suites
Wyndham Radisson
Loews Holiday Inn

To expand a little, let's look a bit closer to some of these hotels. It's surprisingly difficult to find this information on some of the hotel websites. Nevertheless, there are some good things going on in several hotel brands.

Kimpton's - Kimpton's has something they call an in-room Mind.Body.Spa. As the name implies, it's all in your room. You can get massages with all organic products, 24-hour on-demand Pilates, and meditation channels on your TV. They also have yoga supplies you can borrow. The mini-bars are stocked with organic food and drinks.

Hilton - The Hilton Chain has been a forerunner in offering more healthful options. Working with professional chefs and even culinary institutes, they created their signature Eat Right® Menu. A lot of thought was put into making this menu both delicious, and healthy. We've already mentioned their Follow your Color breakfast menu. These are all very good steps and offerings for the L.E.A.N. business traveler.

Hyatt Regency - This chain has gone above and beyond creating both their signature StayFit @ Hyatt program, and the StayFit® Cuisine. The fitness program includes on-demand yoga DVDs, walking or running routes, and reportedly upgraded fitness equipment. Their dedication to helping guests be fit includes a 24-hour fitness concierge service whereby you can get workout clothes, and even armbands with GPS and heart rate monitors. The StayFit® menu offers healthy options such as steel-cut oatmeal and has actively sought to make meals tasty and wholesome.

Westin - The Westin can't be left out of the trend towards wellness. They are providing for health-minded guests. They, too, are offering in-room libraries of both fitness magazines and DVDs. They will put a treadmill or stationary bike in your room, and their exercise rooms are state-of-the-art. Menu wise, the Westin puts emphasis on so-called superfoods - those high in omegas and anti-oxidants, like green tea infused salmon.

Cambria - Cambria Suites are rising up in the ranks of hotels catering to travelers seeking healthier options. Their baby steps include banishing deep-fried foods from their menu and building 2,500-square-foot fitness and pool areas. Rooms are stocked with nice additions, such as green tea.

As you can see, hotels are making marked efforts to make changes in a variety of areas. If in doubt, call the hotel. In the end it should be possible to find a hotel that has every amenity you desire, including healthier food and environment.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Business Class

I have never flown in business class before. Well, that isn't exactly true, once I was flying with a colleague to Florida for work and she had the stomach flu so I upgraded us on Air Tran to business class so she would be more comfortable. On Air Tran that essentially meant we got ice cubes in our water. That was all fine and well, my friend was going to feel like hell regardless. I am just sure she appreciated the additional three inches of leg space that the upgrade gave us. She still owes me twenty-five bucks.

My first real experience with the upper class business traveler occurred coming home from Asia. My company decided to fly me coach on the way there and business class for the way home. I hadn't really known what to expect with the special treatment I was anticipating. I had heard you got some extras, extra attention, extra special food, and free booze. I was all over the idea of free booze. You find out quickly is that sitting up front is clearly a unique club. It's like being in the front seat with Dad when your younger sibs are smashed in the back seat all sweaty, snot nosed, and screaming, " Dad, Danny is looking at me!" As I did not know how to work anything, I watched in fascination as everyone went through his or her rituals. Some people quickly put on their first class slippers, others ordered a drink, and a couple had some odd punching routine with their pillows. I couldn't find my little TV. Everyone seemed to have one but me. In a somewhat pathetic tone, I asked where my TV was. I just said it out loud to no one in particular. The flight attendant came rushing over, like I had asked for a defibrillator. She pointed to the armrest. "Oh" I said, "down in this skinny slot." I was peering down into the slot, when the flight attendant nicely, but quietly whispered, "there's nothing else down there." I wanted to say in some exasperated tone, "Well I know that." But, that would have been a lie. Everything around me was so tightly packaged. How did I know there wasn't a pop tart or something waiting to be rescued?

Amazingly enough, before the masses have even gotten situated in coach, they are bringing us food. Not just food, but real choices. Pasta? Steak? Fish? "Are you kidding," I asked? It's hard to be such a rookie and have everyone know. I could have been savvier, but I hadn't really slept in eight days so I was unable to fake anything. I was hoping no one would ask me if his or her hair looked good, or if they looked fat in their new jeans. I felt a bit emotional too, which is usually what comes with exhaustion, lack of routine, and stress. Every time the flight attendant either said something nice or asked me if I wanted a refill, I would tear up.

I chose the fish and then... it began. I couldn't stop eating. I felt oddly compelled to eat everything they put in front of me. It was so pretty, they were so pretty, everyone was so nice, I just ate everything in my path. I knew I had crossed the digestive line, but I couldn't stop. There I was, "yes, I would like that, sure another glass of wine, oh, Baileys and ice cream, sounds great." I felt like the evening of Thanksgiving after having also just gotten my period. It's called "full." It becomes so out of hand, I say to the guy next to me, "are you going to eat that cookie?" I was afraid to actually nap, what if I missed the pound cake or something?

This got me thinking. Something takes over when you go into business class. And that alarms me. I say to the guy next to me, whom I've had a great couple of hours of conversation with, as well as munched on his leftovers, "do you know that there are 300 people behind that curtain who are miserable, cramped, and feeling homicidal?" He says, "huh?" I say, "EXACTLY."

My contention is when you've been flying business class for a fair amount of time, you FORGET. You simply FORGET. You think that the plane is actually only 4 rows of seats, 6 across. You believe that the world of travel is this amazing, nice, tidy, and comfortable place. That everyone in real life has their own TV monitor, slippers, blanket, personalized toothbrush, and little bag of mints. Maybe you thought that all three hundred people in that "other " part of the plane are also struggling with the menu and whether to stay on Atkins during the flight. Hello. The noise you hear that sounds like crinkling are three hundred people ripping open their 1-ounce bag of pretzels. Perhaps you thought is was the wrapping around their filet?

Not so much. Perhaps they don't really feed people back there because they are afraid that that many people may then have a bowel movement and four bathrooms for that many doesn't bode well. I found out that they don't let the people in coach use "our bathrooms." I'm sure its because those people have some undesirable elements that we in business class would not want to catch. Do people in coach not wash their hands? That must be it. That curtain preventing them from even thinking about our designer stalls seemed thicker than the new doors put on the cockpits. As they stand in line to pee, we're watching movies, reading the Wall Street Journal, and having someone fluff our pillows. There is Aveda in our bathroom, both a facial mist and hydrating lotion. I didn't realize how much the mist could rejuvenate my mature skin until now. I wish my friends could have seen me. I was totally glowing. Unfortunately my stomach was distended about 7 inches, but whatever, that mist took 6 months off my face.

Now let me be clear. I am grateful and appreciative of my company's willingness to go the extra mile for me here. It is not about that. It is the bigger picture. A lesson for everyone, next time you are flying a great distance and you are in business class, force yourself to remember about that last 37 rows. Throw them a brownie or something. On second thought, maybe some cheese.