Do It Go

There are many ways to present your menu and food choices in various restaurants. And depending on what you offer and the style of restaurant you have, you will want to display your menu in various ways. If you own an ice cream shop or coffee house you might be able to present customer options on a board, however, if you have any kind of sit down service establishment you will want to have some kind of menu that already exists at tables or can be brought to them. And once you establish that you will need some kind of a table menu, your options for style, design and format are limitless.

Table tents are a great thing to have on tables for almost any type of food establishment. If you have a bar that serves only appetizers they are fabulous ways of having the menu handy when there’s no hosting staff to offer them. Many restaurants will use table tents to display particular additional menu offerings such as dessert items or even specialties. Appetizers and desserts are the most common use of tents for standard full service restaurants and they actually do more than demonstrate options. Many people will flip through them during their meal and will become so interested in a particular item they end up ordering it when they had no original interest or intention to do so. Also, they provide a great reason for return trips, which is something they frequently inspire.

Tags: table tents
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The great news about the world today, is just how much information we have available to us at the click of our computer mouse. Even as recent as fifteen years ago, college students spent hours in the library, scrolling through microfiche and perusing card catalogs in search of information that can now be found in a few seconds Online . And just as hard as it is to get a young person to understand that at one time phones were really attached by cords to the wall, getting them to understand the frustration of conducting research using such things as card catalogs and microfiche is even more difficult.

With this greater freedom of information though, comes a responsibility. A responsibility for proper online search engine optimization, for monitoring what get “published” on the World Wide Web, about either an individual in the public eye, or about one’s own company, their products and their services. People will find your business by simply searching for it online, again…the Yellow Pages have gone the way of the microfiche.

What can happen is that people will start their own blog sites, or post videos on any number of public sites, and depending on their intentions, one’s reputation or the reputation of their company or their brand will be in jeopardy. One of the many positive aspects about search engine optimization services , is that these sites are monitored and through proactive intervention, the odds of your reputation suffering is decreased exponentially. It is a wonderful time to be experiencing the world through such technologically advanced means.

The rapid exchange of information is beneficial on so many levels. In taking care of challenges before they become detrimental, reputation management and search engine optimization ensures that the information that is being exchanged is above board, honest and accurate. There are many companies which specialize in such activities, and you owe it to yourself and to your business to employ their skills the moment you step into the public eye.

Tags: freedom of information, online, search engine optimization, search engine optimization services
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We really do live in a fantastic age, and at a very interesting time, too.  There are so many changes to how we think about things and do things, and it seems as though just when we get the hang of something, like a cell phone for example, there’s another new networking site that suddenly takes things by storm.  It’s impossible to even guess which technological networking device or site will be around in another decade, but it doesn’t seem as though these things will go away any time soon.  Some of us fight against them, refusing to join until it’s obvious that they’re extremely useful, and there are those who try to think ahead of the rest of the pack, and join everything for fear of missing out on the next big thing.

In the meantime, things have become much easier.  Although on most days there still seems to be too much to keep up with, the way we do things has essentially changed for so many typical things.  A major life change, for example, like moving, has become infinitely easier.  While it’s easy now to keep up with friends by subscribing to their photo accounts on flickr, it’s also easy to get a good look at the many rental properties available from Transglobe Property Management, where we can also learn more about the company and its team members.  This can give a wonderful peace of mind when you’re moving, so you can see the human face behind the company and learn about all of their many contributions to the communities where they work.

It’s also possible to keep your friends in pace with your own life.  Before, moving always meant figuring out how to tell a large group of people you were leaving, but facebook makes this very easy.  With a simple status update, you can tell all of your friends in seconds, and can also give new updates as you make the transition from one place to another.  This makes a major change much less heartbreaking, and less lonely.  Moving is always difficult, and it’s always exciting.  Transglobe Property Management is in touch with all the latest necessary technologies so that you’re sure you can be connected, and the changes are with a lot more knowledge, and more familiar faces, than any time in history.

Tags: facebook, flickr, Transglobe Property Management
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The proper employee training program is necessary in order to avoid poor performance.  Oddly enough, many companies to not have thorough training techniques in place, and people are put out on the floors, behind the counters or on the phones, not really certain of what it is they should be doing.  Companies must form a strategy that ensures that none of their employees are put into such situations, and to ensure that their company does not falter.  A syllabus or a manual which outline the procedures of the job and the policies of the company is a helpful tool.  Some people do learn by watching, but having a book there to refer back to provides a much more comprehensive learning experience.  It will broaden the scope.

Instead of leaving the asking of random questions that an employee will encounter, it will all be explained in full detail in the manual.  Just as the proper training for employees is vastly important, so to is the proper training of managers through leadership training courses and seminars.  A training program will include all of the procedures that an employee will need to be familiar with and to carry out, before they are presented with them for the first time.  There are three ways to make sure that you have provided your employees with the sufficient knowledge to do their jobs, through doing, seeing and hearing.

Trial runs on say such machines as the company computers, or in retail on the cash registers, will provide the new worker with something to draw upon.  Experience before the job actually begins.  This is when it becomes important to know that your trainers are chosen very carefully.  Just because a person is good at the job that they do, does not necessarily mean that they will be good trainers.  If possible, just one person should be in charge of the training of new employees. In this way you will be certain that the trainings are consistent, and that your new members of the team will know exactly what is expected of them.

Tags: employee training, leadership training, training of new employees
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For individuals who are not directly involved with customer service issues involved with their work or who do not frequently experience direct service as a consumer, the importance of excellence customer service can be an abstract thought and removed from their common mentality. That is in part why it while be an extremely unpleasant and surprising event when they actually encounter inadequate or negligent customer service when it is most necessary. This can also ring true for individuals who are greatly accustomed to supreme quality service and suddenly receive less than that.

And for those individuals who are actively involved in some service or retail industry and are ethical professionals who insist on providing the best service possible, it can be particularly frustrating and upsetting when they witness or experience poor service first hand. Meanwhile, the service provider or staff member who is actually delivering the less than adequate service may be the last to know how important excellent customer service is and the extent of damage they may be doing both to the company for which they work and also their own job security.
This why business professionals such as Steve Barbarich remain consistently focused on providing the best possible customer care and service. They have a full understanding that it simply does not matter to the consumer if the sales person has had a bad morning or is in a poor mood. If a staff person is facing a life circumstance that will affect their job performance they should remain at home. However, once any staff member arrives at work and steps into their position, they are completely responsible for the quality of service they deliver and there are no excuses for neglecting that responsibility. Companies should have an easily accessible standard set of service guidelines and train their staffs accordingly.

Tags: excellent customer servince, retail industry, Steve Barbarich
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Janet was recently selected to provide a seminar on customer service for members of her team at a clothing retail store. She was chosen because the year before she had attended such a seminar in Denver, Colorado. She actually enjoyed her experience there and also learned a great deal. Prior to the training Janet, like many people, assumed that great customer service was as simple as answering the questions that were asked and ringing up orders in a speedy manner. Janet was preparing notes based on that seminar training when she realized that she really needed a strong example to make her main points.

The training that she was designated to conduct would not take place until the following week and Janet decided she would rest on the material over the weekend. The next morning, which was a Saturday, she received a phone call from her mother asking her to go with her to pick out a new washer and dryer set. Janet agreed and thought it would be a nice outing and that the two of them could also enjoy a nice lunch while they were out. However, what ended up happening that afternoon could not have been a worse shopping experience for her mother, though coincidentally it provided Janet with the perfect real life example that she was seeking.

Business professionals such as Steve Barbarich will immediately recognize the errors and inappropriate behaviors involved in Janet’s experience with her mother. However, he happens to belong to an extremely ethical business population that is well aware of the importance of providing great customer service. From the beginning of their experience in that store it was unsatisfactory as Janet’s mother pointed out the numerous sales associates collected in groups having what appeared to be personal conversations that took priority over greeting customers. Then the two of them ended up standing in front of a washer and dryer set for about ten minutes before they could finally flag down someone who looked irritated at the interruption. The sales associate had a scowl on her face as she seemed reluctant to answer simple questions about the product. She sighed in what seemed like frustration when Janet’s mother asked why one model might be a better option than another. The situation continued in that manner until finally Janet’s mother decided she would not buy anything from that person or home appliance store. The following week at the seminar this story prompted a productive conversation on the nature of customer service.

Tags: home appliance store, new washer and dryer set
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A business that provides their customers and clients with great customer service will benefit in many ways.  Not only will they make a profit in the long run with repeat business, but they will be respected among their peers and fellow business associates.  One of the first steps is take right at the initial point of contact, the first meeting.  When customers walk in the door they should be greeting quickly, attentively and respectfully.  This will let them know that they are valuable to you, and will make them comfortable with the knowledge they you know that they are there.  This is important when a business is busy, as it is easy to become distracted with the tasks at hand.  Just a simple nod or “hello” will ensure them that you will be with them as soon as you can be.  If it feels appropriate, many people like to be called by their name.  Remembering someones name will let them know that you have an investment in the continued relationship that is being developed.

As Steve Barbarich knows through good customer service practice, it is about being aware of the fact that when people are spending money in your business or on your products, the expect and deserve value and quality.  The staff should be extremely well trained on the products and services, and be capable of answering any questions that may arise.  This applies to knowing about the warranties and the guarantees, the prices and the promotional offers.  If a staff member must fumble through manuals or search for the answers, this will indicate that they do not thoroughly know what they are doing.  Should one need to look for the answer, do so as quickly as possible.  Quite simply, be helpful and courteous.  For even if it does seem to be immediately profitable, it will pay off in the end as the repeat customers will grow in number ensuring the continued success of your business.

Tags: customer service, repeat customers, Steve Barbarich
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Though leadership skills development are a popular initial thought when most people think of business, there are other routes to maintaining a foothold in the cooperate world. Search engine optimization is a large part of what smart companies do to disseminate the company name and culture to the web. In fact, those with leadership skills development would be smart to study the evolving and mutable field of SEO since the internet has transformed the manner in which people do business these days. Great leaders those who are proactive in searching for ways to help a company grow, and SEO instruction is definitely a way to do exactly that.

Originally, SEO was just another part of the job for website managers, but it was an extremely simplified version of what SEO entails these days. Presently, professionals and experts in the field of SEO are in great demand. There are also more and more people who want to study SEO services because it has changed from a minor duty to a feasible and often successful career for those who choose it. It is not unusual for a good SEO specialist to make about $80,000 in a year. Those who work in a freelance capacity have the opportunity to make more money than that.

Business training often includes some familiarization with what SEO is and what it can do. It is obviously becoming a more recognized and celebrated career in the professional world. For some people though, there are downsides to the type of career an SEO provides. It is totally reliant upon search engines, obviously, and because search engines are constantly refiguring their algorithms—evolutions not usually released to the general business world—refiguring you techniques can be difficult and challenging. Many SEO professionals in the business for many years claim that even they must often make a guess as to what will work. A minor modification in the algorithm can make a site drop from the number one position to the hundredth position. Such dramatic results are quite sobering, especially to those techies who prefer stability in their work. More challenging is informing cliental about this change. The constant changes search engines provide is also viewed as a positive by those who yearn for challenge in their work. SEO is definitely not a career for everybody, but it is a popular career with many positive attributes that make it attractive to many in the business world.

Tags: algorithms, Business training, leadership skills development, website managers
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The Basel Committee conducted a research survey in 1999.  This survey focused on the internal workings of banks throughout the world, in regards to their practices of due diligence and how well they practiced the know your customer policies and procedures.  These procedures have been in place in financial institutions for many years, and are a few of the ways that banks ensure that they are not unknowingly involved with people or businesses that are committing illegal acts of corruption such as the financing of terrorists or money laundering scams.  Bank managers and presidents are aware of the importance of these policies, and are working with their employees to make certain that the new and existing customers have reputations that are clean and above board.

For not only is there the threat of a significant loss financially, they may be held criminally liable in cases of fraud and corruption themselves.  What was found in the 1999 survey, was that at that time, there were many deficiencies in the practice of due diligence when it involved foreign banking procedures.  In some countries, they did not even have these policies in place and in other more developed countries, the gap between the policies and the enforcement of those policies was great.

They printed out a guideline book, and distributed it bank managers, in the hopes that the rules and the laws would be better understood, and therefore easier for those institutions to implement their own procedures.  This differed from that which was put out by the Financial Action Task Force. The FATF guidelines were about avoiding the legal consequences of not practicing due diligence while the Basel Committee’s guidelines focused more on the protection of the reputation of the institutes.  The business that a bank may lose if it is found out that they had been involved in acts of corruption, whether or not they were aware of it, is detrimental and has been the ruin of banks and businesses in the past.  The key is to allows know with whom one is becoming involved with and to practice the gathering of the knowledge with due diligence.

Tags: banks, Basal Committee, corruption, Financial Action Task Force, fraud, illegal practices, Money laundering, scams, terrorism
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Ethics has been a philosophical science for hundreds of years, beginning with the consideration of certain acts or behaviors by such men as Socrates and Plato. What business ethics is, is just the simple applications of the concepts of morality to the world of business. What the anti-corruption agencies focus on the legal aspect of such action as bribery and money laundering, they also serve to create and maintain business relations that remain moral and ethical in nature. What is applied in the study of the philosophy of ethics, is enforced by federal law, and that is quite simply, what is right and what is wrong, on a social level as well as the economic level. One way in which agencies maintain this is by having a set of checks and balances. Businesses and those in foreign offices must keep records and accounts of their actions and their dealings, and those records must be available to the law enforcement agencies, or in the public officials case to the public.

This creates a transparency, a clear view of what is actually happening. This has an effect that is two-fold. It brings to light when inconsistencies give way to corrupt actions, and it serves to protect those who are wrongly accused of such actions. It is a way for one to keep the receipts so to speak, the evidence of no wrong doing. When companies do not follow this system through negligence or ignorance they risk being convicted of committing crimes that they actually had taken no part in. Corruption is not only an economic or a political problem, but the true heart of the matter is that it is an ethical problem. It is the use of power over one that is seen as weaker, in order to take advantage of them for personal gain. Corruption destroys the economy, it destroys society and public morale, careers, business ventures, and it can bring a country to ruin.

Tags: anti-corruption, Socrates, transparency
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There are two different ways in which lenders in Canada can recover on defaulted loans that result in foreclosures.  Vancouver laws may differ from another region such as Ottawa or Ontario, and it is best to have an in depth knowledge and understanding of the laws for one’s own region.  One way a lender will attempt to collect on a debt is by a judicial sale.  These cases involve the lenders attaining authority granted through the court system, before selling the property, they must apply for the permission to do so and the court system remains extensively involved throughout the process. 

The power of sale, requires no court involvement.  The lender has been given the right in the existing mortgage documents that will allow them to auction off the house and recuperate their loss.  This varies from province to province, as well as other laws surrounding the process of foreclosure.  In New Burnswick, Prince Edward Island and Ontario, it is this power of sale system that is used.  In Manitoba, Alberta and Quebec it is the judicial process that is enforced.  And within these provinces, their own procedures vary as well. 

The main difference is in the involvement of the courts, and in the beginning of the entire process.  In the provinces wherein the power of sale is used, the home owner is sent a notice in the mail, stating that the lender has started the foreclosure.  In the provinces wherein the judicial system is involved, a lawsuit filed against the home owner and anyone else involved who may have liability in the case starts the process.  And in power of sale, the lender is just trying to recover the loan amount, usually this happens with the sale of the property, however with judicial provinces, the owner is sued by the borrower in a court of law.

Tags: foreclosure, Vancouver
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There are many aspects of the skill of human communication and interaction that one will find useful in the various management training and human resources programs.  There are conventional methods that are ignored by the bad managers, they are followed by the good managers, and quite often those methods and those rules are actually broken by the truly great managers.  Much in the same way society questions whether or not artistic talent is born, and not learned, such is true in the business world.

Whether or not one went to art school, one can see a difference in a drawing, or painting or sculpture that is executed ‘right’.  But when one stands in front of a Degas drawing, or a Picasso painting, or a Michelangelo sculpture, one senses that difference, as if those artists had a kind of awareness that just can not be taught.  A great manager knows instinctively how to select the best employees, how to develop them and how to motivate their teams in such a way to produce the best results.

One of the aspects in which a great manager is defined, is just that, the results one produces and the quality of the performance of their staff. One way a great manager paves their own way, is just simply hiring good people.  They are aware of those they are interviewing during the human resource meetings.  They know, that in general most humans just do not change.  A great manager knows to look for what they need and want, and that the qualities necessary for job performance and success are those qualities that a prospective candidate already possesses.

It is impossible to put talent in, but exciting to draw it out.  This insight is valuable when creating any team, it involves taking a look at one can do already, not how to fix something, or come up with ways to enhance weak talent or ability.  The skill and the talent must be there at the beginning.  Public speaking training and coaching should not be geared at that idea of fixing someone, but as stated, it should be focused on expanding what is already there.

Tags: Do Great Managers Break the Rules?, Michelangelo, performance of their staff, public speaking training
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So you hate your job! Don’t you wish you could work at Google? With their free food and awesome perks? Well some places to work that seem wonderful may not be the best place for you to work. While employee motivation and morale are very important, every employee reacts to it differently.

Companies do these types of things because they want to have high employee retention. They want their employees to be happy, so they will in turn, work well and the business will see more success. Things such as corporate team building lead to positive employee retention.

Happiness is a difficult concept to define, and can be even more difficult to define in the work place. This is because not everyone has the same reasons for working. Work is actually quite a personal thing and something that not everyone sees as a necessity. Some people work just for money and other because it gives them a sense of fulfillment. While others work because they can’t imagine not doing it. Even if you hate your job you should try to do something that brings you joy every day. This way, even if your job sucks, at least you got to do something you liked for part of the day.

Take charge of your own work development. You are the person most interested in seeing you succeed. So take charge of that and go have some customer service training or find another way to get ahead professionally.

Another way to stay happy at work is to ask for feedback. Don’t be the employee who sulks in the corner and just gets all of her work done. Interact with your boss, ask questions when you do not understand things. This shows you have an interest in your work and how you do it, which your boss will notice in the long run.

The best piece of advice is to stay positive!

Tags: corporate team building, customer service training, Employee motivation, google
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Students who have just graduated from college or those people just looking for a life change should consider all the options available to them when they are looking for employment. Don’t just look to different states in the Union for employment opportunities; consider looking to job opportunities abroad as well.

Job opportunities abroad are as vast and varied as they are in the United States. Sure the process may be more difficult, but living in a different country and working can be quite eye opening. Not to mention it will set your resume apart from any other candidate when you do decide to come back to the United States.

Business may take you abroad for a management seminar or convention sometimes, but there is no comparison to actually living and operating in a different country. What you will learn about yourself is completely invaluable to any other kind of job opportunity you can come across on job boards in the United States.

The leadership skills development that you can achieve in a work abroad position will definitely help you in areas of national business and international business.

When considering living abroad you must take into consideration what it will take to obtain a work visa in the country of your choice. Some countries have much more stringent policies than others and it will take a considerable amount of time, money and effort. Also, consider that you are uprooting your entire life and everything that you know.

Don’t make it a rash decision. Think it through if you are thinking about working abroad. This isn’t just sales management training , it’s going to be a long term commitment.

Job opportunities abroad are at least something to put into your repertoire when you are looking for a new job. It’s always a good idea to expand your horizons, or at least your search region when job hunting!

Tags: leadership skills development, management seminar, sales management training
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Many people in the job market right now have extremely marketable and specified skills. Except, there are no jobs where you can use them right now because of the way the economy has shuffled out. Big business is downgrading, but you can start thinking about upgrading your life. Have you ever thought about becoming your own boss?  If you have, you already have that little spark of entrepreneurship in you.

Before you take the leap, there are some things you need to take into consideration. First off, this new endeavor does not necessarily mean steady pay. And you will have to find your own health insurance.  Becoming an entrepreneur is risky but can carry very big rewards.

Figure out if you have the kind of personality that is needed to work out on your own. You may think you have what it takes, but self-employment can be quite daunting. Most people cannot handle not having a steady paycheck. Also, your business is always going to be on your mind, even when you take a break, especially in the beginning.

Before taking the plunge, talk to people who have gone out on their own.  It never hurts to do a little research.  Learning from other people’s experiences may give you the boost you need to get motivated or may make you rethink your decision, which is of course, completely fine!

You also need to start thinking about applying for loans. You will need start-up capital for your business and to keep your head above water while you are starting out.

Make sure you are passionate about your endeavor and choose something you think the market is missing. That’s what Steven Barbarich did after being unhappy with a spa he purchased. He started choosehottubsdirect.com after that.

Realize you are taking a risk, but it can be so rewarding.

Tags: entrepreneur, Steven Barbarich
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The traditional dance and music of the Andalusian Gypsies of Spain is the Flamenco.   The roots in this art form come from various cultures, the Moors, the Andalusians and the Gypsies and the dances and the songs have been cultivated over many centuries.  In the early 1,800′s this form of expression became very popular and has since that time, become  widely performed and widely viewed,  many shows being done and seen in the coffee shops, the bars, and the restaurants of the five star Madrid hotels,  and the cafes throughout the entire country.  In the city of Madrid there is a wide variety of shows to see.

One of the most fine and most impressive flamenco shows is performed nightly at the Taberna Casa Patas.  Very well known artists, the musicians and the dancers have performed here in the past, such as Chano Lobato, Remedios Amaya, and La Nina Pastori.  This is a well known venue however is not known to be overrun by tourists, it is a very traditional spot.  Dinner is served before the show begins and throughout the show as well.  Casa Patas is famous for the tapas menu as well as their seafood and steaks, and the house speciality, the tail of a bull.

One of the most established and oldest venues for flamenco is located near the Royal Palace in the older section of Madrid.  This is Cafe de Chinitas and it is set in a palace from the eighteenth Century.  Many of the best, local and international flamenco stars have performed here over the years.  The shows here alternate monthly, and as with the previously stated venue the food here is out of this world.  And then there is the Corral de la Moreria, a venue that began in 1956 and has been known to attract many celebrities, artists and famous sportsman and ever a rock band here and their.  Audience members in the pasts have included the band U2,  the boxing champion Muhammad Ali, Picasso and Frank Sinatra.  It is no wonder as the shows performed here are considered by some to be the absolute best in the world.  These are just three of the many venues that will provide one with a night out of the traditional music, dance and cuisine when traveling through Madrid this summer.

Tags: Famous Flamenco, hotels, La Nina Pastori, Madrid, U2
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There are many opportunities for work in the tourism industry throughout the country of Spain.  Many travel to the city and fund their ‘vacations’ by working in the service industry, such as in the restaurants, bars, or the five star hotels.  Spain is a very laid back and welcoming country, and in most of the cities many of the people and the businesses will give foreigners the opportunities for employment throughout their stay.  And if one is in need of learning the language as well, the people are extremely helpful in teaching one along the way, while still offering employment.  Any traveler from one of the other European countries will find it extremely easy to find work.  There are various regions throughout Spain, and each region speaks with a different dialect, so while most businesses are willing to give outsiders jobs, it goes without saying that should one speak the dialect of a region, finding work becomes much easier.

Due to the tourism, there are opportunities to work in various cities and villages along the coastline.  More than half of the population living in Spain works in the service industry, and many in the country alternate jobs, working in the industry during the season and picking fruit during the off-season.  For those skilled at water activities and sports, there are many positions available, through teaching scuba diving, to surfing, to sailing and windsurfing.  One of the more popular spots for diving are the Medes Islands.  More that 60,000 dives are taken into the waters of the Mediterranean here each year.  Many of the schools located here cater to English speaking tourists, so this may be a better location to find work if one does not speak on of the dialects.

And of course there are the Balearic Islands, which provide a wide range of opportunities for seasonal work.  Many who work on the islands do so while they are taking their own vacations as well.  The club scene in Ibiza is legendary, and the staff in most of the clubs and bars are internationally diverse.  Mallorca has many opportunities for work in the bars and restaurants and tends to be a bit less trendy and more relaxed.  There are many British owned businesses on the islands as well, for those seeking jobs, that are a bit more suited for older people, without the party atmosphere.  In all, this is a great way to travel, especially in these times when vacations may be a bit out of the financial reach of some, they are able to finance vacation time, by working in the vacation spots of Spain.

Tags: Balearic Islands, hotels, Medes Island, Spain, work
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The focus of the Barcelona’s Botanical Gardens is to be of service to the ecosystem and to society.  This particular garden not only showcases some of the most incredible plants of the Mediterranean, but is dedicated to the documentation and conservation of the heritage of the natural world of Catalonia.  This region, and the city of Barcelona in particular, has a long history of botanical traditions, farming and gardening.  Many of the city buildings and five star Barcelona hotels are surrounding by blooming plants year round.  The Botanical Garden’s staff seeks to ensure that these cultural traditions remain.  They provide educational activities for all, from the amateur home gardeners to the scientists that travel to the Garden for lectures and seminars.  Many schools throughout the city take tours and classes throughout the year.  The Garden receives support of the Botanical Institute of Barcelona.  The Garden boasts and large reference library and one of the most extensive collections in their herbarium in all of Catalonia.

The buildings in the gardens were designed by two well known Spanish architects,  Josep Lluis Canosa and Carlos Ferrater.  The genius behind the design for the landscaping was Bet Figueras, and a horticulturalist and a biologist were instrumental as well, Artur Bossy and Joan Pedrola, respectively.  The team had a few aspects to consider, which was the structural layout of the vegetation, and designing that layout to fit withing the mountain that it was being created on.  The result is one of the most incredible gardens in the world.  The winding paths are a perfect way to spend the afternoon.  And the perfect way to be able to see most of the plants of the region, all in one place.  This garden and the research that has been conducted here has influenced all of the cities parks and created a city that is not only one of the most incredible to walk around, but one that has begun to conserve and protect the environment as well.

Tags: Barcelona, Botanical Garden, Catalonia, hotels, spanish architects
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The term ‘culture jamming’ has become the phrase used when describing the ways that artists intervene with commercialism.  The band Negativland is credited for coining the phrase.  One of the local street artists in Barcelona has been ‘culture jamming’ for years.  Jorge Rodriguez Gerada a Cuban born painter has been living in the city and has been adding to the amazing street art scene in many ways, one of which includes the altering of billboards and other forms of public advertisements of Barcelona, Spain.  Hotel walls, and street signs have been painted over by Gerada in an attempt to parody the ads and to change the messages that are conveyed.  Gerada is known as one of founders of this art form, one of the most creative and skilled.

He has been creating a series throughout Barcelona called ‘The Identity Series‘  for almost seven years.  Beginning in 2002, Gerada put large scale charcoal drawings of people on the building walls in various locations throughout the city.  Charcoal will not stand up to the elements but this fact is all part of Gerada’s process and message.  His intention in creating these works that will be destroyed eventually by the wind and the rain, is to convey the message that memory and place are two important components in the establishment of identity.  He wants to question the control enforced through the use of public property.

He questions commercialism and brand name items, and the way in which these companies advertise their brands.  He states that everyone should question those who appear to be choosing the role models and the icons of culture, and to be aware of the manipulation of corporate companies.  He creates his works using models of everyday people.  His hopes being, that when an anonymous person becomes important, people will begin to become more empathetic and aware, that even though the image will fade the memory will remain.  His works are throughout the city in Spain and should be a part of every walking tour through the street galleries of Barcelona.

Tags: Barcelona, Culture Jamming, galleries, hotel, Identity Series, Spain, street artists
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Last November, a giant sand painting was created in Barcelona, Spain.  Luxury hotels,  cafes, and city walls of Barcelona have long been known to provide the street artists with the ‘canvases’ in which to express themselves, artistically, politically, and philosophically.  This sand painting is no different.  The piece is titled ‘Expectation’ and is the work of Barcelona artist Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada.   The artist had a consultant in architect Alex Gimenez Imirizaldu.  The painting is a portrait of United States President Barack Obama.  Rodriguez-Gerada used a graphics system, and a topographical map to plan the piece of art work, before the 2008 elections took place in 2008.  The artist stated at the time that the work was on such a grand scale because of the sense of hope that Obama’s supporters had felt, and that the entire world felt, about the campaign and about the man that Obama is.  Obama had evoked such a yearning for change that extended the boundaries of his own country and affected most all other countries in the world.

Rodriguez used six hundred and fifty tons of colored sand to create the piece that signifies the impact that the election had for the world, the power that was felt in the idea of a man such as Obama, is in modern times and history, without precedent.  The artist’s choice to create this massive mural with sand has symbolic connotations as well.  Many indigenous tribes of the world such as the Monks in Tibet, the Native Americans in the United States and the Aborigines of outback Australia, all practice the art of sand painting during rituals of healing ceremonies.  This is a metaphor very easy to distinguish as the idea of Obama’s leadership created the idea that with him leading the U.S., not only would the U.S. be able to heal, but again, the entire world would also.  There are many examples of street art in Barcelona,  and this is one piece that is most brilliant and astounding.

Tags: Barcelona, Expectation, hotels, Naitive Americans, Obama, Rodriguez-Gerada, Spain
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Offering ample urban delights, lovely beaches, and luxury hotels, Dubai (UAE), is a breed apart.  Situated between old and new worlds, Dubai offers the finest of creature comforts along with the most cutting edge modern delights.  Exquisite beaches and stunning shopping malls are just the beginning here.  Annually, there are a host of festivals, with international film celebrities, rock and roll musicians, and literary giants, participating in the cultural life here.  It is truly an international city, with a focus on developing the local talents, and a keen eye toward global culture.

It may come as no surprise, then, that there is a sports café opening here, by none other than Argentine world football great, Maradona.  Diego Armando Maradona is one of the most visible and famous soccer players  in the history of the Beautiful Game.  Perhaps most well-known for his two goals against England in  1986, goals called, “the Hand of God,” and “the Goal of the Century,” he retired from the game at the ripe old age of 37.

Set to open at the end of the year, The Maradona Sports Café will be modeled on Planet Hollywood-style eating establishments, and will be a lively gallery of world soccer culture, featuring memorabilia from such football giants Zico, Dunga, Garrincha Pele, and of course, Maradona himself.   The chain of cafes will also have large-screen televisions showing some of the greatest moments of football in televised history.

Not simply a living testament to the greatness of football, these cafes also serve a larger, humanitarian purpose.   The soccer great’s brother, Remigio Maradona, is a Permanent Observer on the UN’s Economic and Social Council, and he has arranged to have a portion of the profits here to benefit the battle against global malnutrition.  These new cafes, then, will serve multiple purposes, in promoting and contributing to the cultural life in Dubai, giving football fans a new and exciting place to hang out, and contributing to the betterment of the world at large.

Tags: Cafe, Dubai, hotels, Maradona, Remigio, Sports
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A stunning blend of urban adventures and luxury hotels, Chennai is India’s fourth largest city in terms of size, but number one in hospitality.  With a rising presence in the global technology field, top-notch local sports teams participating in the international sports arena, and of course, beach, plenty of beach, there is something for everyone here.

One of its more intimate attractions is the famous coffee.  Known as Indian filter coffee, or Madras coffee, it’s a local treat that has an international reputation.  This sweet, milky coffee is made with milk and dark roasted coffee beans with chicory.  The coffee beans can be from a wide variety such as Peaberry, Arabica, and Karnataka, among others.  The wide appeal of this coffee comes from its very intricate and complicated brewing process.  There are special machines made expressly for this purpose, and the method of preparing involves two separate concoctions of water, and then mixing the milk and sugar in a very particular manner.

There are many households who will begin their preparations for Indian filter coffee the night before, so that the members of the house can be greeted with this wonderful treat first thing in the morning.  It’s a far cry from setting the timer and putting the grounds in a basket, the way it’s done for the mass-produced coffee makers sold around the world.  This method requires great care, and much attention, so that it is, really, an art form.   Without the great care needed for the preparation of this sensational coffee, the result could be a bitter surprise (pun intended!).  For those who are willing to take the time to learn, the result is fantastic, and there are actually tons of recipes and discussions, and much debate, over how best to prepare Madras coffee.  To become proficient in the art is to enter into a long tradition, one that continues to define the culinary feats of Chennai.

Tags: Channai, coffee, hotels, India, Indian, Madras
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India is known as ‘The Mother of Beads.’ It gets the honor because it is home to three major bead industries, glass, stone and clay for well over 4000 years and began in Arikamedu, India. This region was populated by sophisticated people called the Harappan or Indus Valley Civilization. Back in the day, they exported these gem minerals beads to Mesopotamia, the Levant and then to Egypt. Through the years, bead making centers have changed, but the source for agates and carnelians has always been found in the riverbeds of lower Narmada River.The source of the stones remain the same and also the way in which they are turned into beads has changed very little. Evidence of large-scale drawn-glass beadmaking has been found by archeologits in Arikamedu. Glass was used to create false gems and the production of these glass beads continued with little interruption up to the 17th century, constituting the largest and longest-lived glass bead industry.

The traditional tools to make the beads were handmade bows, a sheep’s knuckle and a bowl of water. In this current century, electricity has been added to a few steps in the grinding and polishing. Also, the technology of the double-tipped diamond drill, but the drill is powered by a ‘hand-driven’ bow. Mass Manufacturing of beads has made the traditional hand-made bead a lucrative business for the bead artisan due to the fact that they are hand-made by the traditional way.

India’s Beads have played a diverse role throughout time, as religious artifacts or a medium of exchange and currency. Beads with blue dots were traded for palm oil. Yellow beads were often traded for gold.  India’s beads also have a significant spiritual meaning. The traditional bead craft is done by women who sit together in the shade protected from the hot afternoons, picking up the beads, one by one to form the tight honeycomb patterns that depict their world. Depicting parrots, peacocks, trees or a lotus flower. Enticing more tourist, not only Mumbai Bombay Hotel have been known allow the trading of beads by the locals in and around their establishment, but at the local farmer’s markets and coffeshops, you will find bartering going on and India’s beads used as trade.

Tags: Beads, Bombay, hotels, India, knuckles, Mesopotamia, Mumbai
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A Singapore coffee shop is called a Kopi Tiam. Kopi Tiams have long been a part of the social fabric of its community. You can almost find them on every corner; they are commonly found in all residential areas, some industrial sites and business districts numbering over 2,000 stalls or shops. A Kopi Tiam is typically run by the owner who sells the coffee, teas and any other beverage available. Breakfast items, like kaya toast and soft-boiled eggs are also available. The better Kopi Tiam and more traditional, still buy and roast their own beans and brewed on a charcoal grill, strained through a bag and severed with sweet milk and a chaser of hot water. The hot water a necessity for those not used to a strong coffee.

Despite the exodus of Malaysian coffee-drinking society from the Kopi Tiams to the new hip and cool incorporated coffee shop such as Starbucks and Coffee Bean, the coffee shop still figures prominently as a part of the local scene, to all Singapore Luxury Hotels and rural countryside rest stops for the weary traveler. Kopi Tiams are still around due to not only a place to get a hot drink or a quick meal, but their atmosphere of relaxation and for catching up with friends, neighbors and local news read out-loud from the newspaper. What corporate coffee shop can say that they read, out-loud, the newspaper to their customers?

To compete with today’s corporate chain coffee shops, the outdoor Kopi Tiam has had to move into the food-courts of shopping malls for the air-conditioning and the convenience of shopping for their customers. But, many Kopi Tiam owners are sticking it out and not going with the trend and capturing the attention of the younger generations disillusionment with the corporate look-a-like coffee shops wanting the experience of the uniquely wonderful tastes of a neighborhood tradition. Do to the tenacity of these Kopi Tiam owners and promoting the concept of buying local, once again, the humble, unassuming Kopi Tiam is becoming a lucrative business.

Tags: coffee, hotle, Kopi Tiams, Singapore, Starbucks
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