Across all industries in different markets around the globe, social media marketing is seeing a phenomenal rise. Businesses are beginning to dedicate serious funds and manpower for it, and customers are responding positively.
Companies are also generally keen on monitoring trends – for example, that Facebook continues to be the top platform and thus should get the most share of the resources. But behind the popular trends that are guiding important marketing decisions are the less known but equally important patterns. We look at those trends in this article:
Social media drives traffic to the website. In a survey conducted by Social Media Examiner participated in by 3,720 marketers, business owners and solopreneurs from the U.S. and abroad, while social media primarily promotes exposure for the brand, its number two benefit is how it drives traffic to the company website.
This means that while social media is truly an area of growth, companies should also strive for their web portal to keep up, by offering something fresh for all these new visitors that social media will draw. Moreover, they should ensure continuity and consistency in brand messaging, so that both platforms only serve to strengthen the brand, and not confuse the users.
Social media access is also growing on desktops. Everyone is excited about the significant rise of social media consumption via mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. In response, many businesses took the steps to ensure that their content are mobile-friendly, and that is good practice. But not everybody knows that social media access via desktop is also growing, as revealed in a study of comScore last March 2015.
The research says that adoption of mobile devices did not, in fact, cut the use of social media activity via desktop. Instead, it simply complemented it, by providing access when desktop viewing is not possible, e.g. when on the go, when in bed, or during waiting times. This means that companies can still devote resources towards social media materials meant for desktops, and expect the same level of engagement.
Interest-based networks may be the next big thing. Social media networking is currently largely people-based – one adds people he knows personally. And much of this kind of networking happens on Facebook, and other sites that attempted to operate on the same framework have failed, or are failing. According to HootSuite CEO Ryan Holmes, interest-based groups have a much better chance at growing (and sticking around), despite Facebook.
To learn more about navigating social media marketing, get in touch with digital marketing experts today.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Alternative Investments on the Rise
In 2008, the financial sector faced one of its worst crises, which led to the fall of some of the biggest names in the industry. As a result of that crisis, portfolio managers have been constantly on the lookout for ways to mitigate risks and ensure profitability amid the unexpected developments in the world of asset management. Turning to alternative investments has been one such course.
Most fund managers refer to alternative investments as funds whose dynamic run contrary to the movement of traditional investments such as bonds and public equities, and the rest of the market. Thus, it can be said they promote portfolio stability. Among the types of alternative investments are private equity funds, hedge funds, and real estate.
Two years ago, alternative assets accounted for 12% of the industry assets globally. The numbers are expected to rise further: By 2020, experts predict that alternatives’ share will be 15%. Key to this expected growth is a client base that more and more appreciates the strategies being employed by fund managers to address the risks associated with alternative investments.
Furthermore, alternative asset managers are becoming increasingly regulated, and they have been responding well, through the adoption of services and technology that boost transparency and efficiency in operations. With this development, financial advisors and the fund managers themselves will be more confident about presenting alternative investments as a truly profitable venture to the erstwhile hesitant client-investors.
Truly, alternative investments present a lot of opportunities for asset diversification – a popular strategy to minimize risks amid a fast-changing financial landscape. It is a landscape that has been welcoming the entry of new players and heightened interest in new markets across the globe, especially in Asia. This year, for example, a Deutsche Bank survey revealed that 30% of investors are keen on investing in China and over 25%, in India, with the figures representing an increase of about 12% and 21%, respectively.
To find growth in the alternative assets scene, it is important that fund managers leverage middle and back office solutions to aid in fund administration, accounting, reporting, data management, and client relation functions. Having the human resources and the technology infrastructure to provide support in these roles spell the difference between high-performing alternative assets managers from the rest. And as is often the case in the financial sector, good performance only leads to more investors, which lends the opportunity for even greater success.
Most fund managers refer to alternative investments as funds whose dynamic run contrary to the movement of traditional investments such as bonds and public equities, and the rest of the market. Thus, it can be said they promote portfolio stability. Among the types of alternative investments are private equity funds, hedge funds, and real estate.
Two years ago, alternative assets accounted for 12% of the industry assets globally. The numbers are expected to rise further: By 2020, experts predict that alternatives’ share will be 15%. Key to this expected growth is a client base that more and more appreciates the strategies being employed by fund managers to address the risks associated with alternative investments.
Furthermore, alternative asset managers are becoming increasingly regulated, and they have been responding well, through the adoption of services and technology that boost transparency and efficiency in operations. With this development, financial advisors and the fund managers themselves will be more confident about presenting alternative investments as a truly profitable venture to the erstwhile hesitant client-investors.
Truly, alternative investments present a lot of opportunities for asset diversification – a popular strategy to minimize risks amid a fast-changing financial landscape. It is a landscape that has been welcoming the entry of new players and heightened interest in new markets across the globe, especially in Asia. This year, for example, a Deutsche Bank survey revealed that 30% of investors are keen on investing in China and over 25%, in India, with the figures representing an increase of about 12% and 21%, respectively.
To find growth in the alternative assets scene, it is important that fund managers leverage middle and back office solutions to aid in fund administration, accounting, reporting, data management, and client relation functions. Having the human resources and the technology infrastructure to provide support in these roles spell the difference between high-performing alternative assets managers from the rest. And as is often the case in the financial sector, good performance only leads to more investors, which lends the opportunity for even greater success.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
My Journey Towards Ethical Eating (Part 5): Questions to Ask
This article is part of an article series. Check out the earlier parts of this series here, here, here and here.
For this entry, I’d like to list down the many questions to ask each time you pick up an item at the supermarket, or point to a dish on a restaurant menu.
On farm practices. From which farm does your local mart or cafe source its agricultural products? What can they say about said farm’s production practices? Can you visit and will they be proud of what you’ll see? Are they small and family-owned, or are they a huge agricultural complex with mechanized systems (or somewhere in between)? Are their practices disturbing the ecological balance, or can they be seamlessly integrated within the Earth’s cycles to renew itself? Do they observe soil-building principles?
On labels. Like I explained in my previous entry, there are a lot of terms used to refer to supposedly sustainable products, but they can be confusing. For example, while organic cattle should have some access to pasture, but it might not fill all the criteria to be called pasture-raised. Another example: Pasture-raised beef is not always grass-fed, the cow may also have been fed with grains sometimes. Similarly, cattle can be grass-fed but not necessarily in a pasture. So the important question is, what exactly does its label mean? Additionally, who assigned this label? Was it self-proclaimed, or was it, in fact, certified organic, free-range, or pasture-raised?
On the people behind the products. Who picked the eggs to be used for my croque madame? Were they paid the right wages and provided with the benefits they need and deserve? Were they protected from the harms that come with farm work? Or were they exposed to toxic pesticides? If I pay for this item, how much of my money will actually go to them? Or will the profits simply end up in the pockets of a multinational corporation’s executives?
On the plants and animals. Were they treated with respect? In what conditions were they raised? Were they not crammed together in tight spaces all the time? Were they injected with chemicals that undermined their own natural body processes? Or can one say that they lived a happy and peaceful life? As for fruits and vegetables, what was used on them as they grew? Was that piece of pear bathed with pesticides for it to land smooth and spot-free on your hands?
I hope that this series about my journey towards ethical eating has inspired you to ask questions, to know more about how diet affects our bodies, our fellow living creatures, and our planet.
This is a guest blog post by Richard A Kimball. To learn more about him, check out his profiles here and here.
For this entry, I’d like to list down the many questions to ask each time you pick up an item at the supermarket, or point to a dish on a restaurant menu.
On farm practices. From which farm does your local mart or cafe source its agricultural products? What can they say about said farm’s production practices? Can you visit and will they be proud of what you’ll see? Are they small and family-owned, or are they a huge agricultural complex with mechanized systems (or somewhere in between)? Are their practices disturbing the ecological balance, or can they be seamlessly integrated within the Earth’s cycles to renew itself? Do they observe soil-building principles?
On labels. Like I explained in my previous entry, there are a lot of terms used to refer to supposedly sustainable products, but they can be confusing. For example, while organic cattle should have some access to pasture, but it might not fill all the criteria to be called pasture-raised. Another example: Pasture-raised beef is not always grass-fed, the cow may also have been fed with grains sometimes. Similarly, cattle can be grass-fed but not necessarily in a pasture. So the important question is, what exactly does its label mean? Additionally, who assigned this label? Was it self-proclaimed, or was it, in fact, certified organic, free-range, or pasture-raised?
On the people behind the products. Who picked the eggs to be used for my croque madame? Were they paid the right wages and provided with the benefits they need and deserve? Were they protected from the harms that come with farm work? Or were they exposed to toxic pesticides? If I pay for this item, how much of my money will actually go to them? Or will the profits simply end up in the pockets of a multinational corporation’s executives?
On the plants and animals. Were they treated with respect? In what conditions were they raised? Were they not crammed together in tight spaces all the time? Were they injected with chemicals that undermined their own natural body processes? Or can one say that they lived a happy and peaceful life? As for fruits and vegetables, what was used on them as they grew? Was that piece of pear bathed with pesticides for it to land smooth and spot-free on your hands?
I hope that this series about my journey towards ethical eating has inspired you to ask questions, to know more about how diet affects our bodies, our fellow living creatures, and our planet.
This is a guest blog post by Richard A Kimball. To learn more about him, check out his profiles here and here.
Monday, November 16, 2015
My Journey Towards Ethical Eating (Part 4): Tenets of Ethical Eating
This article is part of an article series. Check out Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
Many food activists push for S.O.L.E food, where S stands for Sustainable, O for Organic, L for Local, and E for ethical. In my case, the more I read on the topic, I found that these tenets are overlapping most of the time.
Based on my understanding, this is what it means:
Sustainable. The production system behind the food is aligned with nature’s own processes. For example, a farm that uses natural waste instead of fertilizers to enrich the soil can be called sustainable, in that it does not introduce a synthetic substance that will change its composition. Foraged items from the woods or fields like mushrooms and berries are sustainable because they are picked while in season, and does not entail converting the land and clearing off weeds and other organisms to make way for a single species.
Organic. When a slab of meat or a cluster of broccoli bears the sign ‘organic,’ it means that it was grown without the use of antibiotics and growth hormones, or fertilizers and pesticides, respectively. In addition, organic farm animals are allowed to graze because they are supposed to get food from natural sources. At this point, lines can get blurred; you will be encountering the following terms: free-range, grass-fed, natural, pasture-raised, or cage-free, and while related, they are not exactly the same, although some descriptors can be subsumed under another.
Local. Consuming local means frequenting your farmers’ market to look for the freshest produce. Local is almost always seasonal food, it’s generally guaranteed to taste better. More importantly, local food did not travel far to get to the market. In the US, the 2008 Food, Conservation and Energy Act says that an ingredient may be described as "locally or regionally produced” if its origin is within 400 miles. If this is the case, it means less carbon footprint, and you help the farmers sustain their livelihood.
Ethical. Concerns regarding the ethics of food production may involve the food item itself, the farmers who grow the plants or animals or the workers who create the product, or the corporation or the industry’s impact on the environment or society. Animal rights activists focus on matters of animal cruelty in farms, while social activists condemn companies such as Nestle for their horrible treatment of its workers. Finally, some groups target Monsanto and the like for polluting water systems and promoting the use of pesticides that harm the soil.
Many food activists push for S.O.L.E food, where S stands for Sustainable, O for Organic, L for Local, and E for ethical. In my case, the more I read on the topic, I found that these tenets are overlapping most of the time.
Based on my understanding, this is what it means:
Sustainable. The production system behind the food is aligned with nature’s own processes. For example, a farm that uses natural waste instead of fertilizers to enrich the soil can be called sustainable, in that it does not introduce a synthetic substance that will change its composition. Foraged items from the woods or fields like mushrooms and berries are sustainable because they are picked while in season, and does not entail converting the land and clearing off weeds and other organisms to make way for a single species.
Organic. When a slab of meat or a cluster of broccoli bears the sign ‘organic,’ it means that it was grown without the use of antibiotics and growth hormones, or fertilizers and pesticides, respectively. In addition, organic farm animals are allowed to graze because they are supposed to get food from natural sources. At this point, lines can get blurred; you will be encountering the following terms: free-range, grass-fed, natural, pasture-raised, or cage-free, and while related, they are not exactly the same, although some descriptors can be subsumed under another.
Local. Consuming local means frequenting your farmers’ market to look for the freshest produce. Local is almost always seasonal food, it’s generally guaranteed to taste better. More importantly, local food did not travel far to get to the market. In the US, the 2008 Food, Conservation and Energy Act says that an ingredient may be described as "locally or regionally produced” if its origin is within 400 miles. If this is the case, it means less carbon footprint, and you help the farmers sustain their livelihood.
Ethical. Concerns regarding the ethics of food production may involve the food item itself, the farmers who grow the plants or animals or the workers who create the product, or the corporation or the industry’s impact on the environment or society. Animal rights activists focus on matters of animal cruelty in farms, while social activists condemn companies such as Nestle for their horrible treatment of its workers. Finally, some groups target Monsanto and the like for polluting water systems and promoting the use of pesticides that harm the soil.
This is a guest blog post by Richard A Kimball. To learn more about him, check out his profiles here, here and here.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
My Journey Towards Ethical Eating (Part 3): The Great Debate
This article is part of an article series. Check out Part 1 and Part 2.
The food movement for ethical eating that I introduced in the previous entry is not monolithic. To the contrary, there are so many strands of food activists, each pushing for a different set of parameters against which we should evaluate the way we eat.
It’s a safe bet, however, to say that many of them are vegetarians, who believe that animal farming is a terribly unsustainable industry that is harming the planet.
Indeed, many animal farms these days are commercial or industrial, and we know what that means: The underlying goal is to put in to the production process as little investment as possible, while ensuring the maximum number or amount of output.
Because many of these meat factories are trying to cut corners, they compromise on a lot of things: They cram the animals in small spaces. They inject antibiotics and chemicals to speed up their growth unnaturally. They do not invest in a treatment process for their wastewater. They bring their meat products to far places where they have a market or distributor. And all of these mean that animal farms create a lot of waste and carbon footprint.
But I myself am not a vegetarian, owing to my great love of a fine steak, lobsters, cake frosting, and cheese. Let me share an important argument meat-eating food activists have been saying: To say that vegetarians are off the hook when it comes to sustaining life on Earth is misleading, and in fact, wrong.
For example, biologists have pointed out that plants are intelligent creatures, too. For her part, Lierre Keith who authored five books on the impact of agriculture on our planet, makes an interesting point: “If you are eating agricultural foods, you are eating dead species, dead rivers, dead communities. People have to understand what agriculture is: In very brute terms, you take a piece of land, you clear every living thing off it, and you plant it for human use.” And I very much get her point, which makes me feel a bit better about being an omnivore.
Still, I know that there is much to be desired when it comes to meat production in the United States and around the world. So, whenever I come to a fancy restaurant and order, I try to look for dishes that make use of ethically produced meat. Or more accurately, I take this step as early as when I am choosing which restaurant to dine in. In the next entry, I’ll discuss the tenets of ethical eating I try to live by.
The food movement for ethical eating that I introduced in the previous entry is not monolithic. To the contrary, there are so many strands of food activists, each pushing for a different set of parameters against which we should evaluate the way we eat.
It’s a safe bet, however, to say that many of them are vegetarians, who believe that animal farming is a terribly unsustainable industry that is harming the planet.
Indeed, many animal farms these days are commercial or industrial, and we know what that means: The underlying goal is to put in to the production process as little investment as possible, while ensuring the maximum number or amount of output.
Because many of these meat factories are trying to cut corners, they compromise on a lot of things: They cram the animals in small spaces. They inject antibiotics and chemicals to speed up their growth unnaturally. They do not invest in a treatment process for their wastewater. They bring their meat products to far places where they have a market or distributor. And all of these mean that animal farms create a lot of waste and carbon footprint.
But I myself am not a vegetarian, owing to my great love of a fine steak, lobsters, cake frosting, and cheese. Let me share an important argument meat-eating food activists have been saying: To say that vegetarians are off the hook when it comes to sustaining life on Earth is misleading, and in fact, wrong.
For example, biologists have pointed out that plants are intelligent creatures, too. For her part, Lierre Keith who authored five books on the impact of agriculture on our planet, makes an interesting point: “If you are eating agricultural foods, you are eating dead species, dead rivers, dead communities. People have to understand what agriculture is: In very brute terms, you take a piece of land, you clear every living thing off it, and you plant it for human use.” And I very much get her point, which makes me feel a bit better about being an omnivore.
Still, I know that there is much to be desired when it comes to meat production in the United States and around the world. So, whenever I come to a fancy restaurant and order, I try to look for dishes that make use of ethically produced meat. Or more accurately, I take this step as early as when I am choosing which restaurant to dine in. In the next entry, I’ll discuss the tenets of ethical eating I try to live by.
This is a guest blog post by Richard A Kimball. To learn more about him, check out his Tumblr blog and YouTube page.
Monday, November 9, 2015
My Journey Towards Ethical Eating (Part 2): The Ironies in Our Food Industry
This is part of an article series. Check out part 1 here.
As I continue to talk about ethical eating, and lest I be misunderstood, I would like to disclaim that I love food. To me it’s one of life’s joys, and truly our tastebuds and our body respond well when we get the kind of food that we want. We feel happy, we get into a great mood, and we become ready to seize the day.
That I love food is precisely why I’d like to contribute to the discussion on eating. Indeed a lot of authors have talked about this oxymoronic, love-hate relationship mankind has with food, and I’d like to say that for my part, I want none of the hate. I simply want to address the current food situation so that all of us can just eat and live in peace, with our fellow creatures on Earth.
The truth is, we are facing a very, very sad irony. Today, we have an array of drastically improved technologies, mechanisms, and processes to produce food on the table for every human being on the planet. We have mastered agriculture as a science, and have allocated millions and millions of tracts of land for the purpose of growing plants and animals that we can later eat. And yet, millions of people across the globe are hungry, or do not meet the daily recommended dietary allowance for nutrients, in order to become productive citizens. In Africa children are dying of malnutrition, and more are at risk.
Most of the farmers who are responsible for creating food, are some of the poorest members of society in the developing world. Those who are fortunate to own their land, meanwhile, face the tough competition as big multi-national corporations operate according to a centralized notion of production, with a huge capital to expend for machinery, pesticides, and fertilizers.
Moreover, while agriculture has become much more advanced over the decades, a lot of people are suffering from diabetes, liver disease, kidney problems and other health conditions directly linked to poor diet. It would seem that the way we have been producing food has not addressed what should be its main function: provide sustenance for the human body.
These ironies have since incited a growing movement for good food. And when I say good food, I mean delicious food that will give our bodies the much-needed nutrients, while also coming from sources that do not disrupt the ecological balance.
As I continue to talk about ethical eating, and lest I be misunderstood, I would like to disclaim that I love food. To me it’s one of life’s joys, and truly our tastebuds and our body respond well when we get the kind of food that we want. We feel happy, we get into a great mood, and we become ready to seize the day.
That I love food is precisely why I’d like to contribute to the discussion on eating. Indeed a lot of authors have talked about this oxymoronic, love-hate relationship mankind has with food, and I’d like to say that for my part, I want none of the hate. I simply want to address the current food situation so that all of us can just eat and live in peace, with our fellow creatures on Earth.
The truth is, we are facing a very, very sad irony. Today, we have an array of drastically improved technologies, mechanisms, and processes to produce food on the table for every human being on the planet. We have mastered agriculture as a science, and have allocated millions and millions of tracts of land for the purpose of growing plants and animals that we can later eat. And yet, millions of people across the globe are hungry, or do not meet the daily recommended dietary allowance for nutrients, in order to become productive citizens. In Africa children are dying of malnutrition, and more are at risk.
Most of the farmers who are responsible for creating food, are some of the poorest members of society in the developing world. Those who are fortunate to own their land, meanwhile, face the tough competition as big multi-national corporations operate according to a centralized notion of production, with a huge capital to expend for machinery, pesticides, and fertilizers.
Moreover, while agriculture has become much more advanced over the decades, a lot of people are suffering from diabetes, liver disease, kidney problems and other health conditions directly linked to poor diet. It would seem that the way we have been producing food has not addressed what should be its main function: provide sustenance for the human body.
These ironies have since incited a growing movement for good food. And when I say good food, I mean delicious food that will give our bodies the much-needed nutrients, while also coming from sources that do not disrupt the ecological balance.
This is a guest blog post by Richard A Kimball. To learn more about him, check out his social media profiles here, here and here.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
My Journey Towards Ethical Eating (Part 1): An Invitation
I will begin this entry with this argument: There is something very wrong with the way Americans eat today. Along with that is an invitation to consider the idea of a paradigm shift. I have been reading up on the concept of ethical eating and/or sustainable diet, and I understand the very first sentiment you will probably have, it’s really difficult to say where to begin.
But let me tell you that I myself have not been a really conscious eater until a few years ago. I was raised in these staples of American diet: cereals and milk, ready-mix pancakes, or hotdogs and eggs with bread for breakfast, whatever they serve at the school cafeteria for lunch, then for dinner, mom’s meaty, salty, and fatty dishes with sides of chips or mashed potatoes, then pies for dessert. Throughout the day there’d be a lot of candies, chips, softdrinks and other junk food too. As far as I know, my family sourced these items from the grocery, and it’s a family bonding experience, driving there to get the goodies and point to chocolates for my parents to buy.
When I have moved out of my parents’ home and started working on my nine-to-five job, my diet has changed – for the worse. No proper breakfast for me anymore, just a tall latte from a coffee shop, although sometimes I also grab very sugary pastries. For lunch and dinner it’s fast food most of the time, except when I had time to pack a sandwich, or during my payday, when officemates and I would head to a restaurant. And like when I was growing up, I subsisted in a lot of sweet treats between meals, too.
For some time I thought this was the only way to do it, because it was the case for almost everyone around me as well. With my very unhealthy diet, I found myself not having the right weight, but again, so did everybody else.
That’s until I found myself in the development world and met people whose diet formed a part of a sustainable lifestyle. And it helped that we are also having a national conversation on the relationship with obesity, health, and diet in America. As soon as I embraced the tenets of environmentalism, changing the way I eat just made a lot of sense. Check out my next entries as I continue to share my journey towards ethical eating.
But let me tell you that I myself have not been a really conscious eater until a few years ago. I was raised in these staples of American diet: cereals and milk, ready-mix pancakes, or hotdogs and eggs with bread for breakfast, whatever they serve at the school cafeteria for lunch, then for dinner, mom’s meaty, salty, and fatty dishes with sides of chips or mashed potatoes, then pies for dessert. Throughout the day there’d be a lot of candies, chips, softdrinks and other junk food too. As far as I know, my family sourced these items from the grocery, and it’s a family bonding experience, driving there to get the goodies and point to chocolates for my parents to buy.
When I have moved out of my parents’ home and started working on my nine-to-five job, my diet has changed – for the worse. No proper breakfast for me anymore, just a tall latte from a coffee shop, although sometimes I also grab very sugary pastries. For lunch and dinner it’s fast food most of the time, except when I had time to pack a sandwich, or during my payday, when officemates and I would head to a restaurant. And like when I was growing up, I subsisted in a lot of sweet treats between meals, too.
For some time I thought this was the only way to do it, because it was the case for almost everyone around me as well. With my very unhealthy diet, I found myself not having the right weight, but again, so did everybody else.
That’s until I found myself in the development world and met people whose diet formed a part of a sustainable lifestyle. And it helped that we are also having a national conversation on the relationship with obesity, health, and diet in America. As soon as I embraced the tenets of environmentalism, changing the way I eat just made a lot of sense. Check out my next entries as I continue to share my journey towards ethical eating.
This is a guest blog post by Richard A Kimball. To learn more about him, check out his LinkedIn and Pinterest pages.
Friday, October 9, 2015
How Colors Enhance a Room
With all the colors in the world, it's hard to know exactly which one to use when painting your house. Those of you determined to fairly represent each hue might set out to paint one room red, one orange, one yellow, one green, one blue, one indigo, and one violet. But, for everyone else, painting a room has less to do with equal opportunity decorating and more to do with personal taste.
Still, colors have their limits and certain ones are better at doing certain things. The following is a list of tips describing what each color has the potential to do when it finds itself up against a wall.
White: Painting a room white will make the room look bigger and cleaner (until your three year old decides to smear a mural of ketchup on the back wall). White is an ideal color when you are looking to add a lot of different hues: white, like black, goes with almost anything. Painting with white can give rooms a pure and bright look, while using that white to accentuate other colors. But, be careful: using too much white can make a room too bright, and make it hard to look at. If people routinely run from your room yelling "My eyes, my eyes," chances are, you've overdone it.
Black: Like white, black is an ideal color when you want to mix and match shades. Though black has the potential to make a room look too dark or too small, it also has a solid conventional appeal. A black wall, like a black piece of clothing, captures a sensuous, secretive, and intelligent look. Appearing more intellectual and sophisticated than all the other colors, you will be much more likely to catch your black wall reading the short stories of Rudyard Kipling than your white one.
Orange: Depending on the brightness, the color orange can be a hue that demands notice - like a shade perpetually screaming "Look at me!" It can also be welcoming or it can be a soothing earth tone. Because of this versatility, orange is a popular color in decorating. A room used for socializing can benefit from the use of bright (but not too bright) orange and a room used for relaxing can benefit from a darker orange. But orange, like all colors, has its limits: you have to be careful of the colors you mix and match. Orange with black might come across as too Halloween-ish, orange with pink might remind people of sherbert, and orange with blue might deem you - among your neighbors - a die hard Denver Bronco fan.
Blue: Blue is perhaps the most natural of colors: the sky is blue, the ocean is blue, even peoples' moods are sometimes described as blue. The "naturalness" that blue evokes makes it a good color for a bathroom or a bedroom. In a bathroom, blue can represent water and cleanliness (without being as bright as white). In a bedroom, blue is calming and can help you rest more peacefully. It's conservative, but not too conservative (it's not a Republican). It is also just dim enough to keep your bedroom dark, and free of the sunlight that can wake you up before you're ready.
Green: Green has the unique ability to emit freshness: painting a wall the regular shade of green is like panting your house with a garden. This gives your house a new, spring like feel: yes, even in the dead of winter. Like blue, green is also very natural: grass is green, trees are green, and the stems of flowers are green. Darker or forest greens can be used for a harvest look, one that is soothing and comforting, while lighter greens can be used for a more vibrant, stylish look.
Red: The color red is a dichotomy: it represents both danger and romance. For this reason, red is best used in bedrooms or rooms that are begging for a confident look, such as a library. Red is typically not a good color to use for bathrooms (who wants to be sexy while brushing their teeth), or rooms that you want to look open and large, such as living rooms. Red is also not a good color to paint the outside of your house: doing so can make it resemble a barn, causing livestock to flock to your front door at sunrise. You might find yourself up to your elbows in cows, but at least you won't ever have to buy milk again.
Still, colors have their limits and certain ones are better at doing certain things. The following is a list of tips describing what each color has the potential to do when it finds itself up against a wall.
White: Painting a room white will make the room look bigger and cleaner (until your three year old decides to smear a mural of ketchup on the back wall). White is an ideal color when you are looking to add a lot of different hues: white, like black, goes with almost anything. Painting with white can give rooms a pure and bright look, while using that white to accentuate other colors. But, be careful: using too much white can make a room too bright, and make it hard to look at. If people routinely run from your room yelling "My eyes, my eyes," chances are, you've overdone it.
Black: Like white, black is an ideal color when you want to mix and match shades. Though black has the potential to make a room look too dark or too small, it also has a solid conventional appeal. A black wall, like a black piece of clothing, captures a sensuous, secretive, and intelligent look. Appearing more intellectual and sophisticated than all the other colors, you will be much more likely to catch your black wall reading the short stories of Rudyard Kipling than your white one.
Orange: Depending on the brightness, the color orange can be a hue that demands notice - like a shade perpetually screaming "Look at me!" It can also be welcoming or it can be a soothing earth tone. Because of this versatility, orange is a popular color in decorating. A room used for socializing can benefit from the use of bright (but not too bright) orange and a room used for relaxing can benefit from a darker orange. But orange, like all colors, has its limits: you have to be careful of the colors you mix and match. Orange with black might come across as too Halloween-ish, orange with pink might remind people of sherbert, and orange with blue might deem you - among your neighbors - a die hard Denver Bronco fan.
Blue: Blue is perhaps the most natural of colors: the sky is blue, the ocean is blue, even peoples' moods are sometimes described as blue. The "naturalness" that blue evokes makes it a good color for a bathroom or a bedroom. In a bathroom, blue can represent water and cleanliness (without being as bright as white). In a bedroom, blue is calming and can help you rest more peacefully. It's conservative, but not too conservative (it's not a Republican). It is also just dim enough to keep your bedroom dark, and free of the sunlight that can wake you up before you're ready.
Green: Green has the unique ability to emit freshness: painting a wall the regular shade of green is like panting your house with a garden. This gives your house a new, spring like feel: yes, even in the dead of winter. Like blue, green is also very natural: grass is green, trees are green, and the stems of flowers are green. Darker or forest greens can be used for a harvest look, one that is soothing and comforting, while lighter greens can be used for a more vibrant, stylish look.
Red: The color red is a dichotomy: it represents both danger and romance. For this reason, red is best used in bedrooms or rooms that are begging for a confident look, such as a library. Red is typically not a good color to use for bathrooms (who wants to be sexy while brushing their teeth), or rooms that you want to look open and large, such as living rooms. Red is also not a good color to paint the outside of your house: doing so can make it resemble a barn, causing livestock to flock to your front door at sunrise. You might find yourself up to your elbows in cows, but at least you won't ever have to buy milk again.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Tip on How to Increase Fuel Economy and Save Cash
So you want to save some green? All you have to do is drive smart to save green. It is not just about having an eco friendly car. Common sense tells us that if more people took up the challenge our whole country - even the whole world - would benefit in a
1. It has to be said: the very best thing you can do to help the environment with your car is stop driving it! Well unless you are a college student, you may not have that option any longer. The best alternative then is just to drive slower instead. You see, most cars appear to save gas when driven at speeds of between 50 mph to 60 mph. So drive like Goldie Locks, not too slow and not too fast. This is how to drive smart, save green.
2. If you desire to make your car more fuel efficient you could conserve a staggering 20% of your car's fuel consumption just by reducing tire roll resistance! If you are to drive smart and save green then you need to think about this. Simply spend a bit more and buy quality tires. Even though they might cost a little more they will perform better. It is important to note that under inflated tires cost you more in gas bills! So here is another simple way to increase fuel economy, imagine if everyone did it.
3. I'll bet there are many items that you store in your car's trunk that don't need to be there. Lighten the load in your car. Each season go through each item you regularly carry. In spring get rid of your winter emergency gear. If you don't really need it, well recycle it some how. This is the most cost effective wayto drive smart, save green - just drive with a lighter load. That will let your car be more fuel efficient.
4. If you are going to be sitting still for long, switch off your engine while you wait. Realistically, if you are likely to be waiting more than one minute than restarting your engine burns roughly about the same amount as one minute of idle time. So it is worth considering if you think you will be idling for more than a minute, cut the engine. You'll save gas and money - drive smart, save green.
5. Drive in a more gradual and smooth manner. While really this one might be obvious on its face, it should be the unspoken rule of drive smart, drive green. Erratic driving full of sudden starts and hard braking uses up a lot of extra gas. Not to mention the extra wear and tear on your car, which means extra costs to you and the environment.
So as you can see, learning to drive smart, save green is basically just common sense. Some people really need their cars to get around. It that is you, then learn to drive it responsibly and sensibly. The best alternative is if you can walk easily to where you need to go, then just do it! Walk across the parking lot to the video rental store. So if you must drive than drive smart, save green when you can't walk.
1. It has to be said: the very best thing you can do to help the environment with your car is stop driving it! Well unless you are a college student, you may not have that option any longer. The best alternative then is just to drive slower instead. You see, most cars appear to save gas when driven at speeds of between 50 mph to 60 mph. So drive like Goldie Locks, not too slow and not too fast. This is how to drive smart, save green.
2. If you desire to make your car more fuel efficient you could conserve a staggering 20% of your car's fuel consumption just by reducing tire roll resistance! If you are to drive smart and save green then you need to think about this. Simply spend a bit more and buy quality tires. Even though they might cost a little more they will perform better. It is important to note that under inflated tires cost you more in gas bills! So here is another simple way to increase fuel economy, imagine if everyone did it.
3. I'll bet there are many items that you store in your car's trunk that don't need to be there. Lighten the load in your car. Each season go through each item you regularly carry. In spring get rid of your winter emergency gear. If you don't really need it, well recycle it some how. This is the most cost effective wayto drive smart, save green - just drive with a lighter load. That will let your car be more fuel efficient.
4. If you are going to be sitting still for long, switch off your engine while you wait. Realistically, if you are likely to be waiting more than one minute than restarting your engine burns roughly about the same amount as one minute of idle time. So it is worth considering if you think you will be idling for more than a minute, cut the engine. You'll save gas and money - drive smart, save green.
5. Drive in a more gradual and smooth manner. While really this one might be obvious on its face, it should be the unspoken rule of drive smart, drive green. Erratic driving full of sudden starts and hard braking uses up a lot of extra gas. Not to mention the extra wear and tear on your car, which means extra costs to you and the environment.
So as you can see, learning to drive smart, save green is basically just common sense. Some people really need their cars to get around. It that is you, then learn to drive it responsibly and sensibly. The best alternative is if you can walk easily to where you need to go, then just do it! Walk across the parking lot to the video rental store. So if you must drive than drive smart, save green when you can't walk.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Hedge Fund Trends: Constant Industry Growth, Concern Regarding Regulations
The hedge fund industry sees brighter horizon this 2015 and expects to surpass the $3.02 trillion figure set in 2014. According to Preqin, despite some issues that emerged after CalPERS’ exit and the poor industry performance last year, 63 per cent of surveyed fund managers still have a positive outlook on the remaining months of 2015. Aside from its continuous growth, other hedge fund trends to watch out for are the following:
Best and worst strategies. In a presentation provided by Glocap Search LLC, part of the market trends this year is the continued activity in long/short, pairs trading, event driven, and global macro. There will also be some pick-up in merger arbitrage, it adds.
Preqin’s study demonstrates that investors consider macro strategies (24 per cent), equity strategies (23 per cent), and event driven strategies (18 per cent) as the best practices to apply this 2015, while 30 per cent of the participants believe that financial institutions better veer away from credit strategies.
Industry regulations. Provisions and guidelines set by regulatory bodies, such as the SEC, may have helped increase opportunities for hedge fund managers in regions where investments were once constrained. However, they also bring a number of regulatory burdens and compliance measures that greatly challenge fund managers.
Higher than last year’s 50 per cent, Preqin said that 58 per cent of managers now believe that regulations could bring negative consequences. 57 per cent specifically cited AIFMD as the most challenging regulation.
In the Alternative Investment Management Association’s industry survey conducted in 2013, results suggest that the hedge fund sector has already invested heavily in compliance efforts to meet regulatory policies, allocating more than $3 billion dollars on compliance costs. Additional data also demonstrate that nine out of ten managers expect their budget for regulatory compliance to double over the next five years.
Investor demands and concerns. This year, investors have been strengthening dialogues with managers over hedge fund terms and conditions. 68 per cent of them, according to Preqin, want to see improvements in management fees, followed by performance fees at 38 per cent.
Capital Management Services Group explained that fund managers normally demand management fees of 1 to 2 per cent of assets under management (AUM), while performance fees range from 20 per cent to 50 per cent of net trading gains.
Meanwhile, other key issues raised by investors include increased transparency at 29 per cent, hurdle rate at 24 per cent and manager commitment to fund at 18 per cent.
To respond to the influx of challenges for this year, investors are advised to seek help from trusted asset management firms that are not just fully aware of the up and coming hedge fund trends, but can also provide proprietary solutions to reach financial goals and make the most out of today’s market opportunities.
Best and worst strategies. In a presentation provided by Glocap Search LLC, part of the market trends this year is the continued activity in long/short, pairs trading, event driven, and global macro. There will also be some pick-up in merger arbitrage, it adds.
Preqin’s study demonstrates that investors consider macro strategies (24 per cent), equity strategies (23 per cent), and event driven strategies (18 per cent) as the best practices to apply this 2015, while 30 per cent of the participants believe that financial institutions better veer away from credit strategies.
Industry regulations. Provisions and guidelines set by regulatory bodies, such as the SEC, may have helped increase opportunities for hedge fund managers in regions where investments were once constrained. However, they also bring a number of regulatory burdens and compliance measures that greatly challenge fund managers.
Higher than last year’s 50 per cent, Preqin said that 58 per cent of managers now believe that regulations could bring negative consequences. 57 per cent specifically cited AIFMD as the most challenging regulation.
In the Alternative Investment Management Association’s industry survey conducted in 2013, results suggest that the hedge fund sector has already invested heavily in compliance efforts to meet regulatory policies, allocating more than $3 billion dollars on compliance costs. Additional data also demonstrate that nine out of ten managers expect their budget for regulatory compliance to double over the next five years.
Investor demands and concerns. This year, investors have been strengthening dialogues with managers over hedge fund terms and conditions. 68 per cent of them, according to Preqin, want to see improvements in management fees, followed by performance fees at 38 per cent.
Capital Management Services Group explained that fund managers normally demand management fees of 1 to 2 per cent of assets under management (AUM), while performance fees range from 20 per cent to 50 per cent of net trading gains.
Meanwhile, other key issues raised by investors include increased transparency at 29 per cent, hurdle rate at 24 per cent and manager commitment to fund at 18 per cent.
To respond to the influx of challenges for this year, investors are advised to seek help from trusted asset management firms that are not just fully aware of the up and coming hedge fund trends, but can also provide proprietary solutions to reach financial goals and make the most out of today’s market opportunities.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Guidelines for Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing is a competitive domain. The rules are always changing, and expectedly so, as the platforms need adapt to the rapid changes in technology and user behavior. For example, ideas for more modern mobile devices, software and applications are being developed, and people are finding new ways to go about the task of information-seeking by the hour.
To rule this new marketing landscape, companies need to follow the following guidelines.
Be responsive to all parties. Social media, for the most part, is a public platform. It is a wise social media manager who treats everyone with respect, not just because engagements are visible to all, but because every party can be a customer, a client, a partner, or a supporter, with varying ways to contribute to the company’s goals.
The manager responds promptly to all forms of engagement, whether it is a simple “like” of a post, or a long blog entry about the customer’s experience with the brand. More importantly, the manager knows how to address criticism, and reinforce the company’s commitment to good service.
Be mindful of the company’s corporate identity at all times. A good social media manager understands that social media is just one of the many platforms available for promoting the company and its offerings. This means that accounts on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest, among others, should convey the same brand messaging each time, albeit perhaps using a different medium.
The company’s corporate communications guidelines should be a handy reference for the choice of colors, of buzzwords, typefaces, symbols, and tone to use when composing social media content. This way, the platform will simply complement, and not compete with the business’ other marketing venues.
Create interesting content. This is the key to developing a strong presence and following in this landscape. People generally turn to social media for meaningful and relatable content, so companies need to invest time and resources to know what qualifies as such. Perhaps it’s a 30-second amateur video featuring a hot celebrity, or a colorful infographic that sums up an otherwise informative but long article. Or perhaps it’s just a one-phrase, but a truly witty and funny one. What is important is that the content is grounded on the experiences of the people belonging to the target, and it evokes emotions so strong and pleasant that they’d want to share it with others.
To learn how to conduct successful social media marketing campaigns, get in touch with a marketing solutions provider today – especially one that specializes in digital communications.
To rule this new marketing landscape, companies need to follow the following guidelines.
Be responsive to all parties. Social media, for the most part, is a public platform. It is a wise social media manager who treats everyone with respect, not just because engagements are visible to all, but because every party can be a customer, a client, a partner, or a supporter, with varying ways to contribute to the company’s goals.
The manager responds promptly to all forms of engagement, whether it is a simple “like” of a post, or a long blog entry about the customer’s experience with the brand. More importantly, the manager knows how to address criticism, and reinforce the company’s commitment to good service.
Be mindful of the company’s corporate identity at all times. A good social media manager understands that social media is just one of the many platforms available for promoting the company and its offerings. This means that accounts on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest, among others, should convey the same brand messaging each time, albeit perhaps using a different medium.
The company’s corporate communications guidelines should be a handy reference for the choice of colors, of buzzwords, typefaces, symbols, and tone to use when composing social media content. This way, the platform will simply complement, and not compete with the business’ other marketing venues.
Create interesting content. This is the key to developing a strong presence and following in this landscape. People generally turn to social media for meaningful and relatable content, so companies need to invest time and resources to know what qualifies as such. Perhaps it’s a 30-second amateur video featuring a hot celebrity, or a colorful infographic that sums up an otherwise informative but long article. Or perhaps it’s just a one-phrase, but a truly witty and funny one. What is important is that the content is grounded on the experiences of the people belonging to the target, and it evokes emotions so strong and pleasant that they’d want to share it with others.
To learn how to conduct successful social media marketing campaigns, get in touch with a marketing solutions provider today – especially one that specializes in digital communications.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Summer Dishes to Try in Hamptons Restaurants
If you think summertime only calls for some fun time at the beach, think again. It is also the best time to try new dishes and thirst-quenchers to beat the summer heat. Indulge in a wide variety of light but oh-so-delicious treats in some of the finest Hamptons restaurants.
With the scorching heat of the sun, nothing can make one feel more refreshed, than a cold bath or dip in the pool and of course, sipping an ice cold drink. Fruit juices and smoothies are always on top of the list. A choice of your favorite fruit topped with fresh mint leaves is a surefire way to shake off the sweat and quench your thirst. But you can also opt for a fruity drink with a punch like watermelon-tequila cocktail, mojito, mango-peach sangria, or a choice of chilled champagne from the Hamptons’ famed selection.
Apart from the summer drinks, many Hamptons restaurants gear up for the summer by creating new dishes featuring their local produce like fresh seafood including lobsters, scallops, shrimps, oysters, and several types of fish. Apart from seafoods, grilled meats and salads are also in some local restaurants’ menu. Whether you crave for pork, chicken or lamb, many Hamptons restaurants offer grilled meats served with fresh vegetables like celery, peppers, zucchini and spring onions.
If you are on a strict diet and want to fit in your bikini, light and healthy options are also available in some restaurants. Several restaurants serve salad dishes that are both fresh and low-fat like cucumber and fennel salad, chicken garden salad, summer fruit salad with quinoa and vegetable salad. There are also many light pasta dishes made by mixing it with the freshest locally grown vegetables and seafood including lobster capellini, pasta pomodori, butternut squash ravioli, among others.
But, a little dessert probably won’t hurt anybody. Give in to your guilty pleasures with a wide variety of desserts made with in-season fruits like watermelon, peaches, cherries, and blueberries.
Enjoy these mouth-watering dishes and thirst-quenching drinks in an al fresco setting that is common to some of the Hamptons restaurants. Taking advantage of the natural landscape of the location, these restaurants offer dining in the backyard with the beautiful garden and sea in the background.
Whether you are visiting the Hamptons with your partner, friends or family, do not forget to check out the Hamptons restaurants to experience the true taste of summer.
With the scorching heat of the sun, nothing can make one feel more refreshed, than a cold bath or dip in the pool and of course, sipping an ice cold drink. Fruit juices and smoothies are always on top of the list. A choice of your favorite fruit topped with fresh mint leaves is a surefire way to shake off the sweat and quench your thirst. But you can also opt for a fruity drink with a punch like watermelon-tequila cocktail, mojito, mango-peach sangria, or a choice of chilled champagne from the Hamptons’ famed selection.
Apart from the summer drinks, many Hamptons restaurants gear up for the summer by creating new dishes featuring their local produce like fresh seafood including lobsters, scallops, shrimps, oysters, and several types of fish. Apart from seafoods, grilled meats and salads are also in some local restaurants’ menu. Whether you crave for pork, chicken or lamb, many Hamptons restaurants offer grilled meats served with fresh vegetables like celery, peppers, zucchini and spring onions.
If you are on a strict diet and want to fit in your bikini, light and healthy options are also available in some restaurants. Several restaurants serve salad dishes that are both fresh and low-fat like cucumber and fennel salad, chicken garden salad, summer fruit salad with quinoa and vegetable salad. There are also many light pasta dishes made by mixing it with the freshest locally grown vegetables and seafood including lobster capellini, pasta pomodori, butternut squash ravioli, among others.
But, a little dessert probably won’t hurt anybody. Give in to your guilty pleasures with a wide variety of desserts made with in-season fruits like watermelon, peaches, cherries, and blueberries.
Enjoy these mouth-watering dishes and thirst-quenching drinks in an al fresco setting that is common to some of the Hamptons restaurants. Taking advantage of the natural landscape of the location, these restaurants offer dining in the backyard with the beautiful garden and sea in the background.
Whether you are visiting the Hamptons with your partner, friends or family, do not forget to check out the Hamptons restaurants to experience the true taste of summer.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Rising Number of Hedge Funds Shift to Family Offices
The hedge fund population is getting thinner as more and more firms convert to family offices, according to news site and peer group network COOConnect. “Hedge funds are increasingly contemplating launching family office structures and we have seen north of 100 different funds converting to family offices,” said hedge fund sales director Keith Gertsen.
“The primary reason for this is the cost of regulation and maintaining operational overheads. Total spend by hedge funds on operational and back office functionalities is very high, and consumes a significant chunk of Assets under Management (AuM),” he added.
Considered as further catalysts for the institutionalization of the hedge fund sector, are the constantly demanding regulatory changes that cause higher operational costs and management fees. “The Citi Hedge Fund Expenses Benchmark Survey published in early 2014 found the average manager required at least $310 million for their two per-cent management fee to pay for their regulatory and operational expenditures,” COOConnect added.
The impact of these overwhelming fees to the hedge fund industry came like a nuclear bomb last yearas the number of new hedge fund manager start-ups fell by 40 per cent compared to 2013 – the lowest record since 2003.
Some of the regulations that increase barriers to entry, due to the financial demand that they impose,include Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD), the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), the Dodd-Frank Act in the US and the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR).
Of these regulations, KPMG’s case study “The Cost of Compliance” shows that AIFMD has the highest cost of compliance (with about 46 per cent of all respondents voting for it), followed by SEC registration and reporting and FATCA.
Results of the study further imply that the hedge fund industry is allocating at least USD3 billion on regulatory compliance alone, including technology, headcount and third-party vendors.
Explaining the negative impact of these rising costs to new players, a fund manager from Asia shared that, “The entire nature of the alternative investment industry – particularly the hedge fund industry – is one of innovation and finding new ways to achieve alpha. There’s no doubt that regulation is constricting this and making it harder for new players to enter the market.”
Meanwhile, hedge fund managers that have made it to the game but struggling to survive find salvation in shifting to family offices. Aside from lower operating costs, Hannah Shaw Grove, a family office expert and board member of the Hedge Fund Association., shared that one of the main reasons why even successful hedge funds switch to that industry is because family offices are not as constrained by investment objectives as a pure-play asset manager.
“Other family priorities such as tax efficiency, philanthropy and asset protection can be considered and more fully accommodated in the investment process than they might be otherwise,” she added.
“The primary reason for this is the cost of regulation and maintaining operational overheads. Total spend by hedge funds on operational and back office functionalities is very high, and consumes a significant chunk of Assets under Management (AuM),” he added.
Considered as further catalysts for the institutionalization of the hedge fund sector, are the constantly demanding regulatory changes that cause higher operational costs and management fees. “The Citi Hedge Fund Expenses Benchmark Survey published in early 2014 found the average manager required at least $310 million for their two per-cent management fee to pay for their regulatory and operational expenditures,” COOConnect added.
The impact of these overwhelming fees to the hedge fund industry came like a nuclear bomb last yearas the number of new hedge fund manager start-ups fell by 40 per cent compared to 2013 – the lowest record since 2003.
Some of the regulations that increase barriers to entry, due to the financial demand that they impose,include Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD), the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), the Dodd-Frank Act in the US and the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR).
Of these regulations, KPMG’s case study “The Cost of Compliance” shows that AIFMD has the highest cost of compliance (with about 46 per cent of all respondents voting for it), followed by SEC registration and reporting and FATCA.
Results of the study further imply that the hedge fund industry is allocating at least USD3 billion on regulatory compliance alone, including technology, headcount and third-party vendors.
Explaining the negative impact of these rising costs to new players, a fund manager from Asia shared that, “The entire nature of the alternative investment industry – particularly the hedge fund industry – is one of innovation and finding new ways to achieve alpha. There’s no doubt that regulation is constricting this and making it harder for new players to enter the market.”
Meanwhile, hedge fund managers that have made it to the game but struggling to survive find salvation in shifting to family offices. Aside from lower operating costs, Hannah Shaw Grove, a family office expert and board member of the Hedge Fund Association., shared that one of the main reasons why even successful hedge funds switch to that industry is because family offices are not as constrained by investment objectives as a pure-play asset manager.
“Other family priorities such as tax efficiency, philanthropy and asset protection can be considered and more fully accommodated in the investment process than they might be otherwise,” she added.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Brand Development 101: Employees as Brand Ambassadors
Many companies pour tens of thousands of dollars to get the hottest celebrities as their endorsers. The fact is, they often forget that in brand development efforts, the best possible ambassadors of their brand are already right under their nose.
Here are ways to turn your employees into the best ambassadors your brand could ever have:
Educate them about your brand and marketing goals. Aside from the general orientation about the company’s mission-vision during the on-boarding process, educate your employees about your marketing goals and strategies. Discuss to them your key messages and communication platforms. This way, they will appreciate the value of sharing the posts on the company Facebook page, or adhering to the branding guidelines.
Always give them free samples of what your company produces. Wouldn’t it be a pity if someone goes to a chocolate shop, asks the attendant for recommendation, but the latter cannot give satisfactory answers because he has not tasted any of the items he is selling? Aside from giving them another reason to stay and continue to work for you company, offering your employees a sample of your products allows them to vouch for their quality, and in a sincere way, too. They can also serve as a good source of feedback, and they will respond honestly because it will be in their best interest if it becomes a hit.
Give them branded materials that they can use everyday.Giving your employees shirts, mugs, pens, and other whatnot, branded materials or items that bear your company logo is a great way to turn them into walking advertisements of your brand. And especially if the items are well-designed and have good quality, they are seen as a reflection of the company, and can even inspire thrilling conversations. Each employee should also be provided with a set of business cards that they can hand to new acquaintances. You’ll never know how many people they meet on a daily basis outside of work, and these can belong to either your target market or your future industry partners!
Compensate them well, and treat them well. When employees are happily working for your company, you can expect them not only to deliver great output, but to always have good words for your brand. How to keep them happy? Pay them well, and observe exemplary labor practices. Reward them for getting things done above expectations, and create a fun and respectful environment where they feel that their voice matters.
Learn more about brand development by partnering with marketing experts today.
Here are ways to turn your employees into the best ambassadors your brand could ever have:
Educate them about your brand and marketing goals. Aside from the general orientation about the company’s mission-vision during the on-boarding process, educate your employees about your marketing goals and strategies. Discuss to them your key messages and communication platforms. This way, they will appreciate the value of sharing the posts on the company Facebook page, or adhering to the branding guidelines.
Always give them free samples of what your company produces. Wouldn’t it be a pity if someone goes to a chocolate shop, asks the attendant for recommendation, but the latter cannot give satisfactory answers because he has not tasted any of the items he is selling? Aside from giving them another reason to stay and continue to work for you company, offering your employees a sample of your products allows them to vouch for their quality, and in a sincere way, too. They can also serve as a good source of feedback, and they will respond honestly because it will be in their best interest if it becomes a hit.
Give them branded materials that they can use everyday.Giving your employees shirts, mugs, pens, and other whatnot, branded materials or items that bear your company logo is a great way to turn them into walking advertisements of your brand. And especially if the items are well-designed and have good quality, they are seen as a reflection of the company, and can even inspire thrilling conversations. Each employee should also be provided with a set of business cards that they can hand to new acquaintances. You’ll never know how many people they meet on a daily basis outside of work, and these can belong to either your target market or your future industry partners!
Compensate them well, and treat them well. When employees are happily working for your company, you can expect them not only to deliver great output, but to always have good words for your brand. How to keep them happy? Pay them well, and observe exemplary labor practices. Reward them for getting things done above expectations, and create a fun and respectful environment where they feel that their voice matters.
Learn more about brand development by partnering with marketing experts today.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Tax Considerations for Hedge Funds
The industry of hedge funds has seen tremendous growth in the last five years. In 2010, Hedge Fund Research, Inc. reported that 1,000 new hedge funds have entered the market, and nearly the same numbers are launched every year after.
Emerging hedge funds often struggle with finding a balance between establishing a performance track record and building an efficient operational framework. Performance always comes first, but no matter how impressive returns are, inefficient operations cannot sustain growth and will turn away many potential investors.
Structure
Hedge fund managers must consider early on how to structure their company because this will determine which tax laws affect them. Choosing between a transparent partnership and a corporate structure will depend on investor needs, trading jurisdictions, and the physical location of hedge fund principals.
Ample time should be devoted to reviewing structural options. The needs of investors, as well as the fund’s strategy for growth should be weighed when deciding between appropriate legal structures.
Tax due diligence
In the early years of the hedge fund industry, showing performance records and creating a strong sales pitch may have been enough to persuade investors. Nowadays, investors are very are particular about the details of a fund’s operation and taxation systems.
Many institutional investors prepare due diligence questionnaires. Fund managers must be prepared to answer queries related to exposure management, tax allocation methods, tax estimates, and other tax related concerns.
Carried interest
Carried interest is the allocated profit received by a hedge fund’s general partner for managing the investment partnership. As the government is always looking for tax offsets and striving for regulation of hedge fund practices, the taxation of carried interest should always be a consideration for hedge fund managers.
Managing separate accounts
Some investors may be interested in a particular strategy but hesitant to invest in an emerging hedge fund. Managers assuage their fears by establishing a separate account where they have trading control but limited access to the investor’s assets. Fund managers must be aware of the tax implications of such practice before implementing it.
Data reporting
The government has been setting stricter reporting regulations for hedge funds. Investors have also started demanding reporting systems that will inform them about compliance, risk management, and consistency of investment strategy.
These tax considerations must be dealt with in the early stages of a hedge fund’s investment cycle if frameworks are to be set for maximum growth.
Emerging hedge funds often struggle with finding a balance between establishing a performance track record and building an efficient operational framework. Performance always comes first, but no matter how impressive returns are, inefficient operations cannot sustain growth and will turn away many potential investors.
Structure
Hedge fund managers must consider early on how to structure their company because this will determine which tax laws affect them. Choosing between a transparent partnership and a corporate structure will depend on investor needs, trading jurisdictions, and the physical location of hedge fund principals.
Ample time should be devoted to reviewing structural options. The needs of investors, as well as the fund’s strategy for growth should be weighed when deciding between appropriate legal structures.
Tax due diligence
In the early years of the hedge fund industry, showing performance records and creating a strong sales pitch may have been enough to persuade investors. Nowadays, investors are very are particular about the details of a fund’s operation and taxation systems.
Many institutional investors prepare due diligence questionnaires. Fund managers must be prepared to answer queries related to exposure management, tax allocation methods, tax estimates, and other tax related concerns.
Carried interest
Carried interest is the allocated profit received by a hedge fund’s general partner for managing the investment partnership. As the government is always looking for tax offsets and striving for regulation of hedge fund practices, the taxation of carried interest should always be a consideration for hedge fund managers.
Managing separate accounts
Some investors may be interested in a particular strategy but hesitant to invest in an emerging hedge fund. Managers assuage their fears by establishing a separate account where they have trading control but limited access to the investor’s assets. Fund managers must be aware of the tax implications of such practice before implementing it.
Data reporting
The government has been setting stricter reporting regulations for hedge funds. Investors have also started demanding reporting systems that will inform them about compliance, risk management, and consistency of investment strategy.
These tax considerations must be dealt with in the early stages of a hedge fund’s investment cycle if frameworks are to be set for maximum growth.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
The Hamptons: Summer Destination of the Rich and Famous
When summer season begins, Hollywood celebrities and New York City’s high profile personalities head east to the Hamptons.
Located in the Southeastern region of Long Island, the Hamptons is known as one of the favorite summer destinations of the rich and famous. With its world-class beaches, high-end night clubs and restaurants, it is no surprise that New York City’s elites love to spend the hot and dry season in this place
For a sweet escape from the summer heat, the Hamptons offers pristine beaches dotted with million dollar mansions, art galleries, high profile restaurants, and night clubs. Cooper’s Beach, for instance, is a beautiful white sandy beach located in the village of Southampton.
The pristine beach boasts of crystal clear water and shorelines that stretch 500 feet along the Atlantic shoreline. Summer concerts and charity events are also held annually. A few miles away from Cooper’s Beach, another beach destination that’s drawing vacationers from everywhere is the Flying Point Beach in Watermill. Flying Point Beach is a scenic beach famed for its blue green water, cool summer breeze, and magnificent view of the sunset.
While the Hamptons takes pride in its beaches, there is more to this city than its picturesque shores. When the sun sets, the city turns into a huge party place that extends to the beach. With the wide variety of posh night clubs everywhere, a dose of the Hamptons nightlife is an absolute must. Hamptons’ night clubs boast of spectacular outdoor spaces and backyard with fire pit, perfect for an intimate fine dining experience with friends or some late night backyard party. Truly, the night life in the Hamptons, presents a great chance at an unforgettable clubbing experience – oftentimes just footsteps away from socialites, supermodels, and other celebrities.
Daytime parties are also a growing trend here. Imagine grilling barbecue, sipping martini and having a lively conversation about the New York Fashion Week or the current events by the pool. In every way, it is a perfect place for unwinding with family and friends.
No trip to this exclusive neighborhood would be complete without exploring the luxury fashion shops surrounding the place. From designer shoes to luxury bags bearing labels like Diane von Furstenberg, Tory Burch or Ralph Lauren, boutiques in this posh district got your every fashion need.
With its stunning beaches, amazing parties and high-end shopping centers, the Hamptons is set to bring you a wonderful summertime.
Located in the Southeastern region of Long Island, the Hamptons is known as one of the favorite summer destinations of the rich and famous. With its world-class beaches, high-end night clubs and restaurants, it is no surprise that New York City’s elites love to spend the hot and dry season in this place
For a sweet escape from the summer heat, the Hamptons offers pristine beaches dotted with million dollar mansions, art galleries, high profile restaurants, and night clubs. Cooper’s Beach, for instance, is a beautiful white sandy beach located in the village of Southampton.
The pristine beach boasts of crystal clear water and shorelines that stretch 500 feet along the Atlantic shoreline. Summer concerts and charity events are also held annually. A few miles away from Cooper’s Beach, another beach destination that’s drawing vacationers from everywhere is the Flying Point Beach in Watermill. Flying Point Beach is a scenic beach famed for its blue green water, cool summer breeze, and magnificent view of the sunset.
While the Hamptons takes pride in its beaches, there is more to this city than its picturesque shores. When the sun sets, the city turns into a huge party place that extends to the beach. With the wide variety of posh night clubs everywhere, a dose of the Hamptons nightlife is an absolute must. Hamptons’ night clubs boast of spectacular outdoor spaces and backyard with fire pit, perfect for an intimate fine dining experience with friends or some late night backyard party. Truly, the night life in the Hamptons, presents a great chance at an unforgettable clubbing experience – oftentimes just footsteps away from socialites, supermodels, and other celebrities.
Daytime parties are also a growing trend here. Imagine grilling barbecue, sipping martini and having a lively conversation about the New York Fashion Week or the current events by the pool. In every way, it is a perfect place for unwinding with family and friends.
No trip to this exclusive neighborhood would be complete without exploring the luxury fashion shops surrounding the place. From designer shoes to luxury bags bearing labels like Diane von Furstenberg, Tory Burch or Ralph Lauren, boutiques in this posh district got your every fashion need.
With its stunning beaches, amazing parties and high-end shopping centers, the Hamptons is set to bring you a wonderful summertime.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Tips on Online Reputation Management
Building a reputation on the internet is a process that requires advanced planning. The goal is to increase traffic to your site and promote business objectives. Internet reputation begins with a solid premise of business image. It's much easier to establish online reputation when the existing business image is firmly embedded. Review the specifics of your existing business image and scrutinize areas that may need additional polishing or presentation.
Building an Internet Reputation from Scratch
A new business has an ideal opportunity to build an internet reputation. There are several steps to take before presenting a new business online. These include:
. Link logo, brand and business name to all promotions and advertising
. Study advantageous internet venues
. Create a four-phase plan of promotion and advertising on the internet
. Implement consistent internet promotions and advertising
. Create an interactive internet client base
Logo, Brand and Business Name
The guide to a solid online reputation begins with a creative logo, unique brand and implementation of business name to reach levels of saturation. For example, the logo and brand should capture immediate attention and be unique in order to be retained in user memory. Ideally, the logo and brand should highlight the business name and incorporate products or services within.
Study Advantageous Internet Venues
Once the logo, brand and business name arrive at the emblematic stage, it's necessary to study the most advantageous internet venues to promote and advertise. This may begin with studying the venues frequented by competitors for your market share. Target only those markets that will be directly projected and propelled by venues that link to your business site.
Four-Phase Promotion and Advertising
There are generally four phases to a solid promotion and advertising plan. These include introduction, reiteration, review and fulfillment of initiatives. In phase one of a four-phase plan for promotion and advertising, the introduction to the initial offering should be powerful enough to be retained in memory by potential customers. In phase two, promotions and advertising should reiterate the introduction with a more confident approach to presentation of the business offering. By phase three, a review of the first two phases helps to adjust weak areas and identify stronger, more attractive areas of the business. As internet reputation becomes solidly embedded, it's important to address phase four objectively. All business initiatives regarding internet reputation should reach a level of fulfillment acceptable going forward.
Implement Consistent Internet Promotions and Advertising
Most professional advertising and promotions agents agree that consistency is a primary factor in developing online reputation. For business owners, this means presenting the business and the business owner. Once a product or service becomes a highly visible internet brand, customers need to put a face to the brand. This usually generates a modicum of customer interest and customer confidence in the business. Business owners should endeavor to share the history of their company and their business experience to create customer confidence.
Create an Interactive Internet Client Base
The final step to generate a high profile internet reputation is to create an interactive internet client base. Take the time to study clients and their buying preferences. This is an invaluable tool upon which to build a solid base of online clients. Add a blog to the site or an opportunity for interactive exchanges between the business and clients. One of the most popular interactive exchanges is providing for product or service reviews. When clients take the time to review the business offering, this provides a wealth of information with positive results. In addition, many of the product review comments are helpful to business ranking and internet reputation.
Building an Internet Reputation from Scratch
A new business has an ideal opportunity to build an internet reputation. There are several steps to take before presenting a new business online. These include:
. Link logo, brand and business name to all promotions and advertising
. Study advantageous internet venues
. Create a four-phase plan of promotion and advertising on the internet
. Implement consistent internet promotions and advertising
. Create an interactive internet client base
Logo, Brand and Business Name
The guide to a solid online reputation begins with a creative logo, unique brand and implementation of business name to reach levels of saturation. For example, the logo and brand should capture immediate attention and be unique in order to be retained in user memory. Ideally, the logo and brand should highlight the business name and incorporate products or services within.
Study Advantageous Internet Venues
Once the logo, brand and business name arrive at the emblematic stage, it's necessary to study the most advantageous internet venues to promote and advertise. This may begin with studying the venues frequented by competitors for your market share. Target only those markets that will be directly projected and propelled by venues that link to your business site.
Four-Phase Promotion and Advertising
There are generally four phases to a solid promotion and advertising plan. These include introduction, reiteration, review and fulfillment of initiatives. In phase one of a four-phase plan for promotion and advertising, the introduction to the initial offering should be powerful enough to be retained in memory by potential customers. In phase two, promotions and advertising should reiterate the introduction with a more confident approach to presentation of the business offering. By phase three, a review of the first two phases helps to adjust weak areas and identify stronger, more attractive areas of the business. As internet reputation becomes solidly embedded, it's important to address phase four objectively. All business initiatives regarding internet reputation should reach a level of fulfillment acceptable going forward.
Implement Consistent Internet Promotions and Advertising
Most professional advertising and promotions agents agree that consistency is a primary factor in developing online reputation. For business owners, this means presenting the business and the business owner. Once a product or service becomes a highly visible internet brand, customers need to put a face to the brand. This usually generates a modicum of customer interest and customer confidence in the business. Business owners should endeavor to share the history of their company and their business experience to create customer confidence.
Create an Interactive Internet Client Base
The final step to generate a high profile internet reputation is to create an interactive internet client base. Take the time to study clients and their buying preferences. This is an invaluable tool upon which to build a solid base of online clients. Add a blog to the site or an opportunity for interactive exchanges between the business and clients. One of the most popular interactive exchanges is providing for product or service reviews. When clients take the time to review the business offering, this provides a wealth of information with positive results. In addition, many of the product review comments are helpful to business ranking and internet reputation.
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