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.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
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.
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