It Is Vital That The Roof Over Your Business Is Well Maintained

Posted on January 27, 2012 by

It is all too easy to take the roof over your business for granted, and it is something that most people very rarely think about during the working day. It is always there; it is likely that it was there before you started working at your company, and it will probably be there long after you have moved on to another job. Chances are that you have never even considered it on its own; if it should ever come into your mind, it is as a part of the building as a whole.

In Facilities Management, however, the roof over an office or commercial building is of vital importance; its upkeep and maintenance is always at the forefront of the thoughts of a facility manager, and it is something that has to be considered separately and given its own budget and attention. When you consider the number of functions a roof has to perform, it is easy to see why it is of such vital importance, and why it must be afforded such treatment and due diligence. Your roof can only perform these essential functions properly if it is in good condition, and an ageing, poorly maintained roof can have devastating effects on a business, both in terms of its output and efficiency.

But what are these essential jobs for a roof? As stated before, it is unlikely that most people have taken the time to think about what their roof actually does for them, and less likely still that they have considered what it is doing for the business they work in. The most obvious tasks a covering on a building has to accomplish is to provide warmth and shelter. A cold, ill workforce typing, writing or drawing at a wet workstation is an absurd notion – besides which, it is extremely dangerous, especially in companies where electrical equipment is utilised. Continue reading →

5 Simple Steps You Should Follow When Buying Real Estate

Posted on December 21, 2011 by

Many people often dream of owning a house at one time in their lives. Buying a house is usually an important step in many people’s lives. Thus, the whole buying process should be done carefully and in the best way possible. In case you are a first time real estate buyer, the following guidelines will help you get the best home.

You should follow these fives steps to ensure you acquire the right property in the market:

Before starting to look, do your own research and get some detailed information about the property market. To secure a good deal, you must be well informed and must be able to apply different buying strategies when faced with challenges. Thus, it is important to always take time to research and understand the dos and don’ts that are associated with buying property.

Decide in advance on the kind of structure you want. There are many different real estate designs in any market, and you can quickly get caught up in the excitement. Before you start looking at houses, have a picture in your mind of what you want, and try not get distracted by all of the different available options. Use the Internet to identify the different options Continue reading →

Tips and Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Real Estate Agent

Posted on November 17, 2011 by

There are a lot of real estate brokerages in any major city. Some of these real estate brokerages have hundreds, if not thousands of agents spread out over an enormous city boundary. How do you interview the different real estate agents and brokers to find the one that is right for you? I think the biggest thing is to find someone you are comfortable with, but there are a few blocks you should check in an interview before entering into an agreement with an agent to represent you.

1) Check for Real Estate Agent Personality: How personable is the agent? Is the agent friendly when corresponding with you via email? Can you easily get in touch with them throughout the day and when you do, are they easy to speak with on the phone? Do they take the time to get to know you and your family? Do they seem in touch with your style and adjust your searches accordingly? Continue reading →

A Mobile Car Wash Business Might Work for You

Posted on October 28, 2011 by

How do small little mobile car washing and auto detailing businesses start? Well, perhaps I should tell you my story real quick, and then give you the advice and encouragement you need to go and get this done for yourself, if that is indeed, what you really want to do. I must warn you however; It Is Really Hard Work!

Okay so, I didn’t scare you away, that’s a good sign, so let’s talk.

You see, I first got into the mobile car wash business accidentally, as I started washing aircraft at age 12 back in 1977. Unfortunately, and this was a big hardship, I was too young to get a driver’s license, so I rode my bicycle to the airport, washed airplanes and then road home. I towed around my equipment in an industrial tool box with big wheels on it – by tying a rope to the seat post of my bicycle – yep, nothing good in life is easy.

Eventually, 4-years later, and it seemed like forever, I did get my driver’s license and put all the equipment into the back of a pick-up and occasionally washed vehicles too. Everyone liked it, and I found some aircraft owners who had truck fleets and they hired me to come clean them on-site. That’s how it all started. Well, there was a lot of work, meaning as long as you did the work – there was some money available to grow the business – yes, and live well, for a 16-year old anyway.

The business of washing vehicles grew very fast, as there were more cars than aircraft, so I was busy as heck. I couldn’t hire my friends and school mates fast enough to do all the fleet washing, and personal cars at office buildings, and I still had the aircraft cleaning service, and I suppose one of my workers had slipped in that nomination for “most likely to succeed” – but I hardly thought so, all I knew is that between grades and sports, and the business, I was running redline, and wondered how could anyone hope to succeed like that.

Later of course, I learned probably like you that it takes hard work to make it in such a world. Over the years the business grew, and we had some 53-units operating in 39 cities, some I owned, others were independent contractors. Eventually we had to franchise to stay within the law and definition of our highly modified business model.

Okay so, this article is not about “How To” because, quite frankly there are just too many articles, DVDs, and books already out there on “How to Start a Mobile Car Wash Business” and pretty much everyone has their own methods and way of doing things. No way is bad if it works for you, but there are more efficient ways of doing all aspects of the business, depending on regional variations such as; weather, labor supply, demographics, and customer demands.

Rather, the point I want to make hear and I hope I’ve hammered it home, is that if a young, naïve, and stupid teenager like me can start a business like this anyone can. And let’s just call this your inspiration for the day, to kick you in the rear and really ask yourself if you want to do it or not. Don’t say you can’t, because if you do, I’ll simply say; “you mean you won’t, because I know you can, if you decide too.” In fact, I was reminded of the excuses that people make in life when they say they can’t by another self-made entrepreneur the other day.

Limousines Riders, Then and Now

Posted on September 22, 2011 by

When I was a child, this particular question used to always pop up in my little head as to who really are these people riding in these pretty, large and absolutely longer than the usual cars? Growing up in urban area, it always fascinated me as to who were these limousine riders? Limousine itself was an exciting subject matter for me but far more than that, I was more curious about the people I could see inside it. I always wondered what they did? where they came from? and why they are using limousines in particular when there were so many other modes of transportation? Over the years, I have been around to see many things, they change and go, however the excitement of seeing a luxury town car or limousine in the streets is the same. Today, with added consciousness, I attempt to answer those questions that may be looming over the minds of many.

Even though limousine travel has come a long way today, owing to the advancements in technology and economy its definition in society amongst people and its denotations has never changed. Limousines have always been a symbolization of luxury and comfort. Even when looking back in time, limousines were always a higher status marker, a symbol of prosperity and prestige and a means of higher class transportation projecting the splendor and lavishness accompanied in luxury lifestyle and comfortable living.

During the mid 19th century, limousine were primarily used by the ‘Royals’ and ‘Bourgeois’, the ruler class,aristocrat, rich and wealthy businessmen, political figures, legislatures and administrators. And when the success of Hollywood entered the scene, limousines were widely used by movie actors, actresses and celebrities. But before that, limousines were used by the big band leaders and orchestras with the intention of advertising their fame and fortune in various parts of the country. They were referred to as the “Big band bus”.

In the 1930′s when limousine started to rise on high, riders of the limousines were ‘tourists’ and ‘guests’ who were driven to and from the hotels and airport. This opened up an entirely new market for hoteliers in hospitality. Other tour operators and vacation renters joined in to offer exquisiteness and luxurious comfort in their services via offering limousines to their clients as a mode of transportation. In 1939 trend of presidential limousine started, it was “sunshine special” which was used by President Franklin D Roosevelt, Lincoln cosmopolitan and Bubble top was used by P. Dwight following the trend were President John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush. And now Barack Obama occupying the 73% of use of limousine under his administration for the safety of diplomats. Holidaymakers often used limousine service for sight-seeing and city excursions, hence it was named ‘Airport stretch coach’. But then the technical advancements and exclusive amenities made available in limousines services gradually made its rental cost higher and completely out of reach of ordinary people.

After the great depression, all the political, social and industrial revolution that were made by the revolutionists throughout the country brought the rapid fundamental social, economical and cultural changes over the following years, hence limousines were no more the cases of have’s and have’s not. And now due to today’s sustained and developed economy, different limousine companies are breaching the consumer market, allowing regular people to hire limousines for almost any occasion including weddings, birthdays, prom parties and graduations. I often see ordinary people enjoying the high life on their special day in a limousine, celebrating their weddings or birthdays in style and with much desired elegance and highlighted presence.

It is a tradition for the bride and groom on their wedding to share the joy and excitement of their new life ahead by hiring a wedding limo. We see limousines in use among general people today and the trend are gradually becoming part of our daily life. Limousines are hired for funeral processions highlighting the respect and dignity for the dear ones. Prom Limousines are available everywhere for high school students who wish to celebrate their prom night with full youthfulness adding extra possibility of a very memorable event for all. Celebrities and sports stars make very frequent appearance in limousines whenever there is a function, party or celebration. It highly elevates their presence and adds glamor and elegance to the red carpet they tread on. Lately, it is the business people and entrepreneurs making their big day a hit or political figures making history they are using limousines to make their presence significant to society.

Limousine riders are the people, normal, rich, and stars, common, ordinary or extra ordinary because limousines are for the people, by the people. So limousine riders can be me and it can be you. There is never a predefined etiquette as to who may and who may not use a limousine service. It helps add a different genre of excitement, entertainment and professionalism to whatever occasion you intend to hire it for.