Travel and Leisure

As a student, I remember watching reruns of "Star Trek" in my college dormitory with other University of California matriculates, and yes, I was a bit of a geek for sure! My favorite phrase uttered episode after episode was, "Kirk to Enterprise. Come in, Enterprise," and with a simple flick of the wrist, a well-equipped Federation personnel would "beam" Captain Kirk back to Enterprise from wherever he was. Maybe Gene Roddenberry and the other geniuses behind the 1960s hit were really technology gurus and visionaries. Think about it; Captain Kirk talking directly to someone on another space vessel, or even in another galaxy, via a live connection on a wide screen display. Does this remind you of Cisco TelePresence perhaps? What about the electronic "pads" the yeoman was always handing to Captain Kirk to sign-off on. Did Steve Jobs have that vision in mind as he fleshed out the first iPad design? Maybe the most prescient device on the show was the communicator. Could it have been a precursor to today's smartphone? I don't think Roddenberry, even in his wildest dreams, imagined the direction of today's smartphones; a device powerful enough to allow users to play word games with friends while talking to their mother and searching a website for a great place for sushi. Interestingly enough, it was Canada where both of these wonders were born.

The smart phone revolution was of course pioneered by Canadian giant Research In Motion (RIM), and I'm not sure not even the company's corporate strategists could have foreseen how deep the insertion would be when Blackberry first hit the market. The term "CrackBerry" snidely referred to those individuals who, even with a crowbar, couldn't be separated from their BlackBerry devices. RIM enjoyed a tremendous advantage in being first to market, and their legions of converts who eagerly consumed everything BlackBerry were harbingers of a new era of business mobility. The days of "out of office" greetings were numbered as any smart, aggressive organization knew that if they were more accessible to their customers and prospects the likelihood of closing business and creating agile customer service was astronomically better than those not embracing the mobility trend.

In the case of business, as well as in the wild, the hunter often becomes the hunted. Even though RIM had a pretty strong foothold on the fledgling market, others soon came to dislodge the leader from the mountaintop. Even PDA makers such as Palm, Inc.,with their Treo devices, jumped into the fray after seeing their product was becoming obsolete. Soon others with new operating systems like the Apple iPhone and the Google-backed Android device were introduced to the market. Of course, it wouldn't really be a party without Microsoft, who has been trying to crack the smartphone and mobility market for several years with their Windows Phone. Though lagging behind in feature set, the Windows Phone was thought to have a slight advantage in ease of incorporation into full Windows-based environments. However the comparative ease of the competition to do the same, as well as weaker Windows Phone feature sets, kept Microsoft on the outside looking in for the most part; until now. Industry watchers are carefully keeping an eye on the next iteration of the Windows Phone operating system, Windows Phone 8. Microsoft has placed some heavy bets on this product touting the seamless user interface between the phone and the desktop or laptop. Time will tell whether this strategy will be a winner or a disaster.

Today's smartphone market offers a plethora of options which makes it difficult to point to one that is considered to be the BEST. In truth, there may not be one universal choice because the needs and wants of small and mid-sized business are all over the board and there is no "typical" network configuration. However, I think we can agree there are many options that most SMB organizations could use in the realm of the smartphone feature set. Being able to conduct business on the fly is the most compelling and common reason small businesses are thinking about the smartphone and how it fits into their overall plan. Sure, enterprise businesses are in the same boat, but the SMB space may well have more agility and flexibility in their business model to accommodate a shift like this. More and more, there are small start-ups and sole proprietors that can take advantage of the power smartphones combined with cloud solutions that eliminate the need for an onsite server and suite of applications. Solutions like Microsoft's Office 365 allows users to have all of their organizational information, email, databases, intranet, voice, and IM communications handled in the cloud and accessible anywhere on their smartphone device of choice.

This type of configuration and smartphone integration works well for businesses that have a small office or a home office, but it could also work well for businesses looking to cut costs and not reinvest in expensive hardware, software, and personnel to support it. However, there are numerous pitfalls around security and device access.

Addressing the former, with the ease of connection for a growing number of smartphone options, the drawback can be the potential for security breach. What if the device is lost or stolen? What if an employee goes to a competitor but siphons off critical client information before they leave? What if the Internet connection the device is accessing is hacked leading a malevolent outsider to access to your internal network? These are all critical points to consider. Most smartphones are only able to access the network via a secure connection through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnel, for example. These tunnels are a clientless variety called SSL, which is a browser-based connection that leverages the secure sockets layer in Internet Explorer. In other words, it's not like the old VPN connection that required a client to be downloaded, had to be maintained, and had to be accessed only from the machine it was loaded onto. The clientless SSL version can be used from any compliant browser, even an airport or hotel kiosk.

It's imperative to understand how smartphones are able to access the network safely and securely as most employees want access to a BYOD environment; bring your own device. These scenarios are playing out at every rung on the business size ladder, but the same security issues remain as mentioned above. How to properly deal with the plethora of devices accessing the network? I hate to introduce another acronym, but Mobile Device Management (MDM) may well be the ticket to solving that riddle. Between cloud-based solutions and on-premise options, MDM providers allow organizations to securely manage both company owned and employee owned devices. With compliance to federal regulations an ever changing issue, these MDM solutions can help provide proof that the entity's data is safe and protected. They can even track the location of the device, and if it is lost or stolen, give an administrator the ability to lock it down or even wipe it clean of all corporate data remotely. That gets a bit tricky when dealing with devices owned by employees, but some of the MDM suites will allow for the removal of only corporate data, leaving the pictures of your cute dog or adorable niece intact.

So there are plenty of options and choices around smart phones for the SMB crowd. There are too many choices, and too many individual needs and wants for me to recommend or point towards any one device. Regardless of the option, the need for security and management is something that cannot be ignored. It is important to do a thorough evaluation of your needs and how your budget can handle all the key aspects of the solution. A smartphone as a key tool in business for any number of users, but I often wonder what will they look like in the future. I'd be thrilled if devices of the future could materialize a good cup of coffee to me like the food replicators in the Star Trek universe! Live long and prosper, and be mobile!

It was never intended that man should be poor. When wealth is
obtained under the proper conditions it broadens the life.
Everything has its value. Everything has a good use and a bad
use. The forces of mind like wealth can be directed either for
good or evil. A little rest will re-create forces. Too much rest
degenerates into laziness, and brainless, dreamy longings.

If you acquire wealth unjustly from others, you are misusing your
forces; but if your wealth comes through the right sources you
will be blessed. Through wealth we can do things to uplift
ourselves and humanity.

Wealth is many persons' goal. It therefore stimulates their
endeavor. They long for it in order to dress and live in such a
way as to attract friends. Without friends they would not be so
particular of their surroundings. The fact is the more attractive
we make ourselves and our surroundings the more inspiring are
their influences. It is not conducive to proper thought to be
surrounded by conditions that are uncongenial and unpleasant.

So the first step toward acquiring wealth is to surround yourself
with helpful influences; to claim for yourself an environment of
culture, place yourself in it and be molded by its influences.

Most great men of all ages have been comparatively rich. They
have made or inherited money. Without money they could not have
accomplished what they did. The man engaged in physical drudgery
is not likely to have the same high ideals as the man that can
command comparative leisure.

Wealth is usually the fruit of achievement. It is not, however,
altogether the result of being industrious. Thousands of persons
work hard who never grow wealthy. Others with much less effort
acquire wealth. Seeing possibilities is another step toward
acquiring wealth. A man may be as industrious as he can possibly
be, but if he does not use his mental forces he will be a
laborer, to be directed by the man that uses to good advantage
his mental forces.

No one can become wealthy in an ordinary lifetime, by mere
savings from earnings. Many scrimp and economize all their lives;
but by so doing waste all their vitality and energy. For example,
I know a man that used to walk to work. It took him an hour to go
and an hour to return. He could have taken a car and gone in
twenty minutes. He saved ten cents a day but wasted an hour and a
half. It was not a very profitable investment unless the time
spent in physical exercise yielded him large returns in the way
of health.

The same amount of time spent in concentrated effort to overcome
his unfavorable business environment might have firmly planted
his feet in the path of prosperity.

One of the big mistakes made by many persons of the present
generation is that they associate with those who fail to call out
or develop the best that is in them. When the social side of life
is developed too exclusively, as it often is, and recreation or
entertainment becomes the leading motive of a person's life, he
acquires habits of extravagance instead of economy; habits of
wasting his resources, physical, mental, moral and spiritual,
instead of conserving them. He is, in consequence, lacking in
proper motivation, his God-given powers and forces are
undeveloped and he inevitably brings poor judgment to bear upon
all the higher relationships of life, while, as to his financial
fortunes, he is ever the leaner; often a parasite, and always, if
opportunity affords, as heavy a consumer as he is a poor
producer.

It seems a part of the tragedy of life that these persons have to
be taught such painful lessons before they can understand the
forces and laws that regulate life. Few profit by the mistakes of
others. They must experience them for themselves and then apply
the knowledge so gained in reconstructing their lives.

Any man that has ever amounted to anything has never done a great
deal of detail work for long periods at any given time. He needs
his time to reflect. He does not do his duties today in the same
way as yesterday, but as the result of deliberate and
concentrated effort, constantly tries to improve his methods.

The other day I attended a lecture on Prosperity. I knew the
lecturer had been practically broke for ten years. I wanted to
hear what he had to say. He spoke very well. He no doubt
benefited some of his hearers, but he had not profited by his own
teachings. I introduced myself and asked him if he believed in
his maxims. He said he did. I asked him if they had made him
prosperous. He said not exactly. I asked him why. He answered
that he thought he was fated not to experience prosperity.

In half an hour I showed that man why poverty had always been his
companion. He had dressed poorly. He held his lectures in poor
surroundings. By his actions and beliefs he attracted poverty. He
did not realize that his thoughts and his surroundings exercised
an unfavorable influence. I said: "Thoughts are moving forces;
great powers. Thoughts of wealth attract wealth. Therefore, if
you desire wealth you must attract the forces that will help you
to secure it. Your thoughts attract a similar kind of thoughts.
If you hold thoughts of poverty you attract poverty. If you make
up your mind you are going to be wealthy, you will instil this
thought into all your mental forces, and you will at the same
time use every external condition to help you."

Many persons are of the opinion that if you have money it is easy
to make more money. But this is not necessarily true. Ninety per
cent of the men that start in business fail. Money will not
enable one to accumulate much more, unless he is trained to seek
and use good opportunities for its investment. If he inherits
money the chances are that he will lose it. While, if he has made
it, he not only knows its value, but has developed the power to
use it as well as to make more if he loses it.

Business success today depends on foresight, good judgment, grit,
firm resolution and settled purpose. But never forget that
thought is as real a force as electricity. Let your thoughts be
such, that you will send out as good as you receive; if you do
not, you are not enriching others, and therefore deserve not to
be enriched.

The man that tries to get all he can from others for nothing
becomes so selfish and mean that he does not even enjoy his
acquisitions. We see examples of this every day. What we take
from others, will in turn, be taken from us. All obligations have
to be met fairly and squarely. We cannot reach perfection until
we discharge every obligation of our lives. We all realize this,
so why not willingly give a fair exchange for all that we
receive?

Again I repeat that the first as well as the last step in
acquiring wealth is to surround yourself with good
influences--good thought, good health, good home and business
environment and successful business associates. Cultivate, by
every legitimate means, the acquaintance of men of big caliber.
Bring your thought vibrations in regard to business into harmony
with theirs. This will make your society not only agreeable, but
sought after, and, when you have formed intimate friendships with
clean, reputable men of wealth, entrust to them, for investment,
your surplus earnings, however small, until you have developed
the initiative and business acumen to successfully manage your
own investments. By this time you will, through such
associations, have found your place in life which, if you have
rightly concentrated upon and used your opportunities, will not
be among men of small parts. With a competence secured, you will
take pleasure in using a part of it in making the road you
traveled in reaching your position easier for those who follow
you.

There is somewhere in every brain the energy that will get you
out of that rut and put you far up on the mountain of success if
you can only use the energy.

You know that gasoline in the engine of an automobile doesn't
move the car until the spark comes to explode the gasoline.

So it is with the mind of man. We are not speaking now of men of
great genius, but of average, able citizens.

Each one of them has in his brain the capacity to climb over the
word impossible and get into the successful country beyond.

And hope, self-confidence and the determination to do something
supply the spark that makes the energy work.

How can you lose excess fat? You try to eat sensibly. You go to the gym 4 times a week. But still that stubborn fat stays there, mocking your attempts to get rid of it.

One very good way to increase fat loss could be NEAT -- non-exercise activity thermogenesis. This is the energy consumption of our bodies during normal daily activities -- anything from sitting down and watching television to doing hard manual work. In other words, all our activities that burn off energy and that don't involve formal, structured exercise.

Most of us need to move about more. But most of us are very sedentary. We have physically undemanding jobs, we travel to and from them in cars or buses and our leisure time often involves sitting down. Many of us also eat more than we need to.

If you want to boost your fat burning you need to be more active.

Studies have shown that those who sit for long periods are more likely to be overweight than their more active counterparts. For example, if you sit watching television for 6 hours you will only burn an extra 30 calories above your body's normal maintenance level of energy expenditure. But if you do something more active, such as gardening or painting the spare bedrooms, you will burn an extra 750-1125 calories (1). All right, 6 hours of gardening might be a bit excessive but half that time is not excessive and you will burn hundreds of extra calories in 3 hours. It might seem obvious that people who sit for extended periods are more likely be overweight in comparison to people who are more active, but many people do spend too much time sitting down.

Having elevated insulin and glucose levels can lead to ill health. Post prandial (after meals) blood sugar (glucose) spikes are higher in healthy people who are not very active than in healthy people who are active (2). People with active lives have low blood sugar spikes after meals due, partly, to the fact that activity depletes muscles of sugar and the muscles, with the help of insulin, soak up sugar from meals to replenish their stores.

Other studies have shown that, in overweight people, those who sit for long periods have higher insulin and blood glucose levels after meals than those who stand up and move around more often (3). Something as simple as standing up every 20 minutes for 2 minutes of light-intensity walking -- just strolling around -- can help to lower insulin and blood sugar levels after a meal in those who habitually sit for long periods at work or at home.

Physically active people are less likely to develop type-2 diabetes, stroke, some forms of cancer and osteoporosis (4). That knowledge alone should prompt you to be more active every day.

It's very important to remain active, even if you are slim and healthy. Activity not only burns fat -- it helps to keep you healthy in so many ways. We are 'designed' to be active and inactivity makes us rust up as surely as it makes a hinge rust up.

If you want to increase your NEAT there are many ways to do so. You could walk to work or to the shops rather than using the car. You could use fewer labour-saving devices. You could stand up every 20 or 30 minutes at work and do a few squats or press ups. Take the stairs instead of the lift. Go for a walk in your lunch break. When you watch television, get up and move about when the advertisements come on. Wash your car with a bucket and sponge instead of using an automated car wash. Generally, never be inactive for too long. Frequent movement will increase the number of calories you burn and the amount of fat you shed. But don't eat larger meals as a reward or because you think you need to replace the extra energy you're using.

I do all of those things and I also do formal exercises 5 days a week. Even physically fit people can benefit from more NEAT.

You can make a difference starting today. All you have to do is move more.

References

1. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. 2006 Apr;26(4):729-36.
Non-exercise activity thermogenesis: the crouching tiger hidden dragon of societal weight gain.

2. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 2012 Feb;44(2):225-31.
Lowering physical activity impairs glycemic control in healthy volunteers.

3. Diabetes Care. 2012 May;35(5):976-83.
Breaking up prolonged sitting reduces postprandial glucose and insulin responses.

4. Journal of Obesity. 2011;2011. pii: 360257.
Physical activity plays an important role in body weight regulation.

When it comes to luxury beach resorts in India, global players of the hospitality industry have come up with five star properties in the aforementioned destinations. The thematic decor, avant-garde amenities, lush green surroundings, constant views of sea water and host of leisure activities make these resorts a preferred base for beach holidays. In this article, I have enlisted some popular five star resorts that are sprinkled across famous holiday destinations in Goa, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Kumarakom Lake Resort
A luxury heritage resort in Kerala, Kumarakom Lake Resort is situated on the pristine Vemband Lake. Spanned across 25 acres of luxuriant greens, this five star lake resort is a proud member of Small Luxury Hotels in the World. The décor of the 50 villas housed within this resort draws inspiration from the principles of Tarchu Shastra. While the décor exudes the charm of authentic Kerala heritage, the modern sophistication is maintained through avant-garde amenities providing a cozy comfortable stay. This beach resort has various other facilities to offer such as multi-cuisine eatery, swimming pool, meditation center, health club and Ayurveda spa.

Vivanta by Taj-Fisherman's Cove
A prominent beach property of Taj group, Vivanta by Taj-Fisherman's Cove is constructed on the ramparts of a Dutch fort. Nestled on the pristine stretches of Bay of Bengal, this five star beach resort offers fine assortment of 88 well appointed rooms to its guests. All the rooms reflects a seamless blend of Scandinavian and Modern European architecture and come equipped with standard guest amenities such as satellite TV, IDD phone, channel music, mini bar and tea & coffee maker. Its proximity with the shore temples of Mahabalipuram makes it a tourist friendly destination.

Taj Exotica
Sprawled amidst 56 acres of landscaped gardens, Taj Exotica, built entirely in Mediterranean style, is nestled on the south west coast of Goa. Offering services tantamount to the international standards of hospitality and adorned with state of the art amenities, this five star beach resort ensures comfortable and convenient stay for the guests. 140 in number, the accommodation alternatives at Taj Exotica are classified as Deluxe Rooms, Luxury Rooms and Villas. The tropical inspired architecture and lavish corridors offer an inviting ambience to the guests.

The above mentioned three names- Kumarakom Lake Resort, Vivanta by Taj-Fisherman's Cove and Taj Exotica- are luxury beach resorts housed in Kerala, Chennai and Goa respectively. The five star amenities, international standards of hospitality and scenic natural surroundings encourage guests to prolong their stay.

Today, everyone is looking for the secret to business success. Professionals read books, take training classes, ask questions, study others that are successful and strive to outperform themselves.

However, some behavior patterns can develop into bad habits and cause even the most seasoned and professional person to self-destruct.

Let's take a look at some common behaviors that can put your career on the "skids". As you read these 9 behaviors you may recognize some areas you will want to change to keep your career on track.

The following are ten danger signs that can trap you and may "zap" your career.

1. Over Confidence: While you need a healthy dose of self-confidence to carry you through those tough times you also need to keep your confidence and ego in balance.

Keeping your ego in check will prevent you from thinking you are more important than those around you and missing out on their good ideas and solutions.

2. Time abuse: You only have 24 hours a day. Use each one of them wisely.

Guard against intruders such as non-important phone calls, emails and messages that do not specifically relate to your job.

Also make sure you save some time for personal development and pleasures.

3. Procrastination: Write the words "Do It Now" on a 3X5 card and post it where you can see it often. Then follow the advice.

Make that appointment now, make that phone call now, reply to that email now, see your customer now.

4. Failing to communicate: The most effective professionals spend 80% of their time listening and only 20% of their time talking.

They then spend 80% of their talking time asking questions. How does your communication ratio stack up to this standard?

5. Short-Sightedness: Approach your problems and decisions with a long-term view in mind.

Ask how what you do today will affect the organization 2 years, 5 years and 10 years from now.

While this does not mean every decision you make will have that kind of impact far in the future, however it is a good way to verify your thinking.

6. Loose lips: While at one time they may have been responsible for sinking ships, today loose lips most likely will sink your career.

Be careful of what you put in emails and what you say to others. Many a person has regretted making a casual comment concerning their job or company.

7. Not keeping good records: Are you using a good contact management tool? If not consider starting today.

A contact management tool will keep important information about peers, customers, and clients in one easy to access place.

8. Stunted growth: Never quit learning. Become a better person and reach higher levels of success by continuing to feed your mind.

9. Not Delegating: some of your workload: Today almost everyone is doing the job that just a few years ago was done by as many as two people or more.

If you don't delegate a portion of your work to others that are capable of doing the job, you can become overloaded and perhaps all of your other work will suffer.

Take a look at your current workload, what can you pass on to someone else. Remember that delegating is not "work dumping" but transferring responsibility along with the authority and responsibility to get the task done.

Don't forget to give credit to the person you delegated the job

Never believe you are a complete final product. Keep improving your skills and knowledge. Be responsible for your future.

Take a listening course; listen to books on CD while traveling or in your leisure time. Pick up a book and read it, associate with other successful people.

For employers and employees the year's last quarter results will end either in celebration or hopes that the next year will be better. Whichever is the case, a perfect company winter holiday party can provide the boss with the perfect opportunity to thank his or her employees for their hard work during the course of the year. All it takes to have the perfect office winter holiday is perfect planning.

Whether planning the perfect company winter holiday party is done by committee, or delegated to a capable office administrative assistant, its success will depend on similar items that need to be addressed. Checklist Items like the party date, budget, venue, catered or non-catered food, number of guests attending are all good topics to get the project underway.

Date Of The Party - One of the most important items party planners have to address is the date of the party. Most religious and ethnic winter holidays, Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanza occur near the end of the year, when many employees will be traveling out of town visiting family and friends As an accommodation to employees, planners should reserve a date at least three weeks prior to years' end to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Accurate Attendee Head Count - If the company guest list will include an employee spouse, partner, or date, food and beverage costs will increase. However the perk of an employee having a happy husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend in attendance, and not at home feeling left out more than compensates for any additional budget costs.

Company Winter Party Budget - After determining how much money will be allocated for the party, a decision has to be made whether or not the expenses will be shared between the company and the employees, or if the company will be responsible for the entire costs. Today employees are working longer hours for less pay, and asking employees to share holiday party costs may not go over well with the office staff.

The Venue - The next big item on the planning agenda is the location. Some venue options include company office space, the boss' home, a country club, lodge, hotel banquet room, or restaurant. The party date, guests count, and budget will narrow the choice of locations, but there are other requirements to be met before one location tops the list.

The Food - No matter how scintillating the conversation or how esteemed the guests, if the food is bad or runs out, many of the attendees may not hang around for the party's conclusion. So this is one of the key items party planners have to get right.

For planners considering a rental venue for the office winter party, find out upfront if food catering service is provided, and whether or not the cost is included in the rental price. If the venue site does not provide catering service, then ask if the site comes with a full kitchen, that way the company can hire their own caterer.

Then there is the budget conscious office party planner who asks employees to bring a dish to the party. How employees respond could depend on the size of the office staff.

For travelers who love to travel in style, a luxury travel agency can do the trick. For people interested in traveling to different countries and gathering experience, there are superb luxury holiday experiences for them. Taking care of your smallest requirement to your budget constraints, the travel operator helps you by all means. No matter what your requirements are, there is a tailor-made tour holidays available for you. The luxury travel will take you to authentic locations of your dreams, fantasy shopping, lazy lunches in restaurants and wandering through the ruins of a crumbled civilization. When you find a journey that is both knowledgeable and enjoyable, you'll have the best of all worlds at your finger tips.

No matter where your imagination takes you, there is a chance to follow your dreams and indulge in the ultimate travel escape destination. South Africa, Europe, South East Asia and the Pacific are full of islands, small and large, that will give you the privacy you desire. Luxurious travel destinations are relative, ultimately to your own definition of the value of the experience. A popular holiday theme, luxury holidays offer a wonderful chance to enjoy a luxurious vacation along with near and dear ones. Style, elegance, refinement and great location, those are just some of the features of the properties of the holidays. From the mountains to the sea, from the rivers to the lake, from the dense forest to watching polar bears the travel operator will fulfill your ultimate fantasy. They promise to spoil you all through your journey bit by bit on daily basis keeping in mind the luxury class you belong to. Sometimes the search for the exotic often takes one to far-flung corners of third world cultures totally alien to the visitor in terms of language, customs, and etiquette.

The chance to learn and understand various cultures on a travel are invaluable and to be grasped with both hands when available. The tour operator as a luxury travel company combine comfort and authenticity famous for creating destinations for you as per your choice. Plan an all exclusive customized adventure travel to the earth's greatest tropical lands with them and rest will surely be history. A luxury holidays abroad at one of the exotic international locations is really alluring and fulfilling the same are the various offers and itinerary customized as per your desire. You will be accommodated in top hotels that suit the luxury and comfort level you desire. The travel operator brings you vacations that are rich in value as well as services. A Gym, a World class spa, a huge pool and a dining room where dedicated chefs prepare gourmet cuisine exclusively for you at one of the wildest location is the highlight of the journey.