imail (UK Mail) - Winners at the World Mail Awards 2013

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World Mail Awards 2013

 

The World Mail Awards are the annual awards for the global mail industry; this year’s glittering ceremony was held in Madrid on 5th June. The event highlights excellence in various fields within the industry in order to reward dedication and success, as well as to share best practice and experience across the world’s mail businesses

 

imail wins at the World Mail Awards

Receiving Award: Mr Andy Barber & Team

 

We are pleased to announce that imail, UK Mail’s hybrid mailing service has picked up the Growth Award at the World Mail Awards in Madrid.  imail beat off competition from over 100 entries to win this prestigious award. The Growth category looked at initiatives that encouraged more use of physical mail or parcels services and have helped to grow an entire market. imail were the only independent operator to be nominated for an award. With imail, you create a marketing postcard, letter or invoice and upload it at imail.co.uk, then leave the printing and posting to us. imail can.. ·        Save up to 60% on your mailing costs ·        Increase your sales by up to 15% ·        Reach a more targeted audience For 10% off your imail mailing use Voucher Code WIN10. Call 0845 004 5370 or go to imail.co.uk to find out more about imail. Twitter: www.twitter.com/imailpostcards Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imailpostcards Website: www.imail.co.uk       Edited by: AsiansUK Magazine & Online Marketing   Facebook: www.facebook/asiansuk Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/asiansuk

 

 

 

 

 

Booking.Com - A Cautionary Tale

Having been in the travel industry very many years and reached pretty much the top of the tree I thought I of all people would not get caught out by anyone. Sadly I was wrong. In the hopes that I might spare someone (i.e. possibly you) some anguish/annoyance I thought I would share my experience with you. After all over 20,000 people have read this blog so I might be able to help one of you!

The 'issue' is one of online bookings.

I wanted to book a surprise 3 day break in my wife's favourite childhood holiday venue of Scarborough for her birthday. Easy I thought. I simply got on Google and found Bookings.Com. The website was the usual friendly and easy display so I booked The Mount in Scarborough and sat back waiting to enjoy the break. Sadly something came up and we had to cancel so back on the site I went and carefully cancelled the booking as I noticed that otherwise fees would apply.

That was that really until I got a message saying my card would be charged £180 for failure to cancel. Not correct I wailed and emailed Bookings.com and told them so. Ah, they said. Send us proof of cancellation. O.K. I thought, I will go back into my sent/recieved messages to see if there is anything referring to my cancellation, but there wasn't. I became a bit indignant. Polite but indignant. Look, I said, I used to run the biggest hotel booking company in the UK. not only did your system not cancel when asked to but there is also no record of the cancellation in my mailboxes.

I pointed this out in a subsequent email (friendly and slightly less indignant) but was told that the manager 'Craig' had basically pronounced 'No proof then no refund'.

So the lesson to be learned is yes, by all means book and cancel online BUT make sure you get and keep immediate proof you have done so. Bookings.com must have assumed I was either 'trying it on' or they could get away with it. As for me? I will still book/cancel online but use an online agency that believes in my integrity as much as I do! That counts Bookings.com out then!

Asset Class Returns As At 31 May 2013

This is highly interesting. As a test, if you were looking at the table what could you say or what kind of observations could you make. Not trying to be an asshole or "guru" here, but if you are honest about your knowledge of markets, the ability to synthesize data and tell a story, you should do well in financial markets. If you can't, then you shouldn't be, or are just plodding along. To be in the markets you can study, but you have to have passion for it. Make your own observations before scrolling down.


- The one month data does not tell us much.

- YTD, the equity markets have been well led by the US, in fact emerging markets have been trailing ... suffice to say that most of the Asian markets which have been surging so far this year have been an anomaly, which further depresses the real performance of other emerging markets.

- We know the financial markets have been awashed in liquidity with QEs from various central banks, but where have they been headed. The YTD figures are again revealing, some have exited gold in a big way. Them taking money off gold may be just profit taking or likely to mean they are more comfortable that currencies won't be debased anymore, or that bailouts have finally went past a peak. The reduction of fear or volatility could be another reason.

- So where is the liquidity? They went largely into US stocks, US REITs and even foreign REITs. The REITs interest is but a reflection in a strong bottoming in property price correction and a resurrection of demand, and also a hint that people are more employable even now to take up new mortgages, and/or that a lot more PE/VC/vulture funds are taking advantage and making deals on distressed commercial properties.

- Look at crude oil, one month, YTD or 1 year even, that is a good reflection about the robustness (or lack of) of the global economic recovery. The recovery is benign and in patches still.

- Look at commodities, again the same conclusion as for crude oil, still working of excess inventory in the global system.

- Look at the emerging equity markets from 1 year ago, there has been a dramatic shift away from emerging markets back to US and possibly Japanese stocks. Again the robust performance of other Asian equity markets is very telling as it is viewed as largely unscathed and the equity markets there do attract sufficient interest compared to other emerging markets.

- The most important point one has to conclude is a drastic shift away from bonds of all kind. Bonds have been great on a 3 year basis but more funds are moving out. They move out because they either think there is a bubble there (too safe, and too many people willing to pay too high a price for low yields) and/or equity provides a better return even after accounting for risk.

From the above, I am quite confident that the current sell down in equities will be brief.

US for a Food Delight: A culinary excavation to American

US states like California, Alaska, Hawaii, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana and several others are known mostly for their awe-inspiring tourist places, commercial complexes, night life, luxurious hotels and certainly some for their pristine natural beauty. Besides all these, one of the hands-down greatest things about America is the vast diversity in the hyper-regional specialties of foods. Globetrotting around America can make you taste some finest regional delights along with some good beverages. Let us take you to an explorative culinary journey to America.

Alaska – Caribou Steak: The idea of eating the meat of a caribou deer might shake you, but if you are in Alaska try caribou or reindeer burger with some freshly cooked french-fries and tomato sauce. Caribou or reindeer meat has high protein content, three times that of beef.

Alaska – Caribou Steak

California – Fruit Smoothie: When the health cultures brewed with beach culture, smoothie took birth in America in the 1970s. Smoothies are prepared by blending fruits, veggies and exotic ingredients like lemon verbena and wheatgrass together; smoothie is an ideal drink for the summer and certainly a must-taste drink in California.

California – Fruit Smoothie

Colorado – Mountain Trout: Rocky Mountain in the Western North Carolina is famous for streams, rivers and lakes, which teem with silvery trout. The 2,000 miles of streams and rivers are open to the public for fishing. Thus, if you want to taste an authentic cuisine prepared with trout, learn fly fishing, catch the silvery trout and cook yourself with the help of a local.

Colorado – Mountain Trout

Illinois – Chicago-style Hot Dog: Though no one is sure of the origin of hotdogs, Chicago claims to invent this world-famous sausage at the 1893 World’s Fair. However debated, Chicago certainly will make you taste some of the finest regional hotdog varieties.

Illinois – Chicago-style Hot Dog

Indiana – Pork Tenderloin Sandwich: Exploring the cuisine variations in Indiana, you can typically notice a mid-western influence and local people’s love for pork. While the use of pork in everyday food is quite common in Indiana, the finest expression of this love is the pork tenderloin sandwich. It is prepared from a thin slice of pork dipped in flour, eggs and breadcrumbs and then deep fried. After cooking, the prepared Pork Tenderloin is then served on a hamburger bun.

Indiana – Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

Michigan – Cherry Pie: Almost 70% of the tart cherries in the US are grown in Michigan. Traverse City, the main cherry growing region in the state of Michigan celebrates cherry festival every July. While cherries are largely used in local foods, the taste of a flakey cherry pie certainly will be the best treat for people with sweet teeth.

Michigan – Cherry Pie:

Texas – Nachos: The history of the nachos is as interesting as its taste. It is said that this famous food variety of Texas was originated by a restaurant owner. Nachos are a Tex-Mex cuisine and Texas is certainly the best place to taste this delicious item. Complete with beans, cheese, steak and guacamole, Texan Nachos are the best and certainly can turn you to a gastronome.

Texas – Nachos

Washington – Salmon: The Rivers of Washington State are filled with fat sockeye salmon, and many of these find their way to local tables. You can try buying some fresh salmon from Seattle’s fish market and try cooking it yourself. The fish tastes heavenly and you will surely love this mouth-watering delight with some fine sips of wine.

Washington – Salmon

We have presented just few of the food variations that you may get in different parts of America; if you are a foodie and love to explore the culinary delights of different regions, United States is certainly your destination for an ultimate drive to some of world’s famous food varieties.

Wednesday Podcast S&M Show

http://www.bfm.my/snm-show.html

Long term investing vs short term ..... and Llorando by Rebekah del Rio.

The Fears Of The End Of Quant Easing

Markets everywhere have been shaken over the last two weeks. First was the correction in the Japanese equity markets. It has lost substantial ground over just the last couple of weeks. Next came the Bernanke's testimony which led all to conclude that QE would be ending soon. 

If an article in Monday's Wall Street Journal is anything to go by, the U.S. Federal Reserve is getting ready to unwind its massive monetary stimulus program. So, is that prospect as alarming for financial markets as feared?

Fed officials have mapped out a strategy to wind down its $85 billion-a-month bond-buying program in careful steps, although the timing of when that will start is still being debated, noted Fed watcher Jon Hilsenrath wrote in the WSJ. 

Any unwinding of the Fed's quantitative easing (QE) program, which has fueled a rally in equity markets and other risk assets, is generally viewed as negative and any indication of this happening has been highly anticipated in the U.S. since late last week. 

"Having spent two New York sessions pricing in a sharp change in Fed stance, it is not obvious that the article was worth the wait," analysts at Westpac said in a note. "The timing of the unwinding of QE remains data-dependent, not a serious prospect until perhaps late U.S. summer at the earliest."

Analysts say that in essence, the Fed appears to be managing market expectations that its quantitative easing program will not last forever. The Fed has said that it would maintain its key interest rate between zero and 0.25 percent until the unemployment rate fell to 6.5 percent. It has also committed to monthly purchases of bonds until labor market conditions improve substantially. 

And it is the recent signs of improvement in the jobs market that has renewed talk about a possible end to the quantitative easing. The latest non-farm payrolls report showed the U.S. economy created 165,000 new jobs last month, much more than expected, helping push the unemployment rate down to 7.5 percent. Data last week meanwhile showed jobless claims at their lowest level in almost 5-1/2 years. 

It looks like the markets are just grabbing at excuses to do a bit of sell down after a spectacular run in most equity markets since the beginning of the years. The timing is still a bit uncertain, but seriously folks, the end game only looks to peter out by December this year. It is very good that markets are readying itself for the end of QE.

The Fed officials are not going to raise interest rates until unemployment comes down to 6.5 percent, and could only come earliest by 1st quarter of next year. What is likely to happen is when unemployment dips below 7%, we may see a scaling back from the $85 billion buyback figure to maybe halve that. 

The knee jerkers would be better off looking at the positives:
- That [an easing of QE] would be good for U.S. stocks because it would mean the U.S. economy is doing a lot better.
- That at least markets are already trying to price in the end of QE, instead of a surprising one off massive sell down.

The last part is very important as we can easily reference to the 1994 massive sell down, just because Alan Greenspan never gave any indication as to the imminent rise of interest rates in the US. That experience probably forms the backdrop for Bernanke's communication strategy. He is managing expectations very well. By putting it out there with the 6.5% unemployment target, it allows all to see the looming horizon.

I still think halving the buyback when unemployment dips below 7% would be an excellent strategy to manage expectations further. Everyone knows QE cannot be there forever.

I like the equity markets now more than in the beginning of the year. Japan has corrected substantially even though Abenomics will still be in the works. This will drive Japan to retests its high this year soon enough. I believe the sell down was a good profit taking exercise and actually allowing a lot of stale bulls (i.e. those holding onto Japanese shares for over 20 years) to exit - all that will come back to the market place for sure.

The local Malaysian equity market has held up better than the rest, and confidence breeds confidence. Having said that, Malaysia is only up 4.6% so far this, thanks to the uncertainty over the elections period. Other Asian markets have risen a lot more, and hence had more room for downside: Indonesia 15.2%, the Philippines 16.4% and Thailand 10.6%.

Air Travel Tips for a Pleasant Vacation

Fun, enjoyment and adventure! With the arrival of summer, people start planning for their holidays. It is the time when tour operators, hospitality groups and travel companies announce great deals to attract more and more vacationers. And if you plan your vacation few months early, you can get a cheap air ticket to and from New York or can avail good discounts on different 5 star hotel bookings. Different surveys show that most family vacationers prefer summer for their holidays. However, whether you are a family vacationer or a solo traveler, a proper planning is highly required to enjoy every moment of your vacation.

While traveling with family, it is most important to prepare your kids for the flight journey. Very often it’s been noticed that children get afraid during flight takeoff and landing time. Telling stories about flight and creating their interest towards such a journey is the best way to prevent any such situations during the trip.

With a good research over the internet, you can easily get cheap air tickets to your dream destination; but other than ticket charges, there are several other things that may make you pay a good amount of money and one such thing is the excessive luggage charges. Air carriers, especially the international ones, charge huge amount for extra luggage; thus, it is always a good idea to carry only that much luggage that you require for your trip. Moreover, it is always advisable to carry soft topped luggage, which are easy to carry and store.

Another problem that holiday travel brings with it is how to transport the gifts. It is always a good idea not to wrap the gifts, for if the Transport Security Administration (TSA) doesn’t like what they see when they scan it, they can rip off the gift wrapping to inspect it. If the gifts are not of expensive nature, consider packing them in your luggage. However, expensive items like jewelry, electronics etc. should be carried on board.

If you are traveling with your pet, you can have two options – either you can fly with your pet in the same plane which also saves cost or can choose a pet travel agent for your favorite pet. After the flight booking, it’s important to choose a right crate for the pet. You can either buy a crate or hire one from the pet travel agent or airline. Just before boarding the flight, take your pet for a long walk so that it can fell asleep during the journey.

It is important to hydrate yourself before, during and after the flight journey and this you can do by drinking plenty of water. Besides keeping the body hydrated and healthy, water has many other benefits; it minimizes the risk of stomach infection and keeps you rejuvenated throughout the trip.
Unforeseen delays are parts of flight journey, so you should always be prepare to face such situations. Bring along some healthy choice snacks to eat during the flight or to satisfy the hunger during delay hours. This not only saves money, but keeps you ready for any situation.

For the busy people, air travel is the most convenient way to get to the holiday destination. You can surely make it more enjoyable and less stressful by keeping a few common-sense tricks in mind.