The Architecture Blog

Features of Workplace Coffee Makers

Posted by gail on December 31, 2010
Business / No Comments

Anyone who has ever had a job has probably encountered a commercial coffee maker. These range from the plain drip machine that has been brought from home to the office to the monster bunn coffee makers that can serve dozens or even hundreds of employees with one brewing. The features available for commercial machines are similar to those of home coffee makers, but there are differences.

The most obvious difference is capacity. A home machine may make one or a few cups at a time, while an office, shop, or factory will need to brew constantly to supply employees with enough coffee. Some machines solve this by having multiple brewers and warming elements on the same machine. This allows for different types of coffee to brew at the same time — most frequently a regular pot and a decaf one at the same time. There may even be an element that provides heated water for tea, cocoa, and soups rather than brewing coffee.

Some commercial coffee makers have accelerated brew times, so that they can brew gallons of coffee at once instead of using the slower percolating rates of home machines. Ease of operation and cleaning are also important for work machines. Controls should be simple to use and instructions for brewing easy to follow.

Workplace coffee makers will need to be much more durable than home machines. They will be used more frequently and for longer periods of time. There should also be extra safety features to protect users from burns and that protect the coffee from burning or scorching.

Tags: decaf

Wholesale Shopping Options

Posted by gail on December 15, 2010
Money / No Comments

Everyone is trying to save money these days. Some people are unemployed or working for less than they made a few years ago. Making ends meet has become a question of survival for them. Others are struggling to get ahead on debts acquired during the recent credit boom that has now completely busted. Whatever the reason, few people can afford to pay full retail price on anything.

Coupon-clipping is quickly replacing scrapbooking as a pastime for stay-at-home moms. Being able to combine sale prices, shopper reward programs and coupons can result in savy shoppers buying food and household items for a fraction of their barcode price. Supermarkets are aware of this phenomenon and many are offering double and even triple-coupon days to entice even more shoppers to their sales.

The best defense against retail isn’t knowing about sales and closeouts, it’s learning the best places to shop wholesale. There are warehouse stores that sell their entire inventory at wholesale prices, originally to those who planned to resell them at a markup. However, in these tough times average customers can use websites like DealYard or buy memberships in wholesale shopping clubs to obtain those dream prices that might just help them stay within their budget.

Tags: dealyard

Monitoring Your Online Reputation

Posted by gail on December 05, 2010
Internet / No Comments

Everyday people don’t think about their online reputation. They share photos and post unflattering status reports and maybe even create personal blogs or websites with content they wouldn’t want their mother or their boss to see. The vastness of the internet makes it seem highly unlikely that anyone will find a single page or status post. The reality is something far different. Companies large and small are hiring online reputation management companies like elixir interactive to help with this all the time. And, more and more, individuals are recognizing that they too have online reputations.

Those who doubt the ability of researchers to dig up dirt online should spend a week or two monitoring their own name. Set up a few Google Alerts and check blog and social media monitoring tools to see how often a name comes up — and in what context. Then do a search for the name in the major search engines and look beyond the top three results. By checking these daily for a week and seeing how quickly results change, it becomes obvious that some of those careless online actions can stick around for months or even years — and that they can be quickly found by potential employers, family members, or even someone they hope to date.

It’s a good idea to have some sort of regular monitoring in place. People hae to start thinking of themselves as brands and do what they can to protect those brands. It’s very easy for a frenemy or jilted lover to smear someone’s internet reputation. Just look at the elixir interactive online reputation management case study to see how even ORM experts can be the subjects of targeted brand attacks. If they are vulnerable, the unsuspecting masses of internet users are at risk as well.

Tags: major search engines

Taking Collaboration to a New Level

Posted by gail on November 26, 2010
Business / No Comments

The days of cut throat competition between businesses may still exist in certain industries, but there is a growing trend of companies working together on projects for clients or to create new resources for their industry. If greed was the business word of the 1980s then collaboration may well become the word for the 2010s.

The main obstacle to companies working together is the security of computer systems which hold sensitive client and business data as well as proprietary practices and work. Finding a way to collaborate on the documents and software that are relevant to a project without exposing the rest of a company’s computer systems is the goal. The solution is cloud computing. Companies can set up all the software, data, and files they need to share on a cloud server and grant access to their collaborative partners — whether they be clients, vendors or even business competitors. They can even use virtual labs , online demos, and other customized services to facilitate a more productive environment.

This same process can be used in house to promote internal collaboration. Instead of pitting various branches, departments, and teams against one another, companies can bring them together to work on all kinds of projects and development using cloud technology. Special project teams are no longer limited to the employees in a specific department or office. Literally anyone can log in to the cloud center for the project no matter where they are in the world. Cloud technology erases not just obstacles, but also geographical boundaries and makes collaboration truly global.

Tags: collaboration

Expect to Pay for US Visitor Insurance

Posted by gail on November 13, 2010
Health / No Comments

Many times long-term visitors to this country are shocked by the price tag associated with purchasing a us visitor insurance policy. If they come from countries with government-subsidized health care or places where health care is non-existence, the idea of paying high monthly premiums can produce a version of sticker shock.

Once they come face-to-face with the cost of insurance, they begin to understand how so many Americans live without insurance. However, the quality of care offered and the need to have access to that care is usually worth the cost. The longer their visit to the US is likely to last, the more likely they will develop some medical need that requires professional attention.

A good visitors policy is going to provide not only emergency care in case of illness or injury. It will also cover preventive checkups and testing to prevent major problems. Maternity coverage is available for those who need it along with pediatric care for visitors with children. To qualify for insurance, visitors will need to prove their status as a student or non-resident worker by providing visas or other documents. Then it’s simply a matter of filling out the appropriate paperwork and paying for the policy.

Tags: pediatric care

Fixing Your Vehicles Electrical System

Posted by gail on October 29, 2010
Automotive / No Comments

The electrical system is an important part of a vehicle, especially today’s vehicles. The electrical system controls many of the luxury items like the radio, GPS , thermostat, and cell phone accessories. It also controls things like automatic locks and windows, as well as turning the car on.
Because the electrical system plays such a large part in the vehicles’ overall functionality , we notice right away when there is a problem. You could take it in to the dealership or repair shop and spend a small fortune getting it fixed. Or you could buy a Pontiac repair manual and fix it yourself.
Just as it is an essential part of the car, the electrical system is a big part of the repair manual. It outlines the entire system so that you can easily location the problem and determine what is wrong. Sometimes it is simply a loose wire, while other times it may require replacing a part or two–which is typically described in the Pontiac or GMC manual . This way you are only paying for the parts not the labor; which is usually the largest part of the bill.
Do it yourself auto repair is a great option that can save you time and money

Tags: gmc manual

Relocating Your Business

Posted by gail on October 14, 2010
Real Estate / 1 Comment

As businesses evolve and grow, they sometimes outgrow their current location. If you find yourself contemplating a business relocation , you should consider several important factors.

Location, especially for retail stores or other specially zoned businesses, is key. If you’re renting office or retail space, it’s best to consult with a company like transglobe property management which will have a variety of properties available at any given time. You can work with them to find the location and specific building that works best for you and your customers.

If you are expanding your operation, you may need to purchase additional work stations, furnish a larger conference room, or add offices for new management staff. Considering purchasing an entire new suite of furnishings that match and selling off your existing stuff to help underwrite the cost.

When it comes time to actually move, you’ll want to work closely with your property management company. transglobe property management services and others like it have years of experience relocating companies and can provide advice and valuable information to make your move easier.

Once you’re settled into your new office, make sure to celebrate. Take everyone out to lunch or even throw an “office warming” party to introduce clients to your new digs. It’s a great way to highlight how your company is moving up in the world.

Tags: transglobe property management services

Work Experience in College

Posted by gail on October 07, 2010
Career / No Comments

When you’re up to your eyeballs in papers, lab exercises, and studying for mid-terms it can be difficult to see a life beyond college. It is, however, very important to look up from all that classwork and realize the importance of getting work experience while you’re getting an education. Whether you need money to help pay your college expenses or are looking for an exciting and different way to spend a summer, internships can be a great way to earn money and test out a possible career while gaining valuable life experience.

There are a number of reputable organizations that offer annual internship programs, like Southwestern Company . These are designed to teach students not just how to sell, but how to live. The work experience will prove valuable when students apply for their first post-graduate position. The life experiences will prepare them for everything else, from how to live with others to how to handle rejection .

If you’re looking for a part-time job or internship, be sure to do your research. Some companies prey on college students and other naive job hunters. Find out everything you can about the company and pay careful attention to the opinions of former interns. Remember that there will always be people who have a bad experience because they are a bad fit. You’ll looking for the overall perspective from a larger sample of people.

A great place to start researching companies are corporate websites. Look for information specifically targeted to potential employees and interns, such as the Top 5 Southwestern Company FAQs . You’ll also want to look for the company’s history, financial health, and company culture. All these facts will begin to build a picture that either appeals to you or lets you know you need to look elsewhere for work experience.

Tags: top 5 southwestern company faqs

Touring Sydney’s Museums

Posted by gail on October 02, 2010
Travel / No Comments

Sydney is home to numerous museums and galleries that appeal to history buffs and art lovers alike. If you’re planning a trip to the city, you’ll want to consider spending some time in some, if not all of the following sites.

The Art Gallery of New South Wales features Aboriginal art as well as classical and modern artworks. It is located in the City Centre, near the Botanical Gardens and a number of comfortable Sydney hotels .

The Australian Museum is also located in the City Centre, near Hyde Park. It is an old-school natural history museum that offers educational programs and social events in addition to providing standing and special exhibitions and collections highlight natural science, archaeology, and indigenous cultures.

The Australian National Maritime Museum is a must-see for sea-lovers. Located in Darling Harbour, the museum includes exhibitions, activities, and standing vessels that preserve the extensive maritime history of Sydney and Australia.

The Museum of Contemporary Art houses works from artists across Australia and the globe. It is located in an Art Deco-style building near Circular Quay. The Museum offers guided tours, touring exhibitions and special events as well as their standing collections. Work has begun on a $53 million redevelopment project which will increase the exhibition space by nearly 50%.

The Museum of Sydney explores the city from colonial times through the present day. Exhibitions include photographs, artifacts, and digital media presentations. Special attention is paid to the city’s convict era, maritime history, and indigenous peoples.

The Powerhouse Museum and the Sydney Observatory make us the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Powerhouse’s collection encompasses not only science, but also technology ranging from steam engines to space technology as well as costumes, furniture, decorative arts, media, and communication. It exhibits over 400,000 artifacts including the oldest operational rotative steam engine, the first steam locomotive to operate in New South Wales, and a working model of the Strasbourg astronomical clock built by a local watchmaker in 1887.

Tags: redevelopment project

Latin Films Celebrated in San Fancisco

Posted by gail on September 25, 2010
Travel / No Comments

The Bay Area is in the midst of celebrating Latino films and filmmakers during the annual San Francisco Latino Film Festival , which runs through September 26th. Sponsored by Cine+Mas SF, the event brings together emerging and established filmmakers from the US, Latin American, Spain and Portugal — a total of more than 20 individual companies that share a common bond of language and culture.

Highlights of the 2010 Festival included the Mexico-in-Film Sidebar on September 17th. In honor of 200 years of Independence and 100 years since the Revolution, the festival screened two iconic Mexican Films, Dona Barbara and Distinto Amanecer (Distinct Dawn). Thursday, September 23rd is scheduled as Brazilian Night at the Tech Museum, featuring a reception, musical performance and a screening of Lula, Son of Brazil. Throughout the Festival there were a number of After Parties & Socials at area bars. Several bars and restaurants are offering discount pricing with festival ticket stubs.

Cine+Mas SF offers special events and year-round programming to promote and recognize Latino arts, including film, performance, literary and visual arts.

If you missed this year’s event, you’ll want to mark your calendar for next year and book a room at one of the top san francisco hotels for 2011.

Tags: top san francisco hotels

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