Keep Your Customers Happy By Offering A Wi-Fi Hotspot.

Image via WikipediaGiving your customers access to an Internet connection can increase the attractiveness of your business. For instance, someone wanting to stay at a Hotel would much prefer to settle in at one advertising a WiFi connection than one without Internet access.

In today's world, people conduct business or simply stay in touch even while they're on vacation and without high-speed Internet access, they're doomed to miss out on important communications. I stayed at a Hyatt while traveling. It had free Wi-Fi and breakfast. I'll be going there again.

Hotel's aren't the only ones jumping onto the WiFi bandwagon. Other small business owners are realizing the importance of catering to their customers' needs, such as the owners and operators of campgrounds, independent bookstores, apartment buildings, family-owned restaurants, and coffee houses.

Even Home Depot has public Wi-Fi. While your picking up something to fix your toilet you can check your email. Many times I grab a cold drink from the cooler and take a seat in the garden furniture department and go online.

It's not just travelers looking for a WiFi connecting spot. Many local residents like to make sure a business carries this feature so that they can get out of the house and relax with access to a high speed Internet connection.

The cost of setting up your own WiFi hot spot is minimal, but it goes a long way in fostering the relationship you want to develop with your customers. It's one must-have aspect many people check on before committing to visit a certain establishment.

If you want to stay competitive with other businesses in the community, set up your own WiFi hot spot and offer it as an added incentive for people to visit your place of business.

McDonald's was wise enough to set this up years ago. It was almost impossible to get online but that has been fixed and now it's a pleasure to sip you Carmel Frappé and surf the Internet.

Even our local YMCA has installed free Wi-Fi. While my daughter takes her class there I go online with my netbook and write a post or check my email.

The first thing you do is invest in some equipment, which will include a Broadband connection and credit card processing in case you want to offer your WiFi services at a fee, as some businesses do to deter squatters from taking up space all day in their place of business.

Buy some hotspot equipment for less than $300 and install it according to the directions. You want to choose an option that delivers good technical support for your customers, in case you don't want to be responsible for troubleshooting yourself.

Small business owners have the choice to buy and install the WiFi equipment and system themselves or hire someone to do it for them, such as a hotspot specialist or management service. Regardless of which installation method you choose, make sure it's running effectively. Then sit back and watch as the loyalty to your business grow exponentially.

With the growing use of smart phones and laptops the decision is a no brainer on installing a Wi-Fi at your business.


Reader: Where would you like to see WiFi at?

Carlos Slim Still No. 1 Billionaire on Forbes List.

Image via WikipediaThis year again Carlos Slim is the wealthiest man on the globe. With over 74 billion, up 20 billion from last year, He has beaten out Bill Gates 30 billion again. But remember Bill has been giving his billions away lately, so he really can't keep up. But it's a shame that Mexican billionaires are needed to do work that American billionaires just won't do.

Forbes list tells us that there are 1,210 billionaires hanging around and the U.S has 413 of them. Our lead in billionaires is on the decline. During the year, 23 new billionaires were created in the U.S., in large part from the increasing paper value of social-media site Facebook. Meanwhile, China added 54 billionaires and Russia, 31. Moscow is the home to 79 billionaires, beating out New York with it's 58. Russia has 115 billionaires and the numbers are growing because the fortunes were born on the rising of commodity prices. With Russia being a bread basket of commodities for the next 100 years, we are seeing a shift from domestic to foreign money sources.

What does all this mean to us today? Nothing for today's citizens but it could be the early signs of a fundamental shift of wealth, power and influence to non-U.S. sources.

Let's face it the globe has been dominated by U.S. wealth and influence for the last 100 years. We are a benign world super power with military bases in over 100 countries. Our economy and dollar is the go to economy when you want security and capital. But maybe not much longer. There are a few new kids on the block who are looking to take their turn on the world stage.

I wrote in another post how this century will belong to Asia, according to investor Jim Rogers. The rest of the world is catching up to the U.S. in terms of finances and innovation. Soon we will not be seen as so powerful anymore.

I can't predict if these changes are good or bad but just that they are happening.


Reader: How do you see it?

Charlie Sheen's 5 Tips To Dealing With Difficult Co-Workers

Image via Wikipedia

Charlie Sheen has finally been fired from his hit show "Two and a Half Men". Over the last few weeks, we have been witness to the rantings and diatribes of Mr. Sheen and have learned quite a few tips on how to deal with difficult co-workers.

We have seen Charlie divorced twice, in the company of porn stars, taken to the hospital because of drug overuse, and domestic violence. All of this has been on display in the press for several years. Yet he wasn't fired. These incidents are very serious and grounds for termination in many companies, but not CBS or Warner Bros. What did it finally take to finally fire Charlie Sheen, he insulted his bosses.

In companies, like families, there is going to be conflict. To make it worse the TV industry has people with large egos backed up by large check books. This gives people a false sense of importance.

Here are 5 tips I have learned from Charlie Sheen's troubles to make it a little easier to get along with that pain in the @$$ at work. Don't waste energy having a breakdown on account of someone you can't stand. Be ready and proactive in the office environment.

Dealing with Co-Workers Tip #1: Be prepared for Conflict

 If you have people in the organization who are difficult, be prepared for a potential situation. If you don't you may react with anger or some useless childish behavior that will only make the situation worse.

It may help to practice a potential argument in your head to get ready for the situation. Listen to what your saying to see if it comes across as immature or foolish. Also remember to not be wishy-washy, uphold your morals and values. Don't be arrogant but be self-confident. And by all means don't let the person get under your skin, be ready for cheap shots.

Your job is already quite stressful with deadlines and difficult bosses. Not getting along with co-workers makes your job ten times more difficult. You have no choice but to try and get along, or just change jobs.

Dealing with Co-Workers Tip #2: Don't fuel the fire.

If tempted to retaliate, don't. People who cause tension and confrontation also thrive on it. They feel powerful with an exchange of harsh words. Don't get sucked in, you'll only look like the bad guy. Instead react in the opposite way they expect, be nice to them. It drives irrational people crazy. You'll either become friendly with them or drive them away.

Dealing With Difficult Co-Workers Tip #3: Lend a Helping Hand

It may not work in all situations but difficult people may be just a troubled person or someone with poor social skills. They end up making enemies instead of friends because they have money problems or marriage problems at home. This makes them an actual miserable person to be around. They may not be justified in mistreating you, but at least you know why they act the way they do.

Dealing With Difficult Co-Workers Tip#4: Get a Third Party Involved.

No matter how hard you try you may just not be able to get through to the person. This is when you get a neutral party to help. They can listen to both sides and try to find common ground.

Dealing With Difficult Co-Workers Tip#5: Move On

You tried your best and nothing worked. You will reach a point where it's not going to be resolved. If one of you doesn't move on your going to have to suck it up or quit. If this treatment by the person effects your productivity it could he considered grounds for termination. But before all this occurs be careful in examining your own behavior and if your doing the right things. Most of all don't ignore the situation it will only get worse.

We haven't seen the last of Charlie Sheen. He will continue to lash out at his former bosses, sue them, and probably win. CBS will replace Charlie with another actor, but the show will flop and Charlie will feel vindicated. 

Charlie, why not just take the goddesses on a vacation far away and let everything cool down. Especially you.

Would You Move To Another Country If It Meant You Would Prosper?

Image via WikipediaFamed global investor Jim Rogers says if you want to prosper in the 21st Century, move to Asia. You may not know that Jim Rogers has put his money where his mouth is and did move to Singapore in 2007. He is raising his two little girls there and making sure they learn Mandarin. He is very bullish on Asia and says it's the place to be for the 2000's. He says it's not only for the success of his own assets. But for positioning his heirs for success.

He stated:

"In 1807, if you had moved to the U.K., you and your heirs would have been much, much better off for the next 100 years. If in 1907 you had moved to the U.S., you and your heirs would have been much better off for the next 100 years. 

In 1907, if you had stayed in Poland or China, you would not have had a great future, nor your families. Had you moved to America, [your descendants] would have had a much better future. Who knew what they would do, if they would become doctors or what, in the next 100 years. But whatever happens to them, they were better off. They spoke English, which became the world's language. 

My view is that the 21st century is going to be the century of Asia, of China. If I'm right about the future, you are going to have a better life [if you move there], better opportunities, and better everything going where the action is, where the assets are."

In my view, moving to Asia in 2007 means my heirs are going to be much better off in the next 100 years.

A thoughtful explanation of the last 2 centuries of history. But will it happen again in Asia? Jim Rogers is wealthy enough to move wherever he wants. Also he can do business from any part of the world. But Asia is where the action is for the 21st century, he claims.


Think for a minute, would you leave the U.S and move to another country for financial gain? We know millions that have left their country and traveled to the U.S. They did it for a better future for their family. It's the same idea Jim Rogers is talking about. Is he so wrong to do the exact thing?


Could you pick up and leave the U.S. Many already live abroad and are happy doing it. At first it seemed I didn't think I could make the leap. If offered an enticing job abroad, would I go for it? I don't know. What do you think? Would you ever leave the U.S.?