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Archive for the ‘Other’ Category

Find gyms on the map

6 November 2010

Fitness Finder is going through some changes at the moment. It’s had a map page added to help you visual locations. Try some of these examples:

If you own a gym and you’re not listed then contact Fitness Finder to get added.

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Meiao Co domain name scam

28 October 2008

One of our clients received the following email:

Dear Sir/Madam.,

We received a formal application from a company who is called Meiao Co.,Ltd (www.meiaoinv.cn) are applying to register “XXXXXX” as their domain name and Internet keyword in China and also in Asia on Oct 27, 2008. During our auditing procedure we find out that the alleged Meiao Co.,Ltd has no trade mark, brand nor patent even similar to that word. As authorized anti-cybersquatting organization we hereby suspect the alleged Meiao Co.,Ltd to be a domain grabber. Hence we need you confirmation for two things, First of all, whether this alleged Meiao Co.,Ltd is your business partner or distributor in China.

Secondly, whether you are interested in registering these domains. (The alleged Meiao Co.,Ltd will be entitled to obtain a domain not needed by original trademark owner.)

If you are not in charge of this please transfer this email to appropriate dept.

This is a letter for confirmation. If the mentioned third party is your business partner or distributor in china please DO NOT reply. We will automatically confirm application from your business partner after this audit procedure.

Bst Rgs

Luke.Jiang

Registration Commissioner

WWW DOMAINBOX GROUP CO.LTD

Tel: +86-10-80747734

Fax: +86-10-80747824

Email:luke@boxs.asia

Http://www.boxs.asia

This is a scam, albeit a very convincing one, and you can safely ignore it. If you need to get a Chinese domain name we can help you with a safer, less costly method.

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Free Enterprise Training Programme for small business owners

24 September 2008

We love websites. And our clients love us. As small business owners we are always trying to find ways to spread the word about what we do and why we are different. There are many different hats you need to wear when you’re trying to expand (and I’m not talking baseball caps and beanies). It’s important to step back from the business and take the time to look at your processes and business strategies. There are always lessons to be learnt and it’s important to have a self-improvement focus.

We recently found out that WHK Gosling Chapman (a chartered accountancy firm based in Auckland) run free full-day and half-day training programmes for small business owners.

The courses are funded by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. Apparently WHK have been running these for eight years! They are a great resource for small business owners and entreprenuers – in particular those that are first-timers.

There are a range of courses on business planning / strategy, marketing / sales, accounting / office systems, employment / people management and exporting. There are also more specific industry-related workshops.

I have been to a marketing and an accounting workshop (with a sales workshop coming up soon). Whilst I have a fair amount of knowledge in these areas, I have still gleaned some handy tips. It is also a great opportunity to network with like-minded business owners. The workshop is followed by a one-on-one coaching session, which is more specific to your particular business.

The courses are practical with take-home notes. They should not be seen as a “get everything done in one day” solution where you can complete the course and have a functioning marketing plan or cash flow projection. These courses are instead designed to give you an understanding of the steps you need to take and a framework from which to work. You must be prepared to take the advice given and apply it to your business and particular situation.

Have a look on the WHK Business Growth website and see if there are any programmes that will help you upskill. To register you need to complete an application form, this is then reviewed by one of the Business Growth team and followed up with a phone call to assess which courses will be most beneficial to your business.

If you are a first-time business owner you should grab the opportunity to learn from these workshops!

Posted in Marketing, Other | 2 Comments »

Ferry prices go up

21 August 2008

Fuller’s ferry prices to Devonport, Stanley Bay and Waiheke go up on the 1st of September. Chalk another one up for rising petrol prices. Tickets to Devonport have gone up by $1 per return trip (from $9 to $10).

I think that Fuller’s provide a fantastic service. Having been a bus patron for several years, I really have enjoyed the change to ferry passenger. Virtually no waiting – the ferries are usually running on time (not much traffic in the harbour…). The ten-minute ride from either Bayswater or Devonport to the Viaduct is bliss. I used to live in Grey Lynn and frequently it would have been quicker for me to walk 35 minutes into town than wait for a bus and traverse K’Rd and down Queen St.

I hate to think how much time I would spend sitting in a car and driving from the North Shore to the city, not to mention the expense of both petrol and parking.

I wish more North Shore residents who work in the city would utilise ferry services. Rather than (or in addition to) improving the wharf and terminals (Auckland Regional Transport Authority), I would like to see Auckland City and North Shore City Councils discount ferry travel to increase ferry patronage and help reduce traffic over the bridge and into the city.

I’m glad that prices to Bayswater haven’t increased; however, it will be frustrating having to buy another ticket if I want to use the Devonport service as well. Currently your ticket is valid for all inner harbour services as the fares are the same price. I can see this being a problem on Friday and Saturday nights when the Bayswater ferries have finished for the night.

Maybe the cheap petrol project can also approach Fullers for discount ferry tickets! In fact, I’ve added that to their suggestion list…

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