If it isn’t already abundantly clear, I’m a bit of an analytical geek. I love to dissect everything: motives, personalities, relationships. I’m a bit of a nut, and I truly do get a sense of accomplishment from achieving a better understanding and appreciation for another’s perspective, background or philosophy. While the tendency of scrutinizing the fine details has held me back on many occasions, I’ve also found it to be a very powerful tool when properly harnessed.
The past couple years have been crucial in my personal development. I don’t know if it was going away to school for the first time, living on my own or just growing up, but university or college can be a really interesting time as you start to come into your own and figure out who you are in this world.
Although I don’t by any means consider to have the world and the role I play in it figured out, I do know that I have gained some great insight through books that I’ve read and many leadership workshops that I’ve attended at school, at work and in my community. The books and workshops that I’ve found to be particularly interesting are the ones that help you analyze yourself. After all, how can we perfect interactions with others when we are not fully aware of own standpoint and biases?
Sometimes, a couple surveys and workshops is all it takes to reassure you of the personality traits that you have subconsciously always been exhibiting. Owning these traits, allowing them to become part of your brand, and learning to use them to your advantage in different situations can be key to your success in any kind of professional, academic or personal relationship you engage in.
Coincidently, my analytical nature originally made it difficult for me to fully buy into the Myers-Briggs-type tests which claim to pinpoint psychological personalities. Like you, I was sceptical. To this day, I don’t really believe that all these personality tests are 100% accurate or that all of them are entirely legit. However, I do think that there is something to be gained from exploring different tools and learning from the ones that truly speak to you.
I know, it sounds a bit hokey and maybe even narcissistic to be analyzing yourself, but I’ve found that it has helped me in so many of my personal and professional relationships to not only understand different types of personalities, but to know my own type as well. Understanding what motivates you, what type of people you work best with and how you communicate is actually really important in the interactions you have with others.
If you get the chance, I highly recommend checking out some of these personality typing exercises. The first or second one you try out might be a total flop, but keep at it! They generally don’t take too long and the lessons you take away from the results might bring you some of the clarity and reassurance that it has brought me!
Here are some exercises to look into:
This is the classic personality test used in many organizations. You can probably even take it for free at your school!
I particularly liked this one and really identified with my ‘conscientious’ profile.
This link leads to an actual test!
Also check out the book: Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham
This book includes an online test that identifies the strengths in your personality. The chapters in the book explain how to properly utilize and exercise your strengths.
Have you taken any of these personality tests? What were your results? If you’ve taken others that you’ve really liked, feel free to leave a comment and link below!
Here's a video about how you too can get scholarships, not just based on academic achievements!
My body and I have a tense relationship right now. I don’t think it likes the way I’ve been treating it. It hasn’t necessarily been intentional, but I haven’t been sleeping nearly enough since I arrived in Europe. It’s not easy being surrounded by 18-30 (mostly early 20’s) year-olds that are very persuasive in their attempts to keep the party going. I’d love to keep going but I have to listen to my body. The last thing ANYONE wants is to get nauseous on the bus, or even worse – sick! I predict that some of my fellow tour-goers will learn very valuable lessons by the time the trip nears the end. Or, maybe they’ll be able to pull off the night-after-night drinking until late, to rise early. Once upon a time it was more appealing to do so, and my body could handle it. Approaching 30, I don’t feel the same desire I once did to be in a constant state of inebriation.
This is the breakdown of the trip’s sleep schedule thus far:
London: 4 hours
Amsterdam: 3 hours
St. Goar: 3 hours
Munich: 2 hours
Austria: Hopefully at least 6 hours (UPDATE – about 7 hours or so)
I love my sleep, too. At first I thought that less sleep meant more time to do things, which is partially true. But after 4 days of depriving my body of something it is severely lacking, I actually don’t feel like myself. It’s been a non-stop flurry of awesome activities, long (not overly comfortable for extended periods) bus rides, rushed meals, late nights and early mornings. Today is the first day that I feel it catching up to me, and I don’t like it. I can honestly say that every day has been better and more exciting than the previous. Currently in Hopfgarten, Austria, the way here led us to white-water rafting (made much more difficult with the late night, many drinks and 2 hours of sleep) along with a gorgeous drive with a view of what I believe are the Swiss Alps.
It’s currently 9:15pm and I’m exhausted. To add to my already tired state, dinner included Turkey – with its sleep-inducing agent, tryptophan! I think that may actually help me to crash tonight. Tomorrow’s bus ride to Venice is quite long and the last thing I need is to feel ill or weak for the drive. A few of my co-travelers are realizing that sleep is probably a better option than another late night of drinking, but the majority of them are still going strong.
Breakfast is at 6:45am tomorrow morning, which would be 1:45am Halifax time. Wow. It’s probably best not to do the time conversion. If that’s how they choose to spend every evening, that’s entirely their choice. After all, they’ve spent the money to come enjoy Europe, so why not live it up? All I know is that partying (even if it IS in a place I may never see again)is not worth losing all my sleep, and becoming weak, shaky, losing my appetite and feeling delirious. It remains to be seen if I’ll keep up the responsible approach, but for tonight it’s going to be an early one.
Nick is currently adventuring in Europe. One of RBC's partners, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, has recently launched a travel site featuring exclusive travel deals. Deals are exclusive to students who have RBC No Limit Banking for Students™ and Nick is currently experiencing one of their travel deals. Over the next 2 weeks, Nick will be writing about his experience as he tours Europe on a Contiki tour.
“Are you a member of our rewards program?”
My answer to that question is always a resounding, “No.”
Then there’s always the follow-up question: “Would you like to be a member?”
No. No, I wouldn’t.
But, for many of my friends their response couldn’t be a happier, “Yes.”
It seems like everyone has their own reward card: the grocery store, the coffee shop, the drugstore and every store in the mall.
I’ve been weary about joining loyalty reward programs because I’ve been told that they’re collecting information about me to market to my needs. The idea that my every purchase may be tracked makes me a little uneasy, but for others—many others—it seems to be no big deal. In fact, in a 2006 CBC Marketplace report, it was estimated that over 76% of Canadians belonged to a reward program. I imagine that number has only gone up since. Most of my friends are some sort of club member.
And for students, loyalty rewards couldn’t be more enticing because, after all, it usually means lower prices.
That CBC Marketplace report had a look at reward programs across the country. They compared the cost of the same groceries purchased at a store with the reward discount to another grocery store without a discount and they discovered that the store without the discount was actually cheaper. It was only beneficial to have the card because it saved a couple of dollars at that specific store.
Consumers Against Supermarket Privacy Invasion and Numbering advocates for the privacy rights of supermarket consumers. Their website has a global directory of grocery stores around the world that highlights which stores have reward cards and which ones don’t.
The organization has a strong focus on the manipulation of supermarkets over their customers regarding the perceived benefits of reward programs:
The markets claim that the opportunity to participate in the program is their way of "rewarding" you for your loyalty to the store. But a reward is a tangible benefit you wouldn't have had otherwise. There is no benefit in being recorded and tracked for the "privilege" of paying the same sale prices you'd always been able to pay in the past. (In fact, you often wind up paying prices that are even higer than they were before the card program was introduced.) -CASPIAN
I’ll admit that I recently began collecting points on my credit card. When I began university, I made all of my purchases on credit and paid off the balance on the due date in order to establish a good credit rating. When I realized that I could be earning “valuable points” on these thousands of dollars, I signed up.
As I write this, though, it makes me nervous thinking about the analytics that may be being run on the few months worth of information that have been collected about me. The other half of me is looking forward to the blender I may one day have as a result of my new point collecting habits. I am also somewhat reassured by the fact that the points I gain on my credit card are from a semi-outside source. I don’t have to keep all of my purchases loyal to just one store. I can shop wherever I wish and accumulate points.
So, do you worry about giving up your information or are you all for “earning” free kitchen supplies?
London was interesting, and I really enjoyed being there but after experiencing Amsterdam I just feel that it pales in comparison. So, Amsterdam one-upped London, and St. Goar (despite the fact that we weren’t there long and arrived on a rainy night) rocked our socks off too with the private hotel party and incredible scenery. Refusing to be outdone, Munich has become the new recipient of the coveted wildest night. We departed on a bike tour in late afternoon and the weather luckily cooperated, despite our fears it would rain (since it was when we arrived in Munich). It’s so unbelievably relaxed and peaceful in Munich and I figured out what the difference is between it and North American cities – it’s the way people get around. Bikes, scooters, walking, and trams all seemed to be the transportation options of choice.
As part of the bike tour, we cruised through Englischer Garden - a park that is 4 times the size of Central Park in New York City – where we stopped at The Chinese Tower. With a capacity of about 7000 (if memory serves me correctly) it’s a sit-down area where food and drinks (emphasis on the drinks) are served. This is where we were first introduced to the 1-litre beer. That’s right, you heard me. A litre of beer in a mug that has a handle big enough to put your whole hand through. After drinking a beer - about the equivalent of 3 standard-sized cans - we re-embarked on our bike tour in the rain that had found us again. I can’t emphasize enough how cycle-friendly the city of Munich is. It’s truly remarkable, considering there were 38 of us all on bikes in a city unknown to us, just flying through the streets.
The afternoon ran into evening and following the bike tour, most of us headed to one of Munich’s biggest attractions, for both locals and tourists.What followed can only be described as one of the most insane experiences I’ve had in years. Picture hundreds of Germans packed into a large beer hall, at long tables, chanting loudly as they gulp down their 1-litre beers. Let’s just say that I drank about as many as I would typically, if they were the standard 355ml. After hours of sitting with these incredibly friendly Germans (who were more than willing to teach us drinking songs, take photos, and even offering us their seats) we set out to find a club. We wandered through Munich rather aimlessly, but we did in fact stumble upon a club. One of my tourmates managed to convince the doorman to let us in, despite our less-than-stellar attire. Somehow we didn’t pay a cover charge either.
Although it wasn’t necessarily the wisest choice (both financially and physically) I consumed a couple of energy drink/vodka drinks to top off what had begun at the beer hall. At 13.50each, they were QUITE expensive, but perhaps the energy drink helped me in the long run. I don’t think I really know how long we stayed there, but I did dance for what seems like hours. In the end only one of my female companions and I remained, as the rest of the crew must have caught a cab while we used the washroom.
Luckily we had someone totally save us at this point by figuring out where we had to get and telling a cab driver to take us there. We had been trying to make sense of a falling-apart-because-it-got-soaked-on-the-rainy-bike-tour map but were not succeeding. He (or anyone else seeing us in our condition) could have taken advantage of us, but like I said Munich is full of friendly and helpful people. In fact, Munich may very well earn itself a “Friendliest Residents” Award in addition to the “Wildest Night of the Trip”.
Nick is currently adventuring in Europe. One of RBC's partners, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, has recently launched a travel site featuring exclusive travel deals. Deals are exclusive to students who have RBC No Limit Banking for Students™ and Nick is currently experiencing one of their travel deals. Over the next 2 weeks, Nick will be writing about his experience as he tours Europe on a Contiki tour.
We just left St. Goar (Germany) and the majority of my tourmates are passed out, and with good reason. Last night we arrived in the breath-taking town around 7pm, changed quickly for dinner (which consisted of tasty soup, followed by pork, veggies, and egg noodles) and finished off our desserts quickly to catch the next event. Right around the corner, we got to sample 4 different German wines – ranging from dry to very sweet – in a cellar full of ambience. This started the ball rolling for a night that would contain many more beverages for some, while others took it more slowly.
I say that Germany became the turning point for several reasons:
- Cliques have all but been solidified by this point. There is some hovering and meandering in and out of circles of friends, but for the most part we seem to find ourselves going back to the same groups. I think it is a little difficult to break into new groups in some cases, but one of the greatest things about the trip is that there are so many different nationalities and personalities that it’s a waste not to try and meet everyone.
- As part of a get-to-know-your-tourmates activity, the tour manager asked us to write down our names, where we’re from, what we most want to see and also to identify our dating status by using traffic signals. Red means taken, green means available and orange means a middle of the road/could go either way. Not everyone included this bit of information but I don’t think it’s coincidental that it came out just before arriving at a location that was sort of a pit stop, with a bar right inside the hotel serving as a private party.
- Based on events that are confirmed and those that are assumed, the seating arrangement on the bus appears to have changed slightly. I can’t say for certain whether this will last, or whether it will continue to change based on the evening happenings. The group dynamics are interesting to watch for sure.
- Although it was raining when we arrived in St. Goar, this morning was beautiful. The view from the bank of the Rhine river was absolutely amazing. It has rained in London and Amsterdam, so it’s great to have a break from the rain.
- The hectic and non-stop nature of the trip is starting to catch up to some. I, for one, am operating pretty well on limited sleep, especially considering that in Halifax it is currently 5:40am. And yet, I’m wide awake (yawned as I typed the words). Last night I got 3 hours of sleep and the night before that was about 4 hours. I think I prefer not having spare time, because it would no doubt lead to sleeping and I didn’t come to Europe to be unconscious.
Overall, I must say that it’s rather nice not knowing what day of the week it is or what the date is. It just doesn’t matter. It’s Day 4, and that’s all that matters. We’re headed to Munich where the optional excursion is a 3-hour bike tour through the city. If you’re planning a trip like this, be warned that due to the go-go-go aspect of the trip, it’s not always easy to document it as much as you’d like.
If it were possible to combine everyone’s photos and footage that would be brilliant, but the fact of the matter is that there’s so much going on at any given time that it becomes difficult to capture it all. I’m doing my best, and will continue to provide you with life (in Europe) as I know it.
Nick is currently adventuring in Europe. One of RBC's partners, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, has recently launched a travel site featuring exclusive travel deals. Deals are exclusive to students who have RBC No Limit Banking for Students™ and Nick is currently experiencing one of their travel deals. Over the next 2 weeks, Nick will be writing about his experience as he tours Europe on a Contiki tour.
Having just left Amsterdam, this rainy bus trip to our next location is the perfect time to reflect and recap on the experience. Actually, one point I want to make for those of you planning to travel to Europe (or anywhere, really) is to not carry a backpack with lots of stuff in it. Because of the blogging I’m doing throughout the trip I have my 17” laptop, a camcorder, a larger camera and a smaller camera, in addition to sweaters, umbrellas, etc. It’s a bit of a nuisance in some places, so I caution you to avoid doing it unless you have to. Now, on to Amsterdam.
We arrived at the Blue Square Hotel (which has absolutely amazing rooms, by the way) around 6:40pm, with dinner being served at 6:45pm. After a rushed meal we left for the first of our optional excursions – a canal cruise with as much as you can drink in the 90 minutes. A few of my tourmates opted out of this one, but I will go on the record in saying that I expect it to be one of the highlights of the tour. I never realized Amsterdam had such an extensive network of canals. There were drinks (either Heineken or wine, both red and white), music, some commentary from the cruise staff, and best of all was the chance to meet my co-travelers.
Immediately following the cruise, we made our way to the second optional. Due to the nature of the event, and where you’re reading this blog entry, I can’t really describe it in detail. Let me just say that it was explicit, contained both singles and couples and the audience members wore more clothes than the performers. I can’t say I have ever experienced anything quite like it. It lasted from about 10:30pm-11:30pm, and afterwards the group split up into three:
- Those who wanted to head back to the hotel, perhaps to sleep, relax or contact loved ones.
- Those who wanted to have a few more drinks (adding to the however-many-they-were-able-to-drink-on-the-cruise and the two included with the second optional of the night.
- Those who wanted to experience some of what Amsterdam is best known for. And I don’t mean the Red Light District, although we did walk through it on the way to the not-to-be-described show.
I’ll spare you the details of the evening and skip to the next day, as we had about 4 hours to explore Amsterdam before heading out to the next location. Amsterdam and I had a mixed relationship. The first night was a great outing, despite the fact that I spilled food on my beige shorts (one of only 4 pairs I brought). This morning, however, I woke up at 7am and took my time getting ready for the 8am breakfast. At 7:47am I received a call from the tour manager, asking me if I was coming and when I responded with a yes, he told me to hurry up. I checked my watch, and it was actually 8:47am. I had changed IT, but not the cell phone I used as my alarm. The bus was scheduled to leave at 8:30am, and luckily they waited for me (while some missed it altogether). This was the one morning where they would make an exception. So no breakfast for me, and a busload of people who may or may not know me as “the late guy”. Do NOT be the late one. Just don’t.
The daytime walk through Amsterdam proved to be challenging in some respects. Despite having a map, street names in a foreign language can be difficult to locate and remember. We found our way to the Anne Frank House, where we stood in line for a mere 10 minutes. Upon exiting there were no less than 200 people in the line-up. Showing up early helps a lot. The weather in Amsterdam isn’t that different than in Halifax, where a clear sky can produce huge and spontaneous bursts of rain. Again, carrying a bag full of electronics can create difficult situations, so bring an umbrella. And don’t be the late one. These two points alone will help you tremendously along your travels.
In the interest of time, here are some additional quick tidbits about Amsterdam and the trip in general:
- The hotel had a system by which the lights could only turn on when the door’s key card was inserted into a special slot. This prevents leaving the lights on when you leave, and I find that refreshingly green.
- The toilets thus far have only had a little bit of water in the bowl, rather than filling up with gallons. Again, there is a focus on conservation.
- It costs money to use public washrooms in Belgium and Amsterdam (and likely elsewhere), which I have a hard time getting used to.
- Neither hotel I have stayed in has had wash cloths. It may be the norm, for some reason.
- Asking for water in a restaurant will likely get you bottled rather than tap water.
- If you don’t look where you’re going, you WILL get run over by a bicycle in Amsterdam.
- The guy behind me can apparently sleep on his face, on a bumpy bus ride. Meanwhile I don’t think I can sleep at all. It’s like the plane ride all over again.
What’s next? The Rhine Valley and some wine-tasting, followed by whatever presents itself. Oh, by the way, I hardly know what day it is anymore. This tour will do that.
Nick is currently adventuring in Europe. One of RBC's partners, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, has recently launched a travel site featuring exclusive travel deals. Deals are exclusive to students who have RBC No Limit Banking for Students™ and Nick is currently experiencing one of their travel deals. Over the next 2 weeks, Nick will be writing about his experience as he tours Europe on a Contiki tour.
As you may know, I've spent the summer in Spain, a sort of working vacation where I've had the opportunity to not only work, but also play. Here's a video about the ins and outs of the working vacation:
The battle between Frugality and Fun
On our way to Amsterdam, the tour manager has given us a sheet of paper containing all the optional excursions (the ones NOT included in the cost of the tour). We have to decide which of the 13 activities we’d like to enjoy – days before they take place – and pay for them upfront. There are cruises, bike tours, dinners and even an explicit Amsterdam show (use your imagination and I’m sure you’ll be close). Being the frugal guy that I am, my inclination is to skip some of them in the interest of saving money.
The flip-side of saving the money is missing out on these (very possibly) once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Is it worth missing out on something you’ll remember for the rest of your life, for the sake of saving money (that you may end up spending recklessly back home, on things far less memorable than these exciting European excursions)? Each person will have their own take on this difficult decision, but in the end I have decided to take part in all of them.
I am a firm believer that we usually regret the things we didn’t do (but should have) more than those we did (but shouldn’t have). In fact, the guy sitting next to me on the bus ride to Amsterdam says he regrets not purchasing a drink while we were on the ferry. If we can regret something so small as failing to buy a beverage, then how dire might the consequences be of passing up amazing opportunities such as these optional excursions? I would dare say that many who decide against them hold on to those regrets for years to come. I may never visit Europe again in my entire life, and I’d hate to think I missed out on something amazing.
One of the biggest obstacles to blindly checking off all the activities is the fact that the grand total is quite a lot of money. But if not these excursions, which? Could the other things cost as much or more money, and be less enjoyable? There’s always that chance. It’s entirely possible that the dinners and events where alcohol is included could end up saving you money, thus paying for the other optionals. Or, perhaps at some point it’s worth forgetting about the cost of potential life-changing experiences and just dive right in! All around the bus, people are justifying their choices. There are those selecting everything and discussing regrets and the once-in-a-lifetime-ness of it all. There are, of course, saying it’s too much money or they simply are not interested. Their disinterest may be genuine, or it may be that they have to convince others of their lack of interest.
I, for one, do not want to return to Halifax with any regrets of not having done something. This tour is designed to be an appetizer, with the aim of creating a hunger for more. What better way to fully maximize your experience than to take advantage of every single opportunity that is presented. The creators of the tour – clearly successful – have decided that certain activities would accentuate the tour. I compare it to having a server, who has just served you an excellent meal, offering a dessert based on the same sound advice they used in suggesting your meal. The difference is that you’ve presumably eaten your meal before deciding on dessert. I’ve just begun to “eat” and therefore don’t know if my “server” has proven sound judgment in suggesting. To heck with regrets, I’m pre-ordering dessert. I’ll report my findings.
Nick is currently adventuring in Europe. One of RBC's partners, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, has recently launched a travel site featuring exclusive travel deals. Deals are exclusive to students who have RBC No Limit Banking for Students™ and Nick is currently experiencing one of their travel deals. Over the next 2 weeks, Nick will be writing about his experience as he tours Europe on a Contiki tour.
There’s something almost magical about crossing the English Channel on a ferry akin to a cruise ship, with the white cliffs of Dover behind me. Seriously, the ferry has a games room and a food court. Although I’m moving forward towards Calais – in France – I’ll take a look back at the experience in London. Upon first arriving at the airport, I realized that it wasn’t much more hectic than the Pearson in Toronto. Sure, the surroundings were different, but I managed pretty well. The Contiki tour pack included a pass for the London Underground, which took about an hour to get to downtown London. The hotel I stay in is right around the corner. So far, pretty good.
At this point it’s about 11:30am and I don’t have to meet the tour manager and fellow travelers until 6pm. What to do, what to do. I tried to take a nap, due to my incredible tiredness, but felt guilty that I wasn’t outside enjoying the city that I would have to leave the following day. I embarked on a brief walk through the surrounding area, as I didn’t want to venture much farther and get lost. The map with which the reception staff provided me was just a black and white photocopy and confused me more than anything. So I just walked. I snapped some photos, took in some London-y sights and checked out the British Museum. It would take a solid 2 days to truly appreciate all that it offers.
After meeting the Contiki staff and my tourmates, I contemplated (once again) trying to catch up on sleep. It was either that or go adventuring again. I began to walk away but then decided to go back into the café and get to know some people. I can honestly say that it was the best decision I could have made. As a group we decided to grab some food, and then most of the group went to a pub while a handful of us went to see Big Ben. I expected a fairly large building but I was blown away by its majesty and beauty. It was nighttime so it was all lit up. Good thing for making friends and seeing something so monumental. Make friends, and lots of them, and you’ll have a much better tour.
My impression of London is a bit mixed. I know that the slight annoyances have more to do with what I’m used to, rather than there actually being problems. The biggest shocker was the currency, and the dismal exchange rate with the Canadian dollar. But it’s my first (and potentially my last) time in London, so it’s just something that I have to expect. Overall, London is a great experience and I’m glad the tour started there. Being the “appetizer” tour, it’s expected that I won’t be able to see as much of any given country as I’d like to. But as I edge closer to France, I am looking forward to all the fun that is ahead rather than focusing on the missed fun from my previous location. For now it’s time to look up from the laptop screen and take in some of the amazing view.
Nick is currently adventuring in Europe. One of RBC's partners, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, has recently launched a travel site featuring exclusive travel deals. Deals are exclusive to students who have RBC No Limit Banking for Students™ and Nick is currently experiencing one of their travel deals. Over the next 2 weeks, Nick will be writing about his experience as he tours Europe on a Contiki tour.
It’s just about that time of the year again. With September fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about “back to school”. The substantial hike in living expenses is accompanied by the stress of assignments, readings and exams. Oh what fun! But the truth is, gearing up for a new school year is pretty exciting.
I’ve always seen the back-to-school period as a great time to re-invent myself. Be it a fresh start in new classes, new profs, new assignments, new friends, or just new gym shoes; they all present opportunities to start over with a blank slate. What better time to come up with a winning game plan on how you will succeed academically, financially and socially?
The end of August and beginning of September is usually a time for me to reflect on past experiences and decide what my direction is going to be for the school year. I usually try to reorganize my priorities, set out some tangible objectives and commit to testing out a new study plan like: spending more hours in the library. While I know throughout the course of the year, seldom will I be found in the library I think a good balance of objectives and interests is key. In this, I’ve always found that a game plan helps to keep me focused and motivated.
Surely, there will be times throughout the semester when you feel like the work in insurmountable and never-ending, but a good plan and set of objectives can keep you driving right through even the most challenging parts of the year.
A great game plan has balance, academic goals of achieving highest marks and performing in assignments are only one piece of this puzzle. Setting out a budget at the beginning of the year can save you from financial woes that notoriously hit hard (for me): 1) each semester, after buying textbooks and 2) after the holiday season. Personally, this is a huge source of stress for me, but I’ve found that planning my budget and setting some cash aside as an ‘emergency fund’ to cover these fluxes is all it takes to make it through the rough patches. Do yourself the favour, plan out your finances today, before the times of economic uncertainty hit!
Last and certainly not least, take the time to connect with friends. Especially if you’re going to school away from home, your friends can be your greatest support network. Take time to enjoy and relax. Get away from the stresses of the studying and working the part-time job to enjoy the student experience. It’s just as important as the other parts of the equation and together will result in a happy and healthy school year!
Hopefully, planning for the school year that lies ahead will work as well for you as it has for me! Feel free to drop me a comment about your strategic plan for this year’s challenges, too!
All the best to 1st-year and returning students!
Being an entrepreneur is all about inspiration. Or is it perspiration? I couldn't really remember which, so I had a chat with Morey Chaplick, the President of the Canadian Scooter Corp: I think it would be more appropriate if his title was the Canadian Grandfather of Vespa (even though he's not that old). If you own a new Vespa, are mesmerized by their beauty as one wisks by on a warm summer day or can one day see yourself navigating the open roads on one, then you have Morey to thank.
Morey says the rebirth of Vespa in Canada started pretty uneventfully. It all started on a trip to Italy in 2001. You almost have to let him tell the story; it was such an inspirational moment, that it's been forever ingrained in his memory, right down to the smallest of details. He was walking with his wife when a 55 year old gentleman in a beautiful, slim, grey suit and pressed linen shirt breezed past on, you guessed it, a Vespa (complete with Louis Vuitton saddle bags).
"That's so cool."
Canada needed Vespas, so, in the midst of selling a company he had recently taken public, Morey decided to begin shipping Vespas to Toronto; the thing is, due to some regulatory issues and the likes, Morey could only import old Vespas, refurbish them and then sell them. A couple of years after opening the store, Morey began thinking, "maybe this wasn't such a good idea..." People weren't that interested in buying used Vespas.
"It was labour of love, and definitely not about the money," recalls Morey, "I was having thoughts about closing." That's when he got a call from Piaggio about being the Canadian distributor of all things Vespa, something a lot easier said than done. Morey and his business partner had to make a strong case for Vespa coming back to the Canadian market. The lesson learned: when there's truth and passion to an argument, then things are going to change.
Thankfully, for us and Morey, after a long day of meetings in LA, he and his partner caught the red-eye back to Canada, with a Vespa deal in hand.
Vespa - the quintessential symbol romantic freedom. Morey Chaplick - the quintessential symbol of romantic entrepreneurialism. From Inspiration on a street corner in Italy to almost giving up hope, to seeing your dream come true in a way that is greater than you ever would have imagined.
"Every time I sell a scooter, I get really excited!" That's because one more person is falling in love with Vespa and one more person doesn't think he's crazy for bringing them to Canada. I'm going to venture to say that Morey feels as free running his business as he does cruising on a Vespa, "I have so much fun at work. When you have a great product and a great team, working is fun."
It was sweet talking to Morey, and his excitement is contagious; I'm going to go to his store on Laird and Eglington next week to look at some Vespas. Who knows, you may see me cruising the streets of Toronto on a Vespa, Louis Vuitton bags and all.
If you’ve ever had to undertake any sort of project, once you’ve overcome the blank page you know that preparation and organization can save your life when it comes to getting through to the end. The script is your blueprint that you can show to friends or to those financially fortunate individuals who can help you bring your idea to the screen, so it’s important to have a clear, organized layout that just about anybody can look at. A properly formatted script is almost a must if you’re going to show it to a potential investor, or if you’re serious about entering competitions that can win you some coin and help finance your project.
Script as the gateway to getting money and Interest in your project
There are a number of great websites where you can submit your script and have it compete for prize money but my favourite is an organization called the Wildsound Festival. They have a site, where for a fee; you can submit a completed film or your screenplay. Your screenplay then has the potential to be read by professional actors and viewed by film investors and producers who could be your future partners in getting the money required to get your project off the ground. We have to be realistic though, film is a competitive industry and Wildsound accepts submissions from everywhere, so if you’re a student, you might want to check out the Student Shorts Film Festival. This festival was actually started by a friend of mine and his student buddies and has grown successfully over the last 8 years, specializing in student submissions. More on festivals in the next blog…
Back to Basics: GET ORGANIZED!
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. Not only can a million things go wrong when you actually DO get the wonderful opportunity to shoot your project, but there are obstacles that need to be resolved at the earliest stages, one of them being writing the script. Notice how I didn’t say writing a GOOD script. The ‘goodness’ of your story will depend on your own creative juice and ability to write and is largely dependent on whose reading it. Just because someone says your idea sucks, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plow ahead and believe in it. (I smell another blog coming…)
One thing that IS pretty standard is putting your script into a format that is readable and adheres to the normal format. This will depend if you’re writing a TV, Theatre, Music Video or Film script, as they all have their own format and for good reason, each media has its own special requirements. They ALL need to communicate these requirements to anyone who is going to get involved. Putting yourself on a need-to-know basis is fine, but it doesn’t always jive well with others.
GET ORGANIZED, FOR FREE!
There’s a great site I came upon that offers a program called Celtx. This has ready-made, feature-rich templates to make screenplays, storyboards, schedules and sticky-notes that you can attach to your screenplay when you have a moment of inspiration that you need to get down fast. It’s available in over 15 languages and they have a project sharing site where you can post your script, storyboards and so on, so other people can comment on them.
Just check out this one guy’s project about a therapy group for monsters. Celtx supports Windows, OSX and even Linux for the avant-gardes out there.
There are a lot of professional scriptwriting programs like Final Draft, which can cost an arm and a leg for a student, but Celtx gets the job done and it’s free. The industry is pretty unforgiving when it comes to deviation from the standard, so in this case, you might have to buckle down and find a way to manage your story and break it down in a format that someone can read and say ‘I get it’.
Most festivals require you to have a properly formatted script, so it literally PAYS to become pretty good at writing one that can still communicate the ideas and emotions of your inspired story before you even think about finding any kind of money to make it a reality.
Time: 3:35am, if I were still in Halifax
Location: Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean
I can’t sleep. Looking around, it appears as though I’m somehow one of the few, unless they’re pretending to sleep like I did for what seems like hours on end. I left Halifax around 12:30am local time, and magically 3 hours later sunrise happened. That’s the beauty of flying to London, I suppose. Literally, the captain just said “good morning, hope you all had a good sleep”, and in addition to the sunlight beaming through the windows, there are now lights on in the cabin as breakfast is about to be served. I can’t say that I’m terribly hungry. I ate a little over two hours ago – a ham sandwich, macaroni salad, ginger ale and a glass of white wine (which I thought might help to put me to sleep). I was wrong.
Despite the fact that I haven’t really dozed off, I CAN offer some pointers from observing the lucky sleepers around me, and also by imagining how I could have done things differently:
- Bring a sleeping mask (even though mine didn’t do me much good) because the little light that is in the cabin is sometimes enough to prevent you from sleeping. Not to mention, when the sun decides it will no longer remain hidden, you’ve got salvation from its glow.
- Invest in a travel pillow, and ideally one that wraps around your neck and inflates (deflates). Those who’ve brought these (I was SO close to buying one) appear to be having the most restful sleep of their lives. Oh, how I envy their unconsciousness.
- Take some sleeping pills, to give your body that little extra “go to sleep” kick in the butt that it needs. I’m usually fairly nocturnal, so trying to sleep around 1am seemed to be late enough, but I guess between the excitement of traveling to a far away land and the lack of sleep-comfort, I just won’t be sleeping on this flight.
Since it has become apparent that sleep is simply out of the question, it looks like I’m having breakfast. Oddly enough, the fact that the sun is up kind of makes me feel like I DID get sleep, and that it’s time to start a new day. The fact remains, however, that if I were still in Halifax I would be, well, probably tossing and turning. And if I were still in Halifax, then I wouldn’t be on a plane on my way to Europe for 12 days. So I guess I’ll take what I can get at the moment – pancakes or omelets. I have to admit, the food on the flight has been very good. And the price is right – included.
Right on cue, as though she was reading my mind (or over my shoulder), the flight attendant has offered me breakfast. In addition to the omelet, I get hash browns & mushrooms, yogurt, a fruit salad, a croissant, a little bottle of water, orange juice, and bread I’m unfamiliar with. I sure can’t complain about the food, and for now it’s going to have to take the place of sleep.
One last tip that I can offer after having ventured to the washroom is that if you truly wish to get sleep on a flight (especially one where you are chasing the sun), then first class is the way to go. They get seats that lay pretty much all the way back. Little sleep-inducing pods, they are. I caught a glimpse as I awaited my turn in the lavatory, as they call it. Ah well, maybe someday I can join the rested and relaxed. For now, I think I’ll try to pass out for a few minutes, as doubtful as I am that the conditions will allow it.
Nick is currently adventuring in Europe. One of RBC's partners, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, has recently launched a travel site featuring exclusive travel deals. Deals are exclusive to students who have RBC No Limit Banking for Students™ and Nick is currently experiencing one of their travel deals. Over the next 2 weeks, Nick will be writing about his experience as he tours Europe on a Contiki tour.
Recently I wrote a blog about scooter style and since then my mind has been racing (pun intended). I have had dreams about having a scooter and riding it around. Although my dream of having a scooter still hasn't been realized if I did have one these would be my top ten things to do when you own a scooter.
10. Take a spontaneous road trip. This was one of my favorite things to do when I had a car and is one of my favorite things to do on foot. Its an amazing feeling to just wake up and go somewhere you've never been before. My scooter would be perfect for short zippy random adventures.
9. Show off my new scooter wear. Scooters are slower and they are pretty unique and so what your wearing matters much more and I know I would love sporting my new scooter style.
8.Push my scooter to the limit. Whenever I get a new car I love taking it on the autobahn and going as fast as I can on it. I just think it would be awesome if I did that on my moto and struggled as all the ferraris, porsches and toyotas for that matter passed me.
7. Have a scooter photo shoot. Every time I rent a car or have a car I have a photo shoot with it and my friends. The scooter would make the perfect prop.
6. Become a scooter fanatic. If you have something new and cool like and iphone or a scooter the only thing to do is get immersed in its lifestyle and rave about it to all your friends.
5. Name my scooter. I don’t know what my scooters name would be but it surely would be a woman's name and something cute like Dolores or Phyllis. Talking to ones moto is definitely a must too.
4. See how many people I can fit on my scooter. Once I stuffed seven of my friends and myself in my mothers audi TT. I wonder how many I could fit on a Vespa?
3. Park. With how crazy parking is in Vancouver it would bring me so much joy just to go and park right in front of a bunch of SUV’s looking for a spot and dramatically get off my moto and walk away. It would feel so good.
2. Start a new reality show called “Pimp my Moto”. On German MTV instead of “pimp my ride” they have “Pimp my Fahrad (bicycle)” and I think that I should be Much Musics’ first guest on “Pimp my Moto”!
1.Play the “do you think I’m european” game. Now this is a game that I love to play on the airplane or in the airport but I think it would work even better with a moto. The way it works is when your out doing stuff you try and convince people that you are from europe without saying anything. A moto would definitely help make my act more believable.
That was so random I know but trust me once you've got the scooter syndrome you cant help dreaming about what your life will be like once you ride.
Sure, landing a summer job is great: the steady income and new networking opportunities are terrific, and hey, now you even have someplace air conditioned to hang out during the hot summer months!
But seriously, the summer intern experience shouldn’t end here. The best intern positions are as challenging as they are exciting. They should offer exposure and development. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. The problem is: many departments are so busy during the summer months that the professional development of summer students doesn’t always top the list of priorities.
But the onus doesn’t just fall on your manager; you can take action to ensure you’re making the best use of your summer job. Assuming that summer students are typically looking to expand their knowledge of their respective industries, here are some tips for making the most of your summer internship:
- Do your homework: Find out what developmental programs might be available to you through your company. Many times, these info sessions are free for your company to send you to.
- Make an appointment: set aside some time to talk to your boss specifically about growth opportunities, he/she might have some suggestions for you.
- Ask for contacts: talk to your boss or someone who has been in the company long enough to have established a reliable network of contacts in the company or industry. Meet with them during the summer while you’re affiliated with the company. Once school starts, it can be much more difficult to correspond with a network.
- Look for clubs that are organized through your work: They will help you expand your network and develop a new skill set. I really enjoyed taking part in Toastmasters’ meetings that took place in my building last summer.
The summer will be over soon, you have resources at your disposal today, take advantage. - Be a keener: You’ve got nothing to lose! Your workplace is full of opportunities but you’ll have to take the initiative to seek them out, don’t be shy!
I truly do believe that the best job experiences offer you a view at different areas of the organization, a chance to explore and learn new programs, new systems and develop new skills. But don’t wait for opportunity to come knocking, go beyond the cubicle, get off you swivel chair and take action today!
Have you ever been to Niagara Falls? Beautiful place – We went during the long weekend; there’s a great park along the gorge, lots of people and the falls really are amazing. We went on the Maid of the Mist too, which I recommend. All of that was great, but there was one thing that kind of irked me about the whole thing.
The souvenirs and touristy gift-shop gimmicks. Niagara Falls is a festering ground for souvenir shops.
Can someone explain souvenirs to me? I just need to know who’s pumping these things out; does anyone even know who they’re coming from, or did they just forget to turn off the machines that make them back in 1994? Another question – is part of the charm and attractiveness of these souvenirs the fact that they’re so tacky?
My favorites:
Bells: who are you supposed to ring with them?
Plaques: a great addition to any room?
Porcelain Salt & Pepper Shakers and Pewter Spoons (which are surprisingly hard to come by)
These are all great examples of the opportunities that exist for entrepreneurs in the tourism industry. Souvenirs have to be multimillion dollar industry, and by looks of things, the last time there has been any thought put into these memorable tokens was 1989. There has got to be some ideas on how souvenirs can manifest themselves in a way that’s much classier.
Start small – One would think that you could go to a local souvenir store (or gas station) with your proprietary, inventive and classy knick-knack, strike a deal with the shop owner and get rolling. Who better to know the area and fashion souvenirs than you, the very people living in that area?
All in all, I had a great time with my parents there. I highly recommend that if you’re in Ontario, the falls (and Niagara-on-the-Lake) get checked out. I didn’t buy any souvenirs, but I took lots of pictures. One day, souvenirs will look appropriate for their day and age – that’s when I’ll buy something. Maybe.
Journey to the center of the toothpaste aisle department
Did you brush your teeth today? I sure hope so, because I assume reading my blog entries isn’t the first thing you do everyday (but maybe it should be).
“Is today Wednesday? OMG! Nick’s blog has probably been updated. Quick…gotta get up!”
Not likely (although a guy can dream, can’t he?).
Assuming you’ve brushed your teeth at SOME point recently, you no doubt realize that toothpaste comes in many shapes, sizes, flavours and types. I spent about 23 minutes the other night at the grocery store trying to decipher the toothpaste section (who am I kidding, I’m still HERE). I had to take a break halfway through and check my blood pressure at one of those self-testing booths (150/95 if you’re wondering, but it usually – when not toothpaste shopping – sits at about 135/85). It was mindblowing. I hadn’t visited this section recently since toothpaste lasts me quite a while (I only brush my teeth every second day to save money and water). Kidding, kidding. I’m frugal but not THAT frugal. Either way, toothpaste isn’t something I have to buy that often, and I just happened to get swept up in the dozens and dozens of options at my disposal. Sometimes too many options can be a hassle.
There are mini breath strips, fresh bursts, micro beads of refreshing goodness and a host of other additions to my toothpaste that are CLEARLY necessary to my oral health. There is cool mint, winter blast, power clean and blah blah blah. It’s to the point where the flavours are even out of control. There’s orange, vanilla, chai latte and coming soon…chocolate chip (mint) cookie dough. We’ve lived without these “selling features” for as long as toothpaste has existed but at this point in our toothpaste evolution the toothpaste gods have deemed it CRUCIAL that these be added. The madness has to stop. Yes, I’m going overboard a little. But it really is insane how many options I have in the toothpaste aisle (this just in…toothpaste store opening up down the street from me). I would even dare say it’s unnecessary.
But the insanity doesn’t end there. Oh no. The trusted TUBE that toothpaste has come in for millions of years (researchers have found fossils, you know) has in recent years become an upright plastic tube-bottle thing.
Much like the glass bottle for ketchup has undergone a switch to plastic, and then to a similar stand-upside-down-so-it-flows-better-tube-bottle contraption. Ok, I get it. It might be a little less messy and gravity helps toothpaste come to the exit where it can very easily be dispensed onto our toothbrush (remember kids, use only a pea-sized amount…and I’m not talking snow peas). The problem comes when it nears empty. A tube can be rolled up, squeezed and even cut in order to get at that last little bit of pasty wonderment (on a sidenote, I don’t LIKE having a pasty mouth in the morning; maybe THAT’S where improvements should be focused). The new stand-upright containers make it difficult to truly maximize your toothpaste.
Let’s recap:
1. Too many options for toothpaste
2. Needless toothpaste add-ons that complicate matters
3. Bloated prices for “features” like mini breath strips
4. Containers that don’t allow you to completely empty them
It makes perfect sense. As consumers who have teeth that need cleaning, we’re so utterly confused with our toothpaste options that we go for good flavours in stand-up containers that cost us more money and don’t give us the full use of their contents due to the design of the tube-bottle. That means more buying of the expensive designer toothpaste. I’ve solved the mystery. Now if I could just figure out which toothpaste to buy. Whitens teeth…fights cavities…freshens and cleans mouth. Oh, the horror.
As I drove myself to work the other day, in my non-hybrid car, I heard an interesting concept on the radio: A man claimed that having more hybrids on the road will drive the price of gas down because we would be less dependent on foreign oil imports. Because we would be consuming less gas, oil companies would therefore compete for our patronage by pushing the cost of gas at the tanks lower and lower.
Besides this theory, I have been told the benefits of hybrid vehicles for sometime now—I even get excited when I see one on the road. But, to be honest, I’ve never really understood how they work.
How Hybrids Work
A hybrid uses two or more power sources for propulsion, rather than the single-gasoline (or diesel) engine present in most cars today. Hybrids create electric energy while the car is in motion, usually by kinetic energy that is created and captured when the car is braking. This energy is then stored in an internal battery. The most common hybrids use this stored-electric energy when the vehicle is moving at a slow pace (25 km/h or less) or when the vehicle is accelerating at a high speed. At all other times, the vehicle is relying on its gasoline (or diesel) engine. This engine, though, can be smaller because the electric engine supports and alleviates reliance on it.
Even though the hybrid still relies on a non-electric engine, it can save money for consumers because the electric engine is kicking in when the fuel-charged engine would be working its hardest (ie. accelerating, moving at slow speeds). This means it can consume less gas and therefore save you money. Because less emissions are being created, hybrids the “green option” for environmentalists.
I should add that there are other hybrid engines besides electric, like hydraulic and hydrogen fuel cells instead of internal combustion engines, but because they are far less common I didn’t want to talk about them. If you want something beyond my simplistic explanation on the workings of hybrid vehicles, there is an informative post over at autobloggreen.com that offers a little more depth than I got into.
Also, Toyota’s website has a great interactive illustration outlining the various components of hybrid systems.
So, Are they Worth It?
Some people don’t seem to think so. They say that the cost of the hybrid vehicle far outweighs the costs you would be saving at the pump. Americanconsumernews.com is one of them (sorry it’s American—I couldn’t find a better explanation!):
Honda is selling their 2008 Honda Civic Sedan for $15,010. The hybrid version of that vehicle, the ’08 Civic Hybrid Sedan retails for $22,600. For that extra $7,600 dollars, you’ll get an extra 11 miles per gallon of fuel economy. You might think that going from 34 MPG (miles per gallon) to 45 MPG would make a big difference, but the reality is that you would only use 72 more gallons of gasoline per year in the non-hybrid. If you were to drive an average of 10,000 miles per year and gasoline was at a fixed price of $3.00 a gallon, you would have to drive your new civic hybrid for a whopping 35 years before the cost would break even!
What about you?
I am of the thinking that if something is more environmentally friendly than the alternative, making the switch may not be a bad idea. But, I’ve also heard that hybrid technology is advancing at a rapid rate. Who knows, we may have another option available for us in the near future. Is it best to wait for a newer, cheaper alternative?
If you have to drive to school this fall, will it be in a hybrid?
In Europe, when it comes to transportation, the smaller, the better. Unlike in North America, in Europe the houses came first and then they built the roads. In some ways, it’s the roads that give most European cities their quaintness. The tight winding cobblestone roads are so different from the massive boulevards of North American cities that it gives them a certain attraction. When you live in Europe, it’s easy for that attraction to fade away. Over-congested capitals have transformed the auto industry and in turn the style of transportation.
Small is in right now in Europe and the trend is beginning to spread to Canada too. The streets in Spain are packed with pricey but convenient Smart cars but even more than these mini vehicles are scooters. The identity of the scooter to me has always been encompassed by the Vespa, which in my mind was always the ultimate Italian motorized bicycle. Despite my admiration for these tools of transport I still always felt that they were girly and an unsuitable mode of transport for me. After a few months in Spain this summer all that has changed.
In Spain, boys and girls drive scooters without any obvious majority on either side. People as old as 70 ride “motos” here as do the teenagers. One of my main concerns about getting a scooter (now that my fear of the femininity of the scooter is gone) is scooter style. The main conflict between the scooter and style is that as a motorized vehicle it is particularly dangerous and therefore any scooter fashion will have safety first, fashion second and frankly that doesn't work for me.
A “moto” is not a motorcycle, it doesn't go as fast and it has an element of class to it as you are sitting up straight when you ride it. As a result how you look is much more visible to the public and so your scooter fashion is that much more important. In Spain, the way that most get around the safety-fashion conflict is that they just ignore the safety part and worry about the fashion aspect. That is something I can’t condone. Safety and fashion are not incompatible and the new scooter is style is testament to that.
Most of the scooter blogs discuss this issue of safety and style on some level. At CrashWear “safety and fashion collide” and they have some affordable and stylish reflective vests that will protect you when riding day or night. For other style tips relating to scooters check out Scooterswag.com for a bunch of current scooter news, fashion and events. Just like any style, scooter style has its own huge following with magazines, fashion and blogs.
Scoot! magazine has a blog that is pretty awesome. Recently it posted a blog about a NY special edition Vespa that I particularly enjoyed, especially the ad for it that they posted. The ad by Vespa commands in big letters “don’t be a gas-hole.” and encourages people to buy Vespas and save the environment.
Classic Vespa: European style and its minimalism works perfectly with the environmentally conscious. But if I’m seriously going to consider buying a Vespa I need some concerns cleared up, like how can I wear a helmet and not look like I just woke up every time I take it off and how can I deal with the constant rain in Vancouver once I have my scooter?
The key to dealing with the helmet concern is finding a helmet that you look better in then in your own hair, that way you won’t ever want to take it off and your noggin will always be safe. One look at the Vespa accessories and helmets site and you realize the potential hotness that lies in the world of Vespa safety. It is possible that by doing this you may begin to wear you helmet everywhere, indoors and out but who’s to say that’s such a bad idea in the world we live in.
The next issue was solved for me by a blog called “big guy, small scooter”. This guy Dave Dixon is from BC and so he knows what its like to ride in the rain and so I got some resolve from his blog. At least I wouldn't be the only crazy person riding in the rain.
Scooters are hot and that’s pretty much it. They get you around fast, are easy to park, are easy on gas, have a surprising first impression and best of all opens you up to a whole new niche of fashion and products to covet. For me, if I were to get a scooter it would be now, when I’m young so that I can live it up and flood my Facebook with photos of me and my ride.
Tell me what you think about the scoot?
En Europe, quand ça l’a rapport à votre mode de transport, on peut dire le plus petit que c’est, le mieux. En contraste à l’Amérique du Nord, en Europe, les maisons sont venue en premier, et ensuite les chemins. C’est souvent les chemins qui donnent à l’Europe sa quaintescence. Les petites autoroutes ici sont bien différentes des géant boulevards de l’Amérique du Nord. Quand tu demeure en Europe, c’est facile d’oublier celles-là. Les autoroutes encombrées de l’Europe ont transformé l’industry des véhicules, et, en fin, le style des véhicules.
La mode en ce moment en Europe, c’est tout ce qui est petit. La tendance commence à s'écarter au Canada aussi. Les rues en Espagne sont encombrées de «Smart Cars », coûteuses mais commodes. Encore plus commode que ces mini-véhicules sont les scooters. Lorsqu’on dit « Scooter », la première chose qui me vient à l’esprit c’est le Vespa, qui à toujours été pour moi la bicyclette motorisée italienne ultime. En dépit de mon admiration pour ce mode de transport, j'estimais toujours pensé qu'ils étaient très féminin, et un mode de transport peu convenable pour moi. Après quelques mois en Espagne cet été, tout qui a changé.
En Espagne, les garçons et les filles conduisent des scooters sans aucune majorité évidente. Les personnes âgées jusqu’à 70 montent leur « motos » autant que les adolescents. Un de mes inquiets principaux concernant les scooters (maintenant que ma crainte de la féminité du scooter est allégée), c’est la mode. Le conflit principal entre le scooter et être habillé à la mode c’est que le scooter peut être particulièrement dangereux. Je dois donc m’assurer que n'importe quel vêtement que je porte lorsque je suis en scooter prend en considération ma sureté en premier, et la mode en second lieu. Franchement, ça ne fonctionne pas pour moi.
Une « moto » n'est pas une motocyclette. Il ne va pas aussi vite et il y a un certain élément de classe car tu t’y asseyes avec le dos droit quand tu le monte. En conséquence, votre apparence est beaucoup plus évidente au public et ainsi, votre mode de scooter est beaucoup plus importante. En Espagne, la façon dont les gens évitent le conflit de sûreté-mode c’est qu'ils ignorent l’aspect de sûreté et s'inquiètent de l'aspect de mode. C'est quelque chose que je ne peux pas pardonner. La sûreté et la mode ne sont pas incompatibles et le nouvelle perspective de scooter\style est testament à ce fait..
La plupart des blogs de scooter adressent ce problème. Chez CrashWear “safety and fashion collide” et ils ont plusieurs gilets reflectifs qui vous protégerons lorsque vous embarquez sur votre scooter, jour ou nuit.
Scoot! magazine a un blog qui est pas mal tripant. Récemment, ils ont créé une entrée sur leur blog au sujet d’un Vespa d’édition spéciale NY que j’ai bien aimé. J’ai surtout aimé l’annonce publicitaire qui dit, en grande lettres “don’t be a gas-hole.” et encourage les gens à se procurer un Vespa pour sauver l’environment.
Vespa classique : Le style euro et son minimalisme fonctionne parfaitement avec votre conscience environnementale. Je vais sérieusement considérer acheter un Vespa dès que j'ai éclaircis quelques-uns de mes soucis. Par exemple: Comment je peux porter un casque et ne pas avoir l’air comme si je venais tout juste de me réveiller chaque fois que je l’enleve, et comment faire face à la réalité qu’il y a constament de la pluie a Vancouver.
La clef à traiter le problème de casque-protecteur c’est de trouver un casque qui vous fait mieux que votre propre chevellure. De cette façon, vous allez jamais voulloir l’enlever et votre cocologie. Un regard aux accessoires de Vespa et leur casques et vous réalisez le hotness potentiel qui se situe dans le monde Vespa. Il est possible qu'en faisant ceci vous puissiez commencer à porter le casque partout. À l'intérieur et dehors mais qui est de dire que c'est une si mauvaise idée dans le monde que nous vivons.
Les scooters sont hot et c’est point final. C’est un mode de transport rapide, ils sont faciles à stationner, sont économes sur l’essence. Tant qu’à moi, si je devais m’acheter un scooter, ça serait maintenant, quand je suis jeune de sorte que je puisse vivre… et inonder mon Facebook de photos de moi et de mon Vespa!
Dites-moi ce que vous pensez du Vespa!
After the past couple weeks of iPhone hype, I was relieved to see a Globe and Mail article about how RIM hasn’t been sweating the release of the iPhone. At the RIM shareholders meeting, in fact, RIM CEO Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis spoke of the iPhone only during question period. Balsillie’s response to the iPhone threat is that he’d rather set his sights on moving forward and releasing the next new product (talk about a positive outlook). This, I think is an important approach for a company like RIM that is trying to maintain market share while in competition with one of the most influential brands around.
In an interview earlier this month, RBC Capital Markets’ analyst Mike Abramsky went so far as to call the Apple following somewhat “cult-like”. Mike feels Apple has been tremendously successful in producing an emotional appeal; people feel an emotional attachment to and desire for their products.
This got me thinking, that perhaps a stronger branding campaign to emphasize the work/data functions of the BlackBerry over the media function-driven iPhone could help drive sales for RIM. Needless to say I was surprised to read about RIM’s new advertizing campaign “Blackberry for Life”, designed to promote the media capabilities of their devices. While the Blackberry and iPhone may have similar functions (e-mail, texting, web browsing, media functions, etc) they deliver these features from different perspectives.
While Mike seemed to think that we would be seeing more innovation from RIM, there is no doubt in my mind of the distinct differences in these devices today: Blackberrys may be all the rage on Bay Street, but iPhone kills in cool factor.
Considering RIM’s success in its given (professional/business) market,
If Blackberry abandons its ‘professional’ roots, it risks being eclipsed by the iPhone in the media department. I’m not yet convinced that this is a market the BlackBerry should play in, but only time will tell what RIM has up its sleeve.
I was chatting with a friend the other day, talking about start ups and she mentioned that she had an idea that she thought had a lot of potential. She was a little disappointed though, because she had just seen her really great product idea at a store not too long ago.
To make matters worse, there were some nay-sayers around her who said that a product like that would never fly.
If you have an idea for a business, and something similar already exists, then that’s a great reason to pursue your business plan – too many people give up the instant they see their great idea on the market. If a similar product or business is experiencing some level of success, it means there’s a proven case for your idea – that’s a ton of market research for you!
Not to say that one should go out there and set up a carbon copy of the existing business, but it’s definitely wise to use that model as a framework on which to base your endeavour.
The most important thing to remember if you go about it this way- there needs to be a point of differentiation that sets your new-to-market business apart from the one you’re mimicking; in business school, we learn there’s two basic points of differentiation, price and quality (and as a side note, quality demands a higher price, is a more sustainable business model and can manifest itself in a million different ways).
Aspiring entrepreneurs should be critical consumers – if you think that you can provide better service, do a better job, sell it for cheaper or make it look and work better, than do it.
Cat, I think that your product idea is really good and could help a lot of people; what’s more, I think that you can make it more than just that single product, but you could turn it into an entire business with a lot of products – so seriously consider doing it.
Making you buy two when you only wanted one
2 for $6. Buy one get one free. 2 for the price of 1. There are many variations on this idea of getting you to take 2 (or more) items when perhaps you only intended to buy one (or possibly NONE). Much of the time we’re mesmerized by the thought of a deal that will allow us to buy 2 items for less money than usual. We simply can not believe our luck when something that typically costs $3.30 for 2 all of a sudden has a BARGAIN price of $3.00 for 2.
Old price: $1.65 each
New price: $1.50 each
WOW! That’s amazing!
To be fair, 15 cents IS an amount worth raising heck over, as can be seen in the recent Bell/Telus “we will now charge anyone without a text messaging plan 15 cents for incoming text messages because we’re so poor and can hardly afford to keep our business afloat” heck-stravaganza. Let’s examine the two-for, shall we?
What you read: 2 for $6
What you should ask: how much does ONE of these usually cost? Is it worth it?
Why you should do this: if you’re not saving much on a per-item basis, then just buy 1 and not the 2.
Caution: Sometimes this is not an option, and the two have to be bought to get the lower price. Sneaky.
Example of a GOOD deal: fast food places that offer 2 burgers for $6 when they typically cost $3.79 ea.
How they get ya, though: you’ll probably buy fries and/or a drink.
What you read: Buy One Get One Free
What you should ask: is there a catch, or do I actually get a second one at no cost whatsoever to me?
Why you should do this: depending on the item, there may be special stipulations.
Caution: BOGO cell phones usually require the activation of the 2nd phone, sometimes on a 3-year contract.
Example of a GOOD deal: Buy one loaf of bread and get a second loaf free (pick two different kinds and freeze one loaf).
How they get ya, though: you might buy more of something that goes WITH the bread, since you have more of it now.
What you read: 2 for the price of 1
What you should ask: can I buy ONE and get if half-price?
Why you should do this: if it’s something like cheese that could go bad, just get ONE cheaper.
Caution: you can’t always get the single item at half price, so you should check on that.
Example of a GOOD deal: 2 for 1 admissions. Great for dates.
How they get ya, though: getting more people at an event leads to more food/drink sales and more word of mouth.
The bottom line is that behind every seemingly awesome deal there are questions you should ask yourself in order to