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4 Times That Fast Food Chains Stole Your Money

When fast food chains offer their tasty meals, they go beyond advertising on television and social media. They employ different marketing strategies to entice the consumers into spending their hard-earned cash on the spot. Just take a look at their slogans!

Burger King once used the slogan: “IT JUST TASTES BETTER”. They provide no further explanations as to why their burgers and products tastes good. They simply implant this idea because they are business-oriented people. On that note, here are the 4 Times That Fast Food Chains “Stole” Your Money:

1. TEMPTING STORE FRAGRANCES

It is no secret that smell can induce cravings. These cravings can later lead to spending money.

Some companies (like ScentAir) are in the business of copying the natural scents of different food such as grilled burger, cinnamon bun, and popcorn. They sell these scents to companies that want to enhance the overall aroma of their stores. It works because smell can actually make your food taste better.

Dr. Brian Wansink once said: “it [odor] definitely makes the dining experience much more attractive to people, but unfortunately it also makes you want to get the fries instead of the salad.”

2. OVERWHELMING BUNDLE PRICE

Seeing me sip a cup of soda is a rare sight but, I always fall for the “bundle price” marketing trick regardless of that! Bundle pricing occurs when the company sells 2 or more products as a package with an intent of saving the customers’ money. Fast food chains habitually engage in this strategy which they refer to as “value meals”.

Currently, Burger King is offering value meals that come with burgers, cheesy fries, and sodas for only S$4.95 each. How can you not fall for a price that is significantly less than the amount of each item separately?

Image Credits: burgerking.com.sg

One drawback is that the portions are lesser than the usual.

3. APPETITE-ENHANCING COLORS

From the logos to the interior, two colors seem to stay at almost every fast food chains. These two colors are red and yellow. Red and yellow stimulate appetite, which probably explains why your stomach starts to make noises as soon as you see the yellow arches or the red logo. You cannot resist spending more inside!

Interestingly, you can combat how colors affect the way you eat by controlling your own plate. Researchers at Cornell University found that when they reduced the contrast in their plates and tables or in their plates and the food itself, people tend to serve themselves less food. To eat less, pair your white plate with your white table-cloth or a blue plate with a blue table-cloth.

4. ENTICING HEALTHY FEATURES

With the continued advocacy against obesity, consumers have been warned about the health risks of various fast food joints. Some companies heard this plea and incorporated healthy options to their menu. These companies came up with low-calorie ice creams, fruit bowls, veggie wraps, and salads.

Included in these said companies are McDonald’s and Burger King. Let us take Mac’s “Chicken McNuggets® 6pc Delight 500 Meal with Dasani Drinking Water” as an example. I was impressed with the website as it showed the nutrition facts, allergen information, and food sensitivity. In fact, the amount of cholesterol is this meal is only 59 mg!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

My friends at the fitness studio who are always on the go will enjoy this seemingly healthier option. Well, you know how popular healthy detox and other healthy alternatives are in the Singaporean social media.

Sources: 1 & 2

How To Ace These Tough 10 Interview Questions

There is nothing worse than coming into a job interview and the interviewer asks you with hard questions, which you do not know the answer to. Avoid this situation by being ready with polished interview answers.

1. WHY DID YOU LEAVE YOUR PREVIOUS JOB?

No matter how tricky this question sounds, you can make your way around it. I know how tempting it is to dish about your colleagues who mistreated you. However, this is not the time for that! Talk about your past experiences and focus on your career goals.

Elaborate about the important values and skills that you learned from your past experiences. Then, highlight that you are ready to use these in the position that you aspire to land. Another alternative is to state that you left to chase a better opportunity and face new challenges.

2. WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?

There is no perfect way to respond to this question but, you must avoid literal and generic answers. Saying that you are a workaholic or you are incapable of driving will not boost your image during an interview. Instead, identify the areas that you want to improve on and explain how keen you are to develop that skill in the new position.

3. WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS?

This question allows you to shine the competition. With this question, the interviewer is looking for work-related strengths that are in lined with the vacancy. Provide realistic examples of the times you displayed these strengths and connect it with the objectives of the job.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

4. WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHANGE?

Most job seekers answer this question by stating that they are 100% happy with where they are at the moment. If that statement is entirely true then, they will not seek a new job opportunity to change their careers.

Rather than coming across as cliché, pinpoint a major turning point or a missed opportunity in your life. Manifest that you are willing to move on from the situation by taking positive actions to turn things around. Provide examples to back up your claim.

5. WHY DO WANT TO WORK HERE?

This question calls for prior research and analysis regarding the targeted company. As a Registered Psychometrician, I know how important it is to find an employee that matches the objectives and goals of the company. This is why you must respond in a way that echoes the essence of the company.

Mention the aspects of the company that you admire and how your abilities make you a perfect fit.

6. HOW HAS YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND PREPARED YOU FOR THIS JOB?

There are various ways to respond to this broad question. I suggest to highlight the practical applications of the knowledge that you absorbed in school. State some examples that support the crucial competencies needed for the job.

This is an example: “During my last two years at SIM University, I had the opportunity to become a part of the program-committee and represent the whole batch of my course. I constantly practiced my communication skills given this responsibility.”

7. IS MONEY MORE IMPORTANT THAN JOB SATISFACTION?

It is alright to value money as it aids in our survival. By answering that money is more important, the interviewer may perceive you as someone who is blinded by a larger paycheck. Job satisfaction shall trump money in this situation.

Put emphasis on the pivotal role of job satisfaction to your internal motivation and to increasing your productivity at work. This will surely impress the interviewer.

8. HAVE YOU APPLIED FOR OTHER POSITIONS?

Interviewers like to ask this question to identify how interested the candidates are in the position and how determined they are on their search. Candidates who are applying for similar jobs (i.e., in the same industry or work environment) are more desirable. You may enumerate the typical characteristics that are needed for the job that you are applying for. Say something like: “I have applied for other positions that involve strong customer service orientation too.”

9. HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR FREE TIME?

This question comes up frequently because it gives a glimpse into a person’s character and work-life balance. Instead of tailoring your answers to show some extraordinary pursuits, be honest and realistic. The interviewer will appreciate the conversation more if you explain why you engage in such activities.

10. CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE WORST MANAGER YOU EVER HAD?

Ranting about your horrible ex-manager will not work to your favor. It is unattractive to talk badly about your previous managers or bosses. This is because your potential manager may anticipate that you will treat him or her in the same manner, somewhere down the line.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

A better response to this question is: “While no boss is perfect, there were some who taught me more than others. I am not complaining because I learned the types of leadership styles that I respond to the best.”

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Three of the Best Investment Options to Consider

Investing is a pursuit that suits many. An ideal means of increasing your income and boosting your bank balance, it also offers excitement, challenge, and complexity to those seeking a new and compelling pastime.

It’s common for those thinking of investing to struggle at the start of their venture. Many people simply don’t know where to begin, and with so many instruments and options to consider, this is hardly surprising.

So, to help you gain a head-start, here are three of the best investment options to add to your portfolio…

#1: Precious Metals

Precious metals are always a good starting point for those who choose to invest, and this is largely down to their ‘safe haven’ properties. Gold, in particular, tends to hold its value during periods of economic turmoil, and indeed often sees an increase in its price tag when times are tough. Silver acts in a similar way, but has the added advantage of enjoying a surge in popularity thanks to its growing usage in industry. With products as diverse as cars, cameras, and even industrial machinery utilising it, it’s worth looks set to continue booming throughout 2016, making it an ideal addition to your portfolio.

#2: Forex

For those looking for a more high-risk venture than precious metals can offer, the foreign exchange might be worth considering. Trading around the clock, the currency markets are flexible, accessible, and have the potential to be highly profitable. Indeed, with a reputable broker like OANDA to aid them, many investors enjoy significant successes. Although the risks can be just as great as the potential rewards, forex trading remains an ideal challenge for those looking for excitement, exhilaration, and the chance to make big money.

#3: Shares

Thirdly and finally, look at investing in shares. The stock markets are filled with a wide variety of different businesses, all offering you the opportunity for part ownership. A lot of inexperienced investors, in particular, gravitate towards these, thanks to the familiarity of the names that you’ll be trading. Offering a unique chance to play a role in the future of your favourite companies, as well as the possibility of making some tidy profits, the stock markets can be an ideal addition to any investor’s portfolio.

Choosing the assets that you add to your portfolio is essential to your success on the financial markets: choose well, and profits are there for the taking; choose poorly, and you could scupper your opportunities. Do your research, make your selection with care, and secure the future you’ve been dreaming of.

How Not To Fall Prey To Jewellers’ Sales Tactics

Some useful tips for you not to fall prey to jewellers’sales tactics

Shopping for diamonds is an art. Diamond shopping is a test of meticulousness. All diamonds may look equally impressive in jewellery stores, but only when viewed under natural daylight will it reveal its true brilliance. In a bid to make your diamond shopping a wiser one, JannPaul highlights 5 of the most common marketing tactics.

There can be GIA triple Excellent diamonds that are poor performers.

When a diamond is said to have a triple excellent rating, it refers to the rating of the diamond’s cut grade, polish and symmetry. Often, this is how a salesperson would benchmark their diamond, by saying a “triple Excellent diamond is the best.”

However, there is much more to this. A more reliable way to determine the quality and performance of a diamond, is by measuring the light performance (measured with an Ideal Scope or ASET Scope) and symmetry of the diamond (measured with a Hearts and Arrow Scope).

The Ideal Scope reveals the amount of light return and light leakage in a diamond. Through the scope, the greater the red areas, the more intense the light return. What this means is a lot of light is coming into the diamond and reflected out, giving the diamond a brighter look. The white areas you see on the Ideal Scope represents the amount of light leakage, which you want to minimize.

A more advanced version of the Ideal Scope is the ASET Scope. The ASET Scope determines the strength of a diamond’s light return. Red areas are indicative of strong light, while green areas represent weak light return. White areas show full light leakage, which is regarded as poor light performance in a diamond. The blue areas are a diamond’s contrast, which gives an idea of where the colourful sparkles you see on the diamond are. It should ideally have sharp and crisp arrows.

Both the Ideal Scope and ASET Scope are not commonly found in local jewellery stores, but it can be easily found online.

Although these two diamonds have different light performances, they can cost the same! This is because diamonds are sold based on what is shown on the GIA certificate, and GIA does not grade the light performance of a diamond.

“The diamond is GIA-certified.”

Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the world’s oldest, largest, and one of the most respected independent laboratories. Their laboratories are regarded as one of the most respected laboratories in the diamond industry, simply because of their consistency and unbiased diamond grading systems. As such, most of the diamonds manufactured now are graded according to the GIA standards, making it one of the most popular diamond certification in the industry.

GIA grades a diamond on according to the 4 “C”s – Carat, Colour, Cut and Clarity. That being said, there are other facets of a diamond that determine the quality of the diamond, which the GIA certificate does not take into consideration. For instance, two diamonds with the same GIA certification grades may differ greatly in terms of their light performances.

“The diamond is a ‘’Super Ideal Cut’’.”

The term Super Ideal Cut is used to label a diamond that is cut to the maximum light performance. The Super Ideal Cut standard was introduced into Singapore by Paul Hung from JannPaul in 2010.

In order to prove that a diamond has high light performance, various tools are needed, such as the HCA tool, Ideal Scope, ASET Scope and Hearts & Arrows scope. Without these analytical tools, a jeweller cannot label their diamond as a Super Ideal Cut.

Unfortunately, there is no regulation for this type of grading in the industry. That is to say, any jeweller can brand their diamonds as a “Super Ideal Cut” according to their own parameters. Hence, it is important not to fall into these marketing labels, and to learn how to check if the diamond you’re purchasing is truly a Super Ideal Cut.

In other words, no scopes, no talk.

The Hearts & Arrows scope does not measure a diamond’s brilliance

The Hearts and Arrow Scope reveals the symmetry of a diamond. A good diamond appears symmetrical and crisp under the scope, with no clefts or visible flaws. This scope is most commonly found in most jewellery stores, but is by no means the most representative way of determining the cut of a diamond.

What this scope does not reveal is the amount of light leakages in a diamond. Light leakage is indicative of poor light performance in a diamond, as the light leaks out instead of being reflected out. A diamond with poor light performance can still look good under the Hearts & Arrows scope, as all it means is that the diamond is symmetrically cut or it has symmetrical light leakages.

“The greater the carat size, the bigger the diamond.”

Carat size is the weight of a diamond, but it does not tell you anything about a diamond’s brightness or how well it sparkles, much less its cut and size.

For the same carat weight, a diamond can be cut deeper, making it look smaller. A deeply cut diamond can affect its light performance as well, causing it to appear darker and duller. Hence, a well cut diamond will appear larger, brighter and more brilliant compared to a poorly cut diamond of the same carat weight.

The next time you shop for diamonds, equip yourself with this common language to defend yourself and your pockets from harm. With the appropriate tools for accessing a diamond’s quality, it is not as difficult as one might imagine to pick out one that’s worth the price tag attached to it.

Special thanks to Casey Lai from JANNPAUL for these useful tips.

Why The Local Telecoms Are Ceasing The Sales Of Samsung Galaxy Note7

Before its release, people have been clamoring over the great possibilities that the Samsung Galaxy Note7 can bring. Its innovative design focuses on offering better usage with the dual-curved screen and shaping a comfortable grip with the 5.7-inch unit. Continuing the legacy of the preceding Galaxy phones, the latest Note7 along with the S Pen is waterproof. The privacy features went up a notch with the “iris scanning”. The improvements did not stop there!

Samsung came up with a larger battery that minimizes the charging speed and expands the longevity of the phone. However, this turn out to bring more problems than solutions. The battery of several Note7 units all over the world either bloated or exploded. In UAE alone, the Consumer Protection Depart at the Ministry of Economy has removed about 19,000 faulty Note7 off the market.

To control the damage and to address the gravity of the situation, Samsung has taken the full responsibility by issuing prompt recall of these units. All the local telecoms adhered and they ceased the sales of the device. This is followed by the introduction of an exchange program.

As the name suggests, customers who can exchange their defective units from September 16 to October 2. Given that these said customers purchased their Note7 from any local telecom operators, authorized mobile retailers, Samsung Experience Stores, Samsung’s Lazada Singapore online store, and major electronic shops. Self-collection of the new devices in the same color is done by visiting the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre or by having it shipped in your home.

If you are eager to get your defective unit exchanged, follow these simple steps:

1. Go to samsung.com/sg/note7exchange and enter a preferred collection time slot. This link will only be live on Friday (September 9, 2016).

2. Booking period begins from September 9 and extends until September 25. Register yourself if you are eligible for the replacement.

3. You shall return your Note7 afterwards. Worry not about having no means of communication as courtesy devices will be available for loan while you wait for a better unit of Note7.

4. If deemed to be qualified, your warranty period will be extended to commence from the date of the exchange.

May these information ease your worries about your newly purchased Note7!

Source: Vulcan Post

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