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5 Tips On Successfully Running The Business With Your Lover

Managing a business poses its challenges and managing one with the one you love can make it even tougher.

Luckily, there are different ways to successfully intersect your business with pleasure. Here are some of them:

1. PLAN AHEAD

Before diving into a business venture with your boyfriend or girlfriend, one of the first things you must develop is a concrete plan. If you have never gone to that route before, it is best to research on your target market and the business nature itself.

2. COMMUNICATE OPENLY

Transparency is important if you want to make things work. Talk openly and honestly about your expectations, your concerns, and your assigned roles. It will make the business easier to manage if you had established these things earlier on.

3. SET YOUR GOALS STRAIGHT

If you are going on a cruise or a romantic trip with your lover and you decide to mix the business elements by meeting a few potential clients along the way, always keep your business pitch. It would be a horrific loss to spend tons of money and time on a potential client who does not take you or the business seriously. This is why you must set your goals and stick with them.

4. HANDLE THE CHAOS WELL

Conflict and chaos will happen beyond your control and you have to figure out a solution without adding blaming, bad attitudes, and frustrations in the pot. Handle the chaos well by calmly solving each problem side by side. Control your business and prevent conflicts by using websites such as Basecamp and Yammer.

Basecamp is a web-based project management and collaboration tool that allows files, messages, schedules, and other stuff to be stored in one place. While, Yammer is a private social network that helps employees communication across departments and locations.

5. REMEMBER TO MAKE TIME FOR EACH OTHER

When you create a business with your partner, it is paramount to make time for quality dates or intimacy sessions. Start by deciding when you will close the operation of your business for “date nights”.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Reconnecting with your lover outside of work is important because you are more than just “business partners” you are an A+ couple!

Sources: 1 & 2

Is AirAsia Flying Private?

Budget airlines enabled people of all walks of life to travel at their convenience.

If I asked you to name five budget airlines in Asia, it is no surprise that AirAsia will come to mind. Since its inception in 2001, AirAsia has become one of the biggest budget airlines in Asia with over 170 airbus jets serving nearby countries such as India and Philippines.

Taking the feeble regional aviation market and the struggling Malaysian economy into consideration, Tony Fernandes may find it hard to take AirAsia private due to the large funding needs. According to the analysts they would need approximately US$800 Million to make the budget airlines into private based on the 25% premium.

It is important to note that AirAsia’s sales are immensely translated in local currencies while its costs are mostly in U.S. dollars. This poses a problem since the floundering Malaysian Ringgit led to the lost of 17% this year. Also, as of June 2015, AirAsia had a net debt of 10.5 Billion Ringgit (US$2.4 Billion). Nonetheless, there are some investors who are willing to bet on Malaysia’s recovery and cheaper oil prices.

Fernandes had reliably backed AirAsia’s finances ever since. Last June, he said that the airlines could simply raise a billion U.S. dollars by creating sales and lease back of aircrafts. Furthermore, AirAsia’s valuations are more affordable than its smaller competitions. According to Thomson Reuters data, the budget airlines is trading at less than six times its expected earnings for the next year, while Philippines’ Cebu Pacific Airlines is trading at more than seven times.

This brings us back to the viable question of whether or not AirAsia is flying fancy any time soon. Let me conclude with the statement released by an analyst named Jian Bo Gan:

“The founders may not have the financial muscle to launch a privatization bid on their own, so a consortium together with another airline or PE fund is more likely.”

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1 & 2

Which Would You Choose: Money Or Passion?

“Let your passion serve as your energy source to keep you going.”

– Psychology Of Love, Money, & Life

As you may have noticed, I am a firm believer of following what you love in work and in life. Dedicating your life in search for that one thing you love and value the most is paramount. Even Philosopher Dan Dennett claims that it is the secret to unlocking happiness.

If I were asked to choose between money or passion, I would choose the latter. However, reality entails that some people fail in the process of pursuing their passion.

Let me start by discussing the benefits of following your passion…

1. DESIRE IS IMPORTANT IN VENTURING THE UNKNOWN

In venturing the unknown, it is important to do something head on with your desire. You can either be doing something you are passionate about or do something that will logically lead to the work you love. Only then will you be able to give your 100% without feeling like work is forced upon you. Furthermore, you will be more motivated to work for longer hours.

2. COMING UP WITH BETTER IDEAS

Your passion will ignite your creativity and resourcefulness. You can freely pour yourself to you work and come up with better ideas.

3. PASSION AIDS IN NEW OBSTACLES

When you are trying to attempt something new or face new obstacles in work, you do not want to give up easily. Well, passion aids in that as it acts as your motivation to keep you in your career path.

4. PASSION BREEDS FULFILLMENT

Passion will certainly give you a sense of fulfillment. In fact, research showed that people who make regular progress toward something they care about reported not only being fulfilled but also satisfied.

With its bountiful benefits, why do some people fail in the pursuit of their passion?

1. THEY FOLLOW WRONG ADVICE

Some people listen to the “so-called experts” that sells strategies to get rich quick. But let us face it, if money is your passion, you would have to work for it. There is easy way to get the pot of gold!

2. THEY DO NOT HAVE REALISTIC PLANS

To be successful while following your passion, you need to develop a well-researched realistic plan that covers all bases. You must understand what your “meaningful work” requires physically, emotionally, and financially.

3. THEY LACK COMMITMENT

Some people who quit their jobs to pursue what they love may not realize the amount of time and effort it requires. So when bad things happen, they lack the commitment and hard work to continue on.

4. THEY LACK KNOWLEDGE ON MONEY MANAGEMENT

If you cannot afford to do something you are passionate about then, you better contemplate on your decision. Before doing so, make sure that you can attend to your basic needs such as food and shelter (as seen on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs). To be financially successful, you need to appreciate and love money too, not just for the sake of making them.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

After knowing all these, analyze the Pros and Cons and evaluate your situation while keeping in mind the cost of living comfortably in Singapore.

Sources: 1, 2 & 3

5 Affordable & Free Ways To Play Awesome Video Games

Video games are defined as any form of interactive games that utilizes a specialized electronic device, a computer, a mobile phone, a television, or other display screen. Committing to the gamer life can be expensive at times because a console can cost over S$399 while it can cost S$60 per game.

Thankfully, you do not have to spend too much to enjoy awesome video games, because there are several ways to play without emptying your wallet or breaking the law. Here are some of them:

1. GET FREEMIUM

Freemium are mobile phone or Smartphone gaming Apps that are free to download but require payment to unlock additional features. Most of the times, you do not need to spend a dollar if you are really patient in waiting. Besides, you get to play famed games such as Angry Birds Star Wars II, Real Racing 3, and Candy Crush Saga for free!

2. GO RETRO

Go retro by purchasing cheaper and older Nintendo models or game consoles online. For example, I found a red Nintendo DS for S$50 and Nintendo DS games for S$5. But, I am sure that you can still bargain for a better price.

3. PLAY ONLINE

As a teenager, I frequent online websites that offer wide collections of free video games. And, my favorite of those websites are: free80sarcade.com, y8.com, and girlsgogames.com.

If you like old school arcade games such as Donkey Kong, Star Trek, CosmoFighter, Dig Dug, Adventure Island, Super Mario Brothers & Duck Hunt, PacMan, and Tetris then, you would love free80sarcade.com! This website caters to your 80’s nostalgia as it brings you 100% safe and free arcade games online.

Next, y8.com boasts with over 50,000 free online video games that include shooting games, simulations, makeovers, and so much more. Lastly, girlsgogames.com caters to what every girl wants! It has a beautiful collection of dress up, cooking, simulation, and makeover games.

4. VISIT STEAM

Steam is an online video games store wherein you can access and purchase affordable Indie and mainstream games. Steam sales are ongoing all year round so, keep an eye to catch really great prices! Furthermore, Steam offers free to play games such as DOTA 2, adVenture Capitalist, Trove, and Clicker Heroes.

5. PLAY AT CHANGI AIRPORT

Entertainment Deck in Terminal 2 of Changi Airport is the place where the children and child at heart can go wild! Get caught in an action game while playing with the XBOX 360, Playstation 3 consoles, or LAN gaming. All this for free!

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1 &2

Budget-Friendly Places To Find All Things Halloween

The eerie time of the year will grace our calendars once again. Yes! Halloween is just around the corner. And, when it comes to purchasing decorations and costumes that are around your budget, here are 4 shops you can visit:

1. SPOTLIGHT

A popular crafts hub, Spotlight sells different kinds of inexpensive Halloween decorations, table dressings, cake decorations, ribbons, novelty toys, party favors, and candies. All the crafts materials that you will ever need could be found here. Take advantage of their current sale of up to 25% off on all costumes and accessories!

Image Credits: spotlight.com.sg

Browse spotlight.com.sg for more information.

2. DAISO

If all the party goods in a shop cost S$2, you may never want to leave. Daiso offers Halloween decorations, toys for give away, glowing materials, and so much more. From spooky decorations to pumpkin holders and delicious candies, splurge on these timely treats and give them to the kids knocking on your door.

Daiso has several outlets in Singapore. Locate the nearest one, here.

3. CRATE & BARREL

Speaking of Halloween decorations, get designer pieces at reasonable prices inside the Crate & Barrel store. Crate & Barrel is full of beautiful festive items for Halloween. Kicking it off is a set of 20 Black Cats Paper Beverage Napkins. Also, you may serve appetizers in a beautiful glazed pumpkin plate designed by Barbara Eigen.

Image Credits: crateandbarrel.com

4. THE PARTY STUFF

The Party Stuff offers affordable decorations, balloons, tableware, party favors, cake decorations, and costumes.What I like about The Party Stuff is that they have party decorations for a wide selection of themes such as: Plaid Baby, Sports & Army Camouflage, Hawaii & Poker Night, Princess, and Superheroes. So, you will be able to customize your Halloween party.

Decorate your place by adding approximately 4 feet long white spiderweb for only S$2.95 per 20 grams or by adding reusable giant spider web with 4 spiders for S$13.90.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

The Party Stuff has 4 outlets nationwide, visit: thepartystuff.com.sg for more details.

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