f you browse the Internet you would probably get loads of applications that convert files in many formats and that too where you would not have to loosen your pocket to get one. File conversion into text from PDF has become an easy task to do with these tools. San Jose, California, is the place where Portable Document Format was initially launched which was in the year 1993. For easy storage and retrieving of comparably large documents this format had been built. Almost immediately from the time it was introduced, it became popular amongst businesspeople, government and educational institutions.
There is no dubiousness that Adobe's Acrobat tool is one best utility however the negative aspect about it is that it tends to put a lot of pressure upon the system resources. Freeze-up or hang-ups is something that has almost become every day's thing with this utility. It is quite famous for crashing older systems which happens because of choke hold on resources. One of the best method's to annihilate this experience is by converting PDF into text files. Apart from Adobe's Acrobat program, you could get many other utilities or converters that will convert the files for you. The utmost benefit that you could get by the file conversion into text is that there is less amount of stress on the system which further improves the loading time.
How about saving loads of time and effort which otherwise you would have had to put into editing and typing the files? This is possible with the programs. Acrobat reader is what is needed in order to read PDF documents and they can be easily downloaded via the Web. Using Google's ability for conversion of files is one good way of doing it. A majority of such programs offer a 30-day trial service so that you can test it prior to buying it. If you decide to go for the ones that come at free of cost then be cautious about spyware since they more often than not come attached with the PDF to word converter tools.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
How to Invest Smart in 2011 and Beyond
Think of how to invest and where to invest in 2011 and going into the future as an ongoing process - not as a one-shot project. You'll want to invest with diversification and flexibility on your side, and be prepared to change how you invest over time. It's not that difficult to get a handle on, especially the where to invest part.
I started in the investment business 38 years ago and have since retired from the financial planning field. I've never had a problem giving free advice on where to invest, even when asked in casual conversation. How to invest is another matter and that question deserves more attention. The problem there is a matter of timing. Today's good advice is often bad advice a year or so later. Such is the case for 2011 and beyond.
The average investor simply can not invest in a handful of random investments, ignore them, and expect to do well in 2011 and going forward. With the state of the financial world it's not that simple. So, let's make it as simple as possible. How and where can you invest through 2011 and beyond to make the best of it and stay out of big trouble if things go wrong?
Where to invest: 98% of you should invest with one (or more) of the large well-established mutual fund companies (families). They offer all of the investment options you'll ever need, all in one place. These companies offer money market, bond, and stock funds which represent the three major asset classes of investment. They do the money management in the form of diversified portfolios, commonly at a cost of 1% to 2% a year for expenses. Some also involve sales charges or "loads" and others don't. You simply decide which funds to invest in and how much to invest in each.
The biggest and best fund companies include Vanguard, Fidelity, T Rowe Price and American Funds. To avoid sales charges and invest on your own I suggest going with any of the first three. If you prefer to work with an adviser or financial planner and pay some form of sales charges consider American or Fidelity (Fidelity works both ways).
How to invest smart and stay out of trouble is the real challenge for 2011 and beyond. How much should you invest in the different fund types and which funds within each basic type should you invest in? Here's an example of how to invest if you are moderately conservative and want to keep risk under control. Invest equal amounts in a money market fund, a bond fund, and a stock fund. Go with the fund company's largest money market fund, and an intermediate-term high quality bond fund. Choose a large diversified equity-income stock fund that will invest your money in large-company stocks and pay about a 2% dividend yield.
Now you are diversified across the asset classes with flexibility. You can always move money from one fund to another... which is what you will want to do in the future. This will not be a taxable transaction IF you are in a tax-favored account like an IRA. How to invest now becomes an ongoing process called REBALANCING your portfolio of funds.
Once a year check the value of your funds to see if they are still close to equal in value. If they are not you need to move money around to bring them back into line. For example, your riskiest fund is your stock fund and it is the one with the greatest profit potential as well. If the stock market has a particularly good or bad year you will need to move money. By simply keeping all three funds about equal in value you will automatically be pulling money out of your stock fund after a real good year. And you will be adding money to it after a bad year, when stock prices in general are lower.
The year 2011 and beyond is clouded with uncertainty: slow economic growth and high unemployment cloud the outlook for the stock market and stock funds. Super low interest rates make the miserly interest yield from safe money market funds less than attractive at the moment. Bond funds with their higher interest income could be ticking time bombs IF interest rates take off and soar. (Refer to articles on BOND BUBBLE). But, guess what? You need to invest to get ahead, and we've just covered the three basic investment alternatives available to all investors.
Don't invest with your head in the sand. Invest and diversify with mutual funds. That's been the best way for most investors to invest for the past 40 or 50 years. And it's still how to invest for 2011 and beyond. Diversification takes the guess work out of investing and helps you avoid getting into big financial trouble.
Breaking Into the Music Industry
If you are trying to break into the music industry, then music promotional ideas are definitely what you are looking for as a musician resource. Imagine the possibilities out there. You have the Internet, word of mouth, lives shows and many other opportunities to promote your CD or band. I mean it is 2007, the digital age! There is absolutely no excuse out there for not properly promoting your music whatsoever!
Ok, first you have to cover all your bases, be prepared. Do you have your act together? Do you have your promotional kit, demos to promote your CD, pictures, bios, resumes, t-shirts, mini-DVDs, posters, business cards, performance dates and a great website? If you can answer yes to all of the above then you are on the right track. If you cannot, then you have some work to do because this is only the beginning of music promotional ideas for your band.
Honestly, everyone knows that musicians, especially ones that are just starting out, don't have a plethora of funds. But that is o.k.! Take a side job while you are trying to bust into the industry because you will need a little extra cash. Next, get together all of the above suggested items.
You can gather these items for a relatively inexpensive price. Do you have friends that are artists? Have them draw you something up. The best musician resource out there is a website, get one! This is where you can market yourself to the entire world. You can blog, put up schedules, start a mailing list, display your music and reach every one in the world for relatively cheap.
Check online for deals on the design of any posters, business cards and pictures or better yet, do it yourself! There is a plethora of software programs that will aid you in creating just about anything you want to promote your CD. A great musician resource that you should consider purchasing is the Industry Yellow Pages. This will give you access to radio stations, record stores, music distributors, music conferences, press contacts and much more!
Music promotional ideas do not come few and far between, they are everywhere! You just have to stay committed, focused and energized. Get creative and explore every option out there. Network, Network and then network some more! If you want to promote your CD or band then book gigs, advertise, market and get yourself and your music noticed. Remember, you won't make it anywhere sitting back and waiting for things to happen to you.
Be a Winner! If you are the next hot artist on the scene we want to hear from you. Our goal is to let your talent be viewed by the masses. Every member that joins the Winner Fresh family are considered "Boss" meaning we are working 24/7 for you absolutely free. Winner Fresh main focus is promotion, promotion, promotion!
Ok, first you have to cover all your bases, be prepared. Do you have your act together? Do you have your promotional kit, demos to promote your CD, pictures, bios, resumes, t-shirts, mini-DVDs, posters, business cards, performance dates and a great website? If you can answer yes to all of the above then you are on the right track. If you cannot, then you have some work to do because this is only the beginning of music promotional ideas for your band.
Honestly, everyone knows that musicians, especially ones that are just starting out, don't have a plethora of funds. But that is o.k.! Take a side job while you are trying to bust into the industry because you will need a little extra cash. Next, get together all of the above suggested items.
You can gather these items for a relatively inexpensive price. Do you have friends that are artists? Have them draw you something up. The best musician resource out there is a website, get one! This is where you can market yourself to the entire world. You can blog, put up schedules, start a mailing list, display your music and reach every one in the world for relatively cheap.
Check online for deals on the design of any posters, business cards and pictures or better yet, do it yourself! There is a plethora of software programs that will aid you in creating just about anything you want to promote your CD. A great musician resource that you should consider purchasing is the Industry Yellow Pages. This will give you access to radio stations, record stores, music distributors, music conferences, press contacts and much more!
Music promotional ideas do not come few and far between, they are everywhere! You just have to stay committed, focused and energized. Get creative and explore every option out there. Network, Network and then network some more! If you want to promote your CD or band then book gigs, advertise, market and get yourself and your music noticed. Remember, you won't make it anywhere sitting back and waiting for things to happen to you.
Be a Winner! If you are the next hot artist on the scene we want to hear from you. Our goal is to let your talent be viewed by the masses. Every member that joins the Winner Fresh family are considered "Boss" meaning we are working 24/7 for you absolutely free. Winner Fresh main focus is promotion, promotion, promotion!
Make Your Own Beats Online Ultimate Music Makers
Making my own music online is something I have been doing a lot of lately as a hobby and I can potentially turn this into a career with the options I have now that I found online beat making programs. You can make your own beats, import samples and vocals and the best part is it's all done at home on my PC. When I'm done I export it to my iPod, CD or hard drive.
Making music maybe something your interested in or your a singer that's struggling to find beats for your music, either way it's not hard to make your own beats online with music software. Depending on the program most of them are very easy to use and also have lots of features that let you do everything you need to make quality sounding music.
The best part about online beat makers is they are just so affordable. No need to buy expensive studio gear that can cost $10,000 or more which is definitely not something recommended for people that are new to making music.
You need to find a good program that has quality sounding instrumentals, samples and drum kits and you also need to make sure the software is flexible and has all the functions needed to make the kind of beats you need to make for your music.
Some programs allow you to make your own beats online and offline which is really handy especially if you have a laptop or notebook and have no internet connection. Personally I recommend the option to have both online and offline.
Making beats is really cool and you will be amazed at the talent that is hiding within, who knows you could be the next Timbaland or DR Dre?
Use the online beat making programs at Music Maker Pro they have professionally mastered sounds so the beats you make sound like they were produced in a studio.
Making music maybe something your interested in or your a singer that's struggling to find beats for your music, either way it's not hard to make your own beats online with music software. Depending on the program most of them are very easy to use and also have lots of features that let you do everything you need to make quality sounding music.
The best part about online beat makers is they are just so affordable. No need to buy expensive studio gear that can cost $10,000 or more which is definitely not something recommended for people that are new to making music.
You need to find a good program that has quality sounding instrumentals, samples and drum kits and you also need to make sure the software is flexible and has all the functions needed to make the kind of beats you need to make for your music.
Some programs allow you to make your own beats online and offline which is really handy especially if you have a laptop or notebook and have no internet connection. Personally I recommend the option to have both online and offline.
Making beats is really cool and you will be amazed at the talent that is hiding within, who knows you could be the next Timbaland or DR Dre?
Use the online beat making programs at Music Maker Pro they have professionally mastered sounds so the beats you make sound like they were produced in a studio.
Business Travel in China - Know More
The People's Republic of China (PRC), known as China, has increasingly been engaging in the world's economy. Businessmen from around the world travel to this land to trade and boost their business. Here are a few helpful tips for your business travel to China.
Accommodations
There are many hotels dotting all the major and minor cities of China, ranging from luxurious 5-star hotels to the budget hotels. A wide range of facilities are offered at these places of accommodation. Some of the hotels that you can stay at are:
• Beijing:
Ascott Hotel (5-Star)
Wangfujing Grand Hotel (5-Star)
China World Hotel (4-Star)
• Guangzhou:
Hotel Pullman Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (5-Star)
White Swan Hotel (4-Star)
Donlord International Hotel (3-Star)
• Shanghai:
Crowne Plaza Hotel Shanghai Pudong (5-Star)
Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel (4-Star)
Fairmont Peace Hotel (3-Star)
• Xian:
Grand Park Xian Hotel (4-Star)
Sheraton Xian Hotel (4-Star)
The amenities offered in these hotels in each room (3-Star and above) are:
• Central air-conditioning
• Television
• Refrigerator (especially in the 4- and 5-Star hotels)
• Private bathroom with round-the-clock hot water
• Towels, glasses, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bathing soap, shampoo, bath lotion, toilet paper
• Wardrobe with dressing table
• Ceiling and bedside lamps
• 24-hour room service
• Electrical water boiler (if one is not provided, you can request boiled water by room service)
• Business center (fax, Internet facility and telephone service is available)
• Western and Chinese restaurants, bars, coffee shops
• Conference rooms, banqueting halls, multi-function halls, ballrooms
• Beauty parlors, massage rooms
While staying in a hotel, there are a few things to take note of:
• Water: Do not drink tap water from the hotels, as it is not drinkable. An electrical water boiler will be provided for safe-drinking water. If one is not provided, you can request boiled water by room service. Bottled water is also available and can be bought for $0.25 to $0.75 per bottle. Steamed or mineral water is also easily available.
• Laundry Service: Laundry bags are provided in hotel rooms. Clothes given for washing in the morning are usually returned the next day. However, if you need them immediately, extra charge may be incurred. Public laundries are available on the streets.
• Mail Service: Sending mail from your hotel is convenient. Stamps are available at the front desk. To send a postcard, stamps of amount RMB 4.50 to 6 will be needed. For a normal weight letter, stamps worth RMB 6 to 7 are required. You can leave your letters or postcards at reception, who will give them to the postman.
• Electric Current: 220 volt/50 cycles are used throughout the country. So, if your electrical appliances require to be operated at 110 volts, you will need a Converter. Most hotels provide two- and three-phase sockets. You may have to use an adapter as well. If you don't have one, ask the housekeeper for one.
Communication: Cell Phone, Phone Cards & Long Distance Calling, Internet Access
While on your business tour, it will be necessary to keep in touch with business partners and colleagues back home. In this fast-moving world, staying connected is an easy task. From cell phones and phone cards to the Internet, there are ample options to select from.
• Phone Cards And Long Distance Calling: Most hotels provide the facility of IDD (International Direct Dialing) from the room itself and from phone cards from the post office located in the hotel. Besides this, phone cards, IC and IP being the most popular, are available in newsstands. These cards are available in only particular provinces, so it is recommended that you check that the card has not expired.
IC cards: IC telephones allow you to call home instantly. International calls can be made from IC telephone cards (a product of China Telecom). These cards are quite expensive and are available for more than 10 RMB/M. When purchasing an IC card, you need to use a telephone, which can be found either at a public booth, hotel, airport or restaurant. The card needs to be inserted into the phone. Once inserted, you need to follow the vocal instructions.
IP cards: Companies like China Netcom, China Unicom, China Jitong and China Telecom issue these cards. Calling rates differ from company to company. China Unicom charges an amount of 1.5 RMB/M for calls made to Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan, 2.6 RMB/M to Canada and America and 3.6 RMB/M to the rest of the world. The other telecom service providers either charge more or less than China Unicom. To make a call, you can use the telephone in your hotel, though a charge might be issued for using the phone.
Country codes: Listed below are codes for some countries.
USA and Canada: 1
UK: 44
Australia: 61
Austria: 43
Switzerland: 41
Hong Kong: 852
Italy: 39
Holland: 31
New Zealand: 64
Making a call: To make an international call, dial the following:
00+country code + regional code + telephone number
• Cell Phones: Both GSM and CDMA networks operate in China, run by China Mobile and China Unicom, respectively. So, you can use either a dual- or tri-band cell phone, or simply use a COSMOTE card. If however, you want to cut costs, you can purchase a GSM SIM card.
You have two options to choose from: Shenzhouxing and Ruyitong, issued by China Mobile and China Unicom, respectively. These are prepaid connections, so there is no need to provide any kind of documents. Charging cards of 50 RMB and 100 RMB are available in newsstands, post offices and stores.
• Internet Access: Some hotels provide Internet access in the rooms, as well as their business center. So staying connected is easy. The other option is visiting a cyber café.
Transportation: Airways, Trains, Taxis, Coaches
Taking your business to the corners of China requires immense travel. There are ample options for transportation to get around the country. From airways and trains to taxis and coaches, China has it all.
• Coach: Coaches are available aplenty. They are clean, air-conditioned and comfortable. The drivers are well-experienced, so you can be assured of a safe journey.
• Train: The best way to experience China and view the countryside is to travel by train. The berths are comfortable for travel. Choose the "soft seats" for traveling short distances and "soft sleepers" for long-distance travel.
The soft sleeper cars comprise four-berths: two upper and two lower berths. Complete bedding is provided. In every soft sleeper car there is a public washroom, though a shower is not available. It is recommended that you carry your own toiletries like face towel, face wash, soap, and toilet paper, among others. A thermos bottle containing hot water is provided to every passenger.
Ensure to book your train ticket 10 days prior to your departure. Getting a ticket, especially during the holidays, can be quite difficult.
Once you have boarded the train, make sure that your ticket is kept safely, because you will need to show it to the ticket-checker on board, as well as at the station of your destination. The conductor will replace your ticket with a "magcard" so as to inform you of your arrival. Ensure to change it back to your ticket on your arrival.
In terms of dining, you can either eat at the dining car, which is adjacent to the soft sleeper car, or simply purchase a boxed meal that is carried in a trolley during meal times and costs approximately USD $2-3 per meal. Chinese cuisine is usually on the menu.
• Taxi: There are innumerable taxis available to take you around, especially if you want to tour the cities on your own. Taxis are brightly colored in yellow, red or green. The fares vary from one city to another, but whichever the city, ensure that the taximeter is being used. This avoids you from getting cheated. Rates of the taxi are usually marked on the window.
In Shanghai, the four prominent taxi companies are Blue'ish Turquoise, Taxis, Blue and Oro Blanco. Besides, after 11 pm, taxi drivers tend to charge more. If your bargaining skills are good, you can ask for a 20% discount, which ultimately ensures that you are paying at the same rate, that is, the amount that is charged before 11 pm.
Take note of the name of the taxi driver and his registration number, which are displayed in the taxi. Also, do not forget to take a receipt as it contains the details of your trip. This receipt allows you to call the taxi company, if you have left your belongings in the taxi, or you need its services again.
The drivers do not speak in English, so make sure that you either have your destination written in Chinese or carry a guide that translates English to Chinese.
• Airway: Traveling by air from one city to another is quick and less exhaustive. Some of the airlines that are operative are China Eastern Airlines, Dragon Air, Air China, Hainan Airlines and China Southern Airlines.
Embassies and Consulates
While on your business tour, it is a good idea to know the location of your country's embassy or consulate. The capital of China, Beijing houses foreign embassies, while cities like Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chongqing and Shenyang are home to a number of consulates. To know more about the Chinese consulates and embassies around the world, and foreign consulates and embassies in China, log on to http://www.embassyworld.com.
Money Matters
Renminbi (RMB) is the official currency of China. Yuan, also called "kuai" is the basic unit; 10 jiao or mao equals a single yuan, while 10 fen is equivalent to one jiao. Paper currency is available in one, two, five, 10, 20, 50 and 100 yuan notes, while jiao notes come in the denominations of one, two and five. Fen notes are available too in the denominations of one and two, though they are rarely used. Coins come in one yuan, one and five jiao, and one, two and five fen.
Most luxurious, star hotels accept US dollars, English pounds and Euros. Tipping can also be done using the above mentioned currencies. However, when purchasing from street vendors, convenience stores and department stores, as well as eating out in local restaurants, payments should be made in the local currency. Here are a few more tips related to money.
• Traveler's checks: Banks and hotels in China accept traveler's checks. The exchange rate is the same in both places. To change your checks into cash, you need to show your passport. It is recommended that you keep the exchange receipts. This allows you to exchange the cash back into the original currency on your departure from China.
• Credit cards: The most widely accepted credit cards are Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diner's Card and JCB. You can use your credit card in shopping malls and stores, hotels and restaurants, as well as to purchase tickets. However, the card will not be of much use when you travel to smaller cities and rural areas. You will need to only pay in cash in RMB there. Similarly, some hotels also do not accept payments via credit card. In that case, you will need to go to Bank of China, where you can withdraw cash of a stipulated amount. A charge will be levied for the same.
• ATMs: Bank of China has many ATM outlets in all the major cities. Five-star hotels also have ATM facilities. You can withdraw only a specific amount from an ATM machine on a daily basis and the cash received will be in RMB. Your credit card might not work in them.
• Distinguishing Counterfeit Money: Identifying fake money can be easy if you know what to look for. Money can be distinguished by its watermark, color, texture of paper and Braille dots. RMB notes are difficult to copy owing to their color.
The fake bills are unclear as the images, watermark and colors are not very distinct. They tend to be quite fuzzy. A good way to test if a bill is counterfeit is to look at it under a black light. Here are a few things to take note of:
1. On a $100 bill, the image of the Great Helmsman or model worker (usually present in the old copy) or Maozedong (the new copy) is extremely sharp.
2. The words "WUSHI" or "YIBAI" appear in fluorescent color, though this depends on the denomination.
3. The paper should appear to absorb the black light. If it throws out color, that is, if it looks bright, then it is a counterfeit note.
4. Braille dots are visible on the lower left-hand corner of the front part of a bill. The dots are slightly raised. The bills that do not have these are counterfeit.
Visa
To obtain a visa, you can visit the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country. All foreigners entering mainland China are required to have a visa. However, Western nationals need not obtain a visa for visiting Macau and Hong Kong.
If you wish to work and stay in China, or have been assigned to work in the country, you need to apply for an employment visa (Type Z). You will be allowed to make multiple entries into the country, bring reasonable personal and household articles, like video cameras, PC, VCR, among others, which now become duty-free. When this visa expires, you will be able to renew it without much effort.
Trade Shows And Exhibitions
If you are a business firm looking to showcase your products at trade shows and fairs, you need to consult with Customs authorities. The organizer of the exhibition will need an approval in advance from Customs, provide shipping documents as well as the list of articles which will be displayed. Customs will provide the rules and regulations regarding the procedures, as well as hand over the appropriate forms to the organizer. Sometimes a guarantee in the form of a letter or deposit is asked for by Customs. Usually, the goods are exempt from Customs duty if they are re-exported within a period of three months.
Small exhibitions and seminars, which require an area less than 500 square meters, can be organized by a local sponsor, allowed to participate in foreign trade, without prior approval from MOFTEC. Customs will take care of the tariff exemption formalities, depending upon the assurance of re-export that is signed between the foreign trader and the sponsor.
As regards food and beverage exhibitions, the rules for entry of samples are not clearly stated. So, before registering to participate, it is recommended that you contact the exhibition organizers to gain information on your liabilities in regard to entry of samples, as well as expenses that you may incur for participation.
Once the trade event has taken place, the samples that were imported under the temporary "not-for-sale" rule, can be sold. In this case, Customs levies duties on these items.
Advertising Materials
On your business tour, you can carry samples and advertising material, without having to pay for customs duty and VAT, provided the value of the items do not exceed RMB 200. However, those advertising materials related to electronic products are subject to VAT and customs duty, irrespective of the value of the item.
Importing Goods
If you have set up representative offices in China, the office has to submit a written application to the Customs office in the case of importing of personal items or vehicles. Customs will waive any pertinent import license requirements, approving the import of equipment for office-use only.
Accommodations
There are many hotels dotting all the major and minor cities of China, ranging from luxurious 5-star hotels to the budget hotels. A wide range of facilities are offered at these places of accommodation. Some of the hotels that you can stay at are:
• Beijing:
Ascott Hotel (5-Star)
Wangfujing Grand Hotel (5-Star)
China World Hotel (4-Star)
• Guangzhou:
Hotel Pullman Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (5-Star)
White Swan Hotel (4-Star)
Donlord International Hotel (3-Star)
• Shanghai:
Crowne Plaza Hotel Shanghai Pudong (5-Star)
Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel (4-Star)
Fairmont Peace Hotel (3-Star)
• Xian:
Grand Park Xian Hotel (4-Star)
Sheraton Xian Hotel (4-Star)
The amenities offered in these hotels in each room (3-Star and above) are:
• Central air-conditioning
• Television
• Refrigerator (especially in the 4- and 5-Star hotels)
• Private bathroom with round-the-clock hot water
• Towels, glasses, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bathing soap, shampoo, bath lotion, toilet paper
• Wardrobe with dressing table
• Ceiling and bedside lamps
• 24-hour room service
• Electrical water boiler (if one is not provided, you can request boiled water by room service)
• Business center (fax, Internet facility and telephone service is available)
• Western and Chinese restaurants, bars, coffee shops
• Conference rooms, banqueting halls, multi-function halls, ballrooms
• Beauty parlors, massage rooms
While staying in a hotel, there are a few things to take note of:
• Water: Do not drink tap water from the hotels, as it is not drinkable. An electrical water boiler will be provided for safe-drinking water. If one is not provided, you can request boiled water by room service. Bottled water is also available and can be bought for $0.25 to $0.75 per bottle. Steamed or mineral water is also easily available.
• Laundry Service: Laundry bags are provided in hotel rooms. Clothes given for washing in the morning are usually returned the next day. However, if you need them immediately, extra charge may be incurred. Public laundries are available on the streets.
• Mail Service: Sending mail from your hotel is convenient. Stamps are available at the front desk. To send a postcard, stamps of amount RMB 4.50 to 6 will be needed. For a normal weight letter, stamps worth RMB 6 to 7 are required. You can leave your letters or postcards at reception, who will give them to the postman.
• Electric Current: 220 volt/50 cycles are used throughout the country. So, if your electrical appliances require to be operated at 110 volts, you will need a Converter. Most hotels provide two- and three-phase sockets. You may have to use an adapter as well. If you don't have one, ask the housekeeper for one.
Communication: Cell Phone, Phone Cards & Long Distance Calling, Internet Access
While on your business tour, it will be necessary to keep in touch with business partners and colleagues back home. In this fast-moving world, staying connected is an easy task. From cell phones and phone cards to the Internet, there are ample options to select from.
• Phone Cards And Long Distance Calling: Most hotels provide the facility of IDD (International Direct Dialing) from the room itself and from phone cards from the post office located in the hotel. Besides this, phone cards, IC and IP being the most popular, are available in newsstands. These cards are available in only particular provinces, so it is recommended that you check that the card has not expired.
IC cards: IC telephones allow you to call home instantly. International calls can be made from IC telephone cards (a product of China Telecom). These cards are quite expensive and are available for more than 10 RMB/M. When purchasing an IC card, you need to use a telephone, which can be found either at a public booth, hotel, airport or restaurant. The card needs to be inserted into the phone. Once inserted, you need to follow the vocal instructions.
IP cards: Companies like China Netcom, China Unicom, China Jitong and China Telecom issue these cards. Calling rates differ from company to company. China Unicom charges an amount of 1.5 RMB/M for calls made to Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan, 2.6 RMB/M to Canada and America and 3.6 RMB/M to the rest of the world. The other telecom service providers either charge more or less than China Unicom. To make a call, you can use the telephone in your hotel, though a charge might be issued for using the phone.
Country codes: Listed below are codes for some countries.
USA and Canada: 1
UK: 44
Australia: 61
Austria: 43
Switzerland: 41
Hong Kong: 852
Italy: 39
Holland: 31
New Zealand: 64
Making a call: To make an international call, dial the following:
00+country code + regional code + telephone number
• Cell Phones: Both GSM and CDMA networks operate in China, run by China Mobile and China Unicom, respectively. So, you can use either a dual- or tri-band cell phone, or simply use a COSMOTE card. If however, you want to cut costs, you can purchase a GSM SIM card.
You have two options to choose from: Shenzhouxing and Ruyitong, issued by China Mobile and China Unicom, respectively. These are prepaid connections, so there is no need to provide any kind of documents. Charging cards of 50 RMB and 100 RMB are available in newsstands, post offices and stores.
• Internet Access: Some hotels provide Internet access in the rooms, as well as their business center. So staying connected is easy. The other option is visiting a cyber café.
Transportation: Airways, Trains, Taxis, Coaches
Taking your business to the corners of China requires immense travel. There are ample options for transportation to get around the country. From airways and trains to taxis and coaches, China has it all.
• Coach: Coaches are available aplenty. They are clean, air-conditioned and comfortable. The drivers are well-experienced, so you can be assured of a safe journey.
• Train: The best way to experience China and view the countryside is to travel by train. The berths are comfortable for travel. Choose the "soft seats" for traveling short distances and "soft sleepers" for long-distance travel.
The soft sleeper cars comprise four-berths: two upper and two lower berths. Complete bedding is provided. In every soft sleeper car there is a public washroom, though a shower is not available. It is recommended that you carry your own toiletries like face towel, face wash, soap, and toilet paper, among others. A thermos bottle containing hot water is provided to every passenger.
Ensure to book your train ticket 10 days prior to your departure. Getting a ticket, especially during the holidays, can be quite difficult.
Once you have boarded the train, make sure that your ticket is kept safely, because you will need to show it to the ticket-checker on board, as well as at the station of your destination. The conductor will replace your ticket with a "magcard" so as to inform you of your arrival. Ensure to change it back to your ticket on your arrival.
In terms of dining, you can either eat at the dining car, which is adjacent to the soft sleeper car, or simply purchase a boxed meal that is carried in a trolley during meal times and costs approximately USD $2-3 per meal. Chinese cuisine is usually on the menu.
• Taxi: There are innumerable taxis available to take you around, especially if you want to tour the cities on your own. Taxis are brightly colored in yellow, red or green. The fares vary from one city to another, but whichever the city, ensure that the taximeter is being used. This avoids you from getting cheated. Rates of the taxi are usually marked on the window.
In Shanghai, the four prominent taxi companies are Blue'ish Turquoise, Taxis, Blue and Oro Blanco. Besides, after 11 pm, taxi drivers tend to charge more. If your bargaining skills are good, you can ask for a 20% discount, which ultimately ensures that you are paying at the same rate, that is, the amount that is charged before 11 pm.
Take note of the name of the taxi driver and his registration number, which are displayed in the taxi. Also, do not forget to take a receipt as it contains the details of your trip. This receipt allows you to call the taxi company, if you have left your belongings in the taxi, or you need its services again.
The drivers do not speak in English, so make sure that you either have your destination written in Chinese or carry a guide that translates English to Chinese.
• Airway: Traveling by air from one city to another is quick and less exhaustive. Some of the airlines that are operative are China Eastern Airlines, Dragon Air, Air China, Hainan Airlines and China Southern Airlines.
Embassies and Consulates
While on your business tour, it is a good idea to know the location of your country's embassy or consulate. The capital of China, Beijing houses foreign embassies, while cities like Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chongqing and Shenyang are home to a number of consulates. To know more about the Chinese consulates and embassies around the world, and foreign consulates and embassies in China, log on to http://www.embassyworld.com.
Money Matters
Renminbi (RMB) is the official currency of China. Yuan, also called "kuai" is the basic unit; 10 jiao or mao equals a single yuan, while 10 fen is equivalent to one jiao. Paper currency is available in one, two, five, 10, 20, 50 and 100 yuan notes, while jiao notes come in the denominations of one, two and five. Fen notes are available too in the denominations of one and two, though they are rarely used. Coins come in one yuan, one and five jiao, and one, two and five fen.
Most luxurious, star hotels accept US dollars, English pounds and Euros. Tipping can also be done using the above mentioned currencies. However, when purchasing from street vendors, convenience stores and department stores, as well as eating out in local restaurants, payments should be made in the local currency. Here are a few more tips related to money.
• Traveler's checks: Banks and hotels in China accept traveler's checks. The exchange rate is the same in both places. To change your checks into cash, you need to show your passport. It is recommended that you keep the exchange receipts. This allows you to exchange the cash back into the original currency on your departure from China.
• Credit cards: The most widely accepted credit cards are Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diner's Card and JCB. You can use your credit card in shopping malls and stores, hotels and restaurants, as well as to purchase tickets. However, the card will not be of much use when you travel to smaller cities and rural areas. You will need to only pay in cash in RMB there. Similarly, some hotels also do not accept payments via credit card. In that case, you will need to go to Bank of China, where you can withdraw cash of a stipulated amount. A charge will be levied for the same.
• ATMs: Bank of China has many ATM outlets in all the major cities. Five-star hotels also have ATM facilities. You can withdraw only a specific amount from an ATM machine on a daily basis and the cash received will be in RMB. Your credit card might not work in them.
• Distinguishing Counterfeit Money: Identifying fake money can be easy if you know what to look for. Money can be distinguished by its watermark, color, texture of paper and Braille dots. RMB notes are difficult to copy owing to their color.
The fake bills are unclear as the images, watermark and colors are not very distinct. They tend to be quite fuzzy. A good way to test if a bill is counterfeit is to look at it under a black light. Here are a few things to take note of:
1. On a $100 bill, the image of the Great Helmsman or model worker (usually present in the old copy) or Maozedong (the new copy) is extremely sharp.
2. The words "WUSHI" or "YIBAI" appear in fluorescent color, though this depends on the denomination.
3. The paper should appear to absorb the black light. If it throws out color, that is, if it looks bright, then it is a counterfeit note.
4. Braille dots are visible on the lower left-hand corner of the front part of a bill. The dots are slightly raised. The bills that do not have these are counterfeit.
Visa
To obtain a visa, you can visit the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country. All foreigners entering mainland China are required to have a visa. However, Western nationals need not obtain a visa for visiting Macau and Hong Kong.
If you wish to work and stay in China, or have been assigned to work in the country, you need to apply for an employment visa (Type Z). You will be allowed to make multiple entries into the country, bring reasonable personal and household articles, like video cameras, PC, VCR, among others, which now become duty-free. When this visa expires, you will be able to renew it without much effort.
Trade Shows And Exhibitions
If you are a business firm looking to showcase your products at trade shows and fairs, you need to consult with Customs authorities. The organizer of the exhibition will need an approval in advance from Customs, provide shipping documents as well as the list of articles which will be displayed. Customs will provide the rules and regulations regarding the procedures, as well as hand over the appropriate forms to the organizer. Sometimes a guarantee in the form of a letter or deposit is asked for by Customs. Usually, the goods are exempt from Customs duty if they are re-exported within a period of three months.
Small exhibitions and seminars, which require an area less than 500 square meters, can be organized by a local sponsor, allowed to participate in foreign trade, without prior approval from MOFTEC. Customs will take care of the tariff exemption formalities, depending upon the assurance of re-export that is signed between the foreign trader and the sponsor.
As regards food and beverage exhibitions, the rules for entry of samples are not clearly stated. So, before registering to participate, it is recommended that you contact the exhibition organizers to gain information on your liabilities in regard to entry of samples, as well as expenses that you may incur for participation.
Once the trade event has taken place, the samples that were imported under the temporary "not-for-sale" rule, can be sold. In this case, Customs levies duties on these items.
Advertising Materials
On your business tour, you can carry samples and advertising material, without having to pay for customs duty and VAT, provided the value of the items do not exceed RMB 200. However, those advertising materials related to electronic products are subject to VAT and customs duty, irrespective of the value of the item.
Importing Goods
If you have set up representative offices in China, the office has to submit a written application to the Customs office in the case of importing of personal items or vehicles. Customs will waive any pertinent import license requirements, approving the import of equipment for office-use only.
Host Your Next Conference In Phoenix, Arizona
Do you need to get ready for training events in the next year? That means it is time to start searching where to hold the annual conference for the company. There are a lot of factors involved in this decision. Here are some things to consider about choosing Phoenix, Arizona to hold your annual conference.
Phoenix has a major airport. "Sky Harbor" is one of the busiest in the United States, hosting major hubs for airlines such as US Airways and Southwest. Yet, this huge airport has been rated as one of the friendliest anywhere and boasts a large team of volunteers able and ready to assist travelers. Your conference guests will find them in the purple jackets in all terminals. This clean airport is easy to access from anywhere in the greater Phoenix/Scottsdale area and should be a big factor in choosing your next meeting location.
Another factor is the great weather. Few storms or winter complications delay air travel or car travel. How many times have you worried about the impact of weather on your conference travel? Come to Arizona and relax. Instead of being limited to certain months to hold your event as you are in other major cities, you can even have a great conference in the middle of December if you wanted to.
Transportation is easy in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Many of the hotels will pick up the guests from the airport, free of charge. In addition to that, there are many good choices for affordable ground transportation into the Phoenix suburbs should you be holding your event in one of those cities. These transportation issues give you peace of mind for safety of the guests of the conference.
Once they get to the hotel, they will have plenty of things to do. Many of your conference guests will come in a day early or stay an extra day to take in day trips to locations such as the Grand Canyon, the artsy city of Sedona or the laid-back vibe of historical Tucson. They can also schedule a visit to the historical Hoover Dam and the newly completed "Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge" which in itself is an amazing piece of construction. If your team has golfers as members, there are dozens of excellent courses that will challenge their golf skills.
Arizona is a hospitality state, too. You can easily make a list of hotels that will give you a price break for holding the conference. Check with your meeting planner at the hotel and find out if the hotel will give discounts on attractions in the area to give the guests a break and discover Phoenix.
There are plenty of things to do in downtown Phoenix and the surrounding area. Make some creative ideas for your conference and have a theme. Then, see if some local businesses like restaurants and clubs will give discounts for your guests.
Your next conference in Arizona could be your best yet.
Phoenix has a major airport. "Sky Harbor" is one of the busiest in the United States, hosting major hubs for airlines such as US Airways and Southwest. Yet, this huge airport has been rated as one of the friendliest anywhere and boasts a large team of volunteers able and ready to assist travelers. Your conference guests will find them in the purple jackets in all terminals. This clean airport is easy to access from anywhere in the greater Phoenix/Scottsdale area and should be a big factor in choosing your next meeting location.
Another factor is the great weather. Few storms or winter complications delay air travel or car travel. How many times have you worried about the impact of weather on your conference travel? Come to Arizona and relax. Instead of being limited to certain months to hold your event as you are in other major cities, you can even have a great conference in the middle of December if you wanted to.
Transportation is easy in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Many of the hotels will pick up the guests from the airport, free of charge. In addition to that, there are many good choices for affordable ground transportation into the Phoenix suburbs should you be holding your event in one of those cities. These transportation issues give you peace of mind for safety of the guests of the conference.
Once they get to the hotel, they will have plenty of things to do. Many of your conference guests will come in a day early or stay an extra day to take in day trips to locations such as the Grand Canyon, the artsy city of Sedona or the laid-back vibe of historical Tucson. They can also schedule a visit to the historical Hoover Dam and the newly completed "Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge" which in itself is an amazing piece of construction. If your team has golfers as members, there are dozens of excellent courses that will challenge their golf skills.
Arizona is a hospitality state, too. You can easily make a list of hotels that will give you a price break for holding the conference. Check with your meeting planner at the hotel and find out if the hotel will give discounts on attractions in the area to give the guests a break and discover Phoenix.
There are plenty of things to do in downtown Phoenix and the surrounding area. Make some creative ideas for your conference and have a theme. Then, see if some local businesses like restaurants and clubs will give discounts for your guests.
Your next conference in Arizona could be your best yet.
How to Survive Business Conferences
Business conferences can be exhausting. I'm not sure why- it doesn't seem like you do anything special but maybe that is just it. What you are doing at a conference is different from your daily routine therefore it takes more effort than you think it does. How do you deal with it? You need to be up for the good sessions and to make a good impression in the networking arena. Here are some quick tips for helping you stay on top of your game during conferences.
Pack comfortable shoes and clothes. Your conference might have a dress code - or at least an unspoken one - but find clothing that is comfortable to wear and that makes you feel good. Shoes are a big deal because you often end up standing for long periods and some conferences are in huge venues where you have to walk forever to get to breakout sessions. For any of you who have screwed up in the shoe department you know how miserable the wrong shoes can be.
Select the sessions you want to attend before getting to the conference. That way you can do a little planning and even some research so you can talk articulately about the topics in networking conversations. Figure out what is going to do you the most good in your career and be sure to get to those sessions in time to get a seat. What you want may be what everyone else wants to and it is pretty disappointing to be the one who gets shut out of a popular session.
Stay in the convention hotel if you can. It saves you a lot of travel time and it is very convenient. You can even slip up to your room if you need a quick nap or just to put your feet up for a little while. Sometimes this can make all of the difference in your energy level.
Plan your day so that you get some exercise. Sometimes walking the conference center is enough but there will also be those who want to use the exercise room. Plan ahead. There will probably be lots of other like-minded people and the exercise room is liable to be crowded. Try to pick some times that are not so popular so you can get your work-out done the way you like it.
Don't force yourself to attend sessions just to attend sessions. Go to the stuff that is important and let the rest go. Most conferences have very long days so pace yourself so that you will enjoy the things you do chose to attend.
If you do a little planning and follow a few of these tips your conference experience should be fun and refreshing. Can't do anything about the quality of the speakers - you are on your own there.
Pack comfortable shoes and clothes. Your conference might have a dress code - or at least an unspoken one - but find clothing that is comfortable to wear and that makes you feel good. Shoes are a big deal because you often end up standing for long periods and some conferences are in huge venues where you have to walk forever to get to breakout sessions. For any of you who have screwed up in the shoe department you know how miserable the wrong shoes can be.
Select the sessions you want to attend before getting to the conference. That way you can do a little planning and even some research so you can talk articulately about the topics in networking conversations. Figure out what is going to do you the most good in your career and be sure to get to those sessions in time to get a seat. What you want may be what everyone else wants to and it is pretty disappointing to be the one who gets shut out of a popular session.
Stay in the convention hotel if you can. It saves you a lot of travel time and it is very convenient. You can even slip up to your room if you need a quick nap or just to put your feet up for a little while. Sometimes this can make all of the difference in your energy level.
Plan your day so that you get some exercise. Sometimes walking the conference center is enough but there will also be those who want to use the exercise room. Plan ahead. There will probably be lots of other like-minded people and the exercise room is liable to be crowded. Try to pick some times that are not so popular so you can get your work-out done the way you like it.
Don't force yourself to attend sessions just to attend sessions. Go to the stuff that is important and let the rest go. Most conferences have very long days so pace yourself so that you will enjoy the things you do chose to attend.
If you do a little planning and follow a few of these tips your conference experience should be fun and refreshing. Can't do anything about the quality of the speakers - you are on your own there.
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