Although the EU has told mobile networks their customers must be able to call at a maximum price of 49c/min and receive calls for a max of 24c/min by the end of August 2007, some networks seem to be taking the wording a little too literally. Although it is available, some networks for example O2, wont give it to you unless you SPECIFIACLLY ASK FOR IT.
With O2 you must ask for the “My Europe” add-on, to get the reduction. So although you’ve seen your entitlements and think your getting the legal requirements its still very worth getting intouch with your operator, if you don’t they can screw you. Lets face it we all don’t check our tarrifs monthly and can’t rely on the networks for value for money.
So you could end up spending up to €12 euros for a 4-minute call when you think your paying €1.98!
Personally i think this is underhanded on the part of the greedy networks. Even at the EU reduced rates, roaming charges are still insanely over inflated considering the wholesale price of the calls.
Galway based training centre Sim2Learn has opened its first outlet in galway and is planning to roll out centres throught the country in every major town via franchise agreements.
Using the Faros model range of driving simulators. With three screens (windows based) used to create 3D environment. Courses include 50% theory and 50% in the simulator, with the advanced course also including real on the road experience.
Its only a matter of time now till passing a simulation test will be required to gain a provisional driving licence. But thats still quite a few years down the road.
Jay abraham is one of my favourite Marketing Guru’s. The guy just see’s though business and simplifies things in a way that makes it easy to grow a business in multiples.
Click here to read the first chapter of one of his books called Getting Everything You Can Out of All You’ve Got. It’ll teach you the laws of leverage and marketing concepts for anyone in any industry… Including Muggers!! 🙂
The below post is taken from Pat Phelen’s Blog and i’ll definately be queueing up to get one, considering i’d quite happily prefer to leave home without clothes rather that with my mobile working. On my old 8800 i used to carry around 2 spare batteries everywhere i went cause it could rarely last the day without charging.
One area which is going seriously backwards in an industry which is moving forwards at breakneck speed is batteries. Nokia appear to be one of the first companies to address this with a press release today informing us of the imminent launch of Nokia Power Pack DC-1.
“A busy lifestyle means you may not always be conveniently near a power outlet when you need one – but now you can be. The Nokia Power Pack DC-1 has reserve power in a pretty and portable package, so you can take the equivalent of up to three batteries** with you and recharge your mobile device when you most need it. Compatible with Nokia 2mm charging interfaces, the power pack has two charge output cables so you can easily charge two devices at the same time. Available globally, it will cost an estimated 105 euro, without taxes”
So you can leave your multiple batteries at home, this charger gives you the equivalent of three batteries, excellent move by Nokia
Whats with the price of picture frames nowadays? I wanted to pic up a frame for a piece of art i bought, called into the local frame warehouse near the office, where they wanted to charge me 112 euro’s which seem fairly steep. So i looked online and there seems to be very little by means of online retailers selling standard sized large picture frames. That has to be a decent business oppertunity for someone out there!
Had an eventful lunch break today. Was going to the bank at sandyford industrial estate and the guard armed response unit burst onto the scene to foil an attempt at robbing a secure truck delivering cash to an ATM. The armed response unit scretched around the corner, jumped out guns in hand with flash bang grenades firing off, and using stun guns and very little force arrested 3 people. Gotta say i was really impressed with the garda reaction, they were extremely professional and efficient. As were the senior management at AIB. I’m sure we’ll find out more in tomorrows newspapers.
+++++++ Follow up ++++++
It was on the news tonight. 9mm gun was recovered from the armed robbers (aged 27, 32 and 33) and it was said that it is believe that it was part of an investigation into a crumlin based gang.
I went to a talk this evening in conjunction with my Plato team and speaking was Gerry Rooney Managing Director of Polaris HR Ltd. Gotta say i was really impressed by him and some of his idea’s really got me thinking, i’ll definately be revisiting the My strategic plans tomorrow.
One of the points i liked is to consider hiring new staff the same as any other investment. They need to create a ROI of at least 3/4 their investment after a reasonable introduction period. If you make an investment in staff and its just not working out, then you should revisit if you would make the same investment knowing what you now know. Sounds harsh at first but really is it fair to hold on to a staff when effectively what your doing is keeping them from reaching their full potential else where??
So yeah its been around over a year, but now its on general release and is EVERYWHERE i go! Possibly the best written slow song written in recent years, This song has been stuck in my head for over a week now and trust me its not a pleasant sound hear me singing it while in the office. 🙂
It’s got around 9 millions view on youtube which is epic!
Album is out 3rd Sept and i’d be betting its a number one.
And there next song ain’t bad either… Its about a break up… Do you reckon its the same girl??
Had a conversation today with a friend who told me how “great” his accountant was, he thought because he didn’t pay that much for the accountant / book keeper (which is really what the guy was) that he was getting value for money!!!
When it comes to this type of thing in my opinion cheap is rarely cheerful. The guy saved a few hunderd quid in fee’s and showers out multiples of the fees in unnecessary taxes. Since he hadn’t given the accountant / book keeper his milage and subsistence hours he wasn’t recieving all his entitled tax breaks! Below are the main rates but ISME has all the relative explanations for them.
Overnight rates
Class of allowance__ Normal Rate__ Reduced Rate____ Detention Rate A Class____________ €140.44_______ €129.48________ €70.21 B Class____________ €132.18_______ €113.05________ €66.12
Daily Rates
Allowance 10 hours or more €41.55
5 hours but less than 10 hours €16.95
I. Class of Allowances The rate of allowance depend on the grade of officer. The approximate grade levels, and present minimum annual salaries, are broadly as follows:
Class A: Assistant Principals, comparable and higher grades. €50,698
Class B: Executive and higher Executive Officers and comparable grades €28,285
For individuals who are obliged to use their car in the normal course of their duties: Motor Cars effective from the 1st of July 2006
Official Motor Travel in Calendar Year Engine Capacity
________________________________Up to 6437km________6438km and over up to 1200cc______________________52.16 cent___________ 26.97 cent Engine Capacity 1201cc to 1500cc____61.66 cent___________ 30.96 cent Engine Capacity 1501 cc and over_____78.32 cent___________36.65cent
