Why should I rent a virtual office?

If you are a self employed consultant, work from home or perhaps are based in another geographic area, having a virtual office that gives you a business profile and an address makes sense. In this short video sponsored by ServCorp Smart Offices, a global serviced office and virtual office provider, you will learn about the advantages of having a virtual office. These advantages include access to a suite of technology and administrative services, board and meeting room space and additional support staff when you need it. Generally speaking, it will only take minutes to setup a virtual office online or over the phone with a virtual office provider and of course the benefit of using one with a global presence means that wherever you travel, you will be able to use their services or even their physical space if they have a presence in the destination you are visiting.

Shanghai nightlife and restaurant guide videos

Should you be visiting Shanghai either for a short term business trip or a longer term posting, check out this short restaurant guide video from TravelGuide.TV on Youtube which will give you a quick snapshot of where and what you should eat while in Shanghai. As the video shows, you can savor cuisine from every corner of the globe while visiting Shanghai.  

In addition, no visit to Shanghai is complete without checking out the city’s nightlife. Hence, this second TravelGuide.TV video guide to Shanghai nightlife will take you to dance clubs housed in traditional Chinese style buildings, DJ bars, live music venues and sophisticated jazz clubs and pubs favored by the business crowd set. 

Trendy travel must-haves for today’s business traveler

Forbes.com has recently posted a video where host Evelyn Russi asks the CEOs of Hermes and Timex plus designer Elie Tahari to share their favorite travel products and what they can’t leave home without. Product tips included the following must have travel items:

• Robert Chavez (the CEO of Hermes USA): Chavez noted that today’s business travelers are increasingly needing to take shorter but more productive business trips. Hence, he showed off some of his favorite travel bags or overnight bags that are perfect for business travelers who are both in a hurry and often on the go (Although it should be noted that these bags retail from US$3,500 to US$20,000+)
• Designer Elie Tahari: Tahari on the other hand noted that when he travels, his favorite items of clothing are simple tee-shirts and jeans which are, like the business wear he designs, are both comfortable and stylish. In fact, his own personal style includes both items paired with a blazer. For women, he also suggested having plenty of pairs of leggings and tunics.
• Hans Kristian-Hoejsgaard (The CEO of Timex): Kristian-Hoejsgaard, as the CEO of a watch company with 15 brand lines, naturally must travel with a whole collection of watches. Hence, he listed his favorite watches to travel with – especially ones that know what time zone the wearer is in and will automatically adjust according.

The short video is well worth watching, especially if you are a frequent business traveler.

KLCC Parkview Kuala Lumpur review

Located just a 5 minute walk from KLCC and just between KLCC LRT & Monorail Station, the KLCC Parkview offers easy accessibility to the City Centre, the Petronas Twin Towers, the Suria KLCC shopping mall, The Pavillion, Bukit Bintang and the KL Golden Triangle areas. On offer are fully furnished studios (like the one in the video below) that are approximately 40 sqms in area – more space than most hotel rooms. In addition, the building has a 34th floor swimming pool facing the KLCC Twin Tower along with a Jacuzzi, gym, sauna and laundry service. In other words, everything you need for either a short-term or a long-term stay.

 

How to set up a new business in Hong Kong

If you are coming to Hong Kong to set up a new business or perhaps set up a representative office for an existing company, this short video by ServCorp Smart Offices, a global serviced office provider with a presence in Hong Kong, is well worth watching. In the video, John Barclay of Primasia Corporate Services discusses just how easy it is to set up and maintain an office or a business based in Hong Kong with the initial startup requirements being:

1. One director and one shareholder.
2. Issuance of one share of stock worth one Hong Kong dollar.
3. A Hong Kong company secretary and a Hong Kong address.

A company in Hong Kong can be taken from the shelf and fully activated within one week and all that is required to administer it is a simple annual registry return and a tax return supported by audited returns – reasons why Hong Kong is consistently rated one of the most business friendly environments in the world.

Bangkok nightlife and restaurant guide videos

Should you be visiting Bangkok either for a short term business trip or a longer term posting, check out this short restaurant guide video from TravelGuide.TV on Youtube which will give you a quick snapshot of where you should go to savor the best cuisine that a cosmopolitan city like Bangkok has to offer. As the video shows, you will always find something that meets both your tastes and your budget while in Bangkok.  

In addition, no visit to Bangkok is complete without checking out the city’s famous nightlife. Hence, this second TravelGuide.TV video guide to Bangkok nightlife will show you the suitable places to go in order to mix with the high society or after work crowd.

Japanese business etiquette video: Exchanging meishi kokan or business cards

If you are planning a business trip to Japan, this short video from JapanTravelTV about giving and receiving business cards or meishi kokan in Japan is well worth watching. As the narrator explains, there are some subtle manners and etiquette to follow.

The video begins by showing the proper angle of bowing and the proper angle of the feet while doing so. The narrator then describes the proper procedure for exchanging business cards. This includes holding the corners of the business card and not covering up the company name or logo as this is considered bad manners. When giving the business card, hold the corner of it and when receiving one, be sure to hold it in both hands over your business cards or meishi kokan case and display respect by carefully reading over it rather than quickly putting it away.

Keeping these tips in mind will greatly aide you in making a good first impression on your next business trip to Japan or when dealing with your Japanese business counterparts.

Chinese business etiquette video: Giving and receiving business cards

If you are planning a business trip to China, this short video about giving and receiving business cards in China featuring Mark Kemsley, who has worked as a business consultant in China for 20 years and speaks both Cantonese and Mandarin, is well worth watching. As Mark explains, not having a business card is the equivalent of not having a name as the Chinese place great importance on both greetings and titles. In fact, the Chinese prefer to deal with someone who is of equal importance to them and preferably has a high sounding title – hence, the importance of having a business card that clearly shows your rank.

In addition and when giving a business card, Mark explains that you should always be standing and use both hands while if you accept a business card with only one hand, it is considered extremely disrespectful. Moreover, it's very important that you don't just ignore the business card and stick it in your pocket. Instead, carefully read over it for about three or four seconds before putting it in your pocket.

Useful video to learn some basic Bahasa Indonesian survival phrases

Should you be visiting Indonesia soon, you may want to visit the Travel Linguist site on YouTube as it contains numerous resources to help you learn some Bahasa Indonesian words or phrases. In this video, you will learn the following useful Bahasa Indonesian survival words:

Hello - Halo

Goodbye - Selamat tinggal

How are you? - Apa kabar?

Very well, and you? - Baik sekali dan bagaimana dengan anda?

Thank you - Terima kasih

You're welcome - Terima kasih kembali

Do you speak English? - Apakah anda berbicara bahasa inggeris?

What is your name? - Siapakah nama anda?

Excuse me - Permisi

Where is the bathroom? - Dimanakah kamar kecil?

Knowing the above Bahasa Indonesian words or phrases will make even a short trip to Indonesia much more easier!

Chinese business etiquette videos

Relationships and proper etiquette are extremely important considerations when doing business with the Chinese as they are renowned for being skilled and patient negotiators. Hence, its always important to put your best foot forward and to know what to expect when you meet with potential Chinese business partners for the first time.

In this first short video, the proper way to greet someone at the beginning of a business meeting is addressed:

In this second short video, viewers are walked through an entire business meeting between a Westerner and her potential Chinese business partners:

How to use chopsticks videos

For westerners who are accustomed to eating with silverware, using chopsticks for the first few times can be intimidating and tricky. Luckily, learning how to use chopsticks is not that difficult with a little bit of practice.

In this first video, Hiu Yau, a home chef and caterer, first explains the different types of chopsticks and what they are used for:

In this second video, the basic Chinese method for using chopsticks is explained:

Finally, this last video explains how to pick up rice with chopsticks:

Useful video to learn some basic Japanese survival phrases

Should you be visiting Japan soon, you may want to visit the Travel Linguist site on YouTube as it contains numerous resources to help you learn some Japanese. In this video, you will learn the following useful Japanese survival words:

Hello - Konnichiwa

Goodbye - Sayonara

How are you? - Ogenki desu ka

Very well, and you? - Genki desu anata wa?

Thank you - Arigato

You're welcome - Do itashimashite

Do you speak English? - Eigo ga hanasemasu ka?

What is your name? - O namae wa nan desu ka?

Excuse me - Sumimasen

Where is the bathroom? - Ote arai wa dochira desu ka

Knowing the above Japanese phrases will make even a short trip to Japan much more easier!

Useful video to learn some basic Mandarin survival phrases

Should you be visiting China soon, you may want to visit the Travel Linguist site on YouTube as it contains numerous resources to help you learn some Mandarin. In this video, you will learn the following useful Mandarin survival words:

1. Hello - Nin hao
2. Goodbye - Zai jian
3. How are you? - Nin hao ma?
4. Thank you - Xie xie
5. You're welcome - Bu ke qi
6. What is your name? - Zen me cheng hu nin?
7. Do you speak English? - nin hui shuo ying yu ma?
8. Excuse me - Dui bu qi
9. Where is the bathroom? - Xi shou jian zen me zou?

Knowing the above Mandarin phrases will make even a short trip to China much more easier!

Beijing travel videos from Lonely Planet

As the capital of the most populous country in the world that is also one of the world’s oldest civilizations, Beijing has plenty of sites to offer both tourists and business travelers with extra time on their hands. In this Lonely Planet video made just before the Olympics, Eilis Quinn explores both the modern and traditional side of Beijing:

In this second video produced for Lonely Planet, the sites around Beijing are explored. This includes the Summer Palace, the Great Wall and the Lao Shan Mountain Biking Area:

In this final but very short video from Lonely Planet, Michael Kohn offers a quick snapshot of Beijing’s nightlife – including a visit to the night markets for some deep fried scorpion:

Air New Zealand unveils its economy lie-flat seats for the 787-9

Here is a great idea that we hope will be adopted by more airlines. As recently noted on Flight Blogger and starting in November of 2010 when Boeing delivers its first 777-300ER to Air New Zealand, the first 11 rows in economy will feature a new "Skycouch" that will provide a lie-flat experience. To take advantage of this, two adults must purchase two seats and a third seat at roughly half the price and the target market for the offering are couples or a small families. The airline intends to offer the service on selected Auckland to Los Angeles flights and eventually Auckland to London (Via Los Angeles) starting in April 2011.

However, there are still questions about how they will manage the revenue on this unique offering. Nevertheless and if such an experiment does end up working, the “Skycouch” will definitely provide the best long-haul flight experience on the market for economy class passengers.

Transportation options in Mumbai videos

Mumbai is a huge and sprawling city but luckily there are various transportation options available to both visitors and residents alike to consider. This first Geobeats video gives an overview of the various public transportation options available in Mumbai:

However and as with cities everywhere, its easy to be taken for a ride by a taxi driver in Mumbai. Hence, this second Geobeats video will give you some useful tips for dealing with local cabbies:

Mumbai travel related videos

Mumbai is one of the most progressive and modern of India’s city but it is also a place filled with contradictions such as ultra-hip restaurants and clubs sitting along side some of the largest slums in the world. Hence and should you be visiting Mumbai soon, this Geobeats video provides a good overview of what Mumbai is all about:

Some of the finest Victorian architecture in the world can be found in Mumbai and this second Geobeats video gives a good overview of it:

Finally, this last Geobeats video will help visitors and would-be residents a good overview of Mumbai’s different neighborhoods:

Interesting Tokyo videos

Tokyo can easily be described as one of the most fascinating cities in the world and this Lonely Planet video entitled “Tokyo Moods” does a great job of capturing the essence of the city:

However, and before you think of relocating to Tokyo, this Cost of Living in Tokyo video is a must watch. In it, a westerner residing in Tokyo goes through his monthly bills and will give you a good idea of just what you are in for!

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Beautiful All Nippon Airways anime commercials

The Japanese are the true masters of animation or anime. In fact, they have used anime to produce some beautiful commercials. One such commercial was produced by All Nippon Airways and was showed at the recent New York Anime Festival. It shows "the art of arrival" on ANA:

In this second ANA commercial, ANA 747-400Ds celebrate the opening of the new Terminal 2 at the Haneda Airport in Tokyo a few years ago:

ANA is also a member of Star Alliance and hence, the aircraft formation in this third commercial is the Star Alliance’s trade mark:

Useful travel videos about Japan

Should you be planning a trip to Japan in the near future, GeoBeat Productions has produced two short and very useful videos about Japan that are well worth watching. The first video gives important local etiquette tips such as not blowing your nose in public and not counting your change in public (its not even necessary as the Japanese are very honest!):

The second video covers important Japanese phrases that would be useful for first time foreign visitors to Japan to learn in order to make their stay in the country an easier and more pleasant experience: