In Search for Dara's Destiny

Life goes on and I'm right here waiting for you....

2011-12-17T05:21:00.000-08:00

A great sunrise at one of the greatest religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat.

It's been a while and Entrea is 1 year old

2011-04-08T20:43:00.000-07:00

Time flies... they say.. and it does... it's been a while and it's been great...anddddddd not so great once in a while... I guess that's the beauty of life...

Entrea is now 1 year old and he's becoming smarter, cuter and naughtier every day...

Wanna see him? Here you go:

Who's this?? Oh yes.. this is Entrea (Andreas) Dara Huot

2010-07-25T02:59:00.001-07:00

Baby language 101... Entrea is teachin' me.. lol...arrrr...eeee..errrrr...ku.... ka....

2010-06-08T00:13:00.000-07:00

Cheng Meng in Siem Reap (My Father's)

2010-04-06T05:27:00.001-07:00

Me my wife and ... the webcam... kekeke

2009-11-24T18:28:00.001-08:00

Practice Makes Perfect In Sales

2009-11-19T01:27:00.000-08:00

Source: http://www.hotelsmag.com/blog/370000637/post/550050655.html

Bart Berkey

Practice Makes Perfect In Sales

November 17, 2009

How often are your sales people able to "practice" their selling skills? My son started playing volleyball and each week they work on new skills like passing, setting and spiking. Each weekend, his team has a league match for an hour. During this time, the parent coaches furiously take notes on what is good and what needs to be improved upon. From last weekend, the coaches noticed that the team wasn't "calling" the ball (or indicating that they would handle the pass) when the other team was serving. At practice the following week, they worked on "calling" each ball to ensure proper communication among the team members. We are now looking forward to their next match when all the parents can see if they've improved on this specific task.

As sales managers, we are essentially on the court everyday. After a brief training program, we are placed into a competitive mode and asked to score points. How often do we refine our skills and encouraged to practice?

There are many "mystery shopper" services that hotels can utilize to evaluate their team's selling abilities. Can you set up time with your less-experienced sales managers to role play and practice the art of selling? Provide immediate feedback just like a coach would do so their performance improves the next time they step onto the court.

Hotel Public Relations – Five Tips to get more visibility for your hotel

2009-11-16T00:55:00.000-08:00

Hotel Public Relations – Five Tips to get more visibility for your hotel

We welcome our new columnist, Jennifer Rodrigues, who will be telling us all about Hotel Public Relations and sharing her insights, tips and experiences on YoungHotelier.com!

By Jennifer Rodrigues, TravelInk’d

For many hotels — too many in my opinion — public relations gets relegated to the backburner or is treated as an afterthought. Hotels have a sales department; they have marketing team (which is supposed to support sales); and for more ambitious hotels, a social media program. So why bring in PR?

First, some background. I think that some of the stigma of hotels and PR is derived from a misunderstanding of what public relations actually is, and some of it stems from the blurring line between PR and marketing. Hoteliers often maintain the natural, if inaccurate, assumption that PR and marketing are effectively the same. The ultimate goal, after all, is to increase revenue for the property, and both PR and marketing are tools to achieve that end. But hoteliers tend to view marketing efforts as direct and measurable, and PR initiatives as soft and nebulous. Nothing, however, could be further from the truth.

To be sure, PR is not advertising. And PR does not guarantee exposure, like advertising does.

So again – why use PR? Credibility, for starters.

Unlike advertising, where a hotel can tout its perfect scores on customer service or 95% occupancy rates year over year – messages which consumers these days take with a proverbial grain of salt because they know that in advertising, the hotel’s messaging isn’t censored – PR generates stories written by trusted, third parties. Consumers are more likely to trust a journalist’s integrity because they must remain unbiased. Think about it this way: you could spend $6,765 for an ad in the New York Times or you could use PR to generate a FREE article in the New York Times that consumers are much more likely to read, believe and act upon. How’s that for ROI??

Done properly, public relations is, at its core, a highly effective tool for generating awareness and visibility for an individual property, hotel chain or brand. It can deliver a message of credibility that no advertising program comes close to. Public relations is so much more than the distribution of press releases: it’s about telling a story- a compelling story- that will generate genuine interest and enter into the consciousness of potential guests. It’s about gaining recognition and mitigating negative attention. It’s about defining who and what a hotel is, and delivering that message to the public.

And when compared with advertising, PR can be a lot less expensive. Whether you choose to do PR in-house or hire a specialist agency, the cost of PR can be much lower than a traditional ad campaign.

So how do you get started? What do you need to know when implementing a PR campaign?

Building a solid public relations strategy isn’t as daunting as you might think. Unlike marketing or advertising, PR is not as resource-intensive; there are no media buys or direct mail blitzes associated with it. But effective PR requires the ability to tell great stories – that come from the best aspects of a hotel’s operations – as well as creative and strategic thinking from people who understand the hotel market and who also understand media’s needs.

So being the helpful PR and visibility specialist that I am, I have put together five important PR rules for hotels. Follow these and an email from an editor at the New York Times might just be the next one coming into your Blackberry (or iPhone). Let’s get started…

Be Newsworthy and Think Big (Beyond your Property, that is)

This is a tough one for hoteliers to understand and follow, especially for those that have been relying only on advertising up to this point. Understandably, to you, your property is the center of the hotel universe. And it should be! But to the media and the rest of the world, while it may be important, it is not the only hotel of importance.

As I said earlier, PR is about storytelling and storytelling is only effective when people are listening. Before sending out your next press release or before picking up the phone and calling a journalist, ask yourself this – is this really newsworthy to everyone? If I was a consumer, would I truly care about this news? Be objective. If the answer is no, then it’s a safe bet that journalists won’t care either.

Let’s look at the following example. Unless you are Hyatt or Hilton, lowering your rates by 10% (though it may be a big deal to the front office), isn’t going to pique the interest of the Wall Street Journal, or from the average consumer. That rate reduction may be of interest to someone contemplating a stay at your property, but that’s a marketing function, not PR.
So here’s how to turn that bit of news into a news story that the media will pick up on. Think BIG. If you are lowering your rates, and the hotel down the street is lowering their rates and so is the hotel by the airport, then you have a news story. This is a trend and media love to write about trends. Consumers also love to read about trends. When pitching this story, tell the journalist about not only your rate cuts, but also the rate cuts of your competitors to illustrate that it’s a trend that’s actually worth covering.

That is not to say that only trend stories work. You can pitch a story that is specific only to your property but remember, it must be newsworthy. Here are a few examples of the types of stories that media like to hear about;

- Your kitchen staff volunteers one day a month at the local homeless shelter

- Your property’s upcoming 25th anniversary.

-Your occupancy rate over the last 6 months compared to other properties in your compset (if you’re doing better than your competitors’ in today’s economy, spread that message far and wide to trade publications!!).

Whatever your story, though, do keep in mind that although you are selling your property, PR should never sound like a sales pitch. Never.

The takeaway? Be aware of the difference between what is newsworthy to the general public and what is important to management. Emphasize the former and you are well on your way.

Emphasize your best assets

A big part of PR is putting your best foot forward – emphasizing the good, and downplaying the bad.

Every property has something that distinguishes itself from its competitors- in every story that you tell to the media, highlight this difference and the importance to the consumer. If yours is a historic hotel, make that known. If your hotel is preferred among business travelers, write op-eds and expert commentaries on attracting and retaining business guests. If you run a brand new boutique in an up-and-coming area, talk about being first to market and the revitalization of the neighborhood.

Know your audience

Who do you want (and need) to know about your property? Most likely, your first answer will be consumers and business travelers; the guests you want in your hotel. And while that is definitely a vital target audience and one that you must pursue, there are others too which should not be ignored.

It’s very important also to raise awareness of your property among industry experts. This means reaching out to industry publications like YoungHotelier. By being included in industry publications, you position yourself as an expert within your own industry and develop more credibility for your property and brand. Build a buzz within the industry and it could carry over into the general public.

Business media is another audience that shouldn’t be ignored. People who read stories about hotels’ financial health or day-to-day operations tend to travel (hello, business travel!), and creating awareness among this audience can pay immediate dividends.

Stories that appear in the local nightly news or in the New York Times can be few and far between, but trade and business stories can recur often and in multiple outlets. Widen your net and you’ll catch more fish.

No Comment is No Answer at All

We’ve all seen interviews with “no comment”. This is no way to conduct an interview or get a positive message across – even when faced with a difficult or sticky question. While “no comment” may seem like an easy or neutral way to get out of answering a question, to any journalist this is almost an admission of guilt. Try this phrase instead:

“I’m not at liberty to talk about this issue right now. Are there any other questions I can answer for you?”

Or provide a simple answer and always go back to your key message. Let’s look at this (very extreme) example to give you a better idea of what I mean.
Question: “Was an employee at your hotel arrested today?”

Answer: “The best source for that information is law enforcement, but what I can confirm is that the operations of this hotel have not been and will not be disrupted in any way.”
In this way, you have reinforced the strength of your property, while deflecting the question and potential risk.

Understand PR and manage your expectations

PR has its value in a marketing plan, but it shouldn’t be the only piece. As I mentioned, PR is not advertising. Though its results can be clear and measurable, it is not direct sales outreach to potential clients. Metrics like ROI and incremental cost can be applied to PR, but rarely will there be a moment-to-moment correlation between PR initiatives and sales.
When launching a PR campaign, hoteliers need to be realistic as to what results and expectations they have. No PR campaign can guarantee front-page coverage on the Wall Street Journal every month: that is simply not realistic in most instances. Instead, look for the longer-term impact and value of PR on your hotel, including how your hotel is perceived locally, nationally and internationally, and how levels of awareness of your property change in different markets.

Get Inked!

Great public relations and increased visibility is absolutely achievable for every hotel! But whether you work with an in-house team, or outsource, there must be buy-in from management and the appropriate levels of engagement to make PR successful for your hotel.

To be sure, PR is labor-intensive – it’s not an automated process as say, sending out a blast email to a customer database. There is a lot of writing, a lot of strategizing, a lot of communicating and a lot of relationship-building with hundreds of media outlets. But these outputs can result in great outcomes if you put in the time and effort, which can continue to grow and expand over time. And in time, media will be calling you for comment, instead of you calling to pitch stories.

So what are you waiting for?
Jennifer Rodrigues, Visibility Specialist with ThinkInk and TravelInk’d, is a seasoned public relations professional with a passion for the hospitality industry, which is expressed in her role at ThinkInk’s travel division, TravelInk’d. At TravelInk’d, she is responsible for developing cost-effective and creative public relations and marketing strategies for clients in the travel and tourism, airline, lodging, cruise and meeting/event sectors. For more information on TravelInk’d, please visit www.travelinkd.com or contact Jennifer at jlr (at) travelinkd.com

Source: http://www.younghotelier.com

@ the Meta House Tonight " Land Lost, Culture Lost"

2009-11-13T18:35:00.000-08:00

THE MESSENGER BAND PRESENTS "LAND LOST, CULTURE LOST"
Stop evictions! Former garment factory workers are singing "a-capella" about pressing social issues. THE MESSENGER BAND, Cambodia's only girls group with a cause, was formed in 2005 by the "Womyn's Agenda for Change" (WAC). Tonight's live performance, music videos (featuring the blind Chapei star Kong Nai) and Q&A with the artists is followed by the innovative community video project "LAND LOST CULTURE LOST". The film tells the story of a land dispute in Ratanakkiri though the eyes of ethnic Jarai villagers from one of Cambodia's remotest areas. It's shot by the villagers and screened in the original version with English subtitles.

Pregnancy makes my wife craves for Pizza!!! What the @!$@#%#$%#?

2009-09-14T03:05:00.000-07:00

I heard pregnancy cause people to crave for stuff... weird stuff even... and yes.. food... and sometimes weird kind of food... My wife craves for Pizza now in her early pregnancy. I guess I can not call that weird, can I ?

I brought her to Bistro-Romao the Italian Cuisine at the NagaWorld last week for a fun night out.. and fun we had plus we ate a whole bunch of stuff... here you go:

My new place ... yay.....

2009-09-14T02:52:00.000-07:00

I have moved to a new place for several months now... some of my friends say that I live at the edge of the world as my new place is on the way to Phnom Penh International Airport which is quite far away from work....but I gotta tell ya'll that I love the fresh air and lighting there...

Front view

Rear view

My wall deco.. kekeke

More deco..

My 7 year old buddy.... man.. I gotta get a new laptop to replace u ....

My grad... pic... and the Asiana Airlines clock... hmmm.. it looks cool..

I must admit that I do not live in a modern/well furnished house but I guess as long as you can call it home, everything else is all subjective......

My wife's Spaghetti....... anyone?????!!!!

2009-09-14T00:48:00.000-07:00

Well she likes it.. and now she cooks it...hmmmm I am skeptical about it... I'll hold my breath to taste her spaghetti...that she learns the recipe from the Taiwanese TV show... kekeke

Here she is in her cozy kitchen....smiling...kekeke

I helped with the tomatoes...heee... never been a huge fan of tomatoes myself...

Here is the final product... hmmm.. looks yummy.. but wait until I take a bite to give the score for the chef...

Well... she seems very happy.. that means she gets very good comments on her very first spaghetti..... yummy... for my tummy..... wanna try??? any one???

Celebrate Play, Feast, Party and be Pampered at NagaWorld®

2009-09-02T04:13:00.000-07:00

Play, Feast, Party and be Pampered at NagaWorld®
and celebrate 9-9-9

Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Sept 2, 2009) – NagaWorld® today unveiled a spectacular lineup of events to celebrate 9 Sept 09, a once-in-1000 year day.

The celebration from 9th to 13th Sept 09 will feature electrifying entertainment, food & beverage, wellness and spa offers, a host of other fun activities and 9-9-9 Grand Lucky Draw that promise exciting experiences for everyone.

Just in time to beat the midweek blues, the 9-9-9 celebration will feature for the first time, an extensive line up of Food & Beverage offerings at $9.99, excellent wellness and spa menus at $19.99 and exciting performances by top Cambodia artistes like Sokun Nisa, Nobaya Rith, Sokun Kagna and Chorn Sovanna Reach alongside with other international acts and traditional Cambodian performances like Milk churning dance and Peacock dance.

“Cambodia has never seen so much entertainment under one roof. The 9-9-9 celebration at NagaWorld will be the ideal location for families, young couples and friends to come and enjoy a great evening of play, dine, party and be pampered under one roof,” said Steve Cheng, Chief Operating Officer, NagaWorld Limited. “As the top entertainment venue in IndoChina region, we strive to create exciting promotions that will appeal to a broad spectrum of guests while reinforcing our position as the choice destination in Cambodia.”

This 9-9-9 Celebration, NagaWorld® will create unforgettable experiences that people of all ages can enjoy. Here is a taste of what visitors can expect during the 9-9-9 Celebration.

Let the Lucky Draw Begins on 9-9-9*

Patrons of the NagaWorld® 9-9-9 Celebrations stand to win up to USD20, 000 in our 9-9-9 Lucky Draw
First First Prize - $9990 Play value + $990 cash
Second Prize - $3990 Play Value + $399 cash
Third Prize - $1990 Play Value + $199 cash
10 sets of consolation prizes- $99 each
* Conditions apply.

Entertainment

Sizzling Concerts (9-10 Sept)
Visitors can expect to be entertained on 9th and 10th by the famous Vietnamese stars and hottest Cambodian top stars by Chorn Sovanna Reach, Sokun Nisa, Nobaya Rith and Sokun Kagna.

Culture Dances (9-13 Sept)
Cultural lovers can reminisce about Angkor era with the traditional Apsara Dance, the royale Peacock Dance and the fast-paced Milk churning dance,

Food and Beverage Offers
(9th and 10th Sept)

In celebration of the 9-9-9 event, NagaWorld® is proud to present the followings:

• Korean Grill – Set lunch and dinner at $9.99 per person
• Bistro Romano - Set lunch and dinner at $9.99 per person
• The Pangea – Buffet dinner at $9.99 per person
• The Pangea – Dim Sum Buffet Lunch at $9.99 per person

Wellness and SPA Offers
(9th and 10th Sept)

The Spa at NagaWorld
In celebration of the 9-9-9 event, The Spa at NagaWorld will offer a promotion of $19.99 on selected treatments. Such as Ancient Khmer Traditional massage, Angkor Coffee scrub, etc. Guests should not miss the opportunity to be one of the first to experience the one of the best wellness treatments at The Spa at NagaWorld.

Organizers

Celebration 9-9-9 is organized by NagaWorld ®, Ministry of Tourism and Rasmey Hang Meas.

###

About Nagaworld®

NagaWorld® is the first integrated hotel, entertainment and gaming complex located in the heart of Phnom Penh, capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia. NagaWorld® offers modern amenities and facilities with Khmer influences and boosts a 14-storey hotel Wing with over 500 suites and rooms, 8 themed food & beverage outlets and the largest meeting and convention facilities in Cambodia. The world-class 8-storey Entertainment Wing boosts Chinese-themed public gaming halls, exclusive Premium Halls and VIP Halls, modern gaming machines, an international-class spa and wellness center and top quality karaoke music lounge.

Bistro Romano brings you to different regions in Italy

2009-08-05T03:42:00.000-07:00

I admit I have never been to Italy, in fact I have never been to anywhere else in Europe except Switzerland... but I always have the idea of Italy as a beautiful European country.... and plus the food is great.... who can deny a seafood pizza, an extra sauce spaghetti and, a mouth watering pasta and a grilled beef ??? well definitely not me....

The monthly promotions at Bistro Romano started with the city of Venice offering the specialty Venician culinary.... ... look out for the up coming promotions that will bring to you different regions of Italy with their respective regional dishes......

Budget airlines, Eating into SIA

2009-07-24T22:46:00.000-07:00

Budget airlines
Eating into SIA
Early fears coming true: Singapore's icon carrier is losing passengers to mass, cheap flies. Bloomberg.
July 24, 2009

By Chan Sue Ling
Jimmy Lim Chin Hwa abandoned Singapore Airlines Ltd.’s coach class for budget carrier Jetstar Asia Airways Pte two years ago to save 65 percent on the cost of flying. He’s noticed more people following suit.

“Normally, the flights are half full but since the start of the year it’s packed,” said Lim, 50, a marketing manager at Unicane Furniture Pte, waiting to board a flight at Singapore’s Changi airport to Indonesia. “The bigger airlines are just too expensive.”

Losing economy-class customers like Lim adds to pressure on carriers such as Singapore Air, forecast to post its worst annual profit in two decades, as travel dwindles amid the global recession.

Jetstar Asia, AirAsia and other regional discount carriers meanwhile are adding more planes after cut-rate fares helped double their market share since 2005.

“Low-cost carriers are making it so affordable now,” said Tan Teng Boo, who oversees $200 million as managing director at Kuala Lumpur-based iCapital Global Fund.

“The full-fare carriers will have to sit down and think about reinventing themselves.”

The potential for cheap flights in Asia, where half the world’s population lives, has also attracted investments from billionaire Wilbur Ross in an Indian discount airline, and Virgin Group’s Richard Branson in a Malaysian no-frills carrier.

McDonald’s, Wal-Mart

Asia’s budget carriers control about 10 percent of the market by seat capacity currently, according to the International Air Transport Association, or IATA. At least 20 low-fare airlines have started in the continent since 2000.

“During a recession, we also prosper because people are coming down market,” said Tony Fernandes, chief executive officer of AirAsia, Southeast Asia’s biggest budget airline. “We are no different from McDonald’s or Wal-Mart. Our goal is to fill up our planes.”

AirAsia filled 80 percent of its available seats on average in June, the best ever for that month, Fernandes said.

Jetstar Asia, partly owned by Australia’s Qantas Airways Ltd, flew 15 percent more people in the first six months compared with the year earlier period.

In contrast, Singapore Air’s passenger numbers slumped 19 percent in June, the eighth consecutive drop. Thai Airways International Pcl’s numbers declined 18 percent last month, the 12th straight decline.

Singapore Air, the world’s second-largest airline by market value, Malaysian Airline System, and Thai Air, are altering networks and cutting capacity.

Singapore Air is parking planes, lowering pay, and removing 11 percent of capacity in the year ending in March.

The airline said last week it will reduce seats on some planes by 14 percent as part of a cabin upgrade.

Morphed Marketing

“We are morphing our marketing,” Singapore Air Chief Executive Officer Chew Choon Seng said on July 1. “If at times like these, people want more value for money, then we adapt our marketing accordingly.”

The carrier may post a full-year profit of S$627 million (US$435 million) in the year ending in March, the worst in at least two decades, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of 13 analysts.

The airline reported its first operating loss in six years in the quarter ended March.

Performance at Thai Air was “pretty bad in the last two months,” Executive Vice President Pandit Chanapai said July 16.

PT Lion Mentari Airlines, Indonesia’s biggest low-fare carrier, is buying 178 Boeing Co planes, the highest number for the aircraft maker in Asia over the last five years. Malaysia’s AirAsia, with a tagline “Now Everyone can Fly,” has ordered 175 aircraft from Airbus SAS, the largest client for single-aisle models in the region for the world’s biggest planemaker.

Cheaper Tickets

AirAsia last month lowered ticket prices by scrapping administrative charges. Tiger Airways, a no-frills carrier partly owned by Singapore Air, is selling tickets at 9 Singapore cents, excluding taxes, to more than a dozen destinations.

With Southeast Asian economies facing their worst economic slowdown since the region was hit by a financial crisis a decade ago, more and more companies are taking up such deals.

Singapore-based Jetstar Asia has almost 400 corporate clients now, compared with 300 at the start of the year, said Chief Executive Officer Chong Phit Lian.

Legacy carriers aren’t giving up. Malaysian Air started a “Global Low Fares” campaign in June to boost ticket sales after posting its first quarterly loss in more than two years.

Singapore Air introduced promotional fares after seeing a decline in demand across all its cabin classes, said Nicholas Ionides, a spokesman for Singapore Air.

Singapore Air has gained 19 percent this year, while Malaysian Air is little changed. AirAsia has surged 49 percent.

Eating Their Business

“Budget carriers are simply eating into their business,” said Jim Eckes, managing director of industry adviser Indoswiss Aviation. “That’s why full-service airlines are fighting back with discounts.”

The cuts will need to be deep to convince Lim, the furniture executive, to return. He flies at least 10 times a year to Surabaya, Indonesia, and pays on average S$176 for a return ticket, compared with S$500 on SilkAir, Singapore’s regional unit.

“Flying budget is just so much cheaper,” said Lim. “I don’t think the bigger airlines can match the prices offered by low-cost carriers.”

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aglJy8INl8xM

Can Airline Loyalty Programs Generate Income for Struggling Airlines?

2009-07-24T22:42:00.000-07:00

Can Airline Loyalty Programs Generate Income for Struggling Airlines?

White Paper from Carlson Marketing Analyzes Pros and Cons

Press Release
Source: Carlson Marketing
On Thursday July 23, 2009, 11:44 pm EDT

MINNEAPOLIS & SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As airlines face new challenges seemingly every day now, the temptation exists for them to bolster their financials by selling off portions of the operations and reaping the benefits. One interesting asset that has garnered attention in recent years is the airline frequent flyer program.

A new white paper – “Spinning Off Frequent Flyer Programs in Turbulent Times” – issued by the loyalty marketing expert Evert de Boer, senior director, Global Airline Practice, Carlson Marketing, explores the pros and cons of spinning off frequent flyer programs in light of the current economic climate.

Advantages

According to de Boer, there are six good reasons for selling off an airline’s frequent flyer program.

Raise Capital
Unlock Value
Improve Margins
Accelerate Revenue Growth
Achieve Economies of Scale
Improve CRM (customer relationship management) and Data Analytical Capabilities

Disadvantages

Of course, if there were only good reasons, everyone would do it. He cites seven cautions as well.

Program Delivery considering how intertwined the program is in the airline operations
New Owners May Have a Short-term View
Unpredictability of Future Events
Capital Gain is a One-off
Imbalance of Power Between the Frequent Flyer Program and the Airline
Impact of Global Alliances
Current Liabilities

Additional Considerations

The current economic downturn adds another set of wrinkles to be evaluated and their impact debated based on the individual airline’s situation.

Less Capital Available to Buy the Program
Less Travel and Lower Consumer Spending
Higher Incidence Rate of Credit Card Defaults and Lower Credit Ratings
Reduction in Network Size
More Miles Being Awarded, Fewer Miles Being Redeemed
Increased Opportunity for Arbitrage
Less Appetite for Adjustments to the Balance Sheet
Potential Partners Become More Wary

Conclusions

As the economy improves around the world, serious consideration of spinning off frequent flyer programs will once again be a hot topic of conversation. De Boer identifies likely carriers as those with “large legacies with a dominate program in a large and homogenous home market.” Unlikely candidates are “airlines that dominate a small home market and serve a high percentage of transfer traffic through their respective hubs.”

The complete white paper, “Spinning Off Frequent Flyer Programs in Turbulent Times,” is available online from Carlson Marketing at http://carlsonmarketing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=55.

Carlson Marketing is the world’s leading relationship building company. Carlson helps global Fortune 1000 clients increase their top and bottom lines by building stronger relationships with their most valuable customers, channel partners and employees. Carlson Marketing’s two global service offerings – Brand Loyalty and Engagement & Events – are supported by six core capabilities: Strategy & Planning; Creative, Interactive & Media; Incentive & Event Management; Award Services; Technology Services and Decision Sciences.

Carlson Marketing employs 2,500 marketing professionals in 44 cities across 15 countries. www.carlsonmarketing.com

I'm gonna be a dady.. na na ..na .. na :) :)

2009-07-21T22:06:00.000-07:00

16 months after our marriage not to forget our near death accident experience 8 month ago causing broken neck bone to my wife and 4 months of staying in bed... We now have a good thing to hold on to... my wife is able to walk and do her normal household chores and routine and is expecting a baby.... Gosh.... How will I come come up with nice names for my child?.... Suggestions welcomed!!!.....

To relive our memory... here are the pictures of our honeymoon trip....... we had a really good time.................... wish to travel more... but until then I only have the old photos for ya...

META-HOUSE PHOM PENH

2009-07-21T00:35:00.000-07:00

META-HOUSE PHOM PENH: "TUE 21st @7PM : DRAMA AFTER THE WAR: RITHY PANH'S 'BURNT THEATER'
Rithy Panh is Cambodia's most acclaimed director and a frequent guest at the Cannes Film Festival. A survivor of the genocide, his films often focus on the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. 'S-21: The Killing Machine' won the European Film Prize. Tonight's docudrama (presented in cooperation with Rithy Panh's audio-visual research centre 'Bophana') is an artful blend of fact and fiction, depicting a troupe of actors and dancers in the burned-out shell of Cambodia's former national theatre in Phnom Penh. The protagonists attempt to produce a Khmer-language adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac on a stage overgrown with weeds."

Food Tasting for Wedding. Anyone?

2009-07-20T21:18:00.000-07:00

Nice ... and yummy huh????

I Am (We Are)... Moving....!!!!

2009-06-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

We live in a comfy and cozy flat in the great location near the Central Market. But well I am a tenant only as I do not own a place in Phnom Penh. I love my current place but my land lady keeps hiking the rental fee yearly. So we decided to move to another place quite far but more spacious and less pricey.

Here is a look of my current place:

My wall decoration

My photos, wedding photos and honeymoon trip photos

My collection of DVDs I watch, I like court room drams

My honey moon trip to Switzerland photos

My 6 year old desktop.... I should buy a laptop by now.... but well.. I am broke so I can't right now...

A TV set at the living room...

My messily decorative wall... with the motivational quotes that lift me up when I feel down...

And the mirror behind the TV..

My iron board....

The nice in-room decorative curtain... as a wedding gift from one of my best friends...

The pinky kitty and bed covers that my wife loves.. They are also a wedding gift from Ms. Hanh, a good friend and sister in Asiana Airlines, Ho Chi Minh Office.

And my precious belonging.. the book shelf with books and I acquired throughout my time..

And the cosmetic table

Our wardrobe

I'll show you guys my new place after moving.. Hopefully after putting everything in place... it will look as good as this one here....

Num Banh Chok-Khmer Noodle, Any One?

2009-06-22T05:49:00.000-07:00

I have the honor of being a Sous Chef this Sunday helping my Executive Chef to prepare for Num Banh Chok, the Khmer noodle soup. And who would be my Executive Chef?????
Well you're right. It's Huy Ling, my lovely spouse and a wonderful but not a so great cook!!! kekeke...

Here she is in her tiny kitchen.....

I helped her by pounding the ingredients in this tiny tiny Tbal ( pardon me for my bad English but I don't know the English word for this and I am lazy checking for it).
This is not a regular size Tbal. This is in fact a miniature souvenir my wife bought at Angkor Wat. Since there only 3 persons in my household, my wife choose to use this one. It is supposed to be a souvenir for God's sake!

And I helped making the coconut milk....

Yes, I got a good quantity of coconut milk, I am sure the soup will smell and taste very good because of this.

This is how Cambodian Noodle look like. Well, it supposed to be nicely shaped but I kindly shake them a lot so it does look good now. But I am sure it will taste well. hehe

Now it's ready to be served. As you can see, you need different kind of vegetable to serve with this noodle. Now all you have to do is putting everything together and enjoy!!!

It's easy. First the veggie, then the noodle and last you pour the Khmer Noodle Soup into the bowl. Oops... did I mention that the soup is made of Pounded fish with Khmer ingredients and coconut milk? The things you see on top is actually fish.

Now let's have a bite and see how my cooking skills is like.... hmmm.. yummmy!!!!

CAMBODIAN MAGIC FLUTE @ The Meta House

2009-06-17T22:40:00.000-07:00

PAMINA DEVI, a Cambodian classical dance drama choreographed by Sophiline Cheam Shapiro and performed by the renowned Khmer Arts Ensemble, turns one eye toward Mozart's operatic exploration of enlightened change in the aftermath of the American and French Revolutions and another eye toward the choreographer's own contrary experience with 'enlightened' change and revolution. Recorded live at New York's Joyce Theater (2007, 90 min.); Sophiline Cheam Shapiro will be present at the screening (Q&A).

Bathroom in my office....

2009-06-09T23:06:00.000-07:00

Cool huh?

Before and after..... Work..........

2009-06-09T20:50:00.000-07:00

I don't like to wear the business suite while commuting to work and back. So I usually get changed in the office. Some say that I transform my self before and after work.

Here is my look: Before

And after:

What da ya think of the two looks?

"Now we strive, not survive" Exhibition at the Meta House

2009-06-04T03:30:00.000-07:00

Photograph Exhibition opening
"Daughters" is a local non-governmental organization that provides comprehensive services to female victims of sexual exploitation of any age and nationality who are working in the sex-industry in Cambodia, empowering them with the courage, inner resources and external resources to make life-style changes for their own lives.

Our new exhibition features work by four young women who've come from backgrounds of trafficking and sexual exploitation. Now employed at Daughters Center, the women have been given the opportunity to develop their artistic talents and express themselves through art and photography."

Ballroom @ the NagaWorld, a perfect place for wedding receptions, shows and events....

2009-05-07T20:55:00.000-07:00

VIETNAM - AMERICAN HOLOCAUST?

2009-05-07T20:24:00.000-07:00

I was int he Meta House last night watching a documentary film on the American war in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. It was very sad to see the killing and boming in action. Some can not resist the tears when watching this film.....

META-HOUSE PHOM PENH: "THU, 07th @7 PM VIETNAM - AMERICAN HOLOCAUST?
Do you consider the Vietnam war a holocaust perpetrated by the US? VIETNAM AMERICAN HOLOCAUST (2008, 87 min.) - narrated by famous actor Martin Sheen - uses declassified Whitehouse tapes/National Security documents to answer this question. 8.30PM: A FACE OF WAR. Tim Page's favourite VN doc is 'one of the most authentic, intimate and remarkable war records ever put on film' (New York Times)..."

Aerobics... Cambodian style!!!!!!

2009-05-07T19:40:00.000-07:00

With increasing number of population in the capital city of Cambodia and the improving standard of living, the citizens of Phnom Penh (the Penh) are developing a very healthy life style. Either it's very early in the morning or late afternoon and evening the river side and the newly renovated parks are packed with people, old and young alike, streching their mucles, playing batminton, jogging, running and....... dancing!!!!! :)))....

The most intriguing part is that people seem to mix the disco fast dance moves for their aerobics with the Cambodian traditional popular dance music... Ranging from hip hop to disco and to Ram Vong (round dancing) and Lam leav.. there is a piece for everyone....... Well,.. keep your self healthy and learn some new dance moves.. not a bad idea at all....

The NagaWorld a new place to promenade?

2009-05-02T19:13:00.000-07:00

There seems to be hundreds of local Cambodians and Asian tourists coming into the NagaWorld lobby from 6h00pm onward everyday. People just come to take a look, walk around, take picture, listen to the romantic violin music played on the first floor or just to see the NagaWorld by their own eyes. It's kinda too crouded though. Look at the picture and see what I mean. Well, events coming up is the King Birthday Concert and Fashion Extravaganza on May 16. Free entrace, so bring your friends and family along!!!!!

Broad Cast from Kung Yu-META-HOUSE PHOM PENH

2009-04-27T23:52:00.000-07:00

I was in the Meta House Last night to watch a staggering documentary film entitled : Broadcast from Kung Yu: Lost Land, Lost Culture. Filmed, role played, acted, directed, and shooted by the real Jarai indigenous community who have lost their land and most likely their livelyhood, culture and lives to the land grabbing scheme of a rich and powerful person in the Government. I was overwhelmed to see them in persons telling their stories of how they were tricked, threatened, deceived into selling thier land at a chicken-feet price. They will make their case today at CDC during the government-donner meeting.

META-HOUSE PHOM PENH: "Mon, 27th @7pm : BROADCAST FROM KUNG YU
In 2008 Kong Yu village in Rattanakiri shot, directed and edited the film 'Land Lost, Culture Lost' in Jarai language (27 min., with English/Khmer subtitles). Indigenous people tell the story of how they lost farm land to a rubber plantation. The village has had absolute control and ownership of this project, from determining the concept of how to tell the story to deciding who would learn to use a video camera to thinking about who they wanted to show the final video to. Project makers will present at screening/Q&A."

Khmer New Year in Siem Reap

2009-04-17T01:59:00.001-07:00

Happy New Year Everybody!!!!

Wonder where be have been to???? Yeah.. that's right.. for those you know me.. they already know that I have nowhere to go except my lovely home town, Siem Reap.

It was so cool to meet friends and family again... the weather was unbearably hot though..

Here are something for you to enjoy:

A new game or ..... Sport?????? !!!! Well, whatever it is, it is surely colorful and joyful.

Here is the picture of the thing you have to hit with a small arrow.

The rule is simple, 1 arrow is KHR 1,000 and you have to stand only about 2 meters in distance and throw the arrow to break the balloon, there. 1 successful throw means you take one one high quality galsses or plate. The more you balloon you break the more things you can take home ranging from household utensils, decoratives, cookings oil, syrope, cooking pot, rice cooker... hmm... You want it???? u gotta break'em with your arrow throwing skill.

This is my wife, thinking if she should try it...

Wait.. she's smiling.... that means she's going to attempt to break all those freakin' balloons...
let's wait and see....

Ready ??? set... go......su su su... sa sa sa...........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And even my mum tries it. Yeah... that's right.. she's a real sportswoman. Just look at how powerful she throws the arrow. Look out.. you naugty balloons.. Grandma is here to catch ya'll !!!

She did it.. Yeay.... Yo... She should win a Gold Medal for that ... really!!!!!

And she got tired.... My mom in-law and auntie is law were standin' thinkin' what they wish to bring home tonight.
And she really got something. It's a nice water bow with stand. This is perfect for welcome the Angel of New Year tonight.

After lots of throwing, laughing and screaming... we've got that bowl (not real silver though).. my auntie-in-law is discussing if we made a profit.................... Ofcourse we didn't... we spend almost USD 20.00 but we broke only 10 balloons!!!! I got freakin' nuts!!!! we've gotta practice for next time.... kekeke..........................

Very happy to break a balloon.

Back to my auntie's salon, my wife told me about something to make my face look

bright and fresh. I never cared about my look but yeah... why not???? This thing is from Japan

she said...

Little did I know that she would turn me into a Moster!!!!... look at my face....!!! what is that black thing...!!!.It'd better be effective... or I'll...kill myself...heee heee.... and FYI those are not my hands.... I don't look too pleased, do I?

Yep... there are many things we did.. we went to the pagoda.. we played traditional games... dinner with friends... and lots of dancing....

Wish you all the best in the year of Holy Cow 2009..... or is it Holy Crap!!!???? .. I am not so sure.... Ciao...

My Nephew, Jesda

2009-04-17T00:59:00.000-07:00

What a cute little boy!!! .. Congrats to my cousin......... I am so jealous....!!!:))))

Tini Tinou Circus Festival in Cambodia

2009-04-09T01:58:00.000-07:00

I was in the Phnom Penh Post Executive Networking Night. It was great. We were in La Mansion, a beautiful desserted French colonial building right in front of the national museum.

And there was a show case of Tini Tinou Circus Festival. Enjoy....

University of Cambodia & ADB Public Lecture on Serving the Public - A Singapore Experience

2009-03-13T19:13:00.000-07:00

A pleasure to meet some old friends again in UC for the occassion of UC/ADB public lecture on Serving the Public - A Singapore Experience by Mr. David Ma, MBA, Independent Consultant, Civil Service College of Singapore.

Mr. Ma is visiting Cambodia to conduct a training, administered by ADB and funded by the Government of Japan, titled "Public Policy Management for Leadership" for senior Cambodian government officials. It is an open discussion, which participants are free to share experiences and raise questions.

Mr. Ma has shared the Singapore Experiences on how the city state has developed itself as a service minded government body offering excellent services to the Singapore public.

A great exeperience for Cambodia to learn from. Thanks to Chantha for arranging this opportunity for young Cambodians to hear the Singapore perspectives.

Consistency - the key to success

2009-02-23T23:54:00.000-08:00

Consistency - the key to success
Aug 21, 08 1:59 am

By Rob Rush, President and CEO, LRA Worldwide, Inc.

OK, let's get down to the bottom of this. Please stand up and raise your hand if you've been "WOW-ed" lately. At the supermarket, dry cleaner, health club or hotel. Where have you had your socks knocked off...and then cleaned, pressed, folded and put away?

How about a truly awful experience? Give me a shout out if you've been mistreated, ignored or taken for granted. Where have you had an experience that brought you from a simmer, to a slow boil... and then to a frothing, steaming, spewing cauldron of frustration?What's that you say? You have both types of experience on a regular basis, often from the same company? Well, which one makes a greater impact and sticks with you longer, the gauzy sunshine or the raging volcano?I think we all know the answer to that one. The sour taste of a poor experience is far more likely to overpower the sweetness of a "WOW"...and linger. Yet many companies still try to haphazardly swing for the fences, both in message and delivery, ignoring the negative impact of the whiff in exchange for the rare but intoxicating rush of the home run.In keeping with the baseball analogy, it might help to illustrate my point by introducing you to the baseball statistic of Slugging Percentage, which measures how far a player makes it around the bases each at-bat. Let's say Player A bats four times in a game, and hits a home run to go with three strikeouts; Player B bats four times in the same game and notches four singles. Both players have an identical slugging percentage of 1.000, indicating that on average they totaled one base per at bat. In reality? Player A brought his team closer to the end of an inning three times in the game, while Player B kept the inning going, each time.And in baseball-like in business-you can stay at bat forever if you keep hitting singles. However, you will quickly find yourself playing defense if you focus all of your attention on one big hit at the expense of three feeble outs. And the hospitality industry is no exception.

You aren't going to keep your doors open by WOW-ing every fourth guest and whiffing with the other three. The recipient of the WOW may become a loyal guest, but certainly won't occupy every room in the joint. Delivering consistently to all four guests? That keeps your RevPAR climbing and the metaphorical inning alive.So what are the keys to consistency? How do you best set up your organization to keep the customer in his/her comfort zone with metronomic regularity?I could lay out some consultant-speak, some frameworks and models for operational consistency and scalability, perhaps some Six Sigma Black Belt-derived words of wisdom. And they would be helpful.(Dreadfully dry and boring for the purposes of this article. But helpful.)But all you really need to do is remember your last diet or exercise regimen or New Year's resolution. There's probably a common thread throughout the successful efforts and the opposite commonality within those that went down in flames. That thread is best illustrated by the conversation I had with a trainer the last time I embarked on a training regimen."What exercises," I asked innocently, "are the best for me?"He replied after some deep thought. "The best exercises for you are whichever ones you are actually going to do."Hmph.So apparently I'm not going to transform myself into a rough, buff triathlon-running machine by training like Jack LaLanne one day and Jack Daniels the next. The key is figuring out what training like Rob Rush looks and feels like and doing that day in, day out.(Or at least five times a week. Sometimes less if I'm traveling. But you know what I mean...)

The same lessons apply to you and your customer or guest experience. Ask yourself the same question that I asked my trainer - "what is the best experience for me to deliver." Make sure the answer is something that you are going to deliver, day in and day out.Depending on your service sector, your clientele, average room rate or any number of other factors, your answer may very well be that the every day "WOW" is expected and what you are poised to deliver. Or it may just be a warm bed and a clean bathroom. Either way, you need to be prepared to create the operational and cultural infrastructure to connect on either promise consistently.By no means is this article meant to downplay the impact of the WOW. In terms of creating a truly loyal, engaged guest, there is no substitute for the unexpected experience or gesture that saves the day or makes the moment. But the long-term strategy of providing a WOW experience is only effective if the investment, commitment and culture is in place to do it consistently. Though it sounds oxymoronic (or maybe just moronic!), in these instances, the WOW must become routine. Not for the guest receiving that special moment, but for the employees who are making it happen. If not, you're right back to being the Dave Kingman of hospitality.

(Google him. Go ahead. Lots of homers. Waaaaaaaaay more strikeouts.)So what's the best experience for your guests? The one that you can deliver with consistency.And if you misfire a few times, it isn't the end of the world. Just make sure you're a bit more consistent than your favorite baseball player. Even the best in the game make an out seven times out of 10. And that might be the standard-bearer for consistency in their ballpark.Just not in yours.Reprinted with permission from www.hotelexecutive.com

About the Author Rob Rush co-founded LRA Worldwide, Inc. and is the Company's President and CEO. Rob has led LRA to its current position as the leading business services consultancy and researcher in the rapidly-growing field of Customer Experience Management. Rob has been a driving force in transferring LRA's Customer Experience Management expertise honed in the hospitality and leisure sectors to other industries where customer experience is a central element of an effective corporate branding and growth strategy. He brings valuable insight into the management of business services organizations and entrepreneurial companies.

Rob has primary responsibility for the direction and coordination of the company's overall business strategy, marketing initiatives, business alliances and new business development activities. Rob also continues to work closely with a number of long-term clients, helping them execute their internal branding and customer experience management strategies and tactics. Rob has been a pioneer in the Customer Experience Management arena, helping shape strategy, opinion, awareness and process, and implementing innovative CEM solutions for clients in diverse industries. Rob has helped many of the world's best brands design, implement and sustain a more customer-centric organization.

Rob's is a regular contributor to a variety of marketing, branding, and trade publications, including Brandweek, Casino Journal, Hotel Business, CRM Weekly, Golf Business, Dealer Marketing Magazine and Resort & Recreation. Rob also serves on the National Hotel Executive Hospitality Forum Editorial Board and is active in the National Institute of Golf Management (NIGM). Rob is a member of the American Marketing Association. Rob received his B.S. degree from Cornell University and is a member of the Cornell Real Estate Council.About LRA WorldwideLRA Worldwide, Inc. is a leading research and consulting company that specializes in Customer Experience Management (CEM). LRA helps companies and brands design and deliver the optimal customer experience across all key touch points using an integrated suite of services that measure and improve service quality, customer satisfaction, employee performance, loyalty, customer advocacy and profitability. LRA specializes in "operationalizing the brand" - turning brand promise and customer strategy into operational reality. LRA's CEM practice areas include CEM Strategy Consulting, Standards Development & Content Management, Organizational Development & Training, Research and Quality Assurance & Mystery Shopping; these are either deployed together in a strategic manner to continually monitor and improve the customer experience or deployed individually to address a specific tactical client need.
LRA's clients include some of the world's leading companies and brands, including Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos, the PGA TOUR, Albertsons Supermarkets, the NBA and First Niagara Financial Group. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.LRAworldwide.com.

Courtesey of http://ehotelier.com/hospitality-news/item.php?id=14350

How many stars are too many? The "star tsar" knows

2009-02-23T23:45:00.000-08:00

How many stars are too many? The "star tsar" knows
Feb 23, 09 2:00 am

By Rob Rush, President and CEO, LRA Worldwide, Inc.

Do you remember the arguments you had when you were six years old about anything involving numbers? It could have been about a batting average, who could count the highest or who was going to collect the most Halloween candy - it didn't really matter. The one-upsmanship would volley back and forth until someone dropped the ultimate argument-stopper:
Little Rob Rush: "I can count to a million!
Little Friend: "Well, I can count to a billion!"
Little Rob Rush: "Oh yeah...well I can count to INFINITY!"
Once the I-Bomb had been dropped, there was little the recipient could do, other than stammer and sputter something about "Infinity plus one"...which was very lame, as everyone knows that infinity is the highest.
Which leads me to wonder...are we headed in this direction in the hospitality industry? With the proliferation of self-proclaimed six- and seven-star resort properties, are we hurtling forward in the race to infinity? Will Steve Wynn's grandson step onto a construction site in Dubai in 2032 and proclaim it the world's first Infinity Star property, leaving the fuming grand-niece of Donald Trump to lamely announce her property in Macau is Infinity...plus one?
A system that was originally created to set some standardized expectations for the hospitality industry and inform and educate the consumer has now mutated into one that does exactly the opposite. While Mobil will proffer its Star system and AAA will offer the comfort of the Diamonds, the truth of the matter is that it's the wild, wild west out there. Any property with an overeager public relations firm and an on-call poolside perspiration valet can stake a claim to star-driven fabulousness.
Compounding the issue is the influx of travel review sites, where the unwashed masses can proffer their opinions on the merits of a particular property and - perish the thought - assign it their own star rating. Naturally, these ratings are based on no set of standardized criteria whatsoever, other than the personal preferences of the traveler in question. While guest Johnny Drinksabunch may rate any hotel with a well-stocked minibar in the room as a four-star property, Susie Teetotaler may use the very same criteria - the presence of a minibar - to automatically default to a two-star rating.
Add emerging international markets such as Russia and China to the mix, where there isn't even a AAA or Mobil to bring some order to the chaos, and you're left with the fundamental question asked by former Marriott executive Bernadette Dennis at an industry roundtable in Asia: "Who decides what is Five Star?" 1
Or six. Or seven. You get the picture.
And into this mess steps the potential guest, trying to decipher which stars are which. Did the property earn them via excellent performance against an underlying set of standards and criteria? Are they part of a slick marketing plan? Or are they the result of Johnny and Susie waking up on the right side of the bed...literally?
Regardless, this confusion in the marketplace defeats the purpose of having standards to begin with, much less a meaningful, universal ranking system. With this void, the hospitality industry is ripe for a hyperinflation of sorts, where the stars are doled out so haphazardly, that their very concept becomes meaningless.
What to do?
When considering the possibility of convening some sort of industry task force to help shape and enforce a universal ranking system, the phrase "herding cats" comes to mind. Historically, self-interest, tradition, logistics and inertia would have ruled out an effort of this type. But as the distinctions between the traditional rating systems, traveler-reviewed ratings and hyperinflated, self-proclaimed ratings blur, the timing has never been better to make another attempt. In short, to answer "who decides what is Five Star?"

An industry colleague of mine, John Hendrie, has long shouted from the rooftops the need for such an effort. As he notes, "The US has led the way with a plethora of Rating Companies, because we have no universal Standards of Quality and Service, a major flaw and presumption from our Industry Leaders and Associations."2 In Europe the infrastructure exists, but the "star system" often has no correlation to the quality of the guest experience. Instead, it can mean "...just about anything, but probably not what you're thinking...most of the ratings...will be a quantitative measure used to determine the price range (and sometimes the tax obligation) of a hotel."3
These issues apply doubly to other regions of the globe, many of them lacking even the "plethora of rating companies" or methodologies cited. Forget inconsistency and confusion. Just imagine a big, gaping void.
Too often, the associations that play leadership roles in this industry are paralyzed into inaction based on a fear of the hue and cry that would be raised by rank and file membership-i.e., hotel companies, brands and locations. Our focus is placed on not upsetting that apple cart, rather than where it belongs - on the engine that drives the hospitality industry. Guests. Invités. Huéspedes. Гости. 客人
It may seem overly simplistic, but the hospitality industry needs to govern itself always with the guest in mind, regardless of region, culture or language. Ultimately, they're the ones that pay the tariff, and any system that allows us all to better set and deliver on guest expectations is an improvement on the current state. On the flip side, any system that requires a user to pull together research from more primary sources than they would normally use to select a heart surgeon could probably use some streamlining and a dose of common sense.
The various national and regional hotel advocacy and marketing organizations need to collectively appoint a guest standards and rankings ombudsman to shepherd the process, and then assign delegates to serve on this person's task force. This "Star Tsar" could then solicit the needed operational and cultural subject matter expertise to begin committing some universal standards and ranking criteria to paper and commence the (admittedly tortuous) process of vetting them through all of the interested stakeholder groups. To borrow from several clichés at once, Rome wasn't built in a day and you have to start somewhere. This undertaking may be the hospitality industry equivalent of the snake swallowing the antelope - it looks physically impossible at the outset, but with a little time and dedication, you can force it all down.
(Me for the position? Really, I'm flattered. But I'm tied up for the next year researching accommodations for my next family vacation. Thus far I've downloaded 704 traveler reviews, Mobil and AAA rankings, chatted online with experts at Expedia and Travelocity and read a magazine feature on the area. I think I've narrowed it down to a gorgeous, self-proclaimed seven-star property that travelers unanimously laud for its fantastic "beachfront views." In Scottsdale.)
Ladies and Gentleman, start your delegates. Someone with a respected voice in the industry make the first move and organize a global meeting of the minds to determine how best to proceed...but be sure to proceed. And if you're looking for a venue, I've heard about a super-secret nine-star resort in Turks & Caicos where Justin Timberlake goes to relax. Just don't ask them what they did to earn that coveted ninth star...
1 http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2007_3rd/July07_AsiaRatings.html2 Remarkable Hospitality, February 20083 http://goeurope.about.com/cs/hotels/a/hotel_stars.htm?p=1.Feedback? Email Rob Rush at rob.rush@lraworldwide.com.
Click here to Read Rob Rush's Biography.
Reprinted with permission from www.hotelexecutive.comAbout the Author
Rob Rush co-founded LRA Worldwide, Inc. and is the Company's President and CEO. Rob has led LRA to its current position as the leading business services consultancy and researcher in the rapidly-growing field of Customer Experience Management. Rob has been a driving force in transferring LRA's Customer Experience Management expertise honed in the hospitality and leisure sectors to other industries where customer experience is a central element of an effective corporate branding and growth strategy. He brings valuable insight into the management of business services organizations and entrepreneurial companies.
Rob has primary responsibility for the direction and coordination of the company's overall business strategy, marketing initiatives, business alliances and new business development activities. Rob also continues to work closely with a number of long-term clients, helping them execute their internal branding and customer experience management strategies and tactics. Rob has been a pioneer in the Customer Experience Management arena, helping shape strategy, opinion, awareness and process, and implementing innovative CEM solutions for clients in diverse industries. Rob has helped many of the world's best brands design, implement and sustain a more customer-centric organization.
Rob's is a regular contributor to a variety of marketing, branding, and trade publications, including Brandweek, Casino Journal, Hotel Business, CRM Weekly, Golf Business, Dealer Marketing Magazine and Resort & Recreation. Rob also serves on the National Hotel Executive Hospitality Forum Editorial Board and is active in the National Institute of Golf Management (NIGM). Rob is a member of the American Marketing Association. Rob received his B.S. degree from Cornell University and is a member of the Cornell Real Estate Council.About LRA WorldwideLRA Worldwide, Inc. is a leading research and consulting company that specializes in Customer Experience Management (CEM). LRA helps companies and brands design and deliver the optimal customer experience across all key touch points using an integrated suite of services that measure and improve service quality, customer satisfaction, employee performance, loyalty, customer advocacy and profitability. LRA specializes in "operationalizing the brand" - turning brand promise and customer strategy into operational reality. LRA's CEM practice areas include CEM Strategy Consulting, Standards Development & Content Management, Organizational Development & Training, Research and Quality Assurance & Mystery Shopping; these are either deployed together in a strategic manner to continually monitor and improve the customer experience or deployed individually to address a specific tactical client need.
LRA's clients include some of the world's leading companies and brands, including Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos, the PGA TOUR, Albertsons Supermarkets, the NBA and First Niagara Financial Group. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.LRAworldwide.com.

Courtesey of http://ehotelier.com/hospitality-news/item.php?id=P15642

How to make more sales calls

2009-02-23T23:37:00.000-08:00

How to make more sales calls
Feb 24, 09 1:59 am

By Dr. John Hogan CHE CHA MHS
"Everyone lives by selling something."
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894), Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer

Four steps
How to make more sales calls than any other way or Trade Shows can be invaluable if........
A growing number of people have contacted me by email recently expressing frustration with declining occupancies and revenues. The need is very real for hoteliers in every market segment across the globe to grasp how to apply a moving set of best practices in addressing these very real concerns. Those practices continue to include executing the fundamentals of sales and accurate communication.
From the standpoint of productivity, more sales calls can be made at a meeting, conference or trade show in two days than in the same amount of time on the street knocking on doors. Selecting the show or conference to attend is easy to do once you have targeted the markets you wish to reach and have completed a marketing plan.
Success at trade shows and conferences depends on the marketing strategy you develop to sell your property and the tactics you use to turn those leads into sales calls and, eventually, bookings.
The astute salesperson will not only increase the number of sales calls at shows and conferences but also expand his prospects and personal growth over the long term.

STEP 1 - WHY YOU ARE THERE
Which groups do you want to reach?
There are gatherings for association executives, meeting planners, corporate travel managers, government individual & group travel, travel agents, wholesalers, incentive travel buyers and planners, training directors, religious conference managers, insurance conference planners and group travel producers.
If you belong to a membership, referral or franchise group, the chances are that your national and/or global sales teams are very familiar with the large shows. They may already be attending with a booth you can either buy into as a co-sponsor or join with others of your brand to make that brand stand out more than the competition. There are usually smaller chapters of all of the above groups that have trade shows regionally that can yield outstanding results because they are not as well attended by the national hotel chains.
Besides being able to attend a trade show (where contact may be made by several hundred potential buyers), there is also the chance to develop yourself, to experience new ways to conduct business and to start long-term client relationships.

STEP 2 SET QUALITY AND QUANTITY GOALS
Your performance at a trade show or conference is measured by how much business you are able to identify and/or book at the event. You can count the number of qualified prospects and actual bookings.
It turns into a numbers game: the more contacts that are made, the more leads that can be qualified. Establish goals for yourself, such as :
Plan to make 30 new prospect contacts the first day.
Plan to leave the show with a specified number of qualified leads upon which to follow up.
Plan to give out at least X of your incentive promotions or other give-aways
Making productive use of your time may mean that you will have to stay out of the "comfort zone." You may not be able to mix only with people you know because the strategy will likely not be productive. The object is to make new contacts that can provide business for your property. Too often, salespeople spend far too much time mixing with other salespeople from other properties, which is not the reason for attending the trade show.
When you select a table for group meals, look for tables occupied by potential customers. During coffee breaks, keep moving to maximize the time for new contacts.

STEP 3 - PRIORITZE
Don't Waste Time
Spend time with prospects that can buy or are in a position to recommend or influence the buying decision. Too much time is wasted on sales presentations to persons who are not in a position to buy or have no need for a particular hotel or motel. All it takes is five to ten minutes and a few key questions to determine if you are talking to the right individual, such as:
Ask a contact to explain how meeting sites are selected
Find out how the prospective client recommends hotels to corporate accounts.
Ask openly (and politely), "How do you propose I go about getting business for my hotel from your association?"
By working diligently, using probably less than 10 minutes per contact, a good salesperson could generate six to eight "cold calls" per hour or 40 new contacts in a day. Even if only 25 qualify as good leads, you are still doing well and probably far ahead of traditional cold calls to unknown clients
Using attendance listings, target those people who really need to be contacted, and, if they are not seen readily during the day, find out where they are staying and contact them there. In order to follow up on a prospect, be sure to obtain the individuals name, title, company or association, address (postal and email) and phone number. For best results, get a business card or use the computerized lead systems offered by many trade shows today. Either of these approaches saves time and provides correct spellings.
Besides these vital statistics, you should also find out:
Who else is involved in decision-making?
What does the contact need?
What feature of the property particularly appealed to the prospect that is what the best benefit to them was?
What dates are being considered? Is there any date flexibility, which might allow you to offer a better value to the client?
Is this going to be a competitive bid situation, or will it be a "best for the business" decision approach?
Is it an RFP process and how quickly is the turn around response time?
Are there any factors that would assist or hinder your hotel's chances, such as requirements of location proximity to a convention center, interior corridors, GREEN initiatives or other guidelines?

STEP 4 - FOLLOW UP
The more information you get, the easier it will be to follow up. Then, most importantly, do not forget to follow up quickly while the contacts are fresh in everyone's mind.
Many sales representatives do not follow up quickly, but defer to "later", which may or may not ever occur. Even if you do not get immediate business, your prompt follow up will impress many qualified buyers and establish you as a quality resource for the future.
Feel free to share an idea for a column at johnjhogan@yahoo.com anytime or contact customized workshops, speaking engagements or me regarding consulting.
Autographed copies of LESSONS FROM THE FIELD - a COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO EFFECTIVE HOTEL SALES can be obtained from THE ROOMS CHRONICLE www.roomschronicle.com and other industry sources.
All rights reserved by John Hogan and this column may be included in an upcoming book on hotel management. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication

About the Author
John Hogan, a career hotelier and educator, is frequently invited to participate at franchise meetings, management company and hospitality association industry events. He is a successful senior executive with a record of accomplishment in leading hospitality industry organizations at multiple levels, with demonstrated competencies as a strong leader, relationship builder, problem solver and mentor. He conducts mystery-shopping reviews of quality in operations and marketing, including repositioning of hotels.
He writes weekly columns for a number of global online services (hotel online.com, eHotelier, 4 Hotels, Hotel Resource, etc) and has published more than 400 articles & columns on the hotel industry. He co-authored (with Howard Feiertag, CHA CMP) LESSONS FROM THE FIELD - a COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO EFFECTIVE HOTEL SALES, which is available from info@smartbizzonline.com, ROOMS CHRONICLE www.roomschronicle.com and other industry sources. He resides in Phoenix, Arizona and expects to publish in 2009 his 2nd book based on his dissertation - The Top 100 People of All Time Who Most Dramatically Affected the Hotel Industry.

Hogan's professional experience includes over 35 years in hotel operations, food & beverage, sales & marketing, training, management development and asset management on both a single and multi-property basis, including service as Senior Vice President of Operations in a specialty hotel brand for six years.
He holds a number of industry certifications (CHA, CHE, MHS, ACI) and is a past recipient of the American Hotel & Lodging Association's Pearson Award for Excellence in Lodging Journalism, as well as operational and marketing awards from international brands. He has served as President of both city and state hotel associations.

John's background includes teaching college level courses as an adjunct professor at three different colleges and universities over a 20-year period, while managing with Sheraton, Hilton, Omni and independent hotels. He was the principal in an independent training & consulting group for more than 12 years serving associations, management groups, convention & visitors' bureaus, academic institutions and as an expert witness. He joined Best Western International in spring of 2000, where over the next 8 years he created and developed a blended learning system as the Director of Education & Cultural Diversity for the world's largest hotel chain.
He has served on several industry boards that deal with education and/or cultural diversity and as brand liaison to the NAACP and the Asian American Hotel Owners' Association with his long-term involvement in the Certified Hotel Owner program. He has conducted an estimated 3,200 workshops and classes in his career.
Expertise and Research Interest
Sales Management and training
Turn-around and revenue management
Professional Development & Customer Service
Hospitality Leadership and Executive Education
Making Cultural Diversity Real
Accreditation & Developing Academic Hospitality programs
Service to the Industry and Hospitality Education includes working with the Educational Institute Certification Commission of the AH&LA, the Hospitality Industry Diversity Institute, the AH&LA Multicultural Advisory Council, the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration, the Commission for Accreditation on Hospitality Management Programs, the AH&LA and AAHOA Education and Training Committees, the Council of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Educators (CHRIE), the International Hotel Show and the Certified Hotel Owner program for the Asian American Hotel Owners' Association.

Courtesey of: http://ehotelier.com/hospitality-news/item.php?id=15653_0_11_0_C

5 Ways to Shine at Work

2009-02-20T21:15:00.000-08:00

5 Ways to Shine at Work
At work, you want to be noticed for all the right reasons. The most effective way to do this is to bring a positive attitude with you to work. Every day, you have the opportunity to show your employer that hiring you was a great decision!
Here are some ideas that will help you to succeed at work and to attract some positive attention while you're doing it.

Be reliable and dependable
Come to work on time. Call in well ahead of time if you must be absent. Try to be absent as little as possible.
Do what you say you'll do. Complete your tasks on time.
Stay organized and keep your work area tidy. This lets your supervisor know that you're in control of what you're doing.
Do your best. Check the quality of your own work.

Be proactive
Learn all you can about the organization and what you can contribute. When you've got a clear picture of your role, think about how you could show some initiative. What could you do without being asked?
See what needs to be done and do it. Just make sure you're not stepping on someone else's toes.
Take responsibility for what you do.
Learn how to do a task if you don't know how.
Learn a skill that will help you stand out. For example, become the person everyone goes to when they need something proofread. Or when they need help with their computer program. Or…?

Be a team player
The phrase "That's not in my job description" doesn't contribute to a team environment. These days, you work on the task that needs to be done.
If you're asked to help a co-worker on a project, jump at the chance. You'll learn something new and gain a reputation as a helpful employee, too.
Be willing to share information.
Support and encourage your co-workers.

Be flexible and adaptable
Be aware that you can't control everything.
Be ready and willing to compromise.
Be prepared for the unexpected.
Keep on learning! It will help you handle change.

Ask for help
Ask for help when you need it. Recognizing your limits is a sign of personal strength and maturity.
If you don't know, ask. Not only will you find out what you need to know, you'll also show that you're willing to learn.
Working is all about getting the job done, of course. But it is also about building and keeping a solid reputation and positive relationships in the workplace. If you want your work to be noticed and valued, try putting some of these practical strategies to work for you.
Some people may be tempted to slip into a routine and do just enough to get by. If, however, you are a person who wants to truly succeed at work, you will do your best every day. Your employer will appreciate your efforts and you will find your work to be more satisfying and fulfilling.

Thanks to the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) at http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/ep/eps/tips/tips.html?Topic=All

My favorite song "I don't wanna be"

2009-02-11T01:50:00.000-08:00

Gavin Degraw

I Don't Want To Be

I don't need to be anything other than a prison guard's son

I don't need to be anything other than a specialist's son

I don't have to be anyone other than a birth of two souls in one

Part of where I'm going is knowing where I'm coming from

I don't want to be anything other than what I've been tryin to be lately

All I have to do is think of me and have peace of mind

I'm tired of looking 'round rooms wondering what I gotta do

Or who I'm supposed to be

I don't want to be anything other than me

I'm surrounded by liars everywhere I turn

I'm surrounded by impostOrs everywhere I turn

I'm surrounded by identity crisis everywhere I turn

I'm the only one who's noticedI can't be the only one who's learned

I don't want to be anything other than what I've been trying to be lately

All I have to do is think of me and have peace of mind

I'm tired of looking 'round rooms wondering what I gotta do

Or who I'm supposed to be

I don't want to be anything other than me

Can I have everyone's attention please

if you're not like this and thatY

you're gonna have to leave

I came from the mountainsthe crust of creation

My whole situation made from clay dust stoneand now I'm telling everybody

I don't want to be anything other than what I've been trying to be lately

All I have to do is think of me and have peace of mind

I'm tired of looking 'round rooms wondering what I gotta to do

Or who I'm supposed to beI don't want to be anything other than me

I DONT WANNA BE...I DONT WANNA BE...I DONT WANNA BE...I DONT WANNA BE ANYTHING...ANYTHING OTHER THAN ME...I don't wanna be...I dont't wanna be...

13 Ways to Be a Valued Employee

2009-02-06T00:55:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of Alberta Learning Information System of the Government of Alberta, Canada

Tip Sheets

13 Ways to Be a Valued Employee

We all know why employers want employees they can keep. If an employer finds a loyal, hardworking employee, the work gets done well and often faster—and that means continued business.

Below are 13 qualities employers told us they look for in their employees. How many of these qualities do you have?

Valued employees:

		have good attendance records. They show up for every shift they are scheduled for.
		are on time, whether it's showing up for work, returning from breaks, going to staff meetings or completing tasks.
		call if they know they will be late or if they are unable to make it in to work—but they don’t abuse this privilege.
		dress appropriately for the type of work they are hired to do.
		have a positive attitude and show enthusiasm about their job.
		are prepared. They come to work willing to do the job, pay attention and follow directions.
		work safely and are healthy. They come to work substance-free. This includes not using alcohol or drugs and making sure that over-the-counter medication doesn’t interfere with their ability to do their job.
		ask if they don’t understand something.
		are open to learning new personal and technical skills. This also includes taking responsibility for mistakes.
		are team players. They work well with others to achieve a common goal.
		take initiative. If they see something needs to be done, they do it without waiting for someone to ask them to do it.
		are honest and trustworthy.
		are knowledgeable about the company.

You may think these qualities only matter to your employer, but they matter to you too. Employees who have these qualities are often more confident in their ability to do their job well and have increased job security. They’re also more likely to be given increased job responsibility or a promotion.

To learn more tips, visit the alis website at: http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/ep/eps/tips/tips.html?Topic=All

Experience the Luxury of Phnom Penh at NagaWorld

2009-02-06T00:07:00.001-08:00

Coming Up "Freshie Girls & Boys Season 8 "

2009-01-30T22:46:00.000-08:00

NagaWorld welcomes the press conference of the Freshie Girls & Boys season 8 contest.

Last Year Winner....

This Year's Contestant....

LG Product Launch @ The NagaWorld Hotel

2009-01-22T21:10:00.000-08:00

The performers.. Photoshoot anyone?? Shoot!!!... they're not ladies..!!!

Press conference..............
Nice table set up

LG Mobile's next generation phone: Renoir and Cookie.

They're so cool!!!

The usherettes. Pretty aren't they?

Introducing the NagaWorld Hotel, A new 5 star property in town

2009-01-21T23:16:00.000-08:00

Greetings from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

It is my pleasure to introduce a newest addition to the 5 star properties to the Capital City of Phnom Penh. Apart from the Intercontinental and the Raffles Le Royal, business and leisure travelors now have another choice with the NagaWorld hotel with the great view of the park, city and river.

As a five star hotel and entertainment complex, hotel guests will enjoy a wide variety of facilities and services such as:

Free wired in-room internet access.

7 Restaurants:

The Korean Grill Korean BBQ restaurant
Bistro Romano Italian Cuisine
The Noble house Chinese restaurant
The Chopstick Noodle house
Muchilinda Lobby Lounge

Darlin, Darlin Club Lounge (Soon to be opened)
The Aristocrat Wine and Cigar Bar (Soon to be opened)
Le Gourmet the French Restaurant (Soon to be opened)
The Peangea Fusion Restaurant (Soon to be opened)

1 all suite spa with 22 private spa rooms
1 KTV with 25 smal and big KTV rooms
1 swimming pool and one gym (under construction)

The International convention facilities with the grand ball room capacity of 1,600 paxs in theater style.

Here are some pictures for your view:

Complimentrary Wired Internet Access. LCD TV 36"screen in all room categories.

Deluxe and refreshing feeling room accommodation.

An all individual suite spa featuring full spa facilities. A Karoke for your enjoyment.

An Italian RestaurantThe Grand Ballroom

The Korean Restaurant

Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS), your online resources for career tips

2009-01-21T22:27:00.000-08:00

This is a web site I visit very regularly. You can find all the best career tips you can possibly wish for. I wish everyone would find out about the site and make it useful in their professional endeavours. Here is the site for you to enjoy and grow: http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/ep/eps/tips/topic.html

Inspirational Posters

2009-01-21T22:17:00.001-08:00

My Favorite Music "I Loved Her First" by Heartland

2008-10-02T19:14:00.000-07:00

Hey there, this is the best country song ever.
It is the song from a father to his daughter and his son in-law on their wedding day. It's about fatherly love of his daughter, how much he loved her and how much he wanted to protect her.
He asked his in-law not to hurt his little girl. The song is very well written and it goes to the heart of every father or parent.

Lyrics:

Artist: Heartland
Song: I Loved Her First
Album: I Loved Her First

Look at the two of you dancing that way
Lost in the moment and each others face
So much in love your alone in this place
Like there's nobody else in the world

I was enough for her not long ago
I was her number one
She told me so
And she still means the world to me Just so you know
So be careful when you hold my girl

Time changes everything
Life must go on
And I'm not gonna stand in your way

But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at meI knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But it still hard to give her away
I loved her first

How could that beautiful women with you
Be the same freckle face kid that I knew
The one that I read all those fairy tales to
And tucked into bed all those nights
And I knew the first time I saw you with her
It was only a matter of time

But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But its still hard to give her awayI loved her first
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at meI knew the love of a father runs deep
Someday you might know what I'm going through
When a miracle smiles up at you
I loved her first

Life is the not way you want? Complaining why you have less than others? Think again....

2008-10-02T03:05:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, we take our trials, our sufferings, our ordeals too seriously. The message below will make you think twice before complaining. Again, let's make the best out of what we have. Be Deliberate, Be Positive and STAY Committed! Heavenly day everyone.

If you think you are unhappy, look at them

If you think you don't have many friends...

When you feel like giving up, think of this man.....

If you think study is a burden, how about her?

If you think your salary is low, how about her?
If you complain about your transport system, how about them?

The Secret on DVD, is it really a secret?

2008-10-02T03:00:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine presented the "Secret DVD" to me as a gift. It is an awesome gift anyone could ever give to me. While I am a lazy guy to apply all the teaching in there in real life, I find the film educative, inspiring and entertaining. I would agree it is a well kept secret untill now, w0uldn't ya?

The Secret reveals the most powerful law in the universe. The knowledge of this law has run like a golden thread through the lives and the teachings of all the prophets, seers, sages and saviors in the world's history, and through the lives of all truly great men and women. All that they have ever accomplished or attained has been done in full accordance with this most powerful law. Without exception, every human being has the ability to transform any weakness or suffering into strength, power, perfect peace, health, and abundance. Rhonda Byrne's discovery of The Secret began with a glimpse of the truth through a 100 year old book. She went back through centuries, tracing and uncovering a common truth that lay at the core of the most powerful philosophies, teachings and religions in the world. What Rhonda discovered is now captured in The Secret, a film that has been viewed by millions around the world. The Secret has also been released as an audio-book and printed book with more than six million copies in print. The Secret explains with simplicity the law that is governing all lives, and offers the knowledge of how to create - intentionally and effortlessly - a joyful life. This is the secret to everything - the secret to unlimited happiness, love, health and prosperity.This is the secret to life.

The Secret Film SynopsisThe Secret has existed throughout the history of humankind. It has been discovered, coveted, suppressed, hidden, lost, and recovered. It has been hunted down, stolen, and bought for vast sums of money. Fragments of The Secret have been found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religions and philosophies throughout the centuries. A number of exceptional men and women discovered the Secret, and went on to become known as the greatest people who ever lived. Among them: Plato, Leonardo, Galileo, Napoleon, Hugo, Beethoven, Lincoln, Edison, Einstein and Carnegie, to name but a few. Now for the first time in history, all the pieces of the Secret come together in a revelation that is life transforming for all who experience it. In The Secret film and her book of the same name, Rhonda Byrne presents teachers alive today who impart this special wisdom that has been known by so few. They include some of the world's leaders in the fields of business, economics, medicine, psychology, history, theology and science. 'Miracle Man' Morris Goodman tells his awe-inspiring story of how he recovered from paralysis by using the Secret. Dr. Denis Waitley explains how he used various aspects of the Secret in training Olympic athletes and Apollo astronauts to reach new heights of human endeavor. Doctors in the fields of medicine and quantum physics explain the science behind the Secret. Best selling authors and philosophers explain how they have created lives of phenomenal success using The Secret. The Secret reveals amazing real life stories and testimonials of regular people who have changed their lives in profound ways. By applying the Secret they present instances of eradicating disease, acquiring massive wealth, overcoming obstacles and achieving what many would regard as impossible. The Secret shows how to apply this powerful knowledge to your life in every area from health to wealth, to success and relationships. The Secret is everything you have dreamed of... and now it’s in your hands.

Summary Of Secret TeachingsMoney, Relationships , Health

Money

Money is magnetic energy. You are a magnet attracting to you all things, via the signal you are emitting through your thoughts and feelings.
To become a powerful money magnet:Be clear about the amount of money you want to receive. State it and intend it! Don’t think about how much you can earn, but how much you want to receive.Fall in love with money. Most people do not love money, because they always feel that they don't have enough of it.

Visualize and imagine yourself spending all the money you want, as though you have it already.Speak, act, and think from the mindset of being wealthy now. Eliminate thoughts and words of lack such as "I can't afford it", "It is too expensive".Do not speak or think of the lack of money for a single second.Be grateful for the money you have. Appreciate it as you touch it.Make lists of all the things you will buy with an abundance of money.Do whatever it takes for you to feel wealthy. Affirm to yourself every day that you have an abundance of money, and that it comes to you effortlessly.Appreciate all the riches around you, including the riches of others. Look for wealth wherever you go, and appreciate it.
Be certain that money is coming to you.Love yourself and know that you are deserving and worthy of an abundance of money.Remind yourself everyday that you are a money magnet, and ask yourself often during the day, am I attracting money now or pushing it away with my thoughts?Always, always pay yourself first from your wage, then pay your creditors. In that single act, you are telling the Universe that you are worthy and deserving of more.Repeat over and over every day, "I am a money magnet and money comes to me effortlessly and easily."

Relationships

You can completely transform any relationship, no matter what it's like right now.Every single relationship you have is a reflection of how you feel inside about you. You are a magnet attracting to you all things, via the signal you are emitting through your thoughts and feelings. Every relationship you have and every interaction with every person, is a reflection of your own thoughts and feelings in that very moment.To transform every single relationship you have in your life:Fall in love with YOU!Make lists of hundreds and hundreds of wonderful things about you. Keep adding to it every day.
Know that you are perfect. Do not think any negative thoughts about you.Know that you are worthy and deserving of anything and everything you could possibly want in your life.Focus on the wonderful things in every person. Look for only those things.Do not blame or criticize anybody, ever.Set an intention that you are going to see the best in everything and everyone.Make your happiness the number one thing in your life. Happiness is an inside job.Free yourself of the responsibility of trying to make other people happy. Respect and love them enough to allow them to take care of their own happiness.Get your attention off those things in others that don't make you feel good.Appreciate and love yourself in every moment you can.Do not expect others to behave in a way you want, so you will be happy. Release yourself forevermore and know that you alone control your happiness and it is a choice, no matter what anyone else is doing.Love and respect yourself completely.Know that you are perfect right now.
Write out a check to yourself for the sum of money you would like to have and carry it in your wallet. Look at it often.Do whatever it takes to feel good. The emotions of joy and happiness are powerful money magnets. Be happy now!Love yourself!Wealth is a mindset. Money is literally attracted to you or repelled from you. It's all about how you think.

Health

You are a magnet attracting to you all things, via the signal you are emitting through your thoughts and feelings.To open yourself up and become a powerful magnet to wellness and health from wherever you are now:Love yourself! Deeply, profoundly! Make lists of all the wonderful things about you. Add to it every day.Free yourself of any past resentments or disappointments you may be holding about you.Let go of any and all resentments from the past you may be holding of everyone and everything.See yourself as completely well in your mind and visualize yourself doing things in a complete state of perfect health.Do not speak of your illness, or disease with others.Love and appreciate everything and everyone, and especially yourself.Know you have the power within you to heal yourself.Never criticize or blame yourself or anyone else for anything.Be grateful for the wellbeing that is coming to you.See yourself as only well.Be happy, knowing that in your state of happiness your body is healing itself.As you appreciate, as you love, as you are happy, as you are grateful, you are summoning wellbeing and it is pouring through your body and disease is vanishing in the moment.Laugh! Hire funny movies or recall any memories that make you laugh. Laugh your way back to health.Make lists every day of all the things you are grateful for, including being grateful for your healing and complete wellbeing.You must do whatever you can to remove your attention from disease.Distract yourself from thoughts of disease, and put all of your focus and attention on doing things that make you feel good.Make your happiness the number one thing in your life.Resist nothing, love everything!Know that there is no such thing as incurable.As you love completely and feel the joy within you, disease cannot exist.Know and accept that you are perfect as you are right now.

Please visit The Secret Official Site: http://www.thesecret.tv/

Air Travel, I Miss U

2008-10-02T02:51:00.001-07:00

Now that, in my right (or not so right) mind, I have given up my free or not so free airlines ticket benefits by changing my career. I just wanna remind my self the joy of traveling.

Asiana Airlines preparing for taking off SEL-FRA

And OZ's hot crew.

Swiss Air welcomes us to Zurich International Airport.

Economy Seat on OZ, a generous 34" with modern PTV entertainment system. Enough to kill the boredom 11 somewhat hours flight. Not to forget the yummy inflight meal.

Luzern, Switzerland here we come and yes "I belive I can fly".

Next stop, FRA. I wish to see more of it. But well untill next time.

A hill top view from my sister's appartment. A real stunning view.

Time to say good bye to families.

Back we go. And here we are home sweet home. Phnom Penh, Cambodia... Water show at the Independent Monument.

The Red Sense, a Khmer Movie

2008-10-02T02:36:00.001-07:00

I came accross this stunning movie on Youtube. It's a Cambodian movie shot in both Australia and Battambang, Cambodia. It has a beautiful synopsis relating to the Pol Pot regime.

Here is the Synopsis:

Set in Cambodia and Australia, Three decades ago, nearly two millions lives were massacred. Among them, a good man was taken away from a beautiful woman, Mealear (Sarinaluy). Drifted to a modern world, she has found herself a happy and comforting life.
One day her loved one's spirit calls for the truth and to an unjustified cause.
Her life will never be the same when she uncover the identity of the ruthless killer behind her father's gruesome murder.

Now face to face with the man to tries to redeem his evil past, she vows to find the truth, bring him to justice and put her father's spirit to rest.

Click play to watch the trailer

Dara, a guy from REP

2008-10-02T02:28:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of Bayon temple. One of

the most famous temple in the complex.

Hey there!!! Welcome to my blog. This is the first blog I created and bear with me I am not a tech geek so I only know how to do the basic stuff. I am Dara, 25 from REP which stands for Siem Reap, my beloved home town and the gate way to the temples complex of Cambodia. I am proud to be a Cambodian and this blog will be about my Cambodian daily life, my interests and my views on the things, people and the world around me.

And here is the most stylish and convenient way to explore the temple. At around USD 10.00/day the Cambodian tuk tuk with a friendly driver is your travel companion in Siem Reap.