AFFINITY MAGAZINE
October 2015 - Issue 27
TOP 10
BRISBANE'S PLACES TO EAT
Karting
A sport for ages 7-70+ Family fun, friendly competition & speed!
www.AffinityAllianceCo.com.au
PLUS Save a bundle this Christmas with the latest offers!
IN THIS ISSUE FROM THE EDITOR ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHT
KARTING: A GREAT SPORT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY AFFINITY PROFESSIONAL
TIMING VS TIME IN FLIPPING A MARKETING MYTH IDENTIFYING GOVERNMENT GRANTS THAT CAN ASSIST YOUR BUSINESS THE MEDIA ARE LOOKING FOR FREE CONTENT FROM BUSINESSES JUST LIKE YOURS PROTECTING YOUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
AFFINITY SOCIAL MEDIA
9 TRICKS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA
AFFINITY WINE & DINE
TOP 10 RESTAURANTS IN BRISBANE, QLD
FINDING NEW CUSTOMERS NEEDS A PROCESS AFFINITY TRAVEL
WHY A CRUISE HOLIDAY? REASONS SO MANY PEOPLE CHOOSE HOTEL APARTMENTS WHEN GOING ON HOLIDAY AFFINITY HEALTH & WELLBEING
50 WAYS TO UNCOMPLICATE YOUR LIFE
WWW . AFFINITYALLIANCECO . COM . AU
FROM THE EDITOR... 8 weeks til Christmas Everyone!!! Just in case you weren t aware and were hiding under a rock and not visiting any of the retail outlets… or you have a very good reason for staying home and not watching television, have no internet access or listening to a radio, it would definitely be hard to miss…This would have to be without a doubt the busiest time of year for everyone I would think and Affinity Alliance is no exception, but just remember amidst all the madness, to try and take a moment and soak in the ever present atmosphere hat goes along with this time of year. I personally love it, and am just a big kid at heart but it really is a special time where we can reflect and be grateful for our blessings. Just a reminder to all our members and non members, Affinity Alliance is the only benefits program in Australia N Z with its own designated Travel Concierge. ’
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sure to keep on the lookout for your new Affinity members card which gives you all the access you need to a myriad of fantastic offers.
New Providers • Lunchalot • Automates • Mortgage House Thank you to all of our providers who have of exclusive benefits for our members, we could not do it without you.
Wining, Dining & Lifestyle Don t forget to check out our new site with all the trimmings along with the Lunchalot Team. Not only will you have exclusive access to the finest restaurants in the country with some fantastic deals for our AA members, you will also be privy to the best in entertainment and events. Be the first to book the latest show or concert and show off to your friends and of course don t forget to tell them that you can only have access through the Affinity Alliance Member Benefits Program. ’
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Your members simply call our CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM o n 1300 7 9 3 0 4 6 and give the general information required for their next trip and the rest is up to us. We will source you not only the best airfares and accommodation but we will also provide it to you at a discounted rate. What other benefits program can offer you that? In addition to this, our providers are growing at an exponential rate across the globe and we will soon have the most benefits on offer than any other program that you may have considered and at the best rate. You may notice some dramatic changes to the Affinity Directory over the coming weeks as we have listened to our members and refined our search properties www.affinityallianceco.com.au
New Kids on the AA Block A big welcome to our newest organisations • NPAworldwide • Mortgage House If you belong to one of these fantastic organisations, be
Become a Member
Only a couple of more issues to go before the end of the year, and renewal time is just around the corner for the majority of organisations. If you want a new way of adding tangible benefits to your organisation, then now is the perfect time to contact our team and discuss our many available tailored options. Suitable for any size organisation, Affinity Benefits programs are customised to each individual requirement. Contact us today on 1300 793 046 or email admin affinityallianceco.com.au and have your professionally tailored benefits program up and running within a 2 week period. We are waiting to hear from you! @
Until next month! Fiona McTaggart CEO Affinity Alliance
ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHT
Karting is a great sport for the whole family Karting is the world s most affordable for of motorsport. It is a sport for people of all ages from as young as seven to over 70 years old, everyone can enjoy it. Subject to safety requirements it can also be enjoyed by people who may be challenged in some way. ’
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There is no doubt karting is competitive but it is also fun and family oriented, with involvement in the sport both on and off the track giving it a strong feeling of community. Karting teaches children, both boys and girls, the basic driving skills well before they are able to obtain their road licence. It also offers people an opportunity to gain a career in motorsport, all in a safe well organised environment. Karting is also considered the first step in any serious racer s career. It can prepare the driver for high speed wheel to wheel racing by helping develop quick reflexes, precision car control and decision making skills. ’
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Kart race meetings take place at circuits across New South Wales and Australia every weekend at either a club, regional, state or national level. There are 23 clubs in New South Wales and 92 across Australia affiliated with Karting Australia the national body and Karting New South Wales the state controlling body. These clubs are mainly sprint kart clubs which race on bitumen circuits however, some regions also have dirt and speedway tracks which drivers can race at. An alternative to the traditional styleof karting is a recent addition to Australian circuits, endurance karting. Another recent addition is Vintage and Historic karting demonstrations at racing events.
Simple in concept and easily accessible to the average Australian, karting has grown from a backyard hobby in 1958 to a professional, well organised sport in every State and Territory in Australia. The thrill of driving a racing machine capable of incredible performance, at relatively little cost, still remains one of the major attractions of kart racing today. Karting is a friendly, well run sport with the emphasis on having an enjoyable time while participating. To organise and operate such a dynamic sport requires a team of officials who are well trained and capable. This offers an opportunity for people who may not wish to compete as a driver to participate in the sport of kart racing. For those interested in taking part in organised motorsport there are many roles that can be filled. To list a few the roles are Stewards, Clerks of Course, Grid Marshals, Lap Scorers, Scrutineers, Flag Marshals and so the list goes on. ;
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ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHT For those willing to enjoy more responsibility through leadership and other management roles we are always looking for people to train as Officials. You will train through both on the job experience at race meetings, and through Karting Australia AKA officials training courses and programs. Manuals and other information are provided. In addition to the training karting uses a sophisticated race timing and management computer system to assist officials and organisers conduct race meetings. Official uniforms are provided as you progress and out of pocket expenses such as meals, accommodation and travel are usually covered by the organisers of the race meeting. “
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For those people who are technically minded karting operates competitively under a class system to provide more opportunities for the driver and a greater level of parity in the competition. The system is based on age, minimum weight and engine type and power. “
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If you believe you are interested in getting involved in the sport of Kart Racing how do you go about it? The starting point is to contact your local club and ask them to provide you with details of their race meetings etc. then we recommend you go along to a race meeting to check it out yourself.
Contact details of all New South Wales Clubs can be If you are enthusiastic about motorsport and at least 18 found by going to www.kartingnsw.com.au or by years of age whatever time you can spare, you can be telephoning the Karting NSW Office on assured of a warm welcome, and an enjoyable, (02)4731 5000 interesting day at a kart race meeting as an official.
AFFINITY PROFESSIONAL
Timing v's Time In?
Could you be part of the 95% that doubled their money? As a buyer s agent we are often asked questions from prospective buyers similar to: Q. When is the best time to buy property? Q. How long should I hold onto a property for before selling etc? ’
These are good questions and the answer can often be different for people depending on a range of factors including their risk profile, risk appetite, age, income and what it is they are trying to achieve with the property. Capital growth, income or estate planning are considerations. Therefore it is really important for a buyer to understand why they are wanting to invest in property, what time frame they would like to invest for and what is the outcome they are looking to achieve? Hence it was interesting to read the quarterly Pain and Gain Report by Core Logic http: goo.gl jy1XL2 “
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Basically the report lists the metropolitan areas and the results for owners that held properties for different time increments starting at properties held for less than a year, all the way up to properties held for fifteen years or more. The figure that stood out was that Over 95 of people more than doubled their money if they held the property for 15 year or more. Not a bad result considering the GFC was smack bang in the middle of that time frame. “
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This in part goes a little way to strengthening the argument for buy and hold strategy for investing in property. Having said that depending on your situation and desired outcome it is possible given the right property and timing to buy and sell a property in a short time
frame and achieve some solid returns. This is of course more speculative and considered a higher risk strategy. This is demonstrated in the report which showed that over 60 of dwellings that were purchased and sold in the same year made a loss or less than 10 ouch! For a number of people, when you take purchasing and selling costs into account it may not have been worth the stress and effort at all. %
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That is why it is very important when considering to buy a property to obtain independent advice and don t simply leave your buying decision to emotions and chance. Often the real estate agent is contracted to the vendor person selling the property to get the best price for the seller so they may not always have the buyers best interest in mind. ’
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To achieve your property goals it can be beneficial to have a clear plan, team and strategy to take action. Buyers need to know their budget, location and potential holding running costs of a property. /
By engaging a suitably qualified team to help you, you can reduce the risk and improve your chances
AFFINITY PROFESSIONAL for success. The team may include using an experiences solicitor conveyancer, building and pest inspector, financier and buyer s agent or property investment advisor. /
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Depending on your structure you are using you may need a superannuation professional or financial planner. Often a good buyer s agent will be able to co ordinate these professionals for you to get the best result for your property purchase and ultimately the best chance to succeed in your property endeavours. ’
"To achieve your property goals it can be beneficial to have a clear plan, team and strategy to take action. Buyers need to know their budget, location and potential holding/running costs of a property.”
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Author: Paul Loughland is a member of Property Investment Association of Australia and the Senior Property Advisor and Buyers Agent for Smarter Property Group Pty Ltd.
AFFINITY PROFESSIONAL
Flipping a Marketing Myth The myth to flip: 80% of marketing is the creative idea and graphic representation That leaves a mere 20 of marketing using the left brain for analytical and process purposes. That was the case some time ago... but not today. %
The marketing landscape is changing as rapidly as IT, which is great on many levels. What it takes to create great marketing strategies and initiatives today is more accessible to a wider group of people, rather than being the realm of the creatively talented. As Marketing and Business Consultants it s our job to keep up to date with the latest marketing tools and trends. It s also our job to wade through the fads and help business owners choose the right tools to help them get some traction in their lead generation. ’
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Lets take a quick look at flipping the myth: 80 of good marketing today is based on left brain activity: data analysis, trend analysis, research and good processes and automation. This leaves 20 for the incredibly powerful creative aspect and imagery. %
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So why is this good news for you the Business Owner? Firstly, anyone can create great marketing if they have the right information at hand. To get the information, you simply need the right systems in place. These systems are available to anyone, not just marketers, and they are more affordable than ever before. So here s the upshot:... Left brain activity 1: Analyse your current and past clients and identify who is your ideal target market. Get the facts and then focus on replicating these customers. ’
Left brain activity 2: Prioritise your clients current and past into A, B and C categories. In doing so it will become obvious which ones you could be offering more products and services to. As the age old mar keting saying goes, it s easier to sell to someone you have a relationship with than those you don t. (
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Left brain activity 3: Map out the processes to manage your communications for prospects and clients. We call these Touch Point campaigns. Think about the experience you would like them to have from wo to go. Then draw it in a process diagram and build it into a business process. -
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Right brain activity 1: Create engaging offers and content to entice your prospects and customers to purchase from you. This is where you want to get a little creative. The offer, words and images all matter, so spend a bit of time getting these right. If you re not a creative type this is something you should consider outsourcing. ’
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AFFINITY PROFESSIONAL Left brain activity 4: Measure and analyse your results. It s as simple as including time in your diary each week to review the marketing activities and the results they are producing. This is made even simpler when supported by simple marketing measurement systems. Often its a case of tweaking to get improvements rather than trying something completely new, but you won t know unless you have good, factual data. ’
80% of good marketing today is based on left brain activity: data analysis, trend analysis, research and good processes and automation. Teritia Peart, Business Development Manager MarketSmartly
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We challenge you to work your way through each of these activities in the next 2 months. In less than 20 of a year, you could increase the value of your marketing activities by 80 . For more marketing %
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smarts to help you market smarly check out MarketSmartly and subscribe to our e updates. www.marketsmartly.com email registration -
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AFFINITY PROFESSIONAL
Identifying Government Grants that can assist your business In difficult times, being able to access government grants can significantly benefit many small medium enterprise business operators. Unfortunately, there seems to be a significant problem, within small medium business operators, on being able to identify where the various government grants are and how you go about applying for them. /
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Government grants in Australia are issued by the Australian Federal government, every State and Territory government and some local government organisations. There s a wide range of organisations and units within government departments that are facilitating grants for small medium enterprises. ’
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Some grants that are available for small business operators There s a wide range of grants, some of which are summarised as follows: ’
The big challenge for many of you in business is identifying who is handling the grants and, indeed, what grants are available. Each year, there are over 5billion worth of grants and incentives issued in Australia, primarily targeted at small medium enterprises. Are you receiving your fair share of those grants? After all, each and every small business operator is making a contribution to the pool of money that is funding those grants, through taxation and other financial payments you are making into the governments. $
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Some of you would have undoubtedly found out about grants, because of memberships of organisations, which alerted you to the existence of particular grants. But a large number of small business operators do not appear to be able to identify where they can access grants.
Research and Development This grant is available for companies with turnovers under 20million. There is also a component for companies with turnovers over 20million. However, we are only concentrating on the small medium enterprise market at this stage. $
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The company can gain a 43.5 tax rebate on their research and development expenditure. Research and development expenditure include salaries and wages paid to people who are actually involved in research and development processes. %
To claim the research and development rebate, you have to register with AusIndustry each year. The registration has to be submitted by 30 April in the following year, or the date of lodgement of the company s income tax return, whichever is the earlier. ’
Accountants, offering a business advisory service, can assist in identifying grants for their small medium enterprises clients. /
The minimum expenditure to claim research and development rebate is 20,000. There s a potential tax rebate of 21,750 for a business that is spending $
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AFFINITY PROFESSIONAL 50,000 on research and development. You can also claim the rebate if your company is currently trading at a loss. The Australian Taxation Office ATO will process the cash rebate and will deposit the rebate into your company s nominated bank account within 30 days of the company s lodgement of their income tax return. $
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Export Market Development Grant Can assist the would be exporters and businesses already involved in export, with turnovers of under 50million company s overall turnover . This expenditure can be undertaken by a wide range of entities, not just companies. ‘
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To be eligible, the business must have spent in excess of 20,000 in the financial year. There are 13 major expenditure categories for which expenditure can be claimed for Export Market Development Grant. The overall benefit of the grant can range from 10,000 to 150,000. $
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The Export Market Development Grant application has to be lodged by no later than 30 November each year. However, you can lodge it very early in the new financial year, towards the end of July and, depending on the amount of your claim, you will receive either the whole grant payment or a proportion of it approximately five to six weeks after the lodgement of the Export Market Development Grant application. There are some real benefits in making sure that, if you are an exporter, or a potential exporter, you are recording all of your costs related to export activities, so you can substantiate a claim being submitted to Austrade.
Eligible businesses are able to request a comprehensive, confidential and independent business review to be conducted by an Entrepreneurs Infrastructure Program business advisor at no charge. The Entrepreneurs Infrastructure Program business advisor works with the client to review the business to identify solutions that are sustainable for the future. ’
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Priority industries are the main recipients of grants under the four major grant programs introduced by the Abbott government. ‘
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Priority industries are industries that the government believes enjoy a competitive advantage and are likely to exploit favourable market conditions or have a significant impact on the Australian economy. ‘
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The priority industries include: • Advanced Manufacturing • Mining Equipment, Technology and Services • Oil, Gas and Energy Resources • Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals • Food and Agribusiness • Enabling technology and service industries that support one or more of the priority industries listed, including: Freight and Logistics Infrastructure Related Construction Information and Communication Technology Professional Services -
There are a large number of individual types of businesses which are incorporated within these priority industries. For example, Advanced Manufacturing could include: • Clothing manufacturers knitted fabric • Pre fabricated sheds • Commercial printing • Printing services • Compact disc manufacturing or publishing • Greeting cards manufacturing • Wallpaper manufacturing –
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Business Growth Grant Entrepreneurs Infrastructure Program is offering the Business Evaluation process and the Business Growth Grant to eligible Australian small medium sized companies and incorporated trustees acting as trustees of a trust to assist them to transform their business and reach their full potential. ’
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AFFINITY PROFESSIONAL Training for Employment Scholarship This 12 month pilot program commenced on the 1 March 2015 and is available in a number of regional and outer metropolitan areas. -
The objective of this program is to provide businesses with greater access to appropriately skilled workers in their region and improve job prospects for young people by providing incentives for employers to take on new workers, supporting employer led training that is tailored to a specific job and providing a pathway for unemployed young people into long term work.
Accountants can assist
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The program supports businesses by providing grant funding for up to 26 weeks of job specific training for their eligible new employees. Businesses will benefit by having access to support for the cost of training new employees with the relevant skills they need. -
New employees will also benefit by receiving job specific training that meets both their needs and the needs of the business. -
The scheme is available to businesses with less than 200 full time equivalent FTE employees, located at the following areas: • New South Wales: Central Coast, Hunter Valley excluding Newcastle , Sydney Outer Western Blue Mountains • Queensland: Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Townsville • Victoria: Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne West • South Australia: Adelaide North • Western Australia: Perth Southwest • Tasmania: Launceston Northeast -
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Government Grants To Fund Your Business Improvements is available. If you wish to obtain a copy of this material, free of charge, click here. ”
If you are interested in any of the work discussed in this article being undertaken, we suggest you have a discussion with you accountant.
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Accountants advisers, who are offering business advisory services, can assist their clients to identify government grants. /
As a preview to the type of services an accountant adviser, utilising services made available by ESS BIZTOOLS, a complimentary copy of Using /
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If your accountant is unable to supply the additional services you require, we invite you to visit www.esssmallbusiness.com.au to utilise the Find an Accountant Adviser . Simply enter in your postcode and the Find an Accountant Adviser directory will identify accountants located in or near your postcode, who are able to supply a range of business advisory services, including the types of services mentioned in this article. “
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Author: Peter Towers MANAGING DIRECTOR ESS SMALL BUSINESS +61 7 4724 1118 | 1800 232 088 peter@essbiztools.com.au www.esssmallbusiness.com.au
AFFINITY PROFESSIONAL
The media are looking for free content from businesses just like yours All businesses have the opportunity to educate their target market in the media, without paying the media a cent. This is because all forms of media from TV, newspapers, magazines, radio and the online space are looking for content. If you can tailor an angle that is relevant to the media outlet s audience, you have a good chance of getting a story published about your business. ’
Benefits of PR Articles published or aired in the media make your business more credible to your target market and stakeholders Editorial is viewed as more credible and believable than advertising, as media are seen to be objective in the eye of the public. People are more likely to read and remember an interesting article than an advert. In fact, recent studies suggest that positive editorial coverage generates up to nine times more visibility than paid advertising. PR is an effective way of promoting your products service to the public, therefore encouraging first time, or continual purchase use. Positive PR increases and builds your company s reputation. Reputations are built over time, therefore a long term publicity campaign is more effective in increasing credibility, status and reputation than a short term campaign. PR is wide reaching. Word of mouth marketing is often a result of publicity, which creates long term business results. /
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Products and services that are read about in the media are often seen as market leaders in their industry. This also means they re more likely to be trusted and used by the public PR offers great value for money when you compare the cost of placing ads in the media to the expense of an ongoing PR campaign PR can increase your SEO ranking. When high page ranking sites put back links to your website as part of a relevant article, this increases your websites page ranking. PR gives you the opportunity to educate your market about your brands key messages and philosophies. After a period of time, journalists will know to contact your organisations for expert commentary about issues relating to your industry. You can use published articles and interviews in order to further promote your business. ’
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Are you ready for a PR campaign? Do you want to grow your business? Do you want your business to appear bigger, further developed than it actually is? Are you trying to attract investors Do you want to increase your SEO and brand trust credibility. /
If the answer is YES, a PR campaign would greatly benefit your business. Monica Rosenfeld WordStorm PR 02 8272 3200 0412 574 748 monica@wordstormpr.com.au
AFFINITY PROFESSIONAL
Protecting your Intellectual Property Here's the facts on how to protect the products you are having manufactured in Asia so they are not copied. Even pigs can fly up in the air with the right gust. This is how Xu Xiaonian, a finance and economics professor from China, describes the growth model that China has so far followed, in its epic climb to becoming the second largest economy in the world. “
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He and many experts call it the opportunistic business model, which has so far served China well. By opportunistic he means, that the Chinese are very good at simply reproducing what was painstakingly developed in more advanced countries. Bluntly said, they can be expert copycats.
In this document, you must have the following stipulations: 1. The agreement prohibits the supplier from unauthorized copying. 2. It should prevent your supplier from disclosing any confidential information. 3. It clarifies the limits of the nondisclosure agreement. 4. It safeguards against intellectual property being disclosed by your supplier s employees.
Notwithstanding the push towards greater innovation, China remains the preferred option for manufacturing. Knowing that the Chinese are expert copiers, you may very well know the risks involved in sending your original idea out to a supplier, with little or no protection for your intellectual property.
Again, lawyers can be great, but I suspect they wouldn t know much about your industry, or the language and the culture in China. And of course, you would need a translation too. If you are still new to importing, I would recommend that you obtain the services of an expert who can help you through the process.
Not only is there a danger that your supplier can copy your product, it is possible that it can be sold to no less than your fiercest competitor.
Of course as in anything else in this world, no two things are exactly alike. You get what you pay for. Do your homework and practice due diligence before engaging a sourcing consultant.
Of course as your importing expert blogger, I am here to calm your nerves. The solution to such a dilemma is a document that binds your supplier to protect what is rightfully yours. I call it the Nondisclosure Agreement.
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Author: Lindy Chen
AFFINITY PROFESSIONAL
Finding New Customers Needs A Process - Here it is Beware of slick marketing agencies claiming it's easy When did you last consider your current marketing strategy? Do you fall into any of these categories: I Have No Idea What To Do To Get More Customers My Competitors Are Picking Up New Business But We Are Stuck Like A Rabbit In Headlights We Have To Constantly Reduce Our Prices To Get New Customers Getting New Customers Is Too Hard, We Just Stick To Servicing The Current Customers We Sell Great Services Products But Nobody Knows About Us /
If you tick any of those boxes then don t worry, you are part of the overwhelming majority of businesses in Australia that have resigned themselves to losing the battle. '
Unfortunately most marketing agencies focus on making it sound simple but like most things in life that are worthwhile, it needs a process. You see the slick salespeople at marketing agencies either don t know or avoid on pain of death pointing out, a few simple truths. 1. Most marketplaces are very competitive 2. To get traction, your marketing needs to be different from your competitors. 3. Facebook, Google, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and all the other digital platforms will happily take your money even if your ads are terrible, '
the targeting is awful or there is a component of your advertising that is simply broken. 4. The most important period of any digital marketing campaign is what we call the Discovery phase. This is where testing of different targeting, different ads, different formats,different landing pages, different wording of offers takes place. Yet this is typically overlooked. 5. Without the different components of a digital ad campaign working in harmony, it will massively underperform. For example the ad, the targeting, the landing page and the offer should all be punching hard. One weak link out of those 4 components renders the other 3 ineffective. 6. Whilst there are now some digital campaign stategies that all businesses should be focusing on namely Content marketing,Google advertising and Facebook advertising , there are many variables that mean a customised strategy is THE ONLY WAY TO GO. (
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So your business needs a customised strategy, but where should you start? Here is a set of questions to run through to make some initial decisions: • Does the offer i make to my customers stand out in my marketplace. If not that s where you need to start. '
If you have a great offer, what s next? '
Does my business best serve an easily defined
AFFINITY PROFESSIONAL target market? Assume best serve defines the largest group of people in your customer base eg males vs females,30 45 year olds vs Gen Y, have a specific interest, work in a specific industry, have a specific job role, have a specific problem, have specific concerns,live in a specific area,enjoy specific hobbies......etc. "
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If you are already part of the 20 that have a great offer and know your ideal prospect, you are already half way to finding more customers. %
The next step involves messaging. What should be the message to your market that enables your great offer to be put in front of your ideal prospect that will lead eventually to a sale. This is called copywriting, to write great copy you need to understand the various decision influencing variables in your marketplace. You could do a lot worse than reading the great Gary Halbert s letter here links to http: www.thegaryhalbertletter.com newsletters z gkl best copywriter.htm '
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honed landing pages for your lead magnets and service product offers? Are they compelling, are they converting? /
Testing landing pages, content, offers, lead magnets and ideal prospect definitions should now happen by going to the Traffic Store. Traffic is available sometimes in abundance depending on your space, but the key consideration is where do your ideal prospects hang out . For B2B s Linkedin is likely, if not always, a prime traffic source. For B2C s Google and Facebook would likely tick the box. Marrying Linkedin,Google and Facebook together will often be the most effective strategy for B2B s. "
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One last point to make. Marketing is the lifeblood of any business and there are still numerous channels that offer great access to your marketplace outside the online digital world. That said the big win will come if you can marry your digital and non digital marketing together. How? /
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Once that box has been ticked, the traffic strategy can begin to take shape. This will tend to be a horses for courses situation but absolutely paramount in most strategies is developing a system to produce great,engaging content. Content that gets shared. That doesn t mean it has to be about your product or service, think broader than that. We use our in house tools to build such systems but any business should be able to come up with 5 great ideas for content and then develop them into mini masterpieces. 5 great ideas, depending on the market, could easily have a shelf life of 3 months. '
Once content marketing is rolling, your website needs to be scrutinised. Do you have specific, well
Here are 3 tips: 1. Any leaflets, brochures, newspaper ads, magazine ads, radio ads, tv ads and billboards should have a short url to direct people to an offer landing page. 2. Using offline traffic as outlined in point 1,gives great opportunity to use remarketing to follow prospects around online grab their eyeballs offline and advertise to them seamlessly online 3. Always try to move offline eyeballs into your email database by offering a great lead magnet in return for their email. (
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David Twigg is the Managing Director of OMC. OMC help clients to build great marketing strategies and execute them. If you'd like to discuss how OMC can help your business, send David an email, David@OMCgroup.com.au or view the website at OMCgroup.com.au.
AFFINITY WINE & DINE
The Top 10 Restaurants in Brisbane, Queensland EACH MONTH AFFINITY EMAG WILL FEATURE A DIFFERENT CITY & THEIR BEST DINING VENUES, GIVING YOU THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO UTILISE YOUR AA BENEFITS CARD, JUST IN TIME FOR THE UPCOMING HOLIDAY SEASON
This month we feature beautiful Brisbane and some of the culinary delights you can expect when visiting the sunny state and its capital city. Brisbane s a city that might not market itself is a culinary capital or top dining destination, but the increasing cultural diversity and levels of domestic migration by those with cooking talents in pursuit of its comfortable and warm weather has done much to add to the array of quality restaurants the city now boasts. ’
With a strong Asian influence, several standout suburbs and dining oriented locales, and a great backdrop of the Brisbane River to enjoy while sampling a bite to eat, Brisbane has plenty to offer the prospective diner who s willing to do a bit of searching. While overall it might be outshone by other more food featuring cities such as Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, there are a number of dining gems in the city that stand up there with the best Australia has to offer on both ends of the budget spectrum. -
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Location: West End, Brisbane, QLD Cuisine: Cafe / Breakfast / Pizza Casual, laid back and completely unpretentious with a chilled blend of alternative indie style comes West End s The Burrow, a dual level eatery that blends a modern hippie vibe with a great upper echelon mixture of breakfasts, coffees and alcoholic beverages all in one. It s a veritable Swiss Army Knife of a restaurant that serves as a hybrid pizza joint, cafe, pub and general hangout joint with an atmosphere that can get noisy but is never obnoxious. The two level layout is a nice touch, the exposed wood decor is intentionally rustic and well designed, and the upstairs veranda provides a great view at both day and night for people watching this is a solid choice for a casual yet delicious bite to eat before heading for a night out. -
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But which Brisbane restaurants rank as the best of the best? Here, we take a look at our list of the Top 10 Restaurants in Brisbane, QLD.
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The Burrow is a spot that can offer all your standard, tried and true breakfast fare expect your regular eggs benedicts, bacon eggs, big breakfasts et al, -
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AFFINITY WINE & DINE although they re all given their own quirky names here but it s the added and unexpected twists that give the menu its own individual character. They certainly aren t afraid to experiment here, and the unique combinations of flavours in many of the dishes speak to the staff s creativity and originality, with standouts such as the Jaffa waffles, halloumi and even pork belly yes, pork belly for breakfast making for a refreshing break from the norm. Breakfast servings are all large and solid value for money so you won t be left wanting more, too. ’
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It s a veritable Swiss Army Knife of a restaurant that serves as a hybrid pizza joint, cafe, pub and general hangout joint with an atmosphere that can get noisy but is never obnoxious. “
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Coffee wise The Burrow also scores high marks, with a unique self made blend that s fresh and revitalising, while the array of healthy juices rounds out the morning beverage offerings. Later on in the day the menu changes to feature a different mix of dishes with pizza being the featured highlight these aren t your typical all base fast food style pizzas either they re done in proper Italian thin and crispy style that allows you to enjoy the taste without getting bloated on dough. -
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During the evenings the focus shifts once again and The Burrow becomes a popular spot to enjoy a drink as the restaurant boasts a surprisingly comprehensive selection of local and international craft beers and ciders that even include gluten free draughts for those so inclined. Add to all of the above an overall very reasonable price and The Burrow has become one of the more welcome, newer additions to the popular West End dining scene as it s a venue that marries a tasty and slightly different food menu with ever smiling and down to earth staff. -
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Location: Eagle Street, Brisbane, QLD Cuisine: Seafood There s a lot to be said for the role that location plays in enhancing a dining experience, and there s few more demonstrable cases in Brisbane than seafood oriented Jellyfish Restaurant which sits in an idyllic spot on the Eagle Street Pier overlooking the Brisbane River and its characteristic Story Bridge. It s an outlook that manages to be pleasant regardless of weather, and at night time in particular the glimmering city lights add a sense of inherent romance and charm to the act of dining. ’
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This restaurant has been a relatively long running part of the Brisbane dining scene for some time now, and continues to deliver a consistently high standard of food rather than simply resting on its laurels and reputation seafood at Jellyfish is renowned for its freshness and brought straight to the table daily, with a large range of fish varieties to choose from. -
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Those who love their seafood will be in their element here as the restaurant offers many of the standard favourites such as Barramundi and John Dory, as well as rarer fish species like Toothfish and Cobia for a total of 14 different kinds to choose from depending on season. Add to this alternative seafood types such as crab, lobster and remarkably delicious oysters and all the bounty of the sea a fish fanatic
AFFINITY WINE & DINE could want is available here to try. Unlike most other seafood restaurants, Jellyfish offers both cooked and raw dishes and its sashimi has become something of a specialty it s an outstanding cut of fish, particularly for a venue that doesn t orient itself around Japanese cuisine, and utilises fish with just the right fat content levels caught off the coast of New Zealand. –
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There s a lot to be said for the role that location plays in enhancing a dining experience, and there s few more demonstrable cases in Brisbane than seafood oriented Jellyfish Restaurant which sits in an idyllic spot on the Eagle Street Pier overlooking the Brisbane River. “
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Jellyfish Restaurant rounds out its menu with an alternative selection of non seafood mains and sides which fulfil their purpose, but its the marine focused meals which remain its major calling card. Also worth a mention are the restaurant s incredibly thorough wine list there are literally hundreds of varieties from all ends of the wine spectrum that range from recent year domestics all the way up to extravagant foreign offerings that will make your wallet bleed. Dessert here also scores high marks highlighted by the delivered to your table on fire creme brulee and a decadently enjoyable pudding. -
Location: Edward Street, CBD, Brisbane, QLD Cuisine: Spanish / French fusion
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While the location on the absolute riverfront will always be one of Jellyfish s major selling points, this location also comes at a cost, both literally and figuratively this is a dining experience that requires a relatively high monetary investment albeit with a significantly rewarding return, and its combination of position and popularity makes it exceedingly popular so booking ahead is all but mandatory particularly if you want a table directly overlooking the water. While a near strict seafood menu may not be everyone s cup of tea, there are few if any places that have done it so consistently well and for such a long time as Jellyfish both has and continues to do. ’
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Quality Spanish cuisine is still something of a rarity in most cities throughout Australia, however Brisbane s Moda bucks that trend in solid fashion by providing all the essentials that a high end dining experience requires done with passion and a high level of execution. With a menu that fluctuates between the best parts of a Spanish and French mix and boasting a lovely and subdued atmosphere, it s a wonderful little piece of simulated Europe right in the heart of the Brisbane CBD. ’
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This is an upmarket, classy spot that s a good choice of venues both for special occasions and for corporate lunches or meetings one of the first things you ll notice about Moda is the atmosphere it s a lovely and cosy spot with a pleasant ambience in its garden seating area where you ll often find Spanish guitar music being played to reinforce its Euro centric influences. ’
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Of course, ambience is only part of the dining culinary experience most will rightly focus on food quality, and Moda delivers in full with a wide and diverse list of courses that reflect some of the best dishes from each of its feature country s cuisines. While a lot will /
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AFFINITY WINE & DINE depend on your personal taste, there are multiple standout menu highlights such as slow cooked lamb shoulder tender, moist and delectable , ox tail, duck confit and the wonderful honeycomb blueberry dessert. The head chef no doubt has an eye for finer detail and realises the majority of his customers are out for an experience rather than a mere meal, and it shows in the preparation and presentation of Moda s dishes across the board. -
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No praise of Moda would be complete without a mention of the restaurant s extensive wine list, and the offerings here are staggering with several Spanish varieties including Tempranillo, multiple French drops, and some high end offerings from our trans Tasman countries of Australia and New Zealand. Waitstaff and management are both happy to advise on ideal wine pairings to go with the courses on offer, and many are available by the glass should you wish to either mix and match or aim to keep the costs down. ’
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If you re having difficulty choosing from the expansive menu, Moda s degustation option provides an excellent cross section of some of its top courses and represents great value. ’
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Perhaps the only downside for many is the price don t expect a cheap night out as make no mistake this is high end dining in full effect. Bear in mind that if you re an Entertainment Book holder you ll be able to take advantage of a discounted price which may bring the costs more in line with your budget and just whet your tastebuds enough to want to return again. Excellent food, wonderful ambience and staff who are professional and attentive without being overbearing are all part of the Moda experience, and if you re willing to open your wallet it s one of the Brisbane CBD s most delightfully unique evening meals on offer. ;
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The head chef no doubt has an eye for finer detail and realises the majority of his customers are out for an experience rather than a mere meal, and it shows in the preparation and presentation of Moda s dishes across the board. “
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Location: Park Road, Milton, Brisbane, QLD Cuisine: Mediterranean Specialising in a more rustic take on advanced Mediterranean cuisine, Bistro Alegria in the heart of Milton walks a balance between food that is refined in craftsmanship yet stripped back in unnecessary extras and additions and instead focuses on the core flavours that make each of its dishes so tasty. The signature here that has resulted in multiple awards being issued in the past is the tapas the options for these light individual tasters here are many and varied, and can often take the place of full blown mains for those who don t eat big meals. ;
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As a result, the wide tapas selection is a great way to take in a varied sampling of tastes and textures without over committing to a multi course meal that leaves you too full. Even something as simple as Bistro Alegria s grilled bread starter and its associated coupling with Mediterranean style home made condiments is highly enjoyable before we even get to the mains. -
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This is not to say that the mains are any less enjoyable, however far from it, as there are multiple menu highlights consisting of a range of different delicious food that manages to make for remarkably clean and guilt free eating tantalising offerings such as the seafood paella, swordfish, pork belly, and quinoa for vegetarians pull no punches when it comes to –
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AFFINITY WINE & DINE full fledged flavour. The size of the mains is a true shock to the system at this quality of establishment in a category of dining that is typically renowned in attempting to skimp on portion size overall, Bistro Alegria boasts one of the best portion size to price per dish ratio of any Brisbane restaurant. Sangria is the accompanying beverage of choice here, as the red Spanish drink and its fruity overtones serve as a nice counterbalance to many of the food tastes on offer. -
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The wide tapas selection is a great way to take in a varied sampling of tastes and textures without over committing to a multi course meal that leaves you full. "
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Atmosphere wise Bistro Alegria is also pleasant with a convenient location that can be access via Milton s CityCat station ideal should you be looking to imbibe and an ambience that incorporates a typical Mediterranean wood and stone layout for a classy and chic yet subdued layout that matches the attitudes of the friendly and conversational staff. There s none of the snobbery or pretentiousness here that can come with some higher end dining experiences. Live guitarists playing mellow music and the lovely glow provided by lit up trees outside of an evening add a hint of magic and warmth, and service is prompt and courteous across the board. -
Location: Vernon Terrace, Newstead, Brisbane, QLD Cuisine: Italian
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Italian is a cuisine that s so widespread that it often becomes difficult to differentiate one restaurant from the next and leads to restaurant owners attempting to resort to some unnecessary gimmicks, ’
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If you re looking for a high end dining restaurant that is upmarket but focuses more on offering a broad variety of tastes, then Bistro Alegria is hard to fault as its tapas are simply unmatched elsewhere in the city. The moderate pricing for the standard of these dishes makes a visit here all the more worthwhile especially given the prices of other Brisbane European establishments and the fact there s pretty much something on here for both the adventurous and the conservative palate alike means that it s hard to leave disappointed with an evening spent at Bistro Alegria. ’
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so it s somewhat refreshing that the best part about Beccofino is that it s nothing particularly fancy. This restaurant is simply true seasonal Italian dining done with just the right blend of ingredients, flavours and passion that it s a true slice of Italy in Brisbane, as cliche as that may sound. One of the first quirks you ll likely notice about Beccofino is that they won t take bookings it s operated on a serve as you come basis however provided wait times are typically accurate and it s easy to while away the waiting period with a drink or three at the restaurant s bar in the mean time. This often required twiddling of the thumbs always pays off in the end Beccofino features a great balance between food quality and price point, and all the hallmark dishes of quality Italian are here and done exceptionally well risotto, pasta and particularly pizza with excellently done pizza dough are made with considerable skill that makes those tried and true meals we ve all had before taste refreshingly new again. Daily specials are available for the ’
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AFFINITY WINE & DINE price conscious diner, with the friendly and knowledgeable staff all up to speed on what each entails a credit to their super friendly and authentic characters. -
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This restaurant is simply true seasonal Italian dining done with just the right blend of ingredients, flavours and passion that it s a true slice of Italy in Brisbane, as cliche as that may sound. “
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Of course, all this is not to say that the restaurant doesn t have its own signature dishes the duck tomato ragu is spectacular, zucchini flowers down great as an entree, and the creme fraiche topped salmon is to die for but simply means that the less adventurous amongst us looking for some high end, authentic Italian staples are presented with an easy go to dining venue in the Newstead area. The menu is extensive enough and the wine list long enough that all the essential bases are covered, and the great and lively atmosphere the place is almost always bustling makes for a warm and comforting venue. ’
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Location: Grey Street, Southbank, Brisbane, QLD Cuisine: Modern Australian Located in the Rydges Hotel in Southbank, Bacchus is easy to recommend for those in Brisbane looking for a fine dining experience that suits almost any occasion, as a combination of both class and flexibility are the name of the game here. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, alfresco, degustation the combination of options to enjoy the restaurant s food is almost as comprehensive as the menu itself, and what a menu it is. While individual dishes all stand out at Bacchus in their own right, it s the degustation offerings that are its major calling card and what will be the big draw here for many, with good cause. “
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It s the level of personal attention that caps things off here, as Beccofino s manager is nothing if not involved in the proceedings with all the Italian style bravado that this entails, and other attention to detail actions such as glasses of water being continually topped up without asking a necessity in those hot Brisbane summers , and perfectly thin pizza bases that leave you wanting more are just some of what you ll encounter during a visit. Just be sure to arrive at a time where you re not already starving, as you ll almost certainly have to wait 20 30 minutes before a table becomes available a testament to Beccofino s consistency. ’
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Bacchus degustations with matching wine pairings are an indulgent and enjoyable way to experience the diversity of its menu overall it s one of if not the best degustation experiences available in QLD s capital. With multiple options to choose from depending on both your dietary leanings vegetarian only options available and how taking you re looking to be on both your stomach and your wallet, there s a degree of customisation here that is often lacking in other similar upper end establishments. The quality of the food is made immediately obvious upon the delivery of the first dish meal presentation might be a shallow way to judge food, but it still goes ’
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AFFINITY WINE & DINE a long way to serving as an enticing preface for the taste to come, a fact that the chefs at Bacchus seem to know very well. Simply put, every dish here looks just as good as it tastes. Bacchus degustations with matching wine pairings are an indulgent and enjoyable way to experience the diversity of its menu overall it s one of if not the best degustation experiences available in QLD s capital. “
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but the old get what you pay for line applies doubly here. Entertainment Book holders can also find discounts for Bacchus which will help reduce the price somewhat, but if you re looking for a place in Southbank to enjoy on a special occasion then you re likely to leave here more than satisfied. “
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There will likely be dishes here that the average diner has not encountered before, and each of them work without requiring the visitor to be overly adventurous. Never had pigeon before? There are few better places to try, as the blend of spices worked into the dish are marvellous, while even something as simple as sirloin steak is given an extra touch of class as you re presented with your personal choice of steak knives beforehand. Likewise, their pear and chocolate dessert is a combination that might not strike many as a likely pairing off the bat, but it works wonderfully. All dish sizings are adequately generous if not massive, and the accompanying palate cleansers think sorbet and soup help ensure that each new dish is encountered at its fullest flavour. ’
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These works of food art go hand in hand with one of the most extensive wine lists you ll come across in Brisbane, with over 40 pages worth of varieties to choose from an appropriate offering for a venue named after the Roman god of intoxication. Of course, we d be remiss if we didn t highlight the serve as well it is highly attentive without being overbearing, and staff here just have a way of making guests feel special without it coming across as overly affected or fake. ’
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They seemingly understand that dining here will be a special treat for many of their clientele, and as a result aim to reinforce this ideal through their actions and attitudes. Bacchus is a pricey evening of dining, to be sure,
Location: Boundary Street, CBD, Brisbane, QLD Cuisine: Modern Australian How time flies… it seems like just yesterday that E cco Bistro was a newcomer to the Brisbane dining scene, yet here we are 20 years later and it s still going strong. E cco is a place where history and quality food combine for a venue that offers its own distinct ambience despite being recently renovated at the end of 2014 with newly modern decor, the sense of antiquity and cosiness created by the building containing it remains the same. It s one of the more warm and romantic venues on this list as opposed to some of the more boisterous offerings and is thus a great choice for the likes of Valentine s Day or Mother s Day score some free points with the important females in your lives, fellas . ’
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The restaurant is nicely spaced and never feels overly cramped with that shoulder to shoulder seating many other spots contain, which is a nice touch, and sets the tone for the food to come. Meals are presented with that touch of expected class yet without pretentiousness, and dishes at E cco Bistro -
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AFFINITY WINE & DINE boast surprisingly large and filling portion sizes in relation to the quality this is fine dining that still retains a realistic sense of being value for money along the way. The bistro s special tasting menu is an excellent introductory option for those wanting variety without committing to a full blown degustation, providing small sized portions of a range of dishes that sum up just how broad the spectrum of its chef s talents truly are.
reallocate some of those funds towards the great wine list or on some of the delectable sides. Perhaps the only downside to a visit here is the parking the central location means fighting for a spot on the street can be a chore at busier times, and the typical CBD parking prices apply although this is hardly the fault of the restaurant itself.
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There s a reason this restaurant has a long running track record of satisfying customers from all over Australia and beyond great service, excellent flavour combinations, an encyclopaedic wine list and a knack for making do with the best of the basics make for an all around winner.
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While the portions are smaller, the quality of the dishes isn t denigrated in any way the likes of crusted scallops, juicy duck breast and other inclusions are paired with high quality wines and capped off with a light dessert for a comprehensive across the board session of indulgence. ’
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Meals are presented with that touch of expected class yet without pretentiousness, and dishes at E cco Bistro boast surprisingly large and filling portion sizes in relation to the quality. “
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In terms of full blown mains, E cco Bistro also excels, with highlights such as a wagyu steak that does the quality of its meat justice it s perfectly cooked without sapping any of the well marbled flavour out while cutting like butter and melting in the mouth. Standout desserts such as icecream slice and chocolate fudge brownies that have an incredible richness without being overpowering cap things off nicely. -
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The menu here is relatively small overall, but excluding broader offerings and simply focusing on a core of can t miss entrees and mains seemingly has allowed the cook staff to perfect each and every dish to a high level of quality it s simply hard to go out of your way to choose an unsatisfying meal here. Set price lunches are also available for those visiting outside evening hours, and provide even more value for money to boot. ’ -
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E cco s generous portion sizes also mean lighter eaters can instead opt for a pair of entrees and a shared main in order to keep costs down, or ’
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Location: Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, QLD Cuisine: Japanese Japanese is a cuisine that unfortunately often gets bastardised upon import to western countries, with unnecessary ingredients added and flavours changed in an attempt to appeal to the supposedly uneducated Western palate. This is unfortunate, as many will either often come away feeling it s not especially enjoyable, or will end up with a warped view of what to expect from this cuisine. None of that is a concern at South Brisbane s Bird Nest Restaurant, which specialises in yakitori skewers and takes the simple concept of chicken on a stick to in entirely new levels. “
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AFFINITY WINE & DINE accommodates a quicker yet no less delicious bite to eat as opposed to the full blown a la carte section that serves as the restaurant s main hub. The margarita and primavera are done so authentically here that those who have visited proper establishments on a trip to Italy will not be left disappointed, as both the technique and the freshness of the ingredients used are obvious. Bear in mind that you ll be limited to a pizza oriented selection in this wing of the restaurant. –
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Dishes here are always perfectly cooked and packed with flavour, and there are several essentials on the menu that first timers will want to try. “
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Location: Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, QLD Cuisine: Italian The characteristic tastes of Napoli are on display in full force at Fortitude Valley s Tartufo, with pizza as its flagship dish but offering so much more than that. Set in a timeless European setting in every sense of the word, Tartufo is a venue with an excellent decor fitout reminscent of France of not perhaps purely Italy and demonstrates both a sense of style and quality of menu that has the ability to hang with equivalent establishments in Melbourne high praise given the Victorian capital s generally accepted status as our country s culinary paragon. ’
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This is a restaurant that allows you the flexibility to have as subdued or lively an evening as you wish, with seating away from the main crowd of diners available upon prior request. And a crowd there will be the longstanding reputation of this restaurant still exists in full force, and a loyal crowd of dedicated regulars can be found sampling its goods on each day of operation. ;
Kicking things off at Tartufo is the signature pizza which gains its sensational taste through a combination of cooking skill, an authentic pizza oven, proper pizza base and associated contents to combine to produce what we consider to be Brisbane s best. This can be enjoyed in the restaurant s express bar area for pizza that ’
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Tartufo s main section is where you ll want to head if you re after their fine dining offerings, and each of the dishes on offer are typically tantalising, incorporating classic flavours that are given a modern twist. The snapper here in particular is extraordinary and some of the best you ll ever try, while the rabbit pasta is delectable and calamari on rocket dish is incredibly tender and comes with a bare bones unbattered approach that adds rather than subtracts from the flavour. Regardless of your choice of dishes, each is constructed and presented with great care if you re having trouble choosing from the overwhelming number of quality options on the menu, then the mixed degustation offers an easy out and offers a lineup that s a true thrill for the senses, with wine well matched to its accompanying dish. ’
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Service wise, Tartufo is basically faultless it s an impeccable experience from welcome to exit, with passionate euro centric staff that s attentive and friendly even during the commonly busy times, and the sommeliers are experts at giving advice on the best possible wine pairings. The owner chef will often pop by tables in quieter times to check on things, and his accent and passion along with other touches such as the restaurant s old world feel with black and white photos help add to the overall immersion of the dining experience. All dietary needs and requirements are catered for without any hesitation, serving sizes and toppings are generous, and the price point is high but not unreasonable given the quality. Could it be argued that this is Brisbane s best Italian? We wouldn t object. -
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AFFINITY WINE & DINE Japanese is a cuisine that unfortunately often gets bastardised upon import to western countries, with unnecessary ingredients added and flavours changed in an attempt to appeal to the supposedly uneducated Western palate. This is unfortunate, as many will either often come away feeling it s not especially enjoyable, or will end up with a warped view of what to expect from this cuisine. None of that is a concern at South Brisbane s Bird Nest Restaurant, which specialises in yakitori skewers and takes the simple concept of chicken on a stick to in entirely new levels. “
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Greeted by the appropriately exceptional Japanese customer service upon walking in the door, it s apparent that attempts have been made to keep the experience as truly Japanese as possible there s none of the awkward attempts at fusion style trappings here. Casual upmarket would be the best way to describe the setting, so if you re after a quality meal in Brisbane that avoids any pretentiousness then this is an excellent choice. Yakitori, which literally means grilled bird in Japanese, would be nothing if things didn t start well with the chicken itself, and here every offering is both expertly grilled and wonderfully tender, while the smoke and flavour infusions used here enhance the inherently neutral flavour of the meat. All of the staples of yakitori meats are utilised almost none of the chicken goes to waste as more standard sections as the thighs and breasts go hand in hand with other innards like chicken liver, hearts and even arteries for the adventurous diner. This is a restaurant where it pays to venture outside your comfort zone, as the organs are prepared in a way so that their distinctive textures are not unpleasant on the palate. While the pure skewer oriented menu might sound monotonous, the diversity of the flavours and dippings as well as the range of enjoyable sides help break up one bite from the next. ’
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First timers may want to opt for the Omakase chef s selection that consists of a 7 course of skewers, sake, vegetable skewers, rice and dessert for an ideal cross section of samplings for an overall reasonable price that WILL leave you full despite initial appearances this is one of the best value banquet style offerings in Brisbane and great for experiencing as a group. Given the high quality, the food at Bird s Nest is very well priced in general and makes it possible to dine here on a relative budget compared to some of the other high end restaurants on this list. -
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Beverage offerings at Bird s Nest deviate greatly from your typical wine lists at European establishments, and while the Sake is enjoyable there s a dedicated Sake sommelier to lend a hand to the uninitiated , it s the Japanese style plum wine that steals the show and goes just as well with dessert as it does the savoury meals. ’
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It s apparent that attempts have been made to keep the experience as truly Japanese as possible there s none of the awkward attempts at fusion style trappings here. “
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Rounding out the pluses of the restaurant are the wonderful fit out and communal atmosphere that the restaurant creates there s a large central table rimmed with seating in order to get everyone involved, and while it tends towards the noisier end of the dining spectrum this is all part of the fun. Optional window seats are also available that give views of the head chef and the kitchen in action, and it s interesting to see the techniques and sheer volume of chicken that is prepared in a relatively short amount of time. Bird s Nest is more than just a novelty fad as someone who spent several years living in Japan, this is up there with the best true Japanese restaurants experienced, all for a price that won t leave your wallet in tears. -
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AFFINITY WINE & DINE entrees highlighted by the tempura zucchini flowers and carpaccio foie gras combo to the mains and their standout kingfish in a Moreton Bay bug sauce incredible and wagyu sirloin through to the range of rich and flavourful desserts and their signature Malt brownie. –
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This is a restaurant that simply exudes elegance, from the soft lighting to the high end, rustic decor to the live piano that provides a classic backdrop no expense has been spared in making dining at Malt a memorable event. . “
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Location: Market Street, Brisbane, QLD Cuisine: Modern Australian It s beyond cliche to throw the term dining experience around in regards to fine dining establishments, but there are few better ways to describe what makes Market Street s Malt such a standout the relatively high price of admission carries with it an experience that is simply first class in every regard. This is a restaurant that simply exudes elegance, from the soft lighting to the high end, rustic decor to the live piano that provides a classic backdrop no expense has been spared in making dining at Malt a memorable event thats based around more than simple food consumption. ’
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Mains are cooked, presented and plated intelligently at Malt, and each of your menu selections are described in detail by the waitstaff upon their arrival which is a nice touch and adds to the inherent class of the experience. These are complex dishes with a blend of flavours that demonstrate the chef s expertise to a fault, with melt in your mouth ingredients and meals that are evenly cooked and subtly textured. ’
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Malt boasts an extensive wine and spirits list, and the restaurant s manager is always willing and able to go into detail about their various whiskey offerings in particular, which is a solid indicator of the service on offer as a whole. Waitstaff are exceedingly professional yet still warm, striking just the right balance between involvement and granting personal space nothing is ever too hard when responding to requests, and personalised touches such as birthday or anniversary cards pre prepared on your table go a long way to adding to an overall welcoming feeling. ’
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The ambience thus makes it an obvious and reliable choice for any special occasion that s worth remembering, with the seating also being intentionally limited to provide the optimal amount of space between tables and lending itself to romance. A split level layout with a bar downstairs that s a great spot for a pre dinner drink and the main dining room above completes the charm. ’
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The menu at Malt has had its selection intentionally limited to concentrate on showcasing the craftsmanship of the featured dishes, each of which is brimming with perfectly balanced flavours it s definitely a quality over quantity motif here. Presentation is spectacular and give the sense that you re getting value for your money, from the -
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This is five star service and food at a price point that is very reasonable in proportion to the standards set by every aspect of the restaurant, and stands as a remaining hidden gem behind the main dining district of Market Street. Whether you re going to enjoy lunch, customise your own dinner as you see fit, or go all out on their comprehensive and indulgent Taste of Malt degustation experience, you ll be left with a memorable dining experience at Malt that will be sure to drag you back in future. When factoring the combination of food quality, atmosphere, service and price point, this is a Brisbane restaurant that remains hard to beat. Courtesy of EXPERIENCE OZ.com.au ’
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AFFINITY TRAVEL
Why a cruise holiday?
The number of cruise ships visiting Australian waters continues to increase with 46 cruise ships visiting Australia s 31 ports with a total of 876 visits in 14 15 and that was much higher than the 773 visits of the previous season. ’
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At Seniors Holiday Travel Founder and Managing Director Mr. Perry Morcombe believes that cruising is excellent value because so much is included in the cruise price: your accommodation, excellent meals, pampering service, fun activities and brilliant entertainment. In between visiting exciting ports of call and discovering new destinations, you can lounge by the pool, enjoy spa treatments, work out, take in a lecture or class, or any one of many other activities. The best thing though is that you only have to unpack once! The price of your cruise holiday includes your room or suite or cabin as it is called as well as all meals onboard ship including in most cases 24 hour room service . (
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Also included are most of your onboard daytime activities, and on most ships, night time entertainment including live stage shows. -
Cruising is extremely good value because you ll know what most of your holiday will cost before you go. Generally your only extra expenses will be your airfares, drinks though these are sometimes included on luxury ships , optional shore excursions, and personal services such as spa treatments or hairstyling. '
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At your Seniors Holiday Travel Club your friendly personal travel expert with give you all of the details regarding your chosen cruise holiday. You can choose to cruise for 3 days, a week, 10 days, 2 weeks, a month or much longer if you want to discover the world on an around the world cruise. Whatever your schedule, at your Seniors Holiday Travel Club we will do our best to find the cruise that s right for you. Many first time cruisers start with a 3 night or 4 night cruise. The most typical cruise length . '
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AFFINITY TRAVEL is seven days, while experienced cruisers often prefer more exotic itineraries of 10 to 14 days or longer. The longer the cruise itinerary you select, the less the cruise will cost on a per day cost basis.
walled health centres and spas that overlook the sea and offer the latest exercise equipment and treatments. Aerobics, Pilates, step, spinning and yoga classes are usually offered.
Today s modern cruise ships are quite large and contain hi tech stabilizing devices and advance weather notification processes so sea sickness is simply not a factor. Motion discomfort for many only tends to occur on the first day at sea if at all. Our advice is to eat, drink and play in moderation on that first day
Daily life aboard ship and in ports of call is very laid back and casual, and you are encouraged to wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable: sportswear, shorts, slacks, sundresses and so on. Warmer temperatures obviously enable lightweight, breathable fabrics, and for cooler temperatures your Seniors Holiday Travel Club suggests casual clothes that can be layered easily. On some days you may need a raincoat and waterproof hat or umbrella. Footwear should include comfortable walking shoes for visits ashore and sandals or rubber soled shoes for walking on deck.
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The magnificent feasts and exciting activities will still be there the next day. In the unlikely event you do experience motion discomfort, there are a number of over the counter solutions to ease your concerns. -
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Cruising has become very popular with seniors so chances are you will make a lot of new friends of around the same age, and today s cruise ships so advanced in what they offer and how they re designed, that you ll find all types of people aboard. '
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On an average cruise holiday, there will be seniors on anniversary cruises first and second honeymooners families with little ones and teens who love the supervised kids activities and single men and women who always seem to find each other. ;
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There are always lots of happy couples who are even happier on a cruise holiday.
At night, many ships may vary as to dress. There are three types of evenings on board casual, smart casual and formal. On casual nights, sport shirts and slacks are suggested for men sundresses or pants for women. On smart casual nights, dresses and pantsuits for women jackets and ties for men. For formal nights, women should wear cocktail dresses men should wear suits and ties or tuxedos optional . Your Seniors Holiday Travel Club suggests that you do not buy a tuxedo just for the trip. If you do want to dress to the nines, many ships offer tuxedo rental "
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Entertainment onboard ranges from Broadway style musicals to Vegas style nightclub revues. There are theme cruises featuring Big Bands, jazz, sports and other celebrities, and guest chefs. Many ships have brilliant facilities for passengers to enjoy a variety of pursuits. For fitness buffs, there are many with glass -
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AFFINITY TRAVEL services. Even on the most formal of ships, a dark suit and tie for men are fine for the dressiest occasions.
always sell out first, and the most expensive and least expensive staterooms are the first to sell out. So if you re travelling on a budget and looking for the least expensive inside, or want all the amenities and luxuries of a suite, you need to book early! For these staterooms, a year out is not too early to be planning your cruise. '
Why should I book my cruise with your Seniors Holiday Travel Club? • At your Seniors Holiday Travel Club our goal is to help you find the right cruise at the best available price. • At your Seniors Holiday Travel Club our we can help you learn all about many of the world s very best cruise lines. • At your Seniors Holiday Travel Club we can help you with access to the very best last minute special offers and deals, and cabin upgrades. We negotiate exclusive offers for our members on a number of select voyages. • At your Seniors Holiday Travel Club our staff regularly inspect cruise ships on a frequent basis. • Our recommendations aren t based solely on our own travel experts points of view, but also on feedback from the thousands of past cruise passengers who have booked with us. '
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As soon as you have decided you want to take a cruise, start making plans. The best staterooms
There are typically 4 main types of accommodations on a cruise ship: inside staterooms, ocean view staterooms, balcony staterooms and suites. Not all types are available on all ships. -
INSIDE STATEROOM (NO WINDOWS): The most economical accommodations, these are usually located on an interior hallway. Providing the same space and amenities as standard ocean view cabins, these are a frequent choice of cruisers on a limited budget. -
OCEAN-VIEW/WINDOW: These staterooms offer a view of the outside world, and most newer ships have picture windows. There may be portholes on older vessels. Some cabins may have obstructed views such as a lifeboat or steel (
AFFINITY TRAVEL girder outside the window . These categories are available at less cost than an unobstructed view. )
BALCONY STATEROOMS: Standard outside staterooms with balconies are becoming increasingly available on new ships. Not as spacious and not as expensive as a suite, these are becoming the most popular type of accommodation. “
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Cruise companies have become experts at monitoring sales trends electronically and maintaining flexible pricing structures based on supply and demand, and this technology has enabled cruise lines to be very sophisticated while managing these sales trends. The end result is that cruise prices can and do fluctuate: as it gets closer to sailing and fewer staterooms are available, the price increases. With the growing popularity of cruising, it s rare to find the last minute sales that were more common years ago. '
SUITES: The most spacious accommodations, suites range from less than 30m² to the size of a large townhouse on two floors. They usually include a separate living area, large private balcony, mini bar, refrigerator, oversized whirlpool bath, and in room stereo and DVD. Some suites feature a dining area, a baby grand piano and the services of a private butler or concierge. The most expensive accommodations, they re also the first to sell out, so it s important to reserve well in advance. -
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There are also triple and quad accommodations, however most staterooms are designed for two people, cruise pricing is based on double occupancy , but there are some staterooms with additional beds for a third and or fourth passenger chilkd or sharing group family. These are either upper berths which either fold down from the wall or drop from the ceiling above the other beds, while some ships offer a sofa bed for the third and or fourth passengers. These can be economical for families or persons travelling together on a budget. (
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Seniors Holiday Travel was founded by CEO Mr. Perry Morcombe. We know and understand that many seniors are not as confident about travelling overseas and this is why we offer so many choices in fully escorted tours and cruises. In many cases the actual staff member who books you on your holiday actually joins you on your holiday said Mr. Morcombe. “
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There are many unique points of difference offered including additional special discounts for seniors with travel insurance. For a holiday, a tour or a cruise any form of travel in Australia or the world, the club ensures peace of mind for Australia s senior citizens. –
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When you make your cruise reservation with your Seniors Holiday Travel Club you will either be confirmed in a specific stateroom or offered a category guarantee. This means the cruise line is unable to confirm a specific stateroom in the category you wish to book and guarantees you will be assigned a stateroom in that category, or a higher category at no additional cost. You will be advised of your stateroom prior to sailing, possibly in advance or at the pier upon check in. Either way, you are assured accommodations on the cruise. "
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Seniors Holiday Travel specialises in escorted tours and cruises and has a wonderful team of extremely knowledgeable and very helpful travel professionals who have been there and done that so as to ensure you do not experience any unpleasant travel experiences.
For more information about Seniors Holiday Travel, visit www.SeniorsHolidayTravel.com.au or free call 1800 300 999 and become a member – its FREE to join! Email enquiries@seniorsholidaytravel.com.au
AFFINITY TRAVEL
Reasons So Many People Choose Hotel Apartments When Going on Holiday There are a number of benefits to choosing hotel apartments as an alternative to staying in a hotel when you go on holiday. This is ideal for business travelers, families and couples who want to enjoy their independence when on holiday and live like a local in some of the most beautiful areas in the world. Some of the benefits you will find when choosing hotel apartments is that you enjoy a wealth of space. When traveling as a family and all staying in one family room in a busy hotel, you have to watch what you do and keep a close eye that the children aren t too noisy at any time. When staying in a hotel apartment, the family has room to spread out, the same as they would at home, which can give you a more enjoyable holiday experience at all times. '
You will find that hotel apartments provide you with the comfort you would enjoy when staying at a top hotel, except you have a number of bedrooms and bathrooms, a sitting area, a kitchen and in some instances a comfortable dining area. Hotel apartments provide you with flexibility. When staying at a hotel you have strict check in times,
check out times, breakfast, lunch and dinner times, all based on the hotels regular schedule. This isn t always convenience when on holiday and you want to lie in, which results in you missing breakfast. With the apartment, you control your own schedule, you can eat and relax and not worry that you are working to anyone else timetable but your own. '
An apartment is more private than a hotel, there isn t a volume of guests and hotel reception seeing you come and go. You can go out and enjoy your evening without worrying that hotel reception are going to see you come home in the early hours. You are in control of your own holiday and can enjoy the peace and tranquility that these hotel apartments provide, even when staying in the heart of a bustling city. '
Further you will find that staying in a hotel apartment can save you money. A hotel requires you pay a flat nightly rate, this may or may not include breakfast. It is more common for hotels to offer a slightly cheaper nightly rate and then request a further amount if you want to take advantage of the breakfast provided. When it comes to a hotel apartment you pay for a
AFFINITY TRAVEL period of time, which means staying a week can work out around the same as two nights in a leading hotel. This is a great holiday opportunity to travel to exciting destinations, explore the sights and stay in complete comfort while remaining within your travel budget.
own housekeeping service to ensure the place is clean and you get to relax and enjoy your stay. My Apartments is an experienced provider of high quality apartments in central locations throughout the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. This well established company provides serviced apartments in top locations and also provides the added convenience of airport transfers and sightseeing experiences. My Apartments comprises of an experienced team of professionals who provide an alternative to hotels for corporate and leisure guests from around the world. They provide competitive rates, a personalized service and can accommodate both short and long term needs. The rentals come complete with housekeeping service and turn down service on shorter rentals. To find out more, visit http: www.myapartmentslondon.com. -
The majority of hotel apartments are centrally located. You will find that you can get into the heart of a city, sometimes where you cannot find a hotel. This is ideal, enabling you to take advantage of public transport routes and being close to the top sights and attractions. The final reason you should consider hotel apartments and the benefits they provide is that they often come with a housekeeping service. This is a welcome convenience when on holiday reducing how much cleaning you have to do. Many people aren t keen on self catering because they don t feel as though they are on holiday as they cook, clean and do their laundry. With hotel apartments you get your '
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Author: Sarah Monib Article Source: http: EzineArticles.com ? expert Sarab Monib //
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AFFINITY HEALTH & WELLBEING
50 Ways to uncomplicate your life Stay At Home Mum shares tips for a simpler, happier existence We all have loads on. We wear many hats...we may be parents, all the while being someone s partner, sibling or child too and having our own lives outside of home with friends and work. ’
It is easy for life to become very complicated. So how do you even start to slow down? Check out our list of 50 ways you could start un complicating life today and be inspired! -
1. Don t keep secrets from your partner ’
2. Don t try to read other people s minds ’
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3. You know that elephant in the room address it, don t ignore it –
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4. Get to know your financial situation 5. Know who your real friends are 6. Spend less than you earn 7. Ring your parents regularly to keep in touch 8. Do something nice for someone else every day without asking for anything in return 9. Wake up fifteen minutes earlier 10. Address that funny noise your car is making before it turns into a bigger issue
11. Donate stuff you don t need do a clean out every few weeks ’
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12. Don t waste food ’
13. Take the time to cook from scratch 14. Try and understand a problem from all angles, not just your point of view 15. Stand up for someone when you hear gossip. Don t take part in it ’
16. Address your anxieties and find out what s causing them and how you can fix it ’
17. Take the time to know your neighbours you never know when you may need them –
18. Take a few minutes every day just to listen to each and every family member individually Let them get their day off their chest
AFFINITY HEALTH & WELLBEING 19. Save money every week, no matter how small
33. Be yourself
20. Before getting angry, ask yourself if it will really matter in 20 years
34. Say no unapologetically 35. Cook simple meals 36. Don t try to keep up with the Joneses ’
21. Focus on being a good person, not on pleasing others 22. Stay home this weekend, and finish off that nagging chore that you need to finish
37. Spend your time with nice people 38. Avoid drama 39. Don t text or talk on the phone while driving ’
23. Kiss and make up
40. Refuse to gossip, or talk behind other people s backs ’
24. Menu plan and buy only what you need when shopping 25. Pay your bills on time 26. For just one day, imagine everyone s intentions are good
41. Do the dishes right after dinner 42. Never go to sleep angry
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27. Give away clothes that haven t been worn in two years ’
43. Ask nicely for what you need and want 44. Leave work at work 45. Don t befriend anyone that isn t trustworthy ’
28. Tell the truth
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46. Don t envy others ’
29. Don t cheat ’
47. Return emails and phone messages promptly
30. Don t steal ’
31. If you re holding on to a ridiculous grudge, let it go
48. Schedule in free time
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32. Clean your house weekly, so that it doesn t become too large a chore
49. Slow down
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50. Forgive and forget.
AFFINITY SOCIAL MEDIA
9 tricks for social media
Want to promote your brand on social platforms? Start by finding an authentic voice, avoiding the sales pitch and honing your company's message. Aussie startup GoodnessMe Box delivers health food to its users each month based on the concept that its content is a surprise experience each time.
5. Do not sell Don t be too overt about your product. People do not want to be sold to they are following your brand because you are an authority in your space and they want to be inspired. They will respond to quality competitions and discounts as this provides value, but this needs to take place intermittently. ’
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Depending on the month, the package could include anything from coconut oil and gluten free muesli to kale chips and raw chocolate. -
With a background in marketing and public relations, founder Peta Shulman has focused on securing relationships with social media influencers from the outset. The startup has engaged thousands of subscribers who turn to social media to share the arrival of their new packages. Those relationships enabled her to grow the startup s Instagram account from zero to 10,000 in the first 10 days. Schulman s best practice tips include: ’
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1. Start today It can take time to build a following, or as we rather like to refer to it, a community. Whether your business is still in the planning stages or not, it s important to kick start your social media platforms right away. ’
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2. Be authentic People want to discover the real brand, including your unique voice. 3. Post consistently Post once daily. Ramp it up when you begin to discover exactly what your followers are liking . ‘
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6. Provide quality content Content marketing is the new age of marketing, and with so much information out there people are after well thought out posts. Today everyone is hungry for content, but it has to be quality content. -
7. Create a content plan It can be difficult to be constantly clever, witty, informative and aspirational on the spot, but by incorporating social media into your business strategy you can formulate a succinct plan. Schedule content in advance and mix this with sporadic posts as well. Social media is often about being timely and newsworthy, so not everything can be pre planned. -
8. Hone your brand message What is the message your business is trying to communicate? What impression are you trying to make? Our aim is to provide food with integrity. Together with our team of health practitioners, we communicate that we source only the highest quality health food brands that share our passion to provide wholesome and natural food products that are GMO free, and which are two or more of the following: organic, sustainable, raw, gluten free, dairy free, sugar free or vegan. -
4. Carry out research There are a number of free research tools available to assess trends and understand your audience demographic, the times of the day they are most active, what posts they are responding to best, and so on.
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AFFINITY SOCIAL MEDIA 9. Create engagement We receive thousands of Instagram posts per month from customers sharing their experiences with recipes and images. We continue to share those posts on our sites, to inspire others. It s become something of a ritual for many of our subscribers opening the box and capturing their discovery with Instagram. ’
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Article provided by Sensis 2015
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