วันเสาร์ที่ 28 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2554
Ice Cream Shop Supplies – 2 Things You Can't Afford to Run Out Of
When you place your order with frozen yogurt suppliers, there are 2 things that you always have to have on hand. In fact, order more than you think you need!
1.Ice cream cups
Yes, people love ice cream cones. But there are also plenty of people out there who want ice cream in cups. If you run out of them, your customers will simply go elsewhere to get their ice cream fix.
And, the world of ice cream cups is a big one. You will have to pick cups that are perfect for you. First and foremost, you'll have to decide which sizes are fair to your customers and still profitable for you. If your customers feel like they're not getting their money's worth from your tiny ice cream cups, your profits will plummet.
Next, you will have to pick a design for your ice cream cups that stands out. After all, even the most popular ice cream shop still has to market itself!
Ice cream cups come in a virtual rainbow of colors. If you really want to have a successful ice cream business, you will need to select cups that match your company's brand. After all, if your company logo is red, you shouldn't get green ice cream cups!
2.Ice cream spoons
It may seem like a no-brainer, but this is one of the ice cream shop supplies that you absolutely cannot live without. After all, how are people supposed to eat their ice cream without spoons? If your shop doesn't have enough ice cream spoons, you will never make any money. Not having the right ice cream shop supplies simply makes you look like an amateur.
In fact, you will need at least double the amount of ice cream spoons as cups. That's because people love to share. One large ice cream order may get eaten by 2 or 3 people.
And, if you plan on handing out free samples, you will need even more ice cream spoons.Before you open up your ice cream shop, you need to find frozen yogurt suppliers that you can count on. If your supplier can't constantly keep products in stock, your business is going to suffer.
วันอังคารที่ 17 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2554
Free Rome Tourist Attractions | Free Things to do in Rome | Best of Rome Free Sights and Activities Suitabel for Rome aboriginal timers and children
Here are ItalyTravelista top ten hit for free things to do in Rome, Italy especially designed for family with children visiting Rome eager to enjoy Rome without breaking the bank.
Rome travelers and families visiting Rome with kids should be aware that no visit to Rome would be complete without throwing 3 coins into the Trevi Fountain while making a wish to come back soon!
1) Visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel free of charge on the last Sunday of every month, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (the last admission 12:30 p.m.).
2) Churches are everywhere in Rome, perhaps more than 900 churches are accessible in Rome free of charge! Don't miss the outstanding four Rome Papal Basilicas and visit Saint John in Lateran, Saint Paul outside the Walls, St. Peter's Basilica and Saint Mary Major. Donations are welcome!
3) Baroque piazzas, Egyptian obelisks and beautiful fountains are the best spots in Rome to take relax, write postcards, tweet your pictures, watch the world go by and enjoy a delicious gelato ice cream!
4) Enjoy the Pantheon is… Free!
5) Watch the Roman Forum from the Capitoline Hill best during sunset!
6) Water! When in Rome fountains and water are everywhere! Enjoy fresh Roman water from every fountain! Travel Eco-friendly! On your tour of Rome don't purchase bottled water just drink free water!
7) Parks! Stroll around the enchanting Borghese Gardens dotted with statues, trees and an even small lake to enjoy a great day out and picnic lunch with the kids!
8) Visit the Holy Area of Largo Argentina and watch the cats lounging among the ruins of four ancient temples.
9) Enjoy Rome's finest view from the Janiculum Hill and set your watches. Since 1904 the cannon on the hill fires at noon sharp every day.
10) Check out the amazing Pyramid that houses the tomb of Caius Cestius, one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in Rome and visit the nearby Non-Catholic Cemetery often referred to as the Englishmen's Cemetery to enjoy peace of mind without forgetting the Latin saying Carpe Diem.
What else? When in Rome do not forget to check our local magazines for free events in Rome, best foodie festivals usually held in the Rome outskirts and excellent music concerts.
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Nancy Aiello Rome Tour offers its valuable guests visiting Rome the most comprehensive selection of private Rome city tours, walking Rome tours, Rome museum tours, Vatican and Sistine Chapel religious Rome tours, Rome by-night Rome tours, Rome culinary tours and private Rome cookery lessons, and a wide range of highly customized private Rome tours escorted by dynamic and experienced certified official Rome tour private guides.
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วันจันทร์ที่ 16 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2554
Florence Fly Drive: Things to See & Do Around Florence, Italy
Although Pisa Airport is the larger of the two, many people choose to fly to Florence Firenze Airport, especially as there are flights direct from Gatwick Airport. Those planning to make the most of their trip here should prearrange a car hire at Florence Airport, through one of the many companies that offer their services here including Autoeuropa, Avis, Budget, Elite, Europcar, Hertz, Maggiore, Sixt and Thrifty.
As the capital of Tuscany, Florence is a great place to begin, packed with splendid Renaissance architecture and partly encased within ancient medieval walls. The dome of the Santa Maria del Fiore is unmissable, particularly as it is the largest brick dome in the world, and the surrounding Campanile and Baptistery are equally as unforgettable. There are also plenty of cobbled streets and charming squares to stroll through, before stopping off to sample the gelato (ice cream to you and me).
Travel north of Florence and you enter straight into the Chianti region, famed for its full bodied wine. Here winding country roads open out to reveal amazing views onto the vineyards and olive orchards sprawled out below. Nestled in its heart is the bustling, little town of Greve, just a 35 minute drive from Florence, which is the perfect place to have a bite to eat and a small tipple of the local produce. Less then an hour further north is Siena. As one of Italy´s best preserved medieval towns, it is rich in Gothic buildings and has a very unusual central piazza called il Campo, which is shaped like a scallop shell. Dine in one of the many fabulous restaurants in the evening and sample local Sienese dishes such as crostini neri, fagioli all´uccelletto and pasta e fagioli, washed down, of course, with a glass of Chianti. Siena is also famous for The Palio, an annual horse race held round the Piazza del Campo, a tradition started in the 14th century and featured in the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace".
The next stop is Arezzo, 88km away and around an hour and 20 minute drive, which was the setting for yet another film, the Oscar winning "Life is Beautiful". More influenced by the medieval period then by the Renaissance, the town is slightly less flouncy and pretty then some, but the interesting sights and features make up for it. Both the cathedral here and Medici fortress are stunning but one of the main attractions is the La Leggenda della Vera Croce. This is the set of frescoes by Piero dell Francesca found in the church of San Francesco, which tells the story of the "True Cross". Other notable places to visit are the Museo Statale d´Arte Medievale e Moderna which houses Middle Age sculptures, paintings and a large selection of weapons and the Museo Archaeologico located alongside the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre.
Moving further towards the east coast of Italy and you come to the Republic of San Marino, 116km from Arezzo and a 2 hour journey. The capital of this country within a country is perched atop a tri-peaked mountain and makes for a breath-taking sight. Lined with fortresses, the largest of which, the 13th century Cesta, sits on the highest peak of Mount Titano and offers the best vantage point across the city and surrounding areas. It also has a museum of arms installed within. From here it´s just a 30 minute drive to Rimini. While it has its fair share of architectural and archaeological wonders, such as the The Arch of Augustus and 2nd century amphitheatre, the area is best known for its glorious beaches and lively nightlife and is considered the number one resort on the Adriatic Sea.
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 25 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2553
Simple Things & Luxury Things
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djIY-PA5in8&hl=en
วันอังคารที่ 4 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2553
Customer Service - The Little Things Count
"It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important."
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930), British novelist and author of the Sherlock Holmes series
The smallest little things we do in our business can mean the difference between positive and negative buzz.
On a recent trip to the mall, I stopped for a frozen yogurt snack at a TCBY stand. When I asked for a cup of tap water to accompany my yogurt, the counter person said, "I'll have to charge you 25 cents for the water." When I did a double-take, she said with a look of embarrassment, "Oh, I'm so sorry that I have to charge for water...but that's what the owner wants."
I've always loved TCBY frozen yogurt, but this left a bitter taste in my mouth. I couldn't stop thinking that a paper cup of tap water must cost only a few pennies. The profit margin on a cup of frozen yogurt is surely generous, so why would a business owner charge for tap water?
Of course, I Do not pay for water to drink and instead went to the nearest fountain. I will never go back, that TCBY is ridiculous because its policy of water status. I would also advise the business ever. In fact, I have become a source of negative entries.
As businessmen, we spend a lot to gain resources and customers like. And 'comforting to think that happy customers tell their friends to our company if we excel in providing products or services. However, to createpositive buzz, we must find ways to go beyond the ordinary.
In contrast, there is a shop in Portland, Oregon called Mio Gelato. They make gelato that rivals some of the best that I've tried in Italy, and their counter people are friendly and gladly offer as many free samples as you want. It is the attention to details that makes Mio Gelato stand apart from the competition.
The display cases are beautiful, and each gelato flavor is artfully displayed a key ingredient of the case as a fresh fish or a coffee bean. The bathrooms are tastefully decorated and immaculate. And unlike TCBY, you do not ask for water. Instead, there's a big glass pitcher of ice water on the counter and a series of tall glasses next to it. And of course there are fees for water.
As another example, one of our customers in Portland Chromatix Paints offers an innovative array of color and of high qualityarchitectural finishes. Chromatix is competing against paint businesses that have been around for over a century. To offer great paint is not enough. Rather, Chromatix stands apart from other stores when it comes to customer service.
When you walk into the Chromatix showroom, you see an espresso bar that rivals the best that you'll find in any coffee shop. Instead of being asked what paint you want, you are asked whether you'd like an espresso, latte, or mocha. Then, as you leisurely sip Your coffee, you have the opportunity to work with friendly staff and competent to talk about your project. You feel like you have a conversation with a neighbor over the fence are back, instead of talking about a seller.
Clearly, in this highly competitive age, we must ensure that our products and services are as good as or better than the competition. But, to generate positive buzz around, we have the customer a reason to talk positively about our company.
Think of the companyoutside your industry that you admire. What they do to their clients WoW? Can you emulate their tactics? What can you do, your customers want from you buzz?
วันอังคารที่ 2 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2553
When In Italy - Twenty Essential Things To Do
Sitting round the dinner table one night , after a few bottles of Chianti with some old friends, most of whom had spent time as European tour guides and backpackers, I asked them to name the best thing to see or do while staying in Italy. There was a lot of loud discussion as some tried to praise the less obvious things over the more mainstream, but there were also plenty of unanimous agreement for others.
In no particular order may I present to you the top 20 things to do in Italy as decided by my mates.
1. Nun Watching in Piazza San Pietro
There is something serene about watching a line of Nuns on tour, especially on specific Saint's days, taking photos of the façade of St Peter's or trailing behind each other inside the huge basilica. They are only out numbered by the pigeons, which parents ,who hate their children, encourage to sit on their offspring's head in hopes they will pick them up and fly away, perhaps dropping them somewhere over the Forum.
2. Eating Gelati 3 times a day
This is mandatory for anyone travelling during the months of June, July and August. How the Italians get it so creamy, tasty and dribbly is beyond me but you never feel full. It's the best thing after a long hot day queuing up for hours to see all those magnificent artworks. It is made with totally natural ingredients and everybody claims to have the best gelato shop in Italy, which is believable, but some even go further, experimenting in odd flavours like tomato and believe it or not basil.
3. Holding up the leaning tower of Pisa
You've all seen it. The obligatory photo of someone and their mates holding up the Leaning tower, either with one finger or both hands. Probably the next best thing to climbing it, which is all anyone goes to Pisa to do. And holding it up is about the cheapest thing there.
4. Dodging Cars in Rome
After sky diving in Switzerland and a taxi ride in the Czech republic this probably the most adrenaline packed activity you can do in Europe. To cross the road you must keep walking, make sure you keep eye contact with any oncoming driver like a bullfighter and keep moving. The cars and bikes will come very close, never actually touching you, so long as you keep going.
5. Parking on a Kerb
Everyone else does it.
6. Singing a Duet with a Gondolier
He may not be the next Pavarotti but your gondolier should have a pretty good voice. They know all the old favourites and it makes the experience all the more authentic. They usually ask for a bit extra for the service on top of the hire fee. The most favoured time is around dusk as the lights are coming on making the reflections in the water add to the atmosphere.
7. Hanging out with the Pope on Wednesday
Tourists, Nuns, Priests, locals and pigeons flock to Piazza San Pietro for the weekly address from his holiness Pope Benedict XVI at around 10am. Afterwards you can check out the inside of the Basilica and the crypt where St Peter's remains are kept.
8. Checking out David's A--e
You could line up and pay to see the original inside the Accademia, where it was shifted at the end of the 1800's to protect it from vandals and the elements. Or you could examine his copy up close in Piazza Signoria for free, or you could climb the hill above the Ponte Vecchio to see the bronze version standing in Piazza Michelangelo. Or you could see all 3 and make a comparison.
9. Drinking wine and watching the sunset in Cinque Terre
There is something quite unique about sitting on the rocks next to where the fishing boats pull up, lanterns bobbing along the wires around the cove in the sea breeze, listening to a guy practising his baritone opera through an open window, watching the sun sinking over the horizon sipping on a locally made red after eating home made pasta and pesto sauce. Perfect.
10. Eating Pizza in Napoli
Home of the Margherita pizza. A famous local pizza maker Rafaelle Espositi heard the Queen of Naples was interested in trying a pizza so he made a patriotic one using basil, tomato and mozzarella for the colours of the Italian flag. She liked it so much she gave her name to it. To be enjoyed while observing the kamikaze scooters and cars going hell for leather down the narrow streets.
11. Cliff Diving in Sorrento
Not for the faint hearted. Locals, generally boys, scramble up the steep cliffs to leap off dropping tens of metres into the big blue beneath. If that is way too over the top you could always take a mask and snorkel and wait around underneath.
12. Calling your mum from the top of the Venice Campanile
Believe it or not there is a public pay phone at the top of the campanile so you can make that all important call to your mum, or maybe order a pizza for dinner.
13. Wine Tasting in Chianti
There is a theory that the word Chianti comes from the old Etruscan word for water 'Clante', which is an obvious connection to make if you drink a lot of Chianti. The stringent production standards set by the Consortium means the quality of all types of the wine is consistent and it's hard to find a bad one.
14. Tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain
But don't go swimming unless you want to pay a huge fine. One coin means you return to Rome, two coins means you return and get kissed and three coins means you return and get married. All the money gets swept up regularly and given to charity. The authorities also don't take kindly to anyone stealing from the fountain. Put the coin(s) in your right hand and throw over your left shoulder. It's something fun to do with the change from your third gelato.
15. Visiting the Sistine Chapel
If you survive the 3km walk through the rather opulent Papal Rooms of the Vatican Museum you will be rewarded with the sensational view of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Created in situ by Michelangelo, he often painted freehand straight onto the wet plaster, through belligerent Papal outbursts, financial difficulties, staffing problems, slipping foundations, wars and finally completed after 4 years in 1512. Take mini field glasses and some sort of key to each fresco. The noise of everyone whispering is only drowned out by the guard bellowing 'silencio' every so often.
And don't sit on the steps.
16. Walking the planks in a flooded Venice
One of the more original experiences when visiting this watery city. Winter rains flood the lagoon and when the tide is in the level can rise to your knees. Practical locals have come up with the solution in the form of raised platforms so you can walk the planks around Piazza San Marco without getting your toes wet. Or you could invest in some stylish rubber booties.
17. Getting Grappa-ed ( drink too much Grappa)
Every country has it's fire water. In Russia and Poland it's vodka, in Mexico it's Tequila, in Czech it's the Absinthe and in Italy it's Grappa. Distilled from the leftovers from pressing the grapes for wine, all the pips, skins and stalks, it is usually drunk at the end of a meal after the espresso. The first shot takes care of any sensation in your throat and the second and third take care of the rest of the nervous system.
18. Buying a Ferrari hat
After football, the Pope and their own mother comes the nation's almost religious following of that little red car from Maranello. Most Italian drivers appear to fancy themselves as the next Schumacher along the autostrada, including the truck drivers, but you have to admit the car is cool.
19. Riding a scooter in Tuscany
Winding country roads between rolling green hills, vine rows neatly slicing down the hillsides, wild flowers in the fields and those tall cypress trees lining the driveway to a mediaeval villa. All that fresh air and the chance to take life at the local pace while unpacking a tasty picnic in some farmer's field.
20. Finishing a Bistecca alla Fiorentina ( T bone Steak)
The resurrection of the Florentines favourite steak made national headlines. The local celebrity butcher from Panzano, Dario Cecchini had held a public funeral and memorial service when the EU banned the sale of beef on the bone products after the mad cow scare a few years back. Now it's back and everyone is celebrating. Just make sure you're really hungry for this one as it is huge.
The general consensus was that these were all the things that should be done during a trip to Italy, along with all the usual art and history things of course, in order that you get the most out of the trip.