7 Great Reasons Why You Should Work in France

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Michael Gabriel Sumastre

(Eiffel Tower at night – click to view large photo)

Are you looking for a job? You don’t have to limit your choices to your state or country. You may want to take a look at the opportunities available in other places, such as France.

There are several reasons why France may just be today’s ultimate jobseekers’ haven. Here are some of them:

Majority of the benefits are mandated by law.
Regardless of whether you are working for a large or small company, you can expect to receive your benefits — and there are tons of them. These include your insurance and savings plan, vacation and sick leaves, and even your travel. Moreover, a lot of these benefits are applicable to all types of employees.
Social relationships are given more importance.
Isn’t it awful when you are trapped in an office with colleagues who do not speak to you? In France, it is considered normal and professional if you go around tables, talking and shaking hands with your fellow employees. You can even approach your boss without making an appointment and talk just about anything.
They have better working schedules.
While you need to be up before 8 a.m. in the United States, you have an extra hour of sleep in France. In the Hexagone Country, most employees report to work between 9 and 10 in the morning. Furthermore, everyone is entitled to enjoy their one-hour lunch break, which could mean getting some fresh sandwiches and black coffee in the al fresco cafes. All throughout the week, you are required to work for just 35 hours. If the company decides to extend your working schedule, the management is compelled to give you extra paid leaves.

In France, you are also not required to work on Sundays. The law mandates that businesses (except for those offering essential products and services such as food centers, hospitals, and the armed forces) should be closed on that weekend. There are also some companies that take time off during weekdays, such as Monday.
Your health insurance is covered.
True, you get deducted for “taxes,” but the exchange is worth it. In France, your health insurance is fully covered. It does not matter if you are opting for a major surgery or not. Everything is being paid for by the government.
There are plenty of jobs available.
As long as you have a working permit, you can take different types of jobs while in France. There are casual or seasonal employments. You can ask help from the Centre d’Information et de Documentation Jeunesse if you need assistance finding a job. This agency provides both work and education, especially to the younger applicants.
There are so many things to love about France.
This is one of the most visited countries in the world. They have the finest set of food and wine, they have a truly majestic countryside, and their economy is stable. They are also geographically and culturally diverse.
French prefer a more laid-back atmosphere.
It seems like time moves so slowly in France. They love to chat, dine, and go out with friends. As much as possible, they want to take their jobs easy. You can deal with your work a lot better if the world around you is more stress-free.

Top 3 for the First 3

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Michael Gabriel Sumastre

Here are the top three YouTube videos for the first three months of 2011.

I chose these videos because, not only are they now part of video-sharing history, but also they conveyed mixed emotions.

Enjoy!

TOP 3:

TOP 2:

TOP 1:

How to Get an Employment as a Travel Nurse

Posted on December 2, 2010 by Michael Gabriel Sumastre

Why should you become a travel nurse? This type of nursing work gives you more freedom, especially on the places you want to work. Some travel nurses are onboard cruise ships, while others are assigned to other countries. Most travel nurses have the opportunity to work in different health care facilities, making their working experiences more comprehensive. Most of all, you can earn as much as 15 percent more than in-house nurses.

But how do you become one? There are certain requirements you should fulfill, like the following:

You need to have proper education.
You need to have a thorough background in clinical practice before you can become a travel nurse. Make sure you are a nursing graduate (of course) and duly licensed to practice.
Get a certification.
You should also be a certified nurse. Nurses do take their state examinations. You can ask the steps on how to take the exam and even pass it from your state board committee. There are also plenty of reviewing materials available in the World Wide Web to help you out.
Practice in-house nursing.
You will have greater chances of being accepted as a travel nurse if you already have some experience in nursing. At the very least, spend 12 to 18 months in a health care facility.
Look for an agency.
Some travel nurses work freelance. This means they scour for opportunities in different states, especially in California and Florida, as well as in other countries like Canada. However, it is much safer and more stable for you if you apply through an agency.

The agency will be the one to take care of all your needs. They have a database of companies, hospitals, and clinics that may be in need of your services. They will also arrange for your transportation, accommodation, and even food. Moreover, some of them pay high. You can earn more than 10 percent compared to working as an in-house nurse. The agency can also take care of legal requirements such as your license to practice in the state or country.
Talk to your agency.
You may have some preferences as to the job and location of your assignment. A lot of them are understanding enough to meet your needs. All you have to do is to talk to them.
Be ready for the job.
Being a travel nurse is fun, but it can also be very challenging. You have to tackle different demands from various workplaces. Traveling may sometimes be tiresome. Usually, a travel nurse gets to work for approximately 4 to 20 weeks, depending on the requirements of the facility. When your contract expires, you have to move to another workplace (unless the management still wants your services and extends your contract).

Google’s Top 5 Benefits for Business Owners

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Michael Gabriel Sumastre

The mega search engine Google is used not only by Internet searchers but also by business owners. In fact, it serves millions of advertisers and enterprises all over the world every day. The secret: it is business friendly. Here are the top five benefits of Google for business owners:

Ease of Use of Applications
Virtually all business owners do not have to build anything from scratch. The applications do not require additional use of hardware or creation of another program. However, developers can modify the codes through the developer tools and resources available at http://code.google.com/intl/en/.

The website also promotes “one account for all applications.” Upon signing, the business owner can immediately take advantage of all the tools and resources developed by Google employees themselves. Users of Lotus Notes and Microsoft Exchange can switch to Google Applications in very simple steps.
Desktop on the Go
Google encourages everyone to be as mobile as possible. Thus, it is easier to build network connections, stay in contact with employees even when on the road, and promote telecommuting that reduces business overhead costs.
The website has applications that are very similar to those found in desktops. An example is Google Docs, which works like Microsoft Word. Other applications include Google Spreadsheet and Google Calendar.

Plenty of tools can also be accessible through the mobile phone. Gmail, its e-mail client, can be synced in with Blackberry’s Enterprise Server and accessed through any type of Internet-capable mobile phones.
Collaboration
Google promotes collaboration among employees, business owners, and partners. Business owners can set up and share scheduled meetings and appointments, as well as documents and spreadsheets, via Google Calendar, Docs, and Spreadsheet respectively. Google Groups permit everyone to communicate more openly and upload public files such as documents and images.
One can purchase a business account for $50 per year and make use of 10GB site storage. All chosen employees can have 500MB. There is also a shared storage for more private videos in Google Video. Google Talk allows video conferencing.
Marketing
Google provides several money-making opportunities for business owners. Google AdSense allows them to monetize their blogs while Google Adwords permits one to bring the business to the search results pages, while the keyword suggestion tool helps business owners find the best keywords to use.
Google Analytics, one of the best search engine optimization (SEO) tools so far, is free to use and can be added into any website. This can provide valuable marketing information such as number of unique visitors, pages visited, and keywords used for searching. Business ads can be customized based on the desired geographical location. It also encourages local listing.

The search engine has Google Finance that allows any stockholder to monitor the market on a real-time basis. It has applications such as Portfolios, Stock Screener, and Google Domestic Trends.
Uptime
Virtually all applications of Google are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The website also has plenty of contact details, from e-mail addresses to phone numbers, for anyone who needs additional technical and customer support.

The 10 Affordable Sports Cars You Can Enjoy Grandly at a Modest Cost

Posted on April 22, 2010 by Michael Gabriel Sumastre

While the term ‘sports car’ usually brings about images of a flashy Ferrari Enzo or a luxurious Lamborghini Gallardo, the same term is also almost synonymous to price tags bearing figures that the average Joe cannot imagine getting on his day job. Almost–because if you are a sports car enthusiast who is in the market for an affordable sports car, you can actually get powerful ones at a lesser cost. In this list are ten sports cars with awesome performance at a great price value.

1. The quick and agile Mazda MX-5 Miata is a good sports car to consider. It is great on gas, has good handling, and impressive build quality. One of the pluses of owning this is its long-term value.
Starting MSRP: $23,560

2. Another sports car to consider is the Ford Mustang Coupe. It has V6 210 horsepower, bigger tires, and fog lit grilles.
Starting MSRP: $22,145

3. If you want the lightweight version of the Ford Mustang Coupe, the Pontiac Solstice would be good for you. It is cheaper, has 177 horsepower, and it has good handling and response.
Starting MSRP: $24,000

4. When it comes to sturdy value, the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe fits right in with its rear-wheel drive sports car abilities. It is comparable to the Infiniti G37 but costs significantly less. It may lag a bit in terms of sports performance but as a whole, it is a great package.
Starting MSRP: $22,000

5. If Mazda MX-5 Miata made it to this list, so should the snazzy Nissan 370Z. It is a stylish sports car that is fast, has incredibly good looks, and an interior cabin that spells out quality. It offers power and utmost capability at an affordable price.
Starting MSRP: $30,410

6. The Toyota Solara Convertible is another good addition to the list. It is a sleek four-seater, with a curvy tail. It also has a neat interior and a dual color scheme option.
Starting MSRP: $20,180

7. You can also check out the gas-saving Chevy Cobalt 2005 series that has also been receiving critical acclaim. It has a low weight to horsepower ratio, summing up to better acceleration; clear versatility at a modest price.
2005 Starting MSRP: $13,625

8. Another Mazda made its way to the list: the RX-8. The Mazda RX-8 (sport-type model) is a cheaper alternative to Ferraris and Porsches. Its impressive profile includes rear opening doors that resemble swinging Ferrari doors and an engine with 9000 rpms/238 HP. Its body has great curves and a sturdy overfenders—a sumptuous combination of power and good looks, not bad for a price of under $28,000.
Starting MSRP: $27,245

9. Gliding along is the BMW Z4, inheriting some style from the 7-Series. It offers almost the same fun experience as the more expensive 6-series to the driver.
Starting MSRP: $46,000

10. And last but not least is the Mitsubishi Eclipse, which would please anyone who’d rather go for the tamer look, instead of the usual aggressive-looking sports car models.
Starting MSRP: $20,699

Yes, you can definitely enjoy affordable sports cars having comparable horsepower, comfort, audio options, traction, and style as McLarens and Shelbys, without making a huge dent on your bank account.

NOTE: All prices indicated are for 2010 – 2011 models (unless otherwise stated).

5 Rules of Effective Blogging

Posted on March 23, 2010 by Michael Gabriel Sumastre

There are a lot of reasons why you should blog. Topping the list is the ability to earn income out of it through product reviews, text link advertising, and Google AdSense. Depending on your knowledge on the subject, you can be tapped as one of the resource persons. A lot of bloggers become motivational speakers and even authors of high-selling books.

These people who find success in blogging are one of a kind, since most will just vanish into oblivion. The former are those who have followed the basic yet effective rules of blogging, which are the following:

Focus on content
Some readers will not really mind the layout of your blog, provided that you can provide them with content. Now, it is important that you know what this content means. It means substantial, accurate, and fresh information. Do not steal other people’s work. If you cannot avoid quoting them, make sure that you can add some references. Research newer data. You want them to keep coming back to your blog because they always learn something that is totally unheard of or seldom discussed.

If you do not know where to look for them or you want to be more inspired, you can read blogs and websites from mentors or experts in the field. You can also read magazines, books, and journals. You can just let your imagination and inquisitiveness come up with a new topic to talk about.
Avoid “read more”
As much as possible, you should avoid letting them read more of the blog post by clicking on “read more.” You have to remember that your readers do not really like to follow a lot of commands when they visit your blog. It is like getting invited into someone else’s home. You do not like to be instructed on what you should do, do you? You want to create a more succinct blog post for your audience.

Put them in the right categories
Classify all your entries, even the most personal ones. Not all readers will be interested in knowing about your travels but may want to read what your take is on search engine optimization. It does not matter if a single post will belong to several categories. The most important thing is you can add some sense of organization into your blog.

Diversify your blog
Even the most famous bloggers in the world are fond of adding pictures, videos, and podcasts into their blog. They let a web designer (or sometimes themselves) spend time developing the most effective and niche-related layout. They produce buttons and icons that readers can use and attach to their own blogs and websites. They provide great downloadable resources such as e-books, reports, and software. They also share links from websites whose information, they think, will be truly helpful to their readers.

Stick to the rules
Besides keeping in mind the above-mentioned tips, you also need to remember the rules that have been set by search engines such as Google. Your efforts will be in vain if your blog is penalized or worse, banned from these websites. This means that you should avoid keyword spamming. Avoid linking in websites that are actually link farms. Stay away from black hat techniques.

Top 7 Places Your Children Should Visit in Disneyland

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Michael Gabriel Sumastre

Grownups pretty much have the say in what to do and where to go at Disney, but it would mean putting up with whines or tantrums if your kid has something else in mind. What are the things that kids must not miss in Disney World?

(The fireworks and the parade)

In Magic Kingdom Park, the fireworks display over Cinderella’s Castle is must-see. Preschoolers would love Dumbo, the Flying Elephant, It’s a Small World, and Mickey’s PhilharMagic. They could experience Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel and Cinderellabration there too. Of course, the traditional 3 o’clock parade must not be missed, so better find a good curbside location.

(Turtle Talk with Crush)
Bring your tots to Turtle Talk with Crush, or bring them to the Kidcot Fun Stops. Characters on Holiday will surely appeal to their taste or better yet, try the Journey into Imagination by Figment.

(Beauty and the Beast-Live on Stage)
In Disney-MGM Studios, kids will love the “Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!”, “Beauty and the Beast-Live on Stage,” and “Voyage of the Little Mermaid.”
(Festival of the Lion King)
Kilimanjaro Safaris in Disney’s Animal Kingdom will bring the wonder of African savannah right in Florida for the kids and adults to explore. Aside from this African-inspired adventure, Disney also features the “Festival of the Lion King.” It is said to be the most colorful pageantry at Disney Park that will delight young and old alike.
(Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.)
In Epcot, there is a nightly fireworks display called “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.” It is the day’s “final act” at closing time.
Pony rides are available at the Petting Farm. Children from ages 2 and up can enjoy these, as long as they weigh up to 80 lbs.

(Disney’s Wonderland Tea Party)
Wonderland Tea Party shouldn’t be missed especially by young girls because characters from “Alice in Wonderland” will tell a story, eat lunch or have “tea” with them. If your kids are not into it, maybe My Disney Girls Perfectly Princess Tea Party will be. Here, girls are encouraged to dress up in their favorite princess get-up. They also get a chance to meet Princess Aurora from “Sleeping Beauty.”

Children will love the different activities in Disney World. To make sure nothing is going to be missed, do ask your kids to help you list the places to go and help you plan the trip. Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes and bring with you your guide maps—map out your itinerary so you won’t miss an attraction.

Disney World has all kinds of fun for the kids and the kids-at-heart, and new attractions are added from time to time. A trip to Disney World will be a great bonding (and did I mention fun?) time for you and your little ones.

Enjoy!

The Hustle and Bustle of Relocating: 10 Things to Remember When Moving to New York

Posted on February 22, 2010 by Michael Gabriel Sumastre

So you’ve decided to take a chance on moving to the Big Apple—are you prepared?

To some, it is a daunting challenge to become part of the dynamic hustle and bustle of this famous concrete jungle of skyscrapers, dazzling lights, and busy people. We’ve asked several people who moved to New York from a while back to give us some advice. What do people who’ve done what you are still about to do, have to say to New York movers? These are the top ten things to remember when moving to New York:

1) Bring a map – yes. You may ask around but you definitely cannot do that all the time.

2) Hypochondriac? It would be good to have a bottle of hand sanitizer with you. This city is filled with different people who have different habits. What’s clean for you might not be the same to the perception of cleanliness of the person next to you.

3) How much cash to bring? Bring lots of it but below $10,000 though. If you bring more, you could be held for questioning, thus causing unnecessary delays. This is because $10,000 is the limit set by federal law. If you bring too much cash, you would raise suspicion among the authorities.

4) How much will you set aside for rent? That depends on how much you would like or able to spend for it. You can get a decent apartment for about $500-600 per month. You could cut costs if you have someone to split it with. There are also places that are a lot cheaper but the usual cost that people shell-out is more or less $500.

Skyline patio dining in Manhattan

The casual lunchtime in New York

5) Food during lunchtime in Manhattan could go for $10-20, however, if you are adventurous enough to find great but inexpensive food spots, you could get good food for $6. Should you decide to go for a nice dinner for two, you could get these at $75-150.

6) Let’s talk weather. Weather in New York is a balance of extremes. Winters here are really cold and summers are as imaginably sultry. Rains make New York City hot and humid. This would give you an idea on what clothes to bring–which brings us to the next thing to remember.

7) If you want to blend in, black is a safe color of choice for clothing. Make sure you have enough clothes to wear for the different seasons. You would not want to catch pneumonia or freeze your toes off because you are wearing inappropriate clothing.

8 ) The fun is in finding your way in and out New York, so you’d make things easier and better for you when you settle in. Do not be afraid to take some time to “get lost” in order to know your way around. Just be sure to heighten your senses so you will not get into any unpleasant surprises. Should you really get lost, you can always go to the subway and get a subway map. Subway maps are free and you can get it from the subway booth. Of course, take some time to read your map and be familiar with it.

New York’s primary mode of transportation – the subway train

9) For transportation, the subway runs 24/7, the whole year. You should get a monthly swipe card called the metro card. It costs $89 and you can use it for 30 days. You might want to bring an iPod or a music player, because some destinations take up to more than an hour (for example: you are working in a company that is an hour and half away from where you live) and you might want the company of your playlist to break the boredom.

10) Last but not least, bring a camera. There are so many things to see and do in New York and what better way to document your thrilling beginning than shooting the sights with your handy camera. Of course, you have to know camera etiquette when you decide to be trigger-happy in a city that is a melting pot of people coming from different races. You would not want to deal with people who would get mad because they are thinking that you are taking their pictures.

Moving to any new place needs careful planning. New York movers have to learn to be street-smart and be able to think on their feet. You should already have an outline or a general idea on where you should go, who your contacts are, and everything on this list would then be useful to you, once you get to New York.

Moving to New York is a big and exciting decision—and you can make the most out of it while having fun.

The Basics of Protecting Your Brand Online

Posted on January 25, 2010 by Michael Gabriel Sumastre

Your brand can be a strong factor in whether you succeed online or not. One search at your company name or brand and a potential customer can make a decision whether to push through with buying from you or look at some other company.

Your brand is your identity. Your brand tells your customers why they should buy from you. It is what your brand connotes that makes you successful. Take a look at the world’s most successful brands and you will get an idea of why branding and protecting your brand is very important.

Brands are not just about the company logo, it is the emotional connection between your products and your customers. It is what your products are associated with. For example, Coke has been working hard to associate its beverages with fun and refreshment, while others like Louis Vuitton likes to make you think of luxury when thinking of their brands. McDonald’s, on the other hand, goes for inexpensive yet pleasant experience, while Nintendo goes for family friendly and can be suitable for the home.

The best brands are associated with great value and durability, value for money and reliability, great customer service along with a superior product.

Yet, with the advent of the Internet, your brand’s image can easily be tarnished. It could be a customer warning other people not to buy your products, or some wrong move by your company. Mattel’s Barbie has long been known to be a safe toy for children, and its image was severely tarnished when it was found that its Chinese partner used toxic chemicals, causing it to issue a toy recall involving more than 9.5 million dolls. More than this, parents all over the world avoided buying Barbie dolls until the issue died down and only after Mattel assured the public of more stringent processes to avoid the same incident in the future.

What ways can you take to make sure that you protect your brand online?

Use Twitter or Facebook and other social networking sites to connect to your public.
One of the best examples of a Twitter-savvy company is JetBlue that monitors Twitter for any mention of the company. They then inform anybody via e-mail that they do indeed have a Twitter account and that you could forward any complaints, questions or suggestions to them via Twitter. But that does not stop there. JetBlue quickly responds to any such requests or inquiries, making their customers feel well-attended to.
Do not create a Wikipedia listing.
If you have a sterling record or a good image, a Wikipedia entry might bring you some good hits and conversions. However, remember that a Wikipedia entry is easily modified by other people, and people can add a section where other people can post criticisms about your company.
Think twice before threatening a lawsuit.
If there are some negative comments on the blogosphere about your products, then think twice and wait until you are calm enough before you reply. If you do decide to reply, make sure that you do so with tact. Remember that your replies can either damage your reputation further with the wrong words or pacify the complainant so that you could do some damage control. Using harsh words or threatening to file a lawsuit will only inflame the people further, causing more harm than good.

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