How Blockchain Can Re-Invent the Global Supply Chain

After it emerged in 2008, the technology behind the world’s most notorious crypto-currency, Bitcoin, held court on the fringes, attracting attention mostly from startups and the financial services sector. However, it has recently started to receive a lot of attention as companies gradually realize it could be valuable for many other things besides tracking payments.

Simply put, a blockchain is a distributed ledger that sorts transactions into blocks. Each block is chained to the one before it, using sophisticated math, all the way back to the first transaction. Entries are permanent, transparent, and searchable, which makes it possible for community members to view transaction histories in their entirety. Each update constitutes a new “block”, added to the end of the “chain” – a structure that makes it difficult for anyone to modify the records at a later stage. The ledger allows information to be recorded and shared between large groups of unrelated companies and all members must collectively validate any updates – which is in everyone’s interest. Continue reading “How Blockchain Can Re-Invent the Global Supply Chain”

Restaurants in Oaxaca, Mexico, Get a Boost From “Oaxaca Sabe” Despite Inaugural Glitches

Oaxaca is known as one of the premier cities for food and drink in all Latin America. The south central Mexico mecca for mole is noted for more than the range of rich delectable sauces: internationally acclaimed restaurants, enticing late night street food stands, unique culinary and beverage items such as tlayudas, tejate, barbacoa de borrego, and of course the iconic agave based Mexican spirit, mezcal. But despite its gastronomic greatness, every year from early September until the cusp of Day of the Dead towards the end of October, its restaurants suffer from malnutrition – that is, not enough in the registers to maintain a healthy level of financial sustenance.

Enter the inaugural Oaxaca Sabe, September 16 – 23, 2014. The weeklong event was the first attempt in recent memory by a group of restaurant owners to bring dearly needed revenue to eateries ranging from high end to middle-of-the-road, by offering fixed price menus at one accessible price. Yes, there is Saber del Sabor for those of substantial means, the always-seemingly-struggling springtime Festival de Humánitas, and the Feria de los Siete Moles held during the summer when there are already a number of food and drink events. What the city of Oaxaca has always needed has been something to give restaurants hope and keep their servers afloat, during a time of the year when the rains in full swing keep residents indoors, and tourism is at its annual low. Oaxaca Sabe appears able to provide the right recipe, despite startup shortfalls. Continue reading “Restaurants in Oaxaca, Mexico, Get a Boost From “Oaxaca Sabe” Despite Inaugural Glitches”

How Hospital Cafeterias Are Increasing Retail Revenue

Hospitals retail areas find themselves under increasing pressure to meet revenue goals

Faced with rising costs and financially challenging times, healthcare organizations are increasingly looking to their retail areas as an additional source of revenue generation. Although hospital foodservices operations are well known for providing patient meals, most if not all are also responsible for the retail side of foodservice operations at their onsite cafeteria, snack bar and or coffee bar. Tasked with growing their revenue contribution to the hospital, many Directors of Foodservices and Cafeteria Managers are taking creative steps to increase patronage. Increasing employee participation, enticing members of the local community, and tailoring their food and beverage offerings to the needs and culinary preferences of patrons are all goals of aggressive foodservices operators.

Grab and Go Continue reading “How Hospital Cafeterias Are Increasing Retail Revenue”

Hey Buddy, Can You Spare A Job?

Of all the economic woes that face an individual or family, few rise to the emotional swing inherent with the loss of a job, or on the positive side, the offer of a job. In my thirty-five years of working, I have felt both that brutal sting and that elation.

I am often reminded of the movie, “Dave”, when Kevin Kline pauses in his White House presser and says somewhat wistfully, “have you ever seen the face of someone when they get a job?” (I’m paraphrasing). We all know the look, the pride, and the excitement associated with that event.

A job, I think especially for Americans, is an almost exalted thing for many. A job defines us to some degree. It reinforces our sense of self worth. A job means self-reliance, and with that a measure of freedom. Continue reading “Hey Buddy, Can You Spare A Job?”

Comprehensive Loss Prevention – Much More Than Random Acts of Reaction

A deposit mysteriously disappeared so instructions were added to cash handling procedures and bank reconciliations. A cashier was caught stealing. She was fired and a replacement hired after checking their background a little more thoroughly. An act of vandalism occurred so cameras were installed. Slip and fall accidents were increasing, so floors are mopped more frequently and employees advised to be more careful walking on wet floors.

The above solutions are parts of a loss prevention program developed as a piecemeal reaction to issues in retail and restaurant environments. It happens out of necessity to protect company assets, profitability, and the health and safety of employees and customers. They may provide a short-term solution, or act as a band-aid to cover-up major underlying issues. Continue reading “Comprehensive Loss Prevention – Much More Than Random Acts of Reaction”

Distance Learning Master Degree – The Master Degree Solution For Time Staved Single Parents

We often take for granted just how easy the Internet has made our lives. No longer do we need to visit libraries for research, no postage stamps we now use email, and we can even shop for food right from our laptop.

Another improvement is the ability to get a masters degree without ever stepping foot on campus.

Until quite recently most schools would never offer a masters online because of the stigma that came from years of “correspondence school” abuse. And even if some schools would offer a masters degree, it certainly would not be a school that you had ever heard of before. Thankfully today that is changing rapidly

There are many thousands of people who have earned their degrees via distance learning and these folks have almost taken for granted the convenience this added to their lives. Because a great many of them would never have received their degrees if they had not had the freedom of completing the programs online. And now it seems that the status of online degrees is shifting rapidly as many big name colleges and universities are offering masters degrees online. Continue reading “Distance Learning Master Degree – The Master Degree Solution For Time Staved Single Parents”

Different Kinds Of Office Supplies You Can Buy From Online Stores

Are you tired of purchasing office supplies again and again from local retail stores?

Do you really want to know a permanent solution to this problem of yours?

You will get all your answers right here today, while reading this article.

All of you who are involved in purchasing different types of office supplies know very well that the majority of items are being used on the regular basis. That means, there is a need to maintain sufficient inventory of all those office supplies to avoid scarcity at any point of time. For example, break room supplies, ink and toner supplies, cleaning equipment and most importantly general supplies. Further, there are various products, which come under each category of office supplies and are individually important to be present in an office. Let’s have a look at the importance of each of these supplies in your office space: Continue reading “Different Kinds Of Office Supplies You Can Buy From Online Stores”

Duck Hunting

Duck hunting is the practice of hunting ducks for food and sport. commercial hunting is mostly prohibited, and duck hunting is primarily an outdoor sporting activity.

Many types of ducks and geese share the same habitats and are hunted using the same methods. It is not uncommon to take several different species of waterfowl in the same outing.

Wild ducks have been hunted for food, down, and feathers worldwide since prehistoric times. Ducks, geese, and swans appear in European cave paintings from the last Ice Age, and murals in Ancient Egyptian tombs show men in hunting blinds capturing swimming ducks in a trap. Continue reading “Duck Hunting”

People Eat With Their Eyes First

Have you ever heard the expression, “People eat with their eyes”? It’s an idiom I only recently learned, but I can certainly verify that it’s true. Did you also know that research suggests that people are least likely to eat or even sometimes drink things that are blue, as it seems the most unnatural color to ingest? Weird, isn’t it?

But if you think about it, it actually doesn’t seem all that strange. When it comes to great cuisine, we generally want it to appeal to all of our senses. For instance, have you ever come home when your spouse was cooking dinner and the aroma permeated the whole house? You could feel your mouth beginning to water as you followed your nose to the kitchen, right?

Knowing these things can be a great key to unlock your customer base if you are in the food retail industry. This means that it isn’t just about the packaging anymore–not only does your logo have to be pretty and your slogan catchy, but the food item itself needs to be visually appealing. Continue reading “People Eat With Their Eyes First”

How to Make a Winter Crafts Snow Globe

Snow globes are great for any occasion or holiday, simply by changing what you use to create your scene. Just let your imagination run wild!

For example, make a harvest scene for Thanksgiving, a ghostly haunted house for Halloween, a red Valentine heart or colorful Easter/Spring display for the holiday of your choice.

Other themes could include a special birthday or event, sports team, favorite cartoon character or superhero, seashell or Victorian motif, to name just a few.

Once you have an event or theme in mind, it’s easy to gather together the elements for a really unique custom made creation.

WINTER CRAFTS SNOW GLOBE Continue reading “How to Make a Winter Crafts Snow Globe”