Explore Shanghai with Shanghai WOW! iPhone App

Being a regular business traveller, I’ve used plenty of travel apps on my iPhone, but none of them have been anywhere near as useful as the Shanghai city guide I downloaded from Shanghai WOW! I recently had the opportunity to visit Shanghai for the Expo, and got an extra few days to explore the city. I downloaded all the iPhone city guides I could find relating to Shanghai, and I have to say that Shanghai WOW! stood out from the crowd. The main advantage is that it’s a mini version of the website, so you’re effectively carrying around a Shanghai city guide in your pocket. Unlike other Shanghai iPhone city guides which are just bare listings or articles geared towards expats instead of visitors, this one actually has information about each destination, with a bit of historic and cultural detail too. It also shows the entry charge for each place, making it easy Thanks to GPRS functionality, the Shanghai WOW! app gauges your positioning, and tells you how far you are from each attraction. This is great for people who don’t know the city, as it’s often hard to know what is in your vicinity if you’re not familiar with your surroundings – something that a regular Shanghai city guide wouldn’t be able to tell you! The app also links up to Google Maps so you’ll never get lost. In a Shanghai guide that’s aimed at visitors who don’t know the city, this is a great feature.The interface is super-simple to use. You can either do a straight search on a destination or attraction, scroll through a full list, or choose from the categories Art & Entertainment, Buildings & Monuments, Clubs & Bars, and Culture & History. This is great if you want to do a morning of cultural sightseeing, for example. All you would do is hit the ‘nearby’ button and select Culture & History. There’s also a “favourite” button for you to customise your Shanghai city guide. Whichever way you choose to search, when you get to the page for the destination you want, you’ll see a photo which leads to the gallery which you can scroll through, some info about the attraction, and a “view map” button. Another thing I really like about the ShanghaiWOW! app is that it’s more than just a regular Shanghai city guide. You get extras like photo galleries for each destination, so you can see what it looks like before you visit, and addresses in Chinese to show to taxi drivers. Best of all, the app doesn’t cost anything, so you get some amazing content plus a great interface for free – not bad.

Entrepreneurial Ways to New Small Business Loans

Access to capital for small businesses still remains as dry as James Bond’s vodka martinis.

Banks continue to keep their vault doors shut tight.  And, given that the portfolio of commercial loans in this country is teetering on a knife’s edges, who can blame these financial institutions for showing caution as these commercial loans can, at any moment, turn toxic (following the lead of all those subprime mortgage loans that trusted us into this financial crisis some two years ago).

But, like the knife’s edge that these loan portfolios are balancing on, the economic recovery that is scarcely showing signs of life is also hanging on by a thread.

Any recovery in this country will only be lead by small businesses.  It is small businesses that have the greatest impact on community development, hiring, growth and wealth creation.  And, when communities at large get lifted up by the very same members who reside there, all those within those communities benefit – all groups, not just a select few.

However, when it comes to lending, given our current underwriting models, it is also these same small businesses that encompass the greatest amount of risk to banks, or so they say.  But, maybe this greater risk is tied more closely to the method of underwriting than it is to the borrowers themselves.

Banks and other financial lenders have essentially used the same underwriting guidelines or criteria for centuries.  At the beginning of the loan process, lenders tend to analysis a borrower’s past performance to gauge how each borrower will perform in the future; sometimes with very little understanding of where that borrower may ascend to at some future point in time.  Further, while most regional or national banks have taken strides in implementing new technologies seeming deigned to improve underwriting (usually by taking credit decisions out of the hands of local bankers), these new innovations merely follow the same flawed underwriting standards; they just deliver the results in a different manner or speed up the process.

And, as we can clearly see, the current methods of underwriting are truly flawed; not just from the current shoddy or non-existent bank lending but also from the very short-term, low impact government run programs like SBA guaranteed loans have on overall small business lending; which on the surface are great programs but are flawed as they too rely on the same underwriting abilities of banks and other financial lenders.

But, leave it to the entrepreneurial determination of many new entrants into the small business loan industry in seeking new ways not just to improve business loan underwriting but to disrupt the entire way that lending is conducted in this country.

For example, most traditional banks loans are considered fire and forget (or more like fire and hope).  When a loan is approved and funded, lenders set payment dates (usually at monthly intervals) then essentially take themselves out of the picture (even though they may still require the business to report its financial position periodically). Then, should a borrower get into trouble, most lenders do not realize it until it is far too late for anything to be done (on both the bank’s and the borrower’s part) – all of which adds risk.

However, there are new entrants that are attempting to reduce some of the risks to both themselves and their customers by not focusing so much on past performance but by looking more at today’s and each day’s cash balance.  Thus, instead of collecting payments monthly based on the borrower’s past profitability, they essentially take daily micro payments – payments that seem to place less of a cash flow burden on the borrower as well as reduce some risk associated with longer payment terms.  Moreover, by focusing on micro payments, profitability is no longer an underwriting requirement as the focus shifts to daily cash flow (which many businesses can generate even though they have yet to turn a profit).

Further, this type of loan repayment also creates a strong relationship between borrower and lender as the lender works with and evaluates the borrower daily and not just quarterly when financial statements are due.

There are also new entrants that facilitate lending among peers – termed, social lending, that is more community based lending than anything.  Based in part off the old and forgotten credo of credit unions where the community supported each other by pooling excess cash from some members and lending it others in need.  The real key here is that loan decisions are not based on some far away executed formula but by actual communication between borrower and lenders.

There are also new entrants that look at lending as more of an investment in companies than actual loans – thus they do not require elements like time in business, profitability or collateral.  They are more interested in accessing the business’s ability to generate cash flow from the loan proceeds.  Not only are there non-bank lenders applying these new techniques but many private equity companies are entering this arena.  However, these players are taking it even one step further by approving entire loan requests, but tranching the funds at intervals that are conducive with business growth and development – called milestones.

This type of thinking has also benefited Micro Lenders, who have some of the lowest levels of default in the industry.  While Micro Lenders may be able to lend much more than they do on average, there success stems from helping business owners build solid track records while providing them needed capital.  Many Micro Lenders usually only approve amounts smaller than those requested in the beginning.  But, as the borrower moves forward demonstrating their ability to service that loan amount, the Micro Lender then encourages the business to come back for more capital at larger amounts (even if the original loan is not yet paid off) – it is essentially similar to teaching a infant how to walk by making them craw first.

Lastly, there is the community bank model.  While much of the community bank’s underwriting is based on current practices, community banks are the only real shinning example of traditional lending still working. The reason is that these organizations underwrite requests not only by solid lending standards but also via relationships – relationships with the borrower, with the community or neighborhood, with the local business climate as well as with local knowledge of assets used as security.   Thus, allowing these lenders to approve loans to businesses that other regional or national banks would run away from.

While many of these new business loan models are still relatively young and have not yet strayed very far from traditional underwriting methods, they are making improvement in the industry; an industry that may take centuries to evolve.  But, one never knows how quickly new, disruptive, entrepreneurial companies can impose changes on industry participations that are blinded by the status quo.

However, in the mean time, there still remains hope for small companies seeking business loans to start, manage or grow their enterprises via these up and coming entrepreneurial organization who are seeking new and improved ways to solve the current access to credit issues that nearly every small business faces today.

Identity Theft – An Invisible Crime

Assuming another’s identity through fraud is what we call Identity theft. In this type of crime a person pretends to be someone else to gain illegal advantage from that person. It then becomes a profit loss statement. The one whole steals the identity gets all the illegal benefits and then one whom identity is stolen suffers heavy losses. The idea behind the identity theft is to use other person’s identity in such a way that it looks as if the same person is operating it. A criminal involved in identity theft can use the personal information of the victim like his name, date of birth, account numbers and credit card numbers to gain some benefits for him without the permission of the person actually holding those identities.The internet – The biggest monsterHackers across the world are known to be the highest and worst identity thieves. An experience hacker can easily breach the security of any individual or firm to use their identities for his illegal benefits. The internet is becoming the most essential and influential part of everyone’s life, these days lot’s of consumers use the internet for their monetary transactions, they depend fully on the internet which gives a vast space to hackers to steal their identities. Credit card frauds, account number stealing, breaching passwords are the common types of identity theft occurred through the internet.The biggest concern about identity theft is that it’s really difficult to detect. It’s really difficult to detect who and from where a hacker or identity thief is operating and causing heaving losses to an individual.Another concern about identity theft is that no one is safe. Everyone has an identity. Everyone does have money so who knows when you are the next target of the thieves, a thief might be living in your next door, or he might be operating from 1000′s of miles away from you.How it can be prevented:This is the biggest question mark for all the security agencies, all the legal bodies that how to stop this biggest scariest monster whose victims are growing in numbers almost every day. Like other severe crimes this is also becoming a very big challenge for all the security agencies.There are some way consumers or an individual can protect himself from this scariest crime.1. Every individual has a social security number which is unique. It is recommended that one should not give it freely to others. One should not carry his social security card everywhere because if thieves will steal your purse or wallet, your identity will be stolen easily.2. If you are using email for your monetary transaction with banks or other institutions, then it is recommended to protect it with a strong password. Change your passwords frequently, also in your password add combination of both letters and numbers.3. If you are using the credit cards and other number of identifications, try to minimize it when you are going out, the more identity symbols you will carry with yourself, the more chances are you will get stolen.4. If you saw someone using your identity, promptly report it to police or other security agencies to stop for further damage.5. Be careful while using the internet, either you are using instant messaging or surfing on websites, never disclose your personal information to strangers.

Herbs for Diabetes

This is only informative aspect of writing before applying them do consult your doctor or Ayurvedic Vaid

Blueberry leaves (Vaccinium myrtillus)

A decoction of the leaves of the blueberry has a long history of folk use in the treatment of diabetes. The compound myrtillin (an anthocyanoside) is apparently the most active ingredient. Upon injection it is somewhat weaker than insulin, but is less toxic, even at 50 times the 1 g per day therapeutic dose. A single dose can produce beneficial effects lasting several weeks.

Blueberry anthocyanosides also increase capillary integrity, inhibit free-radical damage and improve the tone of the vascular system. In Europe, it is used as an anti-haemorrhagic agent in the treatment of eye diseases including diabetic retinopathy.

Bilberry

Bilberry may lower the risk of some diabetic complications, such as diabetic cataracts and retinopathy.

Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)

Bitter melon, also known as balsam pear, is a tropical vegetable widely cultivated in Asia, Africa and South America, and has been used extensively in folk medicine as a remedy for diabetes. The blood sugar lowering action of the fresh juice or extract of the unripe fruit has been clearly established in both experimental and clinical studies.

Bitter melon is composed of several compounds with confirmed anti-diabetic properties. Charantin, extracted by alcohol, is a hypoglycaemic agent composed of mixed steroids that is more potent than the drug tolbutamide which is often used in the treatment of diabetes. Momordica also contains an insulin-like polypeptide, polypeptide-P, which lowers blood sugar levels when injected subcutaneously into type 1 diabetic patients. The oral administration of 50-60 ml of the juice has shown good results in clinical trials.

Excessively high doses of bitter melon juice can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Small children or anyone with hypoglycemia should not take bitter melon, since this herb could theoretically trigger or worsen low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. Furthermore, diabetics taking hypoglycemic drugs (such as chlorpropamide, glyburide, or phenformin) or insulin should use bitter melon with caution, as it may potentiate the effectiveness of the drugs, leading to severe hypoglycemia.

Cinnamon -  Triples insulin’s efficiency.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated the antidiabetic properties of fenugreek seeds. The active ingredient responsible for the antidiabetic properties of fenugreek is in the defatted portion of the seed that contains the alkaloid trogonelline, nicotinic acid and coumarin.

Gymnema Sylvestre (Gurmar, Meshasringi, Cherukurinja)

Gymnema assists the pancreas in the production of insulin in Type 2 diabetes. Gymnema also improves the ability of insulin to lower blood sugar in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It decreases cravings for sweet. This herb can be an excellent substitute for oral blood sugar-lowering drugs in Type 2 diabetes. Some people take 500 mg per day of gymnema extract.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba extract may prove useful for prevention and treatment of early-stage diabetic neuropathy.

Onion and Garlic ( Allium cepa and Allium sativum)

Onion and garlic have significant blood sugar lowering action. The principal active ingredients are believed to be allyl propyl disulphide (APDS) and diallyl disulphide oxide (allicin), although other constitutents such as flavonoids may play a role as well.

Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that APDS lowers glucose levels by competing with insulin for insulin-inactivating sites in the liver. This results in an increase of free insulin. APDS administered in doses of 125 mg/ kg to fasting humans was found to cause a marked fall in blood glucose levels and an increase in serum insulin. Allicin doses of 100 mg/kg produced a similar effect.

Onion extract was found to reduce blood sugar levels during oral and intravenous glucose tolerance. The effect improved as the dosage was increased; however, beneficial effects were observed even for low levels that used in the diet (eg., 25 to 200 grams). The effects were similar in both raw and boiled onion extracts. Onions affect the hepatic metabolism of glucose and/or increases the release of insulin, and/or prevent insulin’s destruction.

The additional benefit of the use of garlic and onions are their beneficial cardiovascular effects. They are found to lower lipid levels, inhibit platelet aggregation and are antihypertensive. So, liberal use of onion and garlic are recommended for diabetic patients.

Stevia

Stevia has been used traditionally to treat diabetes. Early reports suggested that stevia might have beneficial effects on glucose tolerance (and therefore potentially help with diabetes), although not all reports have confirmed this. Even if stevia did not have direct antidiabetic effects, its use as a sweetener could reduce intake of sugars in such patients.

 

Parenting fail Dad caught red-handed with stolen tomato

Yes, it’s gratifying, life-affirming, entirely rewarding and full of unparalleled joys. But sometimes, fatherhood just sucks. When your baby screams like a distressed wildebeest while in church, it’s you who suffers the glaring gazes from a room full of annoyed parishioners. When your babbling toddler comments that the cashier at the supermarket “looks like Oscar the grouch,” it’s you who endures the embarrassment. And when your 16-year-old forgets that a driver’s license only lets him or her drive on land (not water), its you’re car insurance rates that go through the roof. One father in Miami Beach, is still seeing red after deciding to take the heat for his youngster. When Robert Lerner and his daughter drove past a fruit stand last week, the 10-year-old girl asked her dad to stop so she could get a tomato. Evidently, the hungry child elected not to pay for fruit before she climbed back into dad’s car and was driven away, the ripe plant in tow. After being tracked down by a man Lerner believes was the local farm’s owner, the unsuspecting father was caught red-handed with the tomato and was allegedly thrown to the ground and repeatedly kicked and punched, according to WSVN.com When the event was all over, Lerner was left with a squashed piece of fruit and about $150,000 in medical expenses. So what can we learn from Mr Lerner’s failed parental guidance? 1. “I don’t want to get my a** kicked by the local maniac farmer” just became the father’s top excuse not to grocery shop, cook or do anything with food but eat it. 2. After years of stating your case against salad, you’ve finally found a defensible argument. 3. The blood orange now has company as the most violent fruit. 4. When stopping at a fruit stand, be sure to pick up a honeydew, pineapple, dragon fruit, durian or coconut. Tomatoes make crummy weapons.

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Parenting Discipline Tips Encouragement Or Intimidation To Get Your Child Motivated

When it comes to parenting styles, we often find two types of parents – the encourager and the intimidator. An encouraging parent focuses on using positive reinforcements to get their kids to work towards a certain target. An intimidating parent, on the other hand, uses punishments as part of his parenting style to get their kids to conform to a particular action.

Encouragement should not be mixed up with pampering though. Pampering means regularly doing something the child can do for themselves such as fixing breakfast, preparing lunch, or even waking them up. Pampering makes a child lazy and teaches them to take certain things for granted. Don’t make your child overly dependent on you or other people to get things done for him.

With intimidation, a child generally grows up with fear of failure and develops an obsession of reaching the top, even at the expense of others. Others may become fearful of taking chances, unless they are extremely certain that success is achievable. Too much encouragement and your child will become dependent on it may develop the need to keep receiving them. One single criticism and children will become angry and subsequently, start on self-doubt.

Parenting young children is tricky with many fine lines. A good parenting tip is that praising is not always considered encouragement. A child should only be praised if he or she accomplishes something significant. Too much and it fosters too much competiveness and inculcates the fear to fail.

Take note of the parenting law that praising your child should only be done if he truly deserves it. Encouragement does not rely on praises alone. Your kid can tell when your praises mean nothing. Encouragement should place importance on the child’s strengths and assets. Too much praising and your child risks being too accustomed to sweet sugary words. Parents may also get too used to giving out praises when it means nothing.

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Mental Feng Shui

Thousands of years ago, Feng Shui was only available to those in high power and rank in these ancient countries. Only Chinese emperors and Japanese shoguns used it, and it was not available to the general public.Those emperors and shoguns used the power of Feng Shui to overcome obstacles and gain the wealth and power. Feng Shui helped them to create their ever lasting dynasty.Chinese emperors and Japanese shoguns had their personal Feng Shui masters. Those masters were one of the highly educated scholars in defense tactics and logistics, meteorology, geography, human psychology, and behavioral science, philosophy, astrology, and statistics. In those ancient times, those Feng Shui masters were treated like national security, because if the master were kidnapped or stolen, the enemy could use his knowledge and experience to attack the emperor.So, what is Feng Shui?Feng Shui is art and science of the interaction of the chi energy, within yourselves, as well as within your environment. It is not just moving furnitures around and changing your space, but it is all about shifting your mindset and energy in life.Why do some people succeed and some don’t succeed? That’s because successful people know how to allow for positive chi energy flow freely in and out of their mind, while not-so-successful people get stuck in negative chi energy.The abundance is out there within your reach. Actually, the abundance wants to come to your life. However, unless you unblock your old stagnant energy within yourself as well as within your environment, you cannot start receiving the abundance to your life.What makes people successful is their sound decision-making. You will achieve success as you accumulate a series of right decision-making about your life, your business, your health, and your relationships.How can we achieve sound decision-making? You need to clear your mind and stay focused. De-cluttering your space is one method to achieve clear mind. Clearing your physical space can help you reach clear state of mind.Any purposeful activity, such as cleaning up your desk and work place, is like a simple Zen meditation. When you are engaged with such a purposeful activity, your mind becomes focused and free from cluttering thoughts.This concept is put into practice in many Japanese corporations today. The employees start a day with cleaning their desk and work space, so that they can start a day with fresh and focused mindset.Why don’t you try it and see if it can quickly help de-clutter your mind for better focus and abundance?