In today’s business world, we all need to have a presence on the Internet. This means that we will need to have some kind of web hosting.

But web hosting is not cheap. Let me re-phrase that – GOOD web hosting is not cheap. What is “good”?

• A good web host is reliable (uptimes, maintenance, security…).
• A good web host is approachable (tech support, response time, different ways of contacting them…).
• A good web host is honest (statistics, tracking, clear records, no over-charging, clear policies…).

Frankly, there are many good hosts. Unfortunately, there are also many, if not more; bad web hosting companies. Worse, some are even scams. There are several ways to find a good host:

Friends recommend (on of the best ways IF you friend is knowledgeable)

• Check forums for comments and recommendations (also good if you know what to look for)
• Check with your local business bureau
• Get a consultant you can trust to handle your web project

For us, this blog is hosted on Hostgator. It has been a very reliable host for us and several blogs we run for some of our clients. Last week, they sent us a Discount Coupon and we would like to share it with you, so that you can enjoy a 20% discount if you sign up with them. We recommend that small businesses should start with the Baby plan instead of the cheaper Hatchling plan. The difference in price is small, but the difference in future expansion and flexibility is significant.

Anyway, use this code if you are looking for a web hosting plan for your new business (or old one): hgnews12.

We wish everyone a very successful and productive 2010!

In 12 hours , 7 Insightful Techniques will be taught to unleash the true power within you:

1. How to eliminate uncertainties and doubts in your money generating activities?
2. How have absolute clarity on what you want, your passion, purpose, talent and more?
3. Are you “in flow” with what you are doing now? What is FLOW? Why stuck energy penalizes your success? How to unlock your “flow” to generate results effortlessly?
4. What are the 8 ways to attain financial abundance? Which is the one and only way for you?
5. What are the 9 level of wealth? Where are you now? Where can you be in the foreseeable future?
6. How to develop a strategy to turn your passion into cash flow
7. How to see opportunities and start doing things effortlessly yet producing amazing results

Continuous learning is how we enriched ourselves so that we can push forward in life with less difficulties. If  you are one of the few people who would bother to invest in seminars and workshops to better yourself, than check out this, especially if you are residing or visiting Singapore. Though conducted by an Asian, I understood from my British friend that the class he attended in Hong Kong is a mini United Nations with Asians and Non Asians participating. This bloke got me to a preview and basically I like what I heard from the young, no-nonsense millionaire who was an ex-McKinley consultant. There’s one thing I really like what I heard. We cared for our business but did we ever treat our life as our business? Anyway,  I will be in Singapore for the full 2.5 day session in May, but for those who like a crash course, the 1-day version in Singapore in February should be a good start to begin 2010.

Why am I publishing this online? Well, Buckminster Fuller, who inspired the world famous “Money & You” program had this to say” Learning is sharing more”. I believe knowing our bottomlines is important. It will set the tone and pace for the year. Let’s fly together this year with continuous learning.

Check out official website with all essential information.

Happy New Year.

TBWA India has just fallen out of grace. It should be a happy and fun campaign but the TBWA India’s  Haagen-Dazs ice cream launch in India has successfully offended many Indian nationals and subsequently trigger an avalanche of backlash by bloggers.

The offensive posters were prominently displayed the very first Haagen-Dazs outlet in a Delhi shopping mall. The agency’s original intention was to create  up market cosmopolitan feel with a reference to the French Riviera hence the copy “Exclusive Preview for International Travellers. Access restricted only to holders of international passports.” Those words deeply hurt the pride of many Indians.

In a blog post headlined “Sorry, Indians Not Allowed,” Rajest Kaira said his  friend was refused entry to the new ice-cream store . More than  1,000 comments poured in. The first comment by Samir, started the ball rolling by stating that , “This is an insult of Indian nationals. … They should be barred from doing business in India.” The next comment by Born India agreed: “The store should be shut down immediately,”. Basically, people were fury, most said Haagen-Dazs should be fined or kick out of the country, or better still,  both.

Is this an overeaction? This might look as an over-reaction to non-Indians, but anyone who’s lived there will know where the reactions stem from. During British rule, it was a common sight on a few ‘privileged’ locations to have boards such as ‘Dogs and Indians not allowed’. un

Even Mahatma Ghandi was disallowed to take the train reserved for the white in his younger days.

Anti colonialism is evidently present by the response and reaction.

Even better if he/she was not paid to do so initially.

When asked in 1954 what she wore to sleep, the ever seductive and sensuous Marilyn Monroe purred, “Five drops of Chanel No. 5.”

Her famous answer made her  the poster girl for  Chanel No. 5, possibly one of the top 10 perfume in the 20th century. Chanel No. 5  was created by  Ernest Beaux. In 1921,  he presented Coco Chanel with two sets of five test fragrances numbered 1 to 5 and 20 to 24.  The rest is history.

Chanel No. 5 is where you wore to sleep, or to charm the special man in your life in the evening. This seductive and sexy perfume is somehow not seen as a beach perfume where a woman wears when she sashays in a skimpy bikini.

Chanel No.5 was a simple name. Even plain. The plain and simple name is echoed by a similar simple and plain square bottle with black and white label. This simplicity  was considered an ingenious and revolutionary marketing during that time.

Today, Marilyn Monroe and Chanel No 5 are still linked together. The perfume remains one of the top-selling perfume in the world. Well, it is reportedly said that one bottle is being sold somewhere in planet Earth every 30 seconds.

Consider this, most companies will have huge marketing budgets funded by successful products and services. They can accumulate profits, and when times are bad, draw on their marketing war chest to boost either branding, distribution, sales or any one of many objectives.

What do non-profit organizations have to fall back on?

Many marketing agencies would have faced this challenge some time in the course of their work. Non-profit organizations come and ask for a pitch.  But the reality is, many of them don’t need just a marketing campaign. Many non-profit organizations actually need a full blown non-profit strategic planning.

We found the Social Enterprise programs that have been launched by NESC to be a very compelling and powerful for non-profit clients. This is a very interesting approach because it “does not rely upon the good will of philanthropic foundations, corporations and individuals”, according to their press release.

As a marketing agency, NESC seems to be a good partner to be working with. While it is true that non-profit organizations need to be very prudent in how they spend, the reality is that these companies do have budgets that they can use to promote their respective causes.

I see NESC as a good quality partner that can be tapped to help marketing agencies provide more value add to their clients. With clients more equipped, they are more able to use your marketing agency to the fullest advantage. Isn’t that a good way to do business?

The most fascinating point is that NESC itself is a non-profit organization and its consultants are mostly senior executives who are now contributing their wealth of knowledge and experience for the betterment of society. We like the concept that NESC has, and it is a pity that their activities appear to be constrained to the New York, Connecticut and New Jersey areas.

Their website does provide a lot of information and even if your non-profit organization does not fall into the geographic area, just reading the list of services provided can provide some insights into areas that you need to pay more attention to.

Too bad they don’t seem to have a “virtual service” where you can submit your needs, and have their consultants take a look at it. I think that would be really cool. A knowledgebase (like a database of sorts) would also be a nice contribution to the non-profit community at large, I think.

In any case, what NESC does, the giving back to society element is strong and worthy. Anyone with experiences with them would like to share your comments?