Author name: chris

Food

How To Raise Restaurant Meal Prices Without Miffing Customers

Most restaurant owners are often too scared to increase the prices of their offerings, fearing their existing customers will look for inexpensive options and new customers would never stop by. However, restaurant meal prices have to be changed time and again, due to increases in raw material prices, employee salary hikes, etc. Before raising the prices, it’s important to be on top of your costs and ensure the restaurant is running efficiently. The following tips/strategies should help your cause. Proper Timing Raise your prices only when you’re extremely sure your customers like your food and won’t mind a marginal price increase. In other words, plan a price increase only if your restaurant has proved its mettle in the months before. Reduce Sizes Most restaurants resort to this ploy – they don’t mess with the prices but slightly reduce the serving sizes so the changes go unnoticed. This tactic could be implemented almost for any retail item, from candles to cosmetics. However, the whole tactic may backfire even if the customer gets slightly suspicious. As an alternative, you may try a dramatic reduction in proportion sizes and a not-so-equivalent, simultaneous price drop. Raise or Add Fees Adding fees can help avoid raising actual product prices. Utility firms do this every time, and several smaller companies use this ploy when electricity and gas prices go up. This strategy would pay dividends if you believe the price increase will be temporary; the fee can be removed anytime you feel it’s not needed anymore. Discounts Discounts can be offered for canceling out the price hike. When raising prices, you are likely to lose the extremely price-conscious buyers. To keep them on-board, increase your prices, but provide occasional deals and discounts that would pull the price down to its original level. Frugal customers are likely to use such discounts – other customers won’t care too much. Bundle Services or Products Soften your customers’ agony over the price increase by providing them fresh bundles of services or products. For example, if you own a coffee shop, add a couple of free cookies to your primary offerings. Alter Your Target Market If you have no option but to increase product prices and your existing customers are likely to jump ship, it’s time you create a new, more affluent customer base that doesn’t mind paying premium prices. Even if the price increase is marginal, targeting new customers or expanding your market could be the ideal way to offset any potential sales drop you may experience with customers who’ve exited. Raise Prices Regularly If you run a restaurant with affordable meals, your customers would probably know increasing prices is a part of the industry. If justified, increase the prices at the start of every year or once you’ve got loyal customers. If the services are monthly, offering an inflation-proof six-month or yearly membership would entice customers who’d like to avoid the rate increase. Plan in Advance As mentioned in the intro paragraph, ensure you have taken into account your current costs and also the likely cost increases in a year or two. Ultimately, your objective must be to not struggle through the process.

Travel

Two Tips On Hiring Private Jets

Planning a trip to Vegas? If so, you should think of exploring the city that never sleeps in a jet. Exploring Las Vegas in a private jet will offer you the flying experience of a lifetime. Private jets are luxurious and offer great comfort. Moreover, you will avoid the hassle usually experienced at airports. There are many reasons why you may wish to hire a private jet Las Vegas. For example, you may want to go to a specific destination that is not serviced by the major airlines. Sometimes, you may simply want to enjoy the magnificent sites of Vegas that are outside the city. If you are traveling with your family or a large group, hiring a private jet can end up being less expensive that getting first-class tickets. There are different ways in which you can afford to fly private jets. Two of the common ways are: a) Join a Club If you are a member of a professional organization, find out whether there are perks for members such as hiring private jets. Some clubs allow members to share everything, from boats to vacation homes. If you are in such a club, find out whether you can get access to a private plane. Apart from enabling you to enjoy flying private at a fraction of the cost, you will have well-vetted pilots and flight crews waiting to service you. Moreover, the departure times of the jets will vary depending on your schedule and not other people’s. You can fly and land as you please. You however may need to pay a deposit to be allowed to hire a private jet from your club. Inquire from your club about hiring private jets or find out which professional clubs you can join that give members the opportunity to afford flying private jets. b) Charter a Jet You can also charter a jet or a small plane based on your destination and size of group you will be traveling with. There are a number of websites that allow travelers to charter jets and get competitive quotes from different companies. These sites work like normal airline sites only that they are for jet charter companies. At the sites, you have to indicate how many people you will be traveling with and where you would like to ago. After this, the jet charter companies will contact you with competitive quotes. You can hire a private jet for cargo, private travel or group travel. The above are two ways in which you can find private jets to hire in last Vegas.

COMPUTER

Why You Need A Computer Repair Service Provider In Brooklyn

Computers and smart phones are an integral part of the life of billions of people across the globe. If you are using a computer for some work, it is important that it is functional all the time. Break down in a computer may interrupt your business or personal life. Hence, it is important to fix the computer as soon as possible after the breakdown happens. There are various computer repair Brooklyn service providers. However, the best service provider would be the one that can attend to your call quickly and efficiently. You computer may suffer damages due to spilling of some liquid on its hardware. The hard drive can also become corrupt and your important data may get stuck inside of it. In case of loss of important data or breakdown of the computer’s hardware, you need the services of experts and experienced computer repair Brooklyn professionals. The services of such a company can help recover your damaged computer. Computers also get infected with viruses. These viruses can affect the proper functioning of your pc. It becomes necessary to seek the help of a reputed and reliable computer repair professional to clean such viruses from the pc. Computers also need regular maintenance and tune-ups to keep them performing at the optimum level. You can contract the maintenance of your computers to some company for a yearly fee. This will ensure you complete peace of mind knowing that you can always call professional help to solve the problem related to your computers. There are plenty of hardware components in a computer system. The keyboard, motherboard, mouse, screen and cables can all become dysfunctional at some point of time. When handling a repair request from a customer, a competent computer repair technician would always do his best to diagnose the cause of the trouble. Proper diagnosis can play a significant role in bringing down the repair costs. And only an experienced and trustworthy technician will give you the right information regarding the actual trouble with your computer. There are some software that you can install on your computer to enhance its performance. Some utility programs can make your life comfortable using computers. A trustworthy and reliable computer repair Brooklyn service provider would advice its clients regarding such software. Thus, hiring the services of a repair professional can be advantages for you and your pc in various ways. You can ask the computer repair guys regarding their fee for repair and scheduled maintenance. They will be able to provide you a free quote. You can ascertain the quality of their services from their professionalism and commitment to work. A reputed and experienced service provider can be a one stop shop for all your computer repair needs.

Legal

How To Write Notices To Vacate

Rented spaces are, by definition, temporarily occupied by a series of tenants who pay their dues to the landlord. This creates a relationship that can last for months or years. The space could be a housing unit, a commercial space, or some other kind of property. It doesn’t really matter what it is because the rules stay the same for the length of the occupancy. And, when it’s time to leave, both parties must be on the same page to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings. Notices to vacate feature prominently around the termination of the contract. From Landlord to Tenant If the initiative comes from the landlord, then courtesy must be given to the tenant by sending out notices to vacate well ahead of the scheduled deadline. This could happen for various reasons. Perhaps the owner is selling the property to another entity and thus has to vacate all the units. Maybe the building will be demolished to make way for a new project development. The tenant may also be asked to leave because of consistent failure to pay the rent as stated in the contract. The important thing to remember is that people cannot be forced to leave immediately. There are laws that govern the timeline if a landlord wishes to have a unit vacated. Each state will have its own specifics so consult them before proceeding. These laws serve to protect the interests of both parties. Those who are renting a housing unit are particularly vulnerable and must be given ample time to search for a new place before they are evicted. Bills, rents, and deposits must be settled as well. From Tenant to Landlord The reverse may also happen and is indeed fairly common. Tenants will sometimes leave a place because of new opportunities elsewhere, serious security concerns, dissatisfaction with home repairs, and so on. Before they do, they must notify the landlord so that the latter can fix the issues or make arrangements for new tenants to come in. Notices to Vacate should be in writing. They should contain all the pertinent information such as target date of vacancy, new address, and contact details. It should be concise yet complete. The unit will often go through an inspection to see if all of the rules in the contract have been followed such as turning the place over in the same condition it was found and more. Sometimes this means repainting the walls to the original color or replacing the flooring if it was renovated.

Software

Infusionsoft CRM Software Review

Infusionsoft Reviews – Introduction Unlike other CRM software tools that offer to automate a specific department or business function, Infusionsoft claims to provide a holistic software solution for a small business’ online marketing and sales requirements. Infusionsoft started shop in 2004, creating small business custom software. The big leap happened when the company learned market trends and requirements and how the existing systems back then were not doing justice enough by working in isolation and not as one individual integrated tool. Features The CRM software has marketing automation and lead generation tools, social media and email tools for engaging and converting leads. CRM functionality helps users attract leads, streamline sales and close deals. The tools assist with Internet sales, automating fulfillment, and getting repeat business. Besides the software, Infusionsoft also offers one-on-one, personalized coaching services for helping users get started. Positives • Holistic Service: The major benefit is the software covers it all. As aforementioned, the tool is a CRM, e-commerce solution, email marketing platform, and has everything automated. This makes it extremely easy to manage things from an individual or company’s perspective. • Customer Service: According to current and past customers, Infusionsoft has an excellent customer service team. Besides email, the company can be accessed through phone or on live chat. The team has skilled and technical professionals who know their job. • User Interface: An individual’s view of an interface is personal and subjective. Infusionsoft’s interface is both intuitive and compelling, especially the drag-and-drop feature. Even first-time users would be amazed over the ease with which an email setup procedure happens. • Flexibility: With flexibility we mean the ability to quickly and easily create multiple campaigns under one system and assign different automation. Negatives • Outsourcing: Most businesses, big and small, love to outsource things so that they can create time to focus on the more important tasks. Unfortunately, at least for the time being, outsourcing is not a feasible option with Infusionsoft as there aren’t many affordable Infusionsoft experts available for hire. There are quite a few companies training employees, but the supply is still not sufficient enough. • Costs: Infusionsoft doesn’t come cheap, and for those who can afford it the price may still seem extremely reasonable for the value on offer. The annual plans start around the $2000 range and which may skyrocket beyond $5000 mark. For small businesses and individuals, that’s a lot of money. But to be honest, if a company is not able to afford the price, it sales and overall business isn’t truly massive enough to be complicated. In other words, Infusionsoft would be an overkill for the organization.

Gift Ideas

Finding And Buying Some Great Manchester United Gifts

When it comes to supporting your favorite football team, you know how important it is to buy and use the best Manchester United Gifts out there. There are tons of gifts specific to your favorite teams, allowing you to wear or show off your pride without worrying that you have to say it with words. From some of the best jackets and outerwear that you can find to some amazing items that can be used and placed around the home, there are lots of gifts that make it easy for people to see and know that you are a true football fan. With sports-related fan gifts, it is important for you to always buy your items from a certified or registered seller. This guarantees that you are getting authentic products that are not knock-offs or cheap replicas that you are paying the full price for yourself. Too many sellers are giving out replicas and are offering these items on their sites or in their stores, so it is important for you to look at the authenticity to ensure that you are getting products that are right for you and are not going to cause you to regret the purchase later on in life. Another wonderful thing about football gifts is that they are ideal for gifting to other people. Not only are these items that you are probably going to enjoy yourself, but they can also make for wonderful gifts to other people. Whether you are hosting a party and want to give out some favors to people attending or you have a friend or relative who is a big fan of a specific team, you can buy all of these items and gift them to a special someone in your life without worrying that you are skimping out or just buying something that you assume they are going to like. Because of the fact that there are so many different Manchester United Gifts out there, it can be quick and easy for you to find the best sports-related items for gifting online. You can place an order and have it shipped in no time, saving you tons of time and knowing that the gifts are going to be well-received as well.

Clothing

How To Find The Best Netball Dresses For Your Sport

When you are playing a sport, you will find that it is made easier when you are wearing the right netball dresses. With the right skirt and dress, you will find that tennis, volleyball and other net-related sports are more comfortable to play. It is never recommended that you play these types of sports in your own street clothing. This is because your own clothes can deter the way that you move, making it difficult for you to know that you are playing to the best of your ability. For anyone who is interested, it is important to know that there are many venues that you can use to find netball dresses. In fact, you can find these types of clothing in local retail stores or on the Internet at your own convenience. Once you find the right type of store, you will notice that this makes it easy for you to locate a beautiful skirt and know that you have made the right decision in finding what you need. You will love that there are tons of skirts and dresses to choose from when you begin to do your search out there on the market. The best thing about buying netball dresses is that they come in all sizes and colors, making it easy for you to find something that is right for you. In fact, you might even notice that these types of dresses are conveniently priced, allowing you to buy something without feeling like you are completely going up and away from your budget. You do not need to spend a fortune just because you would like to buy and wear these types of dresses. You will love that there are tons of skirts for you to choose from, making it easy for you to get a uniform specific to the type of sport that you enjoy playing. Now that you know how easy it is for you to find the right netball dresses, you will find that there are many venues for you to use in order to find this type of skirt. You will enjoy the fact that the skirts can be affordable and lasting, allowing you to have the item for a very long period of time even if you constantly use them on a routine basis.

INTERNET

Melding Television With The Internet

The connection speed and high quality offered by cable Internet has made the combination of the Internet with television a reality. What previously used the airwaves now uses modern technology to provide subscribers with access to their favorite shows. More and more media companies are seeing the vast market and untapped potential that Internet TV offers. Slow loading and buffering times for streamed content used to be a problem back when Internet access was available only through dial-up and broadband means. Current technology has greatly eliminated this problem and has given media companies more opportunities to reach viewers. Television programs accessed through the Internet has also given rise to new content that subscribers would have limited access to in tradition television services. As with all new technology, its impact on the dynamic between the viewer and the content provider, as well as its effects on the advertisement industry, still remains to be seen. It is also interesting to observe how show content and delivery will evolve as more and more people watch television through an Internet connection.

Tax

St Louis Tax Preparation Need Not Be Stressful

In St Louis tax preparation comes to the minds of most residents as soon as the New Year comes around. Fortunately, tax season can be almost stress-free. You need not dread it if you take a few steps and follow sensible guidelines suggested by the IRS and other experts. Advance Preparation Shorten the time of assembling your tax documents by being organized. • Keep a tax file of all business expense receipts, income received, and other tax-related documents you receive during the year. • Sort everything by category. It will save you money if the preparer does not need to sort through your paperwork for needed information. • If all end-of-the-year income statements (W-2, 1099 etc.) do not come by January 31, contact your employer or other income source immediately. Choose a Preparation Method You have two options for preparing taxes—prepare them yourself or pay someone to do it. The best method to choose depends upon the complexity of your taxes. Software tax packages are good for wage earners. They are moderately priced, quick to complete, and there are some suitable free programs. Of course, you can still use a pencil and paper and follow IRS instructions for completing forms. The IRS will answer questions about tax preparation on the phone or in one of their field offices. The IRS sponsors Free File and Free e-file so you can complete forms online and file them electronically. Free File and Free e-file software is the result of an association between the IRS and software companies. It allows electronic filing and that means you will usually receive a refund in about two weeks. Hire a Professional Tax Preparer Tax preparation companies are local or chains such as H&R Block and Jackson-Hewitt. Such firms’ employees vary in expertise. Some may have lawyers, CPAs, Enrolled Agents and/or certified preparers. Other companies are operated by single individuals who may or may not be credentialed. Preparer training programs are not necessarily required by smaller companies. CPAs, tax attorneys, and certified financial planners are very expensive and you do not need their professional expertise unless you have a very complicated tax return. Before you hire a preparer, ask some basic questions including: • Do you have a preparer tax-identification number? • What kind of tax preparer credentials do you have? • What kind of tax returns do you usually prepare? • Will you give me a price quote? • Will you represent me in an audit? • Are you familiar with laws of the different states where I work? • Is the preparer available after tax season ends? Before you accept the tax return: • Check the return. • Question anything you do not understand before signing it. You are responsible for the accuracy of the form after you sign it. • Make certain the preparer has signed the form and included the preparer’s tax identification number (PTIN). The PTIN is required by law. • Get a copy of the return. The preparer is required by law to give it to you. By following the above suggestions, you should have no problems in chosing St Louis tax preparation companies or preparers anywhere in the country.

Tax

Outsourcing Tax Preparation To Tax Preparer

United States laws stipulate that any person, who is a resident or citizen of the US, should submit income tax returns before April 15. Some people find the task of preparing returns rather boring. Such individuals usually outsource this task. Those who enjoy this activity, normally use software to prepare their returns. Most people use paid preparers to complete and submit their tax returns. St Louis tax services are offered by accountants, attorneys and enrolled agents. If you opt for an accountant, make sure that he is a CPA and possesses an accounting degree. An attorney can also help you in preparing and filling tax returns. Lawyers allowed to file returns are those who are have a law degree and have been admitted to the bar. Tax preparers who have Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) are the ones who have been authorized by the IRS to prepare federal income tax returns. An attorney or an accountant will give you a referral to a good tax preparer. Before making a choice, read online reviews. Different tax preparers charge differently. Always inquire about fees before hiring a professional. Fees are charged depending on complexity of work and time to be taken. Steer clear of anyone who insists on taking a percentage of your tax refund.