Birth Tourism
I’m sure you’re familiar with the fourteenth amendment of the US constitution, but just in
case some of its details have temporarily slipped your mind, allow me to remind you of a key point. Any child born
on US soil, irrespective of the nationality or country of origin of its parents, automatically becomes a US
citizen. There are many advantages to US citizenship – not least the right for the child (and perhaps their
family) to move there later.
This has given rise to a growing trend – birth tourism. A number of
hotels have put together extended stay packages for expectant mothers, to cover them through a 2 month stay,
covering a suitable pre and post natal period. Whatever you think of the practice, you have to admire the
entrepreneurial flare of the hotel owners and management in finding a new way to pull in customers in these
difficult economic times.
That leads me to think – are there any other tailor made packages like this which might be sold or promoted to UK
hotels in return for a share of the proceeds? Another idea we heard about from the States was a ‘Newly
Divorced’ package. I don’t know about that, but certainly when someone leaves the marital home…a separation…they
often have to move into rented accommodation very quickly. This has a number of associated problems - not
least of which is the need to buy a lot of household items in a rush. Maybe if hotels offered ‘breathing space
packages’ to cater for people in this situation, they would find an eager market.
That’s just one idea. There could be dozens of tailor made packages
which would help hotels through the economic downturn. That’s just one idea. There could be dozens of tailor made packages
which would help hotels through the economic downturn. There could be a lucrative business in putting them
together.
Japanese Ears
I give you this for information only. Whether it’s evidence of a
business opportunity, or the fact that the Japanese are perhaps more strange than we ever imagined, I
wouldn’t like to say.
Over 100 ear cleaning salons have sprung up in Tokyo in the past 6
months. Instead of hitting a bar or gym after a hard days work, men are heading for these salons where they
have their ears gently cleaned by attractive young women in maids outfits.
Could it catch on here? My gut instinct says no, but stranger things
have happened. Remember where you heard it first.
Seminar Secrets
Revealed
Self improvement and business seminars are big business. The breadth and range of information available at
these events is mind boggling. But nobody has the time or money to attend all the events they would benefit
from.
It was this problem that led my old friend and business associate Mike Chantry to come up with what I think is
a fantastic idea. He’d’ simply publish summaries of the seminars he’s attended on a free
member’s only website and invite other seminar attendees to do the same. That’s how the Top Seminar
Secrets website was born.
Membership is initially free for twelve months during which time it's hoped you will be able to post one simple
summary of a recent seminar you have attended .
Just to be clear, it won’t cost you anything, and you won’t be
obligated to anything. The site will ultimately pay for itself by negotiating heavily discounted
seminar attendance prices for its members. So it’s a real win-win opportunity. There’s nothing to lose by
signing up today.
Value-Boosting Home
Improvements
A survey from Move With Us reveals what they think adds value to
a property. It’s a useful list and provides some food for thought if you are planning to improve your home
this year. Most of us will at least want to ‘cover the cost’ of any work we do.
1st Extra bedroom 8.8 per cent £14,572
2nd Loft conversion 7.1 per cent £11,757
3rd Extra bathroom 6.1 per cent £10,101
4th New kitchen 5.8 per cent £9,605
5th Central heating 5.4 per cent £8,942
6th Off street parking 5.2 per cent £8,611
7th New bathroom 5.1 per cent £8,445
8th Conservatory 5.0 per cent £8,280
9th Double glazing 4.2 per cent £6,955
10th New conservative decoration 3.7 per cent £6,127
11th Improve/ landscape garden 3.6 per cent £5,961
12th Insulation 2.3 per cent £3,809
13th Wooden flooring 2.0 per cent £3,312
14th Alarm system 1.6 per cent £2,650
Of course, when it comes to adding value there are lots of factors
to consider. Will buyers like the new bathroom - if it's not to their tastes, and they are planning to rip it
out (new or not), that will be factored into their offer.
As I say though, it’s food for thought.
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