WHAT'S HAPPENING
The German chapter of the Time/Bank artist collective recently opened Time/Food, a pop-up restaurant in Berlin (E-flux.com, 17 February 2012).
The restaurant serves lunch every other Sunday, in exchange for time currency, earned by helping others in the Time/Bank community. The price of a meal at Time/Food is half an hour of time.
To use the restaurant, "starving" artists and interested Berliners only have to open an account on the Time/Bank website and start earning time credits.
Time/Bank is an international community and a platform for cultural workers to get things done without using money.
The idea behind the platform is to develop a parallel economy based on exchange of time and skills. Time/Bank allows individuals to request, offer and pay for services in "Hour Notes".
WHAT THIS MEANS TO BUSINESS
Time banking is a creative way to deal with economic pressure. Everyone can chip in what they can, and they're valued for their contributions.
Time banking, and especially the concept of Time/Food, not only has financial benefits but fosters a greater sense of community. Consumers are realising that building local relationships can benefit themselves and support the regional economy too.
RESOURCES
Time/Food
Time/Bank
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
A crowdsourced credit card: Barclay throws the terms to its customers
WHAT'S HAPPENING
The credit card industry is ripe for a remake, thanks not only to new heavy-handed federal regulations that put a pinch on old profit lines, but because the marketplace and the times really demand it. Barclaycard is making a bold step into brave new territory with the Barclaycard Ring MasterCard, announced in March 2012 (NYTimes.com, 5 March 2012).
The Ring will actually be a social network moderated by Barclaycard in which card members will get full disclosure on the card's profits and losses; they'll vote on changes in terms such as interest rates, annual fees and late payment penalties; and most important they'll participate in a rudimentary profit-sharing program called Giveback.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO BUSINESS
More than allowing customers to participate in setting the terms, this program hopes to foster an online community that gives as good as it takes. Barclaycard hopes to get creative feedback from Ring members that it can use in other parts of the business.
We've been urging banks to position themselves as customer partners and advocates rather than hostile rivals. This is the best example we've seen so far, at least on paper.
RESOURCES
Barclaycard Ring
The credit card industry is ripe for a remake, thanks not only to new heavy-handed federal regulations that put a pinch on old profit lines, but because the marketplace and the times really demand it. Barclaycard is making a bold step into brave new territory with the Barclaycard Ring MasterCard, announced in March 2012 (NYTimes.com, 5 March 2012).
The Ring will actually be a social network moderated by Barclaycard in which card members will get full disclosure on the card's profits and losses; they'll vote on changes in terms such as interest rates, annual fees and late payment penalties; and most important they'll participate in a rudimentary profit-sharing program called Giveback.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO BUSINESS
More than allowing customers to participate in setting the terms, this program hopes to foster an online community that gives as good as it takes. Barclaycard hopes to get creative feedback from Ring members that it can use in other parts of the business.
We've been urging banks to position themselves as customer partners and advocates rather than hostile rivals. This is the best example we've seen so far, at least on paper.
RESOURCES
Barclaycard Ring
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Hungry in Dubai? Push a fridge magnet to instantly order a pizza
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Dubai residents can now order their favorite pizza simply by pressing a special refrigerator magnet. This one-step gadget is a first in the fast food industry (DigitalTrends.com, 26 March 2012).
Created by the Dubai-based Red Tomato Pizza, the magnet button is synced to a user’s smartphone via Bluetooth. The Red Tomato customer has on file his or her favorite pizza choice, payment info and address.
When the “Push for Hunger” button is activated, the order is seamlessly placed and a confirmation SMS is sent to the user's phone. And if you pushed in haste, there is the option to cancel the order by sending a reply text.
The VIP Fridge Magnet has been so popular that Red Tomato has run out of them. Unlike its wood-fired pizzas, the next batch of magnets will take 6-8 weeks to arrive.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO BUSINESS
In a world where consumers would rather text than talk, and time spent chatting is time wasted, the pizza magnet speaks to the customer who wants speed, convenience and efficiency.
But is it too easy? We are already increasingly living in a cashless society where the price of everyday items are not top of mind. And when you add the instant gratification to the mix, satisfying our every want becomes dangerously easy.
RESOURCES
Red Tomato Pizza VIP Fridge Magnet
Dubai residents can now order their favorite pizza simply by pressing a special refrigerator magnet. This one-step gadget is a first in the fast food industry (DigitalTrends.com, 26 March 2012).
Created by the Dubai-based Red Tomato Pizza, the magnet button is synced to a user’s smartphone via Bluetooth. The Red Tomato customer has on file his or her favorite pizza choice, payment info and address.
When the “Push for Hunger” button is activated, the order is seamlessly placed and a confirmation SMS is sent to the user's phone. And if you pushed in haste, there is the option to cancel the order by sending a reply text.
The VIP Fridge Magnet has been so popular that Red Tomato has run out of them. Unlike its wood-fired pizzas, the next batch of magnets will take 6-8 weeks to arrive.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO BUSINESS
In a world where consumers would rather text than talk, and time spent chatting is time wasted, the pizza magnet speaks to the customer who wants speed, convenience and efficiency.
But is it too easy? We are already increasingly living in a cashless society where the price of everyday items are not top of mind. And when you add the instant gratification to the mix, satisfying our every want becomes dangerously easy.
RESOURCES
Red Tomato Pizza VIP Fridge Magnet
Mumbai Nightlife: New places coming soon!
New places opening in Mumbai in 2012 -
1) Ellipsis (in place of villa 39) in colaba is a californian grill, designed by same architect as morimoto in napa valley, tao in new york & koi in los angeles.
2) M1-in famous studios mahalaxmi, 4000 sq ft, bar & lounge on ground floor, pan asian restaurant on first floor with korean, malaysian, indonesian, thai, chinese & vietnamese cuisine.
3) Nido, near Olive in Bandra. 3000 sq f all day restaurant by owners of Aurus.
4) Obataimu in Kala Ghoda, funky gift retail outlet cum bar.
5) Mamagoto restaurant & bar, delhi chain with Japanese & thai food.
6) Just Falafel, dubai based chain.
7) Soho House, Juhu, london based members only club with restaurant & bar, pool.
8) F bar, India bulls centre, parel, 10,00 sq ft restaurant & lounge, world cuisine, indoors & outdoors.
9) 212, colaba. worli based restaurants 2nd branch in Mumbai.
10) Megu, new york based japanese restaurant opening at the Leela Kempinski hotel near the airport. :)
1) Ellipsis (in place of villa 39) in colaba is a californian grill, designed by same architect as morimoto in napa valley, tao in new york & koi in los angeles.
2) M1-in famous studios mahalaxmi, 4000 sq ft, bar & lounge on ground floor, pan asian restaurant on first floor with korean, malaysian, indonesian, thai, chinese & vietnamese cuisine.
3) Nido, near Olive in Bandra. 3000 sq f all day restaurant by owners of Aurus.
4) Obataimu in Kala Ghoda, funky gift retail outlet cum bar.
5) Mamagoto restaurant & bar, delhi chain with Japanese & thai food.
6) Just Falafel, dubai based chain.
7) Soho House, Juhu, london based members only club with restaurant & bar, pool.
8) F bar, India bulls centre, parel, 10,00 sq ft restaurant & lounge, world cuisine, indoors & outdoors.
9) 212, colaba. worli based restaurants 2nd branch in Mumbai.
10) Megu, new york based japanese restaurant opening at the Leela Kempinski hotel near the airport. :)
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
IGrill. The new application!
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Outdoor entertaining is a backyard tradition. But why should the grillmeister miss all the fun? iGrill, a Bluetooth-enabled thermometer, lets chefs mingle with the guests instead of hovering over the coals.
iGrill works as a standalone thermometer but earns its keep with remote apps. Once they set the desired temperature, chefs can wander anywhere within a 200-foot range. As soon as the meat is ready, iGrill beeps and sends an alert to their iPhone, iPad or iTouch device.
Available in black or white, iGrill comes with recipes and handy tips like how to debone a fish.
App-happy consumers love controlling every aspect of their lives with their trusty smartphones. And while frivolous apps abound, this one is actually useful. Presetting temperatures for grilled meats eliminates a lot of guesswork: No more charred burgers or undercooked chicken!
Outdoor living continues to go high tech. Add iGrill to the growing list of plugged-in
barbecue accessories, from infrared grills to outdoor fridges.
RESOURCES
iGrill retails for $80
https://www.iconoculture.com/SMART/public/view.aspx?ContentID=337677
Outdoor entertaining is a backyard tradition. But why should the grillmeister miss all the fun? iGrill, a Bluetooth-enabled thermometer, lets chefs mingle with the guests instead of hovering over the coals.
iGrill works as a standalone thermometer but earns its keep with remote apps. Once they set the desired temperature, chefs can wander anywhere within a 200-foot range. As soon as the meat is ready, iGrill beeps and sends an alert to their iPhone, iPad or iTouch device.
Available in black or white, iGrill comes with recipes and handy tips like how to debone a fish.
App-happy consumers love controlling every aspect of their lives with their trusty smartphones. And while frivolous apps abound, this one is actually useful. Presetting temperatures for grilled meats eliminates a lot of guesswork: No more charred burgers or undercooked chicken!
Outdoor living continues to go high tech. Add iGrill to the growing list of plugged-in
barbecue accessories, from infrared grills to outdoor fridges.
RESOURCES
iGrill retails for $80
https://www.iconoculture.com/SMART/public/view.aspx?ContentID=337677
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Some thoughts on Socialism
The UP elections have just recently concluded & the ELEPHANT has been thrown into the wilderness. While we as a nation mull over what's going to happen & how this will effect DELHi & central politics I cannot but help myself from thinking about how I saw the world & politics till a few years back!
While in college & for a few years post that (in my early 20's) I was certain the socialist economy is the best way for a country to survive. China, after all wasn't doing too badly while all the Scandinavian country's were just doing brilliantly. One look at Norway, Sweden or Finland & you will soon see that life or standard of living is excellent in any of these nations.
Then, what's gone wrong.. in my head I don't believe in that system anymore... SO why? Just a few pegs down I've realized the basic & fundamental truth points..
1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.
2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. (that's obvious inst it! Someone has to MAKE money!)
3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. (To be a lender you have to be a borrower 1st!)
4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it! (Duh!)
5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation ( & I think we as Indians are going down that route very, very quickly, all thanks to vote bank politics!)
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