Talk to most organizational leaders about how the global marketplace can help them reduce costs, and visions of low-wage manufacturing employees seem to fill the leaders’ heads. Hiring such employees may well be an opportunity, but often that opportunity will be the least important part of your global cost-reduction business model.
The marketing opportunity can be vastly more significant than the production opportunity. In our overly commercialized world, authenticity becomes scarcer and scarcer.
Remote locations may provide access to original sources of designs, improved ways of preparing materials, and unique resources. Would as many people visit Australia if it didn’t have wild koalas and kangaroos?
People are intrigued by differences when they deepen their understanding of what interests them. I am constantly amazed, for instance, by how many different ways there are to make beer and vodka. Both were once seen as virtual commodities in the developed world.
Yet now these products splinter into ever more types, segments, and brands. Most of those unusual choices have their base in someone’s authentic old recipe, regionally admired ingredients, or local stories and culture.
Television is going the same way. More and more choices are provided, and the most popular new choices are often not new stories . . . but new locations. For instance, one of the more popular cable channels is the Discovery Channel, which allows people to travel vicariously and experience vastly new places from the comfort of their homes.
Network shows based on so-called reality like Survivor (where individuals set out in a remote location to compete against each other in survival skills) feel the need to move on to ever more exotic and remote locations that most people have never seen or heard of before. When you mix in authenticity in the right way from local sources, you greatly increase your sales and reduce your marketing costs.
Energy is one of those costs that many people don’t feel as if they can do very much about. But they are wrong. The cost of energy varies enormously around the world.
In some countries, energy is subsidized by the government. In other areas, plenty of direct sun and relatively few cloudy days provide low-cost opportunities for solar heating. Windy sites can use propellers to generate power. Strong tides in other areas can generate inexpensive electricity. Enormous rainfall in other regions provides the opportunity for low-cost power from hydroelectric dams without flooding a vast territory. Agricultural waste in some regions, such as bagasse from sugar cane, can be an inexpensive fuel to burn for electricity.
Similarly, raw materials are more available and less expensive in some places than others. When you are close to a low-cost source, you can expect your total costs to benefit as well. If that raw material is expensive to transport, you will often gain by doing your processing to upgrade its value closer to the source.
You can also see the globe as a living laboratory that’s open to all at low cost. Benefits, rituals, methods of interacting, and experiences spread rapidly from a few places into mass offerings.
One of the most curious examples of this trend involves fire walking where people walk across superheated rocks or burning coals in their bare feet. I first saw the practice in Fiji as part of a fertility ritual in 1986 that was slightly commercialized to entertain the tourists. By 1996, it was hard to avoid offers of courses that would let you directly participate in a fire walk experience.
In 1986 I was intrigued to see that the people in Fiji were able to accomplish this feat (pun intended), but could find no one to explain why it’s possible to us. By 1996, I was walking barefoot on red hot coals.
I still can’t explain the phenomenon, but I know it’s real. Experts argue that burning is avoided because wood is a poor conductor of heat to our feet and that our circulating blood helps cool the bottoms of our feet. Calluses undoubtedly assist, as well.
Successful companies often develop their offerings by creating a globalized version of an authentic product or experience. In essence, that’s part of what Walt Disney did in creating the original version of Disneyland. In Adventureland, you can still ride across the rivers of the world to experience the wildlife in a simulation of the real thing. In Frontierland, you live the life of a rugged American frontiersman or cowboy as depicted in more American B movies around the world than anyone can count. In Fantasyland, you walk through Sleeping Beauty’s castle (based on a real French chateau), drive wildly with Mr. Toad in England (drawing from children’s literature), and ride a boat through Storybook Land where Grimm’s Fairy Tales await. In Tomorrowland, you could formerly take an imaginary, but realistic-feeling, trip to the moon and back . . . all in 12 minutes. And now you can experience these same adventures and more in France and Japan where the American Main Street of 1890 probably seems as exotic to people who are native to those regions as the Jungle Cruise seems to Americans in California.
And, of course, if you are going to try to tap into everyone’s ideas such as Goldcorp and Procter & Gamble have done through their contests to lower costs, you are wise to go global. This broadening approach expands the number of ideas you can draw on and delivers you into greater diversity of thinking.
To date, a weakness of such contests has been assuming that primarily experts are the people who can help. That’s an incorrect assumption. In fact, nonexperts have a big advantage in that they come to problems and opportunities with fewer preconceived ideas.
In addition, many of the successful innovations for poor people have been designed by poor people with no technical expertise. Those who are interested in creating vast new markets need to engage these future consumers now.
Look beyond low-cost wages in exploring the potential for global cost reduction. What will you find?

Australia is an ideal holiday destination for everyone. It’s a vast country that’s brimming with beauty, nature, diverse yet amazing landscapes, and boasts an impressive mix of beaches, tropical rainforests, deserts and mountains.

It’s not surprising that there’s so much to see and do in Australia. Ideally, you need to allow plenty of time for your visit, so that you get the opportunity to see the sights and get the most out of your holiday.

What’s more, Australia is perfect for a property rental, as there are many self-catering properties available to suit all tastes and budgets. If time allows, you could take advantage of the range of accommodation on offer here and rent different properties as you tour around this huge country and its stunning scenery.

There are a number of states and territories in Australia which are worth a visit. They include South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory.

Queensland, which is known as Australia’s Sunshine State, has plenty to offer its visitors of all ages. Here, you will find Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, the Whitsundays, Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef and so much more.

If you enjoy the great outdoors, then head to South Australia. It is home to the amazing Flinders Ranges (mountain range), Kangaroo Island and the wineries in Clare Valley. The city of Adelaide is also located in South Australia and is well worth a visit.

Western Australia, meanwhile, is another great place you will want to discover during your holiday. Perth is the capital of Western Australia and boasts some fantastic nightlife and good beaches, too. While you are in Western Australia, you might also like to visit Australia’s Golden Outback and Australia’s Coral Coast.

Sydney, in New South Wales, is an amazing city to explore during your travels in Australia. It boasts some fantastic shopping opportunities (for all those shopaholics out there!) and a wealth of tourist attractions, such as Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Bondi Beach and much more!

In the state of Victoria is Melbourne. Be sure to check out this fantastic city, which is brimming with food and wine, shops and a whole lot more. Victoria also includes a number of other regions which are rich in history and stunning scenery.

If you are keen to find out about Australia’s history, make sure that you visit the country’s Northern Territory. Here you can learn all about the aboriginal culture. One must-see while you are in this area is Uluru/Ayers Rock, which is an amazing large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory.

There’s also the Australian Capital Territory, where you will find Canberra – the capital of Australia! Canberra has so much to see and do and visitors of all ages will appreciate what’s on offer. What’s more, it’s a great family destination and there are many excellent restaurants, cafes and bars to sample during your property rental in Australia.

Tasmania, Australia’s only island state, is also worth a visit if your holiday schedule allows. Here you can explore many beautiful unspoilt areas and enjoy the natural surroundings on this beautiful island.

Why not take your next holiday in Australia and make it a holiday to remember? You might even love it so much that you want to stay longer than you planned or you may even end up relocating there! But whatever you decide to do, a property rental in Australia will help to make your stay in this amazing country an enjoyable one!

New Zealand – a country with superb landscapes and beautiful vistas – is commonly used by movie production companies as a location to film their  next biggest hit. The Academy Award trilogy blockbuster, The Lord of the Rings, was filmed entirely at many various locations throughout the country. The director, New Zealander Peter Jackson who won the Oscar as the best-director for the third instalment, stated that there was no other country on earth which could provide the scenery that would do justice in transforming the J. R. Tolkien’s epic novel from book-form to the big screen. New Zealand company, Weta Workshop, also won several Oscars in the special-effects category for their innovative works on the movies.

With a population that has only recently exceeded four million, New Zealand has been the butt of jokes primarily from it’s nearest neighbour Australia because there are approximately 60 million sheep. Throughout it’s history, New Zealand’s economy has been based on farming, agriculture and timber industries. In more recent times, while these industries continue to remain an important contributor to the economy, New Zealand’s innovative and creative psyche and culture has created many other industries that are actively making a significant input to the economy. It is a small modern country which more than holds it’s position against much larger and more populous countries in terms of lifestyle, living conditions, environmental sustainability and human rights for all it’s peoples.

As a proud and very patriotic New Zealander, I accept that my views and opinions will be seen by many as biased and one-eyed – I absolutely make no apologies for this. I have travelled abroad to many countries such as USA, UK, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and Iran. It is my firm belief that we must all get out of our comfort zone by visiting other countries to experience other cultures. It is then that we will have a full appreciation of what we have and take for granted in our own homeland. That said, I urge all readers of this article to seriously consider New Zealand as a viable option to visit, as a tourist or simply to relax and recharge. Due to it’s isolated position deep in the Pacific Ocean, it is a long distance to travel for many, e.g. appproximately 24 hours flight time from the UK depending on travel routes and stopovers. If the reader contemplating visiting New Zealand is a member of an air-miles scheme, the points you acquire will be huge.

I recommend to all readers to check out an amazing report that provides comprehensive information on many factors to consider when visiting New Zealand. You will find information on:

• Visa requirements,
• Driving in New Zealand,
• New Zealand culture,
• New Zealand lifestyle and
• A wealth of information on living, working or investing in New Zealand.

Thanks and my appreciation to all readers of this article. Should you require further information on any matters contained in this article, please contact me at: caymanz@yahoo.co.nz and I will happily and gladly reply.

The Caribbean-who can definitely say no to the idea of boarding a luxury yacht charter and sailing across the crystal-clear waters? How can you let go of the dream to be on a BVI yacht charter, as you and your loved one will be busy snorkeling, diving, deep fishing, lounging in the sand, or swimming? However, taking a Caribbean boat charter is actually about timing. The reason for visiting the Caribbean can be one of the determining factors.

When you’re just like the rest of the world, the best time to rent a Caribbean catamaran charter or a Caribbean yacht charter is from the months of December until the middle of April. By this time, the weather in the islands is at its best. The temperature is warm and the water cold. Most of those who come here are those who are experiencing winter in these respective countries. Even if there’s no snow in your area, you may also want to avail of Caribbean yacht charters for the simple reason that the islands are beaming with a lot of people. There’s too much culture, fun, and good noise all around.

Yet there are those who are also in a tight budget but would definitely still like to avail of charter yachts Caribbean. Your best option therefore is to visit the islands during the off-peak or value season. Whether you’re using a Grenadines yacht charter or yacht charters BVI, you can expect their prices to drop. You can now start to avail of discounts as high as 20%. Now that’s definitely a lot of savings for you. What’s more, since there are not a lot of people around, you can obtain more privacy, peace, and quiet. Lastly, there’s lesser competition for a luxury catamaran or luxury charter yachts. Besides being inexpensive, they will be fewer people who will be availing of them, giving you a lot of options for your island cruises.

The off-peak times will also be ideal for those who are in their honeymoon. Most of the hotels are currently in their reduced prices. Hence, whilst you’re paying small for your yacht charter Carribean, you are also availing of cheap accommodation. You can also have most of the waters all by yourself. You can bring your yacht charters Carribean to diving and snorkeling hotspots, such as Cayman Islands, Barbados, and the Bahamas.

What if you’re traveling with the family? You may want to consider the school breaks of your children, so you can definitely have a lot of time to visit the many islands that are dotting the Caribbean. Most of them have child-friendly attractions such as the aquatic centers in the Bahamas and Barbados. There are wetlands and accommodation choices that can be occupied by more than 2 people. Expect the prices of luxury motor yacht charters to jack up, though.

The entire year round seems to be a good opportunity to get your desired luxury motor yachts, but there are also factors that you have to consider. They are already given to you here.

Fiji scuba diving will surely be a great surprise for anyone that tries it as they will meet a great diversity of species in those fantastic waters. Fiji’s waters offer one of the most exciting marine lives that scuba diving fans can see. Fiji is an archipelago surrounded by a giant reef. Fiji’s waters are very good for snorkeling therefore you can find there thousands of dive sites. Water sports in Fiji it is also very popular because the sites are very easy to be accessed and the water’s temperatures are very warm. During winter, the temperatures don’t usually get lower than 25C. The visibility in Fiji’s waters is also very good for all underwater activities except for the summer days when it rains. You can find the best conditions for your vacation in Fiji early in the morning because the wind doesn’t start to blow.
In what concerns where to go for holidays in Fiji, you have lots of options to choose from. For example, you can get to Mamanuca dive sites very easy from the Nadi Airport. In this area you can find diverse options for full packages for scuba diving in Fiji. In Mamanuca you can visit shallow lagoons and swim around beautiful fishes. If you love to explore caves then you should go scuba diving in Sawa-i-Lau in the Yasawa Group and you will definitely be charmed by the interesting view you will find there.
Another popular diving site in Fiji is Astrolabe Reef which is situated in the southern area. There you can find a beautiful variety of coral and reef but the dive sites are small and are accessible by boat. The weather is sometimes humid there, but you will not have big problems with scuba diving because of that. In the Northern Islands you can go for scuba diving in Rainbow Reef. This famous location can be found between Taveuni and Vanua Levu and provides to its visitors eyes a great view because of the abundance of corals that developed there. If you are a marine passionate about shipwrecks you can find them in Fiji if you go to the Colonial capital of Levuka on Ovalau.
If you are concerned about your safety if you go scuba diving in Fiji, you should know that divers who have difficulties are helped by the Fiji Recompression Chamber Facility located in Suva. You should be careful to have a proper insurance and if you are a beginner you should get certified and follow the instructions you are given. If you take enough time for planning your vacation you will surely enjoy the best time by scuba diving all over the Mamanuca Islands of Fiji. Meeting the spectacular life that can be found under the waters of Fiji is surely a beautiful experience for those passionate about scuba diving. The extraordinary colors of the reefs that can be seen in Fiji transformed this place into one of the most visited destination for scuba diving.