BusinessMagazin

Tag: lifetyle

  • Criza ucide un simbol frantuzesc: cafenelele par a avea zilele numarate

    In parte din cauza schimbarii gusturilor publicului si in parte
    in contextul recesiunii, numai anul trecut au fost nevoite sa traga
    obloanele doua mii de cafenele si bistrouri din Paris si zona
    adiacenta si nici micile bistrouri de cartier din alte orase sau
    cafenelele satesti nu o duc mai bine. Bistrourile si cafenelele au
    suferit in 2009 o scadere cu 12% a veniturilor, iar fata de anii
    ’60, cand existau circa 200.000 de astfel de localuri pe teritoriul
    Frantei, anul trecut mai functionau numai aproximativ 30.000.

    Cel mai grav afectate sunt micile cafenele satesti si localurile
    din orase care vand in special bauturi si o gama foarte restransa
    de preparate alimentare. Exceptie fac doar localurile unde se pot
    face pariuri hipice si se cumpara bilete de loterie.

    Daca marile bistrouri din Paris sau alte orase ale Frantei nu
    sunt la fel de afectate sau isi permit sa se modernizeze,
    transformandu-se in localuri de lux, pentru cele mici problema
    supravietuirii este atat de grava, incat deja se propun subventii
    de catre autoritatile locale, mai ales acolo unde cafeneaua este
    inima comunitatii. |nsusi Senatul a luat recent in discutie
    chestiunea salvarii bistrourilor.

    Autoritatile sunt insa de parere ca tocmai proprietarii micilor
    localuri sunt de vina pentru soarta afacerilor lor – desi se plang
    ca sunt impinsi la faliment de impozitele cerute de stat, de
    campaniile impotriva fumatului si consumului de alcool si de faptul
    ca nici clientii nu mai comanda la fel de mult ca inainte.

    Patronii, sfatuiesc autoritatile, ar trebui sa se adapteze
    vremurilor si sa-si mai revizuiasca meniurile, din moment ce nu
    toti clientii vor sa manance sau sa bea aceleasi lucruri ca in
    deceniile trecute. Ba ar trebui si sa-si imbogateasca oferta cu
    servicii cum ar fi vanzarea de timbre sau bilete de tren, plus sa
    puna la dispozitia clientilor conexiuni wireless la internet.

    Si preturile ar mai trebui ajustate un pic in jos, cred
    autoritatile, fiindca nivelul actual nu-i suficient de atragator
    pentru clienti: nu multi isi permit sa plateasca mai bine de doi
    euro si jumatate pentru un simplu ceai.

  • Around the World

    The number of those embarking on a trip to discover the world has risen lately, with travelling around the world now also being perceived as an escape from the bleak everyday. When Suzanne Schaefer was made redundant from her position as HR manager at Lehman Brothers, she went through the same routine as any other unemployed person. She updated her CV, registered with the database of recruitment agencies, but did not manage to find a solution. Then she decided to go on a two-week trip to Vietnam. But her trip left her longing for more and she decided this was the perfect time to see the world.

    The former Lehman Brothers HR manager is only one among many who decided to take advantage of the current state of things and see the whole world. One of the best-kept secrets of airline operators is the around-the-world ticket – it is valid for a year, can include up to 15 stops around the world, of at least one day, and can be acquired at prices that range from 2,500 to 10,000 euros (for business class and first class). Although it is not promoted at all by airline operators, the ticket is available with any of the big alliances, and entails major savings on transport expenses (which, in the case of long haul flights, are what the bulk of the budget is spent on).

    One of the ground rules is that you have to stick either to an eastbound or a westbound trajectory, on condition of paying an extra fee, while destinations can be changed even during the trip. Although the crisis has changed consumer habits, the appetite for luxury is still there. This means there are also agencies that sell the exclusive variant of the trip around the world. Two companies, TCS Expeditions and Starquest Expeditions, offer voyages on board of a private Boeing 757 private jet, equipped with doctors, guides and art experts. For instance, the ”Seven Seas Odyssey” package from TCS, a three-week trip around the world, with stops in lesser known places, such as the ruins of the Leptis Magna city in Lybia, costs around 35,000 euros.