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How to Use Telecom Expense Management to Cut Down Mobile Costs

It’s easy to keep track of network expenses on the business side of things. If your employees are using company issued smartphones for personal benefit as well, however, it might be more difficult to keep spending under control. Roaming charges, excessive data usage and idle devices can all drive up costs at a rapid rate. Fortunately, one defining aspect of telecom expense management is the ability to track mobile expenses and find cost savings in them.

Enforce Role-Based Limits

There must be policies in place for all your people based on their position in the company and the expected terms of usage that their roles entail. For example, a manager level employee may be allowed to have a higher data allotment. Members of your sales team may also have roaming added to their plan if they are required to travel long distances. Make sure that mobile service usage is also consistent with company policies specifically on the subject of personal use.

Consider Split-Billing

Some telecom companies can provide personally-enabled device deployment models to help manage telecom expenses. These allows companies to separate billing for work and personal usage through an approach referred to as split billing. There are features that are designed to measure the amount of data work apps use so that companies pay for only that data. Similarly, some vendors offer data zero-rating that doesn’t count data that corporate apps use against the users’ personal bill.

Review High Usage Charges

Telecom expense management is useful for finding sources of unusual expenses and high usage charges that can be made directly to the mobile account. Expense managers will need to review these more closely particularly if the high charges are for legitimate purposes. This might call for plans to be altered for some employees. If the users are not responsible for the sudden spike, it might be because your carrier has changed pricing plans. In that case, it might be time for you to change plans or even operators.

Downgrade Plans for Small Users

Although you may be more worried about high charges, don’t forget to review small users, too. It would not make financial sense to keep employees who have small amounts of mobile usage on plans with higher data allotment. In some cases, this may be more costly for your company and can even indicate that a mobile device isn’t being used as expected. Some of your employees might not even need a device at all or just needs instruction on how to properly use that device to do their tasks.

Predict Future Mobile Costs

Telecom expense management can also be a convenient method of predicting your organization’s future mobile costs. If you have a good idea of how much you will spend for mobile usage, you can better regulate your budget. This will also let you know whether you can afford to improve the existing system and utilize more advanced tools if you are set on expanding your business.

Mobile communications remain to be a considerable cost to growing companies. Cutting back where you can will only benefit you in the long run.

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Improving the Appeal of a Mauna Kea Oceanfront Home for Sale

Today, more and more discerning buyers are looking at the Big Island resort neighborhood of Mauna Kea for an oceanfront home that can be their piece of paradise in Hawaii. Sellers need to level up their game, if they are keen on drawing attention to their beach house for sale.

Here are a few ideas to improve the appeal of a seaside abode.

Open up the layout. An Aloha lifestyle is marked by a sense of community, and a deep love for relaxing and having fun with friends and family. Homes with a lot of common spaces allow for these precious moments of togetherness, in a laidback island setting where there is also no strict notion of time. Homeowners and guests should then be able to move freely from the swimming pool to the lanai, and then to the living room and dining room and the kitchen, without walls blocking their way.They can have cocktails in the patio or by the pool, then proceed to the living room for pre-dinner conversations, then partake in a luau buffet spread. This kind of open layout creates a more airy vibe, as well as a truly welcoming ambience where everyone can feel right at home.

Pick an appropriate theme and commit to it. The most popular oceanfront properties, especially those owned by celebrities, are often marketed according to a theme. This theme becomes a shorthand for buyers: they would know what to expect in terms of the home’s basic structure, layout, and décor. That said, it is important to tag the right theme for a property based on its fundamentals, and commit to it. Among the best choices for a beachfront home would be Spanish Revival, Modern Minimalist, and Balinese. But to make any of these work towards the sellability of a property, the homeowner and designer should devote enough time to research the context in which these design movements grew, and spend on features and accents that are not only high in quality, but also bring authenticity. If the home has been envisioned as a Mediterranean sanctuary, for example, then shopping patterned tiles from Italy or going for arched windows are a great idea.

Invest on show-stopping pieces. For a house to stand out from among all the Mauna Kea beach homes for sale, it must have show-stopping pieces in each room that home buyers will not so easily forget. A freestanding tub in cobalt blue for the bathroom. A pair of rose gold lamps for the kitchen island that doubles as a snack table. An oversized antique cabinet with ornate woodcarving, or a couch on a swing, for the living room. A hundred year-old large canopy bed for the master’s bedroom. All these not only add to the value of the home – it makes it memorable as well.

Get in touch with top performing Big Island real estate broker Harold Clarke today to learn more about the art and science of selling a Hawaii property, especially to the high-end market.

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Kobe's Retirement Ceremony

If there is one thing that people love to do, it is compare things. Especially things that we will never be able to justifiably compare to come to a holistic conclusion.  That is especially true in sports where current stars get compared to past legends to try to quantify just how good these players are compared to the all-time greats. The NBA is the sport where there this is most true.  Every player in today’s game is trying to surpass the legendary stuff that Michael Jordan was able to accomplish in the 1990’s.  Every single NBA fan is aware of his dominance. The man won three straight NBA finals, securing Finals MVP each time. Then decided to retire from the league in 1993 and go play baseball.  What? You are telling me the greatest player in the league at the time stopped dominating and switched over to play baseball.  Yes he did and yes he shouldn’t have. Jordan didn’t do well in the minor leagues and had an unforgettable baseball career. So the legend decides to come back to the NBA and what does he do? Oh, just rattle off another three straight NBA championships, securing the Finals MVP each time again.  That doesn’t even begin to tell the story of how ionic and dominant a player Michael Jordan was.  He truly transformed the game like no one has ever done in any sport ever.

So every player that has entered the league since then has just been living in the shadow of the legend as it is hard to imagine any player ever surpassing him.  If there is one guy that is close to showing the dominance and killer instinct that Jordan possessed it was Kobe Bryant. Kobe was a fantasy basketball goldmine as he could score points at will.  There was no defender in the league that could bottle up his greatness and it wasn’t a matter of if he was going to score but rather how much?  Kobe’s career numbers compare quite favorable to what Jordan put up and his five NBA rings is just one shy of what Jordan was able to accomplish. But there is one thing that Kobe accomplished that not Jordan, nor any other player in NBa history, has been able to do.  Kobe infamously switched his jersey number, from 8 to 24, seemingly in the middle of his hall of fame career. If you split his career accomplishments from, when he was wearing number 8 and 24, he would be a hall of fame candidate for both of his “careers”.  That is why the Los Angeles Lakers, where Bryant spent all of his twenty NBA season, retired both of his number. This is the first time in NBA history, and possibly professional sports history, that one franchise has retired two numbers by a singular player.  Kobe has been vocal in his quest to live up to the legendary status that Jordan paved the way for and at the end of the day he may be the closest thing we get to the next Jordan.

Sorry LeBron.

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Trial Strategy: Telling a Atory in the Courtroom

Throughout human history, storytelling has been shown to be mankind’s preferred way of processing information. People are drawn to great storytellers, and are better able to retain a message if it is conveyed in terms of an event, something they can picture themselves witnessing, if not participating in. The same pattern can be observedin the courtroom, so a trial strategy should be developed with this in mind.

Most lawyers, however, may not readily understand the importance of storytelling, and we can attribute this to a general tendency of law teams to be sofocused on proving a point or presenting arguments. Under this approach, the primary goals are to articulate the client’s position statements, lay down the facts of the case, and then debunk the other party’s claims,in a bid to persuade the jurors - who may not be as invested in the case as is hoped – to pick a side afterwards.

In contrast, the storytelling approach engages the members of the jury from the start, and encourages them to take part in a journey to uncover the truth and pursue justice. And it can be a very powerful approach, if executed properly. A lawsuit, after all, is not just the sum of facts, but a web of people within a timeline, people with motives, locations, and social conventions that provide a unique context to the crime being resolved.

A good lawyer knows how to present this web, this universe of people, location, motives, and conventions within a story. A car accident, for instance, is very rarely just an accident. There is a set of extenuating circumstances, and rules that may or may not have been flouted, and forgivably or unforgivably so. Telling the complete story would be critical in attaining justice, and in finding a punishment that is fair to everyone concerned.In addition, demonstrative aids such as a courtroom video, an illustration, a flowchart, a diagram, or a timeline can be used as visuals to support the storytelling.

In presenting their client’s story, lawyers must be mindful of providing the most important facts, and truly creating a connection with the jurors. There are different kinds of story arcs, some more appealing to a particular set of people than others. There are stories of quests, of a return, of redemption, of tragedy or comedy. Comprehensive jury research will be important at this point, to know which will strike a chord in the hearts of the jurors. In addition, stories must be strongly supported by statements from each of the witnesses. And of course, it is crucial to master the use of the latest solutions for creating effective visual aids.

To learn how to tell a compelling story in the courtroom, tap the services of a trial strategy consultant such as Dubin Research and Consulting (DRC), led by Josh Dubin, Esq. Dubin’s first-rate team includes experts in jury research, legal strategy, information design, and graphic design – all of whom are essential in developing a powerful legal strategy. Visit DubinConsulting.com today to know more.

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Hawaii Oceanfront Homes: Top Perks of Owning a Beach House

Beach houses are a top draw in most real estate markets, but especially in Hawaii, where oceanfront homes are a favorite among celebrities, businessmen, and retirees from across the globe. In this article, we talk about the beautiful perks that come with owning a home by the sea.

Magnificent views. Perched right in front of a beach, oceanfront homes in the Aloha State afford their occupants the very best views – of the vast, deep blue Pacific Blue ocean, and the fine sand where it meets the shore, the clear skies, the verdant rolling hills, and in the highly exclusive neighborhoods located near resorts and golf clubs, the perfectly landscaped fairways and greens, as well as the sight of people coming and going and enjoying the feel of the sand on their feet. The best properties were built especially around the scenery, so that residents can wake up to the breathtaking panorama, and enjoy it right from their bedroom appointed with picture windows, if not sliding glass doors.

Access to activities. Beachfront homes are a few steps away from where things happen: the fun, noisy parties around a bonfire,or luau parties featuring the freshest Hawaiian seafood and farm produce. Most luxury resorts and watersports facilities also choose the coast for their location, and residents of Hawaii beach homes can then easily walk to these places when in the mood for some adventure or romantic date, be it pampering and massage at a spa, an intimate, torch-lit dinner by the seaside, an afternoon of sailing or surfing, or a round or two of golf.

Fresh air. While many cities around the world contend with growing levels of air pollution, Hawaii beach house owners are treated to the fresh air all year long. When they open their windows in the morning, they can take in the cool, salty breeze from the sea, to many people a perfect antidote to the busy life in the metropolis and the anxieties and stress it brings. And to those whose lungs need a reboot, living near the beach is simply following many medical doctors’ advice.

The island vibe.Finally, a Hawaii beach house is the best place for soaking up the island vibe. There, one could live the laidback life where days are slow and quiet, and could be delightfully spent basking in the sun, strolling by the beach with a dog, or reading a book while lying on a beach chair.Nights, meanwhile, could be just about looking up at the starlit sky. Too, there is a warm sense of community, and it is common for someone to invite everyone else for cocktails at sunset, a barbecue party, or a dinner.

To know more about the Hawaii oceanfront homes and other luxury real estate properties awaiting new owners in the Aloha State, get in touch with leading Big Island real estate broker Harold Clarke. Harold Clarke holds the key to the finest properties – homes, condominiums, acreage, among others – in some of the most prized locations in Hawaii.

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Sophomore Slump?

Professional sports have undergone a small but noticeable change in the nature of play across the top tier of each and every sport.  There are now younger and younger players being able to compete, and in some cases dominate, the competition.  These rookies are able to pull away from opposing players that have a near ten year difference apart in age and hundreds of games of professional experience as well.  These youngsters are able to continually impress us to do much advanced athletic abilities. The younger generations have been training and developing in a new era that puts nutrition and fitness as the focal point of their respective athletic plans.

In a gritty game like hockey, the same rules apply. Last year, we saw three rookies really standout. They were all finalists for the Calder Trophy, which is essentially the rookie of the year trophy: Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Patrik Laine of the Winnipeg Jets, and Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Each of these guys were underrated and looked over for most of the season making them daily fantasy hockey value plays for most of the season.  Auston Matthews, the number one overall pick from the 2016 NHL draft, was one of the best fantasy hockey players for the entire season. At age 19, Matthews compiled the following season stat line: tied for second in the League with 40 goals, and led rookies in goals, points (69) and shots on goal (279).  He came out with brilliance from the very beginning by netting four goals in his NHL debut, the first player in the league to do so since 1930’s.  He also set the club record for most goals and points for a rookie season.  If it wasn’t for such a remarkable season by Matthews, we would most likely be raving about the season Laine had. The former number two overall draft pick look just as good as advertised. Laine, who turned 19, had 36 goals, 28 assists in 73 games Laine was second among rookies in goals and points, and led the Jets in goals.  

Finally Werenski was the eighth overall pick in the draft but was one of the highest rated defensemen.  He led rookies in a variety of different categories such as : goals, assists, points, and plus-minus rating.  He also set club records for points and assists.  It’s hard to believe that we will see any steps taken back by the three of these studs for the next season.  Sophomore slumps are a definite phenomenon but will not be able to affect players of this quality.  

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Barcelona's Improbable Comeback

At the conclusion of the round of 16 in Champions Cup, the history books were forever rewritten thanks to one of the greatest comebacks in modern sports history.  At the close of the first leg of the series, Paris St.Germain was leading FC Barcelona 4-0.  This lead Barcelona to attempt the impossible, needing a five goal win just to make it to the next round.

This high stakes game had quite the unique fantasy soccer strategy from the get go.  First of all with such a huge lead, the Frenchmen were inclined to deploy a “Park the Bus Strategy” where all eleven of their men sag to the defensive half of the field for the entire game.  This would decrease the amount of free space on the pitch leaving little spots open for Barcelona’s fearsome attack to to get the necessary goal scoring opportunities.  The obvious daily fantasy soccer strategy would be to employ Barcelona Attackman and possibly a few Paris St. Germain defenseman.  The trick would be which two of Barcelona strikers would you employ in this crucial Champions League matchup.  Suarez has been near the tops of both assists and goals for the entire La Liga season, Lionel Messi's is continuing to be Lionel Messi, and Neymar has been struggling to keep pace. Neymar has had a plethora of attacking opportunities in previous Champions League affairs, but has not been able to convert with only having two goals prior to this match.

There had been rumors circulating before the game that Neymar was willing to take bets with his teammates for scoring less than two goals in the match.  Neymar did just that by having the best overall fantasy soccer performance of the match. He finished with a plethora of chances created, handful of fouls drawn, and most importantly two goals and two assists.  Having a helping hand in most of the goals scored on this improbable comeback vaulted Neymar into being the difference maker for many lineups on both DraftKings & FanDuel competitions.  This game lead to be one of the greatest soccer matches of all time and was topped off by a superb individual performance from one of the rising elite youngsters in the game.  Neymar put on a fantastic showing and allowed them to move on in the Champions League to have a matchup, now, against the powerhouse Juventus.  

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Hawaii Oceanfront Homes: Should you buy a beach house?

Oceanfront homes always draw a lot of attention in the Hawaii real estate market. To those who are thinking of moving to the Aloha State, or buying a second home for their vacations with loved ones, a beachfront home would surely have appealed to you at one point.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself, to know if this is a wise decision for you.

Are you keen on beachfront home maintenance?Maintaining a beach house in Hawaii would not be the same as maintaining an ordinary home. Oceanfront homes are exposed to the elements – the moisture, the salty air, the strong winds from the ocean, and the sunlight – on a daily basis. If you are currently reside in the other side of the States and not going to stay in the beach house the whole year round, someone has to be ready to take charge of the upkeep, the landscaping, etc. If this sounds like a lot of work for you, try opting for other locations.

What purpose will this house serve for you? We could argue that everybody would enjoy being around the beach all the time. But if you intend to make a huge investment towards a house, it should be clear what your goals for this purchase is. Is it for your retirement home? Or for your children’s school breaks? For you and your spouse’s romantic escapades? This can clarify your expectations, and narrow down your options. Because you might be able to achieve the same goals without necessarily going for an oceanfront property.

What do you like about the beach? Not all beaches are created equal. Some can only be accessed from a private property, others are open to the public. Some are near the busy establishments, others are in a truly quiet, secludedspot. Some are open to fishing, others are not.If what you seek is just the view of the ocean, and quick access to the beach, then any location would be fine. But if you have more specific requirements in mind, know that the prices of these properties would vary depending on their location, and you would have to decide if you would like to spend on it, or on amenities for a house that’s not by the beach instead.

Contact top Big Island real estate broker Harold Clarke today, to know more about the finest Hawaiioceanfront homesfor sale.

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Scoring Terminology for Golf

Fore! Birdie! Hole in One!! Terms all synonymous with golf but few truly understand all of the different vergine that is in the game of golf.  To start off with golf has an odd scoring strategy because the lowest score is actually the best score and is considered the winner.  Let’s start from the basics; this is going to be extremely helpful if you are interested in PGA tour fantasy golf.

In golf, there are 18 holes in a round and usually 3-4 rounds in a PGA tournament.  Each hole, for every golf course in the world, has a predetermined stroke count assigned to it.  This count is what is used as the “average” for the hole, better put it is the benchmark for each.  Let’s focus on hole #1 at the famous Augusta National, one of the most prestigious golf courses on the entire PGA tour.  The first hole is a monstrous 445 yard hole with a pre-assigned stroke count with Par being equal to four.  For all intensive purposes, we are going to walk through each scenario, increasing the number of strokes, to determine what the official score would be for the PGA tour:

In the first scenario, you defy odds.  Somehow you drove the ball 440 yards, rolled another 5 and sunk it right into the hole. That is a hole in one.

Next, you have a lovely drive that soars over the fairway hops and rolls onto the green and you tap it in on your second shot.  Since it is a Par 4 and you shot 2 less than the “Par” it is deemed an eagle.

Next, your drive is a bit shorter this time, forcing you to chip yourself onto the green, till finally you tap it in on your third shot. Since it is a Par 4 and you shot 1 less than the “Par” is is deemed a birdie.

Next, your drive is decent, forcing you to hit two chips to get yourself onto the green, till finally you tap it in on your third shot. Since it is a Par 4 and you took exactly four shots, you shot Par.

Next, your drive is not very good, forcing you to hit two chips to get yourself onto the green, till finally you put twice and end up tapping it in on your fifth shot. Since it is a Par 4 and you shot 1 more than the “Par” is is deemed a Bogie.

Lastly, your drive is bad, forcing you to hit two drives,  hit two chips to get yourself onto the green, till finally you put twice and end up tapping it in on your sixth shot. Since it is a Par 4 and you shot 2 more than the “Par” is is deemed a Double-Bogie.

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Smart buyer’s guide to choosing an oceanfront home in Hawaii

Looking to buy an oceanfront home in Hawaii? Good for you! The Aloha State is home to some of the best seaside locations, with great views of the Pacific Ocean as well as the lush forests and mountains, access to world-class accommodations and lifestyle facilities, and a vibrant community life to boot.

Here are some guidelines in choosing a beach house to invest in:

Consult all stakeholders about their expectations. Who are you buying this beach house for? Do consult them all, so that you understand what they expect in this new property you plan to acquire. For instance, are your kids are looking at having their friends come over at their spring breaks. Are your parents willing to fly across the country to stay in it? Or are you looking for a quiet space, one for your “me time” or annual retreat? You may ormay not need that big a house, and a small villa with access to the beach may or may not suffice for your goals – it would depend on you thinking thoroughly about what you actually want from this beach home.

Look for the right location. Not all oceanfront locations in Hawaii are the same. Some are in a pretty secluded area, but others are very near busy commercial establishments, or are located within resorts or well-known facilities for water sports and adventure such as surfing, scuba diving, sailing, jetskiing, snorkeling, and boating. This means that the neighborhood would be crowded most of the time – and you may or may not like that. And then there’s the weather factor, too: Hawaii’s east side, the Hilo side, can experience strong rains, while the west side, the Kona side, is known for its dry weather all year round.

Prioritize your preferences. At this point, you should already have a list of features you are looking for in a property, such as, at least four bedrooms and four baths, or, a large pool, or, a huge and well-appointed kitchen. Decide which of these are at the top of your priorities, and show them to your real estate broker. The list should help you narrow down your options, and the broker should be able to tell whether you are better off building these features on your own.

To learn more smart tips in buying an oceanfront home in Hawaii, talk to experienced Big Island real estate broker Harold Clarke today.

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What hedge fund managers must look for in an asset servicing company

Today, more and more hedge fund managers are tapping asset servicing firms to complement their own company resources. As they deal with growing regulation and intense competition, hedge funds find in these firms access to specialized knowledge in and advanced technology for portfolio management.

But managers do not always have the same criteria in selecting an outsourcing partner. Here, we talk about important parameters to stand by, when choosing an asset servicing firm:  

Relevant service offerings. Some of today’s top asset servicing firms can offer quite impressive solutions for various middle and back office functions, among other tasks that are typically outsourced by asset management companies. However, a company in need of an outsourcing partner should ask whether these are relevant to their business. Is the service provider able to scale up or down their offering based on the company’s needs and budget? Does the firm truly understand the particular requirements of the asset categories that the company is working in?

Straightforward and appropriate performance measures. A good service provider has a straightforward but well thought-out set of means to measure their performance, beyond standard ones, and these should be discussed well before any agreement is signed between them and the contractor. In what ways can their value to the business be objectively measured and proven? More importantly, are the subjects of these measures the appropriate and relevant factors for the company? Improved fund performance is not enough, especially as these can be driven by other factors. The company needs to know how the service provider can extract the variable that reflects its actual contribution. Moreover, the company must know whether these fund growth is sustainable, and whether there are other values that deserve more attention.

Provisions for business continuity. Details of service offerings can be provided by practically any candidate, but how many can elaborate on their program for business continuity? How many can claim readiness and their contingency plans in the event of disaster or any form of business interruption? How are they able to mitigate risks posed by threats to business? A prospective service provider should discuss how it can ensure maximum uptime and disaster recovery, and secure company data and client relations.

To find the perfect outsourcing partner in asset servicing, it is important for hedge fund managers to clearly articulate their needs, have patience in screening candidates, and stick to high standards. With this kind of approach, the partnership will be a guaranteed success.

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Boogie and AD - A Nightmare for Frontcourts

Two of the league’s juggernaut big men are now on the same team; the Kings officially traded Demarcus Cousins to the Pelicans (and on that note, the Kings barely received anyone in return). From a fantasy basketball analysis standpoint, Demarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis must share the floor or share minutes. Now the question is, who is the first option? Because these players rack up so many points, rebounds, and blocks, their fantasy stats will significantly decline when playing along side with each other.

Do not expect both these players to grab double digit rebounds on a consistent basis. Fantasy players who currently own these players definitely took a hit on their team, especially players who are on the brink for their playoff positions. In both DraftKings and FanDuel, it is not worth it to pick these players up. On top of that, teams playing against the Pelicans will have a nightmare scoring against Demarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis in the paint.

When drafting for players in daily fantasy leagues, such as FanDuel and DraftKings, be sure to take in account which players are playing against the Pelicans in the matchup for the day. Same goes for subbing out player on the bench. Each small decision matters so much during the next few weeks as playoff contention is rampant as the regular fantasy season comes to an end.

However, players like Jrue Holiday could be on the rise because he has the potential to built up many assists by consistently feeding these big men. They shoot in such a high percentage, so scoring an assist is as easy as making a quick pass down in the paint to one of the big men. Players feeding the ball to Demarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis will have a good time obtaining easy stats. Overall, the stats of most players in the Pelicans should go up, but the star big men may suffer in their fantasy production. Expect the Pelicans to start getting more wins this season.

Granted, having two juggernaut big men playing side by side will definitely need some time getting used to each other. But, both of these men are former Kentucky Wildcats and with the Blue Blood flowing throwing them, we will soon see how they are able to complement each other's game in search of getting more wins for their team.

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Choosing among Hawaii homes for sale

Buying a home in the Aloha State is always a good idea. Not all Hawaii homes for sale are made equal, however, making it imperative that buyers be meticulous in screening properties.

Below are three tips to keep in mind when choosing your future home in this so-called paradise:

Know your needs and communicate them. There are many reasons why people buy a house in Hawaii. Some want a home for their family vacations, others, for business opportunities, and still others want to retire in an island. It is crucial that a buyer knows what he is looking for in a place, and how these are ranked in terms of importance. Is it the view, the tag price, or the potential for business? Or perhaps the quality of the neighborhood, the schools nearby, or the home design? These criteria should be communicated to their representatives properly, so that no one wastes precious time presenting or viewing options that do not address those needs.

Enlist the services of a home inspector and appraiser. A house is a major investment, so be sure to tap experts to help you determine its worthiness. After all, there is a particular set of knowledge needed for evaluating the condition of a house for sale, and looking with your naked eye will not be enough. Professionals can verify the claims of the home seller, and know if major renovation work would be required. They spent years studying how to assess the quality of wood, the paint, or the state of the drainage system or ventilation around the house, among others.

Partner with experienced real estate professionals. Find qualified real estate professionals to work with. Good brokers, for instance, have connections to all the people you will need to complete a purchase such as home inspector and an appraisers, in addition to the intimate knowledge they themselves have of the local real estate market. If you intend to buy a house in Big Island, it is wise to pick a broker who is actually based in one of its neighborhoods.

To find the right one among thousands of Hawaii homes for sale, get in touch with Harold Clarke, a leading real estate broker specializing in luxury real estate. He and his entire team of real estate professionals at Luxury Big Island know the Big Island market better than most, and will be glad to be of help.

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Family offices get support from asset servicing firms

Family offices are, generally speaking, operationally disadvantaged compared to their corporate counterparts. While they do not necessarily have less budget (many times, they are established by high net worth individuals, they are beset by other kinds of limitations: their organization is lean, and their scope of work, very specialized.

For one, they usually do not accept non-family members, and the thrust of the organization is to manage the wealth and ensure its transfer throughout the generations. Sometimes, too, they are quite focused in terms of the activities they support or invest their resources into, such as charity work for children, or for a rare health condition.

But sustaining family wealth is a complex task. It entails regular accounting of incoming and outgoing funds, and tracking possible sources of assets. The performance of investments must be conscientiously monitored, too, and payments of the pertinent taxes and fees for the family’s properties must be ensured. Lifestyles must be managed, which means addressing both personal and administrative concerns – travel, health and wellness, maintenance of real estate properties, and the like.

For families supporting causes, ample amount of time and attention must be allocated towards selecting advocacies and partners to donate to, screening project proposals, and awarding and managing grants to individuals or organizations. Finally, to make sure that funds will be sufficient and continue to grow over time, it is necessary to conduct actuarial projections and analyses.

All these tasks require money, manpower, technology, and a well-oiled infrastructure that family offices might not always have. Thankfully, helping address the gaps are asset servicing firms.

These firms specialize in providing efficient middle and back office support, particularly in performing the tedious accounting and tax planning functions. They have mastered the relevant laws and policies governing their clients’ wealth, and are prepared in terms of filing tax returns, establishing trustees and custodianship of properties, incorporation of any ventures, and creation and consolidation of reports for all stakeholders – the family members, their business partners, and the authorities.

If the family intends to invest their fortunes, they are also equipped with both the technology and expertise, allowing them to give sound financial advice and craft investment strategies, and providing assistance in fund administration and the implementation of said strategies. Even better, they are ready to serve as the single point of contact between the family offices and other parties, so that they can focus on their priorities.

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Big data and hedge funds

In the recent years, the world is seeing an increased role of big data in the business of hedge funds. Driving this trend is a growing interest of different stakeholders, who in turn are investing in technologies and systems that enable better ways of managing data.

Proper use of data can bring immense benefits to fund managers. In the wake of financial crises and as more political upheavals across the globe signal the coming of more such crises, data mining can yield important insights about the future of the hedge funds business.

Risk management, for one, is a critical aspect of any funds operation, and today’s tools now allow for calculations that were once not practicable. Through systemic risk modelling, fund managers can more clearly understand the relationships between finance institutions as well as financial market prices. Risk management practices based on such knowledge will allow managers to predict fund failures, and therefore prevent the investment scandals that hounded the past decade.

The data also improves the capacity of regulatory agencies in their monitoring of the industry, and the development of policies that can make every player be in a winning scenario. For example, they will be able to determine patterns that might lead to problems, from the level of the company, to the domain it belongs to, e.g. alternative investments.

At the macro level, the effective use of accurate data benefits the national economy. After the fall of such big names as the Lehman Brothers in 2008, there was palpable public outrage when the government bailed out some companies, which means taxpayer money was used to prevent the institutions from failing. If only data were mined to predict such failures, there would be reduced negative impact on the shareholders and the general populace.

Problems will be detected at a level when they may still be remedied, thus also preventing their chance to create contagion effects on other domains of the investment and securities world. Policies may be developed to address patterns of poor – or dubiously exceptional – fund performance, before they result in tragic failures.

Among hedge funds, the enlistment of asset servicing firms is one way to propel this trend that leans towards the better use of data in the asset management business. These firms dedicate time and manpower towards the development of cloud-based portfolio management systems that facilitate the collection and provision of information from and to multiple parties, to support the making of sound investment decisions.

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Pacific paradise: The Kohala coast properties in Big Island

A gorgeous view in a gorgeous home – this is the promise of real estate in Big Island. This dream can be a reality for anyone, with the vast options available in the Big Island real estate market. One premiere community attracting attention is the Kohala coast, where properties offer unhindered access to a beautiful seascape.

Found at the tip of Big Island, the Kohala coast is gearing to become one of the most in-demand real estate sites in Hawaii. Kohala has been blessed with a natural beauty and an accessibility that renders it ideal for vacationing tourists or residents seeking a temporary reprieve from the city.

Properties are scattered along the shores of Kohala up to 200-ft elevation from the coast. These establishments have a panoramic view of the ocean, as well as the cooling breeze and gentle hum of the Pacific waves. As beautiful as they are from afar, the waters of the Kohala waterfront are certified “pristine.” These waters have been graded A by the state government, and are regarded one of the best spots for snorkeling and diving in Hawaii. Whales and dolphins pay a visit to these pristine waters, giving guests the opportunity to observe these tranquil and rare sea creatures.

For a more dynamic pace, the nearby Mauna Kea and Mauna Lani resorts offer sports and recreation facilities, and amenities for shopping and dining. World championship golf courses and tennis courts are available, while the more adventurous can opt to go sailing in the Kawaihae Harbor.

Big Island is filled with luxury residences that can satisfy even the most discriminating taste. An example of its exceptional properties is a fully-furnished penthouse unit in the Kolea subdivision in South Kohala. An exclusive gated community, Kolea is found along the Anaehoomalu Bay and offers a private beach club for guests.  This villa features endless views of the Pacific and the sunset from the living room to the kitchen and the master bedroom.

Any piece of real estate with a breathtaking view of the Pacific will certainly fetch the highest price in the market, but in the Kohala Waterfront project, properties are reasonably priced. This relatively new project will likely take off in a couple of years, and signing up at this early stage is a wise choice for investors in Kohala coast properties.  Connect with Harold Clarke of Luxury Big Island if you want to own a piece of this paradise today.

[leoalvinsblog-blog]

Debunking myths in outsourcing among hedge funds

Among hedge funds, outsourcing has emerged as a viable operational strategy for staying afloat amid a highly competitive era of investing and asset management.  Some are hesitant to consider the move, discouraged by some myths about outsourcing.

Here are some of those myths:

It leaves nothing in-house. A popular misconception is the notion that all procedures will be delegated to an “outsider.” This raises important concerns if one’s selling point to every prospective client investor is a “hands-on approach” to asset management. But the truth is enlisting the asset services of a third party firm can very well complement the existing processes that are being accomplished in-house. Front office tasks, especially those involving client relations, data interpretation, as well as crafting investment policies and making decisions, may remain in the sole control of the fund managers. Meanwhile, the rigorous everyday functions – collection of data and computations, accounting, accounts reconciliation, among others – that will support the conduct of these processes can be turned over to the third party firm.

It will lead to huge savings. Once the tedious functions in the middle and back offices are outsourced, the expectation among portfolio managers is that operational costs will go down. And they become disappointed when this does not happen. True, some savings can be had through asset servicing. However, it can take time for this to accrue to a significant amount. Sometimes, too, there may never be a significant decrease, and it does not mean that outsourcing was a failure. Other fund managers that have continued to outsource despite the less-than-expected savings instead cite the benefits of asset servicing that may not be readily valuated: The access to specialized services, advanced software solutions, and overall improved efficiency.

It will be very expensive to maintain. On the other side of the equation is a notion that tapping an asset services provider could be very expensive. This is not true. The best third party firms offer scalable solutions depending on the asset management firm’s needs and resources. Their software’s features can be added based on their management requirements, and their pool of professionals provided as needed. The opposite is having a bloated organization, having to recruit and maintain staff for the middle and back office operations, and also procure and keep equipment and technologies for the operations.

The key is to be clear about the expectations on both sides, to achieve the best possible outsourcing outcomes for the hedge funds.