Building Your Own Talent Pool: 8 Challenges and 8 Possible Solutions for the Banking Industry

Banks manage financial assets and the success of that management is dependent on the capabilities of the persons who manage those assets.
Therefore growth in this sector is dependent on effective management and leadership capacity and dominance in retail services is directly related to the expansion of the branch network through which the bank’s retail products and services are distributed.
The central departments or bank headquarters form the nerve center of the bank by providing direction, developing new products and services, handling high value investments, treasury management and credit activities. However, it is through the network of bank branches that the retail services developed by the central marketing function are distributed. The network of branches acts like the five senses as well as the arms and the legs of the body by sending critical information from the field to the central departments and executing the corporate strategy by successfully linking the needs of the public to the products and services developed to meet those needs.
The quality and the quantity of that exchange between the branches and the central departments have a great impact on the ability of the bank to leverage its products and services in the market. Simply put, the branches are the points of sales for all the retail products and services developed by the bank. Even though sophisticated, high-value products and services are facilitated by the central departments concerned, the ‘retail services’ are the ‘Cash Cow’. A bank’s ability to expand its branch network through which its products and services are distributed is therefore critical to its growth and profitability.
The question arises – “What is that growth dependent on? And the answer is – “It is dependent on the human capabilities available in the form of individuals who have the skills, the knowledge, the experience and the personality to successfully manage newly established branches. Herein lies one of the major challenges faced by many banks: Their need and their readiness to open new branches both in the home country and abroad is frustrated by the scarcity of individuals who are genuinely capable of successfully launching a new branch or ‘turning-around’ an existing branch.
The purpose of this article is to explore some of the reasons for the scarcity and to suggest some things that can be done about it the in the short term and in the longer term.
8 Challenges and 8 Possible Solutions
Challenge 1: There is no training and development program designed specifically to prepare individuals to move from ‘competent employee’ to ‘competent branch manager’ with the requisite leadership skills.
Solution: Identify individuals with leadership potential as early as possible in their careers through various activities and through multiple sources and methods. For example, if ‘leadership’ is identified as one of the core competencies of the bank and it is fully integrated into the appraisal system at all levels, there will be regular feedback through the performance appraisal system. This feedback can be further validated through regular Assessment and Development Centers designed to identify talent in various areas. Once identified, a clear career path should be presented to these individuals and a systematic development program applied to ensure that we not only identify capable individuals but that we retain them. A clear career path with well defined requirements for moving from one position to another contributes very strongly towards the retention of ambitions and talented leaders. When linked to ‘Succession Planning’ there will also be a timeline that ensures adequate preparation for successors and minimal disruption of work due to sudden departures.
Challenge 2: The competition for talented individuals who have the potential to lead is very high because the demand far exceeds the supply. This increases cost because salary levels have to be raised in order to attract and hopefully keep the best talent.
Solution: Recognize that intelligent and talented individuals are looking for something more than just the salary. So make your bank one that attracts the kind of people you want. Intelligent individuals with leadership capability are looking for a credible organization where they can grow and where they are given the opportunity to contribute as well as enjoy the fun and challenge of working in that place.
Challenge 3: The type of person who is good at managing the branch operations and attending to all the administrative details may not necessarily be good at leading and managing a bank branch from a commercial perspective. Therefore the assumption that it is possible to promote the operations manager to branch manager and then bring someone up from the ranks to handle operations is simply not valid.
Solution: Recognize that ‘Work Preferences’ are an even more powerful predictor of job satisfaction and productivity than academic qualifications and experience. ‘Work Preferences’ must be measured, understood and built into career management and staff retention programs. A person who is good at one thing may not necessarily be good at another. The ‘Work Preferences’ that make a good operations manager are the exact opposite of those that make a good branch manager. When Operations Manager and Branch Manager positions are filled with individuals whose ‘Work Preferences’ are congruent with their skills and their roles it leads to complementary. This increases to a high degree the potential for a great performance. Therefore ‘Work Preferences’ should be factored into the recruitment, selection, career planning, talent management, and succession planning and retention programs of the bank.
Challenge 4: The ‘Critical Success Factors’ for the position of Branch Managers need to be redefined so they reflect current market realities. The branch manager certainly needs to have a solid foundation in the banking know-how that brings the highest revenues to the bank – Credit and Trade Finance. There are far too many branch managers that are not really able to discuss business affairs with their more sophisticated clients in a satisfactory manner. Moreover, many are also unable to adequately coach their staff on the effective preparation of credit files or trade finance documentation and credit.
Solution: Develop a rigorous testing and evaluation system in these areas and use it as a pre-requisite for promotion to the position of Branch Manager. In other words, if candidates for promotion to the position of Branch Manager are unable to pass a knowledge test and a practical skills assessment, they will have to develop their abilities and pass the tests and assessments in these areas before their promotion can go through.
This will contribute to building a sense of professionalism in the sector.
Challenge 5: There is little or no emphasis on the essential ‘soft skills’ for branch management. This includes the effective management of people – inspiring, motivating, developing and challenging them to get the best results. The soft skills are underrated in comparison with banking techniques, whereas they are equally important. Here there are a wide range of skills that are vital to success; the least of which are customer relationship management that goes beyond dinners and lunches or funerals and weddings. Business Ethics is another critical area that must receive attention in light of the recent global economic crisis.
Solution: Develop a set of corporate values and a clear set of interpersonal and managerial competencies that are ingrained into the psyche of every employee through an ongoing coaching and mentoring program. Train and develop your managers so that coaching and mentoring is part and parcel of their daily routine. As they communicate these values and build the competencies into daily behavior, they will contribute to the creation of a new corporate culture where those who do not fit will move out and those who do will move up. This will increase the supply of better qualified candidates for leadership and managerial positions.
Challenge 6: Many think of the Branch Manager as a Public Relations Officer or a Liaison Officer facilitating the exchange of documents and information between the central departments and the branch. In fact many banks have designed the job of the branch manager so that he or she is no more than an informed ‘button clicker’ authorizing transactions through the bank’s operating system. Certainly the ‘control’ function is a very important one and one that cannot be relinquished. However, it has to be considered in light of the role of the branch manager and the optimal utilization of capacity.
Solution: Answer the question of what exactly is the role of the branch manager and what is the most valuable contribution that such a manager should be making. Unless this question is discussed in depth and in light of the future strategy of the bank the role of the branch manager will remain vague and will by necessity be defined by the personal preferences of the individual occupying that position. Those who like dealing with people will become Public Relations Officers, those who like dealing with things and with numbers will become Controllers, those who like ‘challenges’ will become Demanding Bosses. Each role has its merit but the bank needs to decide which role it wants to emphasize and to select its managers accordingly. The important thing is that the decision must be aligned with the banks corporate strategy for growth and expansion.
Challenge 7: From the branch manager’s perspective the question always arises: “Do I have any real power or authority within this centrally controlled structure?” There is no doubt that there are those who will take charge and confidently communicate with the central departments and get the support they need and there will be those who perceive themselves as waiting for orders and are therefore not really responsible in the final reckoning.
Solution: This relationship needs to be considered and clearly defined including the identification of the inevitable ‘grey areas’. Some individuals will be able to rise to the occasion but are waiting to be invited or to be told that they do have permission of the ‘powers that be’ to interact assertively and openly with the Central Departments. They are on the same side.
Challenge 8: Branch Managers also ask: “Where do I go from here? What is my future? Do I remain a Branch Manager for the rest of my life?”
Solution: The answers to these questions are critical to attracting suitable candidates for the position. This is also linked to the role we want our branch managers to play. Are we looking for ambitious entrepreneurs with a solid ethical grounding who are prepared to go after promising opportunities? Or are we looking for ‘button clickers’ who will scrutinize the details, follow the rules and religiously adhere to procedures? Or are we looking for someone who enjoys being a Public Relations officer and gets along really well with people but lacks the solid banking knowledge that will yield high returns from these customer relationships?
This is an important decision as it will determine who you get to fill the position. If you don’t want to settle for taking the first ‘okay’ candidate, a decision must be taken.
Looking at these Human Capital challenges and solutions leads us to propose two main courses of action. One is to make the most of the current situation and the other is to be better prepared for the future. Below are the details on both approaches.
Short Term Human Capital Investment:Take advantage of the current crisis to recruit the talent you really want and to build a pool from which to choose in the future. In the Harvard Business Review you will find steps of consideration to ensure that when you do hire, you hire the right person, at the right time, with the right skills to ensure that when you need specific outcomes, your people are able to deliver.
Hiring Top Executives: A Comprehensive End-to-End Process
1. Anticipate the Need

  • Conducting ongoing, proactive analysis of future needs.
  • Continually evaluating the pool of potential talent.
  • Developing rigorous periodic forecasts of the company’s talent needs.

 
2. Specify the Job
 

  • Defining the specific demands of the job.
  • Specifying which skills and experience are relevant.
  • Identifying the team the candidate will need to work with or recruit.

3. Develop the Pool

  • Developing a large pool.
  • Including insiders, outsiders, insideĀ­rs, outsiders, and outside-insiders.
  • Considering people on the periphery of the organization (employees in remote offices, consultants, suppliers, customers).
  • Tapping your networks and involving the right external partners.
  • Asking candidates’ peers for nominations.

4. Assess the Candidates

  • Using a small number of high-caliber, well-trained, properly motivated interviewers.
  • Employing rigorous behavioral event interviews.
  • Conducting detailed reference checks.
  • Including top stakeholders in candidate assessment.

5. Close the Deal

  • Demonstrating active support for the candidate’s interests.
  • Describing the job realistically.
  • Involving the hiring manager personally, not just HR, in closing the deal.
  • Ensuring that compensation is fair to other employees.
  • Involving C-level for top positions.

6. Integrate the Newcomer

  • Using veteran top performers as mentors.
  • Making sure the newcomer checks in regularly with boss, mentor, and HR even when no problems have arisen.

7. Audit and Review

  • Removing bad hires within the first year.
  • Regularly reviewing recruiting practices.
  • Identifying and rewarding excellent interviewers.
  • Holding all assessors accountable for the quality of their evaluations.

Source: Fernandez-Araoz, C, Groysberg, B and Nohria, N 2009, ‘The Definitive Guide to Recruiting in Good Times and Bad’, Business Harvard Review, vol. 87, no. 5, pp.79.
Long Term Human Capital Investment:
Identify, develop and retain top talent by using a number of structured and unstructured innovations in ‘Talent Management.’
Build Your Own Talent Pool
Forward-looking Banks today realize that what limits their ability to expand and develop retail operations is the availability of qualified managers to head new branches. The absence of an effective second or third line management layer within a bank means that the bank will face a succession crisis if there isn’t a swift and effective response to this reality.
The challenge is how to make sure that the right persons have been selected and that the path of their development and training will be one that properly prepares them to carry the bank into the 21st century. More importantly, will these individuals be ready to respond to the impact of the political, legal / regulatory, environmental and social changes in the world and in the region? Will they be prepared to handle the reality of borderless financial markets and the ever-increasing pace of technology driven change?
There is no doubt that banks already have or are actively recruiting high potential individuals to lead their banks into the future. The problem, however, is how to accurately identify and accelerate the development of these high potential people so that they can get to where you need them to be in 1 or 2 years instead of five or ten. The second challenge is how to retain them.
These are the challenges that this Bank Branch Manager Accreditation program addresses.
CRITICAL PROGRAM SUCCESS FACTORS
This is an ambitious program and dictates that we proceed with full awareness of the necessary conditions to ensure success.

  1. Full support and or commitment from top management.
  2. Selection on merit and competence so that the investment is made in the right people and the program is perceived as credible.
  3. Selection on merit and competence so that the investment is made in the right people and the program is perceived as credible.
  4. Address the expectations of all stakeholders to prevent misconceptions regarding the outcomes of the program.
  5. Develop a supportive succession and retention plan for those in the program and those directly impacted by them.
  6. Set a realistic budget for this project and demonstrate the high return on investment.
  7. Give the program the optimal time for successful implementation.

OBJECTIVES
The main purpose of this program is to prepare successful individuals to fit smoothly into the role of future Branch Manager of fast-growing banks that have a regional and or international client base. This will involve a number of subordinate objectives:

  1. Train and develop future Bank Branch Managers quickly, effectively and economically.
  2. Use techniques that will bring out the best in your staff and help you decide, without a doubt, where each one will perform best.
  3. Ensure that the development program is totally targeted to your bank’s culture and business strategy.
  4. Identify those who can deal with high change and high stress business environments.
  5. Differentiate the true team players from those who do better alone.
  6. Change your corporate culture to reflect the values and competencies that are vital to the future success and sustainability of your business.
  7. Provide real management experience at low risk to you and your staff.
  8. Involve more than one group in the change process to ensure maximum ‘buy-in’ or ownership of the development process.
  9. Increase the supply of qualified candidates and so reduce the risk of poaching by competitors.

The more we know of human nature and the workings of the human brain, the more we realize that the story of our lives is written in every cell of our body and shaped by every significant relationship. The importance of getting the right people in the right place and the right group of people working together cannot be overestimated. The right outcomes will seem to come as if by magic.

The Critical Stage of CNBC Fast Money

This is a critical time for CNBC Fast Money with initial tests being conducted. It was noted that the CNBC rating has plummeted in the past years as cynical stock traders tried to escape the slowly crumbling industry. However, CNBC executives believe that the market is reviving to its old glory, even with the verge of new competition. How can we say that this US financial investing TV programis profitable?
Even though CNBC ratings might have been suffering from negatives, the network is still in high-revenue tier. Take note of its pretax income of about $ 270 million. With the US reserves and economic monitoring will continue to be the meat of financial talk shows, which is really the nature of the network’s plan to entice its viewers. However, this financial TV program is seen to be more appealing to a more natural type of consumerists or those traders who doesn’t give so much fuss about the weak points but just want to try venturing out with stocks and try to be rich. Is stock-picking important to CNBC?
The answer is yes. The kind of stock-picking in CNBC Fast Money is quite sensitive. In the past trading years in 1990s, CNBC received criticisms for including too many members in the panel who sometimes crazily peddling on stocks even without careful analysis. But CNBC defended that they had found a way to offer new responsible programs. However, the primary idea of the show will still revolve around turning money in the shortest period of time. What are expected changes in CNBC Fast Money?
Since news and analysis on financial trends have turned into measly commodity of the financial world, the network has to consider presenting news and financial information in the most innovative way without compromising responsible programming. The executive producers also want to include cultural relevancy on the program by providing access to the viewers and teaching them how to use such information for their stock trading. How could this happen?
Perhaps the secret of CNBC Fast Money is to widen its appeal without compromising its reputation among its advertisers. The network targets Class A and B market to maintain its standing as a major player in the business world. Fast Money TV program is indeed a primary network asset of CNBC. However, programming is in constant change with new ideas cropping up to develop the program and to implement changes. Talk shows and late night shows could be a challenge yet Fast Money is still a major TV phenomenon.

Organic Gardening Tips You May Not Know

There are some obvious organic gardening tips that most gardeners know, such as using compost and organic fertilizers. These are pretty basic organic gardening tips. However, there are a lot of other tips that are just as easy to follow, but not as well-known. The beauty of organic gardening is that it offers you a safe and healthy way to grow the plants that you want to grow, whether they are vegetables or flowers.
You could try organic gardening tips like using a Toad House. Many people do not realize just how effective toads can be in the removal of insects. A toad can eat 50-100 insects in one night. Encouraging these harmless creatures to take up residence in your garden can severely cut down on your insect problems without the use of chemicals. If you have children, they will love watching the toads in the garden too.
Organic gardening tips like using BEE-AllureĀ™ Honey Bee Attractant can also help to increase the yield from your vegetable or flower garden. These can be even more important additions to your garden since so many honey bee colonies have been dying off in recent years. Honey bees are some of the best pollinators you could have in your garden. Many people worry about bees stinging them, but honey bees will generally not sting people unless trapped. However, for those people who are allergic to bee stings, this option may not be a good idea.
One of the most aggravating problems in your garden is keeping down weeds. You could choose to use an organic weed killing product or you could try Weed Barrier Mat. These mats can prevent weeds from growing between your vegetable rows so you never have to break your back pulling weeds again. Even if a weed killer is organic there is always the chance that it may damage your other plants if used incorrectly. The mats remove this worry.
Organic gardening tips can cover a wide range of issues that you find in your garden. Everything from insects that can damage your plants to better ways of ensuring that your soil is full of the nutrients your plants need. Earthworms are a great organic addition to any garden. They are natural aerators and their castings add nutrients to the soil.
The main reason that so many people are changing over to organic gardening is for the safety of their families. Organically grown food does not have the possible danger of chemical residues that can either be left on the outside of vegetables and fruits or absorbed into them. Chemical products also have a chance of leeching into the ground water that your family drinks. Chemicals can either cause illness or death in wildlife and pets that are roaming where they have been used.
As you become used to organic gardening, you will probably find some organic gardening tips that were not covered here. Most organic gardeners have their own favorite methods of ensuring the safety of the foods they grow.

Accessible Adventures: Traveling With Special Needs

There is a world of travel possibilities for people with special needs! Where do you want to go? What do you want to experience? With a bit of careful planning and the asking some important questions, individuals with disabilities can find accessible travel options for many exciting destinations worldwide.
If vacation or business travel has been a daunting idea to you or to your family, be encouraged that there many places to explore where special needs can be easily accommodated with your comfort and convenience in mind.
You Have Places to Go & Things to Do
Family Vacations – Travel options abound for families with special needs children. Ranging from amusement and theme parks designed for a number of disabilities or camps that offer programs and accommodations for a broad spectrum of special needs, there are exciting possibilities for making fun family memories! Vacations to Disney World, National Parks, museums, and the like can also be accessible for those with disabilities through the utilization of things like travel wheelchairs, access guides, and travel agents that specialize in travel with disabilities.
Travel Planning for Special Needs – there are a number of companies that specialize in creating group tours, cruises, and individual wheelchair travel options. These companies develop itineraries and travel arrangements that facilitate special needs accessibility. Their travel agents assist in making arrangements and providing the appropriate resources to make your experience an enjoyable and memorable one.
Travel Resources for Special Needs
Travel Agencies & Tour Groups – A number of travel agencies and tour groups that specialize in travel arrangements for people with disabilities have developed over the years. Theses agencies and groups provide assistance in planning and executing vacations for people with a broad range of special needs.
Travel Companions – Whether you require assistance from a companion to manage daily activities or simply want someone to travel with, there are companies that can offer these services. Be sure to search for companions from reputable companies or with credible references.
Accessibility Guides – There are a number of publications, websites, & blogs available to assist with your travel planning. These guides outline destinations, accommodations, transportation, and other resources for traveling with disabilities.
Travel Wheelchairs – The right travel chair can make any trip less stressful and much more comfortable. There are travel wheelchairs that are especially designed for making travel feasible and safe. Look for chairs that are comfortable and durable, but also lightweight, compact or collapsible, and easy to maneuver.
Online Resources:
Disability Travel and Recreation Resources
Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality
Travelconsumer
DisabledTravelers
Additional Travel Tips
Airplane Travel – Travel by airplane can be a bit intimidating for some travelers, especially if you must travel with a wheelchair or have mobility restrictions. Airlines are required to provide reasonable accommodation for individuals with special needs, but that does not mean you should leave your travel comfort in the airline’s hands. A little extra planning on your part can make for a much more enjoyable airport and flying experience.

  • Plan to arrive two to three hours prior to a domestic flight or up to four hours prior to an international flight to ensure enough time to get through security and make your way to the gate.
  • If you experience discomfort after sitting for extended periods of time, strongly consider selecting destinations where travel times are limited. You should also consider if limited mobility is an issue, restroom use on the plane may be difficult. Some airlines provide small chairs to transport guests to the restroom, but if this is not an option, it would be wise to limit your time in the air.
  • It may be a bit more expensive to secure non-stop flights for your trip, but limiting connections can reduce the stress of navigating multiple airports in a restricted time period.
  • Research the airline and plane ahead of time. Can the plane size accommodate a wheelchair in the cabin? Can you reserve an aisle seat?
  • Individuals in wheelchairs or scooters are subject to thorough searches at the security checkpoints. While it may be a bit uncomfortable and tedious, these searches are to ensure the safety of all passengers.
  • If you require medication or have mobility restrictions, it can be helpful to secure a letter from your doctor to make the transition through security a little easier.

Hotel Accommodations – While most commercial establishments are required to provide handicap accessibility, there are a few things to consider for ensuring a successful hotel stay during your travels. Make your hotel reservations over the phone if possible. If applicable, ask about whether the doors to the rooms are wide enough for a wheelchair and that the restrooms and showers in the room are handicap accessible. Be sure to get a confirmation number for your reservation. For convenience, it is often good to request a room on the ground floor or be sure to verify that an elevator is available.

The Value of Law in Our Lives and Society

It is known by all that law is an essential part of a society. It helps to make a society trouble free and peaceful. Law is made by humans in order to change the society with the introduction of equality, justice, and fairness.
Man has made laws, so being a maker we must follow laws too. Government and courts have set these laws and they are applicable for every citizen of a country. Victims are protected by law, whereas criminals are punished by it. You must obey law to avoid its consequences.
Law is very important for a society, for not only maintaining peace but also to control systematic lives of the people. Law protects a society from anarchy, chaos and disorder. Criminal actions like trespassing, rape, steal, damage, bully, murder and terrorism are controlled by the Law. This saves the society from every criminal act.
Disasters can be caused if people live in a society and start doing things according to their wills and principles. The Law helps to prevent people from doing actions what they want. A mentality of taking revenge will be created among the masses which may turn into unlawful acts. A society will be full of illegal actions, crimes and murders, if there is no law. Rules help a society to consider even a small problem to avoid its bigger consequences in the future.
A simple waste disposal may kill many people, if not prevented now. Cleanliness will not be maintained by people, if there is no such rule. People will find their own ways of living and survival, if they are not bound by laws. A war zone can be created in the world. Laws not only maintain peace in the society but also help to run the human race without any disturbance and in proper order.
A good relationship with each other in a society is regulated by a system of laws. Conflicts are also settled down by the means of law. The respect for human rights is ensured by this procedure of rules and laws. A society can function efficiently and properly only because of the presence of laws. Crimes are being stopped to become an everyday happening with the help of laws, so that children do not grow up finding the crimes to be normal. Future generations of the human race are safe and protected because of strict orders and laws.
So, laws are not only important in the society, but also in human lives.

Finding the Perfect Women's Jewelry Box

It is a fact that most women love jewelry. They love to wear it and they love to receive it as a gift. Even if they do not love it, they still tend to acquire a large amount of it over the course of their lives. Husbands buy it for wives. Mothers buy it for daughters. Jewelry is a very popular gift for holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries. With all the opportunities to acquire jewelry, it is certain that at one point in a woman’s life she will need a jewelry box to hold all her beautiful jewelry.
There are a number of different boxes available on the market today. Women’s jewelry boxes most commonly are made from wood, although there are boxes available in ceramic, metal and leather as well. Wood and leather are the most popular and the easiest to find. Once the material has been chosen, there are seemingly endless options in regards to shape, size, inside texture whether there are drawers, lids, or doors, and whether the box plays music. In almost all cases, a woman can find a box that fits her taste and her jewelry storage needs.
Functionality is a very important aspect of a jewelry box. If a woman owns a lot of necklaces, a taller jewelry box with a place to hang necklaces would be ideal. If she owns a lot of rings and smaller items, a box with drawers might be the best. It is also important to consider what type of fabric lines the inside of the jewelry box. Watch for any scratchy or rough fabrics that could scratch precious jewelry. Quality jewelry boxes will be lined with velvet of silk; some will also have suede. Suede and other soft fabrics are perfect for protecting jewelry from any damage, while simultaneously looking and feeling great.
Jewelry boxes make a wonderful gift. Not only are they practical and attractive, they will create long lasting memories as they hold and protect items that are special to a woman. Men often buy their wives jewelry after they have their first child. Many of these pieces can be added to as more children, and eventually grandchildren enter the picture. Women will want to keep these special and heartfelt gifts safe. Make sure your wife has a place to store her jewelry before you buy an item that she will surely treasure.
Women’s jewelry boxes can also be customized. Wood boxes can be hand carved, while metal, porcelain, or glass can be engraved with a special saying or piece of artwork. The unique gesture of customizing a box will make it even more special. Wood is the traditional gift for a five-year anniversary making a wooden box perfect. Not only will the box hold all a woman’s precious jewelry, the box itself will have special value as it will represent a special time in the marriage.
Many boxes have the option of playing music when the box is opened. Some will feature a dancing ballerina or a place to put a special picture or note. Other jewelry boxes may be made to look like picture frames for added security.There are hundreds of design choices.
While it is always easy to buy the woman in your life another piece of jewelry, this year, try something different. Instead of buying that special lady another piece of jewelry, buy her a beautiful jewelry box to store all her precious pieces.

Travel Agents Are Still In Demand

Although their are numerous online travel services a traditional Travel agent is as much an important part of the trip as comfort is to traveling! The role of a travel agent has been increasing with the times and today most people are dependent on them for executing most of their travel plans so that they can rest easy and just enjoy their trip.
It is the responsibility of the travel agent to help and guide the travelers about the constantly changing schedules and airfares, availability of packages for vacation, and a lot of travel information that the traveler may not know about.
Choosing a reliable travel agent can be an important decision, since how you travel and your comfort will be largely decided by the travel agents. You should verify the information given by the travel agents, to be on the safer side and minimize your travel hassles. In case of International travel, choosing a proper agent becomes more important.
The right agent should be able to foresee your problems and guide you about them. They should provide information related to customs regulations, important documents like visas, passports, currency exchange rates and certificates of vaccination.
Many hotels, cruise liners, resorts, and special travel groups make use of travel agents to market their travel packages to the ever increasing rate of people choosing to travel both inland and overseas. Most agents advice you on destinations and make arrangements for hotel stays, transportation, tours, car rentals, etc.
Information on weather conditions, restaurants, tourist attractions, and other such necessary information are also provided. A good travel agent could also take the trouble of checking out hotel services to gauge their quality of service in order that they can base references on a first hand report.
With the changing times, the travel industry has seen a big development in terms of Internet bookings and travel related information made available on the net. The number of people using online services is growing. This has resulted in a change in the view of the convenience of traditional agencies.
A poll result of American tourists revealed that over 92 percent of them generally buy their travel related necessities online. According to these consumers, online travel agencies have cheaper rates, are the easiest to use and offer all the relevant information. A word of caution is necessary for those using the Internet for their travel bookings. Be sure to navigate the site, verify that the agent has a good back-up system.
Also ensure that there are no added costs that are credited to your credit bills.
Till a few years ago, travel agents provided free services to their customers. Travel agents worked as agents for airlines, hotels, rental car companies, etc. The agencies worked on a commission basis from these suppliers.
But free travel agent services began changing as a result of certain changes in the rate of commissions. For example, in 1995 Delta Airlines imposed a $50 limit on domestic airline commission rates.

Historic Phoenix Architecture

New home buyers come to Phoenix, Arizona for the booming economy, but they are lured to stay because of historic features that the city offers. If you are moving to Phoenix, you want a Phoenix real estate agent who has a firm understanding of the local Phoenix Arizona real estate market and is working for you to help you find your dream property. There are many new homes in Phoenix that have been influenced by the stunning historic architecture that you can see around town, and your historic architecture is ready to work with you so that you can find and acquire just the right Phoenix property for your purposes.
One historic property in Phoenix, Arizona that exemplifies one of the beautiful architectural styles is the Union Station in downtown Phoenix. This building, built in 1923 by the Santa Fe and the Arizona Eastern (representing the Southern Pacific) railroads, features the Mission Revival style. This style emphasizes stucco wall surfaces, red tile roof, wide overhanging eaves, shaped Mission dormer or roof parapets, and porch roofs that are held up by large square piers that usually have an arch above them. This style was popular in California, owing to the Spanish influence in that region. It moved from California to other parts of the West when the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific railroads used the style for the stations they built. Mission Revival style began to be seen in the early 1890s and continued in popularity until 1920, or near the end of the first World War.
Another famous Phoenix building is the Luhrs Building, designed by Trost & Trost architecture firm from El Paso, Texas and built in 1924. Henry C. Trost was the designer, and his work evidences his ability to design in many styles, most notably Art Deco, Mission Revival, Prairie and Pueblo Revival, many showing the influence of the famed work of Chicago school architect Louis Sullivan. The Luhrs Building emphasizes the top half of the upper stories through the use of a heavy cornice and marble ornamentation, both of which are in keeping with the Prairie style and Sullivan influence.
An architect famous for his work in Southwestern architecture is Will Bruder. He designed the Burton Barr Central Library, including such features as an open, one-acre large reading room and the “Crystal Canyon,” the name for the stairwell and elevator that utilize glass and steel. Sunlight into the building is directed by motorized louvers on the southern side of the building, and on equinox days you can enjoy the sunlight alignment.

Tips on How to Score the Cheapest Travel Bargains

In today’s economic status, traveling is so expensive. It requires not only a long period of preparation, but as well as a big amount of money. In fact, traveling can be considered as luxury, most especially if you would want go to other countries.
When you are aiming to have a lesser budget for your travel, try to score the cheapest travel bargains on the internet, newspapers, or magazines. Make your extensive research on the latest travel bargains as part of your travel plans. To help you more on your searching budget travel deals, follow these tips on how to score the cheapest travel bargains.
1. Search for a low cost mode of transportation.
The mode transportation plays a big part on your travel budget because this is the main expense you should prioritize first. This is usually an expensive part of your travel budget. However, you can make this less expensive by taking low cost transportation.
2. Find best travel bargains or promos
Travel bargains involve travel discounts, sales, and packages. These travel bargains are commonly referred as travel promos. Most of these bargains include back and forth transportation, hotel, meals, and other tour expenses. These were made cheaper than the regular prices.
3. Choose the updated travel promos.
When you are searching for travel promos, make sure that you are into the updated or most recent ones in order to get the latest prices. Some old travel promos have not yet updated their prices to the latest prices in the travel industry. There are instances that travel costs are gradually decreasing as time goes by.
4. Compare travel promos.
Know how to compare travel promos. Do not just stick on one travel bargain that has been advised to you by some of your friends or relatives. Have your own research on the different travel promos, and compare them with each other.
5. Know the different travel expenses.
To compare properly the travel bargains, know the different prices on different travel agencies. Make sure to know the old and updated prices in order to determine if they are increasing or decreasing over the time.
6. Make a list of your choices.
After searching and comparing your chosen bargains, write them down on a piece of paper. Prioritize them basing on its advantages.
7. Be open minded in prioritizing.
Choosing for the best means you will chose the right one for you and for the majority. This is not an easing thing to do, thus you should be open minded in choosing for the best travel bargains, most especially in prioritizing your choices. In prioritizing, do not focus only on the prices; consider other factors as well, such as safety transportation, secured place to stay-in, and their terms and policies.
8. Read travel reviews.
Travel reviews can really help you in scoring the right bargain. You can find these on the internet where there are a lot of blogs related to traveling.
9. Look for a second opinion.
Before formulating a final decision, look for another person who can give an opinion regarding your choices. Find a person that is a traveler himself, and have expert opinions in scoring for the cheapest bargains. A second opinion can serve as a guide for your final choice.
10. Contact your chosen travel agency ahead of time.
Once you have your final choice, contact the travel agency earlier as possible so that you can make reservation. Having communication ahead of time, make your plans more organized.
Hope these tips on how to score the cheapest travel bargains can help you in choosing the right travel bargain for you. Have a safe and wonderful trip!

Alternative Fashion – Life Out on the Fringe

Have you ever flipped through the popular fashion magazines and wondered where in the world these designers are getting their ideas? Everyone from celebrities to teenage kids is wearing the same tired boring styles that are handed down to them from the so-called high fashion runways. Many people are seeking fashion ideas and inspiration from designers that are more in tune with the way that they like to live their lives. If you are a firm believer that art imitates life, and are looking for fashion that echoes this sentiment, you are searching for the alternative fashion movement.
If you’ve never heard of alternative fashion before, you should know that it means a lot more than just wearing something other than what’s offered to you. Alternative fashion is a state of mind that chooses to challenge the styles of society instead of becoming a victim of them. The people who choose to design, sell and wear alternative clothes are those that feel that more than being a way to cover your body, fashion is a way to express the person that you are inside, and the person that you want to be. Sometimes alternative fashion takes its inspiration from music and sometimes it takes its inspiration from a subculture that very few people know about.
If you are just starting to learn about alternative fashion, but you’ve grown up loving punk or emo music, than you should know that you probably already engage in wearing some alternative fashion. Goth styles, emo styles, industrial and hip hop styles are all examples of alternative style that’s been influenced by a certain genre of music. While these styles are usually pretty over the top, they are almost always designed more to make a statement and to emulate the music than to be practical and comfortable. Most people that wear alternative fashion know that it can be a huge commitment to dress that way every day.
Although hip hop may be the exception to the rule, as it has become so popular that it is almost mainstream, many of the other alternative fashion styles are considered to be really out there and not accepted by society. If you’ve ever seen a group of goth kids walking around in the mall, or a bunch of punk kids out at the bar, you know that they are interested in confronting the opinions that people have about them. They don’t want you to like what they wear. They want you to see it as a statement about what they think is important in life.