Letter From The Editor- Edition 113

Looking Back

On the land if you speak to any farmer they will tell you that it seems like there is always something to do. Sun up until sun down whether it be the small things or the large involved projects there is always something to be done. From chopping wood, moving stock to putting up fences, building dams or chainsawing trees there is always a constant 'to-do' list that can drive a farmer nuts. Recently a local said to me 'sometimes you have to stop and look at what you have done and appreciate it before you look at the next thing to do'. Its good country advice and I would say any business people, investors, entrepreneurs or social workers should do the same thing. It's a constant checklist, 'to do' list, project management, time utilisation treadmill that we are on every day, always pushing for the next thing to help us get the job done. I think we forget to stop, look back, enjoy what we have done, ponder and pat yourself on the back before moving on. It doesn't need to be ra ra parties and overdone celebrations but more a personal recognition that you are doing good, enjoying what's been done as you reflect before you start to visualise and move forward. I reckon this farmer had it right.

Travel

An Absolut Partnership

Elephants dance with elephants. By associating yourself with the right people you can elevate your brand or hinder your brand. Its a matter of dancing with the right partner. Korean Air has joined forces with leading vodka brand Absolut to create celestial bars which will feature in the airlines new Air Bus 380 aircraft. Each A- 380 will have three different bars fitted, two in business that are self serve and one at the very pointy end with its own bartender and 'mixoligist'. Korean Air must be doing alright as they have ordered ten of these units, the first half being delivered by the end of 2012 and more to follow by 2014. An interesting option for Absolut to associate themselves with Korean Air and certainly a bonus for Korean Air to have Absolut as a partner in this unique concept in bars and travelling. The Espresso is hoping for a journalist tour so that we can see for ourselves, test the bar and check out the flat bed options.

Housing

The New Dorm

Regular readers of The Espresso will know that we have been following the progress of the shipping container. We have talked about how shipping containers have been used for coffee shops, retail stores, restaurants and even shopping centres. Now we present the next instalment in the life of the shipping container which is a dormitory built specifically for low income workers and students. If you can do it for a touring kitchen, restaurant or retail store then why can't you bang a few together and create the Philippines first dormitory to help out those that may not be able to afford a traditional home. Four shipping containers make up the dorm which includes separate air-conditioned housing and bathrooms for men an women that is affordable and includes water and electricity. It is called the Citihub Mandaluyong and is located just outside Manilla. The humble shipping container has certainly come along way.

Hotels

Tech Savvy Rooms

The lush Eccleston Square Hotel is about to become London's most tech savvy places to stay. Starting last month The Eccleston Square Hotel will include an iPad2 and other gadgets in each room. Located in the centre of London The Eccleston is part of the luxury designed hotel chain. There is going to be cool 'smart' TV's, Blu-Ray movie's, free high speed WiFi, iPad2, iPod/iPhone docking stations and the creme de la creme is that each room has an espresso machine with complimentary coffee capsules. The Espresso is hoping and praying that one of these hotels is built in each capital city of Australia. Hopefully Mr Hilton, Mr Western or Mr Sheraton is a subscriber of The Espresso!

Health

Skin Cancer... There's an App for That

Skin Scan is an iPhone app that can be used to analyse and monitor moles so that you can be alerted early on the potential danger of getting a melanoma. This idea has been put forward by Romanian Croanian labs who believe the Skin Scan can help us keep in front of melanoma's. The app calculates the fractal dimension of the mole and the surrounding skin and builds a structural map that reveals the different growth patterns of the tissues involved thereby helping to identify any life threatening changes that may be occurring before it's too late. The skin scan also gives you a way to locate nearby specialty doctors who may help after your initial diagnosis. We love functional apps that can make a real difference in our world.

Fashion

Step This Way

You have heard us talk about the trend of being a minimalist and less is more. This might be the thinking behind a new range of shoes called ZOZ which translates in Hebrew to 'this or that'. Its essentially a flat shoe that transforms itself into a selection of fashion shoes by using a range of components that connect at the sole of the shoe. What starts out as a ballet slipper can be changed into a pump. Great for those people who travel who want to accessorise for a journey without having to carry a lot with them. You simply lock and load to get a new look. Its the creation of Israeli industrial designer Daniella Beckenham.

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