Videos

A Great Film Opportunity for Travelers

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Do you like traveling? Like microfinance? Like producing films?

If the answer is yes to all three questions, you’ll likely be interested in…

MicroFlicks, a global film challenge, is hosted by World Vision and VisionFund, and is sending five outstanding filmmakers on an expense-paid trip across the globe to produce films that inspire.

Completed films will compete head-to-head in an online competition that will crown one film the “Microfinance Film of 2013” in May 2013. To compete for exposure, awards, and prizes, just send in your best work by December 31, 2012

What are you waiting for? Get filming and submit something by December 31st.

[via myKRO.org]

Oh Hey World Updates

The Growth in International Incubators

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I think it’s safe to say Startup Chile is the most established and successful international incubator out there — at least from what I’ve heard. As I’ve said before, it’s a brilliant strategy by the government. Pay entrepreneurs to come live in your country for 6 months, have them teach the local population what it takes to build successful companies, be part of the “story” of 100 companies every 6 months, and as a result have hundreds (thousands eventually) of well connected entrepreneurs traveling the globe who tell all their friends about Chile. It’s a proven fact that non profits’ best donors are the people that come visit because they form an emotional bond to the organization — and countries are no different. A countries most passionate advocates are going to be those who have spent a considerable amount of time as a resident. If you live in a country for 6 months (length of Startup Chile), you’re going to develop an emotional bond toward the country — I’ve spoken to about 8 or 10 entrepreneurs who have gone through Startup Chile and they all rave about Chile, so the government has succeeded on that front.

Frankly, it wouldn’t surprise me if 3-5 countries launched their own government-funded programs in the next 3 years. It wouldn’t surprise me if Indonesia was in that list — with Startup City Bali as the catalyst. Or Kenya with the iHub. Or Ghana with Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology. Or Israel. Or India.

Incubators are certainly not going away. I’d say we’re going to see this scene explode in the next few years, as countries and cities jump in on the quest for the best entrepreneurial & engineering talent all around the globe.

We hope we’ll be one of the 100 startups in Chile for the next class starting mid January…

Asia, Destination Details

Chiang Mai – A welcoming Oasis filled with wonder and intrigue

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Chiang Mai, Thailand – At a first glance

There’s only a few places on Earth which can create such an immediate feeling of coming home again on your first visit, as Chiang Mai can. A large, yet peaceful city of just over 1 million inhabitants, Chiang Mai is situated in the hills of Northern Thailand. It’s picturesque backdrop of rolling mountains and lush green jungle, is complimented by it’s ancient history, which is still visible around nearly every turn! With an endless supply of activities  delicious food, and smiling locals, it’s no wonder so many expats choose to live here – some short term, others, indefinitely.

I remember when I first arrived to Chiang Mai, I was first taken by it’s awesome location. High in the hills, it sits very close to the Burmese border. This has given it a rich history of both cultural mixing, and invasions. A notable feature is the incredibly large moat and old city walls which still protect the old city’s centre. You are immediately inundated with historical features, which bring light to the magic of a city of such long standings.

In addition to Chiang Mai’s rich history, it is also one of the most spiritual cities, with ornate Thai Buddhist temples hiding at almost every turn! I spent countless days wandering the winding old streets, and exploring the shoeless temples at almost every chance I got. Not only can you explore these beautiful temples, you are often welcomed into the ceremonies and services being conducted within them, as long as you keep a respectful air about you while there.

The food is really one of the biggest highlights for me, being a long time foodie! Not only do they have one of the best, (and CHEAPEST) selections of street food I’ve seen in all of Thailand, there’s a seemingly endless variety of choice for foreign foods as well! From Mexican, to French, to Italian cuisine, they seem to have a knack for doing an exceptional job no matter what food is being prepared. You will also find Thai dishes which are more exclusive to the North. My favourites being Massaman – a peanut-beef curry, and Kow Soy – a crunchy noodle curry.

For anyone looking for somewhere to have a quick visit, or even to settle down and try a new, longer-term adventure, I would recommend putting Chiang Mai high on your bucket-wish-list. It truly has a welcoming charm, giving anyone who visits a sense of finding a home and comfort.

Travel Thoughts

Traveling with No Regrets; Budget versus Experience

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[Note from Editor: This was originally posted at Reclaimingmyfuture.com]

Whether you’re a budget backpacker or just on a cheap holiday, money is often in the back of your mind and you wonder whether you can treat yourself to an expensive meal to celebrate a birthday or spend a little more on a specific day out to do something you’ve always wanted. It’s that age-old budget v experience argument.

The big question isn’t:

Should I blow a bit of my budget on an experience?

The big question is:

Isn’t travelling all about experiences?

My philosophy of travel, when it comes to paying out is this:

What if you never get back to that country/place and you’re then full of ‘shoulda, woulda, couldas’?

Whilst money may be tight in the sense that you can’t afford ‘luxury’ accommodation, travelling with next to no money and living off noodles from the supermarket doesn’t allow you to explore other sides of your destination.

If I hadn’t have ‘splashed the cash’ in Thailand (all £1000 of it), I never would have had learnt to dive and gone on the last boat of the season around the Similan Islands to spend my days amongst turtles and Manta Rays, discovering what it feels like to be so happy you cry underwater. I spent a lot of money but the experience and memories I got from it are immeasurable!

Manta Ray!!

Some peoples budget are tighter than others but everyone has that ‘special something’ that they’ve always dreamt of doing. Maybe it’s learning to dive or eating in an expensive restaurant with a view to die for. We all have an ‘achilles heel’ of travelling and most of us have pretty big bucket lists so when you budget for your travels, make sure that you budget enough for any amazing opportunities you know you’re going to come across.

You have to decide what’s important to you on your travels. If there is something that you’ve always wanted to do and it costs a bit more than you’re comfortable with, ask yourself this: Would I be full of regret if I never got back to this place and didn’t do what I had wanted? If the answer is yes then hand over that cash or plastic and have yourself the time of your life!

When I was in Tanzania, I had the opportunity to take a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti at dawn. It cost me $500 (way over-priced considering how cheaply you can get them in other countries) and I wasn’t overwhelmed with it after but at LEAST I DID IT. I would have been FULL of regret if the other people in our group had come back and said what a magical trip they’d had and I hadn’t taken the opportunity that was right there in front of me. I spent over £1000 that I didn’t NEED to in Africa but I spent it all on FUN things and I don’t regret a single one of them for a minute because they added to the experience of a lifetime and I have brought back so many amazing memories because of them!

Don’t get me wrong, you shouldn’t get yourself in debt. I had a loose budget for my African adventure because I knew I was coming back to fully paid employment and would be able to pay off any credit card debts quickly but even then, you have to weigh it all up. Is your activity worth a couple of months of living cheaply? Can you afford ‘luxury’ accommodation? Or would you regret it the moment you had paid for it?

If the answer is yes it’s worth it and you won’t regret it then open your wallet because despite the experience costing the money, the memories you will have will far outweigh what you ever paid for it!

 

What experiences have you splashed your cash on that made you happy you opened your wallet?

Travel Troubles

5 Ways to Make the Airport a More Pleasant Place

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[Note from the editor: This post was originally posted on NickLoper.com]

Airports should re-stake their claim as the most glamorous and interesting places we’ve invented. You’ve got people coming and going from all over the world, transported halfway around the globe in a matter of hours.

It’s the closest thing we have to a teleportation hub, and it should be awesome.

But more often it’s depressing.

Mired in bureaucracy and procedure, the inherent excitement is lost.

Here are 5 small ways to help.

1. Kill Noise Pollution

The airport is filled with unnecessary noise pollution. The building-wide announcement I would kill first:

The TSA has limited the items that can be transported through the security checkpoint…

First of all, 95% of the people hearing this are already PAST the security checkpoint. It’s irrelevant. And for the remaining 5%, they already know.

If you’re planning on carrying on that full tube of toothpaste, you lose. You’re already at the airport. It doesn’t matter.

And if you’re planning on carrying on a concealed weapon, you don’t care.

It’s pointless.

And the second building-wide announcement to die a much-belated death:

Unattended luggage is subject to search, inspection, and removal…

No one is leaving their stuff unattended (at least on purpose)! We don’t trust our fellow passengers enough to go to the drinking fountain without hauling our luggage with us.

And for the would-be suitcase bombers, they don’t care.

It’s pointless.

2. Streamline Security

We’ve invested millions (billions?) in improving airport security, but are we really any safer?

Let people keep their laptops in their bags.

Let people keep their shoes on.

Let people keeps their belts on.

Security is unnecessarily slow and de-humanizing. Fix it.

3. Improve the Waiting Area

Hook it up with the WiFi. SFO has this figured out.

Where are the outlets? There are like 2 power outlets for every 200 passengers and they’re nowhere near the seats.

Which brings us to the seats. When you have 100 seats for a 300 passenger plane, you can’t help but to have people “puppy guard” the gate.  They have no other option.

Then you tell them not to crowd the boarding area. Which leads to my next point.

4. Kill Boarding Anxiety

I understand this is more up to the individual airline than to the airport itself.

I’m admittedly a reluctant convert to the Southwest system of boarding. With every other airline though, you get people crowding the gate, eagerly awaiting their turn to board.

Jostling for position for no apparent reason. We’re all getting to the same place at the same time, right?

Bryn theory is it’s a competition for overhead bin space.

Southwest effectively kills this anxiety by assigning people a spot in line based on the time they checked in. Of course they’re not that egalitarian; if you want to pay them for cuts you can.

5. Quit Pretending a Kindle Can Crash a Place

Show me one documented instance of an electronic device causing any sort of problem, and I’ll be the first to admit I was wrong.

But in the meantime, what’s the point of pretending a cell phone or a Kindle or a Gameboy (or whatever kids these days play with) can bring down a plane?

Just like the joke goes, Al Qaeda went through an awful lot of unnecessary trouble if all they needed to do was leave their phone on.

So those are my 5 tips for making the airport a more pleasant place. What would you add?

Oh Hey World Updates

Building a “Give a Shit” Culture

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The other day, I watched this video interview with Krisstina Wise of the Good Life Team (Chris Smith’s first Reveal video interview):

YouTube Preview Image

The reason I relate so well with Krisstina is because she truly “gives a damn”. I’ve spent time with her in Austin and at several conferences, and it’s blatantly obvious she cares deeply about her customers and employees. She’s a true leader with a ambitious vision of a better real estate brokerage.

Building a company is a massive endeavor. You’re faced with an endless to-do list and countless critical decisions, on a daily basis. Building a company involves a massive amount of time and, in many cases, money. It takes years to succeed.

While some succeed, most fail. By any indicator, Krisstina and Good Life Team are succeeding.

The universal indicator of success?

Across the board — successful companies, and the leaders (& employees) behind them, give a shit.

It goes without saying company culture starts at the top with its leader(s). Their work ethic and values flow through the entire organization. If they don’t give a shit, no one will.

Successful leaders give a shit about their legacy. That their customers are having a hard time solving their problems. That their website has a bug preventing someone from editing one tiny field on their profile. If it takes 3 days for their team to resolve a customer issue. If paychecks are 1 day late. If their employees don’t love their jobs. That some employees haven’t taken a single vacation day in 9 months. If their customers do not get the highest level of service, each and every time they interact with the brand. They give a shit if their product and service are not great.

In short, successful leaders give a shit about everything. And they fill their organization with others that give a shit.

Krisstina gives a shit (“damn” as she says in the video). So does Spencer Rascoff, who ran marketing while I was at Zillow (now the CEO).

That’s why they succeed.

So, what am I hungry for?

The answer is simple. People that give a shit. About anything. About everything.

Like the Good Life Team and Zillow, and every other successful company, we’re building a “Give a Shit” culture at Oh Hey World. If you fall in that bucket and love travel, let’s talk.

PS: My apologies for the profanity 🙂

RTW Adventures

Need of a Travel Butler: Planning Your Trip

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If you like to travel, to taste the spirit of adventure, you will need a guide who can make your journey comfortable and enjoyable. Travel Butler is the answer to all your need when trotting round the globe. It gives you friendly support. This travel service not only saves time as well as money but also guides and helps you.

Why Travel Butler – Travel Butler provides help to the travelers. It gives you valuable advice and helps you in making the much needed arrangements for the travel. The service helps you in rerouting if there are any changes in the travel dates and also notifies you of any changes in the airline schedule; it also helps in making reservations for accommodation, booking tours and many more. The service is very fast and the average response time to your queries is no more than twenty four hours. The service is like a specialist who has knowledge about the whole world.

Avoid Obstacle In Your Trip – Travel Butler has an experience of more than a decade in the world trips. The travelers are bound to face some changes or hindrances in their trips. There may be changes in the airline schedule. There can be some problem in making hotel bookings. There can be any other type of obstacles on the way of the travelers. If you take the help of travel companies, it may cost you enormous amount of money; however, Travel Butler provides excellent assistance at a reasonable price so that you can enjoy your travel without burning a hole in your pocket.

Offers You the Best Deals – The travel service finds the best travel deals for the travelers. It will give you a list of the various options that are available. It will help you in arranging for the travel. When you are travelling for official purpose or holidays, Travel Butler searches the internet and suggests you the best travel plan by negotiating with the travel agents. It will suggest you the hotels, sights and other places like markets and restaurants. For this, the travel service takes into account suggestions and experiences of the previous travelers.

Arranges For The Trip – Travel Butler helps you in making bookings for the complete trip. It makes an itinerary that gives you the whole information about the time of the flight. If you need the exact hotel address, the travel comes to your aid. It will suggest you things that you should do and things you must avoid. The travelers can access the travel service during the trip. The travel service informs you the right time to visit a place. It gives you the correct information about the amenities at the hotels. It gives you the correct budget of the travel. The travel company offers you tour packages. It offers you advice of foreign locations, while providing tour guides who can assist you in your visit.

Thus, if you wish to travel around the world, you must consider taking the services of Travel Butler. It not only makes suggestions about the places you should see or visit during your stay, it makes budget and transport plans for your travel and helps you in finding appropriate accommodation with good facilities.

Exploring the Wild Blue Yonder