Richard Bexon Ramblings of a mad man in Costa Rica

So with World economies up in the air and people being more conservative with their money and looking at value v’s cost, Costa Rican Hotels have had to be proactive, or reactive it depends on how you see it.  A lot of hotels have gone crazy and offered 3 for 4 specials, 30% off their rates, low season rates all year.

The problem with Costa Rica was that demand was so high that the hotels were essentially squeezing the market for every $$ they could.  People had the money to spend and when they have money a $300 a night hotel room does not sound too expenive.  However if you have seen your income decrease or your job not as stable as it was before then $300 a night could seem expensive.  Therefore people looking for a Costa Rica Vacation have been looking at cheaper hotels, which has thus meant the more expensive hotels are looking rather empty.  The only way to combat this is either to reduce the rate per night or add value so the value v’s cost balance tips towards value. (continue reading…)

Economics

One of the main reasons company go out of business during an economic downturn or recession is due to the fact that the sales departments of these companies are not selling enough.  This typically is not the fault of the sales department as I am sure every person on that sales floor wants to sell, there is no one that is not there to sell.  Essentially it is a matter of they need help in how to sell, especially during a economic downturn as buyers become more money concious and build barriers around themselves.

The easy reply would be work harder and sell more, however a sales manager who says this is not looking at the bigger picture.  If clients are have more barriers around them when parting with their money, how is working more hours going to solve the problem.  What needs to be done is that sales people need to be given the tools in order to break down these barriers.

If you are working for a inflexible company you will find that no new tools will be developed and you may want to start looking for a new job.  However if you work for a very flexible company that can make the tools needed then #1 you have a good company and #2 you will succeed during this time.

Some ways that managers can give the tools needed are suggested below: (continue reading…)

General Motors executive board announced this morning that they had been heavily discussing changing the name of the company in light of the economic downturn, the ill situation of the company and the government handouts they have received.  The Executive Board wanted a name that reflects the integrity of its executive board and its company, its private jets and the billions of dollars they have received thus far.

Currently the executive board is split down the middle on 2 names, the first being ‘Government Money’, the second being ‘General (Public) Money’.  The executive board stated that this would bring a fresh new face to GM and would hopefully keep them in business and as a going concern for at least another couple of weeks.

The executive board stated that if worst came to worst they would need $18 billion and then the decision to change their name to ‘Government Money’ would be approved unanimously throughout the board. (continue reading…)

Bear Grylls (Edward Michael Grylls) in some people’s eyes is a born survivor that has survived numerous treacherous adventures as well as surviving some of the most harsh places on earth.  From the rainforests of Costa Rica to the barren dry waste lands of the Nevada dessert.  Bear Grylls is a man that know how to survive both in life and also on TV.

However recently I came across information that shows that Bear Grylls may not be the wonder man we all know and love.  Supposedly whenever he goes to the areas to video, he stays the night in a beautiful luxurious hotel and then is taken back in the morning.  Thinking about it i would not blame the guy, if you can spin it that you are spending the night in the rainforest but actually staying at Lapa Rios in the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica, then rock n roll!!  I would not stay in the rainforest for the sake of 2 minutes of TV.  Als0 it is stated that he has a survival expert with him who shows him all the stuff, then he goes live and starts recording regurgitating what has just been told. (continue reading…)