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What is Causing the Steep Increase in Oil Prices?

By Peter Kopitz

Article recommended by Choice Corporate Housing Inc

The world has been experiencing record high oil prices for a while now. Is this a temporary phenomenon, or an issue we have to adopt to in the long term? After all, the oil price was a quarter of the current price just a few years ago. Sadly, the geopolitical and technical factors pushing the price higher and higher every month seem unlikely to disappear in the short term.

One of the major factor is the growing tensions between the US and Iran. Tehran’s main weapon is not its nuclear program, it is its oil market, which is the fourth biggest in the world. Not only would any more serious tensions disrupt output, furthermore could Iran block the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic weak point for oil exports. Any disruption would be hard to swallow, given that most oil producers are already working close to capacity.

Then there is also Nigeria, which has been experiencing increased tensions in the Niger Delta, resulting in a 80% deduction of the usual standard barrel-per-day exports.

Moreover, there are refining capacity shortfalls, as no new refineries have been built in Europe and the US over the past 30 years, and existing facilities are old an desperately need repair. In addition, most oil producers are finding it hard to meet the surge in demand, and spare capacity is very limited. Further demand growth from the US and China will also not put a damper on future demand, further complicating things.

Overall, it’s anybody guess what will happen in the short and long term, and there is no consensus on the future trend. But one thing is certain, oil is a commodity, and it will be more and more difficult in the future to meet the high demand for this black gold; so prices are not yet set to rebound to lower levels.

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High Oil Prices Do Cause Economic Slow Downs

By Lance Winslow

Some say that higher oil prices will not affect our nations economy and they point to last years high oil prices and the cost run ups. Indeed good point on their behalf, but realize there was lots of money printing going on and lots of borrowing and spending too.

But also realize that when middle class America starts cutting purchases we will see America sneeze a little and that means many smaller economies in the World we purchase from will catch a cold. What does high oil prices have to do with it all? Well if people spend more on fuel, then they spend less on consumables meaning retailers cut back on buying and inventory. So consider this a moment will you?

With Inventories being less for large retailers, it also means that small manufacturers who want to service the large retailers will have to be able to adapt or die to the relentless need for that retailer to move products faster and faster and inventory the products at their manufacturing facilities, and then move them quicker. Next consider getting the stuff to market and the cost of fuel too. The retailers suppliers will have to cut costs, as retailers hold payments and accounts payable for longer. And the suppliers will not be able to afford to run their own trucks because the fuel costs will take them out of the running to offer the lowest cost to the purchasing departments of retailer, store the product, make the product, ship the product and offer the best terms on payment to the retailer.

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Article published by Choice Corporate Housing

Customer Service A Chicken’s Way

By Holly Powers

Anyone who knows me knows my favorite fast food restaurant is Chick-fil-A. Aside from the fact their chicken is especially good and I can always get sweet tea, I have a valuable business reason for eating there – they serve up amazing customer service. And these lessons aren’t just served in my nearest location. But in any city, any town, any time I have been to a Chick-fil-A, I have left feeling like the most valuable Customer.

Now you may wonder what you can learn for your business, from a fast food restaurant. In short, plenty. Just because your business is different does not mean you can’t take someone else’s ideas or techniques and make them applicable to what you do. So I challenge you to be open to what you can learn from a chicken.

They are focused.

Chick-fil-a knows their expertise is making good chicken. You don’t drive up to their window with options such as beef, pork or fish. Their focus stays on what they know. No empty promises of the best steak in town or a delicious oriental creation, just chicken. We should do the same for our Customers.

Don’t pretend to have expertise where you can’t deliver. Customers are good at sniffing us out. If you promise something you can’t deliver just to get their business; you will be without a Customer.

They give me what I want.

I love Polynesian sauce (dipping sauce for nuggets) for my French fries. Chick-fil-A never charges me extra even though I don’t order their nuggets. They are happy to give me what I want.

How many times to we charge our Customers all these added fees if they want something that is not the standard? When your Customer is hungry for something different – make it easy for them to eat.

They rest.

I often crave chicken on lazy Sunday afternoons but Chick-fil-A is never open for business due to clear company values and beliefs. They choose Sundays as a day to rest. They are never open, no exceptions, and according to their business plan they never will.

So often we cheat our Customers by not breaking from our work. Too much work can lesson our ability to concentrate, cloud our focus, and leave a bitter taste in our mouth. How much help are we to Customers if we are burned out?

They train their employees.

At a Chick-fil-A visit you will hear things like, “It is my pleasure to serve you.” “Please.” “Thank you.” “I look forward to seeing you at the window.” The atmosphere includes smiles, laughter, and happy workers who appear to love their job. And I doubt their happiness is based on a love for chicken – they have been trained to value the Customer.

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Article suggested by Capital Remodeling Inc

Laser Refills - The Only Affordable Recycled Cartridges For Laser Printers

By Simon John

Article recommended by Gary Harouff

Laser printers have been dominating the printing market significantly for the last few years. Contrary to the popular belief, laser printers are not the successors of inkjet printers. Laser printers are used for high quality fast printing in companies and homes that need large volumes of high quality print outs on a regular basis.

An affordable laser printer which gives high quality and fast print outs can be bought both online and offline. After you purchase your laser printer, you will need to fill its toner from time to time. This sometimes costs much more than the actual cost of the printer itself. Although the quality of print outs produced by laser printers is excellent, the associated costs of their cartridges are very expensive.

The saying “rearing an elephant is much more difficult than actually purchasing it” is similar to purchasing a printer. Although you will manage to purchase a laser printer in one go, maintaining its quality and replacing its cartridges will not be a happy and rewarding task. This is due to the fact that laser printer cartridges are very expensive and the cost to refill it every few months becomes a high cost for many.

Laser refills are one alternative. These generic or cheaper compatible refills are not usually manufactured by the same company that produced the laser printer, but compared to the original toner cartridges, these refills can be done at a considerably lower price. These refills are mainly in compatible, recycled or remanufactured toner cartridges and you can also buy the do-it-yourself cartridge or refill kits which have been refilled already. By choosing these refills, you will save up to 90% of the cost of original toner cartridges.

There is one drawback however by using laser refills. If your printer manufacturer finds that you have used refills, the warranty of your printer will get automatically void. It can be advisable to start using the cartridge refills only when your printer’s warranty period is over, unless the supplier will honour any guarantees or pay for repairs!

Although the manufacturer recommends using only original laser cartridges, using refills is a way to save a significant amount of money. One thing to remember is that refills are extremely safe to use in your printer.

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