Trying to establish or improve your operations in this day and age can be rather difficult, and at times even overwhelming.  There are thousands of distractions, where advice from all corners of the world tends to conflict with each other, and there are always new methods for rethinking strategies, ensuring success, and ways of reinvigorating tired minds.  Some of the best advice today seems to be geared toward reevaluating the whole business model entirely, taking into account how new technologies have changed the way we think about the world.

There is no question that things have changed, but the essence of good business practice is still the same as it ever was, and solid business training can come from reinforcing these practices, or for some of us, it’s learning them again for the first time. This doesn’t counter the changing paradigms that contemporary technologies have invited in to our world, and in fact, it’s likely to be the opposite.  Because the world is so different now with the way the internet has changed our interior lives as much as global business practices, there is no better time to return to the essentials.  What’s tried and true for the generations that preceded us are often still true.  But of course, we need to keep trying them out, to see if they are still effective.

The same can be said for business practice as for leadership.  Training might seem like an impossibility, because we all know that true leaders are born and not made.  However, there are basic essentials that every leader knows, or occasionally, needs to be reminded.  This is where going back to basics is the most effective, because there are moments when the reminder is in fact the first time something really sinks in.  It’s a complex time, to be sure, with new ways of conceiving the world every day, and these effect how we do things, and how we lead.  A solid understanding of basic essentials, with an eye toward the future, taking technology with us, can reap splendid results.

When Google first launch its search engine a new phenomena appeared, doing a search for yourself. Its called Ego Surfing. When I first typed in my name I was surprised to see that I can be ‘Googled’. It’s amazing really and a little frightening. That anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can learn about me. I have an unique uncommon name, so there’s no wondering for the interested party doing a search on me if they are finding information about the right person; they are. They’ll be able to know what I did in my younger day when I was involved theatre and see I some really bad reviews, but I do have some really good reviews too. Or they’ll be able to see a photos of me attending a few charity functions held at some NY Hotels. Maybe, if they’re diligent, they’ll be able to find some of my responses I made on a bulletin board.

I’ve also heard that human resource departments of potential employers will and have used search engines to find if there’s any what’s called ‘digital dirt‘  on the Internet. Checking to see if my personal life is congruent or non-congruent with the image and work ethics of their company. They can even check up on my credit history or see if I’m telling the truth about never having a criminal record. So my social networking sites like MySpace page does not have my real name on it, but my Facebook page does; this one I keep up a clean front. Not that I have to per se, I don’t do anything that one would call ‘digital dirt’. But, I do have a unique way of looking at things that a potential employer might find questionable.

Not only have I done Ego Surfing, but I have Googled people I was dating, old boyfriends, co-workers, friends, neighbors and my relatives. And for some, I found out more about them then they would tell me in person. Maybe it’s because they too have Ego Surfed and feel that if I wanted to know more about them all I need to do is Google.

When planning a vacation in Dubai, UAE, luxury hotels will ground and also round out the itinerary. As Dubai is an amazing city in an amazing location, guests looking for places of leisure will spend wonderful and memorable hours at their hotel, and here they are remarkably well-kept, with state of the art technology and old world royal treatment. Guests looking for a place to do business will find their hotel to be a home away from home as they explore the city. Leading the world in charm and class, Dubai is becoming a favorite of travelers, business professionals, and celebrities the whole world over. There are remarkable pockets of culture and technology in the midst of old markets and natural splendor. One of the interesting combinations of business and technology is Dubai Media City.

Dubai Media City is a central location where media companies from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East can locate, for networking and business opportunities. The grounds are located in lush natural settings with lakes and are amenable for commercial real estate, boutique and loft offices. As a leading hub for innovation and information, Dubai Media City connects all media-related businesses in one centralized location. As part of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, to help effect the transition of Dubai to a knowledge based society and economy, Dubai Media City operates on the principles of collective synergy and individual freedom. This kind of far-thinking is a business model that points to interesting transformations underway in Dubai.

World-class network operator Vantrix recently relocated its offices to Dubai Media City to take advantage of the possibilities here. It is set in a growing and thriving city, and is considered by nations around the world to be the epicenter of business.

The hard truth of the matter is data loss can be a great blow to any individual or business, and add great insult to the injury of already suffering financial pressures in a trying economic climate. It’s a small price to pay to have your data securely backed up — as opposed to the incalculable cost of losing untold gigabytes of personal or business data which can often be irreplaceable.

Carbonite uses a combination of encryption techniques, similar to those used by banks, to safeguard your data. Files are encrypted twice before they leave your computer and remain encrypted on their servers, making it virtually impossible for anyone to access your files without your secret password. Users are also given the option to manage their own encryption key.

If your computer is compromised due to theft or crashing, recovery of lost files to a new computer can be done by visiting Carbonite’s website. Recovering small amounts of data (a few files here or there) will probably take only seconds or minutes. Restoring all of your data will take longer and depends on how much data you have and the speed of your Internet connection. Most DSL services will allow you to download about 600-800 MB per hour, or roughly 14-18GB per day. For an average user, complete data restoration is likely to take at most a day or two. Regardless, Carbonite makes data backup and retrieval a snap.

How it Works

Once a small Carbonite data backup program is set up on your computer, it requires little ongoing work on behalf of the user. It reads and stores your data as long as you’re online, and users can also log on to the Carbonite site and access their files.

The Carbonite client is from then on always searching for new data on your PC. When you add or modify files, Carbonite starts backing them up immediately. It backs up approximately 2GB per day over broadband. Carbonite’s backup solution works by placing colored dots on your files and folders. Different colors represent different “file states”: 1) If the file has been backed up, 2) will be backed up or 3) will not be backed up.

Pennies a day is a small price to pay for secure, guaranteed data protection.

One of the exhibitions occurring throughout the summer at New York’s Museum of Natural History, is the “Full Moon”.  This is a visual experience like no other.  Exhibited are photographs taken from space over the years by the astronauts of NASA.  Many of these photos have been just seen occasionally over the years, and it is rare for them to be on display.  The photos were gathered together by a guest curator.  Michael Light is a well known photographer, whose work focuses mainly on landscape shots.  More than seventy-five pieces are on display, and allow the viewer to view some of the most extraordinary events and explorations in NASA’s history on a grand scale.  The photos are of extremely high quality, and illustrate not only the vastness of outer space and the moon, but of the impressive natures of the various missions and journeys taken by the Apollo.  Many have been traveling to the city for the show and staying at the five star hotel. New York City has been home to this exhibit since 2000.

The timing of the opening of the show, was concurrent with opening of the educational and research facilities located at the museum.  The show has traveled the world and has received acclaim in cities such as Madrid, London, San Francisco and London.  A beautiful book has been published which is currently translated into 7 different languages throughout the world.  The curator mentioned before, Michael Light, had been previously shooting photos of deserts through the Southwestern United States.  He currently resides in California and turned is focus towards the moon in 1996.  Due to his reputation as an artist, he was able to gain access to masters of the films that were in the archives of NASA, from missions the Apollo Spacecraft had taken between the years of 1967 and 1972.  For four years he dedicated his time and artistry to selecting images that he thought most reflected the incredible nature of the journeys, and of the photos themselves.  This is an incredible exhibit that should be part of any world travelers schedule.

For those wanting adventure and music this summer, book a room at a best Manhattan hotel right now.  So much happens in that city during the summer.  Just one venue for incredible sites this summer is the American Museum of Natural History.  Not only are the exhibits astounding, as in the just acquired 47 Million year old primate fossil, Ida, the shows and the spectacular celebrations are just one reason to visit this city.

One event on the packed calendar is called “One Step Beyond”.  While many activities will run throughout the summer, this will happen on just one night, June 5, 2009.  This is a party.  That’s it.  However, according to the museum, it will the best party this side of the universe.  This is an outside dance party, under the Manhattan sky, with VJ’s and DJ’s playing the hottest videos and the most dynamic music for those wishing to dance through the night.  There will be an appearance by master mix man, Moby. Other famous DJ’s spinning that night will be Martin Moscrop, Activaire DJs, and Holy Ghost!.  Live bands will also be performing throughout the evening.  Cocktails and food enhance this one night festival.

Also presented at the Rose Center for Earth and Space located in the Museum, is the show that will continue every Friday and Saturday nights throughout the summer, 2009.  This is a project that is a collaborative effort between the Museum and MTV2.  Titled “Sonic Vision” this is a visual music experience.  It has been touted as a groundbreaking effort in the combination of music, animation and digital technology.  This is similar to a fantastic dream, a journey of the mind and the senses.  Moby created the music mixes that accompany the videos, and he included tunes by such famous bands and performers such as David Bowie, Radiohead, Brian Eno, The Flaming Lips, Audioslave and David Byrne.  This adventurous tour includes the dome of the Planetarium being lit with a colorful light show, and the projections of the films, a combination of technology and art.  This is a one of a kind, not to be missed show.