Thursday, March 27, 2008

Who is a Lease Agent

A leasing agent, or commercial leasing agent, works for the landlords to find tenants. A leasing agent earns a commission for finding tenants who are in their philadelphia apartment search and usually handles all aspects of leases. Excellent negotiating skills and the ability to recognize a qualified tenant are crucial characteristics of a good leasing agent.

Landlords expect the leasing agent to rent their properties to responsible commercial tenants for a fair price. Landlords require a fair return on investment (ROI), while tenants require a fair rent and the right location for their business. The leasing agent is hired to serve the landlord, so the tenants must take responsibility for ensuring that the location and terms of the lease meet all of their requirements.

A prospective commercial tenant should ask the leasing agent what the total rent is for utilities as well as if there are any other fees. The prospective tenant should consider details such as air conditioning, noise level, zoning regulations, and availability of parking. Room for company growth should be considered to be sure the space would be large enough so the company will not be forced to move again too soon.

The leasing agent for apartment austin must find out as much information from the prospective tenants as possible to ensure a good fit for the landlord's property. Both the leasing agent and the prospective tenant should be sure and informed about the leasing decision. Neither party should be made to feel rushed nor the lease is not legally binding unless both the tenant and the landlord sign it.

The leasing agent usually has a meeting with the prospective tenants to communicate the terms of the property lease such as the amount of rent and any regulations. When, and if, an agreement is reached, the leasing agent sends a copy of the lease to the prospective tenants requesting a signature so that the landlord can then sign the lease agreement.

Many leasing agents receive a salary plus commission, but this may depend on whether the position is temporary, part-time, casual, or on a contract basis as opposed to full time. The commission earned by a leasing agent is usually based on a percentage of the monthly rent the new tenant will pay.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Market Impact of Digital cameras

In late 2002, 2 mega pixel cameras were available in the United States for less than $100, with some 1-mega-pixel cameras for under $60. At the same time, many discount stores with photo labs introduced a "digital front end", allowing consumers to obtain true chemical prints (as opposed to ink-jet prints) in an hour. These prices were similar to those of prints made from film negatives. However, because Digital images have a different aspect ratio than 35 mm film images, people have started to realize that 4x6 inch prints crop some of the image off the print. Some photofinishers have started offering prints with the same aspect ratio as the digital cameras record.
In July 2003, digital cameras entered the single-use market with the release of the Ritz Dakota Digital, a 1.2 mega pixel (1280 x 960) CMOS-based digital camera costing only $11 (USD). Following the familiar single-use concept long in use with film cameras, the Dakota Digital was intended to be used by a consumer one time only. When the pre-programmed 25-picture limit is reached, the camera is returned to the store, and the consumer receives back prints and a CD-ROM with their photos. The camera is then refurbished and resold. Since the introduction of the Dakota Digital, a number of similar single-use digital cameras have appeared. Most of the various single-use digital cameras are nearly identical to the original Dakota Digital regarding specifications and functionality, although a few include superior specifications and more advanced functions (such as higher image resolutions and LCD screens). Most, if not all, of this single-use digital cameras cost less than $20 (USD), not including processing fees.
The price of 35mm compact cameras has dropped with manufacturers further outsourcing to countries such as China. Kodak announced in January 2004 that they would no longer sell Kodak-branded film cameras in the developed world. In January 2006 Nikon followed suit and announced that they will stop the production of all but two models of their film cameras, they will continue to produce the low-end Nikon FM10, and the high-end Nikon F6. In the same month, Konica Minolta announced that it was pulling out of the camera business altogether. The price of 35mm and APS compact cameras have dropped, probably due to direct competition from digital and the resulting growth of the offer of second-hand film cameras. Pentax have reduced production of film cameras but not halted it. The technology has improved so rapidly that one of Kodak's film cameras was discontinued before it was awarded a "camera of the year" award later in the year.
Since 2002, digital cameras have outsold film cameras. However, the use of 35mm cameras is greater in developing countries. In Guatemala, for example, extremely high import duties on all digital products serves to encourage sales and use of film cameras.
The decline in film camera sales has also led to a decline in purchases of film for such cameras. In November 2004, a German division of Agfa-Gevaert, AgfaPhoto, split off. Within six months it filed for bankruptcy. Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. will end production of Color film and paper worldwide by March 31, 2007. In addition, by 2005, Kodak employed less than a third of the employees that it had twenty years earlier. It is not known if these job losses in the film industry have been offset in the digital image industry. In addition, digital photography has resulted in some positive market impacts as well. The increasing popularity of products such as digital photo frames and canvas prints is a direct result of the increasing popularity of digital photography.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Martial Sport

Judo and Tae Kwon Do as well as western archery, boxing, javelin, wrestling and fencing are currently events in the Summer Olympic Games. Chinese wushu recently failed in its bid to be included, but is still actively performed in tournaments across the world. Practitioners in some arts such as kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu often train for sport matches, whereas those in other arts such as Aikido and Wing Chun generally spurn such competitions. Some schools believe that competition breeds better and more efficient practitioners, and gives a sense of good sportsmanship. Others believe that the rules under which competition takes place have diminished the combat effectiveness of Martial arts or encourage a kind of practice, which focuses on winning trophies rather than a focus such as cultivating a particular moral character.
As part of the response to sport martial arts, new forms of competition are being held such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the U.S. or Pancrase, and the PRIDE in Japan, which are also known as mixed martial arts (or MMA) events. The original UFC was fought under very few rules allowing all martial arts styles to enter and not be limited by the rule set.
Some martial artists also compete in non-sparring competitions such as breaking or choreographed techniques poomse, kata or aka. Modern variations of the martial arts include dance-influenced competitions such as tricking.
Some martial traditions have been influenced by governments to become more sport-like for political purposes. The central impetus for the attempt by the People's Republic of China in transforming Chinese martial arts into the committee-regulated sport of Wushu was suppressing what they saw as the potentially subversive aspects of martial training, especially under the traditional system of family lineages