The English Premier League is one of the most wide open professional sports championships in the World. If you do just a little bit of fantasy soccer analysis, you will quickly see how competitive this league has consistently been. The main reason for this league being so competitive is the relegation rule that the most top European Soccer leagues follow. Specifically for the Premier League, the clubs that finish the bottom three positions are forced to be relegated to the second division in England called the English League Championship. Consequently, due to three clubs being relegated from the top to the second, the top three teams in the ELC are promoted to the Premier League and compete against the top teams in England so long as they don’t slip to the bottom three. This is a self-sustaining system to ensure that the best and most competitive teams will be playing each other year in and year out.
But, in reality can a club that recently got promoted to play against billion dollar super clubs really compete for an entire season? The answer is an outstanding YES. The answer immediately points to the 2015-2016 Premier League Champions, Leicester City. The history of this club is a crazy one. They were founded 1884 and have been a mainstay in English soccer. In 2008, the club was relegated all the way down to the third league in England called League 1. A year later they got back to the English League Championship and then in 2014 returned to the Premier League after they won the second division championships. So in an eight year span, the Wolves went from being in the worst division in England to being the best club in England as they hoisted the Premier League trophy at the end of 2016. There have been nearly fifty team who have competed in the Premier League since its inception in the early 1990s. And none of the fifty teams to have competed in the Premier League, nor any of the other divisions in England, have done what Manchester City have been able to accomplish to start this season.
As it stand right now, the club has won an unbelievable sixteen straight matches and sit eleven points clear of their arch rivals Manchester United. This club has rattled off sixteen straight victories after only drawing their first match of the season. This is unprecedented in European Soccer when teams are playing in Champions League during the week and league matches on the weekend. And this club by no means faltered in Champion League as they are currently slated to match up against Basel in the round of sixteen in the spring. According to fantasy soccer research, their dominance has come from their awe inspiring forty four goal difference. They are tied for the lead in the fewest goals allowed, with twelve, and are head and shoulders above the rest of the league in goals scored with a staggering fifty six. The secret to their success: Pep Guardiola. And if you scour the City’s roster you won’t find anyone by that name. The reason is that is the legendary manager who currently possess three of the five longest winning streaks per European Soccer Leagues. He owns the longest winning streaks in the following leagues: Premier League (England), La Liga (Spain), and Bundesliga 1 (Germany). If they are able to continue this win streak through Christmas and during the Winter Transfer Window we may see history made with the best record ever in the Premier League and possibly in all of Europe.
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Wednesday, December 06, 2017
Trial Witness Preparation: Rules of Effective Communication
A powerful, convincing testimony should be the goal of any witness who wishes to contribute to the pursuit of justice and truth. However, many factors become barriers to effective communication in the courtroom. Thankfully, through trial witness preparation, lawyers can train witnesses how to conquer these odds.
The following are some principles of communication to keep in mind when appearing at trials:
Mind the power relations in the room. On top of the written rules regarding the trial procedures to comply with, witnesses also need to understand the dynamics of power inside a room. There is obviously a social hierarchy to be sensitive to, if the idea is to draw the sympathy or be on the good side of the jury or judge. This means being conscious about addressing particular people the right way, and observing how each person in the room treat the others. It would also be a great idea to learn in advance the names of those a witness would be directly dealing with.
Still and distill thoughts. Normally, there would be a number of thoughts racing inside a witness’ head, beforehe takesthe stand. Do I look presentable? Will the jury believe me? Who are the members of the jury? Who will be there in the courtroom? Do I know any member of the opposing party? How long will the hearing be? Combine with anxiety and stress that typically comes with socializing with others, and all these thoughts can be distracting, and will prevent a person from focusing on the task at hand. Amid all these distractions, a witness needs to know how to still and distill his thoughts – know what is worth saying, and what is not, know what words are appropriate to use, and what are not.
Listen, and listen well.A bad practice that is unfortunately nurtured by society involves being preoccupied with what we want to say, rather than fully digesting what the other person said first. This can do harm especially when one is being asked a question, but he is more enthusiastic about sharing everything he knows. Key to this is a practice of mindfulness, where the person tries his best to note every word being said, and pausing to understand, before giving any response. If the question only requires either a yes or a no, sometimes adding an extra phrase or two might actually hurt the testimony.
Keep emotions at bay. Finally, witnesses need to learn how to control their emotions. The first step would be acknowledging that they exist – whether it’s apprehension, excitement, anger, sadness, regret, or guilt. Emotions are fleeting and vacillating most of the time, so testimonies cannot be based on them, but on the facts of the case. Some relaxation techniques prior to taking the stand can be helpful in keeping emotions at bay.
To learn more about trial witness preparation and trial strategy, get in touch with the legal consulting experts at Dubin Research and Consulting, a Manhattan-based firm led by Josh Dubin, Esq.
The following are some principles of communication to keep in mind when appearing at trials:
Mind the power relations in the room. On top of the written rules regarding the trial procedures to comply with, witnesses also need to understand the dynamics of power inside a room. There is obviously a social hierarchy to be sensitive to, if the idea is to draw the sympathy or be on the good side of the jury or judge. This means being conscious about addressing particular people the right way, and observing how each person in the room treat the others. It would also be a great idea to learn in advance the names of those a witness would be directly dealing with.
Still and distill thoughts. Normally, there would be a number of thoughts racing inside a witness’ head, beforehe takesthe stand. Do I look presentable? Will the jury believe me? Who are the members of the jury? Who will be there in the courtroom? Do I know any member of the opposing party? How long will the hearing be? Combine with anxiety and stress that typically comes with socializing with others, and all these thoughts can be distracting, and will prevent a person from focusing on the task at hand. Amid all these distractions, a witness needs to know how to still and distill his thoughts – know what is worth saying, and what is not, know what words are appropriate to use, and what are not.
Listen, and listen well.A bad practice that is unfortunately nurtured by society involves being preoccupied with what we want to say, rather than fully digesting what the other person said first. This can do harm especially when one is being asked a question, but he is more enthusiastic about sharing everything he knows. Key to this is a practice of mindfulness, where the person tries his best to note every word being said, and pausing to understand, before giving any response. If the question only requires either a yes or a no, sometimes adding an extra phrase or two might actually hurt the testimony.
Keep emotions at bay. Finally, witnesses need to learn how to control their emotions. The first step would be acknowledging that they exist – whether it’s apprehension, excitement, anger, sadness, regret, or guilt. Emotions are fleeting and vacillating most of the time, so testimonies cannot be based on them, but on the facts of the case. Some relaxation techniques prior to taking the stand can be helpful in keeping emotions at bay.
To learn more about trial witness preparation and trial strategy, get in touch with the legal consulting experts at Dubin Research and Consulting, a Manhattan-based firm led by Josh Dubin, Esq.
Tuesday, October 03, 2017
How Shifts Have Changed the Game
Baseball in today’s age is wildly different than how baseball has been played for a majority of it’s history. For it being America’s pastime, it certainly has not passed time with all of the changes it has made to the way it has been played. From replay reviews, to time clock for in between hitters and innings, to now this crazy thing that defenses are doing called "The shift".
So what is the shift and why do teams do it so much now in today’s MLB? A great deal of it has to do with what teams are extrapolating from their fantasy baseball analysis of how the game is being played. So a shift is when a team changes the normal alignment, where you have two position players on each side of the field, to a new and augmented alignment, where you can have three or even four players on side of the field.
So what is the reasoning? With sabermetrics having impacted the way we study the game so much, coaches have a plethora of stats at their disposal that they use to try and predict the outcome of the game, an inning, an at-bat, and even a single pitch. So when they go through the daily fantasy baseball research and see that a left-handed power hitter pulls the ball at nearly a sixty to seventy percent rate, they are going to shift based on the prediction to do it again.
If you have the data that shows this is what a guy usually does, wouldn’t you use it to your advantage? Many of baseball purists absolutely hate the idea of shifts because they believe that it has ruined the basic game play of baseball in how it was supposed to be plaid. Others refute that and say that if you want to predict what is going to happen, and adjust your alignment accordingly. Whether we like the infusion of statistics into the game of baseball, it is here to say and will most likely be integrated more and more as clubs figure out the best ways to utilize all of this information that they are now being exposed to. At the same time, the shift presents an excellent fantasy baseball opportunity for hitters to beat the shift my simply putting the ball where the players are not. If they are going to line up almost exclusively on the right side of the infield, as a hitter, you have to be willing to take the ball the other way and look for extra bases. It sounds simple in theory but then again, there is a reason that these guys do it for a living while we don’t.
So what is the shift and why do teams do it so much now in today’s MLB? A great deal of it has to do with what teams are extrapolating from their fantasy baseball analysis of how the game is being played. So a shift is when a team changes the normal alignment, where you have two position players on each side of the field, to a new and augmented alignment, where you can have three or even four players on side of the field.
So what is the reasoning? With sabermetrics having impacted the way we study the game so much, coaches have a plethora of stats at their disposal that they use to try and predict the outcome of the game, an inning, an at-bat, and even a single pitch. So when they go through the daily fantasy baseball research and see that a left-handed power hitter pulls the ball at nearly a sixty to seventy percent rate, they are going to shift based on the prediction to do it again.
If you have the data that shows this is what a guy usually does, wouldn’t you use it to your advantage? Many of baseball purists absolutely hate the idea of shifts because they believe that it has ruined the basic game play of baseball in how it was supposed to be plaid. Others refute that and say that if you want to predict what is going to happen, and adjust your alignment accordingly. Whether we like the infusion of statistics into the game of baseball, it is here to say and will most likely be integrated more and more as clubs figure out the best ways to utilize all of this information that they are now being exposed to. At the same time, the shift presents an excellent fantasy baseball opportunity for hitters to beat the shift my simply putting the ball where the players are not. If they are going to line up almost exclusively on the right side of the infield, as a hitter, you have to be willing to take the ball the other way and look for extra bases. It sounds simple in theory but then again, there is a reason that these guys do it for a living while we don’t.
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Hawaii Realty: A Vacation of a Lifetime Awaits at This Hualalai Villa
Built for the vacation of your dreams, 72-131 Kaulu St. is a beautiful villa inside the fine resort neighborhood of Hualalai.
The magic begins with the walkway lined by well-maintained tropical shrubs and perfectly manicured grass. The property overlooks the fourth fairway of the renowned Hualalai Golf Course, so residents are offered a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape, the majestic Pacific Ocean, and even the lush Maui and Kohala mountains.
Every morning, they can wake up to a relaxing palette of blues and greens outside, and inside, of browns, greys, and white, with a touch of tangerinehere and there.
The villa has been furnished with great care. The decor – from the chairs and tables, to the lamps, ceiling fans, and cabinetry – all contribute to a modern and streamlined but otherwise cozy feel that makes a place feel like home.
In the ground floor living room, the soft look of plush, sand-colored sofas are offset by the sharp edges of the wooden centertable, and a dark-colored armoire on the side with grid patterns in front.
Meanwhile, from the upper level, residents can take in the lovely view of the lava flows and the trees and grass, and further off, the ocean and sky. In one corner, the monotony of the glass-topped table surrounded by the white and beige arm chairs is broken by a pot of tropical blooms. On the other side, armchairs with a sleek wooden frame and brown cushions are paired with beige ottomans, while a tufted bench in light rusty brown sits on the side.
This two-level townhouse villa also comes with a lanai with barbecue and wet bar, a professional-grade kitchen with beautiful Japanese lanterns hanging low on the eat-in island, and a spacious dining room with pocket glass doors. The terrace and balcony have wicker furniture, for lazy days marked by staring at the blue skies, and watching the leaves of the palm trees sway with the wind.
It is easy to imagine quiet get-togethers happening here, over a spread of fresh Hawaiian seafood and farm fare, as well as bottles of wine.
In the master’s bedroom, a marble wall in orange brings energy to an otherwise muted palette. The other bedroom has twin beds, a dark oak wall, and a vibrant bedding with red, orange, and black floral patterns.
For some sports activities, the Jack Nicklaus par-72 18-hole golf course is nearby, as is the Keolu Course, the tennis club, and the canoe paddling facility. Also easily accessible are the Kua Bay Beach, Makalawena Beach, and the Four Seasons Beach. And for a much-needed spa and pampering day, the private residential spa and pool area is just a few minutes away.
What makes the property an even more appealing vacation home is its proximity to the airport: Kona International Airport is just 7 miles away!
Talk to Harold Clarke today to know more about this exceptional real estate property in Hualalai. Harold’s team at Luxury Big Island knows the Hawaii luxury real estate market like no other.
The magic begins with the walkway lined by well-maintained tropical shrubs and perfectly manicured grass. The property overlooks the fourth fairway of the renowned Hualalai Golf Course, so residents are offered a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape, the majestic Pacific Ocean, and even the lush Maui and Kohala mountains.
Every morning, they can wake up to a relaxing palette of blues and greens outside, and inside, of browns, greys, and white, with a touch of tangerinehere and there.
The villa has been furnished with great care. The decor – from the chairs and tables, to the lamps, ceiling fans, and cabinetry – all contribute to a modern and streamlined but otherwise cozy feel that makes a place feel like home.
In the ground floor living room, the soft look of plush, sand-colored sofas are offset by the sharp edges of the wooden centertable, and a dark-colored armoire on the side with grid patterns in front.
Meanwhile, from the upper level, residents can take in the lovely view of the lava flows and the trees and grass, and further off, the ocean and sky. In one corner, the monotony of the glass-topped table surrounded by the white and beige arm chairs is broken by a pot of tropical blooms. On the other side, armchairs with a sleek wooden frame and brown cushions are paired with beige ottomans, while a tufted bench in light rusty brown sits on the side.
This two-level townhouse villa also comes with a lanai with barbecue and wet bar, a professional-grade kitchen with beautiful Japanese lanterns hanging low on the eat-in island, and a spacious dining room with pocket glass doors. The terrace and balcony have wicker furniture, for lazy days marked by staring at the blue skies, and watching the leaves of the palm trees sway with the wind.
It is easy to imagine quiet get-togethers happening here, over a spread of fresh Hawaiian seafood and farm fare, as well as bottles of wine.
In the master’s bedroom, a marble wall in orange brings energy to an otherwise muted palette. The other bedroom has twin beds, a dark oak wall, and a vibrant bedding with red, orange, and black floral patterns.
For some sports activities, the Jack Nicklaus par-72 18-hole golf course is nearby, as is the Keolu Course, the tennis club, and the canoe paddling facility. Also easily accessible are the Kua Bay Beach, Makalawena Beach, and the Four Seasons Beach. And for a much-needed spa and pampering day, the private residential spa and pool area is just a few minutes away.
What makes the property an even more appealing vacation home is its proximity to the airport: Kona International Airport is just 7 miles away!
Talk to Harold Clarke today to know more about this exceptional real estate property in Hualalai. Harold’s team at Luxury Big Island knows the Hawaii luxury real estate market like no other.
Monday, July 31, 2017
Does the Bullpen Matter in DFS?
Everyone knows the key to winning a Draftkings fantasy baseball tournament or a FanDuel fantasy baseball tournament, you need to stack a few hitters against an exploitable pitching matchup. What this daily fantasy baseball strategy entails is focusing in on a pitcher who is in an unfavorable matchup against a hot hitting team in a hitter’s ballpark. All of this fantasy baseball analysis is centered around the starting pitcher (his pitches, his splits, his hot/cold streak, etc.) and rightfully so. This makes a great deal of sense considering the entire game is run through the two starting pitchers in the game but there may be a little more to it then you think. The reason is the following.
When you stack a team against a starting pitcher you are hoping that pitcher is fully exploitable hoping that is start is short lived. You expect your stack to be able to light up the starting pitcher and get on him early in the game. But the fact of the matter is, if this happens then the pitcher that you did all of your fantasy baseball research on is going to be subbed out within the first half of the game (five innings or less preferably) and then what? Every reason you picked those hitters for were based on the matchup with the starting pitcher, not whatever middle reliever that comes out of the bullpen. So are you realistically expected to do research on the bullpen pitchers as well just in case your plan goes just as you planned. Realistically, no.
There are a couple reasons why, but we are going to focus on two. Most of the time, bullpen pitchers have a limited pitching arsenal usually consisting of a fastball and an offspeed pitch or two. So, it’s not like these pitchers are going to be tricking your hitters by keeping them off balance because of their deep pitching arsenal. Secondly, if your hitters were the reason that the starting pitcher got subbed out in the first place then there's not much more research you need to do. When a player gets a couple of hits in the first half of the game, it doesn’t matter who's pitching to them because regardless the ball is going to look like a beach ball coming out of the pitcher’s hand.
So at the end of the day, spend your research time on the starting pitcher because that is where the money is really at.
When you stack a team against a starting pitcher you are hoping that pitcher is fully exploitable hoping that is start is short lived. You expect your stack to be able to light up the starting pitcher and get on him early in the game. But the fact of the matter is, if this happens then the pitcher that you did all of your fantasy baseball research on is going to be subbed out within the first half of the game (five innings or less preferably) and then what? Every reason you picked those hitters for were based on the matchup with the starting pitcher, not whatever middle reliever that comes out of the bullpen. So are you realistically expected to do research on the bullpen pitchers as well just in case your plan goes just as you planned. Realistically, no.
There are a couple reasons why, but we are going to focus on two. Most of the time, bullpen pitchers have a limited pitching arsenal usually consisting of a fastball and an offspeed pitch or two. So, it’s not like these pitchers are going to be tricking your hitters by keeping them off balance because of their deep pitching arsenal. Secondly, if your hitters were the reason that the starting pitcher got subbed out in the first place then there's not much more research you need to do. When a player gets a couple of hits in the first half of the game, it doesn’t matter who's pitching to them because regardless the ball is going to look like a beach ball coming out of the pitcher’s hand.
So at the end of the day, spend your research time on the starting pitcher because that is where the money is really at.
Tuesday, July 04, 2017
Hawaii Homes for Sale: Redesign and Renovation Work to Consider
If your Hawai home's for sale in today’s thriving real estate market, some effort needs to be put towards making it more appealing to prospective buyers. Here are some redesign and renovation tasks to consider, all of which can go a long way in adding value to the house, and ensuring a sale.
Adopt an open-concept layout. Tear down some walls inside the house, and see how nice it is to enjoy so much space, which in Hawaii is greatly valued. An open-concept layout makes for a bright and airy vibe, even when you are accommodating many guests. The key to succeeding with this layout is clearly defining each area, but this time, not with entire slabs of wood or concrete. Moreover, organize all your furniture, and go for multi-purpose or modular items to save on space. For instance, choose cabinets whose tops can double as side tables. Or large ceramic pots that serve both as ornaments and also as space divider.
Acquire new artwork. An artwork is not only a thing of beauty. It can also tie the look of a room together, and break up a plain wall. When a homeowner invests in a good painting, or a sculpture, they are also assuring themselves of interesting conversations around it, for when they are hosting friends. What is important is for it to be of the right subject, color palette, and size, too. This way, they will not be overwhelming to the viewer, and draw all the attention in the room.
Update the doors and windows. Prospective investors will surely appreciate an update on the doors and windows, which would be among the first things they will be seeing. A fresh coat of paint or a refinishing would be nice, as well as a replacement of the hinges. Window frames may also be changed if the existing ones are already rusty and worn down. French doors will be a great update, too, as they afford more view of the beautiful environs.
Go beyond the surface. Creaking floors, plumbing issues, electrical problems, gas leaks. These are concerns that will easily turn a home buyer off, but which can be addressed with a thorough approach to renovation. Devote some resources towards checking all these out, before an inspector beats you to it.
Talk to top-performing Big Island real estate expert Harold Clarke today, to learn more tips in selling Hawaii homes for sale.
Adopt an open-concept layout. Tear down some walls inside the house, and see how nice it is to enjoy so much space, which in Hawaii is greatly valued. An open-concept layout makes for a bright and airy vibe, even when you are accommodating many guests. The key to succeeding with this layout is clearly defining each area, but this time, not with entire slabs of wood or concrete. Moreover, organize all your furniture, and go for multi-purpose or modular items to save on space. For instance, choose cabinets whose tops can double as side tables. Or large ceramic pots that serve both as ornaments and also as space divider.
Acquire new artwork. An artwork is not only a thing of beauty. It can also tie the look of a room together, and break up a plain wall. When a homeowner invests in a good painting, or a sculpture, they are also assuring themselves of interesting conversations around it, for when they are hosting friends. What is important is for it to be of the right subject, color palette, and size, too. This way, they will not be overwhelming to the viewer, and draw all the attention in the room.
Update the doors and windows. Prospective investors will surely appreciate an update on the doors and windows, which would be among the first things they will be seeing. A fresh coat of paint or a refinishing would be nice, as well as a replacement of the hinges. Window frames may also be changed if the existing ones are already rusty and worn down. French doors will be a great update, too, as they afford more view of the beautiful environs.
Go beyond the surface. Creaking floors, plumbing issues, electrical problems, gas leaks. These are concerns that will easily turn a home buyer off, but which can be addressed with a thorough approach to renovation. Devote some resources towards checking all these out, before an inspector beats you to it.
Talk to top-performing Big Island real estate expert Harold Clarke today, to learn more tips in selling Hawaii homes for sale.
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
How to Pick a Keeper?
One of the most difficult positions to effectively target in all of Daily Fantasy Sports is the Goalkeeper. We’ll have to make some clarification here and specify that we are talking in terms of fantasy soccer. For most lineup construction for fantasy soccer, it is quite easy to pick the attackmen you want to target. Usually, the midfield/attack is loaded with star studded players like Gareth Bale, Sergio Aguero, and Gonzalo Higuain to name a few. Then you turn to the midfield where that requires a bit more soccer analysis. Of course there will be the affronted players such as Mesut Ozil and James Rodriguez but is that who you want.
After doing more soccer research, it is clear that these studs aren’t necessarily who you want. Granted the have increased salary price due to their increase probability to score but that is not everything you are looking for. There’s crosses, corners, free kicks, and the whole defensive side of football that midfielders need to be able to execute if they have a decent fantasy floor (in terms the least amount of fantasy points a player is projected to have). As for picking defenders, that is a crap shoot all in it's own. Sure you can stack and put the cheapest defenders who could get a clean sheet or you could go after a guy like Sergio Ramos who is the cog in the defense but is known to bang home a header every now and then which greatly increases his fantasy value.
Now for keepers. Do you punt or pay up for Manuel Neuer, when Bayern takes on FC Mainz? To be honest, there is no right answer and more so depends on the rest of our lineup. Most of the time, it is best to target a keeper with a sub-prime defense playing against an attacking offense. This greatly decreases your goalies’ opportunity to finish with a Clean Sheet but that’s not what you should be banking on as it is extreme difficult for those to come to fruition. But what it does do is it gives your keeper the opportunity to make saves. On DraftKings, saves are worth two points and penalty saves are worth five. On the other hand, Fanduel gives out three points per save and another six for penalty saves. By accumulating three or four saves, your keeper will already be in a great place to crush value. This fantasy soccer strategy is by no means foolproof but a great way to get the highest possible ceiling for your lineup.
After doing more soccer research, it is clear that these studs aren’t necessarily who you want. Granted the have increased salary price due to their increase probability to score but that is not everything you are looking for. There’s crosses, corners, free kicks, and the whole defensive side of football that midfielders need to be able to execute if they have a decent fantasy floor (in terms the least amount of fantasy points a player is projected to have). As for picking defenders, that is a crap shoot all in it's own. Sure you can stack and put the cheapest defenders who could get a clean sheet or you could go after a guy like Sergio Ramos who is the cog in the defense but is known to bang home a header every now and then which greatly increases his fantasy value.
Now for keepers. Do you punt or pay up for Manuel Neuer, when Bayern takes on FC Mainz? To be honest, there is no right answer and more so depends on the rest of our lineup. Most of the time, it is best to target a keeper with a sub-prime defense playing against an attacking offense. This greatly decreases your goalies’ opportunity to finish with a Clean Sheet but that’s not what you should be banking on as it is extreme difficult for those to come to fruition. But what it does do is it gives your keeper the opportunity to make saves. On DraftKings, saves are worth two points and penalty saves are worth five. On the other hand, Fanduel gives out three points per save and another six for penalty saves. By accumulating three or four saves, your keeper will already be in a great place to crush value. This fantasy soccer strategy is by no means foolproof but a great way to get the highest possible ceiling for your lineup.
Tuesday, May 09, 2017
Stunning spaces in Hawaii oceanfront homes
Hawaii is home to some of the finest luxury oceanfront homes. Constructing houses by the seaside is a craft that Hawaiian builders know like the back of their hand, and their handiwork is both designed to withstand the elements as well as impress the guests.
Here are some of the stunning spaces in the best beach homes in the Aloha State:
An expansive living room.Lots of seating spaces – sofas and comfortable benches and high-backed winged chairs – and an airy feel created by a flood of natural light, high, vaulted ceilings, large windows, and an open layout: These are important things for a Hawaiian living room to have, if it is to be the gathering place of friends and family. Plus points if there are conversation pieces, like a well-made bookshelf from the turn of the century, an area rug from the owners’ trip to Morocco, an oversized, low-slung chandelier, or a vintage barbershop chair.
A plush dining area with a relaxed feel.Dining rooms of Hawaii luxury homes are best when they combine a luxe yet casual vibe – with traditional as well as contemporary elements that make dining fun, even as everything looks fancy. Exposed wooden beams, rustic chairs, and patterned fabric such as striped curtains, animal print rugs, and Southeast Asian table runners, would look nice alongside traditional hardwood dining tables, with gilded plates and utensils, and posh centerpieces like polished metal vases, crystal candelabras, or porcelainware from France.
A well-appointed kitchen.Kitchens in Hawaii need to be ready for huge parties that residents here like to host. The good ones are appointed with top-of-the-line appliances, from refrigerators, to the stove range and hood, and dishwasher, as well as meticulously crafted cabinetry that uses dense wood like Ohia. These splendid homes would have an outdoor kitchen, too, for those Sunday barbecue parties by the pool or the garden.
A luxe bathroom.Finally, Hawaii beach houses need a big bathroom, with a full bath tub – ideally freestanding just like those in celebrity homes. Like the kitchen, it must be appointed with only the finest items, from the lighting fixtures, to stylish vanities and full-length mirrors.
To find Hawaii oceanfront homes for sale with these stunning spaces and a whole lot more, contact Harold Clarke of Luxury Big Island. A top Big Island real estate broker, Harold holds the key to luxury real estate from the swankiest neighborhoods in the Aloha State.
Here are some of the stunning spaces in the best beach homes in the Aloha State:
An expansive living room.Lots of seating spaces – sofas and comfortable benches and high-backed winged chairs – and an airy feel created by a flood of natural light, high, vaulted ceilings, large windows, and an open layout: These are important things for a Hawaiian living room to have, if it is to be the gathering place of friends and family. Plus points if there are conversation pieces, like a well-made bookshelf from the turn of the century, an area rug from the owners’ trip to Morocco, an oversized, low-slung chandelier, or a vintage barbershop chair.
A plush dining area with a relaxed feel.Dining rooms of Hawaii luxury homes are best when they combine a luxe yet casual vibe – with traditional as well as contemporary elements that make dining fun, even as everything looks fancy. Exposed wooden beams, rustic chairs, and patterned fabric such as striped curtains, animal print rugs, and Southeast Asian table runners, would look nice alongside traditional hardwood dining tables, with gilded plates and utensils, and posh centerpieces like polished metal vases, crystal candelabras, or porcelainware from France.
A well-appointed kitchen.Kitchens in Hawaii need to be ready for huge parties that residents here like to host. The good ones are appointed with top-of-the-line appliances, from refrigerators, to the stove range and hood, and dishwasher, as well as meticulously crafted cabinetry that uses dense wood like Ohia. These splendid homes would have an outdoor kitchen, too, for those Sunday barbecue parties by the pool or the garden.
A luxe bathroom.Finally, Hawaii beach houses need a big bathroom, with a full bath tub – ideally freestanding just like those in celebrity homes. Like the kitchen, it must be appointed with only the finest items, from the lighting fixtures, to stylish vanities and full-length mirrors.
To find Hawaii oceanfront homes for sale with these stunning spaces and a whole lot more, contact Harold Clarke of Luxury Big Island. A top Big Island real estate broker, Harold holds the key to luxury real estate from the swankiest neighborhoods in the Aloha State.
Monday, April 10, 2017
Two misguided expectations when tapping asset services
Amid growing scrutiny from government and industry authorities as well as heightened competition in investment markets across the globe, asset services have now been providing the necessary support to asset management companies’ day-to-day operations.
The results of the outsourcing practice do not always satisfy the clients, however, and often, this “failure” of partnership can be attributed to the wrong expectations on the side of the fund managers. This article discusses two of these misguided notions when enlisting asset servicing firms:
Asset servicing is going to be a bargain. Many asset management firms are at a not-so-ideal business position when they do decide to tap outsourcing – and that is alright. However, some of them will tend to look at asset servicing specifically as a cure-all, and a means to make massive spending cuts on business procedures. And then they become surprised when they end up making a significant expense for the contract. In truth, asset servicing is in itself another form of investment. It is not a bargain in the sense of a buy-one-take-one promotion, but a bargain in the sense that a firm is able to save valuable time and resources for recruitment and training, purchase and maintenance of state-of-the-art solutions, and enlistment of actual experts in the field. In a way, this means gaining new talent and technology, but not with the usual amount of costs involved.
Only the asset servicing firm needs to adjust. A successful partnership will very much depend on the willingness of both parties to adjust. Inasmuch as a good outsourcing partner would like to avoid business interruption, asset servicing will result in some degree of change. Roles have to be handed over, after all, which might also result in some friction between the in-house staff and the third party firm. The latter will also inevitably introduce new methods for accomplishing the same goals, which might contradict commonly held views within the client’s organization. For instance, where living, breathing humans used to handle some tasks, many asset servicing firms would be keen on automation, believing that the delivery of many of these functions could be designed in a way that promotes accuracy, precision, and speed.
To avoid disappointment when tapping asset services, fund managers need to put forward their particular expectations at the negotiating table, before any agreements are signed. Contracts can always be reformulated to address each concern, to ensure the satisfaction of all parties in the end.
The results of the outsourcing practice do not always satisfy the clients, however, and often, this “failure” of partnership can be attributed to the wrong expectations on the side of the fund managers. This article discusses two of these misguided notions when enlisting asset servicing firms:
Asset servicing is going to be a bargain. Many asset management firms are at a not-so-ideal business position when they do decide to tap outsourcing – and that is alright. However, some of them will tend to look at asset servicing specifically as a cure-all, and a means to make massive spending cuts on business procedures. And then they become surprised when they end up making a significant expense for the contract. In truth, asset servicing is in itself another form of investment. It is not a bargain in the sense of a buy-one-take-one promotion, but a bargain in the sense that a firm is able to save valuable time and resources for recruitment and training, purchase and maintenance of state-of-the-art solutions, and enlistment of actual experts in the field. In a way, this means gaining new talent and technology, but not with the usual amount of costs involved.
Only the asset servicing firm needs to adjust. A successful partnership will very much depend on the willingness of both parties to adjust. Inasmuch as a good outsourcing partner would like to avoid business interruption, asset servicing will result in some degree of change. Roles have to be handed over, after all, which might also result in some friction between the in-house staff and the third party firm. The latter will also inevitably introduce new methods for accomplishing the same goals, which might contradict commonly held views within the client’s organization. For instance, where living, breathing humans used to handle some tasks, many asset servicing firms would be keen on automation, believing that the delivery of many of these functions could be designed in a way that promotes accuracy, precision, and speed.
To avoid disappointment when tapping asset services, fund managers need to put forward their particular expectations at the negotiating table, before any agreements are signed. Contracts can always be reformulated to address each concern, to ensure the satisfaction of all parties in the end.
Tuesday, April 04, 2017
How Power Plays truly change the game
Daily Fantasy Hockey experts have focused on the importance of the power play in the game of hockey and in fantasy sports. The power play creates an advantage for the team on the power play to score and thus creates points for the game and the daily fantasy player or players. The more power plays that a team has, or that a fantasy player scores during, the higher value that team or player ranks. This is largely due to the fact that power plays open up a plethora of scoring opportunities for the team on the attack. Powerplays are a result of a player occurring penalty time, thus leaving their team with one less player than the other. All of the dynamics change in hockey, rules included, when either team is on a powerplay because scoring is a premium in this advantageous situation.
In the National Hockey League, also known as the NHL, the focus on the power play is on both parts of the game, the offense and the defense. The NHL teams look to build a team with players that can perform well on the power play and also to defend well against the power play. The salary cap in sports limit the roster as some top players are taking up a big portion of the teams spending, and thus teams focus on adding depth through defensive specialists for the power play Kill, as most of their high cost players are on the power play for scoring opportunities.
In Daily Fantasy Hockey the focus is on scoring, but the power play also allows for a bonus point for scoring on “special teams.” If the team defending the power play score a goal short handed they are also granted a bonus point for a special team goal and even an assist on that goal. Thus, the NHL and Fantasy Hockey spend a great deal of time analyzing the power play squads of every team, and again, that is both offense and defense. But in building your daily fantasy hockey roster, you will want to consider picking players that play on the power play as it has statistical advantage of scoring and the daily fantasy bonus point for a special teams point.
In the National Hockey League, also known as the NHL, the focus on the power play is on both parts of the game, the offense and the defense. The NHL teams look to build a team with players that can perform well on the power play and also to defend well against the power play. The salary cap in sports limit the roster as some top players are taking up a big portion of the teams spending, and thus teams focus on adding depth through defensive specialists for the power play Kill, as most of their high cost players are on the power play for scoring opportunities.
In Daily Fantasy Hockey the focus is on scoring, but the power play also allows for a bonus point for scoring on “special teams.” If the team defending the power play score a goal short handed they are also granted a bonus point for a special team goal and even an assist on that goal. Thus, the NHL and Fantasy Hockey spend a great deal of time analyzing the power play squads of every team, and again, that is both offense and defense. But in building your daily fantasy hockey roster, you will want to consider picking players that play on the power play as it has statistical advantage of scoring and the daily fantasy bonus point for a special teams point.
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