The New Year Diet

The period of Christmas has been and gone and the majority of us are ready to kick start that new years habit that we have been trying to do for years but for some reason we get to mid January and we can't help but open up a box of chocolates and you say to yourself I will only have one, just one, one turns to two, two turns to four and before you know it the whole box has gone and the kick  start to the new year has suddenly gone all pear shaped. 

We are so impressed with the marketing and the powerful message that Gym's encourage us to sign up. Common sayings amongst friends and relatives begin with 'I am going to get fit'. Type Fit into Google not only will you get some wonderful and weird sites, but hundreds of websites promoting that chic lifestyle. In truth when we suddenly think of getting fit, we think of diets, straining ourselves from common food stuffs, that we have had too much to graze on over the previous months. Whether we are out their to impress our latest crowd or to get to that dress size you have always wanted, diets have been around for a while. 

Source:  helpfulhealthtips.com
Diets doesn't have to mean celery sticks, and carrots.

The superstores are offering reduced prices on gym equipment we would never think of buying, but because its January, the idea of looking trim for the summer promotes in that urgency that I should do something about it. Whats more bookshops are full of text books written promoting the best way to loose weight but how do we know which one is really the right one, a recommendations, sometimes, maybe a coupon. In my honest opinion, we don't, we do it because the person who wrote it has the willpower to suck you into their world of thinking, 'Buy my book and get that body you have always wanted'. 'slim down for summer' 'the bikini body'. How does the writer know what you look like, ever more what you want, he doesn't he just wants you to get into his world of thinking. Whats more they are full priced before Christmas because know one will buy them and after Christmas you can get them for the same price as a loaf of bread, some sort of practical joke. 

Gyms are at it to, promoting that chic lifestyle that you have always dreamed of having, just a few moments a way. You think to yourself this year I will join a gym? Before you know it you have stopped attending yoga classes because you had too much on at work you couldn't find the time to make it to them. Whats more your in one year contract that you can't get out of, but you never knew you were in it in the first place when you signed up because the salesman offered you a reduced booking fee and you forgot to read the small print. 

In truth, everyone is different, everyone needs different foods to energize the body. If we all stuck to a less of more philosophy then we wouldn't be in this situation. Every beginning of the year we lead ourselves into this false imaginary world that this year will be the year that makes all the difference. Before you know it the summer has been and gone and winter is upon us again.  

Why the Waitrose and Allied Boots agreement is the real deal!

You may have noticed in recent months, Allied Boots (Boots) stores comprising a Waitrose food outlet. The new strategy is aimed at attracting the ever increasing convenience customer on the high street. For years Waitrose has being playing catch up in an ever growing convenience market, with many similar competitors, Sainsburys Local and Tesco Express, adopting these distribution channels in the past. Yet the move to expand into this type of  channel through an existing and highly recognized brand name on the high street is unique. Consequently the synergy will bring about positive benefits for both companies. 

The footfall of Boots will increase, having the prestige image of Waitrose combined with the prestige image of Boots will no doubt offer continued benefits. Whilst continuing to use Boots brand name and footfall recognition for its cosmetics and health, it will encourage Waitrose to explore to a new type of outlet. According to Marketing Magazine, Waitrose has set an initial target of 300 boots stores to enter, based on feedback and customer perception this number is certainly set to increase.  

Whilst Waitrose outlet stores won't be large in size, the stores will comprise essential products aimed at consumers picking up goods on the go. The recent expansion of their 'essential' range reinforces this strong marketing message, of convenience. Under the umbrella of the Boots advantage loyalty scheme, consumers can qualify for points on Waitrose products too. What is not certain is whether consumers will be allowed to redeem points on Waitrose products, but only time will tell and as of yet Waitrose does not offer a similar loyalty scheme employed by many of its larger competitors. The move will enhance Waitrose health and cosmetics section and offering a bigger variety of products. In remains to be seen whether Waitrose will follow similar patterns of larger stores such as Tesco or Sainsburys and have an in-store pharmacy in Waitrose larger store formats. 

Finally Waitrose has stuck an exclusive deal with the high street retailer, according to Alan Treadgold, head of retail strategy at advertising agency Leo Burnett, 'The deal puts two middle-England brands together. There is a natural fit because of the confidence customers have in both'. Similarly the move reinforces that the British high street is still indeed British, with many national stores facing closure from foreign products, that are cheaper and more affordable the move should bring back confidence to the rest of the high street sector. 

The phones of the future.... if only we could find the battery of the future

Relinquish if you will ten years previous. A time when all the talk was about the latest skin cover, the latest 2 mega pixel game, the first full colour screen. Battery life seemed to last a life time, although the scope of operations was limited we could still send messages, make calls, play games like Snake and Tetris. Fast forward a century and we are lucky if we get a day out of latest smartphone.

Smartphone usage has grown significantly in recent years, whether your a blackberry user or an Iphone or   HTC user most of us has one or know of a friend who has. We have become a nation obsessed by App's so much so that this has become the biggest selling point of the smartphone, being able to download the latest version of Angry Birds, was not something you could have done ten years ago. Maps and navigation have made the idea of a one fit personal device put the Sat Nav to rest and document options such as writing emails and creating spreadsheets have made the laptop become almost obsolete. 

Yet, whilst the providers are creating the products like there is no tomorrow and mobile phone providers forced to tighten their contracts due to the unforeseen nature of the product itself, limiting the scope of unlimited internet for example has left a huge burden upon operators shoulders such as O2 and Orange. Operators have realised that with the latest smart phones built for the future, they can entice you in with 24 months contract, out are the 12 month deals, with latest version of Android OS and Apple OS available and within easy reach, users can upgrade firmware to keep there phones modern, up to date and trendy with the latest crowd. 

Batteries of yesterday are powering super-computers of today

We live in a technical revolution where everything is powered by our mobile phone; checking emails, checking the weather, checking the latest sports page, reading a book, playing angry birds, checking emails (Blackberry obsessed users take note) the list is endless, yet the batteries have failed to catchup to speeds with what we are doing. Displays have become more powerful, screens suck more juice from our battery (approx 80% of our battery usage comes from the display). 

Whilst the technical revolution of the phone is great, it seems that most people are still frustrated that we can never be too far from a plug socket or a cigarette lighter. Mobile phone manufacturers need to realise that whilst the revolution is necessary, we also need to be able to do more things on the move, for this to happen we need the battery life's to increase.