Living in Chicago, the Olympics were a time to mourn and a time to celebrate. We mourned the loss of the Summer Olympics awarded to Brazil, we mourned the NBC coverage of the Olympics, but we celebrated all the great Olympians from Chicago.
Now, it is amazing to me that NBC chose to show some sports in time delay versus other sports live and in HD. The one a major flaw in their programming was the preliminary USA Versus USA Canada Men’s Hockey game… why was this on MSNBC, not in HD? Every broadcaster seemed to think this was “the game to see”, yet the brass at NBC chose to air ice dancing in the prime time spot. Now, I admit, I am a hockey fan, so my opinion is biased, but I did an unscientific poll with friends, families and acquaintances and found that 80% were looking forward to watching ice hockey, not ice dancing. Even those that are not hockey fans said “the hype” about the game made them want to tune in. So I ask you NBC, what were you thinking?
What makes this even more perplexing, is that when they did show the USA vs. Canada gold medal game, 27.6 million viewers tuned in (it peaked at 34.8 million in overtime). (Nielsen rating) Did NBC think this was a fluke? Even if half the viewers watched the preliminary game, that would still be 13.8 Million viewers, which is on par with total viewership for the NBA finals (14.3 million).
But enough about NBC, it’s time to brag about our Chicago Olympians. Congratulations to all of you!
Our Chicago Black Hawks were well represented:
• Patrick Kane- USA~ Silver
• Jonathan Toews- Canada ~ Gold
• Duncan Keith- Canada ~ Gold
• Brent Seabrook- Canada~ Gold
• Tomas Kopecky– Slovakia – 4th
• Marian Hossa – Slovakia – 4th
As were others that trained and or lived in the Chicagoland area:
• Evan Lysacek, Figure Skating ~ Gold
• Lisa Chesson, Ice Hockey ~ Silver
• Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej, Ice Hockey~ Silver
• Jonathan Kuck, Speedskating ~ Silver
• Brian Hansen, Speedskating ~Silver
• Shani Davis, Speedskating ~ Gold
• Katherine Reutter, Speedskating ~ Silver
• Lana Gehring, Speedskating ~Bronz
• Jamie Moriarty, Bobsled
• Ben Agosto, Figure Skating
• Nancy Swider-Peltz, Jr., Speedskating
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Going Gadget Happy
I’ve gone a bit Gadget Crazy!
I admit it, I am gadget happy, techno geek wanna be. When I can “feed the beast” and have it benefit both AIM and my clients, I feel vindicated. So what gadgets and technology advances are now working their way into mainstream AIM business?
• Digital Audio~ AIM-Chicago has installed professional recording studio digital capture systems in all of our rooms. Not only are these digital audio recorders professional grade, but we have also state of the art microphones to capture the digital experience.
• Drop Box~ AIM-Chicago is able to easily send and receive large files (up to 1G) through our drop box system. This system is much easier than the old FTP configurations. If you are receiving a large file from us, you just click on the link in your e-mail and you are instructed in how to download your file. If you are familiar with outlook, you save the download the same way.
• Ripping~ AIM-Chicago is now able to offer you your DVD’s in MP4 as a ripped output playable on your I phone or I touch. Within 48 hours of your group, we are able to provide you with an MP4 of your group right to your e-mail.
• E-Check~ We are now able to accept your check over the phone (no additional charge)! No need to pay Federal Express to send that last minute co-op advance. Just call us with the check #, account # and routing number and we can process the check over the phone for your and e-mail you a receipt. This also eliminates the Chicago postal system from the equation. No more 3 months for them to delivery your check.
• RGB & HDMI~ Have a website, a presentation or even a video you want the group to see, but its on your computer? No worries, our LCD TV’s have HDMI and RGB hook ups and cords.
• AIM Video Stream~ Viewers can instantly “edit” video highlights from a live stream by exporting video segments to be imported into Power Point etc. All streams are available for 30 days.
What other gadgets are in the works? Well, we won’t have an I phone app, one of those in the family is enough. (www.Redfin.com or the Redfin App on I tunes) We are in the process of installing a state of the art digital video recording system and digital backup system across the AIM Research Network as well as new on demand video streaming system. Our video streaming and on demand video will allow you to access your video and download it straight to your computer.
And, I am sure I will find something else new to try as soon as those are up and running. Maybe another massage chair or a digital bread maker? Or my newest craze.... the e-reader. Do I hold out for the I Pad, jump in with the Nook or Kindle DX? Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated.
I admit it, I am gadget happy, techno geek wanna be. When I can “feed the beast” and have it benefit both AIM and my clients, I feel vindicated. So what gadgets and technology advances are now working their way into mainstream AIM business?
• Digital Audio~ AIM-Chicago has installed professional recording studio digital capture systems in all of our rooms. Not only are these digital audio recorders professional grade, but we have also state of the art microphones to capture the digital experience.
• Drop Box~ AIM-Chicago is able to easily send and receive large files (up to 1G) through our drop box system. This system is much easier than the old FTP configurations. If you are receiving a large file from us, you just click on the link in your e-mail and you are instructed in how to download your file. If you are familiar with outlook, you save the download the same way.
• Ripping~ AIM-Chicago is now able to offer you your DVD’s in MP4 as a ripped output playable on your I phone or I touch. Within 48 hours of your group, we are able to provide you with an MP4 of your group right to your e-mail.
• E-Check~ We are now able to accept your check over the phone (no additional charge)! No need to pay Federal Express to send that last minute co-op advance. Just call us with the check #, account # and routing number and we can process the check over the phone for your and e-mail you a receipt. This also eliminates the Chicago postal system from the equation. No more 3 months for them to delivery your check.
• RGB & HDMI~ Have a website, a presentation or even a video you want the group to see, but its on your computer? No worries, our LCD TV’s have HDMI and RGB hook ups and cords.
• AIM Video Stream~ Viewers can instantly “edit” video highlights from a live stream by exporting video segments to be imported into Power Point etc. All streams are available for 30 days.
What other gadgets are in the works? Well, we won’t have an I phone app, one of those in the family is enough. (www.Redfin.com or the Redfin App on I tunes) We are in the process of installing a state of the art digital video recording system and digital backup system across the AIM Research Network as well as new on demand video streaming system. Our video streaming and on demand video will allow you to access your video and download it straight to your computer.
And, I am sure I will find something else new to try as soon as those are up and running. Maybe another massage chair or a digital bread maker? Or my newest craze.... the e-reader. Do I hold out for the I Pad, jump in with the Nook or Kindle DX? Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Welcome to 2010!
Greetings from Schaumburg! We hope that you had a relaxing and fun holiday and New Years. With January upon us, and me finished with all my AIM, Vanderbilt and WCIC end of year wrap-ups, I wanted to look ahead.
What will 2010 bring us? As a recovering economics major, I tend to read a lot of economic forecasts and, to be honest, everyone one has their own opinion. Here are what I have found to be the similarities:
• The Fed will keep the Fed Funds rate low through the first few quarters of 2010
• The rate of job loss will decline and unemployment will cap at about 9.6-10% nationally
• Our GDP is expected to rise anywhere from 1-3% in 2010
Really, this is all great for the markets, but what about everyday consumers, small businesses and corporations? The reality is, we still have a long road ahead of us. Even though there is some growth, the push of funds into the market has not stimulated the economy as much as one would have forecast. Especially given the same push in the 80’s brought a swift decrease to unemployment. Many economists think this is partly due to consumer perception. Are consumers “holding on to what they have” for fear that the recession may hit again?
Here is what we found out from our after-Christmas Holiday online survey of 2500 respondents across the country:
o Of consumers polled, 76% believe that 2010 will be better than 2009
o 71% said they stuck to a gift-buying budget this year
o 48% spent less this year on gifts, versus 2008, while 22% spent the same amount
o 51% are using coupons, this year
o 68% are eating dinner at home more this year than last year
o 15% are insecure about their current job security.
o 34% are saving more and spending less
o 14% added an additional part-time job to make ends meet.
o 42% are purchasing “store” brands
So, even though it looks like many consumers tightened their belts in 2009, the majority believe 2010 will be better (26% believe it will be A LOT better)!
What will 2010 bring us? As a recovering economics major, I tend to read a lot of economic forecasts and, to be honest, everyone one has their own opinion. Here are what I have found to be the similarities:
• The Fed will keep the Fed Funds rate low through the first few quarters of 2010
• The rate of job loss will decline and unemployment will cap at about 9.6-10% nationally
• Our GDP is expected to rise anywhere from 1-3% in 2010
Really, this is all great for the markets, but what about everyday consumers, small businesses and corporations? The reality is, we still have a long road ahead of us. Even though there is some growth, the push of funds into the market has not stimulated the economy as much as one would have forecast. Especially given the same push in the 80’s brought a swift decrease to unemployment. Many economists think this is partly due to consumer perception. Are consumers “holding on to what they have” for fear that the recession may hit again?
Here is what we found out from our after-Christmas Holiday online survey of 2500 respondents across the country:
o Of consumers polled, 76% believe that 2010 will be better than 2009
o 71% said they stuck to a gift-buying budget this year
o 48% spent less this year on gifts, versus 2008, while 22% spent the same amount
o 51% are using coupons, this year
o 68% are eating dinner at home more this year than last year
o 15% are insecure about their current job security.
o 34% are saving more and spending less
o 14% added an additional part-time job to make ends meet.
o 42% are purchasing “store” brands
So, even though it looks like many consumers tightened their belts in 2009, the majority believe 2010 will be better (26% believe it will be A LOT better)!
Below are some comments and slides from our survey.
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