Month: June 2015
The Many Roles of a Construction Consultant
A consultant is merely someone who has years of experience in a particular industry. Consultants aren’t just experts. In the case of construction, a consultant may perform many duties on site besides evaluating the project. For instance, during disputes, consultants may act as a construction expert witness to help tell your side of the story in layman’s terms to a jury.
Expert
A consultant is firstly someone who has expertise in the field of construction. Some have many years occupying jobs at every level, others have owned and managed contracting companies, and still others have particular specialties (like steel fabrication) that fill important niches in the construction zone. That enables a consultant to fill the role of construction expert witness, project manager, turnaround supervisor and other key roles involved at every level of the construction process.
Mediator
Disputes are fairly common in construction, and most require little more than a claim to resolve. Occasionally, larger disputes between personnel or vendors can cause hiccups in the plans that throw off deadlines and ultimately cost money. In these cases, mediation is the preferred method to solve disputes. Construction mediation is much faster than trial, does not require legal representation and typically leaves all parties feeling as though they got what was owed to them. Plus, you don’t risk everything on an outcome that is difficult to predict.
Manager
Consultants often fill the role of managers, especially in turnaround scenarios. These key personnel sign off on plans, place orders for materials and oversee the entire schedule. Consultants are well suited to this role because their experience informs their decision making.
Bio: Lyle Charles has experience mentoring leaders in the construction industry. Lyle Charles Consulting can help manage commercial or residential construction projects and claims. Contact Lyle Charles for more information.
5 Things to Share To Save Money
The ‘sharing economy’ is a now much-discussed topic. There are several other ways to save money apart from rides and renting residences. For this, connecting with friends, family and neighborhood groups is necessary. Once you’ve discussed how to share these items, you will save more money.
Having said that, here are 5 things that you can share to save money:
1: Streaming Video Service
This is another popular topic in the world of sharing economy. Streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix and HBO allow you to share passwords. Netflix takes it one step further by allowing users to maintain 5 individual profiles.
2: Cell Phone Plan
Major service producers such as T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon and AT&T offer family sharing plans. Once you determine which plan works best for your family, the saving can be large. Up to 10 people can profit from these plans offered.
3: Amazon Prime
Family members and unmarried partners can share these accounts with registered Amazon Prime users. This will help in reducing membership costs by almost half or even more.
4: Vacation Property
While timeshares are popular and expensive, you can share it with others. Not only can you split the cost of the property but also set up a calendar of who uses it. A legal contract for repair costs, utilities and maintenance is advisable.
5: Club Memberships
Members at Costco and Sam’s Club can bring guests which saves money on memberships. At Costco, the member will have to pay for guest purchases. Guests at Sam’s Club can make their purchases.
CryptoCurrency: Overrated or Intriguing?
By Phin Upham
One of the most interesting concepts in the world of fintech has been crypto currency. The enigmatic currency began popping up on blogs, associated with drug deals and hit men, and it promised a method to anonymously send money. It was invented to make it harder for governments and financial bodies to track financial transactions around the world, and hasn’t had too much positive publicity up until Goldman Sachs decided to invest in it.
Mt. Gox, where 850,000 bitcoins belonging to traders simply vanished, showed everyone that crypto currency has a dark side. As the company began closing down, some thought that might end crypto currency for good. After all, if the bitcoin stock exchange can’t work, how can the currency?
Overrated
Bitcoin is basically used to buy fake passports and drugs on the Internet. At least that’s what the media wants to say about it, but the currency has not proven to be secure and stable. Trading prices fluctuate rapidly, which sends values all over the chart, making it hard to look at historical trends or make any kind of educated guess as to where this all going.
Underrated
Which is why bitcoin is so undeniably fun to consider. Almost like the invisible dollar that could, bitcoin promises to make it easier to move money internationally. Yes, there is the dark side of anonymity, but the currency was always intended to have artificial limitations in order to simulate value. It’s like a game where the player is you and the health bar is your bank account.
The biggest challenge right now is the “Wild West” atmosphere surrounding crypto currency, but regulation may come in the near future.
About the Author: Phin Upham is an investor at a family office/ hedgefund, where he focuses on special situation illiquid investing. Before this position, Phin Upham was working at Morgan Stanley in the Media and Telecom group. You may contact Phin on his Phin Upham website or Facebook page.