Challenges

This is something I am still struggling to face head on.

Many years earlier into my working career I learnt sometime I am given tasks that are beyond me.
Firstly, I was very discouraged, simple thought process your washing your hands-off work and dumping on me. Years later anger turned to frustration this sent on a resentment spiral of people.
With the experience years of work grew, I learnt I am feeding my mind at a fast speed pace. A pace that left me constantly hungry, I always need to breakdown and know the why and the how? Most people now portrait this obsession of mine, as a negative.

How I over challenges that were put up against me like a wall was purely selfish. I understood what is taught to you, what you self-learn or any hurdle you over is a benefit on you. What is learnt by you cannot be stolen, this is all you. This was you hard work that paid off not for others but for yourself, this is greater experience that can make you a better employee and a person.

This constant hunger let me over most challenges put up against me, the first thought I always now think is what can I get off this lesson that I am trying to overcome. Don’t let is misguide you thinking I face all of my challenges head on and with confidence yes, I shall have a smile upside down but yet try to accomplish it. There are many challenges I have not faced yet and still have to face.

This trait can make you a more reliable friend, family member or employee.

Next challenge, think what can I learn off this to my life’s curriculum vitae.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Innovate > Micro Manage

Well this was an idea spark kind of thing I wanted to share. This is about us Sri Lankans.

Sri Lanka, Sri Lankans are genetically being great at Innovation, simplification of the day to day progress. May it be grounding medical advances, or services at your fingertips, and even simple things like finding shortcuts in day to day operations. We can think out of the box to minimize human effort, ever thought why. I thought and came to only one conclusions we are freaking lazy, lazy as it comes so when boxed in between moving yourself around to get things done or at your fingertips. We chose to, yes you guessed right the non-movement. While the other part of world makes shoes that self-tie themselves, we are streamlining our lives to move less.

I think this is a true power, we have been given that gift to push push push the world, in a way to give more time to actual things that require our attention and remove time spent of tedious tasks. This kind of innovation is only creating such great entrepreneurs in our motherland.

With the blessing to innovate, we were blessed with an insecurity too that we are the best at micro management.

May it be British rule mentality which never left us, we are very insecure of what we build, create. Firstly my idea shall be stolen, showing great failure that you yourself have zero faith in your idea or product. Secondly follows never will I teach what I learnt to another, may it be a subordinate or competitor. We encourage such dependency that's unhealthy, subordinates do not know problem handling or even thinking for themselves. Competitors are treated like vultures, we never can be transparent with another as our minds plotting their demise: not thinking me and my competitor can work towards a common win win goal situation.

Lastly this micro management experience level gained, disrupts your growth. You become the FBI hound sniffing out issues, taking away your valuable time that you need to initiate your first blessing we spoke of Innovate.

Think of these words that I observed and let me know was my observation sound.

Over and out.

LISWITH

Educate Clients

Educating a client is a critical part of any sales individual.
One of the key factors when selling of any product, service or innovation. Educating one is the setting a standard in the eye of your customer, telling them the honest pros and cons.

The standard you set in the customer can be innovation of your own industry to the next level, something your competitors have been lazy and ignorant about.

This honest passing of knowledge will earn ones trust with you not as a person who is trying to sell but a friend who is helping you improve the level of service you need that you never knew about.

Education of one's trade can make things more transparent, get your company the respect as a people's company. Not the company that sells you a one time good, but one that establishs a customer provider relationship.

Can your customer change jobs over the years? Yes of course they shall in order for their growth.

Will they forget you? No!

Today is not about gaining a customer for an one time deal, but gaining that loyalty that befriends us in this Internet based society.

A thought I shall leave by you.


LISWITH

Maldives

Is everyone your Marketeer?

My knowledge of sales and marketing literature is very poor.

This is purely written on one skill I trained myself over the years to own; the skill of observation.

Mass marketing.

Takes a lot of Facebook campaigns, understanding of Google analytics and some serious marketing skills.

How does one empower all around you to sell your idea or product.

The key is truly simple, you market it in every discussion; it can be a casual drink, or a dinner, and can be that random coffee.

People love the idea of sharing new things, empower them your idea kicking in their intrigue curiosity level with a boost them of knowledge.

We all love to talk, even more we love to shout out what new things we know or we heard.

You are already making your idea viral.

Do not be aggressive, no ones like been smothered with opinionated ideas. Be the storyteller, everyone loves a good story.

Always knows good stories makes waves, creates and audience and an audience shall create your market.

Written by : Liswith Obinamuni

Why use your Travel Agent ?

Why aren't travel agents and destinations specialist still not out of style.

They say online is the new age, then why is your travel agent so important.

What does a destination specialist do exactly what it states. They are specialists.

An online engine will provide you a name, a ranking, dates of travel, a room and an amazing payment gateway.

Destination specialist will tailor to your needs, your wife's dreams, your kid's safety, your husband’s budget, and your parents’ needs.

They are made to think for you, they are there to advice you on the country, the culture, where you shall stay and the dos and don'ts of where you are travelling.

They will customize not only to you budget but to the little worries and confusions you may have.

They are the one who will know when traveling with your children to book a resort close to medical assistance. They are the ones who will attend to your special meal needs even before you arrive. The privacy of your holiday that information is protected.

Yes online will book everything to your budgets need. What happens when you miss your transfer? What happens when you face a difficulty at your hotel? What then, would one ask?

Not to brag, travel agents are those who are behind your worry free holiday.

By Liswith Obinamuni

Maldives

USP

This time, let’s discuss Unique Selling Points.

What are your unique selling points within your business, product or idea?

·         Do you provide great service?

·         Is your user interface friendly?

·         Do you provide 24/7 assistance?

·         Do you have a rewards programs

All the successful institutions, apps, hotels or customer agents provide the above. It is part and parcel of their success as a whole.

Providing excellent service is a norm in all industries.

Your end client expects something extraordinary, expects an added value beyond what you have promised.

Most of us have products and differentiation is the tough cookie. How do you do that?

We always have to reinvent what sets us apart. Know the market you are serving. What quality of life you trying to instill.

So take this opportunity to write down five USPs regardless of whichever industry you are in. Make this your mantra and the root of your marketing plan.

LISWITH OBINAMUNI

Maldives

Is there anything called a bad Inquiry?

Is there anything such as a bad inquiry, request, or a sale? NO there is not.

Do we do it often? Yes, most of us do! The viewpoint I am going to discuss briefly is why we probably should not.

As freshmen of any trade, we are inexperienced so every sale gets our heart and soul. The rush of closing the deal is palpable. As we mature in the industry, we somehow lose this.

When do you think we become complacent and self-righteous when we all started with a freshman attitude? Sadly, this happens with experience. We let judgments take us over; how a customer approaches, his/her budget, or at times on appearance.

A practice to end this dilemma is always take each sale with a fresh mindset. Fresh eyes to evaluate all avenues.  Does this mean that like a freshman, you shouldn’t let go? This is definitely not what I was getting at, this is the point that your experience should kick in. When you have the understanding of when things are coming to a full stop. Stop the drainage of resources and time.

Don’t let your experience stroke your ego, but learn not to pre-judge.
Your sale might be to a startup company or a client without a huge budget.

Why take it? What do you get in return?
You get loyalty, you earn trust, you earn a free marketing executive for your company.

You shall earn yourself a repeater, a true believer!

by : Liswith Obinamuni

Maldives Foodgasm

Maldives is not only surfing, honeymooning, and diving! To all you travel addicts up for new experiences, Maldives is a great cuisine destination too.

Yes I am going to reveal the big truth, Maldives is a foodies destination.

I know all of you may know have heard Maldives owns underwater restaurants; yes they do exist, yes Maldives has them.

Maldives has a collection of world renowned chefs, along with a collection of Michelin superstars that are a part of this great Maldives attraction.


Wait doesn’t Maldives has Maldivian food? YES they do.

What other cuisines are spread out in the Maldives? You have the Thai, Italian, Japanese, Asian fusion, wait it goes on to South American and African as well.

If you seek, you can get a creative end to your palate, the Michelin chefs have lined up some unique trademark dishes just for you.

On a very personal experience I have certain food allergies, which with age I grew out of. With age still the smell or the mention of the food nauseated me.
I went a bit daredevil once, to try dishes that consisted of my old allergies. Knowing it would take a toll on me, not due to allergies, but that my taste buds would instantly reject them; I rose up to the challenge.
I went through several dishes to which I thought I would have a rough ride, but fell madly deeply in love with each bite I took.

Maldives you made me fall in love with great cuisines all over again!

Next time you think Maldives, think Fooooooooodddddddd………….

By : Liswith Obinamuni

Maldives

Removing the word CHEAP

Cheap is something you see mostly used in current day and age right opposite the words; travel, holiday or vacation.

Is this form of writing, marketing, and advertising suitable?

No, as a person of the travel trade I find it really bad this word is used and popularly over used.
The word cheap, does this bring value into marketing? No I don’t believe so.

“Cheap” when you use it with the word holiday; this makes the destination degraded.
As a person who sells destinations this is a ruin of my dream, and the ruin of another traveler dream using the word cheap on his/her dream vacation.
Travelers when you go on your holiday do you like the word Cheap to appear first, I personally find it disrespectful as a person hearing it.

How can we exchange the use of that term? Using of such words and phrases like; budget & value for money.

Does the above seem awkward to hear NO I don’t think so at all; it states you have a specific budget for the holiday, and you require the best service for your holiday budget as planned!
Next time not avoid, do not use the term CHEAP.

LISWITH OBINAMUNI

Maldives

Is the Maldives only a Honeymoon destination? What about families?

Yes Maldives is ideal for Honeymooners and couples.
Is it ideal for families as well? Will the kids have fun? Can even teens enjoy?
Yes Maldives is not only a couple’s getaway, but a Robinson Crusoe expedition for your family too.
Maldives resorts, are equipped with kid’s club, kid’s pools, and teen entertainment; such as PS4s and Xboxes.
Kid’s clubs in the Maldives are action packed. Every Kid’s club has daily activities to keep your kids super engaged and to gain a learning experience too. Group activities such as cooking, snorkeling and teaching of the Maldives marine life are amongst a few of them.
If your family is traveling with your toddler, yes resorts do provide babysitting services.
Wait you might think if the Maldives is so famous for Honeymooners, will the rooms only be able to accommodate two people? Will my kids have enough space? Will they provide extra beds? What about a cot for my baby?
It’s a YES to all of the above. They do have two bedroom categories, some even three and even four. Do not worry of your kids bedding or meals, resorts are well equipped to handle it all.
Next time you are thinking of an escape with your family, do not second guess that haven Maldives.
It too should be a part of your travel bucket list.

LISWITH OBINAMUNI

Maldives

The Maldives over Water Experience

 

Maldives as the world calls it is famous for its Villas on stilts. Yes Villas built in the lagoon or in the ocean of the respective Resort Island. Fascinating isn’t it? Access to the ocean, the turquoise waters they speak of, the coral you dream of, and the Nemos you are longing to find.

Here are a few names they are known by: water bungalow, water villas, lagoon villas, ocean villas, ocean studios, InOcean villas.
Maldives is one of the destinations that specializes in this unique villa form.

Why choose an over water villa?
It is customarily for adults, and mainly focused on couples.

Why Couples?
Because over water villas offer the luxury of peace and solitude.

Is it suitable for Children?
Yes some do accommodate children above a certain age in certain resorts. This would be accommodated only if a waiver form is signed by parents. Preferably not recommended for children due to safety reasons.

From the resort how do I get to my over water villa, if it is built on top of water?
Some resorts have a bridge that connects the over water villas to the main island. Some resorts have stand-alone villas built in the middle of the ocean, this they would provide a boat to access in and out of your respective villa.

Tips about a small slice of haven!

LISWITH OBINAMUNI

This Festive Season where will you be?

Are tropics the place to be for your Christmas and New Year’s? Yes it definitely is.

Maldives, does it celebrate Christmas in resorts? Is it a great time to Holiday in the Maldives?

Yes it is, Maldives does celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Contrary to popular belief it is lit up, grand and loud.

Maldives has celebrated the festive season over the years in many unique ways:

• Fire Dancers
• Diving Santas
• Disney Parades
• Christmas tree from coconut shells
• Celebrity hang out spot

The festivities are glamorous, exuberant and exotic for your dream festive. Maldives has celebrated the festive season over

LISWITH OBINAMUNI

Maldives

Fairytale Wedding - Maldives

A wedding performed in the Maldives is a destination wedding not  an official ceremony for the tourists visiting.

A wedding in the Maldives is truly a fairytale and exotic. Wedding concepts are out of the world and truly anyone’s enchanted memory.

A wedding to talk about for generations, is what the Maldives can offer you.

The cultural wedding's on their famous Dhoni cruising into the sunset, where the endless ocean is yours to ride.

The Royal, extravagant, over the top wedding is being carried on a hammock like a princess. Making your way to an underwater restaurants where you tie the knot, showered with orchid petals. Doesn’t that sound like a scene from a movie? YES that dream actually is possible.

Feeling adventurous, adrenaline pumped and don’t mind getting a bit wet? This crazy idea for the fun filled crazies out there. Why not get dressed take a dip in the sea and tie the knot. A Dive Wedding. What? Yes it does happen and it’s beautiful, picturesque you feel so alive.

These are some fairytales the Maldives can offer you, want to feel like Prince Charming with your Exotic Princess? Maldives is the place to be.

Author : Liswith Obinamuni

Maldives

Why you should not travel to Sri Lanka?

1. Home to Sigiriya one of a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

 2. A country where a natural harbor is found 500m wide, Trincomalee Harbor.

3. Wildlife National Parks are over rated.

4. Where natural spices are of abundance, food gets exotic.

5. One of the largest tea exports in the world, so they do make good tea.

6. Compact Size diverse geographically and ecologically: Wet Land, Dry Land, Beaches, Hill tops and Jungles.

7. Cultural Triangle bringing 2500 years of history to life.

8. Home to a Great Emperor 500 years ago Ravana.

9. Where Dolphins and Whales Wave HI!

10. Where Meditation & Ayurveda Spa are not only specialized but a way of life through Sri Lankan history.

Oops it’s too exotic to miss out

Author : Liswith Obinamuni

Common Transport Modes in the Maldives

They have the fanciest rides of travel that countries dream of J

Dhoni

This is used for inter-island transfers (Eg; Airport – Male) and for Fishing trips and as a monumental part of culture for Sunset Cruising by certain resorts.

It was initially used as a sail boat by the Maldives.

Speedboat

This is mostly used for inter-island transfers (Eg Hulhumale and Male) and by the resorts for transfer between Airport and Resorts or Island Domestic Airports and Resorts.

Seaplane

Seaplane is largely operated by a company named TMA “Trans Maldivian Airways” and Flyme. The flight is Twin Otter plan that takes off and lands on the ocean. Seaplane is used for transfer and scenic picture tours.

Commonly used to travel for further atolls in the Maldives. They cannot fly during heavy rain or heavy winds, due to twin otters engines.

Operates from Morning to Sunset, they are not equipped to fly in the dark.

Usual transfers are shared but can be obtained for private charters.

Domestic Flight

There are two airlines that operate Maldivian and Flyme. Varying from 37 to 50 seater.

Commonly used to travel for further atolls in the Maldives. They cannot fly during heavy rain or heavy winds, due to their structure.

Usual transfers are shared but can be obtained for private charters

Author : Liswith Obinamuni

Why you should not travel to the Maldives?

1. Because Maldives have Underwater Restaurants

 2. Because Maldives has an Underwater Spa

3. Because it is just sun, sea and sand














4. Because Celebrities and Royalty travels



5. Because Maldives has a UNESCO protected biosphere



6. Because World Surf Tournaments are held



7. Because dining is too creative



8. Because cuisines are too good



9. Because each resort is a private island



10. Because it is too private




Maldives is next on your bucket list yes ?


Author : Liswith Obinamuni

Let’s Kick away the lil doubts we ponder about the Maldives

Ibrahim Nasir International Airport and Male city (Capital) why do I have to take a boat to travel to the city? Can’t I take a cab?
Sorry they are two different islands with the sea connecting them, currently there is not mode of land Transportation either it would be Speedboat or Dhoni.

What is a Dhoni?
Yes it is a boat, a Dhivehi word you shall hear in the Maldives.

Yes most resorts is one private island or two private islands connected by a bridge, yes it has no connecting roads to a city; unless they are city hotels.

Mode of transports within resorts, Can I have a private car?
Usually it is walking, but some resorts have bicycles and buggy services available.

Is the usage of USD possible anywhere in the Maldives May it be a resort or a city?
Yes you can pay in dollars in the Maldives anywhere they do accept.

Can I tag along my dog on my Holiday?
Sorry Ladies this is not possible in the Maldives

Why can’t a seaplane operate 24H?
Because they cannot operate due to strong winds, rain or when there is no day light due to the Engineering model of the plane.

Liswith Obinamuni

Maldives

Why Maldives people ask me?

Comparing other destinations of Sun, Sea and sand; Maldives is a destination I have truly had the blessing of experiencing its virtues.

Very often people question what is special in the Maldives other destination do not have. What do we seek in our vacation memorable, fun and better yet an escape from our lives our own castaway; breaking free from stress, tired life, busy life, the worries we carry that would be more like the blunt truth our distraction.

Has anyone wondered on a business perspective why in the small islands all international brands globally come together in one country? Where else does this heaven of luxury exist? Why fashion brands open resorts as franchise in the Maldives?

Yes there is the obvious that Maldives has to offer the luxury, pampering, the tropical weather, sun, the clear blue waters, coral and the breathtaking marine life that is always stated and emphasized on.

Maldives is a seclusion destination, a switch off destination, an escape destination. The aura of Maldives is such that you truly emotionally and mentally disconnect from worldly worries. A destination you feel your honeymoon is endless, your family vacation is fun filled like the whole island is your playground. Your worries, stress and busy life takes a sink. This is neither a party destination nor a shopping fiesta. It’s your solitude.

Maldives is where a vacation is not complex, a destination that spells vacation away from home, stress, work the perfect getaway and one of the few destination where it is on arrival visa for 30 days for the whole world. The time your truly disconnect from the world and you concentrate on the people you share your journey with.

That is why Maldives is special! Maldives is your Robinson Crusoe experience, your escape, your family time and your never ending honeymoon.

THIS is MALDIVES!

Liswith Obinamuni

Maldives