Let’s face it. You’re no modern Einstein and neither are we. But where you lack a few exemplary IQ points you can certainly make up for with old friend Google.

But just because your finger can grow its own brain, doesn’t mean you should ignore the more primitive ways of “enhancing” your outward intelligence. Here are a few easy tips to ensure that the only genius in the room is you.

Stay Away From Alcohol

Let’s kick things off with a bit of controversy. Scientists have conducted a report called the ‘Imbibing Idiot Bias’ which claims that something as innocent as holding a glass of wine can make you appear less intelligent and professional than your surrounding peers. Right. I guess we’ll drink to that.

Keep Your Shirt On

We know you’ve been pumping iron all year to become that pristine specimen of a human tree stump, but keep your shirt on for a second there, Peter Andre. Professor Kurt Gray, from the University of Maryland has found that people who wear less clothes (men and women) are perceived as more emotional and less able to plan and act on their own decisions. And that’s why nothing ever gets done on pants-off Fridays.

RELATED: Ryan Reynolds Shows You How To Look Smarter With A Single Move

Talk Faster

Eddie Murphy seemed pretty switched on in Beverly Hills Cop right? Commenting on behalf of TV and film scripts, Psychotherapist Tom Barber has stated that “the faster the characters speak, the more intelligent the audience feel they come across”. People have also been known to judge those who talk quickly as more credible and persuasive, according to a journal on speed and speech. So cut out the pauses, drop the ‘umms’ and get your point across with heady determination.

Wear Glasses

No, not your wraparound ones from 2001. We’re talking prescription. This might annoy some who know your vision is non-impaired, but there’s no doubt that the look of a pair of glasses can provide you with instant cred in the IQ department. Research has shown that dark-rimmed glasses are perceived as more intelligent but less attractive whilst wearers of rimless glasses are seen to be both smart and more trustworthy.

Use Your Middle Initial

You read right, J.K Rowling fans. A study by two European psychologists has found that inserting a random letter between your first and last name will change people’s perception of your intellectual capabilities. We’re assuming Donald J. Trump must’ve been an anomaly.

Grey Gone Wild

From an aesthetic point of view, grey hair is predominantly associated with both age and maturity. Rock it right and your wiseness levels will skyrocket in social situations.

Make The Right First Impression

First impressions last – and now you can add perceived intelligence to that point. Life Coach Dan O’Neil explains that strangers make 11 assumptions from your appearance within seven seconds of meeting you. Called the ‘Threshold Effect’, O’Neil says that “people determine several factors including your perceived intelligence from your immediate physical appearance”.

Ask For Help & Ask Questions

The simplest trick in the book is often the most important. One can contribute to a conversation simply by asking a question. It will give the outward perception that you’re more inquisitive and thirsty for knowledge. This comes as a double edged sword though and one must remember not to over do it. Sociologist Larry Kersten explains this perfectly: “There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots.”

Stop Swearing

Well shit. Psychologist Roberta Galluccio Richardson has said that “people have a tendency to find conversation peppered with bad language to be less valuable and of lower importance”. Guess we’ll be changing our tag line to ‘Magnificent Annoying Guy’.

Fix Your Teeth

People with decent looking teeth are generally assumed to be more successful, wealthy and intelligent, according to recent studies. James Russell of The London Smile Clinic says that they have seen significant increases in clients asking to have their teeth improved before interviews.

Be More Expressive

This pointer has a lot to do with one’s outward projection and yes, unfortunately the shortcomings of the human race. According to a PsyBlog post, “appearing smart is about seeming excited about what you’re saying, even if it’s complete nonsense”. So try varying your pitch and volume in conversational situations and add emphasis to words where necessary. You may just have the most insightful conversation about cheese ever.

Fix Your Posture

This one’s a favourite amongst us as it’s all about body language and really not hard to achieve. People who slouch are often perceived as “lazy, shy or stupid” according to Life Coach Rebekah Fensome. So get yourself a decent office chair, roll those shoulders up and maintain eye contact with your subject when talking. It’s one of the more sure fire ways to appear more intelligent.

The post Simple Tricks That Will Make You Look More Intelligent appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Sydney has the most dramatic New Year's Eve celebrations in the world.

That's not just hometown pride talking either: the Harbour City is world-famous for its spectacular midnight fireworks that can be seen all throughout the city. Of course, the closer you are to the Harbour Bridge the better, and thousands of locals and tourists flock to the water – sometimes days in advance – in the hopes of securing a prime viewing location.

Anyone with a waterfront property is sure to be particularly popular come December 31st, but if you want to hold the best New Year's Eve party in the city, and therefore the world, consider investing in this amazing Eastern Suburbs home.

20a Vaucluse Road is not only architecturally impressive but features some of the best views of Sydney Harbour you could ever dream of. Wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass, you have over 180 degrees of perfect ocean vistas, as well as enough entertainment options to keep even the fussiest houseguests entertained.

[caption id="attachment_262470" align="alignnone" width="920"] Even if we still have to follow social distancing come December, there's plenty of space in this main living area/patio to host dozens of party guests. Image: realestate.com.au[/caption]

"Built over a double block offering an extraordinary ~1,500 sqm of internal living, this incredible masterpiece by renowned architect Bruce Stafford features a collection of living and entertaining areas which are enhanced by cutting edge finishes flooded with light," Peter Leipnik and Alexander George from BadgerFox relate.

"Built to the highest of standards with state-of-the-art technology throughout, the home has been designed to maximise its world-class Sydney Harbour views from its elevated position on one of Sydney's most prestigious and coveted streets."

Indeed, Vaucluse is one of the most exclusive suburbs in all of Australia, boasting a median house price of $5.2 million (we guess even coronavirus hasn't stopped the Sydney property market from being ridiculous).

[caption id="attachment_262471" align="alignnone" width="920"] The exposed sandstone is a cool touch. Image: realestate.com.au[/caption]

If the weather's not so great, there's a classy games room equipped with minibar you and your guests can escape to. There's also a 12-car garage, so no-one needs to worry about finding a park. And if someone needs to stay the night, there's a self-contained guest house on the property (that's just as luxe as the main house).

Other amenities include a true chefs' kitchen, a state-of-the-art home cinema, a heated pool, a commercial-grade lift, a gym equipped with its very own jacuzzi, a wine cellar and eight bathrooms (this house has more bathrooms than bedrooms).

[caption id="attachment_262469" align="alignnone" width="882"] Does it come with the cars, too? Image: realestate.com.au[/caption]

If the house wasn't enough for you, the location's pretty good too. You're just minutes walk from a number of beaches, and if by some cruel twist of fate all your cars are at the mechanics', you're right near a bus stop, with regular services running to the city.

This party house has got more than enough going for it all year around. Hell, why even have a NYE party anyway when you can just snuggle up in the master bedroom and watch the fireworks from the comfort of your bed?

[caption id="attachment_262468" align="alignnone" width="920"] A very Happy New Year. Image: realestate.com.au[/caption]

A house as unbelievable as this is sure to fetch a pretty penny and won't stay on the market forever. Head to realestate.com.au for more information.

Read Next

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The post This Sydney Property May Be The World’s Best Place To Spend New Year’s Eve appeared first on DMARGE.

American businesswear stalwart Brooks Brothers’ recent bankruptcy sent shockwaves through the fashion world. The esteemed brand, which has suited 41 of all 45 US President from Lincoln to Trump, cited the financial impact of the COVID-19 crisis plus a shift towards more casual work attire as reasons for their financial woes, The Sydney Morning Herald reports. And they’re not alone.

2020’s been a tough year for the fashion industry. Brands like Seafolly, G Star RAW, True Religion and Bardot, to start a long list, have also started going into voluntary administration. As the pandemic continues to brutalise the global economy and tighten people’s wallets, consumers don’t want to spend their money on a new outfit. Why would you when you can’t go outside anyway?

The Bat Kiss has also canceled runway shows and postponed seasonal releases; disrupted supply chains and forced physical locations to close; and changed consumer habits: people are far more interested in buying face masks than denim jeans right now. It’s also continued to accelerate the rise of e-commerce.

The reality is that many brands were already in hot water before the pandemic. Fashion trends are already cyclical and fickle, and more and more consumers are moving online, yet many brands still operate like they did pre-Internet. The convenience of online shopping means that brands need to offer an ‘experiential’ experience in their physical locations, VendHQ suggests.

Yet the value proposition of brick-and-mortar shopping doesn’t add up for most consumers, because most brands don’t put in enough effort – and The Virus has further dissuaded people from shopping in person.

So which fashion brands are going to weather the storm that’s 2020, and which will go under?

“Business and formalwear brands are likely to suffer. People are working from home, and there aren’t many weddings happening!” Sydney men’s stylist and fashion expert Jeff Lack told DMARGE exclusively.

 

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A post shared by Everlane (@everlane) on Jul 9, 2020 at 9:00am PDT

In comparison, brands that offer quality basics – “that you can wear around the house” – will reap the rewards of social distancing, Lack says.

Direct-to-consumer brands like Everlane, Allbirds, Oliver Cabell and Thursday Boots will continue to do well. Their more streamlined business model means they can invest more in the quality of their products, as well as offer customers a competitive price. Their ‘affordable luxury’ and sustainable materials are also hotly desired by today’s consumer.

Fast fashion brands are likely to stay afloat, at least for a little while. Some are struggling like Japan’s UNIQLO (but let’s be real, which business aren’t struggling in 2020). Others, like Swedish behemoth H&M, have actually recorded substantial growth in 2020. Other brands in this segment reporting growth include Spain’s Zara and Britain’s ASOS.

Just as a quality brick-and-mortar experience is crucial, a good online user experience (UX) is important too. Online luxury retailer MR PORTER is an example of great UX – their website is beautifully designed and very intuitive, which lends extra credibility to their luxury status while making it easier for customers to shop.

“Brands that offer a great online experience, nail their online marketing, and have good social media engagement will continue to do well,” Lack notes.

“The community aspect is very important. Brands that have developed a community will succeed where others fail.”

Take Converse, for example. Despite being a heritage brand – their iconic Chuck Taylor was arguably the world’s first sneaker – Converse has consistently innovated and moved with the times. They have timeless appeal but still have their finger on the pulse of fashion trends, whether it’s been collaborating with skaters like Sage Elsesser; musicians like Tyler, the Creator; or haute couture designers like Off-White’s Virgil Abloh and Comme des Garçons’ Rei Kawakubo.

Perhaps the reason why skate brands like Vans or Converse are so successful is that they’re bolstered by a consistent and loyal community. This community will ensure they stick around long after COVID-19, too.

 

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A post shared by Tyler, The Creator (@feliciathegoat) on Nov 8, 2019 at 11:26am PST

With this virus likely to be a global problem well into the future, more and more businesses will be forced to sink or swim if they want to survive. Some things haven’t changed: the need for quality materials, design and marketing; a willingness to adjust product offerings, to keep in step with fashion trends and emerging subcultures; a strong online presence with good UX; and a social consciousness (well, as much as a fashion brand can have, we suppose).

COVID-19 has undoubtedly brought with unique challenges for businesses large and small – fingers crossed 2020’s turmoil could actually be a blessing in disguise, giving brands the chance to change direction and emerge from lockdown better than ever before.

Case in point, bankruptcy might not be a bad thing for Brooks Brothers. It might give the brand the opportunity to deal with some of its debts and shake things up a little. A brand with such a legacy is unlikely to completely disappear. Maybe they’ll escape the chopping block yet.

“Declaring Chapter 11 bankruptcy is actually a very common business practice in the US,” Lack relates.

“We’ll see more businesses go down, but they’ll appear next year. It’s not like bankruptcy in Australia – there’s less stigma.”

Read Next

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• New Celebrity ‘Fashion’ Choices Prove A-Listers Are Now Prioritising Health Over Style

The post Is Fashion F*cked? Experts Reveal Who Will Come Out On Top Post Pandemic appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Car crashes are a sadly all-too-common occurrence on Australian roads, many of which are fatal. More Australians have died in car crashes than World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War combined, and statistically speaking, most Australians have a crash once every 18 years (watch out, P platers).

Luckily, not all car crashes are fatal – at least for the owners. Even small crashes are usually enough to consign a car to the scrapheap, and our roads are littered with the rusting corpses of long-departed motors.

The reality is that most modern cars are designed to crumple aggressively when impacted in order to protect both occupants and pedestrians. It does mean that modern cars get written off easier than older models, however.

No matter the model or age of a car, it’s always tragic to see a wrecked one on the side of the road or wrapped around a tree… Particularly if it happens to be a $2.4mil, super-rare Italian sports car.

Some unlucky driver crashed a Ferrari F40 today on the Gold Coast, allegedly having come off a main road in Nerang after speeding (what, a Ferrari owner speeding? Pull the other one.) No news yet as to the driver’s condition. Sheepish, we reckon.

The result is that this F40 is less of a ‘Prancing Horse’ and more of a ‘Limping Filly Ready For The Knackers’.

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A post shared by Jota Performance (@jotaperformance) on Jul 16, 2020 at 9:32pm PDT

That’s not all. Unlike your run-of-the-mill daily driver, a car this rare would normally be restored, no matter the cost. The cost might be through the roof though, as many commenters speculated.

“Supposedly no insurance as it was on dealer trade plates and not road registerable due to ADRs”, one observed.

The Australian Design Rules (ADRs) are national standards for vehicle safety, anti-theft and emissions. The ADRs are generally performance based and cover issues such as occupant protection, structures, lighting, noise, engine exhaust emissions, braking and a range of miscellaneous items, according to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.

Many older cars – especially rare imports like this F40 likely is – don’t pass the current ADRs and so face restrictions on their registration and use. ADR compliance is unlikely to affect the desirability of iconic exotics like the F40.

First produced in 1987, the Ferrari F40 is a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive berlinetta that was designed to celebrate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary. It’s also known as the last Ferrari personally approved by “il Grande Vecchio” – Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the marque. Its twin-turbocharged 2.9L V8 puts out a still-impressive 352kW (471 hp) and is widely regarded as one of the most iconic sports cars ever made.

Only around 1,300 F40s were ever made, and less than half of those remain on the roads today. If this Gold Coast one can’t be recovered, it would truly be a loss.

Fingers crossed it was just a replica. It’s pretty common for cheaper cars like the similarly mid-engined Toyota MR2 to receive cosmetic modifications in order to mimic the far more expensive and exclusive Ferrari.

Read Next

• Dolph Lundgren Spotted In LA Driving The Most ‘Sophisticated’ Ferrari You’ll See This Year
• Australian Motorists Copping Fines For Road Rules You Never Knew Existed

The post Ferrari Crash: Uninsured $2.4 Million Ferrari Comes To Tragic End In Queensland appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

While it’s been a tumultuous time for the travel industry, travellers’ points balances remain in a stagnant pond. To help rectify this, Qantas has delivered a status credit boost for frequent flyers – even those who aren’t jet setting much right now.

To help frequent flyers maintain their benefits throughout travel restrictions, eligible Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum One members will automatically receive 50 per cent of the Status Credits they need annually to keep their tier.

Members most impacted, such as those whose membership year started at the peak of travel restrictions, will also be eligible for additional monthly Status Credits support.

This additional monthly Status Credits support means that for every 500 Status Credits earned by a member, they receive a Loyalty Bonus of either 50 Status Credits or 8,000 Qantas Points.

This Loyalty Bonus, Qantas says, will count towards reaching or retaining Platinum One until the 31st of December 2021.

This initiative appears to back up comments made to DMARGE by aviation expert Professor Rico Merkert, Chair in Transport and Supply Chain Management at the University of Sydney.

Rico recently told DMARGE, when asked about a ‘leaner, meaner’ Virgin Australia eying up the middle market: “Qantas will defend their market share and use their loyalty program even more to keep customers flying with them.”

He also told us: “They will also combine the international and domestic offering in a better way than Virgin will be able to (unless Virgin enters a number of new alliances now that they don’t have SIA, EY and HNA at their board table pulling the strings anymore).”

More on that another time.

Qantas is also making a slew of other tasty changes. For one: it’s now easier for Frequent Flyers to use their points on domestic and Trans-Tasman flights, as more travellers look closer to tierra for their next holiday.

For the rest of 2020, Classic Flight Reward seat availability will be increased by up to 50 per cent to the most popular destinations in Australia and New Zealand including Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Queenstown and Auckland (when flights recommence).

“To help regular flyers maintain their travel benefits, Qantas Frequent Flyer will also be giving tiered members Silver and above a one-off Status Credits bonus to compensate for reduced flying activity.”

The increased availability and status support are part of a range of initiatives from Qantas, designed to give members more bang for buck from their upcoming holidays and the broader program.

Better value on accommodation is another new benefit. Qantas says “the number of points required for Points Plus Pay Qantas Hotels bookings will decrease by 20 per cent effective immediately.”

“For a limited time only members will also receive 5,000 points back when they book a minimum of 3 nights and on selected Qantas Luxury offers earn up to 125 bonus Status Credits when they book before Monday 31 August 2020.”

Greater flexibility is another bonus, with Qantas also announcing, “To enable members to plan their holidays with more confidence, bookings made using points on Qantas Group flights will have any change or cancellation fees waived until 31 October 2020.”

Qantas Frequent Flyer will, in addition, launch more Points Planes – exclusive flights for frequent flyer redemptions – to meet the bridled (but growing) travel demand of members and boost Australian tourism (timings and destinations of the flights are to be released over the coming months).

Finally, Qantas has announced a ‘Dream Planner’ – an intriguing new way to plan your holidays with points. Launching on the 28th of July 2020, this ‘Dream Planner’ uses real time data and notifications to keep members informed on reward seat availability and special offers to their preferred destinations.

Of the changes, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said: “Australia is home to world-class destinations and Qantas is making it easier for frequent flyers to visit them.”

“We’re adding more Points Planes and more reward seats to our most popular domestic destinations, because that’s where people will be holidaying for the rest of the year.”

“We’re also helping our most loyal flyers maintain their travel benefits by giving them extra Status Credits in recognition of their long-term loyalty.”

Qantas Loyalty CEO, Olivia Wirth said Qantas Frequent Flyer said: “We’ve been listening to our Frequent Flyers closely over the last few months about how they feel about travel, where they want to go and how they want to use their points.”

“What emerged was that despite what’s going on around the world, the notion of the dream trip is well and truly alive, they’re just looking a little closer to home.”

“Qantas Frequent Flyers are some of the country’s biggest advocates for travel and this has been reflected in the number of bookings we’re seeing as travel restrictions ease.”

“That’s why we’re continuing to invest in making our members’ travel dreams a reality with more choice, better value and greater flexibility.”

These changes come in a context where “intention to travel,” Qantas claims, for frequent flyers, remains high at 90 per cent.

Read Next

• US Airline Points Crackdown A Warning For Australian Frequent Flyers 
• Golf Course Bookings Reveal Sydneysiders ‘Thoroughly’ Enjoying Working From Home

The post Qantas Delivers The Status Credit Boost Frequent Flyers Have Been Praying For appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When a celebrity puts their name to a clothing brand, usually as an ambassador, it can be all too easy to assume it’s just a quick money-maker and the clothes themselves will be of bad quality. But Kelly Slater’s Outerknown clothing brand is one of an entirely different ilk and one you really should be getting behind.

 

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A post shared by Outerknown (@outerknown) on Jun 26, 2020 at 5:00pm PDT

Outerknown is a brand that wants to do good for the world, with founder Slater saying he wanted to “create a pioneering new company that made great clothes with a radical commitment to sustainability.” Naturally, given Slater’s surfing background, clothes take a much more laid-back approach to design and style, but with those exact people being his target audience, it’s no surprise.

And right now you can score 30 per cent off the entire Outerknown site, but you’ll have to be quick because the sale is only running until this Monday 30th of November. All full-priced collections are discounted, (the 30 per cent discount isn’t applied to items already on sale or from third-party brands) so whether you’re in the market for some new t-shirts, a pair of boardshorts or a slick pair of chinos, Outerknown has something for you.

Outerknown offers free shipping to US addresses for orders over $100, which you will easily achieve when you buy a pair of Apex board shorts or a pair of the excellent S.E.A Legs chinos. So what are you waiting for, for sustainable fashion that will last you forever and look good while doing, head to the Outerknown website now.

Shop The Outerknown Sale

The post Score 30% Off Sustainable Fashion In The Outerknown Black Friday Sale appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When The Pandemic really took its toll on New South Wales and forced businesses to close their doors, I was scared. Not because of the possibility of contracting said disease, nor because I wasn’t sure when my next schooner on tap would come, but because I knew full well that I was going to come out of lockdown – which back then was anyone’s guess as to when – an unhealthier, fatter, unhappier version of myself.

Why? Because barely a week after I finally found myself getting into a decent routine at the gym, and noticing results for what seemed like the first time in forever, The Virus hit. Talk about bad luck.

Obviously I was bombarded with articles relating to home workouts, hell, I even wrote a fair few myself. But did I take heed of my own advice? Did I f*ck.

As I’m sure is the case for many during the lockdown period, summoning the motivation to don your best gym gear, only to lunge, crunch and jump your way into better shape in your front room, was far easier said than done. There were far too many distractions facing my steadily-increasing midriff, especially since the suburb I live in wasn’t too strict on rules (not naming names, obviously. I’m loyal). I would still go outside for at least one coffee per day, and I did at least get into walking a few kilometres each day…but that only lasted around a week and a half.

RELATED: Best Walking Routes In Sydney

Nearly two months into lockdown and I found myself staring at a figure that I remember describing to a friend as being “the worst shape of my life”. That may not have been strictly true, but it sure as hell felt like it.

So, how does that relate to the title of this article? Well, dear reader, it’s because as soon as the gym doors were flung open again, I knew I had to seize the opportunity to put right the copious amount of Dairy Milk consumed over the previous few months.

That’s exactly what I’ve done. It’s only been a few weeks since gyms were allowed to reopen in New South Wales, but I’ve been to three classes a week for all of them. I go to a class-based gym and my membership only allows for three per week, so no, I’m not slacking still.

As for my level of effort during the classes, well, I tried going full H.A.M (hard as a motherf*cker) during a HIIT class. At 5 am. On a Monday morning.

It was clear my fitness has taken some backwards steps.

More than just a couple of steps but several god damn kilometres. I was unfit to the point where I was close to vomiting. And that was from what would have been perceived as an ‘easy’ HIIT class.

That second wake up call gave me the motivation that I was severely lacking at home to do something about my level of fitness, as well as my aesthetic appearance (read: gains). I’ve already noticed differences since going to my classes and feel like I’m actually beyond the level of fitness that I entered lockdown with. Not to mention (well, actually, I’m pretty keen to mention) my burgeoning six-pack…

I’ve even signed up for extra personal training sessions, that’s how seriously I’m taking this whole shebang, because, as Victoria has recently proven, we’re not out of the woods yet when it comes to The Virus, and those gym doors that I enter gleefully before 6 am each time may be forced to close once more.

I’ve never had any sort of ab definition, but with lucky bastards around me retaining theirs even with two months off and a likely increased amount of alcohol and junk food, I feel like I now deserve to have some of my own. This is just one of my goals, and going by some other strength-based classes, my whole upper body could do with a kick into shape.

Maybe, just maybe, I’ll be in a similar shape to Zlatan when I reach his age.

Read Next

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The post Lockdown Fitness: Why COVID Was The Best Thing To Ever Happen To My Gains appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

First-class is not dead but it is dying. Even in 2019 the super-rich were opting more for private jets, while the leaps and bounds made in business class enticed wealthy leisure travellers to walk deeper into the plane.

Of course, as a pandemic swept the globe at the start of 2020, all airlines faced a harsh reality check. Carriers cut operations substantially and even now, as we begin the bumpy road to recovery, only some have the financial and geopolitical heft to keep operating international flights in the face of such limited demand.

Qatar Airways is one of them.

Not only is Qatar Airways servicing more than 40 destinations from its Doha hub, but Qatar Executive, a luxurious subsidiary of Qatar Airways, has now launched a program that could see even more eyes wander from first class.

 

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A post shared by Qatar Executive (@qatarexecutive) on Apr 21, 2020 at 3:39am PDT

Qatar Executive is a fleet of first class jets, created in 2009, which caters to global business travellers. Yesterday Qatar introduced a new feature to this Executive program, which it calls The Diamond Agreement.

An “Unparalleled Private Jet Travel Programme,” Qatar Executive’s new Diamond Agreement claims to offer maximum flexibility at industry leading pricing. How? Customers are now able to pre-purchase flight time at fixed-hourly rates on state-of-the-art long-range and ultra-long-range private jets.

“The Diamond Agreement is precisely tailored to the individual customer’s needs and requirements, offering a truly unique flying experience.”

To join this program, customers purchase a minimum of 50 hours flight time, without any associated membership fees. The all-inclusive and fixed-hourly rates cover both flight hours and taxi time.

Designed to simplify private jet travel, pre-purchased Diamond Agreement hours have no minimum annual usage and no maximum carry-over, making the Diamond Agreement program unrivalled in terms of its flexibility. Qatar Executive’s customers are also offered guaranteed availability for reservations booked from just 72 hours in advance.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “As part of Qatar Airways Group, Qatar Executive offers an exceptional travel experience for private jet customers. With the Diamond Agreement, we can now offer even more flexible and bespoke travel options for Qatar Executive passengers, who can continue to expect our high levels of service and safety onboard our state-of-the-art aircraft.”

 

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Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has formally announced Qatar Airways as the launch customer for Gulfstream’s recently introduced flagship, the Gulfstream G700 for its charter service, Qatar Executive. The new aircraft brings an unprecedented combination of performance, technology and cabin size to Qatar Executive’s fleet. #QatarExecutive #Gulfstream #G700

A post shared by Qatar Executive (@qatarexecutive) on Oct 22, 2019 at 10:21am PDT

Qatar Executive’s Acting Executive Vice President, Mark Hardman, said: “We are truly delighted to launch our bespoke Diamond Agreement, which is tailored to suit the exact travel profile of both corporate and private clients. The programme offers the ultimate in flexibility at a fixed price. Furthermore, we understand that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, clients are looking for versatile, high-quality services from a reputable and financially secure operator.”

“During these unprecedented times, travel requirements often change and as such, our customers can rely on us for a bespoke service, with unused hours being refundable at any time.”

Qatar Executive currently operates a fleet of 18 state-of-the-art private jets and includes Gulfstream G650ERs, Gulfstream G500s, and Global 5000 aircraft. It is the proud launch customer for Gulfstream’s flagship jet, the Gulfstream G700. The new aircraft brings an unprecedented combination of performance, technology and cabin size to Qatar Executive’s fleet.

Qatar Executive says it “has maintained a robust and agile network” over the last few months “despite the challenging operational environment.”

Professor Rico Merkert from the USYD Professor of Transport and Supply Chain Management told DMARGE Qatar Airways is still operating in These Challenging Times for two main reasons: to grab market share and to make the most of infrastructure.

“Only airlines such as Qatar have the means do that (grabbing market share but at significant financial losses) in this current environment with the border situation less than certain.”

“Yes, it’s great for brand building… It is harder to gain customers than to lose them in this business (once loyalty schemes and a decent product come into play).”

 

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A post shared by Qatar Executive (@qatarexecutive) on Jun 22, 2020 at 7:56am PDT

Read Next

• The Bizarre New Reality Of Flying Business Class To Europe
• Private Jet Party Learns Hard Way What Counts As ‘Essential’ Travel
• Why Flying First Class Is Actually More Stressful Than Flying Business Class

The post First Class Future: Qatar Airways Launches Outrageous New Program That Could Kill First Class appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The conversation around fitness and physical health has dramatically evolved in recent years, becoming more holistic and less narrowly focused on just ‘gains’ or losing weight.

That said, many Australians still struggle with their body image and self-satisfaction; we’re still inundated with media that largely champions skinny (white) women and muscular men; dozens of diets, exercises and technologies spruiked as the silver bullet for fitness; and the ever-increasing franticness of our daily lives makes it harder than ever to fit exercise and dieting into our routine.

It’s not all doom and gloom, however. If you cut through all the hype and hearsay, there are easily achievable ways to improve your fitness and transform your body.

One American couple’s amazing transformation proves just that: through a combination of straightforward exercise routines, simple dieting and supporting each other’s fitness goals, these young parents have turned their health around dramatically – and they’re sharing how they did it with the world.

Danielle Rivoli, a young mum and fitness blogger from Downstate New York, has garnered over 55,000 Instagram followers by documenting her and her husband’s fitness journey, as well as her trials and tribulations as a mother of two. She recently posted a photo comparing her and her husband’s physiques from before they started training to how they look now, and the results are shocking.

 

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A post shared by Danielle – PWR | Sweat (@raisingmeadowsage) on Jun 24, 2020 at 2:24pm PDT

“We aren’t trainers [and] we haven’t always been into fitness,” Rivoli explains.

“We actually didn’t even go through our lifestyle changes together, Louis started on his CrossFit path a year after I started with Sweat [a popular fitness app].”

“We both had to be motivated on our own to start and be consistent. We had to break habits we made together and had developed from childhood, create new definitions and boundaries, break the chains of what weight loss and scales meant to us, really set small goals, and discover what works best for each of us.”

“For me it was Sweat… the gym, treadmill HIIT and macro counting. For him it was CrossFit… community support, and a primarily paleo/high protein diet.”

RELATED: This CrossFit Champion’s Workout Routine Will Obliterate You… But Is Strangely Addictive

“We are normal people. And I say this only to stress that a huge lesson I learned is that you can be any version of fit that works for you. Not my version. Not a trainers version. Not societies version. But be you, with fitness as a part of your life,” Rivoli relates.

The biggest takeaway from Danielle and Louis’ transformation?

“We are normal people, with jobs, and kids and excuses. We aren’t naturally ‘fit’, but now fitness is apart of our nature. We decided to make time for ourselves and our health a priority, and the rest gradually happened [with] years of growth and learning between these photos, ups and downs.”

It might be easy to scoff at Rivoli’s platitudes but her and her husband’s results speak for themselves. A source of inspiration for others looking to start their own fitness journey of self-improvement should be that none of the techniques the couple used are particularly inaccessible. HIIT, CrossFit, a high-protein diet… Sure, these require some adjustment to your weekly routine, but they aren’t as insurmountable as other fitness fads out there.

The fact that both mum and dad follow different routines and have achieved similar results should also be a cause for optimism, as it proves that you don’t need to follow some ultra-specific workout or diet. Nothing comes without effort, but even simple steps can make a big difference.

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The post American Couple's Incredible Fitness Transformation Proves The Power Of Simple Changes appeared first on DMARGE Australia.