I have just recorded and posted the latest episode of PMICast - the only UK medical insurance podcast to iTunes and it should be on your pod catcher of choice shortly.
There is exciting news on a new capability for my clients and also comment on various business news stories. Please download and enjoy.
If you'd like to comment or become a client (as I mention in the 'cast) please e-mail me on :
pmicast@gmail.com or philknight@pch.uk.com
Stream the 'cast on-line at : www.pmicast.podbean.com
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As an aside if you're a regular reader of the blog you'll know that I have been posting about my pending change from IOS to Android. I finally decided to move to a Galaxy Note 3 on Three (unlimited data etc) - the device is due to arrive today and I've allowed a month remaining on my old contract with the iPhone 5 so that I can transition across smoothly to the new system/device. My mobile number will not change (PAC codes working OK) and of course I will cover off the change in the final of three posts here in the next few weeks.
Thursday, 8 May 2014
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
Disappointed
No one likes to be let down and I've had three issues with a business contact in the past few days through neither mine nor the clients fault and the most recent of those issues today demonstrated two of the issues that annoy me most. Firstly lack of transparency and secondly costing me money.
The result has to be that I can no longer use the contact for future business support. I'm loath to be reactionary but the first problem can be forgiven, the second excused but any more and I'm fooling myself to the point that I could disadvantage the client.
Left me feeling very sad and disappointed this evening with, in addition to being significantly out of pocket myself I will also have to redo a sizeable piece of work again, fortunately my client seems to be taking the problem reasonable well - hopefully the situation is recoverable.
The result has to be that I can no longer use the contact for future business support. I'm loath to be reactionary but the first problem can be forgiven, the second excused but any more and I'm fooling myself to the point that I could disadvantage the client.
Left me feeling very sad and disappointed this evening with, in addition to being significantly out of pocket myself I will also have to redo a sizeable piece of work again, fortunately my client seems to be taking the problem reasonable well - hopefully the situation is recoverable.
Thursday, 1 May 2014
IOS to Android move - Part 2
In the third and final part of this epic series of posts I will outline how it all went and if I have any regrets (although I am planning to keep my iPhone 5 as a back up - coward !) but for now I'm discussing logistics in todays post.
I'm currently on an Orange contract expiring 27th of June but eligible for a 'free' upgrade on the 13th of May. At the moment I pay £ 42 per month for an iPhone specific contract (although I bought the 5 myself to replace a 4S I had received on a previous contract). For this I have effectively unlimited calls and texts and 2 GB of data which I've come close but never exceeded.
In an ideal world I would like to pay less per month and have at least double the data, preferably unlimited. As mentioned in the first of these three posts I'm mainly considering the HTC One M8 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 on the basis that I want a current, powerful smart phone with a larger screen.
Looking at the costs of SIM free phones plus a SIM only contract (say with 3) the total phone cost, even with cash back from QuidCo et al, plus monthly SIM cost is going too be similar to a free phone upgrade at £30 to £40 per month. Given that I would go for a 24 month contract either way I will probably go for a free phone and contract deal. Broadly as the older phone the Note 3 looks like costing £30 ish (or less) per month and the M8 around £38.
I'll be honest, being lazy if, Orange/EE can give me 4GB of data and monthly price within a pound of the above I will probably stay with them on the basis that I don't then have to mess around with PAC codes as I do need to keep my number and of course I will be able to upgrade on the 13th rather than wait until The end of June. I'd also like to be able to continue to use my iPhone 5 which could mean unlocking it (depending on the network I choose) and also considering the SIM size - using a nano SIM phone like the M8 would mean the SIM is interchangeable (if they're on the same network) between the iPhone and the M8.
Given that size of screen is a bit issue I've done some size comparisons and captured this as below, using my iPhone as a reference point. I included the Nexus 5 as a comparator although for some reason I just don't like the look of it.
Given that size of screen is a bit issue I've done some size comparisons and captured this as below, using my iPhone as a reference point. I included the Nexus 5 as a comparator although for some reason I just don't like the look of it.
 |
| Phone Size Comparison |
So that's where I am, assuming I go for the free upgrade the decision will be made on or around the 13th (although my bill is due on the 3rd of May so effectively that I could write off the 3rd of June payment and move to a new contract whenever I suppose from now onwards). On paper I like the idea of the HTC - similar hardware and (better?) build quality to the iPhone. Plus their Boom (TM) speaker system seems excellent and given I listen to podcasts regularly round the house on speaker this could be a boon. Although I do fancy the form factor and size of the Note 3 and being honest, the lower cost of the monthly deals with the Note might pip HTC at the post.
I also have very little experience with Touch Whizz or Sense - the two skins over Android. I've used Touch Whizz a little and vanilla Android to support my sons Nexus 7 but really need to get a feel for both devices so my next job is a visit to CPW or similar to get hands on with both devices before making a final decision.
As a final comment on this post, the wildcard may be what Apple do with the iPhone 6. Clearly sa larger screen is almost certain and truth be told if the new Apple device looked brilliant I could sell the iPhone 5 and the new Android device to move back to IOS I suppose at some point in 2015 but Apple would have to change the form factor and wow me with IOS 8 as frankly it has become a little stale.
Wednesday, 30 April 2014
Original Sin - issue 0 review
The latest multiverse spanning epic is about to hit Marvels Earth 616 (geek alert) with the Original Sin story line featuring Uatu the Watcher and his (spoilers ??!?) pending demise.
I'm not a fan of massive multi issue spanning epics usually (DC's Blackest Night being a notable exception) but something about this one with its unique premise has captured my attention, probably a fondness for the Watcher presented 'What If' stories of the 70's and 80' and of course The Watchers classic intervention in Lee and Kirbys classic first Galactus story in Fantastic Four (back when it was the Worlds Greatest Comic Magazine) - Ultimate Nullifier anyone ?
So I downloaded the preview issue last week featuring the Watcher and the new Nova (a character I've liked but never really seen in any great depth). The story isn't really, on first glance, anything to do with the pending galactic detective/CIS story but rather a small (if multiverse powered super beings can ever be considered small) character driven piece focusing on the sense of loss both primary characters feel from their mutual disappointment for and on behalf of their fathers. One is a young boy learning what it is to be a hero never knowing what his father, a previous member of the Nova corps stood for or really achieved or indeed even if he is still alive. Whilst the other saw his father apparently fail in a diasterous breach ofthe Watchers original contravention of the prime directive (facile Star Trek reference - sorry). There is even a guest appearance by the aforementioned most powerful weapon in the cosmos for the uber geeks amongst us.
A small story but one with depth that drives both characters forward, fleshes out back stories for both and one with a payoff that might, just might give you a fist clench moment or even dare I say it a brief tear to the eye.
On the strength of this I will at least buy the main 8 issue series and would recommend that most fans of solid character driven comics stories might want to give this storyline a try.
Specific or general posts on Localventure
Although Localventure is nominally represented by me as my 'business blog' I seldom write about the specifics of my day to day role advising clients on medical insurance and of course working with professional advisers (IFA's, Accountants etc) to assist their clients in turn.
This is for a variety of reasons, partly time as it is sometimes difficult to capture specifics in a concise form as my area of expertise can be quite technical there's also the consideration that private medical insurance is a regulated business and of course I don't want to have my personal blog checked for compliance every time I make a post and keeping it general is one way of avoiding this.
Looking at the stats for hits on the blog though the more technical posts tend to get the most hits.
If you would like to find out about medical insurance can I suggest that you listen to my podcast called PMICast. This is available on iTunes, Stitcher, any pod catcher you use on your smart phone or tablet and of course on-line at www.pmicast.podbean.com. I've been broadcasting weekly (pretty much) since mid 2013 and there are two 20 episode seasons to catch up on and we're now up to episode 5 (click to play) of season 3.
Every episode has information about medical insurance specifics and news for my introducer contacts.
If you would like advice for your own cover or your company or if you're an adviser (as above) please feel free to contact me on the blog e-mail : pmicast@gmail.com or philknight@pch.uk.com or call me on 07792 075748.
I look after medical insurance cover for hundreds of clients and am always happy to welcome and help new ones.
________
This is for a variety of reasons, partly time as it is sometimes difficult to capture specifics in a concise form as my area of expertise can be quite technical there's also the consideration that private medical insurance is a regulated business and of course I don't want to have my personal blog checked for compliance every time I make a post and keeping it general is one way of avoiding this.
Looking at the stats for hits on the blog though the more technical posts tend to get the most hits.
If you would like to find out about medical insurance can I suggest that you listen to my podcast called PMICast. This is available on iTunes, Stitcher, any pod catcher you use on your smart phone or tablet and of course on-line at www.pmicast.podbean.com. I've been broadcasting weekly (pretty much) since mid 2013 and there are two 20 episode seasons to catch up on and we're now up to episode 5 (click to play) of season 3.
Every episode has information about medical insurance specifics and news for my introducer contacts.
If you would like advice for your own cover or your company or if you're an adviser (as above) please feel free to contact me on the blog e-mail : pmicast@gmail.com or philknight@pch.uk.com or call me on 07792 075748.
I look after medical insurance cover for hundreds of clients and am always happy to welcome and help new ones.
________
Tuesday, 29 April 2014
IOS to Android move
My mobile contract is due to run out in mid May and having had iPhone 4, 4S and then iPhone 5 over the last two, 24 month contracts I am seriously considering moving from IOS across to Android in the next couple of weeks.
Writing a post on this in one go is going to be possible to I'll write, train of thought and see how we go.
What are the issues that are driving me to consider a change ?
1) Bored with both IOS and the iPhone form factor.
I've had an iPhone since the launch of the 4 in 2010 (?) - as above I've had three and although had no problems I fancy a change. The interesting thing is that I originally had an 'armoured' case on my iPhone 5 to protect it and when I took it off over Christmas it was literally like having a new phone and I think that prevented me upgrading to a 5S. Similarly when IOS 7 landed it was new and different and gave the iPhone longevity for me.
I think that android and it's foibles will catch my imagination and give me a bit of a challenge to get to grips with it. IOS does everything I need so moving to a new phone and OS and having to get my entire workflow transferred is going to give me an intellectual challenge if nothing else. That said, I've used my sons Nexus 7 on a semi regular basis for 12 months so it's not as if I come in to the OS from the cold.
2) Screen size
The eternal controversy and actually a bit of a query for me (see below on phone choice). When I moved from a 4S to the 5 I found the screen real estate increase a massive boon. Over time though I've found the size of the 5 for browsing, reading comics and even sat nag just a bit small. I never watch movies or Netflix on the phone but will regularly throw on an episode of 24 onto my iPad 4.
I'm also getting a bit frustrated flicking between devices in the evening from this MacBook to finish work, to the iPhone to check e-mail but the iPad for evening e-mailing. I wonder, idly, if having a 4.7 or 5.5 inch phone might minimise this device switching and save seem time and effort.
The other thing for me to consider though is overall device size. I take my iPhone with me everywhere. It 'lives' in my left hand back jeans pocket or occasionally in the inside right pocket of a jacket. This means that any phone/phablet that didn't fit in that jeans pocketing particular kind of won't work for my use case.
3) Which phone
As an early adopter you cry, wait for the iPhone 6 later in the year. That's fine but I think I want a change. As an early adopter that means I need a top of the line Android handset. That leaves me with (in my mind) the following options :
HTC One M8
Galaxy Note 3
Galaxy S 5
I have removed the S 5 from the list because I just don't like the look of the device over much and I'm now weighing up the pro's and cons of the M8 and the Note 3.
In the next section of this IOS to Android epic (probably sometime next week) I'll go into the choice between the phones and which network/package I'm going to go for and then in Part 3 in late May/early June I'll discuss the ramifications of the change and how I'm getting on - more to follow.
Writing a post on this in one go is going to be possible to I'll write, train of thought and see how we go.
What are the issues that are driving me to consider a change ?
1) Bored with both IOS and the iPhone form factor.
I've had an iPhone since the launch of the 4 in 2010 (?) - as above I've had three and although had no problems I fancy a change. The interesting thing is that I originally had an 'armoured' case on my iPhone 5 to protect it and when I took it off over Christmas it was literally like having a new phone and I think that prevented me upgrading to a 5S. Similarly when IOS 7 landed it was new and different and gave the iPhone longevity for me.
I think that android and it's foibles will catch my imagination and give me a bit of a challenge to get to grips with it. IOS does everything I need so moving to a new phone and OS and having to get my entire workflow transferred is going to give me an intellectual challenge if nothing else. That said, I've used my sons Nexus 7 on a semi regular basis for 12 months so it's not as if I come in to the OS from the cold.
2) Screen size
The eternal controversy and actually a bit of a query for me (see below on phone choice). When I moved from a 4S to the 5 I found the screen real estate increase a massive boon. Over time though I've found the size of the 5 for browsing, reading comics and even sat nag just a bit small. I never watch movies or Netflix on the phone but will regularly throw on an episode of 24 onto my iPad 4.
I'm also getting a bit frustrated flicking between devices in the evening from this MacBook to finish work, to the iPhone to check e-mail but the iPad for evening e-mailing. I wonder, idly, if having a 4.7 or 5.5 inch phone might minimise this device switching and save seem time and effort.
The other thing for me to consider though is overall device size. I take my iPhone with me everywhere. It 'lives' in my left hand back jeans pocket or occasionally in the inside right pocket of a jacket. This means that any phone/phablet that didn't fit in that jeans pocketing particular kind of won't work for my use case.
3) Which phone
As an early adopter you cry, wait for the iPhone 6 later in the year. That's fine but I think I want a change. As an early adopter that means I need a top of the line Android handset. That leaves me with (in my mind) the following options :
HTC One M8
Galaxy Note 3
Galaxy S 5
I have removed the S 5 from the list because I just don't like the look of the device over much and I'm now weighing up the pro's and cons of the M8 and the Note 3.
In the next section of this IOS to Android epic (probably sometime next week) I'll go into the choice between the phones and which network/package I'm going to go for and then in Part 3 in late May/early June I'll discuss the ramifications of the change and how I'm getting on - more to follow.
New podcasts
Not just a new episode of PMICast today - ep 5 from Season 3 - check it out on iTunes and also www.pmicast.podbean.com but also a brand new podcast : Afternoon Train - my personal podcast covering a range of topics and areas including SF, fantasy, news, business, science, skepticism, podcasting and many others.
It's designed as an occasional train of thought or rant recorded when I get time between projects at work. For the time being it will sit in the main PMICast stream along with PMICast and Where's Wilson so please try it out and see what you think.
Thanks !
It's designed as an occasional train of thought or rant recorded when I get time between projects at work. For the time being it will sit in the main PMICast stream along with PMICast and Where's Wilson so please try it out and see what you think.
Thanks !
Monday, 28 April 2014
Not quite as young as once I was
Trained tonight and during the warm up before I actually did anything my calf seems to have developed a bijou tear and frankly its bloody agony and annoying.
Goes to show I suppose that as a 43 year old I'm not quite as spry and nimble as I perhaps think. The annoying part was that I didn't do anything extreme, violent or sudden I just put my foot on the ground and the muscle just went from under me. Stupidly though I carried on (hopping) for another 50 minutes and have probably done more damage to the injury.
So I'll need to rest up some prior to training on Wednesday !
Goes to show I suppose that as a 43 year old I'm not quite as spry and nimble as I perhaps think. The annoying part was that I didn't do anything extreme, violent or sudden I just put my foot on the ground and the muscle just went from under me. Stupidly though I carried on (hopping) for another 50 minutes and have probably done more damage to the injury.
So I'll need to rest up some prior to training on Wednesday !
Sunday, 27 April 2014
Comixology changes .... Aaaarrrrgggghhhh !!!!
OK so Comixology had been bought by Amazon and we all know what a mess they made of the sale of e-books. There have been a range of humours and scare stories about this purchase culminating in the new ios app going live today.
The on-line moaning today is about the new ios app and the removal of the store front from within the app just as Amazon did with the kindle store so we now have to buy our comics from the safari comixology store and not the ios app. This is a bit of a pain to be sure but not really, especially with the gift certificate that comixology has given to everyone who has ever purchased a comic from them.
The bottom line is people don't like change. Maybe thought not having to pay the 30% to the App Store means that pricing on comics may become more flexible ?
Regardless I'm taking my $ 5.00 bribe and buying a trade ... Hahahahahahahah !
Saturday, 26 April 2014
The extremes of Linkedin
I know not everyone agrees with me but I feel that Linkedin as a business social network is a vital too in acquiring new contacts and clients and then keeping those you have. It is a way of creating a professional on-line presence, establishing credibility and a useful marketing tool. So as a result I will often reach out to fellow professionals in my various groups and ask if I can help them with my business services or to ask for their assistance in their area of expertise.
So this week I contacted several financial advisers in the UK and asked if they might be interested in working with me in the medical insurance market.
The reactions of two of them are I think interesting. One came back to me and insisted I didn't ever contact him again, where did I get his contact details and how dare I send him a message and so on. This person clearly doesn't either understand the mechanics nor the principle of Linkedin. As I often find when people react like this his profile (obviously penned by him) marked him as a forward looking business leader helping his clients with marketing and business mentoring especially in on-line sectors. I hope non of his clients ever wants to use Linkedin as part of their sales and marketing process - EPIC FAIL. He asked me to remove him from my 'mailing list'. I suggested politely that if he doesn't want to interact with people in his Linkedin groups that perhaps he might like to withdraw from the group and leave it to those of us interested in networking with each other. I will of course not be using him for any business mentoring or marketing activity in the future. More than that I will actively other people interested in looking at that kind of business service to actively avoid him.
Another contact came back to me this morning with a lovely, polite message saying that they do not contract out their medical insurance services for a variety of reasons. He outlined those reasons and wished me well for the future. I replied to him by return, thanking him for his time and letting him know that although we wouldn't be working together, if he ever had any queries or questions on medical insurance I would be happy to help him - for free.
Nice guy, understand and respect his position and happy to abide by it.
You see, to me networking on Linkedin is as much about what you put in as what you get out - thats the fundamental point missed by the first contact I mention in this post.
I am always happy to help people out even when there is nothing in it 'financially' for me. I have always found that what goes around comes around and people you help now are for more likely to come back to you for assistance (that might result in income) later - plus it only takes a few minutes out of my day to be polite and answer a quick question when they arise.
Enjoy the weekend, be kind but don't suffer fools too gladly.
Sermon over.
Phil
So this week I contacted several financial advisers in the UK and asked if they might be interested in working with me in the medical insurance market.
The reactions of two of them are I think interesting. One came back to me and insisted I didn't ever contact him again, where did I get his contact details and how dare I send him a message and so on. This person clearly doesn't either understand the mechanics nor the principle of Linkedin. As I often find when people react like this his profile (obviously penned by him) marked him as a forward looking business leader helping his clients with marketing and business mentoring especially in on-line sectors. I hope non of his clients ever wants to use Linkedin as part of their sales and marketing process - EPIC FAIL. He asked me to remove him from my 'mailing list'. I suggested politely that if he doesn't want to interact with people in his Linkedin groups that perhaps he might like to withdraw from the group and leave it to those of us interested in networking with each other. I will of course not be using him for any business mentoring or marketing activity in the future. More than that I will actively other people interested in looking at that kind of business service to actively avoid him.
Another contact came back to me this morning with a lovely, polite message saying that they do not contract out their medical insurance services for a variety of reasons. He outlined those reasons and wished me well for the future. I replied to him by return, thanking him for his time and letting him know that although we wouldn't be working together, if he ever had any queries or questions on medical insurance I would be happy to help him - for free.
Nice guy, understand and respect his position and happy to abide by it.
You see, to me networking on Linkedin is as much about what you put in as what you get out - thats the fundamental point missed by the first contact I mention in this post.
I am always happy to help people out even when there is nothing in it 'financially' for me. I have always found that what goes around comes around and people you help now are for more likely to come back to you for assistance (that might result in income) later - plus it only takes a few minutes out of my day to be polite and answer a quick question when they arise.
Enjoy the weekend, be kind but don't suffer fools too gladly.
Sermon over.
Phil
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