20 Questions With a Monaco Jet Set Concierge

The following is an exclusive interview with Michael Costache a Jet Set concierge living and working in Monaco.

1. Where did you grow up and who influenced you most in your formative years?

I grew up in a lot of cities around Europe because of my father's job. My father had a really big influence on me. He taught me how international business has to be managed and all the difficulties that comes with globalization and all the benefits that you can take from it. He also taught me that business is seen and developed differently considering where you live. I learned how important it is to keep that in mind when dealing with world wide clients because the trends that inspire them, their needs and their expectations radically differ from place to place.

2. When Americans think of Monaco we see a fairy tale land of royal families, castles, Grace Kelly and James Bond, how does our view differ from a locals' perspective of Monaco?

Monaco is a magical world for a lot of people around the globe. It symbolizes a luxurious lifestyle, the jet set, the royal family, the Formula One Grand Prix and of course a great history with Grace Kelly and Prince Albert. The principality attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists throughout the year. Actually, living here all year long these elements become quite normal and just a part of everyday life. The Monegasque experience is totally different if you are a tourist or a local. People living in Monaco have their favorite spots when dining or chilling time comes. We all know each other and visit each other without even paying attention to the glamorous environment that the tourist or foreigners see on TV. As I said, it is totally normal to see a Ferrari or a Bentley at every street corner, meeting Lewis Hamilton or Michael Schumacher or even contemplating the most sumptuous yachts on the port all year long.

[Note from Rob: Monegasque is a romance language and a dialect of the modern Ligurian language, which is spoken in Monaco.]

3. How is living in Monaco different from living elsewhere?

Well, Monaco is located on the edge of Europe and across the Mediterranean and is synonymous with luxury, perfect weather and a certain lifestyle that you couldn't find anywhere else. It's just a very special place that attracts a lot of new potential citizens every year, because unlike other tax havens Monaco is associated with a very specific image. Once you've lived in Monaco it will never be the same as living in Switzerland or Andorra for example.

[Note from Rob: Monaco attracts high net income people such as movie stars, athletes etc. to become residents of the Principality in order to benefit from personal income tax exemption. Also, you may never have heard of Andorra but it should be on your list of countries to visit. It's located in the North East portion of the Pyrenean mountain range which separates France and Spain. The key attraction is it's tax haven status.]

4. I understand that there are a lot of economic advantages (you mentioned a tax haven) to being a citizen in Monaco, could you explain further?

Sure, Monaco is famous around the world for its image of a tax haven. In effect, the residents of the principality can enjoy no income tax, no tax on large fortunes, no local tax, no housing tax and no tax on property gains.

Moreover, in addition to the strong fiscal advantages, Monaco offers an exceptional living environment thanks to its security (1 policeman for every 100 citizens- the highest rate worldwide) and personal safety features combined with a very well-managed health and educational systems, an outstanding infrastructure for travel and transport and many cultural and sporting events such as the Formula One Grand Prix, the Tennis Master Series and the World Music Awards.

5. How would you describe the Jet Set side of Monaco?

From the beginning, Monaco has known how to mix all the ingredients for an exceptional Jet Set lifestyle; perfect year round weather, safety, famous casinos, 5 stars palaces, world-known nightclubs and last but not least the name Monaco has become a brand in it self that exemplifies Jet Set.

Unlike other well known Jet Set places like Saint Tropez or Sardinia, celebrities can be seen all year long in the principality and that is due once again to the fiscal policy present here. Very wealthy people obviously prefer to live and save their money in a no tax country so it is very common to see the top celebrities and the millionaires from all around the world in the same shopping mall or at the supermarket as you. It is just part of everyday life.

6. Would you describe some Jet Set parties and events you have attended in Monaco?

Monaco [as well as the French Riviera] are hosts to numerous jet set parties and events year round. For example, I was invited to the 50 cent pre-party prior to the World Music Awards at Zebra Square (which is a very famous and prestigious lounge bar in Monaco). There were lots of other celebrities in attendance (like Akon and Ciara ) which really made that night very, very special. The after party was fantastic too because most of the performers from the show were invited to "Jimmy's" (one of the most famous nightclubs in the principality) and I got an opportunity to party with G-Unit, Mika, David Guetta and Avril Lavigne.

I was also invited last summer to the Armand De Brignac Jay-Z official party organized by the famous Champagne brand and to the P. Diddy party in Cannes at VIP ROOM during the film festival. I can assure you that these parties are like nothing you've ever seen before. The atmosphere, the organization and the people present make them truly unique.

[Rob: Armand de Brignac is the name of an ultra luxury high end Champagne brand that's sold in opaque metallic bottles and is identifiable by a distinctive gold bottle with a pewter Ace of Spades label. You can see it in the climactic scene of Jay Z's video for "Show Me What You Got".]

7. There seems to be a certain circle of hot spots that Jet Setters are traveling to around the world- what do you consider to be the 5 hottest destinations now and why?

In my opinion, a hot spot for jet setters has to combine awesome parties where you can see and be seen, a big number of celebrities present, but also a bit of privacy, along with a luxurious environment and outstanding service.

So this would be my ranking :

1) Saint-Tropez (the choice was very difficult but Saint-Tropez is definitely still number 1: no summer without hearing about Diddy's or Jay-Z's famous parties)

2) Barbados

3) Santorini

4) Dubai

5) Marbella

8. What would you consider to be the next most up and coming jet set destinations that's all the buzz in your world?

From having heard a lot about it in the past year and having received very positive feedback from my friends who already went there, I would say that Hvar in Croatia is definitely becoming the New Saint Tropez. Celebrities really like this island because it actually manages to keep an authentic landscape with well managed infrastructure and building construction that preserves the fabulous nature present there. In addition, Hvar allows the Jet setter to organize really big and awesome parties in a very private way (in contrast to the French Riveria as an example). My feeling is that celebrities just feel much better in Croatia because of the high privacy the island can procure for them.

9. What is your company Quintessentialife?

Quintessentialife is an ultimate luxury goods finder. We are here to save your precious time by fulfilling your most extravagant luxury goods needs. We know that you are busy men and women, so why not let us take charge of your luxurious lifestyle wishes? The company has built a large web of partners and suppliers all over the world in order to assure that you are receiving your dream goods in the shortest of time possible. We believe you deserve uniqueness, so if your wish is a unique mobile phone, a diamond encrusted car, an exclusive platinum watch or whatever other uncommon luxury good, send us an inquiry on www.quintessentialife.com [http://www.quintessentialife.com] and we'll find the one unique piece that best corresponds to you because for us, real luxury is exclusivity.

10. How did you get started as a Jet Set Concierge?

I would call myself more of a luxury goods finder. Being in Monaco and traveling around the world in hot spots like Dubai, meeting wealthy people, talking with them about their needs and wishes and analyzing the worldwide trend showing that the number of millionaires and billionaires keeps increasing year after year. I've decided to launch this company because I really saw a market for the services provided. Moreover, in analyzing the competitors already on the market I figured out that most of them were basic concierge services. Quintessentialife is more than that. We are specialized in finding uniqueness, exclusivity, because you surely don't want to see your neighbor having the same watch or car you just bought for hundreds of thousands dollars.

11. Would you describe how a transaction works with your company?

People who are interested in having unique and exclusive luxury goods send me their inquiries through our website. As an example, they may want a watch encrusted with a special sort of diamond or maybe luxurious designer furniture for their villa or something along those lines. I then consult with my contacts around the world and begin searching for the items that best correspond to my clients needs. The next step is for me to send my propositions to the client (after fully analyzing them) and he just has to tell me if one corresponds to his needs to conclude the deal.

12. Describe your ideal client?

The most important thing for me is to find the goods that will make my client completely happy and satisfied. So, my "ideal client" would be someone who has a clear idea of what he wants. Of course, we can advise him on the current luxury trends around the world but in my experience to have a fully satisfied client you must have a precise and clear inquiry.

13. What is the most difficult request you've had from a client (and were you able to fulfill it)?

The most difficult request was definitely a Bentley Continental GTS with a gold roof. The technology was just launched and the suppliers were very difficult to find. Today, in the streets of Moscow or Dubai, you can see a few cars with gold roofs or doors but a couple of months ago these cars were non-existent. We did succeed in finding a supplier in Germany who made it for us and the client was really happy because he was one of the 3 people worldwide to possess this kind of good.

14. Do you have clients worldwide (or just in Monaco)?

Most of my clients are from the BRIC group of emergent countries: Brazil, Russia, India and China and also from the Middle East and Dubai. These countries are the ones that have shown the biggest increase in their number of millionaires in the last decade.

15. What aspects of your business are outsourced and which parts do you handle personally?

Of course, as you understood, since I cannot be in America, Asia, Middle East and Europe at the same time to search by myself- most of the research is handled by my partners all over the world in order to find the piece that best corresponds to the client's needs. Also,The IT portion of my business will be very soon outsourced to India."

16. Would you say that being based out of "Jet Set Monaco" has assisted your company's growth? If so how?

Definitely. In this business, the network you build is the most important factor in getting new clients, meeting trusted suppliers and finding new partners- as well as discussing new and emerging luxury trends. So, being based out of Monaco (and the French Riviera in general) gave me the opportunity to meet all these affluent people from all over the world and build important networks. Moreover, when dealing with luxury goods- having a "Monegasque etiquette" definitely gives you a lot of credibility.

17. I understand that you are currently living abroad in Bangkok. What types of technology are you using to leverage your business (for ex. Skype, E-lance, etc)?

I am indeed currently living in Bangkok until January. South East Asia is booming and as you can imagine, the demand for luxury goods keeps increasing. Basically Skype is my best friend to leverage my business from all over the world. I have to spend hours phoning clients and suppliers in order to be sure that the goods will completely match the client's wishes. Of course, being able to send and receive emails is crucial for me, that's why I have been using the blackberry services for a couple of years because that gives me the opportunity to be online 24/7.

The accounting side is outsourced in Mumbai, India. I'm planning to also outsource to India the management of my website and email server because as we all know, Indian workers are reputed for their high skills, rapidity to work and perfect results in these domains. I can assure you that these guys are doing a really good job and are available for you and your business day and night.

18. Are you a member of ASMALLWORLD and if so how has it helped you with your company?

I do have an account on ASMALLWORLD. This network has brought and I'm sure will continue to bring, a lot of good things for me and Quintessentialife. Besides the fact that I can obviously talk about the company and find new clients through the network- ASMALLWORLD gives me the chance to find trusted partners and suppliers. I can follow the trends of the luxury industry and check out what business concepts are emerging throughout the world and of course make new friends that will become potential clients.

19. How has ASMALLWORLD helped you with your company?

Just to give you an example, I wanted to find the best way to advertise Quintessentialife in Kazakhstan (which has seen its number of millionaires increasing a lot in the last few years thanks to the petrodollars) having no connections in that country I decided to post a thread on the ASMALLWORLD business forum. The answers I received helped me greatly to set up an advertising strategy. The best thing with this network is that the people are very serious and trusted- so real information can be sought and exchanged and real partnerships can be set up.

20. What do you see for the future of Quintessentialife?

In the business of luxury goods, the satisfaction of the clients is of the utmost importance to me. In fact, if someone is fully satisfied with our services (they will without any doubt) tell their entourage that Quintessentialife is a trustworthy company and by consequence bring the company new clients and markets. So, with the increase of the demand for luxury goods we have noted in the last few years, I'm sure that the company will grow more and more- month after month. I want it to become an unavoidable actor of the luxury goods industry.

Physician Recruitment and Retention Strategies

Many medical facilities battle the challenges that come with physician recruitment and retention. Building and maintaining a safe, profitable, and stable office, hospital or any other medical facility depends on more than just the management. Every person involved in your organization needs to be committed to excellence. Because of this, most medical facility owners seriously consider who they hire-but how many seriously consider how they hire? Believe it or not, how a company hires their physicians can play a huge role in its ability to recruit and retain physicians.

Many medical facilities struggle with retaining quality physicians who are committed to helping the facility deliver top-notch services. Some reasons for a physician's voluntary resignation might be that they are unhappy with the practice's culture, unsatisfied with the community, seeking higher compensation or wanting a different work schedule. However significant it may seem, income does not drive a physician's overall practice satisfaction and does not have to be the only determiner of your recruitment and retention success.

Before you begin the interview process, make sure that you have a clear understanding of what each candidate can bring to the job. It's also important to be clear in the job description so that each potential interviewee has a good idea of what his or her future with your company could be.

During the interview process, it's important to invite the highly considered candidates for an onsite interview. Offering to pay for your interviewees' travel and lodging expenses will help your potential physicians establish a positive opinion about your company. Keep in mind that their decisions on accepting your job offer will affect their families-so include their spouses in the process by inviting them to ask questions and visit the facility.

If the interview is successful, spend time negotiating a fair employment agreement. Describe duties and the call schedules, and be willing to explain how the schedule would compare to other physicians in the office. If you specify the minimum number of work hours, be sure to also declare the maximum.

Discuss the compensation package that your new physician will receive. Points of discussion should include base salary as well as other incentives. Often, pay-for-performance programs, bonuses, and things such as relocation expense reimbursements help give your vacant job the appealing advantage that it needs to recruit the most qualified physicians. For even more recruitment incentives you may consider agreeing to pay your physician's malpractice tail insurance upon their job expiration or termination of employment.

Each new physician employment agreement should define whether or not he or she is on the track to becoming a potential shareholder. If that is in the agreement, provide descriptions of when the physician might expect this opportunity and the possible cost of buying in.

Before your physician begins his or her new job, make sure he or she has the proper training on all of your facility's patient care systems. This could range from software training to referring patients to outside specialized physicians, prescription refill policies, or even the steps your office takes in handling medical emergencies.

Once everything is in place, welcome the physician to the staff and connect him or her with the physician chief, nursing supervisor, and administrator. Particularly for the beginning months of the physician's time on the job, make sure he or she is feeling comfortable in his or her performance. You can do this by scheduling formal monthly or quarterly performance reviews.

Sometimes the most difficult step in the recruiting and retention process is finding candidates to interview. This first step can be done in several ways. Some depend on word of mouth and outside medical contacts to recommend a job or a physician, while others use a physician recruitment firm. A physician recruitment or staffing agency can speed up your hiring process, and a reliable one will put you in touch with physicians that are most qualified to fill you vacant positions. Some firms even offer locum tenens staffing services to help fill vacancies while you recruit permanent physicians, cover short-term absences, or build a new programs or service lines. As you improve you recruitment and retention efforts you will realize that your business' success does not solely depend on who you hire, but also how you hire.

Where To Find Medical Secretary Jobs In Canada

The best place to look for Medical Secretary or Medical Office Administration jobs would be the internet. Most employers that you would be working for, be it hospitals or small offices, are computerized and now post all available jobs online.

Some websites to browse for Medical Secretary job listings and to post your resume would be:

workopolis.com
monster.ca
jobbank.ca
jobboom.com

You should Google your job search and check as many websites and job listings as you feel necessary. Be sure to also check your local online classifieds such as kijiji.ca and craigslist.ca for job postings. It is not recommended to post you resume with your personal information on these sites but you could certainly post a listing giving some basic information about the job you are looking for and your skills without using identifying information.

You can often find Medical Office Administration career listings on hospital specific websites such as uhn.ca (Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital in Toronto, ON), hhsc.ca (made up of six hospitals including McMaster University Hospital and the Children's Hospital, a renowned Cancer Centre, and an Urgent Care Centre all located in Hamilton, ON), stjosham.on.ca (St. Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton, ON), and niagarahealth.on.ca (comprised of seven acute care sites in the Niagara Region of Ontario including the Greater Niagara General Site in Niagara Falls, ON and the Hotel Dieu Hospital in St. Catharines, ON). There are all sorts of listings on sites specific to your province or state so use the web search tool of your choice to hopefully increase the number of jobs available to you.

Do not overlook the classified ads in your local newspapers as well. There are still a few offices that are seriously old school and are not computerized so they do not advertise online. They will only submit a job listing to their local newspaper. These can provide very good leads that you would not find anywhere else and sometimes they are a little less "crowded" for interviews since they are not advertised online and not all applicants take the time or opportunity to further broaden their career options.

Many jobs may be listed as part-time or as a one-year contract or temporary full-time. These are often positions that are available because that office's receptionist is off for a maternity leave. Jobs like this are great for building up your experience that will land you those jobs in the hospitals that will potentially pay you more and have better benefits.

Remember to apply for jobs at local retirement homes and long-term care facilities. With your Medical Secretary training you would also be able to apply for jobs with your local government healthcare office, alternative health offices such as chiropractic or massage or physiotherapy clinics, and insurance companies to name a few examples for you. You have quite a few options available to you if you are looking for something other than a hospital or doctor's office specifically. Although some of these options do not utilize all the skills that you acquired during your Medical Office Administration training, they can certainly be fulfilling careers or just the thing you need to gain some experience to get that next level position in your new career.

If you are ever having difficulties finding employment you could always offer your services on a volunteer basis mostly to gain experience. This also looks appealing to an employer since it shows you are dedicated, ambitious and diligent.

Elder Care Business Owners Should Not Pay Referral Fees

A ruling, on the books since 1972, called the Safe Harbor Provisions states, in part, "the federal anti-kickback law's main purpose is to protect patients and the federal health care programs from fraud and abuse by curtailing the corrupting influence of money on health care decisions"... it goes on to say, ... "anyone who knowingly and willfully receives or pays anything of value to influence the referral of federal health care program business, including Medicare and Medicaid, can be held accountable for a felony. See http://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/docs/safeharborregulations/safefs.htm

Violations of the law are punishable by up to five years in prison, criminal fines up to $25,000, administrative civil money penalties up to $50,000, and exclusion from participation in federal health care programs."

A referral service serves both the senior and the elder care service provider in this manner:

Service providers register with the referral service

A senior searching for a service is asked for their location

The referral company now emails, phones or faxes each service within the desired zip code to provide you with this referral. (You are provided the name, phone number and address of the senior)

You and your staff quickly respond - you know if you get there first, you have a higher chance of contracting with the senior

The senior now receives multiple sales calls from nice people who all say the same thing, "You should choose my company because we are the best"

You contract with the senior

The referral company now sends you a bill. The bill is normally based on the dollar amount you charge the senior.

(Example: An assisted living facility that charges $3,000 per month will typically owe the referral service a fee of $1,500. Their neighbor, the assisted living facility across the street charges $1,500 per month and will owe the same referral service a fee for $750.00 for the same client, same service)

Representatives of referral companies normally earn commissions. This can also pose a concern. If a family's income depended on earning a high commission, the temptation may be there to direct a senior to a service that

a. Charges more

b. Where the staff has a history of 'closing' the sale.

If your business is searching for a legal method to connect with the senior market, see [http://www.qualityeldercare.com] Searching for a service? See [http://www.seniorsapprove.com]

Family and Tradition: Learning From Your Elders

Your family history is important to you and your loved ones, and who knows it better than your elderly relatives? Stories that they might have told you when you were younger were actually lived by these elderly relatives. To many people, tracking their ancestry on different websites and recording their family lore is more than a passion and a hobby, it's a way of feeling connected with those who came before you.

If you have an elderly relative and you want to know more about your family and its history, it's important to start the process now. The time you have left with your loved ones is not infinite, and there is no telling when an emergency or tragedy might occur and they are no longer able to communicate their stories with you. By having an open and constant dialogue open with your elderly parents or grandparents, you can fill in the gaps in your family's history and make new memories and stories in the meantime.

Many families are blessed to have family records already established. But the majority of people interested in their ancestry have to start from scratch. By taking advantage of the resources you have already available-namely your elderly relatives-you are going to give yourself a jump start.

By spending time with an older relative, you are not only going to enhance your understanding of your family's history, but you will also make them a bit happier. People love when you take an interest in them and your elderly loved ones are no different. Just because they might not be able to do the same things that they used to does not mean that they don't want to spend time with their families. By having a healthy talking and face to face relationship with them, you are going to make their lives much more enjoyable.

If your loved one is no longer living at home, you should make it a point to visit them on a regular basis in their assisted living facility or nursing home. You can make some of your visits purely business by discussing family history, but make sure that you don't monopolize your time together with this subject. Make it a point to sometimes just spend time with them and be there loving them. This is so important because many times, elderly folk will feel ignored, especially if they have moved out of their old house. An assisted living facility might be a great place to live, but it will never be the same as the old home. By visiting, you are making the transition to senior care living much easier and enjoyable. Remember, you love your family. Spending time and learning from your elders is an important part of being a complete family.

Nursing Home Abuse - Emotional Abuse

Of the thousands of suspected cases of nursing home abuse that occur each year, many incidents are in the form of emotional abuse. Victims of emotional abuse may show no physical signs of abuse and may be unwilling to report the suffering that they have endured.

In many cases, it is up to the family of the abused elderly individual to report instances of abuse, regardless of how these forms of abuse occur. Detecting emotional abuse may be a difficult task for many people, but there are certain signs that many emotionally abused individuals show.

Usually, emotional abuse victims are:

• Emotionally distant


• Stricken with unexplained health ailments


• Reluctant to speak about their experiences in the home

Since these signs may be difficult to detect, it is important to talk with the individual and learn if he or she has been subjected to:

• Humiliation


• Intimidation


• Isolation

Individuals who have suffered these acts at the hands of their caretakers deserve to be rescued from these conditions. Families can often do this simply by reporting offenses to the nursing home administration or to a legal authority.

In retirement homes, there may be a number of reasons for emotional abuse. In most cases, this form of abuse in any setting is use to assert dominance and coerce individuals into acting a certain way. It is likely that the reasons are not much different in nursing homes.

Regardless of why it occurs, abuse in any form is simply unacceptable, especially in nursing homes. Families of suspected abuse victims are advised to speak with a lawyer about how to handle the situation in the best legal manner as well as to gain information about seeking financial compensation for their loved ones' suffering.

Certifications For Senior Care Jobs

Senior caregivers working with seniors in their homes and in nursing and assisted living communities may be required to have certifications prior to being employed.  Senior care services involve both companion care and assisting with Activities of Daily Living.

What certifications are available for senior caregivers?

• Nursing Aide Certification


• Home Health Aide Certification


• Personal Care Assistant Certification

Every state requires certification for nursing aides and some states offer the additional certifications for home health aides and personal care assistants which are usually reserved for caregivers who work in senior's homes rather than in nursing and assisted living communities.

What duties are required for certified aides?

• Assisting with Personal Care


• Bathing


• Toileting (includes catheter and colostomy care)


• Feeding (includes feeding tubes and meal preparation)


• Transfers (using a gait belt when required)


• Range-of-motion exercises


• Repositioning to prevent bed sores


• Monitoring vital signs


• Medication monitoring


• Managing care for seniors with memory loss

Certification programs are offered by community colleges, universities, hospitals and nursing homes.  Nursing certification programs cost from $600 to $2,000 and because of the ongoing need for more caregivers, many financial aide programs and scholarships are available, along with employer tuition-reimbursement programs.  Nursing aide students attend a one to two-month program which includes clinical field work.

Many more caregiving skills are learned in these training programs and you can gain further knowledge or test your current nursing aide skills by taking a nursing aide practice test which contains questions asked on the official nursing aide certification exams.  The Department of Health in each state regulates the exams which nursing aides must pass to receive their final certification.  Senior care companies are constantly hiring caregivers with and without certification to meet their ongoing staffing needs as the population ages.