tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:18:47 +0000http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)Blogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-3097692077898416788Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:16:00 +00002009-07-02T00:18:47.240-07:00SalesCRMJust a quick not to remind companies that CRM should be a replacement to spreadsheet style forecasting; NOT AN ADDED TASK to using the CRM.Sales people hate getting bogged down with small stuff - activities are great, but if it is difficult to update an opportunity you're ultimately going to have stale data and end up taking more time to fix it at the beginning of each quarter instead of http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2009/07/forecasting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-5439154240437288280Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:13:00 +00002009-06-22T02:56:57.262-07:00SalesToday I made my usual round of calls to various customers and resellers here in Australia. One thing that pops out at me more and more to me are the differences in sales approaches in ANZ compared to the United States.From day one when I worked at Minolta Business Solutions I was trained in the Sandler Sales Methodology. In short, it is a solution sales method. I won't claim it is a better http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2009/06/sales-101-rant.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-5221573350395815316Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:47:00 +00002008-10-14T01:47:51.957-07:00From the drawing board to the street...Originally uploaded by ZeeDesertRatThree separate exposures, HDR processing, Photoshop work...I like it anyway.http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/10/from-drawing-board-to-street.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-7418718442738288251Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:42:00 +00002008-10-06T04:42:48.073-07:00 Sydney Harbour at nightOriginally uploaded by ZeeDesertRatThat's it. Just the video.http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/10/sydney-harbour-at-night.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-1078034981213878816Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:19:00 +00002008-09-29T04:19:13.255-07:00To HDR or not to HDR, that be my question.Originally uploaded by ZeeDesertRatLately I've seen some great HDR creations on flickr that have now led me back to this place... to get into HDR, or not to.I never got into it because most images I remember seeing had that HDR halo which I am not fond of. I'm not sure if the software has got any better or if there are more (and better) users of various http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/09/high-dynamic-range.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-6432480133304298365Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:31:00 +00002008-09-22T06:31:01.518-07:00Destined UPGRADE?Originally uploaded by ZeeDesertRatI have been shooting with a Canon EOS 20D for the past three years. It is a great camera for me for the following reasons in no particular order:8.2 megapixel CMOS sensorThis sensor captures images with relatively low noise, good saturation, and produces files which print up to 20"x30" rather well in my opinion.Size / ControlsI chose this http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/09/destined-upgrade.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-8075773265729154148Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:39:00 +00002008-09-11T02:39:44.284-07:00HeinekenOriginally uploaded by ZeeDesertRatIf you haven't, please read prior to continuing:http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/08/aussie-beer-is-crap.htmlSo tonight I picked up a pizza and some beer. I walked into the bottle shop and perused the different varieties of beer. Mmm, brewed barley, hops, wheats, cereals, malts... Ah, it's what men drink. Except, I'm in Australia, where all beer http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/09/and-furthermore.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-1384685273919743836Sun, 07 Sep 2008 04:52:00 +00002008-09-06T21:52:46.914-07:00Mexican Food in AustraliaOriginally uploaded by ZeeDesertRatSo here it was... described to me as "really good Mexican food" by an Australian. I had to check it out since I've been craving Mexican food for some time now. So myself and my new American friend Jonathan walked in the door. The decor was along the lines of a "Chevy's", which isn't necessarily a bad thing - just that I haven't been http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/09/mexican-food-in-australia-montezuma-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-7007991467683298876Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:00:00 +00002008-08-29T04:00:28.847-07:00McLaren Vale - The Footbolt ShirazOriginally uploaded by ZeeDesertRat"Josephe Rowe Osborn, the founder of d'Arenberg, first beca..."Very good wine, again, I'd buy it again and drink it again. Probably not as full as the Climbing Shiraz I had earlier this evening, but I wouldn't pour it out either.Oh, and I did not drink the entire bottle. You need to save something for the morning right?http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/08/mclaren-vale-footbolt-shiraz.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-7824735523286206352Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:26:00 +00002008-08-29T03:27:51.691-07:00My friend Pat asked me the following question: I understand the Aussies are very American-like...is that true?Very much so with some slight differences. There are reasons Australia is called "Little America" or "America-Light". Here's my take:Similar:- US English is pretty much the same as Aussie English with an accent in the speech, British spellings, and geographic phrases.- Although Gridironhttp://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-friend-pat-asked-me-following.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-8655252693827778885Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:59:00 +00002008-08-29T02:59:39.271-07:00Climbing ShirazOriginally uploaded by ZeeDesertRat"From a climb that begins at 600 meters above sea level, our high altitude, cool climate vin..."Yeah, okay. Whatever.My review of this 2006 vintage is that it's pretty darn good. That means I'd buy it again and would be happy to drink it again. It's a full wine, good texture, and has a complex taste. Great nose.Oh, if my review didn't make http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/08/climbing-shiraz.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-1948024856883420832Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:53:00 +00002008-08-25T03:53:47.616-07:00 08242008_Sydney Opera House at 50.0 mm (85) Originally uploaded by ZeeDesertRat I tried the Pure Thai one this visit. It's actually the second time I tried it - it's pretty good. Generally speaking I love oyster shooters, so I think at the end of December myself and Megan will have to go down the list here...http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/08/oyster-shooters.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-1775615906424699820Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:51:00 +00002008-08-25T03:51:29.652-07:00 08242008_Sydney Opera House at 50.0 mm (89) Originally uploaded by ZeeDesertRat They were pretty good, but I still prefer the natural rock oysters with a little lemon and tabasco. Would I get these again? No, but I would recommend them still to someone else.http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/08/caviar-lime-and-dill.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-50269904843612421Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:12:00 +00002008-08-24T02:12:27.115-07:00 Advice Originally uploaded by ZeeDesertRat REALLY?http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/08/fortune-cookie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-492062907654977971Sat, 16 Aug 2008 04:17:00 +00002008-08-15T21:53:50.175-07:00Things should just work. I am a huge believer in the development of technology and being able to use it effectively.The telephone evolved into the wireless phone, which evolved into the mobile phone. The mobile phone has now evolved into a mobile network device. One advantage of this mobile network device, or even a mobile 3G modem, is that it can plug into a variety of devices to easily gain http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/08/warming-this-is-rant-about-siemens.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-1303297575515320475Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:57:00 +00002008-08-01T04:57:52.208-07:00There. I’ve said it and I feel better.Seriously, in terms of the major brands here it’s horrible. I know I wrote about it previously saying that there were the different types, brands, and subtle differences. Tonight though, I’ll make a stand and say it’s crap beer. Australia, I’m sorry, but your beer sucks. Sure, it’s drinkable, but it’s not very good, and.. AND it gives you a wicked http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/08/aussie-beer-is-crap.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-2479074490951122277Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:04:00 +00002008-07-29T04:04:36.483-07:00 Sydney Australia Originally uploaded by ZeeDesertRat I have very little to discuss right now, but it's been awhile since I've blogged.Really, that's a good thing. That means I've been busy enough not to sit and write my thoughts down.Tonight I had red curry beef ramen noodles. As you might guess, it's not a meal I expensed as I'm now "living" in Australia. I think it was two bucks. http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/07/sydney-australia.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-3443039192057057020Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:20:00 +00002008-07-23T02:21:23.831-07:00On my third channel flip tonight I saw a news story on Mr. T. You know, the A-Team? If you read my posts you may recall one discussing Mr. T as a spokesman for Snickers here in Australia. Evidently that qualifies as newsworthy material here in Sydney. On this channel Mr. T was dressed in camouflage and two “bullet belts” across his chest made of Snickers bars. He also had a huge four-finger http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/07/get-some-nuts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-6330231301099470231Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:40:00 +00002008-07-23T01:40:49.994-07:00 My Hotel Room View Originally uploaded by ZeeDesertRat How cool is that?http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-hotel-room-view.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-5456924271144163027Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:23:00 +00002008-07-18T01:23:13.439-07:00 07132008_Singapore_10.0-22.0 mm (15) Originally uploaded by ZeeDesertRat SingaporeI thought the flight from Los Angeles to Singapore was nineteen hours, but according to my Outlook calendar it’s only a speedy sixteen and a half hours. I took off at 9:15PM on Friday and landed at 4:45AM on Sunday. I think LAX to SYD is around 14 hours. Landed, got a taxi, went to the hotel. Easy. Beenhttp://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/07/singapore.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-8851492314069467058Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:29:00 +00002008-07-06T11:29:35.488-07:00 06222008_The Nazz (8)Originally uploaded by ZeeDesertRatThis isn't me, but this is just another reason why I don't dance.http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/07/this-is-not-me.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-4797046994691080304Sun, 15 Jun 2008 12:35:00 +00002008-06-15T05:35:38.483-07:00 05302008_Sydney North Shore_Originally uploaded by ZeeDesertRatNothing special here - just testing flickr's video vs YouTube and how it blogs...http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/06/sydney-north-shore-video.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-7981573556552296866Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:51:00 +00002008-06-05T02:51:43.130-07:00 Rain Originally uploaded by ZeeDesertRat So here I am again, about 7:30 PM on Thursday, enjoying a Carlton Draught, and sitting at the Curve Bar lounge area overlooking the street and watching the sheets of rain go by. I got back from dinner just a little bit ago, and since it’s early I decided I should write something. Dinner tonight was at this Thai fusion type place – had a chicken http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/06/rain.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-775861978896596632Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:48:00 +00002008-06-03T05:48:16.165-07:00 scotch Originally uploaded by ZeeDesertRat The short story is that I went out with one of our resellers here in Melbourne for dinner and drinks and headed back to the hotel. At the hotel I felt like having one last nightcap and went to the bar. There I met Paul, a New Zealander who loves thousand dollar bottles of wine, port, and scotch. We proceeded to try a few and he bought. We http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/06/trials-of-port-and-scotch.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588560290234489755.post-1810379162837930889Fri, 30 May 2008 11:04:00 +00002008-05-30T04:05:43.666-07:00So midway through this week I was feeling down and needed to treat myself, on the company of course. I really enjoy keeping my receipts now and I think I’m getting to the point of pushing the limit on how far I can expense meals. Last time I was able to expense a bar of soap. I think it comes to my boss not really reading through my receipts and just replying “Approved”.So I had been talking http://kurtneurauter.blogspot.com/2008/05/milsons.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kurt Neurauter)0