Eric Schmidt at Mobile World Congress

NOTE: Please find an updated version of this video, which includes an introductory video that played before Eric's speech, here: www.youtube.com Eric Schmidt presents Google's vision of the mobile future at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain on Tuesday, February 16, 2010. www.mobileworldcongress.com

Insurance For Small Business - Mobile Car Wash Companies

No matter what type of small business you have, you will need insurance to protect against risks. That includes even a very small mobile car washing business. Not long ago someone who was interested in purchasing an existing mobile car washing company asked about the need for insurance. He wanted to know;

How difficult and expensive is it to obtain proper insurance for the mobile car washing business?"

Not too bad, go to a commercial independent insurance broker. Ask them about general liability, tell him or her, you will NOT be in the Care, Custody, or Control of the vehicles, and thus, you DO NOT NEED garage keeper's liability, just a general liability policy, including slip and fall. This of course is if you are just doing fleets and car lots. If you are doing auto-detailing you will need Garage Keeper's Liability Insurance also.

If you clean car dealerships, then every one of those larger dealerships will want an insurance certificate and most will want to be additionally insured for 1 Million aggregate. You will also need commercial auto insurance, and most importantly Workmen's Comp, which is a big expense, and why you might consider hiring a temporary agency for your employees, and have the current employees go sign up with them to work for you.

My acquaintance then told me he'd had a meeting with a business broker handling the sale, and hoped to soon; "receive profit and loss statements and tax returns." This of course is a must if you are buying an existing mobile washing company. And make sure they show insurance expenditure on those documents as well.

He reminded me that; "typically many small business owners will phony these papers up but I will wait and see what happens with this business." Excellent point, many small businesses do indeed fake such documents, I've seen this myself numerous times and have these comments to offer in that regard;

"Trust No One" the CIA Motto. Or consider Ronald Reagan and Henry Kissinger's tact; "Trust but Verify" and they were right, verify EVERYTHING, do your due diligence. If you find question marks, lower your offer to deal with it, or walk.

Needless to say, when buying a mobile auto cleaning company or mobile car wash get insurance, watch the risks, and do your due diligence before buying any existing company, as you will save yourself lots of money in the future, and not get taken by nonsense. Indeed, I hope you've learned something here today and will please consider all this.

If Car Air Conditioning Quits in the Summer, Time For Mobile Mechanics

We should all admit we have a dependence on our air conditioning when the hot weather arrives. In Melbourne, the high summer months can see temperatures nearing highs of 40 degrees C and lows of 24 degrees C which puts a strain on both bodies and the vehicle air conditioning system. Your body has to work hard at staying cool while your air conditioner pumps refrigerant trying to maintain a decent interior temperature.

No one likes doing without air conditioning, but the units need lots of tender loving care on a regular basis in order to continue functioning efficiently through the strain of hot days. Waiting until the unit breaks is not a good plan, especially when you can have a mobile mechanic do on-site maintenance including the following.

* Insure refrigerant is not leaking

* Clean condenser to prevent air flow problems

* Recharge car air conditioning system

* Insure air conditioning lines and vents are not clogged

Of course, autos and trucks air conditioning units can be perverse at times and break down despite following a careful maintenance plan. When the car air conditioning quits in the summer, it seems like the most important repair on the face of the earth. Driving to work, travelling on holiday, or delivering the kids to school, while sweating profusely the entire time, is no fun. In fact, it can be downright miserable.

Shaken Not Stirred...Cold Not Cool

In the James Bond movies, the secret agent always ordered his martinis "shaken not stirred". When it comes to air conditioners, the order to the mobile car care service is going to be "cold not cool". In other words, you can have a charged air conditioning system that still refuses to blow cold. When its 40oC outside, cool is just not going to suffice. You want cold!

There are many different kinds of air conditioning repairs mobile care mechanics can complete on-site including at work, home, at family's house, or wherever it is convenient. These repairs include the following for example.

* Cooling fan that has quit working

* Air in the refrigerant

* Blocked condenser

* Broken compressor

* Broken pressure switches

* Corrosion

* Hole in lines

* Electrical problems

These are just a few of the types of automotive air conditioning repairs that might be necessary, and a certified technician can complete any of them wherever your car is parked. You can schedule a repair at your convenience and your choice of location. The services are available for both personal and fleet purposes.

Hot Winds and Cold Temperatures

When the hot northerly winds blow into Melbourne, the temperature rises. Car air conditioning has to work longer and harder than usual, and it's nice to know your unit is as prepared for the summer months as possible. Mobile air conditioning service can provide the preventive maintenance needed. But even if the air condition quits, the on-site services are comprehensive and can turn your cool air back into cold.

It's aggravating when air conditioning doesn't work correctly because it goes without saying it will be during a time when you need it most. You don't have to drive around in a hot car wondering when you'll have time to give up your car for a day while the air conditioning is getting fixed...not when mobile air conditioning service is available.