by michelle | Nov 8, 2010 | Misc.
Every year, Preferred Corporate Housing tries to find some way to thank our Veteran’s for their service to our country. Veterans make up a large percentage of our clients, so it is extremely important for us to let them know how grateful we are for their sacrifice and dedication. This year, we are inviting veterans who are current guests in any of our fully furnished apartments around the country to call our office at (800) 960-0102 to redeem a small token of thanks from the staff at Preferred Corporate Housing. Please ask for Michelle Velasquez.
We also want to invite everyone out there to take part in a Veteran’s Day celebration as well, so we’ve compiled a list of things you can do to honor our brave service men and women on November 11.
-Attend a Veteran’s Day program/parade in your community. Many communities have organized activities that are sponsored by the local VFW as well as student-led school programs that are often open to the public.
-Take part in a flag-raising ceremony. If your office or apartment building has a flag pole, organize a gathering of co-workers/neighbors to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing the National Anthem together.
-Participate in a moment of silence in remembrance of those who have given their lives for their country. Invite your family, coworkers, neighbors, and friends to observe a moment of silence as well. A national moment of silence is usually observed at 11:00am (EST).
-Take your children to visit a Veteran’s hospital, or encourage them to send a letter of thanks to a Veteran.
On November 11th, we hope you will take a few moments out of your day to get involved in a celebration of Veteran’s Day in your area. The servicemen and women who have sacrificed so much for our country deserve our gratitude.
by michelle | Jul 2, 2010 | Misc.
We at Preferred Corporate Housing are looking forward to enjoying the onset of summer and an opportunity to honor those who came before us to give our great country the independence we will be celebrating. Most 4th of July celebrations generally involve family, friends, fun, and of course…FIREWORKS, so here are some safety tips from The National Council of Fireworks Safety:
1. Use fireworks outdoors only.
2. Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.
3. Always have water handy. (A hose or bucket).
4. Only use fireworks as intended. Don’t try to alter them or combine them.
5. Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
6. Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter and the shooter should wear safety glasses.
7. Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated shooter.”
8. Only persons over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type.
9. Do not ever use homemade fireworks of illegal explosives: They can kill you! Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.
Have a great time, remember what this holiday represents, and most of all…BE SAFE!
by michelle | Jun 30, 2010 | Corporate Travel
A recent article posted on www.management.travel, discussed how adding corporate housing services to Corporate Travel Departments can save companies double-digit percentages and provide employees with better accommodations that offer all of the comforts of home. In the article, Michelle De Costa, global travel manager at Sapient, said that having a firmer grasp on corporate housing became a must after her company begin growing rapidly, and they increased the number of employees they were sending out for temporary projects. She said that having corporate apartments was “generally a better solution for that type of situation than an extended-stay hotel.”
Typically used for a 30-day minimum stay, corporate apartments are generally less expensive, Sapient’s US average daily corporate apartment rate was $91 compared with $189 for hotels, and corporate apartments offer additional amenities that create a ‘home-like’ feel. Corporate apartments offer fully furnished accommodations in residential areas and amenities that include full-sized kitchens with all the necessary appliances and cookware, double and sometimes triple the amount of living space of a typical hotel room, more privacy than a hotel can offer, and the ability to custom design any additional services and amenities that you might need.
If you are a travel manager looking for additional ways to gain control of your budget, or if your company is looking to expand on its travel service offerings, explore the benefits that corporate housing can provide. Visit www.corporates.com for additional information or to request a custom housing proposal tailored to your specific needs.
by michelle | May 28, 2010 | Quality Assurance
As the Quality Assurance Director of Preferred Corporate Housing, a nationwide corporate housing provider, my day is generally jam packed with a million and one things to review. But of all the things on my day-to-day task list, my favorite thing to do is read over the survey responses we get from our guests who have recently stayed in one of our corporate apartments. With time being such a limited commodity, I have a great sense of appreciation for the fact that people take time out of their busy lives to complete our short survey.
Even though the survey is only eight questions long, the feedback we receive from our clients give me and the rest of the staff at Preferred Corporate Housing validation for the exceptional service we strive to offer, and unlimited opportunities to improve and grow in areas where we may have missed the mark.
When I read a response that says, “I would recommend Preferred Corporate Housing to anyone who needed help with housing anywhere in the US,” like the one I received yesterday, I instantly take pride in knowing that all the hard work our team does on a daily basis has not gone unnoticed. I also understand that in today’s business travel, relocation, and military housing industries, the focus is often placed on the negative aspect of things, and it is very rare for someone to spend their valuable time just to say something nice.
So thank you to the numerous guests of Preferred Corporate Housing who have done just that. I would also like to thank the few of you who have given us the opportunity to reflect and improve in areas that we may have dropped the ball. Even though we strive for perfection, we understand that it just isn’t possible. As Colin Powell once said, “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” As we continue on our journey to becoming the best nationwide housing company in the United States, Preferred Corporate Housing appreciates your feedback and so do I!
