Have you been thinking about converting your home to solar power? If so, we don’t blame you.
There are countless benefits to going solar. Aside from doing your part to help save the planet, you’ll also enjoy a ton of financial perks.
For example, you can save hundreds of dollars a month by eliminating your energy bills. You’ll also gain access to federal tax credits and state incentives. Furthermore, homes with solar panels can earn as much as 4.1% more on the market.
The only question is, how do you identify the best solar panel companies in your area to make it happen?
That is what we’re here to help you learn. Keep reading for the top four qualities you should look for while choosing contractors for your solar installation.
1. Knowledge and Experience
Setting up a solar power system is a complicated procedure. For example, solar panels convert the sun’s energy to DC power. Yet, most home appliances and electronics run on AC power.
This means your solar energy system must include an inverter to change the power from DC to AC. During this process, there is a loss that must be accounted for while determining how much power you need to generate to properly power your home.
There’s also the inherent danger of working with electricity. In other words, the solar panel companies you hire must be knowledgeable and experienced. Otherwise, you could experience a faulty system, low power, a house fire, or worse.
2. A Solid Reputation
A solar installation is a serious undertaking. It’s a large investment and will affect your day-to-day life for years to come.
As such, you only want to work with reputable solar panel companies. Find out what other homeowners have to say about their services by reading online reviews and testimonials. You can find these on their websites or by doing a Google search.
3. Affordability
Before hiring solar panel companies, reach out to the top providers in your area to get a free quote. They should all ask you the same relative questions to get a grasp on your energy needs. Then, they’ll provide you with an estimation of your costs based on the equipment you need to power your home plus their installation fees.
Compare and contrast these bids to identify the more affordable solar energy provider. However, don’t automatically go for your cheapest option unless you’re sure they’re fully qualified and credible.
4. Honesty and Integrity
While you won’t hear this from many solar companies, going solar may not be for everyone. For example, your house and roof may not be facing in the appropriate direction to get enough energy from the sun to power your home. Or maybe you don’t use enough electricity to justify going solar.
The best solar panel companies will ask you these types of questions to ensure you’re a good candidate for solar. They will be more concerned about your best interests than making a sale. For more considerations, follow this link to find the top 10 solar questions you need to ask before making the switch.
Are You Looking for Reliable Solar Panel Companies?
There’s a lot to think about while sorting through your options for solar panel companies. We hope this guide helps you find the best contractors for your home and your budget.
If you’re considering getting solar panels then it might be worth going through a comparison site like SpotDif.
For more homeownership advice or green living tips, take a tour of the rest of our website. Our blog was created to help people like you learn more about the world around them.
Those who have previously experienced a dental emergency know how important it is to receive immediate dental care. Luckily, our emergency dentists at BowTie Dental Studio are always ready to help. No matter how simple your dental problem might seem or if you aren’t feeling pain at all, we advise you to visit an Emergency Dentist in Brooklyn if you or your family are facing any of the following dental issues:
Tooth pain is one of the most common emergencies. This pain can result from multiple dental problems, like deep cavities, trauma, bruxism or periodontal disease. Our emergency dentist will evaluate your case and find out what’s causing the toothaches to provide immediate relief.
In the meantime
Rinse your mouth with salty warm water and use dental floss to keep the area clean. Apply a cold compress on the site if you detect any swallowing and take over-the-counter painkillers if required.
Broken Teeth
Dental fractures are frequent in kids and people who practice contact sports like football, ice hockey and boxing. The type of treatment required in these cases depends on the extension and severity of the fracture, so you’ll need to see your emergency dentist in Brooklyn to find the best way to restore your tooth function and aesthetics.
In the meantime, try to save missing pieces and clean the area by rinsing your mouth with salty warm water. If the trauma has caused bleeding, apply pressure with a gauze till it stops. You can also apply a cold compress in the area to ease the pain and prevent severe swallowing.
Loose or Knock out Teeth
More than 5 million teeth are knocked out yearly due to accidents or dental trauma. This dental emergency might seem a nightmare initially, but if you are seen by an emergency dentist soon enough, you have a good chance of saving the knocked-out teeth.
In the meantime, find the missing tooth and grab it by the crown. Rinse it with water if it’s dirty and place it in a container filled with milk or a balanced saline solution (never water!), or keep it inside your mouth, so that it is in contact with your saliva. The successful reimplantation of a knock-out tooth is time-dependant, so visit the office as soon as possible!
Dental Abscesses
A dental abscess is an acute infection that accumulates pus beneath the gum tissue and typically causes pain and swallowing. This type of infection is a serious condition that can affect your overall health if it is not treated on time. Your emergency dentist will prescribe antibiotics and might need to perform some clinical procedures to drain the abscess.
In the meantime
Make an emergency appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible and rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water) several times a day until you visit the office.
Selling your first house is a huge milestone in your life. And if you’re careful enough, and work with the right real estate business, you’ll soon find the entire process far more simple and stress-free than you ever thought possible.
Research and due diligence are important aspects of selling your first ever home. And it’s a common thing to look into, even with the most successful sellers, buyers, and realtors. The term “is Compass Real Estate in trouble” is commonly searched to this day, and they’re one of the top real estate brokers in the country!
Long story short, research makes all the difference. Check the prices of similar homes in your area and make lists of common price ranges.
Set goals to be sold up by a certain date
Nothing is ever guaranteed in terms of timelines when it comes to real estate. But if you have some timeframes and goals in mind, it’s easier to convey them to your realtor. If you’re clear and honest about what you want out of this sale, it’s far easier for a good real estate agent to make those goals a reality.
There’s a middle ground here that’s important to find. If you’re expecting to sell instantly at a specific price, you’re asking for a lot. But if you have a fair timeframe and some good communication with an agent you trust, you’ll be far more likely to meet these goals.
Choosing a real estate agent
Reputable and helpful real estate agents are out there. But simply deciding to use the first company you find isn’t the way to go. Write out your main values and look for those qualities in a realtor. Search for customer reviews and hunt out the names of specific agents that people have praised.
The most important thing to remember is to be open, honest, and clear with your goals. If you do that, a realtor has all the tools needed to make them come true to the best of their abilities.
Agreeing on an asking price
This can be where issues occur when it’s time to sell. Regardless of the research you’ve done and the sale amount you’ve had in your head, your realtor may disagree and respectfully ask that you consider lowering the price.
Due to online pricing brackets, if you set the price too high, you’re immediately removing potential buyers who have set very strict price ranges on their online search criteria. Many realtors now advise that you price it a little under your target amount, let visitors see the house for themselves, and let the subsequent bidding raise the price.
Getting it ready to list on the market
Before it’s ready to be seen by those buyers, it’s time to de-clutter your spaces, clean your home, offer a little strategic decorating, and make your entire home as presentable as possible.
Try to walk through your home as a nervous buyer. Be critical of everything you see. Invite friends over to do the same. Look for anything that could go wrong and you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised on that first open-home viewing, and one step closer to securing a fast sale.
Whether you have an executive role in a company or manage people in your own business, your aim as a business leader should always be to add strings to your bow that will improve your leadership capabilities.
Few business leaders will argue with the fact that they are learning all the time, whether it is to improve on leadership skills that they already possess or to learn new ones.
When you take into consideration the way that the success of any business depends to a large extent on how its leader operates – from making important decisions to motivating employees – it is clear that taking the time to add new skills and business techniques to the equation will result in a happier and more productive workforce as well as superior decision making when the pressure is on.
With that in mind, here is a look at some important insights that can help business leaders find success in any industry.
Humility
Think back to a time when you worked as an employee. It might have been when you had a part-time job to earn some extra money in college, or you may have had a regular job before you began your managerial career.
How would you feel if your boss or manager spoke to you disrespectfully? They may have had other things on their mind, or it could have just been their nature to not treat people with respect. The reason is not important; treating people in this way is never acceptable.
Can you remember how you felt about this person? All it takes is a few harsh words that are given without any thought to shatter someone’s confidence and have a negative effect on how they work.
Now think back to a boss or manager who was friendly and offered you regular encouragement. If you did a good job, you were likely praised. If you fell short in any way, you were likely encouraged by this boss and pointed in the right direction so you knew how you could improve.
Which one of these individuals would you have gone the extra mile for?
There is obviously a fine line between an employee who is trying their hardest but falling short and an employee who is trying to pull a fast one, but the definition of a good business leader is being able to tell the difference.
Motivation is the key
It would be fair to say that there is not a definitive method of motivation that business leaders should take on board because it depends on the workforce and can largely be put down to experience. A good business leader will know exactly which triggers to pull when it comes to motivating their workforce.
Perhaps one of the most effective methods of motivation is to lead from the front. Show your workforce that you have the right attitude to achieve fantastic results, and this way of working will become infectious and inspire your workforce to achieve greater success.
One example of this would be if you were a business leader in a retail environment and you told your staff to always be polite to customers and work with a smile on their faces. This may sound good on the surface, but if you are rude and spend a lot of your time being visibly annoyed, how do you think your staff will behave? They may be smiley and helpful while you are around, but the moment that your back is turned, it could very well be a different story.
Be prepared for difficult conversations
Anyone who tells you that being a business leader doesn’t involve difficult conversations at times is not telling the whole truth.
By its very nature, being a leader will mean that you will sometimes have to tell people things they don’t want to hear. In addition, you will probably also have difficult conversations with yourself from time to time.
Let’s look at an example of a difficult conversation with an employee that will result in untold problems if not tackled immediately.
It has been brought to your attention that a female employee is often late to work, and she usually presents one excuse after another. However, when you approach her regarding her poor time-keeping, it becomes obvious to you that she is a single mother who is struggling with her childcare.
These problems aside, she is a hard-working individual who is a credit to the company, so the obvious answer is to help her out in any way possible. However, you will also have to explain to her that this tardiness cannot continue because it is having a negative effect on other employees as well as the business in general.
It may also be useful to offer help regarding the problems that she is experiencing because of work-related stress. Employees who are stressed tend to be less productive, so helping her could well help the business overall.
Another example of a difficult conversation would be having to tell employees that you are going to have to let them go due to a change in your business plans. This could be described as the epitome of a difficult conversation because you may know too well that the people that you are going to have to let go have obligations such as mortgages, children to support, and bills to pay. However, situations like this are all part of being a business leader. Most leaders will tell you that even though these scenarios don’t get any easier, it is something that just has to be done to aid the running of a company.
Learn how to accept change
A business leader who is unable to accept and embrace change will struggle to take their business to the next level.
The business landscape is constantly changing in so many ways, and this is true in every industry. One of the most recent changes across many industries has been due to the pandemic and the resulting lockdowns, which has prompted many businesses to instruct their staff to work from home.
If that wasn’t tumultuous enough, there is now the situation where change is being implemented yet again with the requirement that these employees who were working from home now have to return to work and are struggling to do so in some cases.
Changes in technology and workplace practices also need to be tackled. An extreme example could be a payroll department that insisted on using a pen and paper to calculate the payroll requirements instead of using the latest computer software because it is “how they’ve always done it”.
Mental health in the workplace is yet another example of how things have changed over the years. Employees who claimed to be off work with stress were often treated as though they were making up excuses to enjoy some time off, but a good business leader will now try to find out if there are any underlying issues that are in their power to resolve instead of assuming that someone is being dishonest.
Learning how to be a good business leader
There is no getting away from the fact that a business leader becomes more effective with experience, but a high-quality online bachelors degree in organizational leadership is an excellent qualification to put on your resumé and one that really does add to your leadership skills as opposed to just being a piece of paper.
It is also important to keep in mind that a qualification like this one will fast-track your career and open up opportunities that may have not been possible without it.
Think of this qualification as the foundation of your business career, and your growing experience will build on this.
Be prepared to take criticism
It doesn’t matter if you are the leader of a company or part of the cleaning staff; nobody likes to receive criticism. In the case of a business leader, however, it can often be part and parcel of the position.
Not all criticism is justified, but it can be very challenging to work with someone who believes that they are never wrong. Few other traits are more annoying and disheartening, especially within the workforce of a company.
It is not unusual for employees to know far more about a particular job than the head of the company. If you instruct someone to carry out a job in a particular way, take the time to listen to them if they tell you that you are wrong.
The secret is to not take it personally. If you dismiss this type of feedback outright because you think you know better, it will probably alienate the employee and have a negative impact on the working environment.
Employees should actually be encouraged to offer suggestions regarding how a job could be carried out more effectively. If these suggestions are implemented, a reward should be given in the form of cash or other rewards.
Look after yourself
When business leaders carry too much weight on their shoulders, it can result in various health problems. Therefore, it is important that you look out for warning signs so you can prevent minor issues from becoming major problems.
For example, you may notice that you are having trouble sleeping or that you are becoming slightly irritable at home with your family.
It could be that you are not finding pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyable or you are finding yourself worrying about things that could happen. These are all signs of stress, so take a step back to see if you can identify the situations that may be triggering you.
Could it be that your diet has taken a turn for the worse, such as by eating ready meals in the evening instead of a wholesome meal? Are you drinking more alcohol than usual in an attempt to take the edge off a stressful day and getting little or no exercise because you are just too tired?
Once these habits take hold, it can be the start of a slippery slope. Be honest with yourself and commit to making the necessary changes. Working on your well-being will make a big difference and should allow you to handle the challenges of business as well as life in general with a renewed vigor that will yield much more positive results.
In the highly acclaimed book by Tim Ferris, Tribe of Mentors, the author was asked if he had noticed if any of the mentors who had been interviewed for his book had anything in common. It may surprise you to know that a high percentage of these influential people went to bed early and practiced some form of meditation. If you are a business leader, it may be worth considering taking a leaf out of their book.
The little things make a big difference
How many times have you had a conversation with someone who was looking directly at you, but it was obvious that they were not taking in a word that you were saying?
To say that this is annoying would have to be something of an understatement. If it is someone in a position of authority who you are having this conversation with, you could be forgiven for wondering why you even bother talking to them.
If you have a conversation with an employee and he or she tells you that their daughter loves baking cakes, imagine how that person would feel if you asked them a few weeks from now if they have enjoyed any nice cakes lately or how things are going for your daughter at school?
It is that personal touch that can make all the difference. As a business leader, if you make the time for these little things, it can mean so much to the people who work under you and shows that you actually care.
The buck stops with you
The term “ultimate responsibility” applies to so many areas of life, especially for business leaders.
If you are doing your job properly, there is nothing wrong with basking in the glory of success along with your team. At the same time, however, you must take responsibility if something goes wrong because, ultimately, the buck stops with you – even if you believe that the problem has nothing to do with you.
Your employees will make mistakes, and you will also be wrong at times. However, the team that sticks together through the rough and the smooth will be the team that succeeds over the long term.
When something goes wrong, it can be a hard lesson to take. However, if the problem is the fault of the employee, keep in mind that it was you or your team who hired them in the first place. Is it possible that the training program of the company needs to be improved in some way?
If you accept that the buck stops with you, it will result in a greater respect from the workforce as well as respect from any client or customer who may be affected because they will probably realize that you have stepped up to the plate, even though it was not you who was at fault.
Conclusion
There is so much involved in becoming a great business leader in the ever-changing business environment, but some things will always remain the same.
A degree in organizational leadership is a great place to start as you will have a solid foundation to build on, but it is also true that experience counts for so much.
A leader who has been in the business for years will probably cringe as they remember the decisions they made in the early days, but as the saying goes, practice makes perfect.
To sum up, the ideal business leader, they must be humble and willing to take ultimate responsibility.
They must be able to motivate their teams, recognize if someone has a problem, and be prepared to put the time in to make things right.
A business leader should make their own health and well-being a priority and be honest with themselves if something doesn’t seem right, such as not sleeping properly or seeing signs of stress.
Gone are the days when business leaders lived by the adage “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” or had to show a tough exterior that resulted in the workforce being scared to carry out their job in case they did something wrong.
Being kind and caring is not a sign of weakness in a business leader. In fact, it points to a leader who has his or her finger on the pulse and shows that they know exactly what is required to lead any business through the trials and tribulations of business life.
One thing is for certain: a business leader who can prove that they have the ability to ride out the troubled economy in which we find ourselves will always be in demand and will be able to pick and choose any future opportunities that come their way.
As the end of summer approaches, it is your last chance to plan a vacation where you can soak up the sun while enjoying your time off of work or school. The stress of planning a vacation is reason enough to postpone doing so – and that is why it can be so helpful to hire a professional travel agent. Travel agents take the hard work out of planning a vacation, from your Access Global flight charter to hotel reservations, and everything in between.
Here are 3 simple reasons why you should hire a travel agent to help you plan your next vacation:
Exclusive Deals
Travel agents can help you take advantage of exclusive deals that are not otherwise available for flights, hotels, activities, and more. Tired of browsing Google Flights or sites like Trivago, hunting for the best deal on airfare or lodging? Let an agent do the work for you, and rest easy knowing that they will get you the best deal 100% of the time, making your vacation cheaper than if you had booked it yourself.
Take Out the Guesswork
Don’t stress yourself out trying to make an itinerary for travel days or for your plans upon arriving at your destination. Your travel agent can take your available dates and times into consideration when finding accommodations and activities for you, and can put together the best possible itinerary for your trip. All you have to do is show up!
Avoid Obstacles
One of the worst parts of any trip is unforeseen obstacles such as delayed flights, canceled events, and more. When you book your trip with a travel agent, they will take this information into consideration before it has the chance to affect your trip. For example, if a bad storm at your connecting airport could delay your trip, your agent will know and book an alternative flight for you before you’ve even landed at the airport. Activities such as entertainment or local experiences that are booked through travel agents also come with free cancellation or rescheduling policies, meaning that if an event out of your control such as inclement weather or heavy traffic forces you to miss an activity you were looking forward to, you can reschedule or be refunded for it with no penalty.
Travel agents might be an extra cost that some travelers aren’t willing to pay when planning a vacation, but their services will pay for themselves with all of the money you will save on your next trip. For these reasons and many more, consider utilizing the services of a professional travel agent for your next vacation!
Fans have been captivated by the Marvel Cinematic Universe ever since Iron Man premiered way back in 2008, bringing in superhero nuts and general moviegoers alike. While the studio has still pumped out several adored films in the past couple of years since the mad titan Thanos was defeated, there has been a noticeable drop in viewer interest.
Photo Marvel
This could be due to a number of factors, such as the following:
Formulaic
It’s fair to say that the MCU seems to have fallen into a formula for most of their films after over a decade. Fans have become aware of this formula, and while it didn’t bother many for a long while, it started becoming more noticeable after a few films didn’t fair as well.
This recycled formula has led some fans to grow bored with the stories Marvel has continued to churn out and instead look elsewhere for entertainment, whether that be another form of media or even getting outside and enjoying the beauty of your very own custom backyard, courtesy of a company like Hiner Outdoor Living.
Formulas aren’t inherently bad, but when the elements that make up the formula don’t come together, you’re left with disappointed fans.
Oversaturation
The issue that many fans have been having with the recent Marvel films may not even have to do with the quality of the films, but how many are being thrown at them. The superhero genre has become saturated with plenty of different film and television franchises in general, but Marvel in particular has been giving audiences products straight from the conveyer belt.
Not only do we get an average of four films a year, but now with their Disney Plus shows, there’s just too much to keep up with. Want to know what’s going on in the newest Doctor Strange movie? Well, you better have watched the Wandavision show or you’re going to be lost.
When the focus is quantity instead of quality, fans can get burnt out pretty quickly.
All Wrapped Up
Another portion of fans have called it quits on the MCU because they feel as though it was wrapped up nicely with the end of Avengers: Endgame. Many thought it was the perfect way to end a franchise that had been going strong for a decade, but since many of the actors’ contracts came to an end or their characters were killed off, it felt like the right time to leave.
Everything after Endgame feels like a bit of an epilogue, and while there have still been a few great films to come out of the studio, there were plenty of people that decided to jump ship after what felt like a perfectly wrapped franchise.
No End in Sight
These are just a few of the reasons why some fans are done with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, at least for now. There doesn’t seem to be any end in sight for Marvel, and even if the quality does begin to dip, there’s bound to be a few diamonds in the rough, even if we’re still watching them after another decade.
Tired of waking up with little to no time or energy before beginning your workday? You aren’t alone. For many people around the world, the early morning hours before work are stressful and just don’t seem like enough time to accomplish everything you need for the day. Check out these 5 simple tips for simplifying your routine in the morning to make getting out of bed and heading off to work feel like a breeze.
While preparing your lunch for the following work day in advance is one of the best ways to save time in the morning while still being prepared for the day ahead, it might also be a good idea to have your breakfast for that morning ready to go as well. Sit aside whatever ingredients you need to make a fresh breakfast, or make a meal that will be ready for you when you wake up, like overnight oats. Services like Lean Kitchen Company can help ensure that you always have fresh meals on hand and ready to go, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – and preparing meals in advance is the best way to save time each morning.
Outfit Prep
One thing that slows many people down in the morning is choosing an outfit to wear for the day ahead. Trying on outfits and settling on the right one the night before work can cut the time you spend getting ready for work in half! Lay out everything you will wear, from socks and underwear to your winter jacket, in advance. Your future self will thank you.
Avoid Your Phone
Many people find that using their phone and catching up on missed notifications or simply browning social media keeps them in bed for much longer than necessary. To avoid distractions in the morning and to ensure that you are getting right up and staying on track for the rest of your day, avoid using your phone until you are completely ready to walk out the door.
Make a To Do List Before Bed
In order for things to go smoothly in the morning, make a list of everything you need to accomplish or remember before going to bed. This will give you something to reference during your busy morning and will ensure that you are on the right track, while minimizing the possibility of you forgetting something.
Coordinate Schedules
If you live in a household with multiple other people, you might find that you are all getting in each other’s way on a busy morning. Try to make a schedule for each household member so that you aren’t all fighting for busy areas such as the bathroom or kitchen when time is limited.
Did you know 97% of consumers learn about a local business on the Internet?
Today, word of mouth or newspaper ads aren’t enough to get your brand out. People are finding trustworthy local businesses online. So, you’re missing out on valuable traffic if your business isn’t ranking in the local search results.
If you want to improve local visibility, use SEO. Then, you can convert the online searches to book appointments and in-store traffic.
Read on and see how networking with other small businesses improves your ranking.
Improve Online Visibility
Your business isn’t competing only against other similar companies. It’s competing against informational websites, big brands, and media publications.
So, how will you stand out amidst this competition? Partner with local companies with a similar audience. Backlinks from other local businesses can help you reach new audiences.
Ensure that you use credible small companies with amazing content. Valuable content is powerful enough to make your audience a customer.
Save Advertising Costs
Take advantage of local SEO citations to grow your small business.
You may be asking, what are SEO citations? Why would your business need them? A citation is any mention of your business.
Resources such as Google My Business can boost your local citations. GBPs are also free to create and will save your business some bucks.
Today, GBPs provide more than location and contact information. They showcase upcoming events, offers, and reviews. Searchers also experience your business through videos and photos.
Prospective customers will find your Google Business Profile through backlinks from other websites.
Boost Credibility
A well-optimized GBP will help people reach you. Links are the web’s currency since they are trust signals to search engines.
Your brand will rank higher when authoritative websites endorse your brand. Org and .edu sites have high traffic, and Google trusts them.
Other link-building tips for building credibility include:
1. Claiming unlinked product mentionsSearch your brand on Google to find mentions of your brand without a backlink. Then email the webmaster to link them.
2. Buy quality links from big local brands, publications, or review sites. Sites with good content will boost your traffic.
More Traffic to Your Site
Ramping up your networking efforts with local companies can help you increase traffic. Use links to expand your reach and start conversations around your brand. Investing in strategic and effective link building is worth your high-quality leads.
Network with local blogs and small companies and pick those with relevant connections. Local links show that other companies in the area trust your business. Such links will drive organic traffic for a long time and improve your ranking.
Ranking That Lasts
Google updates its search engine, meaning you could rank today and tank tomorrow. Thus, staying vigilant to the changing local environment is crucial.
Many SEO experts think citations are a key ranking factor. So, ensure that your business information is correct for local users to find you. Be careful of business mentions in spammy sites since Google may think your company isn’t legit.
Improving Google Ranking for Local Businesses Made Simple
These tips are the push you need to go local. Network with other local businesses to reach and grow your audience. Keep in mind that you can target more than one area.
So, work with sites that support local businesses to improve your online visibility and grow.
If you enjoyed this article, then feel free to take a look at the rest of our blog for more informed business and technology content.
Year after year, the necessity for embracing eco-friendly practices becomes more vital. After all, we only have one planet, and it’s essential that we all ensure it stays as healthy as possible.
Why? Because a thriving business needs a flourishing planet to work from. And making a few small steps toward environmentally-friendly business practices today can pay off in more ways than one in the future. So, how can you make those changes as soon as possible and get your business future-focused and eco-conscious?
Here are some of the most effective methods of embracing sustainability for your business.
Take a renewable energy course
No one is expecting businesses to have all the answers when it comes to making the world a greener place. However, you are going to have to learn a few of the best possible ways to utilise sustainability in your everyday business dealings.
There are top renewable energy courses available online for you to get more familiar with the new world of sustainability. They cover a wide range of ideas, tips, and processes to get you up to speed.
The importance of recycling
Some businesses think that being environmentally friendly means creating no waste. But what it means is correctly disposing of all the waste you create. A strict and simple-to-follow recycling scheme can make a huge difference to your carbon footprint. If you really want to go further, many companies are now using packaging that’s made from recycled products too!
Go fully paperless
With legally binding contracts and other important documents now being done online, full-paperless practices are becoming more common. When you break it all down, paper was previously used for marketing campaigns, letters, leaflets, and more. Emails, online marketing campaigns, and digital documents mean there’s rarely a need to print off all of that wasteful paper.
Renewable energy
Your combined energy usage is probably your biggest source of hazardous environmental output. That’s why so many businesses are now searching for ways to reduce how their energy impacts the planet. With more eco-friendly ways of powering your business, it can be extremely beneficial to take a course on using solar energy, wind, or other renewable energy methods.
Better brand reputation
Sustainable business practices provide your company with more than just cost-saving methods – they’re also fast becoming one of the biggest deciding factors a customer turns to when picking a business.
People are happy to give their money to a brand with a strong reputation for sustainability, as they feel that they’re helping the environment as they spend. This bolsters your brand reputation and establishes you as a forward-thinking and innovative business.
Public pledges
How do you let people know about how kind to the planet your business is? Through announcing these wonderful things on social media and other marketing channels. Let people know about your sustainable energy, your dedication to recycling, and your goals to reduce your carbon footprint. It’s a valuable marketing tool that’s also making a true difference in the world.
Is your child having difficulty reading? If so, they might have dyslexia! This disease is the most prevalent and widely recognized learning disability. However, often people don’t understand what it means to have dyslexia. According to experts, it’s believed that approximately 15-20% of the population has dyslexia symptoms.
You will likely have dyslexia in case your family members have it. However, this learning difficulty might not be discovered in kiddo early. This is because not every teacher knows how to discern dyslexia; some preschoolers are never correctly diagnosed.
These kiddos grapple with reading issues throughout school and might be deemed indolent. Therefore, to understand if your kiddo has dyslexia or not, proper evaluation at an early stage is crucial! Without wasting more time, let’s see how to assess dyslexia from an early stage.
A disability assessment is a way to accumulate details to determine the factors contributing to a student’s predicament with learning to spell and read. But you can get the most out of dyslexia reading programs for childrento eliminate these issues. However, when a student has problems with spelling and reading, an assessment is crucial for three reasons:
Diagnosis
An efficient evaluation finds out the common source of the issue. It rules out other ordinary causes of reading challenges and ascertains if the student’s profile of strengths and weaknesses fit the dyslexia definition.
Documentation
Efficient assessment documents a student’s learning disability history. One principal purpose of this documentation is to ascertain eligibility for premium services, such as special education. However, documentation is crucial for getting accommodations on the college entrance tests.
Intervention planning
An efficient evaluation generates a focused remedial program. Hence, students who possess a particular learning disability in reading require a specialized approach to mugging up instructions to make progress. This crucial instruction must start at the student’s current level of reading skill development instead of any student’s grade level. Hence, a top-notch evaluation guides teachers and parents to check which skills are feeble and where instructions for reading and spelling must begin.
What are the significant signs of having dyslexia?
Issues finding out letters similar to each other, for example, “p” and “q” and “d” and “b.”
Linking sounds with letters.
How to diagnose dyslexia from an early stage?
No lab screenings or blood tests can spot dyslexia, mainly because of the brain’s differences. But a precise assessment of common indications helps you detect someone’s reading difficulty. Examining for dyslexia must look at:
Vocabulary.
Decoding.
Word recognition.
Oral language proficiencies.
Spelling.
Reading comprehension and fluency.
Conclusion
You can’t control dyslexia; instead, you can manage it by knowing distinct strategies to read and learn. Therefore, as a parent, you must talk to a healthcare provider if you find any premature signs of dyslexia in your kiddo. Moreover, you might work with your kid’s school to create an individualized education plan.
Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe has been killed after being shot twice at a political campaign event.
Shinzo Abe, 67, was in the process of giving a speech when a gunman attacked him from behind.
The event was taking place in the southern city of Nara. The former prime minister was making a campaign speech outside a railway station for Kei Sato, an incumbent member of the upper house of parliament.
Image source kremlin.ru
Kei Sato is standing for the ruling party, the Liberal Democrats, in elections for the Upper House scheduled for July 10.
The above image shows Shinzo Abe stepping up to make his speech as aides applaud.
But they are seemingly unaware of another figure in the background, a casually dressed youngish man with a black cross-body bag.
At 11:30 local time footage of the event shows the man moving forward, minutes after the former prime minister starts his speech. Shots ring out and Shinzo Abe falls to the ground, visibly bleeding.
As terrified spectators duck down, security officials tackle the 41-year-old suspect, who makes no attempt to run. They wrestle him to the ground and take him into custody.
Bystanders care for Shinzo Abe as he lies bleeding and he is airlifted to Nara Medical University Hospital for treatment. Media reports say he is able to speak in the minutes after the attack but subsequently loses consciousness.
The former prime minister was in cardiac arrest on arrival at the hospital. Unsuccessful attempts were made to resuscitate him and he was given a blood transfusion, but was pronounced dead at 17:03.
Doctors say he received two wounds that damaged an artery, and suffered major heart damage.
Both wounds were deep, and blood loss was the cause of death, they add.
No bullets were found during surgery.
Eyewitnesses say they saw the man carrying what they describe as a large gun and firing twice at Shinzo Abe from behind.
The weapon, which was reportedly a handmade gun, was seized when the suspected attacker was arrested. Strict firearms laws in Japan make purchasing a gun extremely difficult.
The suspect has been identified as Nara resident Tetsuya Yamagami. Local media reports say he is believed to be a former member of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, Japan’s equivalent of a navy.
When questioned, he said he had been “dissatisfied” with Shinzo Abe and had intended to kill him.
Media reports say that an explosives team later raided the suspect’s house to gather evidence.
It is unclear how the suspect came to know about Shinzo Abe’s attendance at the rally as it was confirmed only late on Thursday night.
UK’s PM Boris Johnson has announced he is quitting as leader of the Conservative Party after a perilous few days in office.
The crisis engulfing Boris Johnson’s premiership escalated on July 5, following the dramatic resignations of Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
Boris Johnson intends to stay as an interim leader but pressure is mounting on him to stand down immediately.
He assured cabinet this afternoon he would only act as a caretaker PM while remaining in position, new Welsh Secretary Robert Buckland said.
Now that Boris Johnson has resigned, the Conservative Party will need to choose a new leader. The winner of that contest will become the next PM.
The new PM would not be obliged to call an early election – but could do so if they wished.
When Gordon Brown took over from Labor prime minister Tony Blair in 2007, for example, he did not hold an early election.
If a PM wants an early election they need to make a “request” to the Queen to dissolve Parliament – the official term for closing Parliament in order to hold an election.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters and onlookers at the lectern outside 10 Downing Street, Boris Johnson said: “It is clearly now the will of the parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new leader of that party and therefore a new prime minister.”
Boris Johnson’s resignation brings an abrupt end to a tumultuous tenure that was distinguished by the landslide victory three years ago and a successful drive to pull Britain out of the European Union, but that collapsed under the weight of a relentless series of scandals.
The 1922 Committee, the powerful body that represents Conservative Party backbench lawmakers, is likely to use the summer vacation to complete the process of selecting the new Conservative Party leader who will become prime minister. At the very latest, they will want to have installed the person by the time of the annual party conference in the fall.
Among the potential candidates are Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid; Liz Truss, the foreign secretary; Suella Braverman, the attorney general; and Nadhim Zahawi, who briefly replaced Mr. Sunak as chancellor. There are also two outsiders: Jeremy Hunt, a former foreign secretary who challenged Boris Johnson for the party leadership in 2019; and Tom Tugendhat, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
With summer in full swing, many homeowners are using the warm weather and extra time off as an excuse to make some renovations around the house. Reports indicate that over half of home repairs or renovations take place between the months of April and September, meaning summer is the busiest and best time to make the upgrades to your home that you’ve been dreaming about all year. If you’re looking to make some renovations to your home by yourself or with the help of Capitol Kitchen & Bath, here are some of the most popular home decor trends you’ll see this summer.
Add Some Plants
While houseplants and a vase of your favorite flowers can be a staple in your home year round, recent trend reports show an increase in the amount of greenery the average adult is buying to place around their home. Whether it’s a few ferns potted in your kitchen or Eucalyptus hanging in your shower, placing fresh greenery around your home is one of the quickest and easiest ways to liven up your space for the summer.
Use Natural Materials
Many interior designers are straying away from the use of metals and plastics in favor of natural, “outdoor” materials such as wood or bamboo. Adding these materials to shelving units, kitchen tables or countertops, or your living room furniture will instantly give any space a more cozy yet put together look.
Opt For Earth Tones
Keeping with the theme of bringing the outdoors into your home, many homeowners are choosing a more subdued, earthy color scheme for the interior of their home. Colors like forest green have become more popular than ever in rooms like the kitchen or bathroom, as they work well with many aesthetics and can easily compliment the colors of most appliances. If you are looking to paint your home this summer, consider an earthy green or brown tone.
Embrace Natural Light
Let the summer sunshine into your home! Sheer curtains or open blinds will allow the natural sunlight to fill your space all day long. If you live in an area where privacy is not a concern, consider ditching your window coverings altogether. This is an easy way to make your space appear more open and inviting. Plus, natural light is proven to raise serotonin levels and to act as a natural mood booster compared to artificial lights such as lamps.
The last time you picked through the closet for something to wear, did you discover that it’s prime time for a new personal look? Keep in mind that the move into a new style is about more than just clothing. Think about skincare, fitness, nails, hair, and every visible part of your body. Some opt for a limited makeover and decide to focus on fashion, while others choose to hone in on improving physical fitness and other aspects of their outward appearance.
The secret to getting started and getting the job done is to make an honest inventory of the things you think should be changed. Decide how you’ll cover the cost of the project, and don’t forget to get professional advice to make up for blind spots and miscues. The pillars of the project include clothing, hair, nails, and fitness. Everyone has a different strategy for reaching their goals, so be sure to review the following general guidelines before you begin.
Make a Plan and Budget
Total transformations, and even limited ones, can be a costly endeavor. That’s why it makes sense to develop a list of everything you plan to do and make a ballpark estimate of the total cost. When you apply for a personal loan to come up with the funds, you don’t want to be too far off-base with the amount of money you will need for the project. If you realize that clothing will be your largest expense, check with online retailers to find current price levels. Plus, it’s easy to check spa and salon websites to figure out what a makeover will set you back.
Get Professional Advice
Personal makeover consultants are busier than ever these days. Most work independently and can even go shopping with you. Choose wisely after interviewing a few consultants and find one with reasonable rates and who has a good idea of what someone your age wants in terms of a new look. Avoid hiring someone who specializes in clients who are much older or younger than you are.
Clothing
For some, clothes are the centerpiece of a general look. They couldn’t care less about hairstyles or anything else. Indeed, there are those lucky individuals who seem to have a perfect sense of what looks good in terms of hair, accessories, shoes, and jewelry. But, when clothing is the number one priority, consider focusing on comfortable, casual workwear that is versatile and durable. Shoes can be the icing on the cake, so be sure to wear one of your favorite outfits when you go shoe shopping.
Hair and Nails
Colorists who work for salons are skilled at helping clients coordinate hairstyles, skincare regimens, and nails. If you don’t currently have a favorite salon, ask friends for recommendations and let them know you’re in the process of doing a makeover and want a high-quality provider.
Exercise and Fitness
Always speak with your physician before taking up a new exercise routine or fitness regimen. If you get the green light from the doc, consider using a personal trainer who can offer targeted workouts and meal plans to help you get in good physical shape. Avoid overdoing workouts in order to avoid injury and psychological burnout.
Appliance purchases require substantial investments. To protect their appliances, homeowners need to know how to maintain them. Learning about maintenance and when it becomes necessary will help owners ensure their devices last for many years.
Appliance breakdowns are stressful and can happen at the most inconvenient times. Homeowners can learn more at 2-10 HBW. With the following maintenance tips, repair issues and functional concerns are less likely to occur.
1. Servicing appliances regularly will help keep them working effectively and efficiently. Hiring a professional to inspect the appliances and perform maintenance will help ensure there are no minor repair issues that could impede the function of the device. With regular maintenance, appliances work better and are safer to use.
2. Keeping appliances clean is also essential for maintenance. Dust and debris can build up on the components of appliances and stop them from working effectively. For instance, refrigerators need coil cleaning to prevent restricted airflow and overheating.
3. Owners need to ensure they are not overloading the performance limits of their appliances. No one should cram too much laundry into their washing machines or keep their ovens heated at the highest temperature for long periods. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for operation.
4. Many people do not realize appliances can degrade because of the hard minerals in their water. Too many minerals will cause corrosion in water-using appliances like washing machines and dishwashers. Softening the home’s water supply will help owners protect their investments.
5. Owners should avoid DIY fixes when repair issues arise. Without proper training and the right tools and equipment, owners will find they can reduce the lifespan of appliances and cause harm. Relying on professionals will help ensure appliances are repaired correctly.
Purchasing a Warranty Offers Sound Protection
Unfortunately, appliances can break down at any time. Purchasing an extended warranty on appliances helps owners in many ways. The following offers information on some of the benefits.
One of the most significant benefits of purchasing an extended warranty is peace of mind. When owners know their appliances are covered in case of breakdowns, they are less likely to worry.
These warranties offer customizable coverage to meet the needs of owners. The coverage for warranties is often renewable, depending on the provider and appliance.
With a warranty, homeowners will find their appliances receive repair services from certified repair technicians who are experts in their fields. The repair technicians will come out promptly and take care of any repair problems.
Extended warranties offer upfront pricing so owners can plan for the costs accordingly. Most policies provide locked-in pricing for the life of the contract.
Discover Further Information
The above tips are crucial for keeping appliances working properly. While it takes a concerted effort to maintain appliances, taking these steps will help ensure an owner does not have to worry about expensive breakdown issues.
In addition to the above, owners should consider purchasing an extended warranty for their appliances. These warranties are affordable and offer extensive protection to a home and its appliances.
Choosing the right warranty is essential for obtaining proper protection. Researching the options and taking the time to learn about the coverage will help homeowners choose wisely. With an extended warranty and regular maintenance, owners will not have to worry about appliance issues that can create stress.
President Joe Biden has called for a three-month suspension of the federal gasoline tax in response to the country’s soaring energy prices.
The average cost of a gallon of gas, or petrol, is hovering near $5, up from roughly $3 a year ago.
With national elections for Congress coming in November, President Biden is under pressure to respond.
Analysts say that removing the levy would have limited impact on household petrol and diesel costs.
Political support for the gas tax holiday, which would require an act of Congress, is also uncertain.
President Biden said policymakers should do what is in their power to try to ease the strain on families, calling on companies to pass on “every penny” in savings to the public.
“I fully understand that a gas tax holiday alone is not going to fix the problem,” he said.
“But it will provide families some immediate relief, just a little bit of breathing room as we continue working to bring down prices for the long haul”.
Photo AP
Currently, the US imposes a tax of roughly 18 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24 cents on diesel, using the money collected to help pay for highway infrastructure.
Eliminating the levy through September, as President Biden has proposed, would cost the government an estimated $10 billion.
The move is the latest effort from countries around the world to address the soaring energy costs.
Oil prices have surged since last year, as demand outstrips supplies constrained by cuts that many firms made after the pandemic hit in 2020 and prompted demand to crater.
As the war in Ukraine pushes Western countries to shun oil from Russia – a major energy producer – that has also contributed to the crunch.
The American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers industry group said a gas tax holiday would provide “near-term relief but it won’t solve the root of the issue – the imbalance in supply and demand for petroleum products”.
President Biden has already taken steps like releasing unprecedented amounts of oil from national stockpiles and lifting taxes on imports of solar panels.
As well as suspending the national gasoline tax, President Biden is urging similar steps by state governments, which typically impose their own taxes, often higher than the federal government’s.
Some states, including New York, have already suspended those charges.
The president, who has intensified his criticism of oil and gas companies in recent weeks, also called on the industry to increase output and refining capacity, while directing some of his pleas to gas station owners across the country.
“These are not normal times,” he said, pointing to the war in Ukraine and noting that oil prices have retreated from earlier highs.
“Bring down the cost at the pump to reflect the price you are paying for the product. Do it now, do it today”.
The price of gasoline in the US is already lower than in many other countries.
Pfizer and Moderna Covid vaccines – in smaller doses – are now available to about 17 million children in the United States after the shots received the greenlight for children under 5 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over the weekend.
“Parents and caregivers can now get their children 6 months through 5 years of age vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines to better protect them from COVID-19. All children, including children who have already had COVID-19, should get vaccinated,” says the CDC statement.
While some parents are eager to finally get their children vaccinated against Covid-19, others are more hesitant about the jab.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has visited Turkey for the first time since the 2018 murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi in its Istanbul consulate.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan embraced the prince before they held talks aimed at repairing a deep rift.
Turkey’s president once indirectly accused Prince Mohammed of ordering Saudi agents to kill Jamal Khashoggi. He denied any involvement.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Turkey is currently seeking trade, investment and assistance to help it deal with a worsening economic crisis.
It has also worked to improve relations with the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Israel after years of tensions.
Following their talks, a joint statement said the two men discussed improving relations and investment in sectors from energy to defence, among others.
The Saudi crown prince wants to end his international isolation and restore his powerful regional role.
He also visited Jordan and Egypt this week as part of a Middle East tour and next month will meet President Joe Biden, who promised in 2019 to make Saudi Arabia “the pariah that they are” over Khashoggi’s murder.
Jamal Khashoggi, a US-based Washington Post columnist and prominent critic of Prince Mohammed, was last seen entering the Istanbul consulate on October 2, 2018, where he had gone to get papers needed to marry his Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz.
A UN investigator concluded Khashoggi had been “brutally slain” by a 15-strong team of Saudi agents sent from Riyadh, and that his body had been dismembered.
She made that judgement after listening to purported audio recordings of conversations inside the consulate made by Turkish intelligence.
While President Erdogan did not directly accuse Prince Mohammed, he claimed he knew the order to kill Jamal Khashoggi had come “from the highest levels of the Saudi government”.
US intelligence agencies concluded that the crown prince had approved an operation to capture or kill Jamal Khashoggi.
Saudi prosecutors blamed “rogue” agents and said the prince had had no knowledge of the operation.
A year after the killing, a Saudi court found five unnamed people guilty of directly participating in the killing and handed them death sentences that were later commuted to 20-year prison terms, while three others were jailed for seven to 10 years for covering up the crime.
Hatice Cengiz condemned the decision to welcome Prince Mohammed to Turkey and vowed to continue her fight for justice.
“The political legitimacy he earns through the visits he makes to a different country every day doesn’t change the fact that he is a murderer,” she tweeted.
There are several ways COVID-19 changed the software development industry. Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, tech was already undergoing rapid, major changes. Indeed, many development firms were reshaping the ecommerce, fintech, and business landscapes through new app features. After the COVID outbreak, their impact completely changed as companies shifted to remote work. As a software development manager, you need to know how the pandemic shaped the tech industry. This way, you can keep up with major development trends and changes in the post-pandemic world. Read on to learn about the most important ways COVID-19 changed the software development industry.
First, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the digital transformation for developers. Indeed, many firms looked to migrate their resources to the cloud. Thus, developers had to modernize legacy applications and refactor their monolithic code into microservices. This way, they could adapt to new user needs faster. In addition, many developers had to step up the transformation for their clients as well. If they didn’t have digital platforms for customers and suppliers, many software developers had to enable these as quickly as possible. As developers continue working post-COVID, they continue to build these digital channels so clients can keep up with new business patterns. Definitely, COVID-19 accelerated the digital transformation in the software development industry.
Adoption Of Advanced Tools
Next, the pandemic pushed many software development teams to adopt advanced tools in their SDLC. For example, many companies installed a Kubernetes Docker Registry by JFrog. With this containerization software, developers could provision their k8s cluster with Helm charts and images to orchestrate their applications. In addition, it provides secure, private provisioning to host local Docker images. With this feature, companies can leverage fine-grained access control as they share packages and images across their organization. Indeed, virtual Docker registries can aggregate local and remote resource to give you a single URL to manage your images. In an age where digital security is priority, this is key to mitigate risk and lower cost. In short, COVID-19 pushed development teams to adopt advanced tools to streamline security and resource management.
Increased Productivity From Remote Work
The pandemic increased software developer productivity from remote work. According to recent data, COVID pushed more than half of workers to shift their focus to the DevOps methodology for increased collaboration and efficiency. Additionally, the pandemic increased progress towards cloud migration by over 50%. By moving data to a cloud computing environment, output went up over 40%. Plus, CRM activity went up by over 150%. Indeed, remote work prevented teams from wasting time from distractions, chatting, and group meetings. Simultaneously, video conferencing and chat platforms allowed employees to stay connected. With this increased productivity, many developers will likely stay remote or adopt a hybrid model in a post-COVID world.
Higher Demand For Services
Moreover, COVID-19 also launched a higher demand for services in the software development industry. Indeed, data shows that software development roles increased by nearly 8% in the early months of the pandemic. Many businesses sought new tools to streamline business operations and maintain product delivery. For example, many companies invested in remote banking, grocery delivery, and medical scheduling applications. Additionally, over 65% of organizations reported spending more on video conferencing software. Indeed, these new resources were key to maintain their customer base and provide services through lockdowns. Undoubtedly, COVID-19 pushed a higher demand for software development services.
More AI And Automation
Furthermore, COVID-19 pushed for more AI and automation in the software development industry. For example, many companies are implementing AI in web chat bots to increase online customer interaction. Simultaneously, AI in the software industry enabled strategic decision making through analytics. Plus, many development teams implemented automated test tools for their quality assurance analysts. Notably, these tools work to minimize human error and promote fast testing in the development process. Certainly, COVID-19 enabled more AI and automation in the software development industry.
There are several important ways COVID-19 changed the software development industry. First, COVID-19 accelerated the digital transformation with cloud migration. Leveraging these cloud-based technologies, businesses can maximize speed, security, and storage efficiency. Next, many companies adopted advanced tools like container registries. With these solutions in place, businesses can capitalize on the power of containerization. In addition, software development increased productivity from remote work. Moreover, COVID also pushed a higher demand for software services. Furthermore, the pandemic also fostered more AI and automation in team pipelines. Consider these points to learn about the most significant ways COVID-19 changed the software development industry.
Those who have been around the foreign exchange trading block for a while will no doubt be aware that the Japanese yen has long since had a reputation for being a rock-solid currency. In recent years, it has developed a reputation for being one of the world’s “safe havens,” a currency that investors turned to whenever the going got tough.
However, there has been a range of upsets in recent months as the currency has reached new lows. This blog post will explore why this has happened and examine what the broader context looks like for the currency.
As any forex trader should know, staying on top of the latest forex news using a reputable site like LeapRate is an excellent idea – not least because it can give you the background to interesting developments like this one, the largely unexpected weakening of the formerly “safe haven” Japanese yen.
The yen has suffered from huge dips recently. Charts show that the yen reached its worst position in 24 years this month. This comes against a complicated backdrop of other problems for the Japanese economy, including the Nikkei stock exchange – which was down by 3% at one stage during the day. The index usually performs better when the yen is struggling due to Japan’s large number of exports. The Japanese government is now being called upon to tighten its monetary policy.
The reasons why
The reasons for this are complex, although one is that competition from other currencies has been high. The US dollar has been surging recently, and some investors have been moving away from the yen to get a slice of greenback action. Interest rates have been hiked up in the US due to various problems, including the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic – with policymakers looking to encourage investors and spenders to behave in certain ways. The knock-on effect for the dollar has been to rise in value.
Another reason for the yen’s problems is that the aforementioned monetary policy in Japan has been loosened to a great degree in recent times. Unlike many other central banks, the Bank of Japan decided in April this year to keep low-interest rates in place. Short-term interest rates in the country still sit at -0.1%, which is almost unheard of elsewhere in the world. That arguably has positive effects in other ways, but it’s not great news for the currency. It even appears that the Bank of Japan may stick to this plan no matter what happens to inflation – news which could fill yen investors with horror.
In sum, the Japanese yen has clearly suffered in recent times. The currency has plummeted to its worst performance in 20 years and has lost out mainly to the US dollar – despite its previous status as a “safe haven.” As this article has shown, there has been a whole host of reasons for this – and investors need to make sure they know the reasons why.
Hoodies are more popular than ever, and this is in no small part thanks to customization. According to Printful, many people want something unique, especially when it comes to clothing.
Customizing your clothes used to be expensive and difficult. But today, thanks to technology, the ability to make your own clothes is accessible to everyone. Anyone can create their own custom hoodies from the comfort of their homes.
All they need is a bit of creativity to get the measurements right. However, there are other reasons why customized hoodies are trendy today.
Both individuals and businesses use customized hoodies for marketing purposes and to showcase their personalities. With a personalized hoodie, you can promote a brand name or gift them to friends, customers, or employees to express your friendship, promote customer loyalty, or make employees happy.
Anyone would love a new and original hoodie in their wardrobe, especially one that’s been customized. Many people opt to put meaningful texts, images, or artworks on their hoodies.
They want to express themselves or give their clothes a little more personality. The advantage of customized hoodies is that you can opt for embroidery printing, DTG/ DTF Film Printing, or digital/screen printing.
With embroidery printing, you can give a classic look to any hoodie. It will stand the test of time, especially since hoodies and embroidery are durable, thanks to their thick fabrics. With digital/screen printing, you can play with the design in many different ways.
Some people choose to express their opinion about something, support a cause, or just put something funny on their clothing. Whatever the case, custom hoodies have the advantage that anyone can wear them.
Advantages From a Business Perspective
Since customized hoodies can be worn by practically all age groups, you can even start your own business selling them. With embroidered customized hoodies, you can target a more refined audience, while you can sell a digital/screen printed customized hoodie to children, adolescents, or young adults.
No matter what you choose, hoodies are warm and comfy, and everyone wears them. There is also a great advantage of wearing them if you exercise regularly. Hoodies can make you sweat, essentially helping you do some detox.
From a business perspective, you can customize your hoodie with the help of various printing websites. You can create your own designs, ask a friend to help you out, hire a designer, or buy already popular designs.
What’s more, you can opt for print-on-demand services. This way, you can collaborate with a printing website to sell your hoodies without the need to have them in-store. You should, however, create your own online store to maximize your profits.
With print-on-demand services, any customer that places an order will be taken care of by your provider. This means that you don’t have to invest too much time taking care of the orders, and you won’t need an inventory. When an order is made, the printing begins, and your provider will take care of the shipping.
Final Words
Customized hoodies are among the most cherished pieces of clothing because anyone can wear them, enrich them with their own designs, promote their style, brand, or views, and even make a business out of them.
A Russian-owned superyacht was ordered to leave Fiji for the US after a court upheld a FBI warrant.
The vessel allegedly sailed to Fiji to escape seizure.
US police had for months been tracking the 350ft Amadea – linked to sanctioned oligarch Suleiman Kerimov.
Agents had boarded the boat upon its arrival in Fiji in April, but the boat’s owner had launched a legal battle to stop the seizure.
They had argued the warrant contravened the Pacific island’s local law.
However on June 7, Fiji’s Supreme Court dismissed that argument and ordered the boat’s removal, pointing out the giant yacht’s docking in the port of Lautoka had cost the local government “dearly”.
US authorities in their submission had argued that the $300 million boat was estimated to cost about $25-30 million to keep running per year.
For the public benefit, it was better for the boat to be removed, Chief Justice Kamal Kumar said.
The judge found the vessel had sailed into Fiji waters “without any permit and most probably to evade prosecution by the United States”.
The defence team for the boat’s registered owners, Millemarin Investments, had argued the boat was not the property of Suleiman Kerimov’s and instead belonged to another Russian businessman, who is not facing sanctions.
However, US authorities allege that Suleiman Kerimov still has a beneficial connection to the boat.
The FBI alleged the boat had also tried to escape detection “almost immediately” after the war began by turning off its automated tracking system.
US authorities first sanctioned Suleiman Kerimov in 2018 over a slew of money-laundering charges. The Russian has been sanctioned by other nations since, including by the EU block after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
On June 7, Fiji’s Director of Public Prosecutions said the court ruling demonstrated his nation’s commitment to external assistance requests and international law.
The court accepted the validity of the US warrant and agreed that issues concerning money laundering and ownership need to be decided in the court of original jurisdiction,” said Christopher Pryde.
Western authorities have stepped up a crackdown on the assets of dozens of Russian oligarchs in the wake of the Ukraine invasion in February.
There are several reasons behind someone having their license revoked or suspended. It includes driving without insurance, receiving driving offenses related to alcohol or drug, repeated traffic offenses, or failing on child support. Whatever the reason might be, getting vehicle insurance is easier with the help of a cheap car insurance company.
Although you cannot drive legally without a driver’s valid license, you still require low-cost auto insurance in most cases, irrespective of whether your license is revoked or suspended. But, getting the right insurance policy becomes hard. You may have limited options and may not avail of cheaper car insurance rates if you have a suspended or revoked license.
Photo Source: duidirectory.wordpress.com
Can you avail of car insurance with a suspended license?
Surely, you can get vehicle insurance irrespective of whether your license is suspended. Owning a car across several states requires you to be insured and tagged even though your license is revoked or suspended. It is a challenging affair with a suspended license as you cannot get rated as a driver on your policy if you cannot drive legally.
You can be banned as a driver till your license is reinstated or when a restriction is sanctioned. There are some ways to get car insurance with your license revoked or suspended:
Rating a household member having a clean driving record as a driver to your policy, although it might not be an option with almost every insurance company.
Getting approval for the restricted or hardship driver’s license allows you in driving at special situations like school or work.
Buy the SR-22 insurance.
If the car ownership is in someone else’s name, you insure it under their vocation.
Is your suspended license visible to the car insurance companies?
Surely, the car insurance companies can check whether your license is revoked or suspended. There are motor vehicles separated in your state notifying your insurance company electronically in the same manner when they are convicted of a moving violation or a ticket.
Suppose the insurance company gets the notification for the suspended license. In that case, the company might issue a nonrenewal or a cancellation of the insurance policy, although you are not near the renewal period. The company would also provide an exclusion allowing the insurance policy to be active; however, it needs the policyholder to sign a form that excludes you from the coverage. If you get into an accident, your car will not cover it.
Lowering car insurance coverage with license suspended.
You may have to carry complete coverage of insurance that meets lender requirements as your license is suspended if your car is leased or financed. You may purchase less coverage due to the cost of the car insurance if your vehicle is outright. Make sure to consider the risk associated with your vehicle and are you making the right choice by removing the collision or comprehensive insurance.
We recommend that you buy the only-comprehensive coverage if you plan to store your car untagged. But, if your car is tagged, you would need to meet the minimum liability insurance needs for the state, avoiding penalties and fines irrespective of the driver’s license status.
What can be done to get car insurance with a suspended license?
You will risk having your license suspended and getting caught driving without insurance, and you will have to buy car insurance before having your driving privileges restored if it happens. Not all companies will insure with the one having a license suspended. If you are classified under the high-risk driver, then it can result in you paying higher premiums.
If the driver’s license is suspended and you would have to purchase insurance, then here is what you should do:
● Applying for a hardship or restricted license
Several insurance companies do not insure someone with a suspended license; however, they would if you have a restricted or a hardship license. Some laws vary in each state. Make sure to check with the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state to determine whether you are eligible to apply for the restricted or hardship driver’s license.
● Shop for cheap insurance
The drivers classed as high-risk will have to pay a bit high premiums, and not every company will be insuring them. You can get the best rate on your car insurance with a suspended license by comparing the quotes.
● Avail an SR-22 or FR-44
Your insurer may have to file for a certificate of financial responsibility in respect to your state to prove you carry the much-needed minimum amount of liability insurance.
Final thoughts
It can result in a massive setback when your driving privileges are revoked or suspended. Getting affordable car insurance from a cheap car insurance company with a suspended license will involve work. Can you expect to find your insurance rates hitting the skies? You can get help, although most insurance companies will not offer you a policy with your suspended license. Additionally, shopping for car insurance online may be a bit hard, so you should directly speak to your insurance agents. You can even ask them in regards to the recommendations for this situation.
If you’re feeling stuck with your fitness routine at the moment, know that this is perfectly normal. There’s usually a time in everyone’s fitness journey when they hit a wall, but this is not the time to give up. When people can’t get over a plateau, it’s usually not because they’ve reached their limit. More often than not, people stop making progress because they weren’t working out optimally in the first place. Let’s take a look at a few simple things that you could do to take your fitness routine to the next level.
If you’re already using things like whey protein powder and creatine, this is a good start, but you should know that there are literally thousands of other supplements out there. We’re not saying that you should become a lab experiment and try all of them, but it would be wise to at least try some you hear about often.
You should consider turkesterone, for instance. Turkesterone, or turk, has been around for many years and is unlike any other supplement on the planet. It is an ecdysteroid, which is a form of steroid that can be found in nature that supports the development of various organisms. Turk has some of the benefits of actual steroids but without the side effects. So, if you want to increase your strength and speed up recovery, this is definitely a supplement you should look more closely into.
Get a Personal Trainer
If you feel like a personal trainer is just too expensive for you, you should at least hire one so they can build a plan with you. You also have remote personal trainers that will be much cheaper. Having someone push you and teach you proper technique will make a world of difference in your results. You’ll be able to tell if you’re doing something wrong and be able to benefit from the expertise of someone who’s studied the human body.
Get Yourself a Food Scale
If you’re serious about going to the next step, then you have to start paying more attention to what you put in your body and how much of it you consume. The only way to have control over this is to invest in a food scale. You can’t eyeball your portions and expect to get consistent results. By weighing everything and keeping a food journal, you’ll know exactly how many calories go in and what the source of those calories is.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Body Scale
Another scale that you need to use often is your body scale. Top bodybuilders weigh themselves almost every day and it helps them stay on track, but you don’t have to go to these extremes. Once a week is more than enough. You have to be able to look at the number on that scale and hold yourself accountable. If you can’t do this, then you’ll eventually fail, simple as that.
Train with Someone Who’s More Advanced than You
If you have a friend who you know has been training for years, you need to ask them if you could go on training sessions with them. They will not only be able to teach you tricks but will be able to encourage you as well. It will make your training sessions much more enjoyable and having someone pushing you can help you get those precious 2 to 3 extra reps you need.
These are all tips that you can use to boost your workouts starting today. Be persevering, learn what works and what doesn’t, and try finding some outside assistance if you can.
Supporting a disabled loved one can come with many challenges. You may be in a situation where you thought you were helping, but only to discover that your well-intentioned gestures worsened or worsened a particular situation. You must be gentle with yourself and acknowledge that you and your loved one are learning how to be in sync with each other regarding the situation.
Therefore, if you wish to know how you can support a loved one with a disability, you’re in the right place as here are five ways to achieve this.
One of the ways that you can support a loved one with a disability is by seeking professional support in the form of disability services provider. Disability service providers are equipped with expert knowledge regarding the kind of intervention your loved one requires, the amount of help needed, and how to help them become more self-sufficient.
Although you may find ample information online regarding a particular disability, it may be best if you trust experts to provide the best possible intervention for your loved one. Some of the information online may be rooted in opinion, experiences, and not necessarily professional angles.
2. Research About The Disability
Researching about the disability equips you with the knowledge to help you support a loved one. You can read materials that give insight into how your loved one experiences daily life from a mental, emotional and physical aspect, as these may differ for you. Understanding these dynamics helps you become empathetic to their disability.
You may say or state certain aspects to them in the hope of helping, but because you don’t quite understand their position, you may unknowingly offend. For example, when people increase their tones when speaking with a blind person, they can hear perfectly, so they may wonder why you speak loudly and get offended.
Reading materials can explain such dynamics, which you may otherwise be unaware of, and help you adjust accordingly.
3. Find Support For Yourself
If you are a primary caregiver for a loved one, you may need support. It’s not easy caring for a loved one with a disability, regardless of how much you care for them. The responsibilities may get overwhelming, considering you have to care for others, such as children and parents, and you need to care for yourself. To be able to support a loved one with a disability fully, you need to be mentally, physically, and emotionally sound.
You can seek counseling services where a licensed therapist can help you with the realities of caring for a disabled loved one. That way, you can enjoy your wellness while caring for others.
Being inclusive means being aware of your surroundings, conversations, and suggestions when your loved one is around, considering their disability. For example, in a social setting, you may be unaware and suggest taking the stairs to a restaurant on the second floor, overseeing that there are no elevators or escalators for your loved one who may be a wheelchair user. Being inclusive in that instance means scanning the environment and assessing whether your loved one can physically join in the plans.
Inclusivity also includes the conversations you have when your loved one is around. Reminiscing about memories they may never be able to experience because of their disability may be saddening. With time, patience, and communication, you understand what makes your loved one feel uncomfortable.
5. Speak Positively With Your Loved One
Experiencing a disability may come with other dynamics such as depression and anxiety. Take, for instance, a situation where your loved one was non-disabled, then was involved in an accident and disabled. The sudden shift in life can only come with mental and emotional turmoil as they rediscover their new way of living. Speaking positively in terms of offering words of affirmation and encouragement is a major way to support a loved one with a disability.
Their daily thoughts directly affect how they begin to take life within their stride. You may only dampen their spirits if you speak about doom and skepticism about their condition and whether it may improve. On the other hand, pointing out their courage, strength, and determination to continue enjoying life will help them stand tall in their situation.
Conclusion
Some of the ways you can support a loved one with a disability include seeking professional services and researching the disability for in-depth understanding. You can be mindful of your conversations and activities around them while being positive in your talk. You may also need professional support yourself to be able to care for them fully.
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