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Why You Need to Increase Team Building Activities in Your Organization

By
John Richardson
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Due to the rising strain in the modern world, corporations and other institutions may decide to engage in team-building activities to alleviate internal pressure and promote togetherness. Team building activities do not necessarily have to be in an extreme location with a big budget, such as water rafting or skydiving. It may entail in-house initiatives that may not need a substantial expenditure. In-house activities may include sing-offs and dance-offs in the office, having a cook-out experience, or video gaming. For those who love debating and engaging one another, you can have time to discuss the different sports played as well as popular betting payment methods as you bet on the upcoming sports events.

But you would ask, are there any benefits of engaging my company in team-building initiatives? Here are some reasons you should consider including team-building activities in your schedule.

Reduced Stress Levels

People in the workplace might be having multiple thoughts rushing through their heads, resulting in stress. Stress results in the person’s poor performance since someone cannot produce optimal results when they have a lot in their minds. Team-building exercises are fun activities that allow individuals to escape the realities of their thoughts and help them improve their mental performance. Since team building occurs primarily outside of the workplace, people may withdraw their concentration from work and concentrate on having fun.

Effective Unification of Employees

The most critical aspect of an organization is that all staff members comprehend the objective and collaborate to achieve it. Team building activities involve a lot of interaction and collaboration, allowing the employees to increase their communication abilities with each other. For example, if you decide to take your employees to a rafting competition, they will have to communicate with each other so that they can be able to steer the rafts to win the competition. Since employees can interact and understand one another better, team productivity is significantly increased. The most important thing you will get from the team-building experiences is that employees will be more comfortable around each other, improving their 

teamwork.

Increase the Turnover and Company Productivity

There is an expectation of high levels of production when team members collaborate without regard to their diverse backgrounds, as shown by studies. According to studies, the absence of team-building activities has also been linked to decreased employee turnover and productivity. Companies with team-building exercises have a greater capacity to retain their personnel than those without such activities. The fact that there is a higher retention rate of employees means that they are productive enough and enjoy their stay in the company.

Connect Virtual Teams

Organizations with remote employees employ team-building exercises to unite all workers in various places effectively. Even while distant teams contribute to a firm’s productivity, bringing them together improves their mutual understanding. Individuals can form new networks and a more favorable remote working environment through these connections.

Embracing Diversity Among Employees

Additionally, team building encourages diversity. Most organizations have staff from many nations, ethnicities, and linguistic origins who have different cultures. Team building is crucial because it fosters an inclusive atmosphere where individuals appreciate their differences, learn from one another, and create new communication channels. A company culture that fosters diversification is an ideal place to be. But what embraces diversification more than allowing people from different backgrounds to have fun together?

Attracting New Talent

Candidates search for positions based on factors other than income, such as the organization’s caring for its workers’ wellness. Potential candidates may seek an atmosphere conducive to achieving their professional objectives. Team building is an excellent method for attracting and retaining outstanding people since it improves team cohesiveness, productivity, and happiness. When researching the companies to apply for, candidates will go through the websites of different organizations. The one that shows employees working together and having fun will be more considerable to apply. Apart from attracting new talent, team building will retain existing talents. Employees will not be willing to leave the organization, seeing that their welfare and wellbeing are catered for. What most people do not know is that having fun is therapeutic. A company with a good salary but overworking its workers will lose its employees faster than a company with a good salary and team-building activities.

If you are in your organization’s administrative or decision-making body, you need to consider having team-building initiatives if you have not yet started. Prepare a budget for an out-of-work experience with staff members, and reduce working stress for a day. You can never go wrong with team building.

Niclosamide and its Many Uses

By
John Richardson
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It has been shown that the pharmacological properties of Niclosamide may be used for a variety of different purposes. This is due to the drug’s capacity to uncouple mitochondrial phosphorylation and modulate a number of signaling pathways. Diabetes, Parkinson’s, and microbial and viral illnesses might all benefit from repurposing research, including several types of cancer.

  • Diabetes

Diabetes affects more than one in ten Americans. Approximately 34.2 million persons are included in this figure. Pre-diabetes affects 88 million people, or one in three Americans. Given the increasing prevalence of metabolic problems, it makes logical to investigate therapeutic options that could yield a large number of positive outcomes.

Miletus was relieved in mice by the salt version of Niclosamide (Niclosamide ethanolamine), which has higher water solubility. Increased energy expenditure and improved lipid metabolism were seen in mice fed a high-fat diet after receiving the therapy. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) was effectively managed with the use of Niclosamide Ethanolamine.

  • Parkinson’s Disease (PD)

Mitochondrial serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (PINK1) mutations can cause early Parkinson’s Disease (PD) onset. Neuroprotective effects might be generated by small compounds that activate this protein. As a result, the disease has the potential to be treated.

A potent stimulator of PINK1 in cells, Niclosamide provides substantial promise to keep the illness at bay. In order to prove the efficacy of this medication, additional PD models are needed.

  • Viral Infections

Inhaling or ingesting a virus can result in a person becoming infected. Insect bites or intercourse might potentially be a source of the disease. The upper airways, throat, and nose, as well as the gastrointestinal, neurological, and reproductive systems, are all affected by viral infections. Antiviral medications are commonly used to prevent the spread of viruses and maintain a healthy immune system.

Antiviral properties of Niclosamide could possibly be harnessed in the future as host pathways can be targeted by this drug.  This action has been linked to the product’s ability to reduce the severity of the illness in some cases. Niclosamide has been used to treat COVID 19, Ebola, and Zika viruses in a few studies so far.

  • Bacterial Infections

When a bacterium penetrates the body, it causes an infection and triggers many reactions in the body.  It can be transmitted through an open wound or the airways. Some bacterial illnesses have revealed Niclosamide’s antibacterial properties. Anthrax, TB, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are the most common threats. These results show that the medicine is equally effective as vancomycin, which is already used to treat MRSA infections. 

  • Cancer

Cancer research has long been the focus of experts’ attention and resources. Several tumors were shown to benefit from the anti-cancer properties of Niclosamide:

  • Oral
  • Colon
  • Lung
  • Ovarian
  • Breast
  • Prostate
  • Glioblastoma
  • Osteosarcoma
  • Leukemia
  • Adrenocortical carcinoma

Data shows that the drug’s capacity to damage tumor cell mitochondria, decrease tumor cell growth, and cause apoptosis makes it a feasible alternative to current cancer treatments.

Summary

Niclosamide capsules has a wide range of applications in medicine. However, as with any drug on the market, there are some potential side effects. Further investigation is needed to uncover its full potential and safety concerns. Only a limited amount of evidence is now available to demonstrate its adaptability and effectiveness. Further research is needed to ensure that it can be used for a variety of therapeutic purposes.

https://www.niclosam.com/shop/

What Exactly Is Continuous Controls Monitoring & Why Is It Becoming So Popular?

By
John Richardson
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In recent times, you might have noticed more and more organizations talking about continuous controls monitoring. CCM is rising in popularity and can be used for organizations of all sizes and in all industries. There are also a handful of benefits to using this type of technology, but it is the reduced risk of cyber breaches that makes it so key in 2022. Cybercrime is a major and growing problem right now with cybercriminals using increasingly advanced tactics to steal sensitive data, which can then cause all kinds of long-term damage to any organization. This post will look at what CCM is and the reasons why it is proving to be so popular in 2022.  

What Is Continuous Controls Monitoring?

So, what exactly is continuous controls monitoring? CCM involves the continuous and automated testing of the cybersecurity controls that an organization has in place to ensure their effectiveness at all times. These controls can be used to reduce risk, which includes preventing cybersecurity attacks. In addition to this, CCM is also a smart way to ensure business compliance at all times which is why CCM is so common in highly regulated industries like financial services. On top of this, CCM can also provide peace of mind knowing that controls are always effective and that you are being proactive in reducing risk.

Why Is CCM So Popular In 2022?

The main reason why so many businesses are using a CCM platform in 2022 is the increased risk of cybercrime. Cybercrime has been a growing issue for some time now, but since the COVID-19 pandemic, cyber-attacks have been rife with so many people working remotely along with the disruption that the pandemic caused with all companies having to stay in touch with their customers on a regular basis to keep them updated. As a result, cybercrime has become a major issue and businesses of all sizes and in all industries are being targeted. By implementing a CCM platform, such as the Panaseer Platform, businesses are able to reduce risk in a time when all companies are at threat from cybercrime.

Ensure Compliance

One of the other primary reasons why so many organizations are using CCM platforms in 2022 is for compliance. The way in which businesses use and control data is continuously being changed and hugely important, so businesses need to do all that they can to ensure compliance at all times. These platforms can make it easy to manage security controls in a unified way so that adjustments can easily be made to ensure compliance at all times. As mentioned before, in highly regulated industries like banking and IT, organizations need to do all that they can to always remain compliant.

Improve Efficiency

Another reason why CCM is proving to be popular in 2022 is that it can help organizations to improve their efficiency. Instead of compliance professionals having to conduct lengthy audits and manually test controls multiple times over the course of a year, CCM can automate this task and provide continuous monitoring so that any issues will be flagged up immediately. This can then free up time and energy for compliance professionals to focus on other high-value projects. This can all help any organization to increase efficiency while also reducing risk, preventing fraud and increasing cybersecurity. Additionally, by detecting issues earlier, organizations are able to stop small issues from growing into larger (and more expensive) issues to resolve.

Improve Brand Reputation

One of the other reasons why so many companies are now using a CCM platform is that it can be an effective way to improve brand reputation. When a company uses CCM, it shows that they are taking risk management, compliance and protecting important assets seriously and this can help to improve brand reputation among customers, regulators and all other stakeholders. This is particularly important when you consider the damage that a cyber-attack can do in terms of brand reputation, so it is easy to see why many businesses are now taking this very seriously and using solutions like CCM to prevent cyber-attacks from happening.

It is clear why CCM platforms are proving to be so popular in 2022 and why organizations in a range of industries are using these as a way to reduce risk and increase cybersecurity. Cybercrime is one of the biggest threats facing modern-day businesses and can do damage in more ways than one, so it is vital that action is taken to reduce risk in 2022.

Liberating Jobs to Do If You Hate Sitting Behind a Desk

By
John Richardson
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It was once seen as the epitome of success. You had landed yourself a desk job and now you could sit in an air-conditioned office all day and simply fill out paperwork or write reports on a computer.

However, this is not a job that everybody wants, and recent job search trends are highlighting this point. Luckily, there are multiple alternatives to choose from if you don’t want a standard office job. Some of them may require additional training and some of them can simply be started from an apprentice position. However, one thing’s for sure, if you don’t like sitting down all day and typing, there are many jobs that you can do that can take you into a different range of environments and enhance your learning and creativity along with your leadership skills.

So, without further ado, here are some of the best alternatives to standard office jobs that you can undertake, even with minimal training.

Taxi Driver

Transport, in general, offers a lot of non-office jobs, whether you are driving a vehicle or flying an aeroplane, although the latter will probably require a bit of additional training to simply driving a car. If you like getting out and about in the city and enjoy driving and meeting people, then a taxi driver is likely to be an ideal job for you. The best part is that you don’t even have to set up as part of a taxi firm, and you can get hold of your own taxi and begin chauffeuring people around once you have passed some of the licencing exams. If you’re looking for a cheap taxi to begin this career, head over to www.cabdirect.com to explore the options that they have on their site.

Zookeeper

If you are a lover of animals, then being a zookeeper is a straightforward job that you can usually walk into with minimal hands-on training. This will require you to have some basic knowledge of how to care for exotic animals, such as snakes and even monkeys, but it will allow you to work outside, meet with the public, and also learn about the different animals that you will be caring for.

This can involve a lot of health-based responsibilities too. You will be responsible for keeping an eye on the animals that you care for and ensuring that they appear physically and mentally healthy. If you undertake additional training as a zookeeper, you may even be able to administer medications to animals that are slightly bigger than a dog or a cat, like lions, zebras, and even large snakes. However, being a zookeeper is a job which is physically demanding, so if you’re looking for a way to get rid of some excess energy and want to help animals, then this is an ideal career choice for you.

Healthcare Professional

One of the jobs that will always be in high demand and require new people to join is that of a healthcare professional. Training as a nurse or a doctor will take many years, but you can start as a support worker in either a nursing home or a mental health hospital, which will require some basic level literacy tests. This will allow you to be working with people and will very rarely involve sitting down at a desk.

Plus, there is great room for advancement if you train as a healthcare professional. As mentioned earlier, you can go on to train as a nurse or doctor or can simply become a senior support worker or even a ward manager, which will once again not involve a lot of sitting down. This role will also give you a great sense of pride when it comes to helping people too. 

Chef

If you’ve been told you’re the next Gordon Ramsay (hopefully not due to your language), then it may be worth looking into a career as a cook and potentially working your way up to a chef. Be aware that this is a very physically demanding job and will require you to be on your feet for the majority, if not all, of your shift. However, if you enjoy cooking, trying new recipes, and simply love a fast-paced job, then this is likely to be the ideal one for you.

Childcare

If you love children, it can be worth looking into getting a job in childcare. This role will enable you to look after children, make friends with their parents, and of course, not be sat in an office. You will need to pass basic training in first aid to be employed by most nurseries but once you get in, it’s unlikely that you will have a boring day.

Tips for Creating a Great Storefront

By
John Richardson
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If you’re the owner of a street-facing store, you’ll know all too well how important it is to create a great storefront. It’s through this window that potential customers get a taste of what your business is all about, whether this is retail, hospitality, or another service provider, allowing them to decide whether to enter your store and look around.

When consumers are walking down the high street, there’s no guarantee that they will choose your store above the others, even if you are confident that your service is superior to your competitors. Much like choosing a book from a bookstore, it’s the cover that catches the eye, before the real story is discovered inside, but it’s up to businesses to ensure that this cover is as appealing as possible.

Especially now that many countries are living through a cost-of-living crisis, with increased prices and rising bills across the board, it’s more important than ever that your store’s storefront is as captivating as it can be, as consumers, in general, are far less eager to spend their money than in previous times and will need extra intrigue to consider parting with their hard-earned cash.

Read on to find out more about creating a great storefront, and how nailing your aesthetic could give your business the boost it needs.

Dynamic Signage

Signs have always been a crucial part of creating the ideal storefront. Historically, buildings and facades would be adorned with large advertisements or branding, while even in the modern day, signs placed out on the street can give consumers a welcome insight as to what awaits them if they enter the store.

As well as this, all brands rely on creating a captivating badge/ logo, which can help bring some character to the name of your business, using creative aspects such as font, color, and dynamics.

With the wonders of electricity, signs that glow, move, and change color help to catch the eye even more effectively, although you will need to be careful to tailor this to your brand, as something too bright or dynamic could come across as tacky in some trades and industries.

Putting business signage in place is all about sending the correct message to the correct people.

Easy-to-Read Fonts

Depending on the trade in which your business operates, the font you decide to use for your storefront could be wildly different. For some traders, it could be appropriate to attempt faux-handwriting signage, while for others it could be far more appropriate to stick with bold, clear text that gets the message across effectively.

When choosing the fonts, you will use in your storefront’s branding and signage, it’s a case of not losing sight of the primary purpose of your signage – to send a clear message, that gives potential consumers and returning customers alike a great idea of what they will find when they enter the store.

However, it’s not a case of going to the clearest, most boring font you can find, as even if consumers can read the message clearly and concisely, they may find the lack of imagination uninspiring, or it could seem out of place compared to the rest of the branding.

Engaging Window Displays

Having an engaging window display at the front of your store is a fantastic way of not only grabbing a potential customer’s attention for a moment but potentially captivating them for much longer, which far increases the likelihood of them choosing to spend their money in your store.

Not only can window displays give consumers a detailed insight into the kind of products that are instore or on offer, but it can be a great opportunity to expand on your business’s branding and express the personality of those working at the store.

Knowing your customer base well is an important factor in creating a successful window display. It’s a chance to tap into your branding and make stronger connections with consumers, improving brand loyalty and revenue as a result.

Maintain Consistent Branding

For your storefront display to succeed, it’s important to stay true to your branding.

Especially if you have built up a customer base who identifies strongly with your branding, it could be seen as sloppy or a mistake by your customer base to either change up branding on a whim or have displays that are confused in their branding and messaging.

Furthermore, if the business has caught the eye of potential customers, and then changes branding, it could mean that the potential customer forgets as they are no longer reminded of their previous interest.

Easy Ideas for Improving Your Home on a Budget

By
John Richardson
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If your home could use a makeover but you’re on a limited budget, don’t despair. Here are a few simple ways in which you can give your living space a much-needed lift, no matter how much you have available to spend.

Change Your Colour Palette

One simple way to refresh your living space on a budget is to update your colour scheme. Choose one colour or a palette of complementary colours for each room and add touches throughout your living space. If your budget allows, you can create a bold feature wall with paint or wallpaper. However, if you’ve only got limited funds, use cushions, rugs, throws, vases, artificial flowers, cheap artwork, and other elements to bring a dash of colour to your life. As well as giving your home a low-cost makeover, changing the colour can influence mood and even improve your wellbeing. For example, orange can boost your energy, so may suit a home office, while blue is said to be calming, so is great for bedrooms.

Enhance Your Surroundings

Another way to spruce up your surroundings without spending much money is to add simple touches that enhance your environment. Putting some fresh flowers in the living room, bedroom, or kitchen can be a great way to add a seasonal touch to your home. Likewise, there’s nothing like keeping a fresh fragrance at home to give your rooms an instant lift. The great thing about these improvements is that they are changeable, so you can refresh them as often as you like. Other low-budget options for enhancing your surroundings include adding simple visual elements. For example, look in stationers, book shops, and craft stores for greeting cards featuring unique artwork and photography. Buy some cheap picture frames and hang them on your walls for an easy art display.

Opt for Low-Cost Alternatives

If you want to move past décor and make more substantial changes on a budget, look for alternatives that save you money without compromising on style. Can’t afford to replace your kitchen? Why not just change the cabinet doors instead? This can give the impression of a whole new fitted kitchen at a fraction of the cost. Similarly, if you can’t afford to recarpet the stairs, try a stair-runner. These are available in a variety of colours and designs, refreshing your hallway while adding noise-proofing and reducing wear and tear on the carpet underneath. In the bathroom, you can avoid changing the whole suite and just add a new toilet seat, showerhead, and shower curtain. Complement these simple changes with some small decorative touches and it will look like you’ve spent a fortune upgrading your home!

Choose One Element to Upgrade

If your budget is tight, maybe you would prefer to make one or two costlier changes, rather than trying to do too much. For example, installing a new front door or windows or laying new carpeting can give your home a real refresh while making a real difference to your property. Indeed, some significant changes can pay off over the longer term. For example, cheap, ill-fitting windows and doors can create drafts and loss of heat. Investing in high-quality replacements could lead to savings on your energy bill, while also enhancing your home security. There may be financing available to help spread the cost of some of these costlier improvements, but it’s important to be realistic about what you can afford and not overreach.

Add Value for Potential Buyers

Many people undertake home improvements intending to add value to their property. While low-budget changes are unlikely to boost your home’s value when you come to sell, what you can do is add to the kerb and garden appeal. This can increase interest in your property among potential buyers, especially if there are several similar properties for sale in your immediate area. Tidying up the garden, adding some attractive plants, or freshening up any paintwork can all help to make your house more appealing. Another low-budget trick to make your home more attractive to potential buyers is to highlight how they could utilise the space. For example, if you have a cluttered spare room, add some basic storage and a cheap single bed or sofa bed, so buyers can see how they could use it as a guest room or child’s bedroom.

When it comes to refreshing your living space, the options are endless. Hopefully, this article has shown that you can make great improvements to your home, even on a limited budget.

Short Stay Schengen Visa

By
John Richardson
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The Schengen Area is an immense territory with virtually no boundaries that you could have access to, provided that you meet certain parameters. It comprises most European countries, though not all of Europe is part of the Schengen zone, and even some European Union countries are excluded from the Schengen Agreement.

Several countries, both inside and outside of Europe, have a visa-free agreement with Schengen countries for short-term allowances However, if your country of origin doesn’t have a signed agreement, you’ll need to file a request for a short-term Schengen visa. For this purpose, the aid of qualified immigration lawyers is imperative, as they may offer valuable Schengen visa advice, as well as fast track Schengen visa applications of any kind.

Short-stay Schengen Visa Explained

Short-stay Schengen visas are permits that grant access to the Schengen territory and allow individuals to remain for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. Short-stay visas can be issued for a myriad of purposes and under a wide variety of conditions.

To illustrate, some visas allow for only one entry into each of the member countries, while others enable multiple entries, but likewise only within the 90-day window. In some scenarios, you could even be issued a multiple-year visa, but only insofar as you don’t exceed the stay limits established therein.

How to Apply for a Short-stay Schengen Visa?

To apply for a short-stay Schengen visa, you ought to book an appointment with the Consulate office of the country that stands either as your main destination or as the first country you visit (depending on whether the duration of your stay in each country is equally distributed or not).

When the date of your appointment arrives, you must present certain documentation that supports your eligibility, such as a valid passport, bank statements showing you have the financial means to remain in the territory, and the fee payment receipt. These are just some examples, but the list of documents you must provide is extensive.

When applying for a short-stay Schengen visa, you must state your purpose of visit via a cover letter attached to the documentary proof demanded from the Consulate or Embassy.

Schengen members would require virtually the same documentation across the board, but not all Schengen countries have the same approval rates. Visa applications could be rejected for various reasons, even those not related to lack of proof. Fulfilling all the requirements does not guarantee that you’ll get your petition approved, for reasons of national interests could stand in the way.

Furthermore, some countries, even within the same agreement, are more wont to reject petitions than others. Belgium has been traditionally a very difficult country to apply for a Schengen visa, but Portugal has also been very hesitant to grant short-stay Schengen visas in recent times. Countries like Slovakia, Lithuania, or Luxembourg are, conversely, much more lenient.

You would have to submit your application at least 15 days before your trip, as that’s the time it usually takes to get a decision (though it may take a lot longer if extra documentation is requested). It’s always recommended to submit the petition as early as possible, though it should not be earlier than 6 months before the trip.

What If I Wanted to Stay for a Longer Period?

In those cases, a Schengen visa is not the proper route. You would have to submit a residence permit or long-stay visa application instead, in which case, you’ll be asked to provide some additional information and documentation depending on the purpose of the visit.

Long-stay visas are not the same as multiple-year visas. Short-stay visas may be granted for up to 5 years, but they only permit you to stay for various shorter periods for the remainder of their validity. Long-stay visas are issued for individuals who need or wish to stay in the Schengen area for more than 90 days.

How Do I Know If I Need a Short-stay Schengen Visa?

To know whether you are required to ask for a visa in order to enter the Schengen area, you would have to get in contact with a visa advisor, who’ll be able to offer updated information on the matter, as well as further Schengen visa advice, such as the type of visa that’s right for you.

5 Ways That Technology is Transforming The Financial Industry

By
Claire James
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In 2022, the increasing advancement of modern-day technology reigns supreme over just about every aspect of our daily lives – and the development of the financial industry is no exception to that rule. Whether we approach the idea from the perspective of maximised productivity rates, or the recent increase in interest in the stock market, one consistency remains obvious: the impact of the mechanisation of the present undeniably echoes throughout the world of finance.

Remaining aware of this as a brand and a business is vital when it comes to staying one step ahead of the competition. It is paramount in the process of making the very best monetary decisions that align well with your company’s future prospects. If you’re looking to learn more in order to understand how to put your best foot forward in this regard, read on as we cover the five major ways that technology is holistically transforming the contemporary financial industry. 

Revitalised Banking

A large chunk of the financial industry is dependent on how banking operates. In recent years, we’ve witnessed a major switch to a more digitised version of immediate banking and depositing, which has enabled consumers to access a much more instantaneous and reliable form of monetary management. This is, in turn, increasing the profit of all financial sectors as transactions continue to increase in terms of accessibility and convenience.

The Automation of Businesses

It’s not hard to see why increased automation is becoming so popular across a whole range of industries, when considering the way it often skyrockets production rates and maximises projected profit. This is why brands of all trades, from Amazon to Xelix are promoting the implementation of such processes in order to optimise overall business efficiency in a long-term way.

The Extrapolation of Data

Customer data collection has always been integral to how finance centred industry’s function, but the usage of technology to gather that critical information has made it much easier for companies to truly understand their key demographics. With your clients wants and fears openly displayed via social media and app usage, knowing how to meet their needs is no longer the laborious task it once was. The digital collection of this data enables businesses globally to offer hyper personalised customer services that are more likely to yield an optimal financial outcome.

Implementing AI

Artificial intelligence is emerging as one of the leading ways in which economic sectors interact with technological development. Not only does AI play a large role in providing efficacious and customer services, it also allows financial investors to better predict the results of their monetary decision-making.

The Increasing Ubiquity of Digitised Resolutions

More and more finance based brands are choosing to take a more client-based approach to how they operate, which is largely being executed through online spaces and digital apps. Seeking fast-paced and immediate results for common workplace problems is in turn driving up the overall profit margins of economic establishments across the board.

In Conclusion

It’s clear that the evolution of the technological landscape is having a significant effect on the general management and functioning of finance sectors across the globe. Taking note of just how much the general operation of the industry is changing and growing is always good practice and should never be overlooked as a business tactic.

Ryan Mahoney (Dubai, UAE): CRC Market Report on Commercial Properties

By
Claire James
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Ryan Mahoney (Dubai, UAE) is the CEO of Cencorp, a conglomerate of real estate-related businesses. He also cofounded a leading UAE property website, and has taken an active role in the development of several early-stage companies, providing him with expert insights into Dubai’s real estate sector. This article reviews the CRC Commercial Property Market Report for the 2021 financial year, looking at how economic growth continued to surge throughout Dubai and the wider UAE despite disruption created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

As the CRC report indicates, in 2021, Dubai’s commercial property market reached a turning point. Whereas the pandemic had a detrimental impact for both landlords and tenants in numerous countries worldwide, Dubai saw a steep increase in both prices and demand for commercial real estate through 2021, with sales surpassing even-pandemic levels.

CRC’s 2021 Commercial Property Market Report was published in January 2022, at which point, CRC’s Director, Ben Bargh, noted in his foreword that Dubai’s commercial property sector had made an almost complete recovery, with confidence building, and business owners becoming increasingly optimistic regarding their enterprise’s future. A common trend that emerged in 2021 was a desire to secure better, more extensive commercial premises for a longer period.

Dubai’s government introduced a number of new policies, including launching a visa scheme for foreign professionals, and transitioning to a working week that runs from Monday to Friday like many Western countries. Ultimately, Dubai has become even more attractive to expats, creating growth across the commercial real estate sector, and bolstering Dubai’s economy. Post-pandemic, Dubai retains its position as the region’s strongest economy. It is predicted that Dubai will continue to attract a high level of foreign investment in the months, and years, to come.

As normality returns across the markets, CRC anticipates that commercial real estate prices will continue to rise steadily throughout the country, increasing confidence in Dubai’s property market and its economy as a whole.

In 2021, Dubai’s commercial property market was characterized by steady recovery. Demand, transactions, and property prices returned to, and even exceeded, pre-pandemic levels, with the total number of sales transactions exceeding figures from 2020 by an impressive 19%, and prices increasing in both leasing and sales. CRC predicted in its report that this trend will continue as businesses and the economy expand.

Throughout Dubai, office sales doubled in 2021. Predictably, Business Bay took the top spot as the most desirable community for office spaces, with Dubai Silicon Oasis, Barsha Heights, Al Barari, and Jumeirah Lakes Towers all ranking highly in terms of communities with the highest number of office sales in 2021.

Turning to retail unit sales in 2021, International City ranked highest, followed by Jumeriah Lake Towers, and Mohammed Bin Rashid City, the latter making strides recently and showing impressive growth in both commercial and residential markets.

The CRC Market Report bears out the UAE’s economic resilience through the Covid-19 pandemic, a fact demonstrated by its thriving real estate sector. Navigating its way through the pandemic in 2021, Dubai’s commercial property market closed the year 35% up on the previous year’s figures, with circa 31 billion UAE Dirham changing hands in unit transactions. Whether it is the lifestyle, or new legislation paving the way for citizenship and a golden visa scheme for foreign investors, Dubai attracted foreign investors and expats in their droves in 2021, which in turn has boosted demand for commercial real estate. The commercial property market has become an increasingly attractive investment option for Dubai residents too, with office spaces becoming particularly appealing. The number of offices sold increased by 101% in 2021, totaling 1.99 billion UAE Dirham.

Expo 2020 combined with the resumption of global travel led to more than 6 million tourists flocking to Dubai in 2021, outperforming 2020’s figures by some way, according to the Khaleej Times. Retailers reported a subsequent pick up in footfall, which has driven increased need for retail units, with premises at street level especially sought after, and communities like Jumeirah Lake Towers proving particularly popular. Compared with figures from 2020, retail property sales were up by some 96% through 2021, with the value of transactions rising to almost 690 million UAE Dirham in total.

Following 2020’s considerable pandemic-related economic uncertainties, CRC data suggests that trust in Dubai’s commercial property market bounced back in 2021, with no sign of growth abating anytime soon.

Preparing for retirement in Switzerland

By
John Richardson
-

In Switzerland, the pension system may seem complex: AVS; 2nd pillar; 3rd pillar A and 3rd pillar B; linked or unlinked. But the answers to our questions are generally straightforward: How much will I earn? How and when to plan my retirement?

What age can I retire?

The Swiss system is one of the most generous in Europe. The pension is paid from 65 for men and 64 for women. The amount depends on the conversion rate applied to the capital accumulated in occupational pensions throughout the career. A legal LPP minimum is set at 6.8% for the compulsory part.

Several annuity models coexist:

Splitting: the conversion rate of 6.8% is applied to the mandatory part, while another conversion rate is used for the extra-mandatory part. Insurance companies use this model.

The single conversion rate is applied to all pension assets (mandatory and extra-mandatory). It is the so-called wraparound pension funds that adopt this system.

Let’s start with the financial aspect, usually the first concern of workers preparing for retirement. And for that, you have to understand the Swiss system well so that everything is clear. Expert advice is available at F B K Conseils.

In Switzerland, pension provision is based on the 3-pillar system:

The first pillar

The 1st pillar, also called the AVS, is compulsory and operates on a principle of solidarity. All workers – salaried and self-employed – contribute from the age of 20 up to 10.1% of gross salary. The contribution to the AVS is paid 50% by the employee and 50% by the employer to the State.

How much can you get with the AVS?

At the time of retirement, the calculation of the amount of the pension will depend on:

  • Average annual income
  • Number of years of contribution
  • Applicable bonus

At most (by earning an average of 84,600 francs per year and contributing since the age of 20), you can receive 2,350 francs monthly from the AVS. The minimum amount is 1,175 francs per month (earning less than 14,100 francs per year). It is enshrined in law that the maximum pension cannot be higher than twice the minimum pension.

The second pillar: occupational pension

The pension fund represents the second pillar, which is also mandatory. Its legal bases are the federal law on occupational pensions for old age, survivors and invalidity (LPP) and the law on compulsory accident insurance (LAA). The benefits provided by the pension fund aim to maintain your standard of living.

The third pillar: private pensions

Voluntary private provision is divided into two separate pillars: the linked pillar 3a and the free pillar 3b. It makes it possible to close any pension gaps and cover additional individual needs.
It’s never too early to make plans for your retirement, and it’s always worth seeking help to ensure you make the most of your provision. Contact F B K Conseils today for informed advice.

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