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How to attract the best candidates (and keep them)

“An organisation’s strength is determined in large part by the quality of its talent,” Kim Stewart of First Citizens Bank told Triangle Business Journal in 2019, adding: “In a competitive hire environment, the way to attract great talent is by providing a strong organisational culture and opportunities for people to grow.” 

However, as the economy continues recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, you must know how to not only attract top talent but also keep it for the long haul. So, how can you do that?

Heed your company’s mission and values

“Candidates have a better time assessing their fit when you’re clear with your employer brand and values from the outset,” Stewart, at that time the SVP and director of talent management for First Citizens Bank, continued.

She further added: “Employees feel more engaged and are more likely to flourish when their values are aligned with those of their employer.” So, you should make sure your organisation’s ethos comes across clearly in the job description. Speaking of which…

Put all of the right things into the job description

Yes, you could probably do with a checklist here – so, it is fortunate that this particular LinkedIn article provides one, touching on such crucial inclusions as the job title, job summary and details of what your company offers and what impact someone could make through working at the company.

Keep things accurate but concise in the job description. For example, if you offer business life insurance for employees, you should mention this – albeit in a relatively snappy way.

Foster a culture of recognition at your workplace

Once high-value employees have started working at your company, how can you engage them in a way that leads them to perceive your organisation as their corporate home for the long term?

John Baldino, President of the human resources (HR) consultancy Humareso, warns in words quoted on the Employee Benefits website: “Compensation is a factor, but it’s not necessarily the deciding factor. Recognition, appreciation, gratitude, a culture of learning, and a culture of investment are much more important.”

Instil DE&I into your corporate DNA

The acronym ‘DE&I’ stands for ‘diversity, equality and inclusion’ – and, for many candidates, its inclusion at a company is a powerful incentive for them to seek employment there. DE&I is likely to even further grow in importance, too, as Generation Z employees rise in number.

Nonetheless, many companies have been slow at spreading DE&I throughout their workplaces – meaning that you can give yourself a head start by learning from their mistake.

Provide continuous feedback to your employees

This feedback can be provided through coaching workers as well as holding regular performance reviews. However, you should not only keep your employees in the loop about their progress but also discuss growth opportunities with them.

These can be opportunities for the employee’s own personal development as well as chances that the company itself is eyeing for growth. Both types of growth opportunity could incentivise the worker to stay put rather than start perusing job vacancies on offer elsewhere.

Joy and Sex Appeal Headlining Spring/Summer 2022 Fashion Trends

It’s time for another fashion resurrection as we take off the winter layers and welcome the warmer months in style. London Fashion Week (14th–18th February) calls upon our inner stylist and is here to remind us that it’s time for a wardrobe swap!

The spring/summer 2022 fashion shows paraded an explosion of colour, sex appeal, intricate cuts, and eccentricity, but also modesty and comfort. The garments echoed people’s way out of the pandemic, imbued with a thirst for excitement and a yearning for a breath of fresh air.

Idiosyncratic and chaotic in an artistic way, the collections have taken inspiration from the ‘60s, ‘90s, ‘00s, and even the 2010s, and swiftly satiate the fashion endeavours of the TikTik content creators and Depop resellers. We’re living through the age of artistic fashion exploration.

We rounded up the biggest fashion trends as seen in the fashion weeks to help you get your spring/summer wardrobe up to date.

Micro power suits

Co-ords aren’t a new trend in the fashion realms. Two, three, and even four-piece co-ords have been entertained by fashion designers for a while, and it’s likely that you own one too. But what the spring/summer fashion shows presented was an uptake of the co-ord look that blends mini skirts with cropped blazers. The result is the micro power suit.

There is something incredibly exciting and empowering about this garment. The shortening of the hemline is reminiscent of the ‘60s sex revolution, and the power suit is an emblem of the ‘70s/’80s ‘power dressing’. Of course, a play with fabrics, colours, and patterns is woven through the classic look to result in this year’s trending micro power suit.

Chanel, the pioneer of the power suit, presented two-piece blazer and mini skirt sets in groovy patterns and fabrics, including its iconic tweed. Moschino’s Spring 2022 RTW collection, titled “Ladies Who Lunch”, was a juxtaposition between lunch-appropriate co-ord suits and patterns with baby motifs, appropriate for a vintage nursery. Design houses, such as Max Mara, who showcased classy but intricate co-ord suits in leather and denim, also embraced the upcoming trend.

A breath of fresh white

As an antidote to the gloomy winter days, white comes to wave its sheer flag of fashion freedom.

Head-to-toe outfits in Colgate white were tailored in a gamut of garments, from sleek suits, maxi skirt and bralette co-ords, and loose-fitting maxi satin dresses at Hermès to bohemian dresses in sheer fabrics and featuring ruffles and fringes at Chloé.

But that’s not all. Dresses in all shapes and styles paraded in white, giving way to the flourishing bridal season. Maxine Eggenberger, UK’s acting assistant editor of Who What Wear, said: “I didn’t wear a white dress when I got married, but I fully intend on embracing spring/summer 2022’s bridal vibes”.

A look that particularly stood out is Et Ochs’ sultry cut-out dress, which encapsulates the daring fashion adventures this season that elegantly accentuate the body. This is a direction Et Ochs has boldly embraced in its Spring/Summer RTW 2022 collection.

A summer of skin

Speaking of sultry, showcasing more skin and stripping off the excessive layers seems to be a theme for this spring/summer. While the fall/winter 2021/2022 trends were dominated by ski-inspired outfits, this time around, we’re stripping off the ski gear and replacing it with beachwear.

We’re not just talking about what will be trending on the seacoast, but this mode of fashion is also penetrating everyday casual wear. Minimalist bras were worn as tops and were styled with pieces you wouldn’t necessarily combine together, such as pleated skirts, suits, and jackets.

This trend was fashioned amongst an array of designers, including David Koma, Coach, and 16Arlington. The skin of summer is a celebration of vibrancy, joy, and liberation. Designer David Koma described the mood as “the marrying of swimwear with Old Hollywood glamour”.

Platforms and flatforms

While gladiator shoes are clearly making a fashion comeback, nothing could compare to the number of platforms we saw on the runways. The higher the better was the motto of the trend, fashioned by top designers, such as Versace, Chanel, and Saint Laurent.

They had a true Bratz dolls feel, which is in line with the overall idiosyncratic theme of spring/summer 2022. Bringing us back the confidence to channel our inner diva, platforms are a true ‘90s statement.

Platform women’s boots can easily be styled with the sheer bohemian dresses and micro power suits that are trending this season.

The new bohemian

‘60s hippie revolution meets the 2022 youthful revival of joy in the most exuberating trend this season – the new bohemian.

Psychedelic and retro-inspired prints dominated Fendi’s S/S 2022 collection, which blends “empowering femininity, modern elegance, and ’70s glamour” and explores “a vision of an optimistic, dynamic future”. Similarly, flower power was the main theme of Trina Turk’s Spring 2022 RTW collection, while Gabriela Hearst revived crochet designs in fun colourways.

The best news of the season is that flares are back by virtue of Etro, whose dreamy collection is one-of-a-kind. Flowy dresses in bohemian patterns were also a staple on the runway. Rodarte astonished with its pastel mushroom prints and elegant satin fabrics, while Coperni fashioned acid-style smiley face prints.

This spring/summer, you can be as fearless and daring as you wish because the fashion scene is as vivid and idiosyncratic as it’s ever been. The street runway is truly yours to rock!

Sources

https://www.whowhatwear.co.uk/spring-summer-2022-fashion-trends

https://wwd.com/fashion-news/shows-reviews/gallery/chanel-rtw-spring-1234965058/chanel-rtw-spring-2022-60/

https://wwd.com/fashion-news/shows-reviews/gallery/moschino-rtw-spring-1234915218/

https://us.maxmara.com/editorial/runway-spring-summer

https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2022-ready-to-wear/hermes

https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2022-ready-to-wear/chloe

https://www.whowhatwear.co.uk/spring-summer-2022-fashion-trends/slide52

https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2022-ready-to-wear/et-ochs

https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2022-ready-to-wear/david-koma

https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2022-ready-to-wear/coach

https://16arlington.co.uk/pages/collections

https://www.versace.com/international/en/world-of-versace/stories/fashion-shows/ss-2022-men-women.html

https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2022-ready-to-wear/chanel

https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2022-ready-to-wear/saint-laurent

https://www.fendi.com/us/woman/highlights/women-s-ready-to-wear-spring-summer-2022/looks/?look=look-3c3e6365-8a47-404e-a60e-7cd633376912

https://wwd.com/fashion-news/shows-reviews/gallery/trina-turk-rtw-spring-1234906533/trina-turk-rtw-spring-2022-9/

https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2022-ready-to-wear/etro

https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2022-ready-to-wear/rodarte

https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2022-ready-to-wear/coperni

ISA: all you need to know about it

In the last period, ISA is the financial instrument chosen by hundreds of people living in the UK. But what are the features of this account? What are the tax advantages available? Here is a complete analysis of it.

First of all, it is essential to know what ISA means. Well, it is an acronym and it stands for Individual Savings Account. Why is this account preferred over others? Because it offers tax-free rates. Essentially, this means that an investor does not pay tax on his returns, if he (or she) does not exceed the annual allowance.
There are two base types of ISAs. Let’s analyse them.

What are the two ISAs types?

The first type is Cash ISA. An investor can manage such an account independently. Anyone can open an ISA with a few pounds. Also, holders of an ISA can deposit new money into the account at any time. At the same time, those who need money can usually draw on cash ISA funds, but it depends on the type of ISA. In this way, you can have your savings under control, managing them better.

Then there are stocks and shares ISAs. The latter is a sort of wrapper around investments made of bonds, assets, shares and so on. Anyway, those who choose stocks and shares ISAs do not have to pay taxes on growth, interests, incomes, or dividends. However, stock and shares ISAs are subjected to the volatility of financial markets so your capital is at risk and it may grow as well as go down.

Stocks and shares ISAs have the potential for a strong return on investments. However, please note that no investment guarantees a safe income, so it is good to calmly analyse any possibility before opening any type of ISAs.

What are the limitations of an ISA?

There are some limitations regarding ISAs: first of all, an investor should know what the ISA allowance is. It is about the most you can save in your account and this limit cannot be exceeded during a tax year. Each year, the ISA allowance is updated according to tax rules. Indeed, right now, the ISA allowance is set at £20,000.

Regardless, in some cases, you could use ISA flexibility. What is it? It’s a feature that helps you replace the money in your account without adding it to your ISA allowance.

In addition, you must remember that you are only able to open one type of each ISA variant in a tax year. This means that if you have already opened a stock and share ISA in a tax year, you can open a Cash ISA in the same year, but you will be not able to open another stocks and shares ISA.

Lifetime ISA: what is it? 

Sometimes you hear about Lifetime ISA. What is it? It is another type of Individual Savings Account. A Lifetime ISA, often shortened to LISA, is a financial tool created to help those who want to save money for long-term projects

In detail, this account is the ideal solution for those who want to save money to buy their first house or to enjoy their retirement. Investors could put in up to £4,000 each year and in addition, the Government will add a 25% bonus of what you pay up to a maximum of £1,000 per year.

Premier League matchday parking is almost double the cost of matchday parking in the Championship, new research reveals

  • Matchday parking in the Premier League is 98 per cent more expensive than in the EFL Championship
  • Brighton & Hove Albion is home to the most expensive matchday parking with home fans having to shell out £15 for a space
  • Liverpool has the most public car parks within a mile of the stadium (17), closely followed by Everton (15)
  • The North East has the cheapest matchday parking, only costing fans £2.66 on average to park close to stadiums

Between expensive TV packages and ever-increasing ticket prices, following your favourite football team can be a very costly affair and supporters seek to save money wherever possible. As such, many match-going fans opt to drive to stadiums to cut costs on train and coach fares. But how car-friendly are the biggest football stadiums in England? Will you save money commuting by road or incur further costs? Reflecting on these questions, Vertu Motors, the official car retailer for Middlesbrough FC, analysed the parking options and average prices for every football club in the Premier League and EFL Championship. The research found that matchday parking in the Premier League is 98 per cent more expensive than it is in the Championship. Premier League parking costs averaged out at £6.76 per game across 190 car parks, whereas Championship car parks were much cheaper at £3.42. The EFL Championship also had a much higher frequency of free car parks near stadiums, with over a third of car parks available at no cost to match-going fans.

Sourced from FootyParking, the data analysed the amount of car parks within a one mile radius of stadiums in the top two English divisions. An average car park price for the duration of matches was generated for each football club, which was then used to calculate costs across different leagues and regions. Vertu Motors also found that Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League has the most expensive matchday parking in the country, averaging at £15 for the duration of a game. Car-commuting Seagulls fans are forced to shell out over 200 per cent more for their parking tickets than the national average (£4.98). Five of the traditional Premier League ‘top six’ also make the most expensive car parks list, with only Manchester City avoiding a spot in the top 10. ‘Cityzens’ pay just £5.04 on average for parking during a game near The Etihad.

In terms of car parking options on matchday, it is Liverpool who lead the pack with 17 car parks located within a one mile radius of Anfield. They are closely followed by their local rivals, Everton, as well as Leicester City and Chelsea, who have 15, 13 and 13 car parks close to their stadiums, respectively. In general, Premier League clubs have many more car parks nearby (190) than Championship clubs do (144), with there being a much higher demand in the top division for parking spaces.

 Looking at the data regionally highlights the cheapest and most expensive areas across the country for matchday parking, too. The North East, home to Middlesbrough FC and Newcastle United, has the cheapest car park rates in the Premier League and Championship, averaging at £2.66 per stay. Unsurprisingly, fans who commute by car to football games in the North West and Greater London are the most likely to pay out for expensive parking spots during matches. These regions are home to some of the biggest football clubs in the world, not just England, and their costly car parks reflect that popularity.

Vertu Motors spokesperson commented: “We know the life of a football fan can be very expensive and one of the best ways to cut down on costs is to trade your train ticket for a car commute to each game. “However, expensive car park prices near stadiums can set you back a couple more quid than you initially expected. “To avoid any unpleasant surprises, we recommend always research the area close to the stadium prior to travelling as well as commuting with other fans to split the costs of petrol and parking.” For further insights about Vertu Motors’ matchday parking data, visit the Vertu blog.

Protecting Your Infant: The Balance Between Digital and Real World

The recent advancements in technology have given birth to a vast variety of social as well as ethical concerns. What would become of the world as we know it in the decade to come? And mostly when it comes to new parents, will our children be safe and protected in this new world of digital reality and new virtual stimulations? 

Fret not for while it might still take a couple of years for the Meta technology to take hold of our lives, Parents can take hold of their children’s digital security right away and make sure their kids are always safe through the use of some of last year’s tried and tested, best parental control apps that just keep on getting better with time.

FamilyTime 

Out of all the parental apps out there, FamilyTime parental control app tops our list because of its diverse functionality and wide range of viable options for parents on how to control and monitor their child’s online activities. 

The initial version of the app is free to use but once infants start to get older, they do offer various premium packages based on the number of child devices in the household and the number of digital control parents wants to have over their toddlers and tweens.

This app offers various features such as 

  • Geofencing locations, 
  • Content filtering based on keywords and genre,
  • App blocking, 
  • Location tracking
  • Chat monitoring
  • Teen safe drive limits 

and many more interesting and fun features that both parents and children can enjoy while being completely safe and protected online.

  • Kaspersky

Like FamilyTime, this app also allows for various kinds of controls such as:

  • Content filtering
  • Site or app blocking
  • Screen-time limits
  • Location tracking
  • Geofencing
  • Contact blocking

Kaspersky Safe Kids offers a highly vigilant and impactful alert system but their content filtering is not as diverse as the former app and continues to face interruptions in the web on various iOS browsers. Their parental monitoring is also limited and only allows for parents to see child activity on certain applications.

  • Qustodio

The next one on the list is Qustodio. This app happens to be one of the best developed and well-functioning apps out there. It is simple and convenient to use software that offers a lot of features including:

  • Screen time monitoring
  • App blocking on remote and home devices
  • And is easy to use across devices.

The only drawback is that this app is not as economical as the other two mentioned prior.

  • OurPact

Like FamilyTime, OurPact also offers the complete package to parents in terms of 

  • Live location tracking
  • Screen time monitoring
  • App blocking
  • Website restrictions

And more, but there are certain limitations to what this app can and cannot do. For example, this app does not enable parents to monitor the digital whereabouts and activities of their children in terms of who they are in contact with and what kind of interactions they have with the person as well as certain glitches that might interrupt mid-usage.

  • Net Nanny

Net Nanny is also one of the easy to install and configure softwares. Like the ones mentioned above, this app also offers great

  • Screen time limitation controls
  • Location tracking and geofencing
  • App blocking
  • Web filtering

But one of the drawbacks is that there is no free version of the app available for trial and some of the functions happen to be manipulable when it comes to child safety.

Right Choice Conveyancing Calculated Online

Right Choice Conveyancer Selection

Have you placed your property for sale, or about to? Then find your right choice conveyancer by selection using the Homebuyer Conveyancing comparison website. No contact details are required if you simply want to browse the conveyancing choices.

Instantly Compare Right Choice Conveyancing Quotes

Many of us have used comparison websites for our car insurance, energy and broadband and made the right choice and saved money in the process.

You can do just that for your conveyancing. Other conveyancing websites want your personal details upfront. If you do that you will be emailed / called from many Solicitors wanting your business.

Would you make your right choice in this scenario?

When you use Homebuyer Conveyancing you are firmly in the driving seat. You can compare online comparable quotes and then leave the website to google review the Solicitors. Then once happy you can revisit and take a quote away and schedule a direct call back.

 

Move With The Times And Plan Your Move

Each Homebuyer purchase conveyancing quote includes a search pledge. If your transaction fails through no fault of your own then another set of searches are supplied for Free up to a value of £300 for your replacement property. With this product you can confidently instruct your Solicitor to order searches on day 1 of the conveyance.

Local Authority Property Searches Delays

Some Local Authorities are providing their local searches far too late and this causes major disruption to a property chain. A delay on 1 property causes issues down the line. Hence why  Cash Buyers and First Time Buyers are in great demand to minimise risk.

In todays property marketplace the focus is to get to exchange of contracts fast. This is where the accepted offer becomes binding. Be in the driving seat and set the scene for a fast conveyance. It makes sense to use an experienced conveyancer that has access to a suite of faster search products.

The Homebuyer Conveyancing panel partnered many years ago with Onesearch Direct. This preferred partner is owned by Landmark. You are in good hands if you want your conveyancing issues sorted.

A team approach at the ready – How good is that!

Careful When Using Conveyancing Recommendations

Often the Sales Agent recommends a Solicitor. This sounds at the start an easy option. You want a conveyancing quote before you instruct a Solicitor. Then you know what the cost of conveyancing will be. Without that it can be very stressful as costs can escalate. In addition the recommended Solicitor may not be approved by your Mortgage Lender.

If you use comparison websites to save money then doing so again for conveyancing will help you make the right conveyancing choices.

Be informed and use Homebuyer Conveyancing to help select your right choice of Conveyancer to manage your legal transaction. Cheaper conveyancing direct from High Street Solicitors that are based in low cost of living areas.

Complex conveyancing instantly compared without fuss and without obligation to instruct.

Expected Conveyancing Completion Timeframes

First Time Buyers buying a new build are often asked by the Developer to exchange in 28 days and complete within 2 months. First Time Buyers focus on new build, especially this year as they want more space with minimal risk that the conveyance will fail.

Buy To let Investors focus on completing quickly. They want their new investment to be earning. They expect completions to be within 2 months for new build and less than 6 months for resale properties

Existing Homeowners moving house are sometimes slow to react and wait for the offer before they instruct a Solicitor. This causes delays and they are often within a property chain, where gazumping may be causing issues down the line. Homeowners must have realistic timescales for completion. The longer the chain, the longer the completion time.

Supply And Demand

Low stocks of resale property coming onto the market for sale = More Buyers per property = Higher property pricing. More opportunity for gazumping as Vendors realise that the conveyance is slow. They may command higher pricing should they re-advertise . An endless circle of problems.

The only way to move in this environment is to have your Solicitor instructed and at the ready. With all background checks on you carried out before offer acceptance stage.

If you are buying property then try and instruct your Survey within 7 days of the accepted offer.

If you have a residential property Conveyancing question then do call the Homebuyer Conveyancing Helpline on 0345 463 7664

Construction Driving Materials Shortages

Due to the covid 19 pandemic, the supply chain was badly disturbed. There were huge supply chain disruptions across the industries, from toilet paper, cleaning supplies to food. Most of the places have gained their normalcy back; however, the nation is still facing a lot of shortages. The construction sector is also being affected by these shortages. There have been a huge scarcity of driving materials, timber lumber, etc. these shortages are due to the growing demands for new construction and bigger home amid the pandemic, along with the covid-19 pandemic restrictions and the government shutdowns that the orders stifled.

  • The current situation of construction driving materials shortage:

The construction industry has been severely affected all year round by the diminishing supplies of important building materials like roof tiles, cement, and steel. Due to this, the materials’ prices also started to rise Between September 2020 and September 2021. It was estimated that there was a 1% month-on-month increase from September to October after that.

Mr John Newcomb and Mr Peter Caplehorn, the co-chairs of the CLC’s Product Availability working group, believe that the material shortage is primarily induced by the rising inflation and energy cost and the uncertainty over a potential increase in covid cases. Also, the full border control implemented at the end of the year was among the many factors that played a part in creating the construction driving material shortage in the UK.

Although there is not that much demand for the product, the supply is still struggling to meet the customers’ desires, as reported in the latest construction products availability statement.

  • Shortages of the products that can be seen:

The supply of timber is struggling very much; substantial shortages are being faced since the last year in timber stocks. There also is a significant increase in its price by 64 per cent. Another factor that slowed down the production of timber in the mills of Scandinavia was the significant delay at the ports. 

There is also an extreme shortage of plaster, due to which it has been subjected to extended lead times. Although the supplies have improved still there are some ongoing challenges with the supply, according to CLC.

There is also a shortage of paints and sealants. Their supply is still affected due to the global shortage and the shipping cost of the containers.

Another thing facing extreme shortages in the construction sector is roof tiles. According to the National Federation of roofing contractors (NFRC), the lead time of the concrete and clay roof tiles continues to be extended, averaging around 20-24 weeks. Sometimes it can even rise to 36 weeks.

Steel is also scarce in the market. British’s steel halted to take orders on structural steel due to extremely high demand. After that, they raised the transaction prices of each tonne on all-new orders. Right now, there is a shortage of steel lintels. Apart from that, the increasing cost of gas and electricity and related carbon cost is also leading to a significant increase in the transaction prices, including glass, bricks, ceramic products, etc. The supply of cement also decreased in the last year. Cement production dropped from 11.4 % in 2021.

General levels of uncertainty over the upcoming months are a sign of concern. The region has recognized a loss of surety over inflation and product prices for substances together with metal, cement, bricks and glass, which might be sent northwards by growing energy prices.

The ramifications of the scarcity have rippled via the enterprise. The increasing cost of lumber has impeded contractors’ potential to construct contracts for the originally agreed-upon price and hindered the ability of the customers to pay the increased costs. The increased fees are handed to providers to the builders and contractors to consumers.

  • Conclusion:

The problems airing from the shortages do not stay limited to the consumer contracts. It also affects the contractor and builders. Many firms like western industrial business interiors struggle to find materials in the first place, let alone find affordable material. This hardship leaves the suppliers susceptible to allegations, specifically by the builder’s developers and other contractors. They are blamed for using the pandemic’s shortages to raise the price of the goods unfairly. This is a huge problem lingering as the current shortages of the products are causing delays and a rise in prices. It is suspected that supply will eventually catch up with the demand, but firms need to utilize termination, price escalation, and other incentives to mitigate the impact.

Sergey Karshkov: What Is T-Commerce?

T-commerce is an innovative new marketing avenue that enables brands to connect with consumers directly via smart TV. Essentially acting as a marketing channel, t-commerce facilitates addressable and interactive advertising, its main benefits being connectivity and scalability.

In the United States today, almost 3 in 4 households have at least one active connected TV device, with the reach of voice-enabled devices expanding at a startling rate. Marketing industry experts predict that smart TV OEMs will tap into the t-commerce revenue stream, seeking to boost margins in what is already a highly competitive market.

The parallels between t-commerce and the early stages of mobile commerce are clear. Just a decade ago, few people could have imagined themselves using their mobile device to order groceries. Three key developments facilitated this paradigm shift in consumer behaviour: widespread implementation of user-friendly commerce interfaces; an explosion in connectivity following the development of smartphones; and formalisation of secure payment systems. Sales via m-commerce mushroomed from under $25 billion to $208 billion between 2012 and 2018. By the end of 2021, m-commerce sales are predicted to surpass $420 billion, accounting for almost 54% of all e-commerce.

M-commerce, meaning the buying and selling of goods through mobile devices, really took off when app developers and OEMs began incorporating user-friendly commerce platforms on their mobile devices. TV OEMs are already doing this, with all the major players – from Sony to LG – building capacity for retailers to introduce storefronts on devices, thereby enabling t-commerce.

For example, in the United States, the ShopTV app is available for download to almost 50 million smart TVs. Although the current user community is much smaller, estimated in the tens of thousands, the interface is there and ready for use once consumer awareness is sufficient to scale the user base.

There are significant incentives for smart TV OEMs to do everything they can to facilitate the growth of t-commerce. They operate in a highly competitive market where profit margins grow thinner year-on-year, placing emphasis on OEM’s ability to pursue new monetisation opportunities.

Possible revenue generation models could include CPM-based reach metrics, or payments based on sales generated via the OEM platform. Testing will no doubt be required to identify which model works best, providing the greatest revenue generation potential, but both of these models are viable, having already existed in the digital advertising ecosystem for some time.

The way people use TVs is evolving, transitioning from a traditional ‘lean-back’ experience, to a user-centric, on-demand environment. Today’s viewers are more discerning. They expect to be able to choose what they want to watch and when they want to watch it, consuming content at will, rather than being confined by the broadcaster’s scheduling. This evolution has created significant opportunities for brands to leverage t-commerce as a two-way street, enabling consumers to interact with and buy from them directly via their smart TVs. The t-commerce revolution has scope to radically increase brand sales and profits, drastically improving return-on-advertising-spend.

From exercise equipment and blenders to vacuum cleaners, infomercials have – to date – been a popular advertising channel. Many marketing experts cite the infomercial as a precursor to the point-and-click model of t-commerce, enabling consumers to order products in a few clicks of their remote. Research from Hulu suggests that t-commerce is extremely effective, with engaging and interactive advertisements increasing purchase intent by up to 160% compared with standard TV commercials.

Benefitting from the considerable marketing industry experience of its founder Sergey Karshkov, 9 Pandas consistently retains a competitive edge over its competitors in terms of marketing developments, leveraging the latest marketing tech and formulating innovative strategies to help clients execute optimised and effective marketing campaigns.

With Amazon currently testing out commerce within Prime shows and Sky unveiling its new shoppable ad format, industry experts anticipate that t-commerce could have a revolutionary impact on advertising and – ultimately – consumerism as we know it.

Drum Lampshades & Colourful Accents: Simple Ways to Brighten Up a Moody Space

From navy living rooms lined with books to midnight-coloured bathrooms with copper accents and checkered floors, there is no denying dark, moody spaces are so in right now. Although it depends on the exact specifications of your living spaces, if you are looking to redecorate with a bit of Harry Potter-inspired witchery it’s important to choose colours, accents and décor that strike a balance between the dark and light within your home.

While knocking down walls and adding windows is the most obvious way to overcome this challenge, unfortunately major renovations aren’t an option for everyone. For those of us who are looking for a quick and easy fix, thankfully there’s colour, lighting and mirrors.

Add pops of colour

The most obvious way to create a moody atmosphere within your living spaces is to paint the walls a darker colour, such as deep purple or even black. However, a little too much and you could wind up with a dark and oppressive space that does little to spark joy. Dark furniture can further invoke feelings of dreariness and depression.

Adding colour is the easiest way to make a moody room pop. Spruce up your moody living space with brightly coloured cushions, throws or curtains. You could opt for light accents, or even use metallic paint or chrome to highlight a specific lampshade or ornament. Many homeowners also choose bright and colourful artworks that can immediately brighten up a space, as well as make blank walls a little more interesting.

Traditionally, the best colours to freshen up a moody space are whites and greys, metallics, soft pastels such as lavender or sky blue and neutrals. However, the colours you choose will come down to your specific tastes and the unique specifications of your property. Adding small pops of colour around the room will help to balance your space, while still keeping that cosy, moody atmosphere.

Choose your lighting wisely

Perhaps most important, choose your lighting wisely. Lighting can transform your living areas and be the difference between oppressive darkness and a cosy, moody space.

It’s important to match your lighting to the mood of your living spaces. However, for a deliberately moody interior, you can also layer your lighting. In the corner of your moody living space, opt for a retro lampshade, such as a zorite or drum lampshade that sits about midway up your wall. In the other corner, you may choose to place a bold, vintage lamp atop a credenza or side table and then in the centre of the room, choose a large focal point to hang from the ceiling such as a chandelier or retro lampshade. With a few candles dotted across your coffee table and around the room, you’ll be able to layer your lighting to create a cosy atmosphere any time of day.

The colour of your lighting can also make a difference in setting the atmosphere within your home. Soft, yellow lighting creates a romantic, restful mood while bright, white light can give off a stark, clinical feel. Regardless of the mood you’re looking to create, it’s important to balance your lighting between bright, white light and softer orange and yellow lighting. Balancing the lighting in your home emits a friendlier, more comfortable atmosphere within your interior spaces, and can be the difference between just another house and a warm, welcoming home.

Reflect light with mirrors and maximise natural light

Without a doubt, the best way to transform a dark, oppressive room into a moody, 20th-century professor-esque living space is natural light. If you happen to be refurbishing your home, bifold doors or large, panoramic bay windows work to maximise light within your home as well as allow airflow whatever the time of year. Of course, if you aren’t lucky to have a home with large, expansive panes of exterior glass, there’s always mirrors.

Mirrors reflect light around your home and can make a room seem larger than it actually is, as well as allow light to naturally flow into your interior spaces. If you’re going for a really atmospheric space, you can also place antique mirrors around the room which can bring a historical, older feel to your home, and introduce bright and shiny chrome accents.

Paint your ceiling

When it comes to creating an atmosphere within your interior spaces, your choice of colour when it comes to your ceiling is hugely important. While you may be tempted to paint your ceiling a darker colour in keeping with your desired atmosphere, painting your ceiling a darker colour can actually make your room appear smaller. For a cosy and moody effect that makes your room appear larger and more expansive, we would suggest a white ceiling. White is often used as a ceiling colour for this exact reason. However, if white is too stark you could always opt for a cream or eggshell.

Conclusion

From moody living rooms lined with plenty of books to bathrooms that are navy from floor to ceiling, there is no denying dark, moody spaces are very trendy at the moment. From your choice of furniture and lighting to your colour scheme, there is much to consider when refurbishing your property with dark, moody aesthetics. Perhaps most pertinent, it’s important to get a little bit playful. While bright, bold colours and a funky drum lampshade may feel overwhelming in a darker space, done correctly your choice of interior décor can transform an oppressive atmosphere into a moody yet welcoming oasis. Getting that coveted, Instagram-esque space doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s the opportunity to get creative, bring a moody ambience into your living spaces and transform your house into a warm and welcoming home.

Do your security personnel need body armour?

If you have a team of security guards on hand to protect your home or business, you have a duty of care to protect your employees from a variety of hazards, including violence.

Security guards in public-facing roles are particularly vulnerable to physical attacks, and so it is vital to consider giving them protective body armour, such as stab-proof vests, to keep them safe from harm. But what is body armour, and why do your security personnel need it? Let’s take a look.

What is body armour?

Body armour is a form of protective clothing worn to absorb or deflect the impact of a physical attack.

Body armour comes in a variety of materials and strengths to suit the role of the wearer and can be strong enough to protect them against a wide range of weapons, including sharp objects (such as knives), blunt instruments and bullets.

What kind of body armour do I need?

The Home Office’s Centre for Applied Science and Technology has developed national standards for body armour. These standards were initially created as guidance for UK police forces, but they are also appropriate for other public roles and private companies.

The Home Office has created a list of certified products that meet their standards for three different types of threats, including:

– Stabs using sharp objects that could cause deep internal injuries in vital organs
– Slashes using knives that create shallow, long injuries that could damage major blood vessels
– Ballistic attacks using a shotgun, rifle or pistol, which cause complex injuries

As a business owner or manager, you are responsible for liaising with your local police force to decide which level of protection is appropriate for your staff.

What is body armour made of?

Body armour is usually made of blast and ballistic-resistant fabrics covered by an outer fabric casing. The higher the level of protection the body armour provides, the heavier and stiffer it will become, which can decrease the mobility of the wearer. Additional armour plates can also be added to increase the level of protection provided.

How to choose the right body armour

In addition to the level of protection required for your staff, there are several other factors you’ll need to consider when choosing the right body armour for your security personnel, including:

Fit

Issuing body armour that is the right size for your staff is essential, as it will determine how much protection it offers and how comfortable it is to wear. If the armour you choose is too short, it may not protect the wearer’s vital organs, but if it is too long, it may make it uncomfortable to wear and difficult to move in.

Weight

While the weight of the armour itself is important to consider, the way its weight is distributed is also essential to think about. Ensuring the weight of the armour is evenly distributed on the wearer’s waist and shoulders, for example, will make it less of a burden to wear for long periods.

Bulk

The bulk of the body armour can be more prohibitive than its weight, so it’s essential to make sure the armour you choose is streamlined. Bulky body armour can be a hindrance to normal movement and can restrict easy access to vehicles and buildings.

Finding the right body armour for your security personnel is essential to keep them protected at work, so make sure that you shop from a reputable provider.

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