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Sergey Karshkov: What Is T-Commerce?

By
Claire James
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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

By
John Richardson
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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?

By
Claire James
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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.

What should you do in your garden this Winter?

By
John Richardson
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Now that the days feel a lot shorter, and are a lot colder, getting out in your garden might be the last thing on your mind. But if you enjoy the benefits of gardening in the Summer, the gentle exercise and the mindfulness of it all, then why not carry on your green-fingered hobby in the winter months too? You might be surprised to hear that whilst your garden might not be looking quite so alive, there’s still plenty you can be doing. And all the hard graft you put into your garden during the Winter will really pay off come Spring & Summer.

So let’s take a look at where you should be focusing your efforts on your garden this Winter.

  • Protect your grass

Your grass is going to be feeling a little neglected and vulnerable during the winter months, so it’s a good idea to avoid walking on it where necessary. If you’re particularly concerned about it, you could even place a thin plank down to provide you with a walkway over the grass – which will help distribute your weight more evenly, putting less pressure on the fragile, individual blades of grass.

  • Wrap your plants up warm

For any more delicate plants you might have, that aren’t quite hardy enough to make it through the cold winter months, now is the time to wrap them up warm. Bubble wrap is an affordable way to protect your plants, but you can also buy fleece which is designed exactly for this purpose.

  • Put out feeders for animals

Feeding the wildlife which visits your garden is more important this time of year than ever. Birds, squirrels and hedgehogs will all be looking for nuts, seeds and fat balls to keep them going this Winter. If you know you often have hedgehog visitors too, then it’s a good idea to leave an area of your garden untidy – logs, sticks and fallen leaves make a perfect cosy home for any hedgehog.

  • Feed your flower beds

Now is the perfect time to add compost or manure to your beds, to help grow healthier plants next year. Either fork the compost in, or spread a layer on top, and believe us – your plants will thank you for it when they’re blossoming next year!

  • Care for and maintain your tools

It’s the perfect opportunity to take stock of your garden tools and make sure they’re all in good condition. Do the blades on your secateurs need sharpening? Or maybe your gardening gloves are looking a little grubby and need washing? Now’s a perfect time. It’s also a good opportunity to look out for new gardening tools and equipment online – as you’ll often find them in the sale. For affordable garden tools all year round, take a look at Pronto Direct.

Follow our tips and we guarantee your garden will be looking better than ever before in the New Year. Happy gardening!

Supply chains and COVID-19: New challenges and new solutions

By
John Richardson
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The COVID-19 crisis has impacted supply chain systems around the world. The consequences haven’t abated yet, and many companies still have to limit their inventories, reports the New York Times. In this connection, major players in the sector had to rethink core business processes and make vital management decisions. Let’s see how the pandemic affected supply chains in key industries, what problems it entailed, and how companies coped with the difficulties.

A recent study by Bain & Company reflected ineffectiveness of the basic principles of supply chain management. These principles have been applied over the past several decades, and are based on minimal costs and inventories. The authors believe that building flexible and adaptive supply chains is a prerequisite for the successful functioning in the current realities.

The economic crisis during the pandemic proved this thesis in practice. The disease resulted in a dramatic worldwide reduction in actual supplies – a vital element for most businesses. Free and open movement of goods and services is a great principle, but a risky one. The more the supply chain depends on people, the greater the risks, and the crisis development timeline has consistently exposed old problems and created new ones.

First, COVID-19 hit factories in China, the world’s largest producer. Empty cargo containers began to accumulate in Chinese ports, while other parts of the world, on the contrary, saw a shortage. Whoever could, temporarily refused to work with the country, but this couldn’t be a permanent solution: the crisis revealed the need for a new logistic approach.

Before the pandemic, logistics was perceived as a pricey enterprise. Companies sought to optimize costs by delegating functions of storage, transportation, delivery and warehouse management to counterparties offering the lowest rates on the service market. However, at the beginning of the crisis, it turned out that the approach did not allow coping with new challenges: additional links in the chain increased the response time and led to delays in deliveries, empty warehouses or, in some situations, oversupply of goods.

In this situation, the winners were those investing in long-term relationships with counterparties based on the basic principle of responsible cooperation. To cite an example, the German cables, wires and cable accessories manufacturer Helukabel optimized its supply chain by introducing customer-specific control: “We have set up an integrated supply chain that reflects the motto “think global, act local”, says Michael Hamsa, Helukabel’s Head of Supply Chain Management. Based on its own IT and communication infrastructure, the company has built an operational communication network with customers and was able to maintain close proximity even at a time when ‘distance’ became one of the most popular words. This approach has shown its viability in practice: Helukabel and its customers have not experienced any production or delivery delays related to the COVID-19 situation.

In addition to closer interactions with customers, companies have also had to learn how to work with reduced headcounts in the face of heightened safety restrictions. This has significantly impacted the core supply chain processes and has even pushed some companies to the brink of extinction.

So, India’s e-commerce delivery companies lost thousands of employees at the beginning of the pandemic; 80% of employees altogether left BigBasket food delivery company. Employees in these types of companies are a key element of the supply chain, and any disruption in this area may become a close call. Realizing the danger, BigBasket mobilized its forces, introduced bonuses, insurance and increased security measures for employees, as well as optimized the operational process of deliveries: “We started telling customers we will not deliver on the same day, we will deliver everything on a milk route in two or three days. We started doing only bulk orders and prioritized delivering just essential items,” explains Vipul Parekh, Co-Founder and CMO of Big Basket. This approach paid off: a year later, the company sees a rise in business even while the disease keeps raging in the country.

Dependence on importers and transportation blocks were the next tripping stone. Border closures, export bans and increased customs clearance periods dealt a blow on those whose supply chains were dependent on their partners’ products.

Some companies have avoided these problems by working with local suppliers and using their own streamlined and fully controlled process of making and selling goods. Thus, a wide functionality that allows not only collecting and storing data on the production chain, but also optimizing logistics and automating document flow at own facilities, allowed French banknote printer Oberthur Fiduciaire successfully thread its way through the crisis waves. Both of the company’s main European facilities strictly observe unified procedures and requirements and are permutable; at that, VHP Security Paper supplier, owned by Oberthur, ensures there is no or very limited problem with stock. Due to its specific activities, the company must ensure full control over its production chain, and this careful approach resulted in solid performance, says Oberthur’s CEO Thomas Savare: “The systems we put in place in the ‘good times’ have stood up to the pressure and I am pleased to say that we have a record order book – a reflection, I think, of the confidence customers have in our processes and procedures.”

In any changing environment, there are winners and losers. Traditional supply chains are designed for lean efficiency, low risk, and high predictability. The new reality, however, dictates the need for agility, speed and study of new opportunities, and in the current situation, those who have shown maximum adaptability during the onset of the crisis and prepared the ground in advance in case of problems, have won.

Top tips to help reignite your fashion flare this winter

By
John Richardson
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Fashion and style are ways of expressing who you are, so why should your age stop you doing so? From a young age, women have heard you need to tone down your outfit. But then as we age, we are then told “you can’t wear a top that low” or “a figure-hugging skirt, at your age?”. Fashion is all about fun and experimentation, so why should there be rules to follow?

Looking at magazines can often make you feel older and frumpier than you are, but what’s stopping you from taking tips from the younger generation? If fashion is a circle, why should it have an age limit? Let’s take a look at different ways you can refresh your look and keep yourself feeling young!

Classics never lose style

As climate change issues rise, many are concerned about the role their fashion choices play. In the UK, we buy more clothes than any other country in Europe, so what can we do to lessen our impact on the environment? One simple way to elevate your style is by nailing the basics. You most likely already have a lot in your wardrobe but its just finding different ways to pair them. Try your favourite pair of jeans with a T-shirt and a classic blazer, maybe even borrow your partner’s items for an oversized look! This could work great for the office or after-work drinks, giving you a seamless look that lasts all day! When checking your wardrobe out you may even find old items that are back at the height of fashion.

Likeminded women

The images in magazines often don’t reflect reality, making it harder for real women to visualise how they will feel in an item. It’s all about finding a brand that reflects you. Thankfully, due to the rise of boutique outlets, women can have a more personal shopping experience. Chic Happens based in Lancashire prides itself on helping women feel their best and recently sponsored a Loose Women UK tour. As women, we lead very busy lives with little to no time to traipse around websites and shopping centres. This led Chic Happens owner Claire to offer personal style and fashion advice without overwhelming customers.

“At Chic Happens we are passionate about helping women feel their very best by helping them discover their style mojo. Wearing the right cut for your body shape gives you inner confidence and strength, and we are here to help, advise you, and give you the confidence to be the very best version of you!”

So next time you take a walk around your local town, why not pop into your local boutique to get some friendly advice!

Make it your own

When trying new styles, you may be able to look elsewhere in your home before browsing the shops. You may not be the same size as your daughter but there’s plenty inspiration you can take for free from her wardrobe, without anything going missing! You may even be able to coordinate a look for your next family event!

One trend that’s very popular with the younger generation is Athleisure. Why not dress down your favourite dress with a pair of trainers rather than heels for a more casual day look. Alternatively, as the months get colder, women’s boots are making a big return as a staple this season. You could even ask your daughter how she plans to wear hers and bond together over fashion.

Fashion is all about expressing yourself and making sure you feel comfortable in your looks. You shouldn’t feel pressured to go too far with things, but with encouragement from others, you may just find new things that surprise you.

Influential Women in Sports: The Sports Stars to Look Out For in 2022

By
John Richardson
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Women’s sports are more popular than ever. The number of people watching women’s sports has risen in the past year, with 51.1 million people estimated to watch female-led sports in 2021.

The interest in women’s sports could encourage equal treatment of female athletes, from their media coverage to the appreciation of their talent.

This article will look at the five most influential women in sports. To do this, we’ve created an index based on the online presence of five sports stars, taking into account their average number of monthly searches and number of followers on social media. Here are the sports stars look out for in 2022.

Serena Williams

Instagram followers: 13,700,000
Average monthly searches: 135,000

First on our list of influential women in sports is Serena Williams. An American tennis star, Serena is extremely recognisable in her tennis outfits and women’s trainers. Williams is renowned in many ways, and considering she holds more Grand Slam titles (23) than any female tennis player, we can see why. Competing against her older sister Venus, Serena won her 23rd Grand Slam title during the 2017 Australian Open. Even more astonishing – Williams won the championship whilst being in the early stages of pregnancy!

2021 has been an exciting year for Serena. As well as attending Met Galas and designing her own clothing label, Williams’ life has made its way into Hollywood. King Richard, a biopic film released in 2021, is inspired by Serena’s childhood years as a budding tennis star. Unfortunately, Serena had to withdraw from the 2021 US Open due to an injured hamstring, but we’re sure she’ll be back on the court soon enough.

After being in the spotlight for over 20 years, Serena Williams continues to be one of the most influential women in sports. She is definitely a star to continue watching in 2022.

Emma Raducanu 

Instagram followers: 2,100,000

Average monthly searches: 823,000

In contrast to the stalwart Serena Williams, Emma Raducanu has experienced a meteoric rise to fame in 2021. A British tennis player, Raducanu became a household name after winning the US Open in 2021. The tennis star exceeded all expectations and became the first qualifier to reach a Grand Slam finale. Emma won nine consecutive matches and is now ranked as England’s No.1 tennis player.  As well as this, Raducanu is the first British woman to win the tournament in 44 years – all while being 18 years of age!

Raducanu has quickly become a popular public figure in sport and beyond. She attended the 2021 Met Gala, an extremely prestigious event that boasts an impressive celebrity line up, wearing Chanel and sporting Tiffany & Co. diamond earrings. As of October 2021, Emma became the British ambassador for Dior’s womenswear collection and skincare range. With such esteemed sporting awards and elite social presence, Raducanu’s next step is sure to be a success!

Alex Morgan

Instagram followers: 9,400,000

Average monthly searches: 49,500

Next on our list of influential women in sports is US women’s football player Alex Morgan. The football star, who plays for Orlando Pride, is a two-time World Cup champion and has scored 115 goals during her career. As well as this, Morgan has a gold medal from the London Olympics in 2012. With successes in both American soccer and English football, it’s no wonder Morgan has such a big following on social media!

The past few years have been a success for Morgan. As well as returning to America to play for Orlando Pride, she won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2021. She is consistently attaining fantastic achievements to go alongside her previous accomplishments. Despite being in the later stages of her career, Alex Morgan continues to inspire the next generation of female footballers.

Simone Biles

Instagram followers: 6,900,000

Average monthly searches: 135,000

Simone Biles, a 24-year-old American artistic gymnast, rose to fame at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. During the tournament, Biles became the first US female gymnast to win four gold medals in one tournament. Simone continues to deliver high-quality performances in 2021. At the US Classic, Biles became the first woman to successfully land the Yurchenko double pike. Similarly impressive, at the US Nationals, she won three gold and one bronze medal!

After her many breathtaking achievements, she decided to withdraw from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games to focus on her mental health. This sparked a worldwide conversation around young women and their mental wellbeing. As a result, Biles has become an advocate for mental health and a shining example for young girls both within and outside of sports.

Sania Mirza

Instagram followers: 8,100,000

Average monthly searches: 5,400

Last on our list is Sania Mirza, an Indian tennis player who became the first Indian woman to win a singles title in the 2005 WTA Tour. Mirza’s success has continued throughout her career. She became the first Indian woman to win a doubles title as the 2015 Wimbledon Grand Slam and went on to become the first Indian woman to be No.1 in doubles or singles tennis.

In 2021, Sania made it to the 2nd round at Wimbledon and the 1st round at the US Open! Considering these astonishing accomplishments, it’s no wonder Mirza continues to be an inspiration to young women across the world, especially for budding Indian tennis players.

Female athletes are at the forefront of public discussion. From established and renowned sportswomen to upcoming and budding athletes, women in sports are more influential than ever before. By combining their follower and searches score, we believe these are the five sports stars to watch in 2022. Will you be tuning in for their next sporting event?

Manage Office Spaces for Large Employees to Make it Comfy and Easy

By
John Richardson
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Simply having a workplace isn’t enough or fruitful to have a successful business and satisfied employees. You need an office space that boosts productivity, enhances your employees’ mood, makes them feel comfy and relaxed and brings out the best in their work.

Fortunately, improving your work environment doesn’t have to be as expensive, time-consuming or difficult as one might think.

We are here to guide you in making the most of your office space to diminish the stress of daily information overload, rigorous deadlines, and any other strain on the employees.

Keep your office space as comfy as possible:

Paying a little extra attention to your office’s layout, design, and amenities makes a huge difference.

Designing a comfortable office isn’t all about aesthetics, but one must give careful attention to detail to boost employees’ happiness. Small investments of money and time can transform your office into a more comfortable and productive workspace.

Focusing on good lighting, quality ventilation, and a good heating and cooling system will give more positive results than concentrating only on a sturdy desk and a comfortable chair.

However, this doesn’t imply that investing in comfortable furniture won’t pay off. Go for something practical and affordable yet comfortable enough to withhold the wear and tear of everyday use.

Opt for furniture pieces that will reduce the chances of any health problems that may occur.

Allowing your employees to keep a family photo or a photo of their pet may give a more homely look to their space and make the surroundings easier to navigate each day.

Stay organized and keep your space clean:

Productivity and motivation of a workspace suffer when the employees work in a disorganized and cluttered space. It gets challenging to function and process new and old information when you are encompassed by mess and clutter.

If you want a healthy workspace, make it a policy to keep your desk tidy, organized, clutter-free and reduce paper use as much as possible. Messy desks create more obstacles. They lead to increased stress, immense waste of time and reduced concentration.

Even if it means taking ten to fifteen minutes each day to sort out the scattered documents and organize all your things on the desk, you will be glad you did so.

It’s going to feel like a mini accomplishment each day, and you will be able to portray your productivity with complete ease.

One essential factor to look into is renting a storage unit to keep your office space as clean and tidy as possible. This way, you won’t be getting rid of all your important documents, papers and inventory.

London Storage Facility will keep all your belongings safe and secure in climate-controlled, dual locked doors and 24/7 CCTV self-storage units.

Self-storage in Brighton offers a two-person team that will arrive at your doorstep on your selected time slot to collect and load all your items. They have made commercial storage easy and simple to navigate.

Pickups and returns are hassle-free, and you can request some or all your items back by booking a partial or full return from your account to any address in London.

Use scents and space to liven up your workspace:

Another way to enhance your workspace environment is to introduce greenery and scents. Adding a few plants all over the office will make a positive difference.

Not only do they look good and give a calming effect, but they cleanse the air by absorbing contaminants in your surroundings. They also increase a sense of well-being, boost productivity and lower stress levels.

We recommend you get low maintenance plants that don’t require much care to thrive. Shrivelling plants with brown and yellow leaves are a real mood killer.

If you can’t afford a gardener to water and maintain your office plants, keep ones that don’t require much care so you and your employees can water the plants daily.

According to research, certain smells can reduce stress and boost confidence and increase performance at work. Scents such as jasmine, lavender, and lemon can stimulate brain activity and give a calming effect.

Aromatherapy can be powerful, and the best part is, it’s inexpensive. You can DIY an air freshener by mixing a few drops of essential oils of your choice in water.

What is a Lombard Loan?

By
John Richardson
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A Lombard Loan involves using financial instruments, like marketable securities, as loan collateral. Just like a property is used as collateral when you take out a mortgage, different liquid assets can be utilised as loan security. In exchange for a pledge of your liquid securities, such as investment funds, bonds, or equities, you can request the lender provides you with a credit line that you can use at any time throughout a pre-agreed period. In this manner, Lombard Loans give you the ability to boost your liquidity in a flexible way without needing to sell your securities.

There are many different benefits associated with Lombard Loans, and an experienced mortgage broker can help to make sure that this is the right solution for you. From the great flexibility and ensuring you have a line of credit accessible to you when you require it, there are many reasons why these types of loans make sense.

How do Lombard Loans work?

This type of lending is relatively short-term, with the period of lending ranging from one week to two years. Lombard Loans tend to be offered by financial institutions as a percentage of the value of the securities you hold. Nevertheless, the assets or investments the borrower pledges to the lender must be able to be liquidated with ease. Typically, Lombard Loans can be accessed by an individual who has a minimum of £100,000 in their investment portfolio. Of course, the terms are going to differ from company to company but this is something important to keep in mind.

The benefits of taking out a Lombard Loan

There are a number of different benefits associated with these types of loans. Underwriting is typically limited to the collateral utilised as security for the loan so there are non of the issues associated with affordability of a mortgage loan. As a consequence, it is an efficient option; you can access capital fast, which suits situations where funds are required urgently.

Selling underlying assets or securities can have an impact on your financial situation as a whole, for instance, it can result in quite considerable changes to the tax you pay. If you are forced to sell securities before the opportune moment arises or before you want to because you need to create liquidity, this can mean you miss out on the upsides of the asset in the future, as it pays you dividends or grows.

With a Lombard Loan, you have a flexible and efficient alternative to selling securities. It enables you to maintain the long-term benefits of asset ownership so that you can avoid any of the unwanted monetary repercussions that come with selling your securities while still being able to access all of the capital that you require.

If you want to respond to an unanticipated opportunity that has come your way but you do not have the cash required, a Lombard Loan can be an ideal solution. Lombard loans can also be a wise choice if you have a liquidity challenge or issue that you must solve quickly and you do not want your securities to be sold.

Green Cardinal Design: How a creative agency became one of 2021’s startup success stories

By
John Richardson
-

The design company has enjoyed a big first year with a burgeoning portfolio of website and logo projects

Green Cardinal Design has emerged as a strong contender for one of the biggest branding success stories of 2021 – transforming from a two-person team into an agency running global projects in just 12 months. 

Launched on the eve of the second England lockdown in October 2020, the London-based agency morphed from an ambitious concept into a thriving startup almost overnight – quickly earning a reputation for high calibre work. 

Specialising in website and logo design, Green Cardinal has worked on a wide array of projects across multiple industries including audio, podcast, sport, delivery, food & drink, beauty, grooming, and style. 

Examples include websites for accounting firm Huque Chaudhry, 3D printing company JPDUK, IT business Trifort, and wholesale tech breakdown cover plan provider WeeWah.  

Founder Tyler Sear set up Green Cardinal using a small pot of savings made in cryptocurrency, quickly putting together a talented team of designers, copywriters and marketers. 

Sear has attributed the brand’s early success to genuine passion and the utilisation of a personalised, collaborative approach. 

He explained: “We tend to see a lot of businesses come to us with a lack of knowledge of what a good website actually is. They want a website that works – but how you achieve that is different for every client. 

“We work closely together with companies to understand their pain points and then guide and advise on what’s best. 

“Using this info, we build websites that convert. It’s not just down to the design, it’s about putting the right elements in the right places; making sure the Call To Action is included in the best spot, ensuring the navigation is all connected, and that the copy is written in a tone of voice that speaks to the customer.

“Having a great website has been important for a long time. But post-COVID, it’s essential to get it right. That’s what our job is – to create these online spaces that encourage visitors to actually buy and get in touch.”

Green Cardinal’s services range from logos and landing pages to entire websites – providing solutions for all industries.  

Learn more about Green Cardinal Design by visiting their website.

SOURCE

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