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Design & Business

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4 Tips For Building a Strong Reputation for Your Business

When it comes to building a strong business, it all comes down to building a strong reputation. You want to make sure that you’re perceived as a trustworthy and reliable business that people know they can count on. So, every move that you make should be aiming towards building a positive reputation and a solid image as a brand.

Yet despite the importance of reputation, you’d be surprised to find how many businesses neglect to make sure that they are seen in a positive light. By knowing the right methods and applying them, you will encourage customers to trust you with their money by delivering on what you promise. Here are some of the best tips for building a strong reputation for your business.

Focus On Quality

There are many different elements that go into a business as a whole. However, the best place to start with building a strong reputation is by producing quality products or services. Everything about your business should be high quality. Don’t cut any corners, and focus on being the best you can be. That also applies to any third-party services that you hire. Whether you outsource your IT department or hire freight unloading services to unload your goods, you should make sure that everyone on board is doing a great job.

Value Your Customer

Showing your customer that you value them and care about what they think is one of the best ways to create a favorable image for yourself. Show your customer that you care about their happiness and reward them for their business. Whether that comes in the form of creating a loyalty rewards program or offering special offers and discount codes, the idea is to show your customer that they are appreciated.

Valuing your customer also comes in the form of providing a positive customer service experience. Make sure that your customer service team is highly skilled and trained so that they know how to handle all sorts of customer concerns effectively.

If you’re known for being a business that deeply cares about its customers well being, then the news will spread.

Be Transparent

One of the most common ways businesses ruin their reputation is by lying or being misleading. Always deliver what you promise you will, and remain transparent at all times. All it takes is one online review that you’re a dishonest company to plant the seed of doubt.

Encourage Positive Reviews

Nowadays, most people Google a company before contacting them. Make sure that the first results that come up are favorable. Encourage your happy customers to leave a review if they have a positive experience with you. The more positive reviews you can generate online, the more your reputation will benefit from it.

 

Tips on Transporting Your Junk to a Recycling Facility

If you have metal scraps and junk lying around in your garage or basement and want to get rid of them, there is a safe and effective way to do so. You cannot just put your metal scraps in the garbage bin and wait for the garbage collector to pick them up and take them to the landfill. There are laws and regulations regarding discarding scrap metal to protect the environment and save on resources used for creating metal furnishings and other metal products. Metal lasts a lifetime, and it can be recycled into another product. You can take your scrap metals and get money for them in return at a scrapyard. These scrap yards buy, sell, and recycle metals. So how do you transport them?

Wear gloves

And not just those rubber or latex ones because they are thin and will not offer protection should you handle a sharp metal piece. It will pierce the material and might puncture your skin. Instead, use heavy-duty gloves to protect your hands while hauling the metals into the vehicle.

Protect your back

When lifting heavy objects, you have to know how to properly lift them from the floor so that your back doesn’t snap. Lift objects with your leg muscles and not your back. Crouch down in front of the box and stand using your leg muscles to help you up, not your back.

Load heavier items into the back or bottom of the vehicle

It will allow you to load the smaller and lighter items on top of the heavier and bigger ones. It will also put your car’s center of gravity low. You should also secure the items in the car to keep them from moving around in transit. For example, if you are transporting your metal scraps in the back of your truck with lighter items on them, you can put a tarp over them to keep them from flying out.

Bring it in your car

If you are getting rid of small metal scraps that you can safely fit in your car, then you can take them to the nearest scrap yard in your area. Be sure to put them in boxes so they don’t move around inside the car and keep them clean should the scraps be rusty and dirty.

Get in contact with a contractor

For bigger junk such as a refrigerator, you can contact the nearest scrap yard in your area, and they will provide the transportation for you, the size of which will depend on how much junk you will be hauling. These contractors adhere to state and county laws and regulations regarding scrap metal disposal, so you can be sure that you are not contributing to the environment‘s destruction when you discard your metal junk.

Before deciding to toss out your metal scraps, see if you can salvage some that you can upcycle so you don’t have to spend any more money for new items that you can make with scrap metals.

3 Tips To Make Moving Day Go Smoothly

On the day of a big move, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and spend the whole day stressed out. But with the right planning beforehand, you don’t have to have your moving day turn into your moving day nightmare.

To help you see how this can be possible, whether you’re just moving across town or to a whole new state, here are three tips to make your moving day go smoothly.

Save Moving Day For Moving Only

In order for your moving day to be simple and a success, you’re going to need to do a lot of the work before the actual moving day arrives. This will allow you to leave moving day for just worrying about the actual moving.

What this means is that you should pack absolutely everything that you can on the days and weeks leading up to your moving day. If you leave a lot of packing for the same day that you’re moving, you’re just going to add a lot of extra stress to your life. But by just leaving the bare minimum for the day you’re moving, Coral Nafie, a contributor to The Spruce, shares that you’ll be able to just worry about loading and unloading rather than having to continually be packing, too.

Make Plans For Your Kids And Pets

Unless your kids are at an age where they can effectively help you carry boxes and load items into a car or moving truck, it’s probably best if you’re able to just keep them out of the way on the day of your move. The same goes with your pets.

If you’re able to, Laura Mueller, a contributor to Moving.com, suggests that you make fun plans for your kids on the day you’re moving or packing up your moving truck. If you have friends or family in the area, consider asking them to watch your kids or pets while you’re doing all the heavy lifting of your move. This way, you’ll be able to just focus on the move and can get a lot more accomplished in a shorter period of time.

Work As The Moving Supervisor

Whether you’re planning on loading up a moving truck yourself or are having a moving company take care of this part for you, Kara Wahlgren, a contributor to HGTV.com, recommends that you stay close by so that you can supervise the moving process. If there are items that you want to have packed last or that need to be moved with extreme care, it’s vital that you’re there to share this information with everyone. And when things are getting unpacked, those helping you may need some additional direction on where to put things.

If you’ve got a big moving day coming up, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you make the whole of your moving day go easier on everyone involved.

 

3 Things To Do If You Live In An Area Prone To Earthquakes

While every location is going to have some kind of risk associated with living there, if you live in an area that is prone to having many or major earthquakes, this is something that you should plan and prepare for well before the next big one hits.

To help you see how this can be done, here are three things to do if you live in an area that is prone to earthquakes.

Make Sure Your Home Is Safe

The very first thing you should know about living in areas that are likely to have earthquakes is that your home is likely the safest place for you to be. However, if your home hasn’t been built properly, this won’t be the case for you.

Knowing this, you’ll want to be sure that the home you’re living in, be it a single-family home or a multi-family unit, is built to the right code for earthquakes. This should mean that not only is the ground beneath the building solid, but that the foundation of your home and all of the materials and construction used to create your home were put together with earthquakes in mind. This way, if and when an earthquake does strike, you can rest a little easier knowing that you’ll be as protected as you can be within the walls of your home.

Keep Your Big And Heavy Items Secure

Even if the structure of your home is firm and sturdy, what can make your home less secure is having belongings inside that can easily harm you when the walls and ground start shaking.

Since you can’t only fill your home with soft, light items, you have to know how to make your bigger and heavier items safe for you. To do this, you’re going to want to make sure that everything that could move or fall and cause you harm is bolted to the wall. This should include things like your entertainment center and TV, bookshelves, large storage units, and more. You’ll also want to be careful with anything that you hang from the ceiling or the walls, like chandeliers or artwork.

Always Keep Your Emergency Kit Current

Regardless of whether you live in a place that’s likely to get earthquakes or not, you should always have a current emergency kit at home that you can use if some kind of emergency strikes. Within this emergency kit that is meant to be used in the event of a large earthquake, you should keep things like a fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit, a small set of tools, a radio, a flashlight, and some safe drinking water with non-perishable food. All of these items can help keep you safe or alive if an earthquake hits.

If you live in or are about to move to an area that’s known to have decent earthquakes, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you stay safe out there.

3 Ways To Have A More Youthful Energy In Your Living Space

Whether you’re a young person trying to set up your first home or someone who’s just moved into an assisted living community, having a more youthful energy in your living space is a great way to feel refreshed and re-energized every time you enter. But sometimes, it can be hard to know how to get rid of an older, stuffy energy and bring in something new to the space. So to help you see how this can be done, here are three ways to have a more youthful energy in your living space.

Bring In Some Romance

While romance isn’t something that’s saved for the young, adding a little bit of romance to your space can help it feel more youthful and exciting.

One great way this can be done, according to Olivia Heath, a contributor to HouseBeautiful.com, is to use more curved lines in your furniture and design. Using curved lines evokes the same energy as bodies do, which can make your space feel like it’s more alive. Additionally, the scents that you use in your room space can also help make it more romantic. To do this, try to add more scented flowers to the space or include candles or other items that will give off the fragrance of flowers.

Embrace Positive Affirmations

Being young means having all of your opportunities ahead of you, but many of these opportunities will only come to fruition if you’re willing to change, learn and grow.

With this in mind, you can bring these same feelings into your space by reminding yourself that change and growth can and will take place. This can be done by adding plants to your space or by keeping written reminders around your house. For example, Suzannah Weiss, a contributor to Bustle.com, shares that having some of your favorite affirmations around the house so you can read them whenever you need a pick-me-up can help you feel more youthful by welcoming growth and change.

Reconnect With Nature

Nature welcomes youthful energy better than almost anything else. Knowing this, if you can find ways to reconnect with nature in your home, you’ll also be able to experience a more youthful energy there.

In addition to the ways mentioned above to bring more nature into your house, Community Homecare shares that you can also let the outdoors in by keeping your windows clean and open. And to invite even more life and nature into your space, consider putting a bird feeder up outside your window so you can watch life taking place outdoors, too.

If you’re wanting to bring a more youthful and happy energy into your living space, consider implementing some of the tips above as a way to do this.

How to Push for Success as a Stay-at-Home Business Owner

The prospect of working from home is often seen as superior to working at the office. However, not too many people realize that having to work at home comes with unique challenges. Many who have to work at home end up wishing they were at the office instead.

Things get even trickier when you have to run your business from your home, instead of a designated space equipped for the demands of entrepreneurship. It can be quite a challenge to overcome, as there are plenty of roadblocks that could cause problems. Fortunately, there is no reason to lose hope. Here are some ways to push for success as a stay-at-home business owner.

On the topic of a healthy lifestyle

First and foremost, you have to consider committing to a healthier lifestyle if you intend to find success when working from home. A few tips include:

  • Making sure you get at least eight hours of sleep
  • Taking the time to stay hydrated throughout the day
  • Getting enough exercise to ensure that your body has a healthy circulation
  • Keeping stress levels low with the help of wellness products

When it comes to wellness products, there are various ways you can try to keep stress at bay while making the push for a healthier lifestyle. Dietary supplements, vitamins, and organic CBD products have all become mainstays for many people around the country, looking to take advantage of the potential benefits for stress and all-round wellbeing. When looking for natural supplements, remember that going organic is imperative. The company One Farm, for instance, only uses organic CBD grown on their own farm, meaning their customers can always feel confident in the quality of all their products.

It is nearly impossible to get a handle on working from home without first taking a step toward a healthier lifestyle.

Keep an open line of communication

Trying to keep a business afloat from the comfort of your home can be a challenge for any business owner that is not making the most of modern apps and programs. That said, a business owner that knows to make constant use of streaming programs for meetings and various functions can maintain an open line of communication with their employees.

Ensure that you are readily available during work hours to help keep everyone on the same page. There are few things more damaging to a new company than communication issues.

How best to utilize business software

One of the biggest advantages of business software is the fact that it can help a company no matter the industry. There are various types of business software available that can aid companies in streamlining tasks. Such methods can future-proof a company. For example, something as simple as team and project management software can make a substantial difference for contracting/construction companies. Business software can help ease issues in communication and ensure that even those working at home understand their responsibilities moving forward.

The main challenge when working from home is trying to ensure that there is a balance between work and health. Without balance, it can be a chore to get anything done. The tips above are geared toward helping company owners maintain control despite doing so from their homes.

What Theme Should I Choose for My Home?

If you dream of having a wonderful interior, but not sure what style or theme to go for, then look no further! Choosing an ideal theme to suit your home can be very difficult as there are so many to choose from. There are many benefits of redesigning and redecorating your home including improving your overall mood when at home, de-cluttering, motivating you while in the house, increasing the value of your home and so much more. Lucky for you, there are different ways to go about designing your interior. Experts recommend that you use digital platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest to get some inspiration before you start.

When choosing a theme, it is important that you consider your style wants and requirements; this will ensure that you don’t go on a tangent when choosing colours and furniture. If you need some help, keep reading to find out some of the most popular themes found in homes across the globe.

Bohemian Chic

The boho-chic style has been around for some time and has been one of the top styles inspiring homes across the world. This is because there are so many options within this theme that people can suit it to their own styles. The bohemian nature is inspired by people from the past who loved travelling from country to country, developing their culture and style along the way. From this, the boho theme has been developed into a hippy aesthetic featuring bright colours, vintage accessories and mismatched décor. This is one of the more exciting parts of this interior design as it is possible to purchase items and nothing really needs to match.

Bohemian chic generally consists of bright and bold colours from the floor to the ceiling. There is a common nature for textures and materials to be mixed to provide the mismatched feeling for the inhabitant. Some exciting accents include rattan table mats, global accents, plants and wicker.

Country

A second theme which might suit your taste is that of country style. Farmhouse style has been growing in popularity for many years and can be very easy to maintain. This theme can also suit most rooms in your home, so you’re not limited for ideas. The country theme has a very rustic and vintage feel to it. It is generally associated with wooden accents, lighter colours, fireplaces, flowers and so much more.

Change your modern-day flat to a French farmhouse by doing the research and investing in beautiful bespoke pieces to suit your style. Stick with a pastel colour scheme as your base, then add darker colours as you mean to go on. It is recommended that you attempt to keep your flooring and furniture wooden and dark then lighten your walls and accessories. Similar to a minimalist theme, it is useful if you keep things quiet accessory-wise. A country themed interior usually has a few statement pieces then minor matched interior accessories. There is no stopping you with farmhouse décor.

Minimalist

Take a second to completely clear your mind of all your worries and stresses. This is exactly how it feels when you’re in a minimalist interior. Do you hate clutter in every sense of the term? Minimalism might be exactly what you need. This type of interior is everything but the clutter; it is clean-cut and sharp shaped. It is about having minimal décor and muted colours to provide a sense of calm and tranquillity. If you love bold and bright colours whilst having a busy space, then this certainly isn’t for you.

Having a minimalist interior is less stressful, easy to clean and very easy on the eye. This is useful for those who have fewer belongings and love sitting in a room without having bright, bold artwork shouting above the fireplace. This theme only requires the essentials to look great, so there is no need to buy more than what you need. Think clean and smooth surfaces with minimal décor. The clue is in the name!

Victorian

A fourth theme to consider when updating your interior is a modern Victorian theme. If you have already found yourself in a Victorian home, lucky you! Remodelling and repurposing modern homes can be very costly. However, the interior can be done on a budget. A Victorian theme is desired by so many homeowners as it has a completely luxurious feel to it that doesn’t go away after any length of time.

Interior designers recommend that you mix the modern style you might be used to with Victorian décor so you’re not jumping from one extreme to another. As mentioned, the Victorian style is all about luxury and quality. This generally means that you may have to sacrifice a few pieces if you want that statement armchair. Larger pieces of furniture with grand fireplaces and chandeliers is where it’s at for a Victorian theme.

Scandinavian

Finally, many homeowners and interior designers have been drooling at the Scandinavian theme for some time. The common themes associated with this style include affordability, functionality, simplicity and efficiency. The theme works very well and finds a simple balance between both minimalism and traditional interiors. You can choose your favourite pieces as long as they are not too cluttered for detail, whilst having a clean-cut colour scheme as their base.

For the Scandi-style, you should make it your aim to create an open space with fun characteristics. Generally, the walls and flooring are both white, acting as a canvas for your belongings and accessories. Natural brick is a common theme among this vibe, too. Simplicity and personality are key.

Final Thoughts

When choosing a theme for your home, it is useful to consider your current style. How much clutter do you have? What are your favourite colours? Do you like to have a busy or quiet mind? Ask yourself these questions and your answers will hopefully guide you to your answer. Remember, use digital platforms as a great form of inspiration

Consumer Spending Habits Changed Due to Covid-19

The first COVID-19 wave brought businesses to a standstill across all states and now the second wave seems to have worse effects. More people are shopping online to stay safe and for the convenience it offers.

The traditional methods of buying are changing and consumers are engaging in safer and faster channels of buying that require minimal or no cash transactions at all.

Strategic consumer spending

One of the major ways COVID-19 is spread is through contact. Hard cash can be an easy way of spreading the disease to millions of people. As a stay safe precaution, consumers are moving away from cash transitions and leaning more towards soft cash transactions. Online transitions are taking shape across many sectors and even gamblers are turning to casinos online to place their bets.

The COVID-19 pandemic increased the number of people who stayed at home either working from home, waiting for schools to re-open, or just searching for online opportunities.

As a result, consumers have reduced spending on some goods and increased spending on others. The necessities like groceries and other household needs like toiletries and laundry needs have remained steady and in some cases increased as people stock more to avoid visiting the local store more often.

Other business categories like gyms, eateries, hotels, and nightclubs have recorded a decrease in business unlike before when the sectors recording steadfast business. This has raised the need to look for ways to increase business profits either by providing home service for the hostility sector or online gym exercises.

Rapid growth in online retailing 

After the restricted movements were relaxed, physical store shopping recorded an increase in retail shoppers, but the greatest boom was recorded in online retail shopping.

According to statistics, online sales in 2020 amounted to over $209 billion drawn from about 69% of US citizens who shopped online in the second half of 2020. The number is expected to rise in 2021 and hit about 300 million online shoppers by 2023. This is evidence to why there is increased online activity in the online casinos.

What is selling most and least

The stay at home rules gave a plus to some goods and a minus to others. The top sellers in the list are disinfectants, soap, and other household cleaning agents which recorded an above 100 percent increase.

Health supplements is a boom as well as coffee and online gambling are major winners. The main losers are cosmetics and sun care products which dropped by 25 percent.

Signs You Found the Perfect Place for Retirement

Retirement can be both exciting and saddening. While you feel excited to do what you want, finally, you’re also sad to leave behind the life you’ve had for several years. However, retirement is a reality of life, and you have to face it. If your retirement date is fast approaching, you have to start looking for a place where you can settle permanently.

You can check out some details online and read reviews from those who retired in different places. You can also ask your friends about their experience retiring in their chosen location. If you have free time, you can fly directly to these places, so you will know what it’s like to be there. These are the signs that you have finally found the right place, and you have to relocate there soon.

You have access to physical activity

The sad part about retirement is that you will have fewer physical activities. You no longer work like you used to, and you might miss the pressure of your career. Therefore, it helps if you can find a retirement place where there’s access to physical activities. You should check if the area has parks, waterfront, promenades, and fitness gyms. You can continue being physically active during your retirement. You’re not getting any younger, and the lack of physical activity could adversely impact your health.

There are cultural attractions available

Over the last year, you lived in a big city because of your job. You had to deal with the hustle and bustle each day since you didn’t have any choice. Now that you’re finally retiring, you can choose a place where you can relax and enjoy it. Find a retirement area where there’s access to cultural attractions. These places will keep you mentally engaged. If there are museums and art exhibit halls in the area, it would be great. You should also see if there are universities and other establishments offering concerts, plays, and lectures. Places that have a strong connection to the arts are perfect for retirement.

It’s safe for retirees

Safety should be a primary concern if you’re looking for a place to retire. You want to spend your time relaxing and enjoying what life has to offer. If you live in an unsafe area, you might find it difficult to sleep at night. You will always need to look after yourself, and worry that something bad might happen. Look for areas with low crime rates since they are safe for you.

The weather is perfect

Some people prefer the cold weather while others love the sun. If you want to have more outdoor activities, it would be nice to live in a sunny location. You will always feel excited to go out and enjoy the day.

If you are yet to find the perfect place, you might want to consider retiring in Malta. It’s a small country in Europe, but it’s popular among retirees. If you intend to retire soon, you can consider Malta property for sale. Prioritise your home before you decide to settle in the country. Given everything that Malta can offer, you will fall in love with it the first time you get there.

 

Take Your Digital Marketing To The Next Level With These Helpful Tips

There’s no arguing that digital marketing efforts are critical in all forms of business today. Traditional advertising methods simply are not as effective at hitting the mark as they once were, making your company’s digital campaign all the more important.

You can’t move forward without a boost in connections with consumers, and digital marketing is the best way to achieve your goals. Take a moment to read through some digital marketing tips that may help you take your online campaign and your business to the next level.

Combine SEO with your content marketing

Your business needs quality content to command the concern of web users, and weaving good SEO habits into your content will make it even more effective at hitting your target. SEO tactics within your design will help your content be easier for users to find.

Create a blog for your business, and make each post an SEO (search engine optimization) dream. The results are simple; better SEO brings more viewers to your pages.

Optimize your website for mobile users

There’s always work to be done to make your business website more effective and efficient at creating conversions. Optimizing your pages for mobile users makes your website compatible with the majority of users online today.

A simple navigation setup is one aspect of your design that will make it more mobile-friendly. This site for purchasing AR-15 complete rifles is well sorted and easy to traverse due to its excellent navigation design.

Build a visible social media presence

Your business needs to be seen on social media, and today is as good a day as any to begin developing your visibility on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

The most suitable social media site for your business presents plenty of opportunity for connection with a carefully targeted community of users. Look into the brass tacks of a great social media marketing campaign, and start refining your approach now.

Dig into the digital marketing toolbox

Digital marketing is a melting pot of different tactics and angles, and it’s important that you have the right tools to manage the full scope of your digital marketing efforts.

Check out what free tools Google offers business owners. The search engine giant has more than a few different software tools to help business owners get a clearer vision of the true impact of their digital marketing content.

Create an email mailing list

Gather email addresses from consumers every chance you get. Use your website, your blog, your social media pages, and even your pen to take email addresses from willing participants, and use your mailing list to build rapport from the connections you make.