Month: May 2017

What are the different types of team within a business?

Posted on by Oliver

A business is a big team of people who are all working towards a common goal. Within the business are lots of smaller teams that work together on a daily basis. Together these small groups come up with ideas, accomplish goals and build new things. Together these small groups drive forward the business, despite all doing completely different things.

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What are the different types of team within a business? It is important for any business manager or leader to understand the different types of business team and what they accomplish so that they have an accurate view of the work flow in their office.

Here are four of the main types of team that you can find within a successful business.

Leadership teams

Leadership is an essential part of business, especially if you have a company with lots of employees. A leadership team comprises key players within the business, with the key players all coming from different departments. This team oversees the work of everyone else and its main goal should be improving workflow and employee satisfaction.

Specific teams

The specific teams complete specific tasks and jobs within a business. The people within these teams are normally highly skilled in one area, although the team will include people at management level and people at entry level. They will work together to produce specific results and products.

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Have you considered arranging team building exercises for your business? According an article in the Houston Chronicle, team building activities are a great way to improve communication and morale; in addition, they can help to increase team skills. If you are interested in arranging team building corporate events, check out companies such as https://www.armourgeddon.co.uk/team-building-corporate-events.html.

Teams that are self-managed

Self-managed teams are very independent – they can basically operate completely without the help of leaders, which gives the employees a sense of empowerment that motivates them to work hard so that they can keep their independence. These teams complete their goals with very little help from others and there tends to be a high level of job satisfaction within the team.

Cross-functional teams

A cross-functional team comprises people with different skills and expertise. The teams are normally temporary until a goal is completed; therefore, they are often suited to completing one specific task.

5 more ways to keep your fleet safe on the road

Posted on by Oliver

Traffic crashes are one of the main causes of job-related deaths, but there are things you can do to minimise the potential for tragedy. Many strategies focus on the education of drivers and the imparting of relevant information to employees, as the following five tips demonstrate.

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Seat belt campaigns

It is a fact that seat belts save lives, making it essential that businesses have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to non-use at all times. Night-time drivers often use seat belts less than daytime drivers but are still at the same risk on the road, if not more.

Companies can actively encourage seat belt use by offering safety incentives, putting up signs in vehicles and discussing the issue during safety meetings. There should also be a written company policy stating that seat belts must be used.

Driver-signed agreements

Employees should be asked to sign an agreement that spells out their responsibilities when using company vehicles. This should include such issues as safety rules, maintenance of the vehicle, who is eligible to drive the vehicle, accident procedures and terms and eligibility.

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Driver payments

Just as a vehicle tracking service available from companies such as http://www.vehicle-accessories.net/Vehicle-Tracking can lower insurance costs, requiring drivers to pay in the case of avoidable accidents can work to reduce risks, too. Many businesses that currently hit employees with charges for avoidable crashes report a reduction in accidents.

Drink driving education

Education must be used to ensure drivers understand the dangers of driving under the influence and they must recognise that their jobs are on the line if they are convicted of the offence. Methods include using videos, pamphlets and newsletter information to make sure drivers are fully informed. More information about the dangers of drink driving can be found on the government’s Think! website at http://think.direct.gov.uk/drink-driving.html.

Meetings and workshops

One of the easiest way to educate drivers and boost safety is to hold meetings, workshops and lectures. Invite experts to speak at the events to really get the safety message across. These could include police officers and paramedics, along with relatives of drink driving victims.

Some companies schedule regular monthly safety meetings for drivers to ensure safety standards are maintained and to make certain that employees have access to the very latest information and advice.

Travelling to the Caribbean on a Budget

Posted on by Oliver

A Caribbean vacation may sound like a beautiful dream that would shatter your budget if you tried to attain it – but it doesn’t have to be. While there are ultra-luxe Caribbean vacations that would put a rock star into credit card debt, you might be surprised at how easily you can find discounted flights, bargain hotel accommodations, and free activities even in the middle of an island paradise.

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Choose Your Island Carefully

It’s easy to think of the Caribbean as a single location, but every island has its own unique cultures, sights – and bargains. Some Caribbean holiday destinations are cheaper than others, and one of the best ways to save money is to choose a less expensive island. Larger islands like Jamaica and the Dominican Republic have more resorts and hotels to choose from, encouraging owners to keep their prices down. The Bahamas are also a budget-friendly choice because their Ministry of Tourism encourages low prices to bring the tourists in. Avoid islands with a luxury reputation, like Turks and Caicos; the very idea of discount travel would tarnish their image.

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Be Flexible With Timing

Winter is the go-to time for Caribbean travel, as snow-weary vacationers try to soak up some warmth, but this means that a January resort stay can be significantly more expensive than one in May. If you enjoy the challenge of bargain hunting, you may be able to find some enticements during peak season as resorts try to lure you into choosing their location over a competitor, but the cheapest option is to travel during another time. Purchase travel insurance if you go during early autumn, though, since a hurricane may disrupt your plans.

Consider Different Housing Options

An all-inclusive resort can help you to pay for your lodging, food, and entertainment at one go, making it a prime cost-saving option; plenty of sites like http://lostwaldo.com/the-best-all-inclusive-caribbean-resorts/ can help you find a good resort. Another option is to find an inexpensive rental condo or a budget motel like Holiday Inn; these can be harder to budget because they aren’t all-inclusive, but they may save you money in the long run.

Knowing your own budgeting style can help you make the best choices in vacationing, but there are choices for every kind of traveler. Go out and soak up some sun!

How to cook with wine

Posted on by Oliver

Do you like a glass of wine while cooking? There’s more that your favourite tipple can do when it comes to mealtimes.

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Using wine when cooking can bring out the flavourings and aromas, intensifying and enriching the whole experience. Following some simple tips can maximise the results.

Pick a wine you really enjoy

The base flavour of the wine is retained in the dish even though the alcohol will mostly evaporate during the cooking process, so it’s still important to go for a flavour you really savour. You needn’t go specifically for a cooking wine either, which are often of a lower quality while being higher in salt content.

Introduce the wine at the optimal moment

You want to avoid adding the wine late in the process as the alcohol won’t have adequate time to evaporate and you’ll be left with an overpowering flavour. Ensure the wine has around 10 minutes to cook and infuse the dish with flavour before tasting. Remember that more wine won’t necessarily better the dish, so it’s best to start gradually and add more should you wish.

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Marinate the meat

Cooking with wine can help lock in moisture and tenderise meat, and the wine acidity can make it perfect for marinating steaks or using to baste meat while cooking.

Selecting a wine

Pair the wine by considering what you would ordinarily drink with the meal. For instance, a rich tomato flavoured recipe would suit a red wine, and a white wine may better suit a creamy recipe. Try browsing the various grape varieties available, such as those that can be found from the online wine merchants in Northern Ireland at http://thewinecompanyni.com/. Keep in mind the flavours you’re combining and consider any conflicting ingredients. For instance, vinegar and lemon in a meal are unlikely to suit a wine addition, and wines rich with sugar and high in acidity are best avoided in dishes of a similar nature.

Get some fresh ideas

Recipes, such as those utilising red wine found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/red_wine, can provide a little inspiration.

Sauté vegetables

Wine can be great for flavouring vegetables as they’re being sautéd. Heat six tablespoons of olive oil with a few crushed garlic cloves, before adding the vegetables and slowly introducing dry white wine to taste.

long distance relationships

4 Reasons why long distance relationships last longer

Posted on by Oliver

There are many couples who for one reason or another, they live their love at a distance and according to some research, it seems that these stories will last even longer than traditional ones. Because? Here are 4 simple reasons …

They are called “commuters love” partners who for various reasons are forced to live apart and be alone together on weekends and bank holidays. Continue reading “4 Reasons why long distance relationships last longer” →

Business Canvas Marketing

Canvas Marketing: The Business Model

Posted on by Oliver

In this article, we will talk about Canvas Marketing of the Business Model. It is nothing more than the set of all those solutions both strategic and organizational through which an enterprise acquires a competitive advantage.

The business model is the main tool available to the management to interpret and manage the dynamics both within and outside the company. Continue reading “Canvas Marketing: The Business Model” →

Five top tips for buying double glazing

Posted on by Oliver

Buying double glazing can be daunting. It is not a cheap purchase and dealing with high-pressure sales people can be intimidating. Consider the following five tips before you make your final decision.

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Do thorough research

Identify all your requirements and estimate what the price may be before speaking to different companies. Speak to neighbours about the companies they have used and see which suppliers and fitters are popular in the area. This will also give you a good idea of the local prices. Remember that double glazing will provide many benefits; for example, uPVC windows in Dublin can be used to achieve a smaller carbon footprint and dramatically lower your heating bill.

Get no less than three quotes

Make sure that you get at least three detailed quotes and do not shy away from asking as many questions as possible. In this way, you will get a feel for the company and gauge how knowledgeable its staff are.

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Pick a reputable company.

Strangely enough, this might be the single most important choice in the decision-making process. A reputable company will correctly advise you and offer excellent after sales service. If you have a good product but the service is poor, the whole experience can turn into a nightmare; conversely, companies with good reputations, such as http://www.keanewindows.ie/uPVC-windows.html, can make the whole experience a positive one for everyone concerned.

Don’t get pressured into signing hastily.

Take all the time you need before committing. Salespeople use a technique whereby they dramatically drop the price for you, making you feel that you might lose out if you don’t immediately sign. This might leave you in doubt afterwards, or even really upset if you find an even better deal in the days to come.

Check the rights that come with buying double glazing.

This bit of advice is extremely important: get as much as you can in writing and go through the contract with a fine-tooth comb. Know under which circumstances you can cancel and when it will not be possible. Where the discussions are conducted is also of importance, so make sure that you know your rights.

Remember that any costly purchase needs to be researched carefully; therefore, being very well informed will put you in the best position possible when buying double glazing.

long skirt

How to combine a long skirt? The fashion tips loving

Posted on by Oliver

You have a long skirt or want but do not know how to match it and without making mistakes? Discover our style tips …

Have you ever wondered how to combine a long skirt? It is an article of clothing that most women wearing very easily, especially in the summer, but some often they fail to do not know if their look is really devoid of flaws. In addition, there is a small part of it did not dare to wear it, to avoid making disasters. Continue reading “How to combine a long skirt? The fashion tips loving” →

How to monetise your blog

Posted on by Oliver

Blogging can be whatever you want it to be; for example, you can use it as a place to record your family growing up or indulge your passion for your favourite pastime and link up with likeminded people. Your blog could also turn into your business – all you need is a few tips on the best ways to make money from blogging.

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E-commerce is probably the most sustainable way to earn a good income from blogging and compares favourably with other methods, such as attracting sponsored posts and affiliate links. According to Digital Marketing Magazine, affiliate links are a good way to earn commission, but only if you secure a sale for the merchant. If you have done all the hard work, why not make the sale yourself? Let’s look at how you can become an e-commerce blogging success story.

Choose what you will sell on your blog

Choose between physical products, such as clothes, homeware and jewellery, and digital products, such as ebooks, printables, downloads and checklists. Think carefully about which would appeal most to your niche market.

The products must be consistent with your brand and solve a problem for your audience; for example, if they struggle to find study guides for teenagers, this is what you should sell!

Once you have set up your shiny new website, you need to decide what you want to sell. A web design company such as http://www.rycomarketing.co.uk/web-design.html can work with you to design an on-line store, but the inspiration on what products to put in it will have to come from you.

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How will you sell your products?

You do not have to handle the sales yourself; instead, you can use a fulfilment service to handle all the storage and shipping aspects – you just provide the buyers. You could use an online store such as Shopify, or you could set up your own.

If you set up your own, you will need an expert in web design in Belfast to help you get the technical aspects right. Pick a design that fits the theme of your blog. You may choose to set up an entirely new domain, which may be the best option if you plan to grow this area of your enterprise.

Now tell all your existing followers, as they are your future customers!