An office fit out involves a lot more than a simple redecoration. With the right refurbishment, you can launch a rebrand and invest in your future.

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Here are 10 easy steps to follow to help you achieve the most successful office fit out.

1. Initial planning stages

Appoint a competent project manager, preferably with experience handling similar projects. You need a team comprising of individuals with key skills to get the job done, then you need to decide on a clear budget for the project.

2. Detailed planning stages

This is when the real work starts. Office fit out companies will analyse your workplace to determine what suits your way of working. They will discuss your aspirations with you, look carefully at technology, workflows and opinions and identify needs.

3. Choose a building

You don’t have to stay in your current building if it isn’t meeting your needs. According to property expert Damian Lloyd, most commercial properties are sold by national agents who use specialist investment surveyors, so contact one.

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4. Choose an office fit out specialist

Office fit out companies will look at your architectural workspace options and determine what is physically possible.

5. Developing the designs and seeking approval

At this stage, a detailed design scheme is put together. The colour schemes, materials and designation of space is decided.

6. Minimise disruption

If you have to continue running your business in the space that is being fitted out, you need to make arrangements to minimise disruption. Limits could be put on the hours that fit out workers are on site, or employees could work from home.

7. Office furniture installation

Get involved in all the decisions about office furniture. The only person who knows what chair they need is the person who is going to sit on it! Ask your employees for opinions.

8. Setbacks

There will be unexpected events and potential delays in any office fit out. Make sure that your fit out specialist has contingency plans.

9: Moving to the new fit out

To achieve a seamless transition to your new office setup, you need to be organised. Back up your data, brief all the staff and delegate tasks.

10. Learn lessons

Sort out any remaining niggles and learn lessons from what went wrong. Enjoy your new office!

 

The rise and rise of the internet means more of us than ever are making purchases online each year. It’s convenient, often cheaper than shopping on the high street, and opens up millions more products to us than we had access to before. If you’re an online retailer, you’re probably aware of the limitless possibilities of the internet for your business and you might even have some exciting plans for the future. However, as competition increases and consumers become more demanding, the service you provide increases in importance. Poor service can break an internet retailer, while strong customer support – such as swift resolution to disputes and straightforward returns – can win you loyal customers and new fans.

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New legislation

New legislation has been added at numerous times over the last few years to deal with the rise in internet retailing.

The basic rules are:

Online retailers must accept any returns made within 14 days.
Online retailers must pay for any faulty or damaged goods returned within 30 days.
Online retailers do not have to pay for the cost of returning goods simply because the customer changed their mind.

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Although you are not under any legal obligation to pay for customer returns (unless the goods are faulty), many larger retailers do offer free returns to encourage customers to buy more and to increase brand loyalty. Many businesses also extend the 14-day returns rule as a gesture of goodwill to customers, according to Which.co.uk.

Finding a trusted courier firm

Perhaps the most important thing to think about when setting up any internet retail business is delivery. You’ll need to consider costs, returns and delivery times. You can help your business stand out from the crowd by offering a Same Day Courier Service, such as that offered by http://allaboutfreight.co.uk/same-day-courier-service/.

By using a reliable and trustworthy courier service, you will keep your customers happy and make your life less stressful, too. You do not have to provide a free courier return service by law, but doing so could allow your customers to purchase high-end or expensive items from you in confidence without worrying about what to do if they don’t like the item once it arrives. The extra customers you win over by offering generous delivery and returns terms could outweigh the cost of the service.

 

Businesses want more from their CRM systems in simplified features, focusing on goals such as relationship optimisation.

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The key to achieving this is by being proactive: anticipating your customers’ requirements and then acting on them, rather than re-actively responding to their basic needs.

With businesses struggling to overcome challenges due to the current economic conditions, companies are forced to evaluate CRM solutions with a more critical eye like never before.

1. Campaign Management

CRM systems should provide comprehensive campaign management functionality which enables workflow from initial campaign concepts to building, testing, deployment and measuring.

Mobile capability is becoming a vital aspect of CRM systems, with results delivery to PDAs and handhelds proving critical to businesses.

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Cross-sell and up-sell functionality will also be important to consumer-direct companies operating an online marketplace. Collecting data from previous customer behaviour is no longer effective – CRM solutions must now reach out and seek new customers.

2. Master Data Management

A CRM system should enable the management of multiple lists. This allows users to establish lists and utilise real-time data management and list segmentation.

When it comes to CRM for property management, contact a company such as https://propertydeck.com/ to find out how CRM systems can help your business.

3. Customisation and Flexibility

Each successful CRM system should be customised to fit your business. It is vital that the solution you purchase is both flexible and customisable.

A CRM system must support your organisation’s processes – otherwise you will fail to achieve the full value of your investment.

However, the ability to customise must be in a straightforward and simple form that can be applied throughout the system. An easy customisable dashboard is of vital importance.

4. Follow-up Tracking and Lead Generation

Relying solely on a solution to do all processes can be a disastrous approach in business. However, a CRM system that is strong in follow-through and lead generation for reminders for sales people and automated customer communication can be instrumental in conducting efficient processes.

There may be a number of sales representatives in your organisation who are resistant to changing their methods and processes of selling. Some may miss follow-up opportunities due to inefficient systems, badly kept records and lack of staff members.

Implementing an effective and efficient CRM system ensures you can make the most of sales opportunities.

Beginners to networking will undoubtedly be wary and anxious about what it means and feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of networking avenues. But business networking needn’t be as daunting as you may think, and a bit of networking is unavoidable if you want success and is hugely valuable if done well. From how to get started and top tips for networking success, read on for our beginner’s guide.

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What Kind of Networking Do You Need?

There are three main networking areas, and you first need to decide which is your priority.

Profile Building is about raising your profile, either locally, regionally or globally. This kind of networking is simply for those who want to become better known in their industry.

Brain Building is all about gaining knowledge or skills which can help you run a more successful business. This can include support from peer groups or picking up skills and knowledge from professional development offered by industry groups.

Referral Building is a traditional sort of networking which is for those looking to develop a network of influencers who will essentially bring you leads.

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Local Networking

A great starting point will also be your local environment. Use a directory, such as the Cheltenham Business Directory from http://www.thepagesgroup.co.uk/about-us/, which is used by firms all over the Cotswolds and beyond.

Can’t I Just Do My Networking Online?

In today’s era many businesses network online, but this should be an additional networking tool – not a replacement. The strongest bonds with humans are made in the real world, where eye contact and authenticity go much further than a Like or Share on Facebook ever can.

Stay Active

Networking isn’t a tick-off-the-list task which is then done. It’s a constant job that needs nurturing and feeding all the time. You can’t just sign up to a network and sit back, nor can you turn up to an event and sit in the corner. You need to go out and make ties with new people all the time whilst holding on to those already forged ties that are valuable too.

The first steps, as you can see, are to use your local business networking pages and to also think about what you need from networking. After that, it’s all about building bridges and keeping bonds alive with regular contact.

To celebrate 150 years at – literally – the top of their profession, outdoor specialists Mammut have completed the 150 Peaks Project, with 150 teams tackling 150 peaks all over the world, from Argentina to Austria, Tajikistan to Tanzania, in what has been the biggest summit challenge of all time.

Mammut have been in business for a century and a half, with an almost unparalleled history in the world of outdoor clothing and equipment.

The Swiss mountain sports specialists who started out in the 1860s are renowned for a comprehensive range of equipment, from hiking boots and rock shoes to climbing ropes and carabiners.

Recognition from all over the world has followed in the wake of their pioneering footsteps – not least after the launch of the world-renowned Ajungalak sleeping bags, which have been tried and tested in the most hostile conditions on the planet.

Sixty Summits Equalled the Height of Mount Everest
Their record-breaking Peak Project has involved more than 1,500 climbers who have taken on more than 500,000 metres of ascents right across the world – including 60 summits which each equalled the height of Mount Everest – to complete the unique challenge.

Also billed as the Ultimate Test Event, participants took part with the support of professional mountain guides from the Mammut Alpine School.

In Argentina, teams took on the Aguja Guillaumet and Aconcogua, in Canada it was Mounts Columbia and Logan, and in Japan they climbed Akadake, Tsurugidake and Mount Funagata.

The newly-named Mammut Peak in the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan was officially climbed for the first time, while New Zealand’s Mount Aspiring, North Korea’s Baedu Spa, and Huascaran and the almost unpronounceable Chopicalqui in Peru were all conquered.

Closer to home, the Cuillin Ridge, Ben Nevis and Llanberis were all part of the UK challenge, and in the U.S. successful attempts were made on Mounts Baker, St. Helens and Washington.

In all, 1,563 mountaineers were involved in the project, ascending a total of 518,322 metres.

Mammut are justifiably proud of their unique achievement…and as they announced at the end of their extraordinary anniversary year – it was very much a case of ‘Mission Accomplished.’

Mammut’s Alpine School offers comprehensive courses for both beginners and more experienced mountain sports enthusiasts in Alpine climbing, ski touring, ice climbing, snow shoeing and glacier trekking.

To mark their anniversary, Mammut have launched a major new fund-raising campaign.
‘Roped Together in Solidarity’ will work with the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association, donating one per cent of turnover to provide equipment and training for new mountain guides from emerging countries including Peru and Kyrgyzstan.

In the unlikely event of any of us ever hitting the jackpot in Euro Millions, what would you spend the money on? As proven by history, most people don’t tend to think too rationally when exposed to extortionate amounts of money so, instead of renewing your wardrobe or travelling the world why not blow all your money on something as irrational as the house of your childhood idol?

The only problem is, even with all that money in your pocket, you might still not be able to do it simply because the celebrities have their own secretive ways of selling their property.

Privacy, Privacy and Again Privacy
Why be so secretive about it, one may wonder. It’s not like those houses haven’t been snapped from every angle by ever-lurking paparazzi or their value scrutinized in every tabloid. However, there is still that little chunk of time in between them moving in and first getting snapped on their doorstep by a sensation-hungry photographer and, apparently, because of that they’re willing to go to that extra mile and keep their identities disguised.

Knock, knock…
So what’s the big fuss about? Celebrities, of all people, seem to have mastered the disguising techniques reasonably well, so could they not just pull another neon-coloured wig over their locks or a baseball cap over it? (I do catch myself wondering if there’s some class left in Hollywood)

Apparently, it’s not that simple as the real estate market turns out to be one of the few places where it’s considerably hard to keep your identity anonymous – even for the rich and the famous – hence they seek more radical steps of doing so.

VIP Only
Back in the days, methods like word-of-mouth exclusive listings seemed to work quite well, but as more and more celebs are struggling to sell their property, like Pierce Brosnan, Christina Aguilera or 50 cent, this can be harder to do.

Some blame the estate slump or the eccentric tastes (a mini-bar in every bedroom, *cough-Britney Spears-cough*) or it may be just the fact that the rich and the famous want to be the initial inhabitants of the house they’re buying.

How it Happens
First and foremost a challenge for the stars is to find a non-traditional capital source – not mortgage otherwise their identities are instantly given away – to fund their own enterprise. Then they pick a trustee that would publicly look after the transaction. Celebrities like Madonna, Meg Ryan, Randy Phillips have sold their properties exactly like this through “pocket listings”.

However, when those methods don’t work, estate agents are still ready to go to great lengths to protect their client’s privacy, such as hiding details through incomplete or inaccurate information in the listing, a fake house number or posting completely unrelated pictures rather than the house image.

This can be reminiscent of the bad advertisements on Gumtree or Craigslist, which makes you wonder whether they’re actually trying to sell house online or just use it as an excuse to showcase their pets, poster collection or worse – themselves.

So, if you were to win those millions whose house would you buy?

We hear a lot about artificial intelligence and how it is set to revolutionise the way we use data. The world of web design is no exception to this, and it can help to deliver a much more personalised web experience for the consumer.

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Despite concerns about how data is being used, research indicates that consumers want a more personalised online experience. This means sites learning what their visitors want and delivering information and offers that are relevant to their needs.

AI in Design

But can AI help in the design process too? Yes it can. There are already tools that can build a website based on analysis of the content – selecting appropriate colours, layout, fonts and so on. The developing cognitive ability of AI means that it will undoubtedly help designers in their work. If, for example, you want a picture of a dog on your site, an AI system can have knowledge of what a dog looks like and be able to select an appropriate image.

This technology is still in its early stages, however, and if you’re building a site for your business, you may still want to turn to the expertise of a Yorkshire web design specialist such as https://www.etempa.co.uk/ to do the job for you.

Understanding Context

One of the key aspects of using AI in the web development process is that it’s able to understand the context of what’s happening. This means that it will not just select a photo – it will select one that is going to fit with the rest of the design based on colour, shape or other factors. It can also indicate when there might be a better image than the one chosen by a human designer.

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AI can also help police the consistency of a design. It can point out elements that don’t fit well with the rest of the site and suggest alternatives that will work better. It may even be able to fix issues automatically by adjusting tones or font sizes as appropriate.

Whilst it’s unlikely that AI will ever fully replace the role of the human designer, it can help to free them up to show their creative side by taking away many of the humdrum tasks like matching style elements and optimising code.

Many households can be found guilty of starting a DIY project but not finishing it, with weekends and bank holidays seeing the most DIY projects started. There are numerous reasons why individuals start DIY; however, the main ones are self-satisfaction and saving money.

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The top most abandoned DIY projects are:

Electric works

A DIY job involving electrical implications should always be handled by a professional. If an electrical job is carried out incorrectly, it could cause a fire, injury, or – in the worst-case scenario – fatalities. Some electrical jobs need to follow legal guidelines and will need to be signed off by the building control department of your local authority. In these circumstances, it is easier to use the professionals, who can sign off this element themselves.

Ensure that you have an electrical installation condition report (EICR), which needs to be updated every 10 years. This will make sure your electrics are fit for purpose and safe.

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Plumbing

It is important to know what you are doing when it comes to the plumbing within your home. If a plumbing job goes wrong, you risk severe flooding, ruining your home/possessions and causing long-term damage. Plumbers in Dublin such as https://www.plumberservicesdublin.ie/ can identify several jobs that are generally perceived as easier plumbing tasks, such as sinks, toilet and showers.

For jobs that involve boilers or central heating, a professional should be relied upon. A trustworthy plumber should be sourced to go through the correct checks and balances.

Installing white goods

Installing white goods is one job that a competent DIYer could do themselves; however, should the job require gas work, a Gas Safe-registered professional should be sourced.

If you plan on undertaking an installation yourself, ensure you read the manual of the product and understand what is required.

Tiling

Timing is the main deterrent where tiling is concerned. This is a job that seems easy but often gets abandoned due to time restraints. Tiling can create or uncover a list of problems, such as screeding issues and unlevel surfaces.

Woodwork/carpentry

Carpentry is a skilled trade. Unless you have experience in this profession, it is best to call upon an expert. Jobs that appear simple can quickly become complicated if dealt with incorrectly, such as when you are fitting heavy doors and find the frames are not straight.

Pre-mixed concrete is a great option for construction projects as it is easy and convenient, while it is also potentially very high quality, so you will get a good finish for most projects. This type of concrete is manufactured by specialists using technology that helps to blend the perfect mix. Read on for more benefits to using pre-mixed concrete.

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Ready-mixed concrete is a popular choice for many construction projects. There are various benefits and the most obvious one is convenience. The pre-prepared mixture means you can easily use it immediately as it is perfectly blended to suit your requirements.

A perfect mix

Modern mixers are electronically controlled so that the ingredients are blended to exact proportions ensuring a perfect finish every time. This means it is high quality and you have a guarantee that the mixture is exactly measured with the water and aggregate.

The concrete will also be free from any rogue parts of defective materials, which could be a problem with concrete mixed elsewhere. The consistency of quality is important and this is assured with a professional readymix option.

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Professional advice

The suppliers of readymix are experts in the product. They know exactly what is needed for accuracy and can visit the site to measure and give a realistic quote related to how much concrete you need for the job. This kind of professional service will minimise waste, and therefore, cost and speed up the process.

Another way to get expert advice is to look online at the Concrete Society, which has advice about technical aspects of concrete, as well as training and education options, a bookshop and membership opportunities.

The greener option

Readymix concrete, such as that available from http://www.monstermixconcrete.co.uk/readymix-concrete.php and other suppliers, is less polluting than other options. This is because pollutants are kept to a minimum, such as dust from cement. This makes it a healthier option and kinder to the environment. There are also energy savings as larger mixers are greener than smaller ones, making them more efficient, saving energy and in effect, lowering electricity bills.

Increased lifespan

The concrete from a pre-prepared mixture will last longer than other varieties. It is hardwearing and more durable, meaning you can enjoy decades of wear from readymix. It is also the most convenient option as it can be delivered directly to the site.

Relaxing is perhaps one of the most effective methods to get on the path of success and think clearly about what we do with our lives, and how we can improve it.

This year I have been exploring ways to relax in order to have the necessary tools to calm down in times of stress.

The best way to deal with stress is to prevent it, but when we are in a tense moment it is good to know some relaxation technique to change our state quickly. We suggest visiting Best Facials in Manhattan.

Meditation

Meditation is a way of giving a rest to your busy mind with constant worries. To meditate is simply to stop thinking, to stop focusing on yourself to concentrate on experiencing the world around you.

Try now, try to be 1 minute without thinking anything, just looking at an object that you like or with your eyes closed. Listen to your own breathing to make it easier for you to concentrate. At first, it will cost you to spend more than 10 seconds without thinking, but the more you practice the easier it is. How did you feel?

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Take a few minutes to think about nice things. Take a temporary vacation in your imagination. You can be in Paris, sitting in a restaurant in the Eiffel Tower, having the best wine in the world with the person you most want just to close your eyes.

Imagine situations that you would like to live or remember the best moments of your life.

For your mind, imagining it is the same as experiencing it live, so what you visualize will change your current state.

Yoga

Modern yoga (for those who do not know it) is a set of physical exercises designed to bring harmony and flexibility to your body. Doing a few minutes of gentle yoga is a great exercise for your body and your mind.

To relax you can also use any other physical exercise. Although physical exercise may seem more painful than relaxing, your body generates endorphins that leave you deeply relaxed after exercise.

Go for a walk

Strolling combines the benefit of physical exercise plus sunbathing and fresh air.

It also forces you to look at the landscape, something that distracts your mind from any worry you may have.

Listen to music

Spend some time enjoying your favorite music. No matter the style, any song that moves you even though it’s Heavy Metal is good for relaxing. If in addition to this you add singing and dancing you already have a complete relaxation session.

Laugh

It does not matter how you do it but laughs. Laughing is the best remedy for stress.

Quick ideas to laugh:

• Watch a series or comic movie
• Explain a joke to your friends
• Make a joke to a friend
• Parody a song
• Play with the effects of your webcam
• Watch funny videos on the internet

Breath deeply

Oxygen relaxes we have all tried it and we know from experience. Oxygen is free and is everywhere, so take advantage of it.

My favorite breathing method to relax is to make 4 great inspirations and expirations. Try it now. Take a deep breath and breathe out little by little. Do you see the difference? If you are not relaxed yet, repeat it.

Giving A Massage

3 messages for 3 different occasions:

1. Professional massage
2. Couples massage
3. Self-massage

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Create With Hands

Focusing on creating something that you really like frees your mind of unnecessary tensions.

What do you like to do? You can try painting, scale models, DIY, cooking, making jewelry, sewing, making card castles, collecting Legos, recording stop-motion videos, recreating monuments with play dough or anything else that is imaginable.

Take care of your garden

Having a garden or orchard is a rewarding experience for the 5 senses.

If you can not have a garden for reasons of space, potted plants add a decorative and relaxing touch to your home.

Hot or Refreshing Bath

From a quick shower to a long bath, anything goes to relax. If taking a bath with foam and fragrances of eucalyptus or lavender does not relax you is that you are made of stone

You can also look for a gym that has a jacuzzi, thermal pools, and a sauna.

Play With Children Or Company Animals

Without a doubt, one of the best ways to relax…

Warning: Use sparingly as children have a lot of energy and can leave you exhausted.

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