FENSA (the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme) was established by the window and double glazing industry to help protect homeowners from rogue companies. It checks that window companies in England and Wales meet certain standards and guidelines, guaranteeing a quality product that will last for many years.

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This is very useful for people who want new windows but do not know how to check for quality. According to FENSA, using a registered company can help you to save time and money; for example, you will not have to register your doors and windows with your local authority yourself.

How to ensure a double-glazing company Is trustworthy

One of the easiest ways to check that a double-glazing company is trustworthy is to see whether it is registered with FENSA. FENSA has issued over nine million door and window homeowner certificates and is recognised as the leader in the double-glazing industry.

Companies do not necessary need to be approved by FENSA to be popular and effective, of course, as they may already have a large customer base through word of mouth. If you are looking for double glazing in Dublin, for example, check out companies such as http://keanewindows.ie/. Some companies that are not FENSA approved have been in operation for many years and have excellent reviews.

The main concern is new companies that claim to be FENSA approved when they are actually inexperienced and are likely to do a poor job; in fact, it is a criminal offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and Trade Marks Act 1994 to fraudulently claim to be registered. This is because it will influence customers to use their business and it is likely that they will be unhappy with the results due to false advertising.

Companies that have been prosecuted for false advertising

Let’s look at two examples of companies that have been prosecuted in 2016 for falsely advertising as a FENSA-registered business. In March 2016, Highgrove Widows was prosecuted for eight counts of fraud with regard to its services. The director was sentenced to two years’ custodial sentence, suspended for two years. In January, Summit Roofguard Ltd was prosecuted for 64 criminal offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. The directors were sentenced to jail terms of two and a half years each.

Manufacturing industries are increasingly looking at the role automation can play in improving efficiency and production levels, reducing safety issues, minimising costs and limiting expenditure on materials. One of the ways that businesses can achieve this is by the use of pneumatic vacuum conveyors, which can introduce a number of benefits to the manufacturing line. Continue reading Reducing Costs with Pneumatic Conveyors →

2017 is only a matter of days away now, and businesses should be ready to hit the ground running with their editorial and content calendars in place. Content is growing and is being allocated more cash and bigger headcounts, and that doesn’t look like changing any time soon.

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Mobile

There is now more internet traffic on mobile devices than on desktop computers. With that in mind, make sure you are optimising your content for mobile phones. People squinting to read a lengthy document will create a problem. That could potentially be helped by having an app, and if you don’t have one yet, that should be a focus.

Video content

Images, and particularly video, are so crucial now to users experience online that social media platforms have evolved rapidly in the last few months. Video-focused platforms like YouTube and Snapchat have been joined by Facebook Live, which threatens to take over. Just look at your timeline on social platforms and you’ll see how important video is becoming to brands. That trend looks set to continue for the foreseeable future so be sure to build it into your content plan.

Social media

Facebook remains the most-used social media platform for small business, so ignore it at your risk. It’s still a very valuable tool for reaching potential customers, be they B2C or B2B. Other platforms are still valuable, the trick is to match them to the customer.

User-generated content

Time and time again, polls show that content made by other users is considered more trustworthy than content produced by brands. As most brands are trying to build trust, having others able to do that better can be an uncomfortable thought. UGC is shares and reviews, comments, even videos and photos. If your content is engaging enough to produce UGC, you’re winning.

For more ideas on what is going to be big in the content marketing world in 2017, see the Content Marketing Institute. To help with planning your content strategy for 2017, consult a brand and strategy innovation agency like www.lightbulbinnovation.com/.

Ultimately, content is all about your audience and the formats they want to use. If you want to communicate successfully with your potential audience, make sure you are using the formats they are. The focus must remain the customer.

Ever wondered how someone becomes a locksmith? It is probably not an area that receives much thought but if you have a teenage son or daughter who has no idea what path to take at that 16 plus milestone then could this profession offer a good return?

Locksmiths make duplicate keys, repair all types of locks and install new lock systems for homes and businesses. People get locked out of their homes or vehicles very frequently and so there is no shortage of work. A self-employed locksmith can work on call outs and emergency responses to a lock-out and this can pay well.

There are many training courses to introduce you to the world of locksmithing and it’s important to hear reviews from other locksmiths who have taken these courses and talk to the course provider as well to find out exactly what is covered. The best course providers include those run by the British Locksmiths Institute, who are part of the Master Locksmiths Association. You may also be able to take an apprenticeship with some firms as a route into the profession. For a Belfast Locksmith, visit http://www.belfastlocksmiths247.co.uk/

There are no formal qualifications and on the job training may suffice but there are definitely some skills that are required. You will need excellent dexterity, customer care skills, patience, attention to detail and problem-solving abilities.

Locksmiths can become involved in other areas of safety and install and maintain security mechanisms, fit safes and set up closed circuit television systems. Some locksmiths specialize their services and one example of this would be providing a service for the unlocking of antique locks and padlocks, repairing them and providing unique key cutting for them.

A typical day in the life of a locksmith will include fitting locks to doors and windows. In a security conscious world and in high crime areas, a locksmith should be kept busy. You may also be promoting and selling various types of locks and security devices and offering advice on best options. Cutting keys and making new keys will be a large part of the job but you could also be fitting combination locks and timing mechanisms to safes. You’ll want to make sure that your customers treasure is safely stored and impenetrable to any would be burglars.

People often get locked out of their vehicles and so you could be involved in gaining access to cars and repairing any damage. Another aspect of the work involves attending crime scenes after break-ins and helping to secure a business property or home. A good working relationship with the police will be required. Unfortunately many victims of burglary often feel violated and nervous about what they once considered their haven. The ability to work well and sympathetically with members of the public will be of great benefit in this job as you will need to reassure and advise about security issues. They will probably want a complete overhaul of their locking mechanisms which could include both doors and windows. They may also want CCTV installed or an alarm fitted.