Category Archives: Tips and Ideas

Four ways to rent office space

There can be various reasons for the decision to rent office space. Whether you need more space, aim to add credibility to your business or simply want to escape from the distractions of home, there are various options to consider.

Virtual office space

According to BBC News, around 15 per cent of the UK population is self-employed. Many of these people work from home and do not require physical office space, which is where virtual office space can be the ideal solution. If all you need is to enhance your company’s reputation by adding credibility, you can have a professional address for mail delivery and someone to handle your mail and certain day-to-day tasks. Hiring virtual office space could be the answer.

Co-working office space

For anyone who needs more physical space for their business but is constrained by their finances, co-working offices can offer the facilities you need much more inexpensively than traditional leasehold office space. Sharing office space with other businesses has both advantages and disadvantages. It can be very flexible; therefore, if you only need the space for a short time, this can be the ideal solution. Some people enjoy the social benefits of sharing office space with others; however, there are also disadvantages, such as a lack of privacy and difficulty in receiving visitors.

Serviced office space

Contracts for serviced office space tend to be shorter than those for leasehold offices. This can be a more expensive option; however, the advantages can far outweigh the disadvantages. If you are looking for high-end offices to let Basingstoke provides facilities such as www.matrix-house.co.uk that provide the opportunity to move directly into a fully-equipped office with all the facilities you need. As the landlord is responsible for all ongoing maintenance and service costs, you can concentrate on your own business.

Leasehold office space

This is the commonest way of renting office space. It has the advantages of giving you the independence to decorate and furnish the office as you like; however, the disadvantages include the fact that you will be responsible for office maintenance, providing furniture and arranging and paying for the utilities you need. As leasehold office contracts usually run for at least three years, you may have to be prepared to renegotiate if your needs change in the future.

Different types of antenna and their properties

Much of our communication these days relies on some form of wireless technology. Whether it’s radio, wireless data, TV transmissions or mobile phone signals, sending and receiving this information inevitably involves some kind of antenna in order for everything to work as it should.

But antennas come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on what they are used for. The simplest type of antenna is a wire strung between two points or posts. These are simple and cheap and can be used to send and receive basic radio signals. But as you add sophistication you need more specialist kit.

Vehicle antennas

Historically, vehicles have used monopole antennas – basically a metal rod – to receive radio signals. In recent years the traditional telescopic aerial has given way to short, stubby types using a coiled wire, or even to no visible antenna at all, thanks to making use of the rear window heating element.

If you need two-way transmission then a longer antenna may be needed – which is why you often saw 1970s minicabs with a long whip aerial on the roof. Although technology has improved these types of aerial known as buggy whips, available from suppliers like wisuk.co.uk/buggy-whip are still useful in locations where a tall antenna is needed and where the roof of the vehicle may be hard to access.

Fixed antennas

For most people, the antenna they will need most frequently is the TV aerial. These are multi-element and designed to pick up a range of different frequencies. The most common type with a series of short horizontal rods is known as a dipole array and is effectively a series of short antennas. However, TV aerials do differ in their specifications and what type you need will vary depending on where you live and which transmitter you are receiving your signals from – http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/reception_guide.

Satellite signals use a reflector antenna that focuses the signal onto a particular point. This type of antenna can be used for other purposes too, such as transmitting wireless signals between buildings where there is line of sight available.

Specialist applications like telecommunications and radar often use microwave antennas. These can be used in one-way situations like broadcasting and as relays to send signals over longer distances. They are often used to provide the backbone network for mobile phone systems.

Overseas buyers still hotly demanding UK property

Billions of pounds entering the UK’s property market via foreign firms has pushed up house price rises by over a quarter, research dated March 2018 has found.

The overseas impact on house prices

Average prices in England and Wales went from £70,000 in 1999 up to £215,000 in 2014, while without a flow of foreign money they would have increased only to £174,000, a study conducted by researchers at King’s College, London, shows.

So 28 per cent of property price growth over that time may have been down to overseas investment – a lot of it via anonymous shell companies which are registered in secretive tax havens.

The study proposes that foreign investment is a notably larger contributing element towards a crisis in housing than was previously believed, meaning that millions of people across the UK can’t afford to purchase their own home.

The senior lecturer at King’s College who carried out the research, Filipa Sa, commented that foreign investment does more than just raise the cost of pricey homes. It also has a ‘trickle down’ impact on the remainder of the market.

Ms Sa found that growth of 1 per cent in the amount of property sales to firms registered overseas hiked up prices in the area by 2.1 per cent.

If you are looking for conveyancing solicitors Manchester has firms including https://www.samconveyancing.co.uk/conveyancing-solicitors/conveyancing-solicitors-Manchester.



Proposed penalties

The government has come under pressure to do more to penalise ownership of property via anonymous foreign shell companies.

Front men for faceless overseas firms that invest in UK property will be jailed for up to two years and face limitless fines should the true property owners not be listed on a public register, according to new plans. However, there are concerns that new rules will not be put in place until 2021.

For more on the government’s proposed levy on foreign buyers, you can read https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/sep/29/theresa-may-slaps-new-property-tax-on-foreign-buyers.

Demand for openness

Russian figures linked to Vladimir Putin are thought to possess British properties amounting to almost £1.1bn, and the true value could be much bigger, because ownership can easily be hidden. London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, added his voice to calls for the government to initiate draft legislation, remarking that Londoners need to know the truth about who owns property in the city.

What Is Electroless Nickel Plating?

In some industries, few things made from solid material such as plastic or metal are made and delivered as they stand, because without some sort of protection they simply wouldn’t withstand the elements or environment they are in – which means they would have an unsatisfactorily short shelf life. The solution is to protect them with something, and this is where electroless nickel plating comes into play.

What’s the Technical Explanation?

In the trade this may be described as a process where an even layer of nickel-phosphorus or nickel-boron alloy is added to an item. The amount of phosphorus featured ranges between 2% and 14%, and the higher this number the more resistance to corrosion is provided – but in return the finish is not as hard. It is also referred to as autocatalytic coating, because during the metal or alloy deposit process chemical reaction causes it to be catalyzed.



Where and Why Will You See Electroless Nickel Plating Being Used?

The major uses for electroless nickel plating treatments are on products such as pumps, drive shafts, pipes and valves within the construction, engineering, aerospace, electronic and oil/gas industries. This invaluable resource offers high levels of protection from both abrasive exposure and general wear, helps to avoid corrosion and generally strengthens the product being coated.

It is commonly used on metal, plastic and carbon steel surfaces, though it doesn’t do so well on steels which contain chromium. Electroless nickel plating is adaptable to the conditions of a surface it is applied to, which means things such as pits and recesses are filled in so the end result is smooth.

Something to Consider

The best results from electroless nickel plating depend on things such as adequate surface preparation and cleaning as well as careful attention to and management of the plating baths. Avoid any issues by using the services of surface engineering specialists such as https://www.poeton.co.uk/.

Why Choose Electroless Nickel Plating?

There are several reasons why this is considered superior to electroplating. It is able to cope with surfaces which electroplating simply can’t manage, there is virtually no risk of excess deposits at high points, it has an extended range of throwing power and there is significantly less hydrogen charging. It does cost more to choose electroless nickel plating, but the advantages tend to outweigh this issue.

What is biomass?

In this article we take a look at the definition of biomass, its importance in today’s world and how open fires and woodburning stoves are playing their part in this green energy production.



Definition

In essence, biomass is fuel from organic materials, creating electricity and other forms of power; it is both renewable and sustainable as waste residues will always exist, forests will always have trees and we will always have crops.

Materials

Materials that can make biomass fuels include scrap timber, debris from forests, some crops, manure and certain waste residues. With technology improving every day, other things might prove useful too.

A greener way

All the above are constant sources of waste which means that green energy can continue indefinitely.

Everyday biomass power

If you are looking for stoves Northern Ireland based http://www.stovebay.com/, or similar, have a wide range for you to consider, enhancing your green credentials further.

Biomass power is carbon neutral power generated from organic material that would otherwise be dumped in landfills. When burnt, the energy in it is released as heat, as anybody who owns a woodburning stove or enjoys an open fire in their home will know.

The challenges

Although the process of electricity creation in a commercial and/or industrial setting is the same when using both biomass fuel and fossil fuel, the equipment needed is very different indeed. Whether for domestic or industrial purposes, the burning of anything creates emissions and ash so it is important – if you are considering introducing a woodburning stove in your home for example – to choose a reputable company that has processes and equipment in place to keep emissions within regulations. Some areas are smoke-free zones, so keep this in mind.

Conclusion

There is a huge amount of research out there that supports the conclusion that biomass provides substantial consumer and environmental benefits. These include improving the health of forests, ensuring our air quality is protected and, crucially, offering a dependable and long-lasting energy source that is entirely renewable and cannot be depleted. Biomass also has many advantages over fossil fuels due to the reduction in the amount of carbon emissions. Indeed, using biodiesel instead of petrol reduces these bad emissions by between a whopping 45 and 80 percent, which is fabulous news for creating a greener and more sustainable planet.

Five tips for managing your next office move

There are plenty of reasons a business might be planning to relocate. Regardless of the motives, the key to a successful move is planning. Without a clear strategy, the process can go horribly wrong and end up costing much more than it should.

Why, where and when?

Getting the answers to some fairly basic questions will help with your plans. You may know why the business is moving, but your staff might not. Make sure everyone knows what is happening and start thinking about how you are going to communicate this to all your suppliers, clients and anyone else involved in the business. Where do you want to move? This is a great chance to relocate to a better and perhaps cheaper or more convenient site. The Bristol removals company, for example, will be able to help here. Have a clear deadline so that the move can be achieved on time and on budget.

The moving team

It is always a good idea to appoint a good project manager. A good removals company can provide the right expertise for you and lead your team, too. The leader of the team will need to possess a whole range of essential skills. An ability to communicate effectively will be fundamental, but the role will also require management, a good understanding of processes, and an ability to set up and manage a realistic and affordable budget.

Know how

Depending on the size and complexity of the move, it is always a good idea to consider bringing in a professional Bristol removals company to help. Relocation and the actual physical removal process should not be undertaken lightly, unless you have had considerable previous experience. An organisation such as the Bristol Removals Company can step in and make the process seamless.

Introducing change

Relocating your company can be a real opportunity, so be sure to take advantage of it! All of your old systems can be revisited, and new processes can be introduced. Old files can be scanned and all your dusty paperwork discarded, and this is also a chance to get on top of GDPR. It may be the right moment to update old hardware, so work this into your budget calculation as well. When the move is complete, don’t forget to enjoy a well-earned party.

50 million smart meters for £11bn – good value for money?

“The Energy Secretary should be sacked”, said consumer champion Martin Lewis in May 2017[1]. This wasn’t about smart meters though. Greg Clark had told breakfast TV viewers that switching energy suppliers is “quite a hassle to do”. It isn’t, even for your gran, as explained on Lewis’s MoneySavingExpert site [4].



Will anyone be sacked over the decision to roll out smart meters?

We’ve all done it haven’t we, become convinced that the expensive new gizmo will make our lives better. After a few hours of the kids shouting “Hey Google”, we start to wonder. It’s expensive for sure. Householders will be paying £11bn for the rollout of smart meters and even this is set to rise [2].

Well before UK government took the plunge with smart meters, the Germans had already decided that they were too expensive, compared to the savings [3]. So why did the UK go ahead?

The main reason cited for smart meters was that householders would be able to see their energy usage, and cost, in real time. That’s fair enough, but which householders were they targeting?

– The money saving experts who had already switched suppliers? They were already clued up about not leaving the TV on standby and buying A+ rated white goods.
– The ones who hadn’t bothered to switch? Would they take any notice of a box that you can’t shout “Hey Google” at?

What’s worse is that the SMETS 1 boxes will “go dumb” when switching supplier! Householders will still be able to see usage (if they are interested) but not the cost. Penalising the people who actually care. The final straw is that, according to the BBC, smart meters will cut annual energy bills by just £11 – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44903471.

So, what are the benefits? Energy companies won’t have to read meters. Great. Householders won’t either. Yay. A side benefit might be that they can replace that broken gas meterbox and make the outside of the house look more presentable, see here https://www.meterbox.co.uk/.

Love ‘em or loathe ‘em smart meters are here to stay. We’ll see whether the SMETS 1 boxes can be upgraded. Greg Clark is still the Secretary of State for Energy, and you can bet no one will be sacked for the decision to roll out smart meters.

[1] https://inews.co.uk/news/martin-lewis-calls-energy-switch-minister-sacked/
[2] https://utilityweek.co.uk/smart-meter-rollout-costs-1bn-higher-expected-2016/
[3] http://stopsmartmeters.org.uk/germany-rejects-eu-smart-meter-plan-too-expensive-no-payback-in-savings/
[4] https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/cheap-energy-offline/

 

How to define a buyer persona

Defining a buyer persona helps you to identify the attributes of your ideal customer. This will be based on your industry sector and data regarding your current customers and aids in understanding the demographics so that the content and campaigns you create are engaging and effective.

Why are buyer personas useful?

Buyer personas can help you to understand what your customers want, what concerns them and whether there are any factors that could prevent them from buying your product or service. In digital marketing Manchester could be said to lead the field. Knowing your customers and being able to create a strong relationship with them gives you a definite advantage over other companies.

Creating a buyer persona

The first step towards creating a buyer persona is to research your existing customers. This can be done by various methods including interviews, polls and surveys. Social media now provides very effective ways of conducting surveys and polls, but face to face and telephone interviews are still popular, so the choice is yours.

If you feel you need professional help with the process, contacting a company such as https://htpdigital.com will provide the solution you need.

Using a template to record information can be very helpful. The fields included can be varied depending on your individual business and your customers. Basic information for a B2C persona template would normally include name, age, gender, marital status and occupation. Other fields might focus on education, location, income, family size and less concrete items such as interests, lifestyle and personality traits. According to Marketing Week, Sainsbury’s increased sales by using location to deliver personalised offers to customers.

If you are selling to another business rather than to consumers, a B2B persona template might have additional fields such as whether the person is a decision maker in their company and their job title.

Using a buyer persona

A buyer persona can be used to increase traffic and target your advertising to where it will be most relevant and effective. Content can be created for the personas you have identified based on what the customer engages with and is interested in. This can be presented in the format they prefer whether this is through blog posts, an eBook or a video guide.

Negative buyer personas are also useful to identify customers that are not a good fit with your business.

Cleaning up after the office Christmas party

January can feel like a pretty blue month without returning to a grubby and messy workplace after the Christmas festivities. While it’s currently the time for planning the office Christmas party, you should spare a thought for the aftermath too. Once the tinsel has come down and the tree stripped of its baubles and lights, it’s time to set to work cleaning the office and making it welcoming and attractive for returning staff. There’s nothing quite as depressing as the sight of withered decorations and empty bottles.

Declutter

It is time to stow the tree, decorations and lights for another 365 days until the festivities return. In addition to the parts you will keep for next year, there will be multiple one-time use items that will need to be discarded of accordingly such as cups, plates, napkins, food and drink etc. Remember to make sure to recycle anything that can be and reuse whenever available. By tackling the party bits and bobs, you will create a clear space to then clean thoroughly.

Disinfect all surfaces

Now the areas are clear, you can implement an intense cleaning schedule to ensure the office is brought back to efficient levels of cleanliness and sense of professionalism. A standard clean will not suffice, you will need to use disinfecting cleaning products to ensure all germs and bacteria are removed. Due to there being a variety of people, a variety of germs would have been deposited within the office, therefore, ensure anyone who visits the office after the party is not left contaminated. For help with this and ongoing tasks, consider Office cleaning Gloucester and Click here for more information.

Clean bathrooms

As well as the office itself, the bathrooms will also need a thorough clean to ensure all germs and bacteria are removed and the toilets become safe to use. They will visually need a spruce up as well as require a deep clean of all surfaces. Items to clean include:

Light fixtures

Vent fans

Sink taps

Sinks

Hand dryer

Soap dispenser

Countertops

Walls

Toilet and urinals

Floor

Fixtures

Drain caps

Handles & knobs

Mirrors

Empty bins

Now the office is clear and clean, ensure you empty the bins so that they are not an eyesore and produce an odour into the office. Also, by having a bin filled with waste for long periods of time they become a breeding ground for aggressive germs. Some of those germs could become a risk to staff if not properly disposed of and washed, therefore ensure you are thorough with your post-party cleanup schedule.

What makes a great restaurant waiter?

If you want to be a successful waiter, it is important to act a certain way. After all, tradition, respect and culture all play an important role in hospitality.

Here are 10 things all great restaurant waiters do.

They greet people when they arrive

Don’t let anyone enter the building without a friendly greeting. Manners are very important as they show people that you care about them and appreciate their custom, so they are more likely to visit again – http://www.goodchoicesgoodlife.org/choices-for-young-people/the-magic-of-manners/.

They are helpful

Great waiters are always helpful and if they don’t know the answer to a question, they don’t say ‘I don’t know’; they say ‘I will go and find out’.

They don’t assume

If a customer asks a good waiter for more of something such as cheese, gravy or sauce, they bring a dish so the customer can serve themselves. This is better than pouring for them and guessing how much they want.

They don’t take plates until everyone has finished eating

A good waiter will always wait until everyone has finished their meal before they start collecting plates. This means customers can enjoy their full meal without feeling rushed.

They help to keep things clean

Restaurants are very busy, and things can quickly get dirty or messy. A good waiter will help to prevent this from happening by helping to keep things clean, such as the stainless steel grease traps, when they have a free moment.

If you own a restaurant and you want to buy new stainless steel grease traps, head to https://www.ukgreasetrapsdirect.co.uk/stainless-steel-grease-traps or similar.

They know who ordered what

A great waiter will know who ordered what before they approach the table, so they don’t have to interrupt the conversation to ask ‘who ordered the pizza?’.

They provide extras

They will provide customers with extras for them to enjoy. For instance, they will always offer bread with olive oil or butter.

They don’t question customers

If a customer comes in alone, they don’t question when someone else will arrive; they simply take the reservation.

They are friendly

They always have a smile on their face, and they never make customers feel bad for asking for extra service.

They don’t touch the rims of the glasses

This is a basic hygiene point that all great waiters are aware of.