Any good manager knows that in order for a project to succeed everything must be organized properly for everyone. This is where project management software comes in. A lot of this popular software usually comes at a premium price tag which is often beyond the budget of small to medium sized businesses. The good thing though is that there are also free project management software’s available that can do the same job.

Open Workbench

If you are familiar with Microsoft Project then you may want to take a look at its free alternative which is called Open Workbench. The main focus of this application is project scheduling and it does a great job. You can access several features such as resource management, scheduling, planning and reviews.

This is highly recommended software for startup companies who are looking for an effective solution in managing their projects that isn’t complex and expensive.

OpenProj

One other software to consider in managing your projects is OpenProj. This free task tracking application has several features comparable to that of paid versions. It is compatible with Microsoft Project files and uses less resource. Project managers who have tried this software find it a very useful tool in task management.

GanttProject

GanttProject is cross-platform software that works in Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. It has basic project management features that will help you oversee your project to the end. Some of its features include

• Creation of a Gantt chart
• Assigning of human resources
• Generate a PERT chart from a Gantt chart
• Save charts as .PNG
• Generate .PDF and .HTML report
• Import and export projects to Microsoft Project

dotProject

This is web based project management software that helps you in your project layout and control. It has extensive features that make it the choice for company’s who are particular in task management. Some of its features include

• User Management
• Email based trouble Ticket System, (Integrated voxel.net’sticketsmith)
• Client/Company Management
• Project listings
• Hierarchical Task List
• File Repository
• Contact List
• Calendar
• Discussion Forum
• Resource Based Permissions

ReqMan

Managers love to use this tool because it is highly configurable and versatile. It packs in several powerful features such as a planning module, time module, reporting module and even a questionnaire. It is also web based so you need to be connected online.

In times when companies everywhere are making budget cuts it is time to make the smart decision. Even if funding has been reduced any manager can still manage a project by using these free project management software. Although they may differ from the paid versions that some of you are used to it still provides the same end result.

Many business owners measure their website’s success by the number of customers it results in. However, you’re not going to attracting fresh digital footfall if you’re not creating fresh leads online regularly. However, it’s a vicious circle as many business owners don’t invest time, money and effort into their websites because they feel it’s not working for them. The mistake is to assume that people are just not searching for your service or product online.  This cannot be the case though, as people use their smartphones every single day to browse and shop online. Here are some things business owners should be doing regularly:

Fresh Content

By posting regular, fresh content to your site, you’re effectively telling Google to take notice because you clearly care about your customers. The result is that bots will look to your website more often to ensure users can always access recent content in search engines. You don’t even need to produce elegantly written essays – fresh content could be new product descriptions, photographs, videos or updates to pages.

Using Social Media

Social media users will be looking for the most recent information uploaded by your business. If the last thing you posted was six months ago, it suggests two things. First, that you’re not interested in communicating with them and second, you might not even be in business anymore. Either way, you’ll lose their interest. Social media posts can be simple, quick status updates, photos or local information. It doesn’t take long but keeps engagement levels high.

Changing the Homepage

Even small changes on your homepage can have a big impact for customers. A simple change of graphics can refresh a tired page without needing to change any navigation. You could add some new photos or new banners, but it reaps many rewards. For help with updating your site, contact a Website Design Company Gloucester like https://www.net9design.com/

Update those Old Contact Forms

You’d be amazed at how many businesses don’t make their contact information clear and easy to find. If it takes longer than a couple of seconds to find these details, your website needs some work. This is a top reason for customers leaving a site within seconds of landing there. Online users have little patience and won’t stick around to hunt down information that should be clearly displayed on every page.

Providing Little Central Content

You need to make it clear immediately what you do, what you offer and why customers should choose you to solve their problem. This is the central core content of your website, yet if your website doesn’t tick those boxes, it’s failing badly. The lack of this core content has a big influence on how well your site ranks in searches, so it’s essential to get it right.

For some people networking comes naturally, while others dread and fear it. Luckily, there are tips that anyone can put into practice to become a networking pro and make the most of all those professional functions and gatherings that you are required to attend and host.

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A Powerful Tool

While many people think they need to be aggressively working the room, it is better to play the long game and cultivate relationships over time. Anyone you build a genuine bond with will be helpful in recommending you and your services to others. Think of yourself as a farmer who is starting to grow a crop of useful contacts.

Being clear about your outcomes is also helpful. Prepare for networking events by getting your pitch ready. This is where you tell others who you are and what you do in 30 seconds or less.

Dress appropriately, and take a few moments to note how other guests are interacting with each other. Take your cues on the best way to approach people from what other successful guests are doing.

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Pay Attention

Pay others the compliment of really listening to what they have to say. Being really interested in others and asking good questions can make you memorable. Even if you are really shy, you can be a good listener. For tips on being a good networker when you are an introvert, see this report from The Guardian.

It may be a good idea to make notes about interesting people you meet – then you can add them to a database and use this as a way of maintaining contact. At some point you may need to host an event yourself. If you want to host a distinguished networking event abroad, a venue like the Ermanno Palace in Monaco could really impress people. To find out more about Ermanno Palace, it would be a good idea to contact an agency such as https://edgeglobalevents.com/f1-hospitality/monaco/7th-floor-ermanno-palace/, which can give you any advice and help that you need.

Approach networking with a positive attitude. Look at it as a way to talk to others and learn from them while expanding your own horizons. You never know what doors may be opened by being polite and prepared and listening with an open mind to what others have to say. It might even be enjoyable.

If you are planning an event, whether you are a corporate or charity event organiser, you must ensure that you have adequate insurance.

Insurance may be needed to cover many different scenarios, including event cancellation, issues involving the venue, such as any potential damage, as well as the health and safety of both spectators and participants.

Different insurance types

Cancellation of the event may arise as a result of unforeseen circumstances, such as extreme weather conditions, in which case insurance that covers event cancellation will be invaluable. Event organisers should note, however, that different policies will cover different weather scenarios so you should carefully compare different policies according to your needs. For example, if you are organising an event in the UK, the most common weather cancellation event covered will be heavy rain.

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It is essential to ensure that you also have public liability insurance, which will cover you in case anyone attending the event is injured. This insurance will also be necessary to cover any damage that may be caused to the venue itself or to any of its contents due to any negligence on your part. Public liability insurance is often a requirement of the venue before they will allow you to hold the event.

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Employers’ liability insurance is also an essential. This will cover you if any employees or volunteers that you have asked to help you with the event make a claim for compensation; for example, due to injury.

For further advice relating specifically to organising charity events, the government provides some useful information at Gov.uk.

Don’t forget that you will need insurance for fundraising events, with many venues requiring a minimum level of cover before letting out spaces to you.

Medical cover

Whilst public liability insurance is increasingly compulsory for event organisers, event medical cover should also be added to your list, as any event with a large crowd should consider having on-site medical provision. This could involve anything from one paramedic to an on-site hospital. Event organisers can find a lot of information on this type of insurance at  event medical cover through outdoormedicalsolutions.co.uk.

When taking out any type of insurance policy it is important to read the small print, and to double-check exactly what you are covered for, and any potentially important exclusions.

The world of education is forever changing; with each new government a raft of legislative amendments make their way on to the statute book. Teachers are charged with new ways to approach learning, and schools have to adhere to a growing list of requirements.

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It is therefore not surprising that what is best for young people within the education system can seem to be sidetracked. Here we take a look at an approach that puts the pupil at the heart of their learning.

The Power of EDI

EDI – or Explicit Direct Instruction – is a form of learning that ensures exceptional lessons – often utilising dry wipe whiteboards for schools to maximise absorption – are available to teachers and when delivered result in higher student attainment.

How EDI Works

EDI works from the premise that every child is primed for learning and with competent lessons can maximise achievement. It provides teachers with a series of strategies and instructional practices in order to do this.

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EDI’s Early Days

EDI is the brain child of John Hollingsworth and Dr Silvia Ybarra and is based on brain research, educational theory, exact instruction and data analysis; struggling students have access to individual help and independent studies are also available.

John is the president and co-founder of DataWORKS and has applied his analytical and presenting skills to the field of education, transforming the lives of teachers and students with his insights into the teaching process.

Lesson Design

Lessons are planned based on the following components:

Learning objectives;
Activating prior knowledge;
Developing concepts;
Skills development;
Relevance of lessons;
Guided practice;
Lesson closure;
Independent studies.

Students are encouraged to use individual whiteboards – available from many outlets, including https://wedgewhiteboards.co.uk – and encouraged to buddy up with another student to aid understanding.

Lesson Delivery

Teachers are required to build in the following into each lesson:

Check understanding amongst students;
Verify students are learning throughout;
Teach by telling;
Develop students’ abilities to solve problems by talking through a subject;
Use physical objects to clarify content.

To conclude, EDI is skill-based with each student actively participating in the learning process. A holistic approach, it is a far cry from previous ‘skill and drill’ teaching techniques and significantly improves achievement for all learners.

Thousands of teachers in several US states, Australia and other countries have been trained in EDI.

Contract management is a difficult thing to master. It is a time-consuming activity fraught with complications that are usually costly one way or another. Whether you are procuring services or goods or delivering the same to a client, the principles of contract management remain the same.

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Training for contract management is rarely provided in advance, and many managers find themselves tasked with contract management with little guidance or support. However, there are some guidelines that you can follow to maximise your efficacy.

Understand the Industry

It is inadvisable to manage a contract when you are unfamiliar with the discipline it relates to. If you are managing contracts outside of your area of expertise, make sure that you become as familiar as possible with the industry itself. There are likely to be specific terms and regulations that you should be aware of. In addition, if bidding for contracts, your prospective client is more likely to view your bid as credible if it is clear you are qualified and experienced in the subject matter.

Understand the Process

Although the nature of contracts varies greatly, they share core principles. Ensure you are familiar with these principles and what actions you may be required to take should problems arise. Very few contracts, particularly long-term contracts, run smoothly all of the time. By being prepared you will improve your efficiency, performance and confidence.

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Your company may utilise a contract management system such as contractswise to aid their internal process. Contract management systems provide support that can be invaluable to your task and other free guidance is available. The National Audit Office offer a PDF download called Good Practice Contract Management Framework.

Exploit Your Support Structure

There may often be staff involved in the contract that can provide technical support to aid your understanding and management. Ensure that you avail yourself of their skills and expertise, and make sure that they are aware of your restrictions and limitations. As always, communication is key.

Consider Certification

There are a number of certifications and training courses available on the subject of contract management, and it can only reflect well on an individual or company that chooses to adopt this route to better improve their performance. In addition, accreditation speaks volumes about your company’s commitment, professionalism and abilities to prospective clients.

In the age of the smartphone, there is an app for everything, so if you are a landlord you might find these top mobile programs useful when it comes to managing your property portfolio.

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The Landlord App

It may not have a funky name, but this app does exactly what it says on the tin and lets you stay on top of most aspects of the job, from keeping tabs on rent payments and expenses to scheduling important events. Since all of this information is easy to export to a PC, it is also flexible and convenient, even if the buy-to-let era may be on its last legs.

Zoopla

If you want to invest in more property in your area, the best way to get ahead of the game is to install Zoopla’s app on your phone. You can get up-to-the-minute information when homes hit the market and can also check on prior sale prices so that you can stay competitive. Right Move is similarly effective in this respect.

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Inventory Pro

If your properties are fully or partly furnished, keeping an inventory of the contents which is sharable with tenants is vital. This app makes it straightforward, allowing you to add images and videos to create a comprehensive picture of the contents of a house.

This may also help when looking for cheap landlords insurance from sites like https://brokersdirect.co.uk/, as you will get a better idea of how much protection you need.

WhatsApp

You may already be a hardcore user of this popular instant messaging app, but if you are not already, then your tenants definitely will be by this point. You can set up a group message shared by multiple tenants of a single property to make it easier to stay in touch about important issues without having to handle a voice call at an inconvenient time.

Scanbot

With landlords still bombarded by paper documents on a regular basis, this app can make cataloguing every piece of important correspondence much less difficult. Just harness your handset’s built-in camera to capture a digital copy of documents in the file format of your choice.

Frontpoint

If you have a Frontpoint security system installed at your property, then this app will be a huge help, letting you monitor and protect it remotely.

Camera systems are becoming increasingly common both in cars and commercial vehicles. But why should you install one? Here are some of the benefits.

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1. Evidence of Accidents

In the event of an accident, having a car or truck camera installed means that you’ll always have an impartial witness to what happened. Cameras can capture video before and after an incident, so it’s possible to see the build-up to events as well as the accident itself.

2. Monitoring Drivers

For fleet managers installing a camera also allows monitoring of drivers. This has a dual benefit: it can offer evidence of bad driving, but it also puts drivers on their best behaviour since they know that they are being watched. This means they’re less likely to make errors, and they will take better care of their vehicle. Some cameras have two lenses to observe both driver and road.

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3. Cutting Fraud

We’ve all seen in the press news about insurance fraud via cash-for-crash scams. These are costing the industry millions of pounds every year. Having a dashcam from a supplier such as Backwatch safety products installed means that you have evidence of any suspicious incidents, which in itself may cause the fraudsters to look for a softer target.

4. Insurance Benefits

Insurance companies like dashcams because they provide clear evidence of any accidents or other incidents that occur. They may therefore give you a discount on your premium for having one installed.

5. Protection While Parked

The latest cameras often have a sleep mode so that they monitor the vehicle when stationary. If someone breaks in or another vehicle hits yours while it’s parked, the camera will come to life and collect details of the incident.

6. Location, Location

GPS tracking is now included in many cameras. This means that you automatically have a record of where the vehicle is all the time the camera is active. This eliminates any dispute about where incidents took place and also means that you have a record of the route which the vehicle has taken.

7. Speed Matters

Recording the speed the vehicle was doing at the time of an incident is important, and many cameras can do this too. They also include accelerometers to measure changes in speed that occur such as from heavy braking.

Think WordPress is just for blogs? Think again.

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WordPress Is Easy

Because it was designed for bloggers, WordPress had to be easy for non-technical people to use in order to succeed. This means your staff will easily be able to get the hang of it.

WordPress Is Open Source

WordPress is run by a community, meaning it’s not owned by anyone. This means you don’t have to worry about the company that controls your website code going out of business, getting taken over or suddenly doubling their prices.

WordPress Is Powerful

With proper planning you can easily scale sites with WordPress, growing them to thousands of pages, images and files.

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WordPress Is Free

Because it’s open source, you’re free to download WordPress, install it on any hosting service you like, such as https://happy2host.com, and off you go. Of course, you may well want to seek the help of a London WordPress web design agency, but you’re not going to be tied into anything.

WordPress Has Lots of Plugins

Want to turn your site into a shop? There’s a plugin for that. Gallery? You can automatically update it with every picture you post to Instagram. In fact, there are over 50,000 and counting.

WordPress Is SEO-Friendly

There are also many great plugins to help you with SEO. Yoast’s plugin, for example, will score each page of your site and suggest tips to bump pages up Google’s rankings.

WordPress Is Flexible

Fancy a complete redesign? With just a few clicks you can give your whole site a new look with a new template.

WordPress Has a Vibrant Community

Because WordPress is so popular, there are a lot of people familiar with it. If you run a website using a CMS created by one company and your main designer leaves, you’re going to spend a lot of time and effort finding a new one. With WordPress, you have access to a global pool of talent.

WordPress Is Built in PHP

If PHP is good enough for sites like Facebook and Google, it’s good enough for you!

WordPress Plays Well with Others

If you use cloud services like Salesforce or Mailchimp, you’ll want them to connect with your website so you can transfer data. With WordPress, all of these connections already exist.

One of the reasons VoIP adoption is picking up is because customers are finally confident that they can pick up a VoIP handset, and it will ‘just work’ in the same way a traditional telephone would – regardless of whether they are calling a landline or VoIP line.

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This seamless functionality is because of VoIP termination. Termination refers to the entire process involved with completing the call – the origination, transfer over networks, destination, and all fees and operators involved.

With termination involving so many critical factors, knowing a bit about how VoIP calls are terminated is important to make informed decisions about your service, so here is a basic rundown of concepts involved in VoIP call termination.

Call source and destination

Fairly self-explanatory, but none the less important, are the calling and called party. Clearly, the calling party is the initiator of the call, whether from a landline, mobile, or VoIP device. The called party is the endpoint that the call must be routed to, again, whether it be landline, mobile, or VoIP. This routing is handled by the network operators.

Network operators

Usually referred to as providers or carriers, the network operators are the organisations who run the VoIP networks. They could be Tier 1 providers who are licensed to operate an internet telephony network, a Tier 2 provider who leases services of a Tier 1 provider, a Tier 3 provider who utilises the services of either, or a wholesale termination provider such as www.idtexpress.com. Ultimately, your network provider is responsible for the quality and termination of your call.

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Call origination

While this sounds the same as the source, it isn’t. Call origination refers to which type of infrastructure the call comes from. VoIP providers need to be able to communicate seamlessly with mobile and landline telephone networks, both passing calls to them in correct formats, and being able to receive and route calls that originate on these other networks.

Control of fees

Depending on the source and destination of the call, termination will involve some degree of cost. These costs can be kept very low for VoIP to VoIP calls, as data is cheap. Costs increase, though, if the call needs to break out to traditional carriers – landline and mobile calling being more expensive.