Fortuna Dusseldorf have taken the last step towards the class against Erzgebirge Aue. The Red and Whites won on the 34th match with 1: 0 (1: 0) and finished the season with 42 points on the eleventh place.

Gartner meet against Aue 1-0

The starting position before the last day was clear: Fortuna Düsseldorf and Erzgebirge Aue reached a point to keep the class safely. Coach Friedhelm Funkel stressed in the run-up that one would not be content to push the ball back and forth for 90 minutes.

“We want to win this game, because we have not won a win at home for a long time and because we want to give it to our fans,” the 63-year-old said, “There is no non-attack pact.” On Sunday afternoon, both teams did not fire a footballing fireworks display before 37,320 spectators, but Fortuna switched at least to the forward. Christian Gartner scored the goal of the day just before the break. “Now we can go on vacation,” said goalkeeper Michael Rensing.

Hook up, look forward

Funkel had to improvise against Aue, because on the left Lukas Schmitz (blocked) and Axel Bellinghausen (injured) were missing. He surprised by confiding to Anderson Lucoqui. The 19-year-old Eigengewachs had been on the pitch for a total of 45 minutes – in Berlin and against Dresden. Now he had to prove himself in a difficult situation.

Lucoqui defended with Robin Bormuth, Andre Hoffmann, Kaan Ayhan and Julian Schauerte. Adam Bodzek, Marcel Sobottka and Gartner played in the central midfield. Jerome Kiesewetter stormed with Rouwen Hennings.

Farewells, which usually belong to the last matchday, were not in the Esprit-Arena. The concentration was on the descent. And he began easy. Fortuna tried to control, had a slow game quickly under control. Aue pressed anything but aggressive, pulling himself deeply into the back of his own half.

The result: tough midfield combat. Sobottka tried to score a header after eleven minutes, but Aue goalkeeper Martin Mannel caught the ball effortlessly. If it was dangerous in the initial phase, then in front of the gate of the guests. After 18 minutes, Gartner failed with a lupfer.

Gartner scores a flat shot before the break

And what did Aue show? Surprisingly, quite little. In the Dusseldorf half, the “violets” hardly appeared at all. FC Erzgebirge, with new coach Domenico Tedesco over the past few weeks, had made a good start to the Red-Whites. Hoffmann missed a 1: 0 goal from a short distance. And Gartner punished the passivity with a flat-shot 1: 0 for Dusseldorf (40th). For the Austrian, whose contract expires, it was the second Saisontor.

The second round began with a clearing-up

The Fortuna fans had rolled paper rolls into the penalty area of the guests, referee Harm Osmers had to interrupt the game briefly. Afterwards, Aue danced a bit more, Pascal Köpke caused a change for the danger before the goal of Rensing.

But Fortuna was quickly back on the pace, Hennings urged Mannel with a free kick (63). Kiesewetter fled in a one-on-one at the guests’ keeper (74). In the end, it was the tight victory for Fortuna, both clubs playing next season in the second place. For the Red-Whites it was the first success for seven months.

When we think of social networks, we will quickly come to mind platforms like Facebook, Twitter or even LinkedIn. But if we want to know where this authentic social revolution began, we have to go back several years. Many other platforms were the forerunners of what we know today as social media. Some of them opened the closure in the 2.0 universe almost 20 years ago and no longer even exist. Continue reading The Time Machine and a Journey Through the Evolution of Social Media →

The Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP) and estate agency Savills recently announced the results of their June 2017 Serviced Apartment Sentiment Tracker Survey. This twice-yearly survey takes into account the views of operators in the serviced apartment industry in the UK. Serviced apartments have become a common feature of Britain’s city centres in the past decade; despite originally being intended to attract travellers from the corporate sector, they now play host to increasing numbers of leisure travellers and tourists.

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Key points from the survey

The survey found that serviced apartment operators, are more optimistic overall about their business prospects than they were in the November 2016 survey; however, optimism for the year 2018 is slightly lower than it was in November. A total of 42 per cent of those who responded to the survey said they expected their 2017 occupancy rates to be higher than 2016’s rates.

The leisure sector gave particular cause for celebration, with nearly 60 per cent of the survey respondents stating that demand had increased from last year. The operators were slightly less optimistic about the corporate and business sector, with just 38 per cent reporting demand in this area was up compared with 2016.

The survey also found that the majority of those using serviced apartments were from the UK. Demand from Europe has fallen dramatically from last year. The European market accounted for almost 25 per cent of the sector last year; this year, it is just 10 per cent. Despite this, serviced apartments in Birmingham city centre and other cities around the UK continue to see strong demand overall, with apartments such as http://birminghamservicedapartments.co.uk/ offering a wide range of accommodation for travellers.

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The future for serviced apartments

According to Biznews, staying in a serviced apartment is between 15 and 30 per cent cheaper than staying in a hotel. Given this competitive pricing and the fact that serviced apartments offer so much flexibility to the modern business or leisure traveller, it seems likely that they will continue to attract large numbers of guests.

One-third of the survey respondents cited business rates as a top concern, up from 28 per cent in the 2016 survey. Terrorism and safety concerns were another big worry for operators, perhaps unsurprisingly after the terror attacks the UK has witnessed in the past year.

If used correctly, credit cards could cause you to have perks that could get you a free vacation, or you can also have a stress-free wallet as well. Other people who do not utilize the advantages of credit cards may charge expensive vacations and end up with a hefty bill. Keep reading to figure out what you can be smart and maintain a good credit card. Continue reading Tips For Knowing What To Use Your Credit Cards For →

If you were partying in the nineties then you might remember the band Pulp who had some big hits throughout this decade. Sheffield-based Jarvis Cocker, the lead singer, is a quirky fellow who once famously stage-crashed Michael Jackson’s performance at a music awards ceremony! What if Jarvis Cocker had spent less time singing and more time getting into the quickly emerging world wide web during the nineties. This is what Pulp would have advised, if they were web designers in Sheffield:

Common People, 1995

Remember that you want to reach as many people as possible with your scintillating content so make it clear, concise and to the point. What you write on your website or in your blog doesn’t have to be highbrow or overly technical. The best way to write is simply, telling a story about your company that connects quickly and effectively with your target audience. If it’s relevant and current, then you’re on the right track.

Mis-Shapes, 1995

Keep your font style and size uniform across your site. Placement of information on your website is crucial and affects the order in which your visitor will view things. You need to have a good natural flow, consistent alignment and a theme that remains the same throughout your pages so as not to confuse your visitor. Different fonts, text all over the place and an awkward layout will frustrate people and they will leave.

Bad Cover Version, 2001

Being original with your content is paramount as Google punishes websites that display duplicate content or evidence of plagiarism. Making sure your content is unique will avoid Google penalties and while it’s almost impossible to be completely unique, as long as the content has not been said in exactly the same way elsewhere and represents a fresh approach to a subject, then you won’t have a problem. A successful marketing campaign is boosted by good quality content so never be tempted to lift ideas or writing from any other source.

Don’t You Want Me Anymore, 1992

Suffering from a high bounce rate but not really sure why? If your website is showing signs of any of the following then it could explain why people are landing but not staying – slow load times, too much advertising, unrelated content, navigation that’s not obvious, inviting the wrong visitors or spelling and grammar errors. If your pages are ugly, have difficult to read colours and are full of too many images then you need to have an overhaul. For Web design in Sheffield, visit http://www.dearnevalleywebdesign.co.uk/

Something Changed, 1995

That horrible, gut-sinking feeling when you realise that something’s not right. Your website may be in need of deep cleaning if find you’ve been hacked, compromised or infected with malware. Signs that all may not be rosy include: your site disappearing, the red screen of death, constant crashing or slow-loading, your site shows a different website, Viagra offers all over your site or your emails are sent to spam. A website disappearing could also be the result of a Google penalty or just your web developer working on something, so always check with them first!

How can shops compete with the internet and encourage customers?

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Despite the rise of internet shopping, in store purchases are still the most popular way for people to buy. One reason for this is that people like to touch items and try things on. Some things just need to be experienced before making the leap to part with hard earned cash.

Internet shopping is becoming ever more popular however, so how can in-store shopping be improved, to keep customers coming back?

Pushy sales people, poor fitting rooms and traipsing round shops looking for a bargain are all factors in driving people towards making their purchases online. These things need to be improved, if the high street is to hold on to its current popularity advantage over the web. Shops and outlets need to improve the overall shopping experience, so that physically going out and making a purchase is a pleasure not a chore. Solving sore points such as long queues, lack of stock and methods of payment will all contribute to keeping customers coming back.

Effective use of media

In store media, such as information displayed on screens or monitors can also play a huge part in guiding and informing the customer towards a purchase. This kind of targeted use of data, supplied by companies such as http://moodmedia.co.uk/in-store-media/ can help build customer loyalty, by ensuring that your customers are given information that is relevant and meaningful, which makes the shopping experience feel more personal.

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Poor customer service is another factor that can harm the enjoyment of shopping in store. There’s nothing more frustrating than asking for information on a product, only to be met with a blank stare or rudeness. Training staff so that they are able to provide the correct information and deal with customers in the most effective way is an essential part of building a successful business. According to Forbes, one secret to ensuring an amazing shopping experience is providing that ‘wow’ factor. Customers want employees that are willing to go the extra mile to make their customers feel special, ensuring that nothing is too much trouble.

It’s not easy to predict how shopping habits will change in the years to come, but building the best possible store experience will keep customers that are looking for that special touch coming back for more.

The days of keeping comprehensive paper records are long gone, with computers now holding our important information. This allows huge volumes of information to be retained without requiring acres of filing cabinets, but the downside is that digital information can easily become lost or corrupted.

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The Impact Of Interruptions to the Power Supply

According to The Register, British Airways is one of the latest organisations to experience the chaos that occurs when a power surge damages sensitive digital information. Passengers travelling with the airline in May of this year experienced frustrating delays brought about by an issue with the power supply, which caused a global failure to the airline’s IT systems.

For most of us, a power outage or disruption may not create so much havoc, but the ramifications of any interruptions to the electrical supply can affect any one of us, whether that event takes place in the home or at work. Loss of data can be anything from a minor inconvenience to a major event affecting thousands of people around the world.

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Power Supply Problems

The government has warned that our power supplies will run out within the next ten years or so, creating widespread chaos throughout the UK as electricity power stations are forced to implement brownouts, or sudden drops in power, as demand exceeds supply. The country has already experienced numerous blackouts, or power cuts, when the electricity supply fails for a period of time. Any sudden drop, failure or surge in power can affect computer data, so this is a problem which needs to be addressed.

Ideally, everybody with a home computer, and every business with computer workstations, should invest in a UPS, otherwise known as an Uninterruptible Power Supply or Uninterruptible Power Source. You can see some examples of the hardware at the website of Eaton UPS systems – http://www.cppsales.com/Eaton_UPS_Systems___Accessories-catid17.

From small units that sit discreetly on a desktop to larger models which are capable of supporting an entire data centre, these UPS systems work quietly in the background, charging up their on-board batteries. Within milliseconds of an interruption to the power supply, the unit kicks in automatically, providing sufficient power for the user to save their work and shut down their equipment.

Unlike generators, the UPS goes to work instantly, saving your data from corruption and also saving you time and money.

Good design within businesses is essential.

Here are the top 5 reasons why design is so important to your business. If you follow these tips, positive results are almost guaranteed.

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1. Design Sells

Are you more motivated by figures and numbers? Well, design would be extremely beneficial to your business too. A study in 2005 by The Design Council analysed 63 portfolios of FTSE 100 traded companies and their success over the term of a decade. Companies which emphasised and worked hard on their design were more successful and had an increased number of sales than those which didn’t.

2. Strong web design builds customer trust

Almost all businesses now have an online presence, and most people’s first encounters with businesses are now on the internet. E-commerce generates $2.7 trillion worldwide, a 26% growth increase from last year, and the forecasts say that number will rise year on year –  http://www.pymnts.com/news/payment-methods/2017/online-purchases-rule-the-uk-commerce-arena/.

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Many businesses choose to solely operate online, making websites vitally important in successful businesses. How can you generate a good impression to compete with other businesses? The answer is good design. Badly designed and run websites leave consumers confused and frustrated, with web pages ignored. Customers often mistrust badly run websites, good design can make all the difference.

3. Creating a memorable brand

Design is more than a simple external appearance of your product and business brand. Brand design is much more complex.

What makes a business memorable? Great products and good customer service make a difference, but what creates a lasting impression? Good design goes beyond the surface level and has an enduring influence. For a web development company in London enquire at organisations such as https://www.redsnapper.net/web-development-services-london.

4. Keep content user-friendly

Good design can make complex information more accessible. Content and technology are increasingly powerful and complex; good design can permeate through data displays and interfaces to advertise your physical product much more easily and efficiently.

5. Create a good impression

Good design leaves a lasting and pleasant impression. All competitor companies are vying for interested customers and a market edge. If you ultimately offer the same product at the same price with the same service, what will give you that edge? Good design.

Design is a valuable business decision, enabling you to stand apart from your competitors.

The internet is a revolutionary haven, a place where people can search, post and share all types of information. It’s an invaluable tool that most would be lost without. A small minority of people use the internet differently by attempting to damage the reputations of individuals or huge companies. Here’s what you can do to protect your brand from an internet troll.

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What Is a Troll?

An internet troll is someone who deliberately makes offensive comments or posts targeting specific brands with the aim of causing damage to their reputation. By using social media, forums and blogs, they strive to upset and anger those they target and provoke a response. Any posts on these platforms have the ability to reach a large audience, and so brands are becoming increasingly desperate to stop the trolls in their tracks.

Why Do They Do It?

There are several reasons why someone would want to damage your reputation. Think of the people you deal with day-to-day in your business and imagine that any one of them was upset with a particular issue. Customers, clients or even a disgruntled employee, past or present, may feel the need to hurt your company, so it’s important to be cautious if you feel this may happen.

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What Can Be Done?

Although your first instinct may be to reply, this will just encourage the troll to continue, and so the first rule is don’t reply. If you come across a webpage which includes damaging comments, you should report it to the search engine involved. Any defamatory posts on social media should be reported to the site management and invalid reviews to the review site on which it was posted.

You must be vigilant when it comes to your brand. If you feel you don’t have time to give it due care and attention, you could look at hiring an employee or designating the task of protecting the brand in the public forum to a third party. Companies offering PPC management services, such as http://www.elevateuk.com/ppc-management/, may also be able to help if you need assistance in managing any campaigns you are running.

Whatever the reason, if someone wants to damage your brand, they will find a way to do it. Be vigilant and report any defamatory comments as soon as they become known.

Are you bored of your garage door? They tend to be pretty standard looking things, there’s not much differentiation in the up and over door that most homes in the UK have. But in this age of upcycling and makeovers, more and more people are ‘pimping’ their garage doors and making them look really individual.

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Paint Effects

You can transform a metal door so that it appears to be made from wood. This is quite simply done. You start by cleaning the garage door off and then apply a glaze which dries to give the look of wood. It will take less than a day to complete this look, but if you want it to really last you should finish with a coat of clear varnish.

A wood effect looks really great in period properties, or those made from dark brick. Of course, there are different glazes available so you can pick and choose which type of faux wood you want to give the look of either something dark or bright pine.

A Faux Door

If you have an up and over door, but you’d prefer the look of a carriage style door which opens outward, you can achieve the effect with a makeover. The classic look of a carriage door is a central opening (paint in a black line) with handles either side – these can still be used to open the door as it is intended to be opened. If you have a panelled garage door, pick a few to paint black and give the illusion of windows at the top which are characteristic of this style of door.

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Fantasy Doors

If you want to break with reality entirely then you could opt for a photographic decal for your garage door. These are giant stickers that cover the entire garage door, and they can be a lot of fun. Choose something like a Rolls Royce or a fighter jet parked inside, or be quirky with giant’s feet, or horses looking over the stable door. This idea was recently featured in the Telegraph.

Before you start, make sure everything is in working order by calling in someone like London garage door repairs specialist, http://garagedoorsrus.co.uk/.

It’s easier than you think to stamp your individuality on your home, with a garage door makeover.