3 tips to making your business run smoothly

May 16, 2017 by 2 Comments

Running a successful business is hard work and is not for the weary. To run a business smoothly, not only do you need to be organized, have a dependable team, and have a great vision for how you want to move your company forward, you also have to make sure that your customers are happy and remain that way. This article will help identify some simple things to keep in mind when running your business.

  1. Over-deliver. Have you ever visited a business to leave blown away by their customer service, cleanliness of the building, friendliness of staff, and the value in what you received compared to what you paid? This is called over-delivering as a company. Fantastic companies strive to over-deliver every time so that their customers leave more than happy. A happy customer will share their experience with friends and family which will draw business to your company. Not to mention the chances of your customer returning for additional services in the future is very high. If you are not sure if you can complete a service in a specific time frame, do not promise that you can. While it can feel bad to disappoint a potential customer with the answer they do not want to hear, it will be even worse to not be able to complete the task on time, or worse yet, not at all.
  2. Outsource what you don’t like to do. Whether you don’t like to do a task or you simply do not know how to complete the task, there is no shame in outsourcing to help your business. In fact a great way to run your business smoothly is to hire others who are good at things you are not. For example, if you know for certain that you are not good at keeping track of your employees time and attendance, hiring a company to take care of advanced systems can be a huge asset. While paying the company to take care of employees timesheets and paychecks may cost you money, it will save you time and allow you to focus on what you are good at. That is working smart!
  3. Stay organized. There are a plethora of organization apps and software programs on the market that can help you stay organized. Being organized is critical to running a good business as it can help you work more efficiently and earn more money. As a business owner you want to be able to bring in business and deliver a good product. To do this you must keep track of inventory, supplies needed, accounts payable, employees, and sales. There are many other things you need to keep organized but the big take away here is that organization is everything to your business. Don’t be shy about doing some research and downloading apps and software that can help you become more efficient.

Staying organized, outsourcing when appropriate, and over-delivering are a few tips to running a smooth and successful business. Running a business can be challenging as well as rewarding and if you follow these simple tips, you will continue to reap the benefits of your hard labor.

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Passing your driving test first time – how to make it happen

April 15, 2017 by 1 Comment

Finally getting your hands on a driving license is a big achievement and a great feeling. The good thing is that you can give yourself a good chance of passing the test first time, if you approach it in the right way. Of course, learning well starts when you first get behind the wheel of a car, but you need to consolidate all of your learning and make sure you are well prepared for the test.

One of the most important things to remember is that you need to give yourself time to find your local DMV, so that you can easily book a test date that fits in with what is convenient for you. This helps to take some of the pressure off as you can then go ahead and make sure you are well prepared for the day. Here are some of the things you should do, to give yourself the best chance of passing your test first time.

    1. Make sure you get enough practice

The more time you spend practising your driving technique, the more relaxed you are likely to feel when it’s time to take the test. You can ask a friend or relative to accompany you. It’s also a good idea to pay for some instruction from a qualified professional. Do not forget that they know what is expected from you when you take your test, and can teach you accordingly.

    1. Know the rules and laws

If you have passed the written part of the test, you may think that you know the driving laws for your state well enough. You should never be complacent. Do not forget, you are likely to be nervous so you need to know the rules well enough for your memory of them not to be affected by the nerves.

    1. Keep a lid on nerves

It’s natural to be nervous when you are taking a driving test. Having a few nerves is fine; but you need to stop them from adversely affecting your performance. There are techniques you can employ to keep your nerves under control.

    1. Do not obsess about the test

If you become completely obsessed with the test, especially in the twenty four hours leading up to it, you are only going to freak yourself out. It’s a good idea to get some driving practice in the day before; then have a good dinner and an early night. Make sure you give yourself enough time to get up and ready without being rushed, the next day.

If your test is not until later in the day, it’s a good idea to relax by taking a walk. You can energize yourself, and hopefully release some of the nerves.

All of these factors are important, if you want to give yourself the best chance of passing your test first time. You may also want to get some tips from drivers who have recently passed their test. Knowing what to expect always makes life easier.

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Teaching Kids the Importance of Healthy Eating and Exercise

April 15, 2017 by Leave a Comment

There are some scary statistics out there, but few come close to the growing childhood obesity rate. Currently, about one in five school-aged children are obese and many more are overweight. Even worse is that obese children are more likely to be obese as adults.

The problem is a combination of diet and lack of physical activity. In today’s culture there are too many fast food options and too much couch-based entertainment. The sooner you can start breaking bad habits and encouraging the good ones, the easier it will be for your whole family to live a healthy lifestyle. Use these 10 tips to teach your kids the importance of eating healthy and exercising.

Know What’s Healthy

Before you can help your kids make better food and exercise choices, you have to know what is and isn’t healthy. You can do that by:

  • ·  Checking the nutritional labels of food.
  • ·  Reading through the most recent dietary guidelines.
  • ·  Knowing which produce is most susceptible to pesticides.
  • ·  Talking with your pediatrician.

Set Limits and Set a Good Example

One of the most important things a parent can do is set limits. Without clear limitations, kids are left to make the judgment call themselves, which isn’t usually the healthiest option. Kids can benefit from both screen time limits and junk food limits.

It’s also important for parents to set a good example. How can we expect our kids to make healthy choices if we ourselves aren’t doing the same? Do your part by buying healthy foods and getting the recommended amount of weekly physical activity.

Join a Family-Friendly Gym

When it comes to physical activity it helps to have access to gym equipment, pools, tracks and other fitness amenities. Joining a family-friendly gym like Fitness 19 can encourage kids to be active. It’s also a good way to show your kids that there are lots of ways to exercise and get them immersed in an environment that promotes physical activity.

Get Your Kids a Playset

One of the quickest ways to get kids running around outside is to put a playset in the yard. Kids will spend hours swinging, sliding and climbing without ever realizing they’re getting exercise.

Take Family Hikes

There are many benefits to hiking a nature trail and these go beyond just exercise. New research is finding that walks out in nature can reduce stress while helping quiet negative thoughts. Family hikes are also a great activity since it’s exercise you can do together.

Sign Up for a Sports Team

Like hiking, joining a sports team can be beneficial beyond getting physical activity. Research has shown that kids who join a sports team:

  • ·  Develop leadership skills
  • ·  Build camaraderie and teamwork skills
  • ·  Gain a sense of belonging
  • ·  Improve their social skills
  • ·  Are less likely to be overweight or obese

Create a Menu of Healthy, Kid-Friendly Food

Make a conscious effort to eat out less and make more healthy meals at home. Meal planning is one of the best ways to help your family stick to a healthy diet. When you’re trying to help your kids develop healthy eating habits it’s a good idea to make the menu kid-friendly. There are lots of recipes with healthy alternatives to kid favorites, like homemade chicken fingers and hamburger salad.

Pack Healthy Lunches

Follow up dinner with a healthy lunch the next day. Some schools have gotten better about the foods that are served to students, but it’s still usually healthier to pack your kid’s lunch. Just make sure to keep the portions appropriate and cover all the food groups.

Make Healthy Snacks Easily Accessible

One reason kids reach for unhealthy snacks is they’re easy to eat. Processed snacks are already prepared and ready to be eaten. You can encourage your kids to eat healthier snacks by buying pre-packed options or preparing them at home. Fruit is a good example. If you wash it, cut it up and put it into a container kids will be more likely to grab it when they are looking for something to eat.

Get Your Kids Involved

No matter how you decide to get healthy, you’ll want to get your kids involved in the process. Take them grocery shopping at the farmer’s market, let them help you create a weekly dinner menu and allow them to choose their own physical activities. The more involved they are in the decision making the more invested they’ll be in the results.

 

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Keep Your Aircraft in Fantastic Shape with These Effective Maintenance Tips

April 15, 2017 by 1 Comment

If you own or plan to buy an aircraft, it’s important to recognize that this is a major investment. Since this investment is so huge, you’ll have to seriously dedicate your own personal time or resources to keeping up with it through care and maintenance.

With such a large investment, you’re never going to let your airplane fall apart due to lack of caring. In fact, you’re going to do everything that you possibly can to maintain your airplane so that it’s working in tiptop shape at all times.

It isn’t necessary to have a major background in maintenance and you don’t need to know how to make technical airplane repairs. You can certainly hire someone to handle those aspects of your proper care regimen.

But at the same time, there are definitely going to be some important upkeep tasks that you can easily perform even if you do not have any skills or specialized knowledge about airplanes.

With that said, we will now take a look at some powerful airplane maintenance tips right now.

Cleaning Your Airplane’s Interior

If you’re going to make such a huge investment of your time and money, you certainly want your airplane to remain attractive on the inside and outside.

You’ll obviously need somebody to handle cleaning the outside of the airplane with specialized tools and equipment. But the interior of your plane is something that you can certainly do on your own if you don’t feel like hiring a team.

Honestly, you can actually hate cleaning and still take care of the interior of your airplane. If that’s the case, bring in some professional cleaning people to make sure that your airplane’s interior is spotless at all times. Because if you ignore this, the interior is going to look ugly, dirty, grimy, and it will lose that extra special shine that everybody loves.

So, take some time to vacuum the interior. Pick up any debris, leaves, dirt, crumbs, and anything else that might be on the floor. You could also take some time to vacuum out the upholstery as well.

When you’re done vacuuming the upholstery, remember to wipe down the chairs, tables, and other pieces of furniture.

Take Good Care Of the Instrument Panel

You obviously need to keep your airplane’s instrument panel very clean.

This is incredibly important because the instruments inside of your airplane’s cockpit are made of glass. And as we know, glass could easily smudge, get dirty, or get covered by grease and grime.

Since your pilot really needs to be able to read these instruments, you should always wipe them down with an effective glass cleaner as often as possible. He is going to be happy and everybody will stay safe this way, so it’s a win-win for all involved.

Replacing Worn Out Airplane Parts

Although cleaning is certainly an important part of the airplane maintenance process, repairs and upkeep could certainly be considered even more vital activities.

It’s so important that you need to regularly have mechanics routinely check to make sure that your plane is in good working order.

And when these maintenance checks take place, have the mechanic and/or mechanics assistant check the tire pressure, clean up the spark plugs, secure all fittings and hoses, check for hose damage, check the fuel line, and more.

According to AERO, proprietor of the gill battery, “For over 40 years, A.E.R.O. has been the “In-Stock” choice for high quality aircraft parts.” So, if you discover problems during your maintenance check, you can visit their site for spark plugs, fittings, hoses, and other maintenance parts.

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The 3 Best Big Budget Turntables in 2017

April 3, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Even before the advent of CDs and MP3s, vinyl record players had been around for a long time serenading homes, restaurants, and other public places. The best quality budget turntables were an important part of many people’s lives that up until today they are still of interest to many despite new advances in audio technology. Apart from avid collectors and vintage enthusiasts, many music lovers today still prefer listening to their favorite records on these prized turntables.

 

The increased interest in vinyl records has become so evident these days that most records are now also produced in vinyl. Vinyl record stores are beginning to see flocks of people buying the format. Hence, this may be the best time to buy a vinyl record player. Not to mention, you also get better sound quality than using regular headphones.

 

Quality vinyl record players are not hard to find in today’s market. Online and brick and mortar stores have lots to offer depending on your preferences. The challenge is finding one that is cheap, but at the same time, provides satisfactory quality for your listening pleasure. For those on the lookout for affordable vinyl record players, here are the three best budget roundtables for you.

 

  1.    Pyte PLTTB3U

Costing only $96, this budget roundtable has all the basic features that you need. It has a familiar classic 1210 style known for product quality. It is a 7.8 lbs belt drive player with line out and USB port. It runs at  33 1/3, 45 RPM boasting good, solid performance with no major gripes. It also has adjustable counterweight and antiskating controls. For sound upgrades, investing in a good cartridge is highly recommended.

This stellar performer is good for those who are new to vinyl record players or those who don’t want the complicated accessories and additions but still get a satisfying performance.

 

  1.    Lenco L-85

This belt-drive performer is a great choice for those who want it dead simple. Weighing very light at 5.5 lbs the cartridge included, it can easily be moved around from your bedroom to any part of the house. The Lenco L-85 runs at 33 1/3, 45 and has a USB port but doesn’t have a line out, which is okay for those who want a private music experience. For $150, this good performer may not be able to compete with pricier models, but it does good enough in providing great music experience. This very easy-to-use turntable may not be within the likes of experienced vinyl record player owners, but it is definitely perfect for those who want it very simple.

 

  1.    Pro-Ject Elemental

For $229, this turntable loved for iconic design, boasts of killer sound performance that can rival even the pricier alternatives. The Pro-Ject Elemental is a 6-lb direct drive player with line out and plug-and-play design that works extremely well. Stability can be an issue, considering the design, but it’s a minor glitch for the quality you get in the amount you pay for. This turntable is not only pleasurable to the ears, but also to the eyes as it can fit easily into modern home interior design.

 

With the many choices in turntables available on the market, buying one that is perfect for you may be very challenging. But with great advice from experienced people and some patience in researching, you will be doing just fine.

 

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How to Choose a Reliable International Moving Company?

March 2, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Moving to a new house, let alone to a whole new country is a very big decision. However, if your job or certain family responsibilities require you to do so, then, you do not really have much of a choice than to make the move. The next step is to find a reliable moving company that serves internationally. So, here a few things to absolutely keep in mind while looking for one to make your moving and shifting experience as smooth as it can be.

  • Look for at least three options

Settling for the first mover you come across is a rookie mistake. You might end up paying double the price for half the work, which is obviously not good. So, look up for different options. If not more, then at least three and compare their services and prices. You can do so either by sifting through their website or by giving them a call. Give some weightage to the kind of packing material they use, years of experience and positive or negative feedbacks they have had as well. It will help you identify the right service for your needs and budget constraints.

  • Compare everything

While your first instinct might be to settle down for the one with the lowest quote, it might not always be the best decision. In fact, at times, with all the additional charges you might end paying tons more in the end. So, compare the quotations for everything included in the services. Some of the most important services to keep an eye for include:

  • The shipment method
  • Packing and Unpacking Services
  • Time frame required
  • Type of containers being used
  • Inclusion of terminal & port handling charges
  • Custom clearance
  • Ask about your service provider

By service provider here I do not mean the company. In fact, by this time you would already have covered that part. Keep in mind that whoever comes in to look at your things and provide you an estimate might not be the same person who will handle things at the other end. So, make sure that you enquire about the international mover and the packing crew before settling for one.

  • Check if they are accredited by FIDI

FIDI is a quality control association for international movers. They set guidelines and strict quality requirements for the movers to be qualified as reliable. An independent auditor periodically assesses the accredited moving company in order to ensure that the standards of compliance are being met. In addition to this, most FIDI accredited international movers have insurance and protection policies in benefit of their customers. All in all, if you are a sucker for quality, no matter if you are moving from Japan to U.S. or U.S. to China, always go for an FIDI accredited mover.

  • Ask for the quotes for additional services

Needing additional assistance when you are moving to a different country is only understandable. So, ask your mover if they could help with additional services like currency transfer or immigration assistance or pet transport etc. and what would the charges be. It will help keep your budget intact. In fact, some might even agree to unload and help you settle and re-assemble things in your new home. So, don’t be afraid to ask the right questions. After all, it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Lastly, get recommendations from your friends and check for the reviews from previous customers. Once everything is said and done, ask for a detailed contract and you are good to go.

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Interesting Facts about Argentina

February 13, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Argentina, the 2nd largest country of South America and the 8th largest country in the world is the country of the legend Lionel Messi. Despite the romantic lure of the Pampas and of huge Patagonian landscapes, Argentina is a largely urban country. The unique Argentinean culture separates the country from the rest of Latin America. Argentina has been home to multiple discoveries of gigantic dinosaurs.  Here’s a quick list to some amazing facts to explore about Argentina:

  1. Official name of Argentina

Argentine Republic is the official name of Argentina. The name Argentina comes from the Latin word for silver, argentum. The original European settlers believed the country was full of silver, but the rumor was never verified.

  1. Same sex marriage

Argentina was the first country in Latin or South America to legalize same-sex marriage, in 2010.

  1. An inspiration for Walt Disney

Walt Disney is usually associated with early animated films, but Disney is said to have been inspired by the Argentine filmmaker Quirino Cristiani

  1. The stunning Iguazu Falls

These falls are located on the border of Argentina and Brazil and are one of the new 7 wonders of the world.

  1. Founder of fingerprint as a method of identification

In 1925, the small Argentinean town of Necochea was rocked by the gruesome stabbing of two children. With no witnesses to the crime, local police were unable to tie the gory crime to any particular suspect. Utilizing a bloody fingerprint left on a bedpost, Detective Eduardo Alvarez was able to peg the murders on the children’s mother, who quickly confessed to the crime.

  1. Tango! What’s that?

Nothing arouses the passionate spirit of the Argentineans better than this very famous sensual and seductive dance. Tango is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Argentina.

  1. Lowest and Highest Point of Argentina

Argentina’s highest point is Mount Aconcagua in the Mendoza province (6,959 m or 22,831 ft above sea level) It is also the highest point in the Southern and Western Hemispheres and Argentina’s lowest point is Laguna del Carbón in the San Julián Great Depression, Santa Cruz province (−105 m or −344 ft) below sea level. It is also the lowest point in the Southern and Western Hemispheres.

  1. Perito Moreno: the Growing Glacier

The Perito Moreno Glacier is the only glacier in the world which is growing rather than shrinking. It also happens to be a major tourist pull as it is one of the most accessible on the planet.

  1. 10% of world’s flora in Argentina

Over 10% of the world’s flora is found in Argentina. Parana Pine and Evergreen Beeches are very common to the area.

  1. Borders of Argentina

Argentina is bordered by the Andes mountain range and Chile in west, by Bolivia and Paraguay in north and by Brazil and Uruguay in north east and it borders the South Atlantic Ocean in east.

  1. The Official sport

In spite of the fact that football – beyond question – is Argentina’s most loved game, a much lesser known game called Pato is the official national game in the country.

  1. Wildlife in Argentina

Argentina is super-rich in animal species. The coast of Patagonia is home to elephant seals, fur seals, penguins and sea lions. Sharks, orcas, dolphins and salmon swim in the waters off the Atlantic coast.

  1. One of the first country to have radio broadcasting

Argentina was one of the first countries to have radio broadcasting. The first broadcast was made on the 27th of August, 1920. Only twenty people had a receiver at the time!

  1. Rituals and Culture

Make sure you leave some food on your plate when you have finished eating. And put your cutlery across your place with the fork prongs facing down and the handles to the right. As for pouring wine, you need to avoid it because there are too many rituals and cultural “don’ts” about it

  1. Highest divorce rate

Argentina is said to have the highest infidelity rate in all of South America. Divorce has been legal in the country since 1987, and now the country has the highest divorce rate as well.

  1. The country has won maximum no. of noble prizes in Latin America

Argentina is the Latin American country with the most Nobel Prizes, for a total of five; all obtained during the second half of the twentieth century. The country has three Nobel prizes in science and two of peace.

  1. A great football team

Argentina with Lionel Messi is one of the most efficient national football teams in the world and has always been a top contender. Without him, it’s not even a top five team in South America.

 

Facts Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina

http://ohfact.com/interesting-facts-about-argentina/

http://www.slideshare.net/guestc6a73f/argentina-facts-3346075

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The Minimalist Guide To Managing A Vacation Rental

February 1, 2017 by 1 Comment

When it comes to choosing accommodations for your family vacation destination, you don’t have to be restricted to choosing between different types of hotel or motels. Now you have more choices, like short term house rentals, apartment rentals, AirBnB, or RVs.

You also have plenty of alternative choices when it comes to family activities other than going to the beach or a theme park. You could, for example, explore a cave, visit a state park, enjoy boating, go on day hikes, or take road trips.

Deciding Where to Stay

Assuming you’ve decided where to go and what to do, your main quest will be to find the perfect place to stay.

If you’re looking for an apartment, villa, house, or condominium a website like Your Rent can help you do a search by city.

If you’re looking for extra rooms, complete homes, or unique accommodations like castles, then check out Airbnb. This is an option if you’re planning an overseas vacation.

And if you’re planning on traveling by RV, then get a directory that shows you the best campgrounds.

When deciding where to stay, it’s advisable to start your search as early as possible.

Steps to Take when Renting

Once you’ve found a place to rent, here are 6 steps to make sure everything goes smoothly:

1. Don’t skim over the contract.

It’s tempting to skim over the contract and not read it properly. After all, you’ll probably be relieved to have found a nice place to stay. However, before you turn your attention to having fun, it’s important to read the whole document.

Besides the schedule of payment, you are also agreeing to take on certain liabilities. For instance, if the landlord believes the rental has not been properly cleaned, you may have to pay for extra cleaning costs. You also have to be clear who is responsible for paying for things like propane, housekeeping, cable, telephone, Internet, and utilities.

If you have to pay for utilities, you should get a good estimate of what it will come to as it might be more than you’d pay back home. Air conditioning, for instance, might run high in the summer months.

So, besides covering the down payment and the rent, be sure you have enough to pay for everything else you are liable for.

Finally, get a clear idea about the rules on subleasing, having pets, amenities, and furnishings.

2. Use an attorney.

If, for one reason or another, you don’t have a good feeling about the contract, then it might be worth spending a couple of hundred dollars to get an attorney to review it for you. There may, for example, be some ambiguous clauses that the landlord fails to explain clearly. Ideally, get a lawyer you know and trust who has real estate experience. This step will help you decide whether you should sign the contract or look for another place. The contract might be standard and fair, after all. Alternatively, you don’t want to be held liable for more than your fair share of costs.

What do you do if the attorney things that the contract is not fair? While, of course, you can always walk away, another option is to renegotiate the contract. The landlord might be willing to reduce excessive costs or waive restrictive conditions rather than have you walk away.

3. Understand the conditions of the deposit.

Be sure that you have enough in your budget to cover your security deposit before you commit to renting. Sometimes the deposit may be higher than you might expect for a down payment because the landlord has had some inconsiderate renters in the past and had to pay for cleaning and repair. Also, be absolutely clear what conditions have to be met before you can get your full deposit back. If you’re not clear about these conditions, then the landlord can always make ambiguous claims that you did not leave the place in a good condition when you left and refuse to return your deposit.

4. Understand housekeeping policies.

Different properties have different rules about housekeeping. You may have to do the cleaning yourself; the cleaner might come in when you’re there; or the cleaner may only come on the last day before you leave. Cleaning services might be part of the rental service or you might be asked to pay the bills. So understand the housekeeping policies, and don’t assume that they are the same as the last place you rented on your previous vacation rental.

5. Do a walk through before and after renting.

Walk through the premises with the landlord before and after renting out the property. Take photographs of any existing damages when you do your first walk through so that you are not stuck paying for a problem a previous renter created. By doing the two walkthroughs with the landlord, you will both be aware of the property conditions.

6. Get contact numbers.

You may have an emergency when you’re vacationing, so be sure to get the landlord’s number. In case of an emergency, like a plumbing problem, an electric shortage, or a burglary, you will have someone to call to take care of it right away.

Renting a vacation home, apartment, villa, or condominium is often a fairly straightforward process, and armed with these 6 steps, you’ll be able to forestall any potential problems.

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