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Spray Foam Insulation
In Business 5 Mins Read

Learn about Spray Foam Insulation

Spray polyurethane foam is a type of plastic that is applied on the walls or ceilings of a house for insulation. The foam material is commonly used to seal the gaps and cracks of many buildings and households. For a lot of people, comfort and efficiency in the house can be greatly enhanced with the help of proper insulation. Spray foam can also help enhance your HVAC units during extreme hot and cold seasons. Read more about insulation in this link here.

Why Others Invest in Spray Foam Insulation

Leaks or even small holes can cause a loss of cool or hot air. Even if you are running your air conditioner the whole day you might experience heat in certain areas of your house. There’s a huge amount of energy that is lost when you have small openings on your doors and windows.

When you invest in proper insulation, you can greatly reduce your energy bills each month. You will also never feel the cold because your heating system works so well. You will be able to save on electricity and make your home extremely comfortable. The insulation is designed to keep cold drafts, the heat of the sun, pollen, and allergens away from your home. It is an eco-friendly solution that will keep moisture and pests outside.

The Pros and Cons of Spray Foam Insulation

As mentioned, you will be able to save up to 50% on your energy bills if you apply spray foam insulation. You can save the planet by being environment-friendly and you will also save a lot of money from your monthly bills. Any hot spots and cold drafts can be prevented from coming in because this type of insulation is 100% effective in acting as a moisture barrier. You will also hear lesser degrees of outside noise and be very comfortable inside your home.

For a lot of people, the only “con” that they might encounter can be the initial investment. It is no secret that spray foam insulation costs about 30% more than regular insulation because it uses special types of material. This kind of insulation generally uses non-toxic products and no residual smells will linger after the installation. Although for many people, the initial investment is well worth it. They consider the savings that they can pocket from their monthly bills as well as the increase of resale value in case they decide to sell their house in the future. If you want to know more on how you can save with your home insulation, sites such as http://www.synergyinsulation.com/ can offer more information about the costs of any projects you might plan to start.

Types of Spray Foam for Insulation

High-Density Spray Foams

This type of spray foam has a denser structure compared to others. Its value lies in its strength and it does not expand as compared to other foams with lower densities. When it comes to building coverage, it requires more material in a given space. This is an excellent choice for exterior insulation and rooftops. Because of its thermal-resistant properties, it offers more protection against water and air infiltration. It strengthens the structure where it is applied. When it comes to high wind seasons, high-density spray foam bonds will help with the wind uplift, thus lengthening the roof’s life.

Medium-Density Spray Foams

This type of insulation is often used on walls’ interior. They can fill a wall cavity and attics with no vents. This offers several benefits depending on the climate and the type of house where it is used. As it is considered a closed-cell spray, it is applied in an area where insulation is needed the most. Furthermore, it acts as a vapour, air, and water barrier, and also reduces noise. The bond of medium-density foam provides bond and tensile strength. Your house will be sheltered from the elements such as wind-driven rains with medium-density spray foams.

Low-Density Spray Foam

This is a kind of low-density polyurethane open-cell spray foam that seals air. It generally weighs about a half pound and the structure is very flexible even if it is made up of hardened foam. Generally applied to walls, ceilings, ducts, and other crawl spaces; low-density spray foam is permeable to moisture and vapour but is excellent in blocking air. Low-density spray foam is frequently used in wall cavities during construction.

Some Advantages of Low-Pressure Spray Foams

This is applied to ductwork, electrical penetrations, and roof repairs. If you have a small to a middle-sized house, low-density spray foam is very effective in sealing small cracks and gaps. If you apply this to your home, you will have the advantage of cooler home environments during warm seasons or vice versa.

Don’t Know Where to Start?

Spray Foam Insulation

You have to get your house evaluated by an expert first before applying any insulation on it. You can get your project started by contacting a company that will show you different types of insulations. They will also be able to tell you the types of insulation that your home needs and address any problems that can be solved by insulation.

Choose a company where workers are knowledgeable in answering any questions you might have. With the help of the experts, you can make sound decisions that match your budget and preferences.  Whether it is for a spray foam insulation, attic insulation, or roofing insulation, experts will be able to install a durable work that can last through a long period of time. If you are in the hands of the right company, tou won’t have to worry about reworks and repairs. Call an expert today and get your project done in no time.

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In Business 6 Mins Read

Everything You Need to Know About Textiles

Textiles are everywhere, and they have played a significant role in the lives of individuals from early civilisation until now. The clothes you wear, bed sheets, draperies, towels, carpeting and upholstery fabrics you use, are all produced from textiles. Textiles have even made it into space as the lining of the cargo holds in space shuttles.

The versatility of textile is due to the different materials used in its production. Made from filaments or thin threads, textiles can be natural, artificial or a combination of both. These thin thread or yarns are created by spinning the raw fibres of various materials such as cotton, wool, flax, hemp and other materials to make fabric. Different methods such as knitting, weaving, felting, crocheting, knotting or braiding are used to produce textiles.

Sources & Types

There are four major sources from which textiles are produced; animal, plant, minerals and synthetic. Animal, plant and minerals are natural sources. During the 20th century, artificial fibres made from petroleum were used as supplements.

Textiles are available in varying degrees of strengths and durableness, from the finest microfiber, produced from very thin strands to the heavy-duty canvas. In textile manufacturing, several descriptive terminologies are used (from light gauze-like sheer to heavy grosgrain cloth and more). The textile industry comprises of different manufacturers and textile cutting services that are all available to consumers.

Animal Textiles

Textiles from animals are usually made from silk, wool, hair, skin or fur. Wool is the hair of sheep or goat. Wool is generally used to make clothing such as sweaters, coats and skirts. Woolen is a bulky yarn, which is made from carding, non-parallel fiber, while worsted is a finer yarn produced from longer fibers and combed to be parallel. Cashmere gets its name from the cashmere goat of India, while mohair is the hair of the angora goat of North Africa. Cashmere and mohair are well known for their softness and are the softest type of wool.

Some other animal textiles made from hair or fur are alpaca wool, llama wool, vicuña wool, and camel hair, which are usually used to make blankets, coats, ponchos and other warm coverings. Angora is the long, soft, thick hair of the Angora rabbit, while the muskox fine inner wool is called qiviut. Sea silk is an extremely fine, rare, and valuable fabric that is made from the long silky filaments or byssus secreted by a gland in the foot of pen shells.

Plant Textiles

There is a wide range of plant fibres used to produce several materials:

• A rope is made from plant textiles such as grass, sisal, hemp and rush.

• Coconut fibre known as coir is used to make twine, mattresses, doormats, brushes, floor mats, sacking and floor tiles.

• Hats are made from bamboo and straw, while dried grass a special type of straw is used for stuffing.

• Paper is made from fibres of pulpwood trees, rice, cotton, and nettle and hemp plants.

• Clothes are made from plant materials such as flax, cotton, hemp, jute, modal and bamboo.

• Pina, which is pineapple fibre, and ramie are also used in clothing but usually with a mixture of other fibres such as cotton.

• The lacebark tree’s inner bark is used in the manufacturing of clothing, accessories, and functional objects such as rope.

• ‘Bast’ fibers are those made from the stalk of hemp, nettle and flax plants.

Mineral Textiles

Textiles made from minerals have a wide range of uses:

• Asbestos and basalt fibre; these are used for fire blankets, vinyl tiles, stage curtains, sheeting and adhesives, acoustical ceilings, “transite” panels and siding.

• Glass Fibers are used to make covers for iron boards, mattresses, cables and ropes, insect netting, flameproof, fireproof, insulating and soundproof fabric. The beta cloth is a fireproof fabric that is made from woven glass fibres, coated with Teflon.

• Metal fibres, metal wire and metal foil have a number of uses including the making of jewellery and cloth-of-gold.

• ‘Hardware cloth’ is a US term, which refers to the coarse woven web of steel wire, which is used in construction. This is similar to window screening, but it is heavier and has a more open weave.

Minerals, natural and artificial fabrics can be mixed, as in emery cloth or sand cloth with a layer of abrasive attached to the back. The sand cloth is a US term used to describe fine mesh wire, which also has abrasive attached to it and is then used as you would use sandpaper. Read here for more on textiles.

Synthetic or Artificial Textiles

Synthetic or artificial textiles are mainly used in the construction of clothing and in the manufacturing of geotextiles.

• Polyester fibre can be used alone or mixed with other fibres such as cotton to produce clothing.

• Aramid fibre is used to produce flame-resistant clothing, armour and cut-protection.

• Acrylic fibre is a clone for wools and often used as a replacement of them, including cashmere.

• Nylon fibre is used to replicate silk and pantyhose is manufactured from nylon.

• Spandex whose trade name is Lycra is used to make tight-fitting fabric including bras, active-wear and swimsuits.

• Olefin fibres are used to make linings, active wear and warm clothing. This fabric dries quickly.

• Lurex fibre is metallic and is used as clothing enhancements.

Treatments

Textiles are available in many different colours due to dyeing. Chemical processes are used to finish textiles so as to modify their characteristics. Starching was used on clothing during the 19th century to make them more stain and wrinkle resistant. The advancement in technology has resulted in the permanent press and finishing agents are used to reinforce fabrics, providing consumers with wrinkle-free garments.

Before textiles get to the consumer, they go through a wide variety of treatments such as improved crease-resistance, flameproof and dyeing among others. Many of these finishes, however, can create health-related issues such as allergies and problems relating to the skin. Since there is the likelihood of allergic reactions by some individuals caused from the dyes used to color the different fabric, quality control as well as testing is of paramount importance. Toxicity and the effect on the environmental resulting from the use of flame-retardant fabric is also of equal importance.

However, regardless of the impact on consumers and the environment, textiles are here to stay and will be, as long as this world lasts.

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In Business 4 Mins Read

5 Reasons Why Digital Marketing is Important for Your Business

Anyone who knows pretty much anything about business also knows that digital marketing plays a crucial role in your business’ success. The reason for this is quite obvious – we live in a digital age and just about anything that happens to us and around us is in a way, viral. This is something that any business that wants to succeed should understand and then start using to their benefit.

In order to keep up with your competition, you have to consider hiring a digital marketing agency that can help you grow your business. At the end of the day, your marketing strategy is something that will either make you or break you!

Now, there are lots of different reasons that I could list off the top of my head why digital marketing is essential for your business’s success; but we will focus on the top five reasons why you should start considering hiring a top-notch digital marketing agency to do this immensely important piece of work for you!

  1. Boosting Your Business’ Visibility

The time of brick-and-mortar businesses has definitely passed, and any serious business owner that is hoping to lead their business to success in the future has already recognised the importance of digital marketing.

Getting your brand from the point where you and your loved ones know about it to the point where it becomes a household name is surely not an easy task, but it is something that is definitely possible and doable once your digital marketing agency starts working their magic.

Once you become visible and approachable to your website’s visitors, this new relationship that you started with your ‘audience’ then leads to converting them into your new customers/clients.

2. Connecting With Your Customers/Clients

Visibility leads to new customers! And once it does, your social media platforms will allow you to update them on any new products or services that you are promoting, while at the same time allowing you to connect with them directly.

This also means having a great customer support, because of the fact that anyone interested in what you are promoting can reach out to you directly! So audience-wise, you will be improving customer satisfaction and experience, customer retention, precise targeting, your cross-sell, etc.

3. It is more cost-effective than traditional marketing

Small businesses often have very little resources, which is where digital marketing steps in and saves the day. Understandably, the main reason why digital marketing proves itself to be the best choice for just about all business owners is the fact that you can set your budget in advance and make sure that you won’t have to spend a fortune on spreading the word about your brand.

Additionally, this means that as soon as you discover your target niche audience, you will be focusing on them instead of spending your resources on the ‘masses’ that may not be at all interested in your products and/or services. At the same time, digital marketing helps cater to your ‘mobile audience’!

4. It Helps Generate Better Revenues

One of the reasons why digital marketing plays an important role in your business’ success is the fact that it delivers conversion – fast! So, as you know, higher conversion rates will then lead to loads of profitable benefits in terms of higher and better revenues.

According to Google’s recent survey, bigger brands that are using digital marketing strategies have 2.8 times better revenue growth expectancy, whereas small and medium businesses that are using digital marketing techniques have 3.3 times better chances of expanding their workforce and improving their brand’s chances of success.

Another thing to seriously consider is white label digital marketing. In terms of your overall budget and future revenues, white labelling can do wonders for your business while at the same time allowing you to focus on building your brand’s image rather on technicalities.

5. It Will Help You Surpass Your Competition

Digital marketing definitely levels the online playing field in terms of allowing smaller businesses to become just as important and successful as their better-known counterparts. What this means is that everyone has a chance online!

Additionally, digital marketing allows you to also have insight in how your competition is doing, which marketing strategy they are using, while at the same time, allowing you to take some of their ideas and make them your own, thus making those ideas even better!

All of these reasons are something that should definitely make you reconsider your traditional marketing strategy and start looking for a digital marketing agency that will help you skyrocket your brand right away. If you need a digital marketing solution for your business, contact us via our form and we will get in touch with you!

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In Business 5 Mins Read

Identifying Top Recruitment Agencies in USA

What is a Recruitment Agency?

A recruitment agency is a company whose main business is helping other companies hire staff. They are a sort of marketplace where employers and prospective employees are matched, with the agency being the matchmaker.

We can simply call them the middlemen between job seekers and labour employers. Employers send them details of roles they need to fill and a recruitment agency will look through their database for workers that can suitably fill the position.

Why Companies and Job Seekers Use Agencies

There are several reasons why companies and job seekers prefer to work with these agencies. The reasons will depend on which side of the divide each belongs.

Companies

Companies hire agencies to help them hire their staff for the following reasons:

Cost Saving – The cost of hiring can be quite high. To get an insight into this, read this article here. One way that many companies save cost is by hiring through an agency. This saves them a lot of costs, thus making this choice ideal for companies that do not have the financial capacity to have their own full-blown hiring unit under their HR department.

Faster Delivery Time – For many companies, this is a time saving and much faster option. Rather than having to spend time and money to advertise for the position, putting extra workload on the human resources department to sort through the many job applications, shortlisting the candidates that will be called for an interview, and going through the strenuous process of interviewing the shortlisted candidates to select the one or ones they need; all the company needs to do is to simply tell the agency what they need and the agency does what it needs to do to fill the position(s).

It certainly saves a lot of time and allows the company to focus on the actual business of running their core operations.

Expertise and Specialisation – The process of hiring requires some level of skill that is acquired and honed over years of experience. Many companies cannot afford to form an in-house hiring team with the level of skill and expertise that is required to handle the hiring process for best results. They, therefore, find it easier to just hire through an agency that has the necessary expertise.

In other cases, a company might require a highly specialised role for which they lack the necessary expertise to interview or even decide on the right candidate. Thus, for companies with such requirements, they would usually engage an agency that is specialised in hiring for such roles to ensure that only fully qualified candidates are selected.

Guarantees – Another cause why companies prefer hiring agencies is because of the guarantees that some of these agencies offer. A lot of top agencies will guarantee that the candidate they present will remain in that employment for at least a specific period. Otherwise, the agencies will refund what they were paid for the job or simply refill the position at their own cost.

Such a guarantee certainly gives employers a level of assurance. See more benefits here: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/benefits-staffing-agencies-11066.html.

Job Seekers

Free Assistance – Top agencies get paid by the company to fill positions so they do not charge applicants for the opportunity to consider them for the position. This means that the applicant will be receiving this assistance for free.

Access to More Employment Opportunities – A job seeker that is working with an agency will have access to more employment opportunities because the agency uses its network to receive information on roles that need to be filled in various organisations and matches these against the applicants they have. Qualified applicants can, therefore, be considered for more job opportunities than they would have on their own.

Inside Information on Job Opportunities – Agencies know when special skill sets are required by an organisation. With their inside information, they can not only help applicants get considered for these roles but can in some cases also help them prepare for the interview. Remember that it is in the agency’s best interest to fill the position.

Traits of Top Recruitment Agencies

There are critical traits you should look out for in identifying the top recruitment agencies in USA. These include:

Professionalism

The goal of a top agency is to fill a position with the best possible candidate. It goes about this in the most professional of ways that are not driven by selfishness or a need to simply collect the payment without care for the quality of work.

This shows in the process employed, the questions asked, and how the applicants are processed and treated.

Specialisation

Top agencies handle the process with specialised expertise. If the role to be filled is that of an IT specialist, the consultant handling the case will be an expert in that field so s/he will know what to look out for.

Operation Above-board

Reputable agencies will not do anything that is not above-board. These include charging and collecting fees from applicants, making extravagant promises, or falsifying applicant’s information just to ensure they land the job.

Guarantees

They can offer guarantees to employers and applicants that the position will be filled for at least a minimum period.

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What Does It Take To Be An Entrepreneur?

Many people aspire to start their own business and be their own bosses and there’s honestly nothing wrong with that. The barriers to starting a business in Singapore are low and as a result, many business startups choose to base their operations here.

Although many have started their own business, there are also many who have failed. Statistics show that 50-70% of startups fail within the first 18 months. If you’re thinking about starting a business and you’re unsure of how you are going to go about it, here are some tips to get you started.

What Kind/Type of Business?

Yes, you may have a great business idea but if your business idea does not meet market needs or if there is no market demand for it, you probably will want to think twice about starting your business.

The kind of business that you want to start will also affect the type of business structure for your business to operate from.

In Singapore, there are generally 5 kinds of business structure that you can decide on; a sole-proprietorship, a partnership, a limited partnership, a limited liability partnership, and a company. All of them have got pros and cons and you will need to assess which business structure is most suitable for you.

Retail Business EntrepreneurGenerally, if you are a one-man-operation (OMO), I would suggest that you start a sole-proprietorship because you will be in full control of your business. But of course, if you fumble and make wrong business decisions, your liability is likewise unlimited. Usually, I will never recommend a partnership and a limited partnership because having worked with all kinds of people, I have concluded that most partnerships turn sour and you wouldn’t want to end up incurring losses just because of some unwise decisions that your partner makes without your consent.

How Much Capital Do You Want to Invest?

Please do not think that the more capital you invest, the greater your returns will be. Your returns depend very much on how the capital is being used. More capital can probably mean more money to buy more products, rent a bigger space, or even buy time to sustain the business.

I often see many Facebook Ads that tells many fantastic stories of how individuals can invest, can start a business, can own properties with no money and etc but truly, such ads will often lead you to sign up for previews or workshops that will set you back by thousands of dollars.

Keep A Lookout For Business OpportunitiesIf someone tells you that you need $0 capital to start a business, you probably need to be wary. As you go about looking out for business opportunities, always keep the bigger picture in mind and don’t be swayed by fads and trends. Yes, you can start a business with low costs but low costs don’t mean zero cost. Even starting a sole-proprietorship will cost you a minimum of $65.

For businesses that offer services, the startup costs are generally lower than businesses that offer products. When you buy products to sell, you will need capital and where are you going to get that capital from?

If you want to start a business full-time, you minimally need to have at least 6 months of living expenses. If you don’t, consider hanging onto your full-time job while working on your business part-time. This will ensure that you have sufficient cash flow to maintain your current lifestyle.

Do You Have A Backup Plan?

A backup plan is essential. There’s a common saying, ”When you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. What are you going to do if your business doesn’t turn out well? When will you throw in the towel and admit that starting a business is just not for you? There will be many instances when you will be tested and it is important to recognise how and where you are going to draw the line. Will you still be employable when you call it quits? These are just some important questions that you need to think about when you start a business.

How Marketable is Your Business?

I can’t stress this point enough but yes, marketing is essential and highly important! If you don’t market your business, how are you going to get the sales that you need to sustain the business? The most basic form of marketing collaterals that you probably need will be your business cards and products/services brochure. First impressions count and no matter what people say nowadays about how print collaterals no longer matter in today’s business dealings, you will be surprised at how handy they can be to share about your business. Printing services in Singapore are aplenty and choosing the most reliable and wallet-friendly option is the way to go if you want to keep costs low. The next step after getting your print collaterals will be to identify your unique selling proposition, who your competitors are, and what makes you different from them. All these will affect how you are going to pitch your business to prospective clients.

Well, I certainly hope that this post would have helped you to think deeply about what it takes to be an entrepreneur. There will always be risks associated with starting a business; the greater the risks, the greater the rewards, the smaller the risks, the smaller the rewards.

Do share this article if you have found it helpful!

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1st Art Oil Painting Reproductions and Custom Creations

Unlike film and television productions, visual art is something that is relatively foreign to most people. Therefore, artists have to truly display unparalleled skill and technique, in order to transcend time and gain prominence in the public’s eye.

Today, to be esteemed as a true master of the arts, one not only needs to display sheer talent and brilliance, but an artist must also have the ability to create stunning pieces that stand out amongst the thousands of other works of art that are constantly being created.

1st-art.com works relentlessly to bring classic masterpieces from the middle ages all the way through to modern art, to art lovers around the world.

In their collection, you can find masterpieces from some of the world’s most famous artists which have been displayed for centuries in some of the most prominent galleries on the planet. From New York’s Museum of Modern Art to the Guggenheim museums in North America, Europe and the Middle East, they strive to provide their customers with stunning oil painting reproduction that are sure to impress anyone who sets their eyes on them.

Famous Artists Across History

Below, you’ll find just a few of the famous artists whose masterpieces can be reproduced by our skilled artists to become the next addition to your collection.

Read more on the risks of buying art reproductions here.

Michelangelo

Not only was Michelangelo a skilled painter, he was a renowned sculptor who created the David and Pieta and also a talented architect who designed St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy. Furthermore, while unbeknownst to most, Michelangelo also wrote poetry and is credited with the design of Pope Julius II’s tomb, which was completed in 1545.

Rembrandt

As one of the world’s most prominent Dutch artists, Rembrandt was an exceptional artist who created many stunning masterpieces such as Belshazzar’s Feast (1635) and The Night Watch (1642). He was also a draughtsman and printmaker who is acknowledged for his incredible ability to extract the feelings of his subjects and transpose those emotions into his works.

Pablo Picasso

With a name that has become synonymous with contemporary art, Picasso is known around the world as one of the most famous artists of the 20th century.

According to most art experts, Picasso overturned the entire field of art with his radical introduction of the Cubism movement, which singlehandedly destroyed the traditional representations of matter and paved the way for all contemporary artists to come.

Henri Matisse

Born in Le Cateau-Cambresis, France, Henri Matisse was not only an innovative artist but also a skilled printmaker, draughtsman and sculptor. Most of Matisse’s work focuses on the delights of playfully bright and flashy colours, as well as the idea of symbolism, which has brought the artist to international fame.

Read more on Henri Matisse here: https://www.henrimatisse.org/

Vincent Van Gogh

Known mostly for his mental instability, Van Gogh has managed to transcend time and has become one of the world’s most famous and beloved artists. His technique used an innovative and unique style of frantic brush strokes, which gave his work a very different appearance from most of the art being created during his time. Without a doubt, Van Gogh’s works have inspired countless generations of artists and will continue to do so well into the future.

Jackson Pollock

At first, Pollock was a rather conventional painter and he was plagued with addiction problems, self-doubt and a nearly debilitating case of awkwardness. Fortunately, between the years of 1947 and 1950, Pollock managed to use his weaknesses to create original works of art that would eventually lead to his fame spreading around the globe.

His technique involved laying his canvases on the floor and then dripping or throwing household paint onto it. This created radically original pieces that left a clear record of Pollock’s movements while he was in the creation process.

Leonardo Da Vinci

Da Vinci is considered to be one of the greatest minds of his time and is regarded by many as the original Renaissance Man. Not only has he gained fame and was internationally renowned for his masterpieces, such as The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa; Da Vinci is also credited with designing many avantgarde technologies such as the flying machine, steam tanks and automobiles.

Claude Monet

Monet is credited as being one of the founding fathers of Impressionism and is known for his use of bright vibrant colours and as well as painting using short, quick brush strokes. He was known for his love of nature and often used his gardens as inspiration for his works, which can be seen in his most famous collections of paintings, Water Lilies.

Edvard Munch

Although Munch’s artistic career was far more than just one single painting, he is most often known for his anxiety-ridden masterpiece, The Scream. Munch is known for his use of pastel colours, which give his works a certain touch of surrealism and adds to the feelings expressed in his work.

Although the Scream was painted more than a hundred years ago (in 1893), one of Munch’s variations of the painting was sold in 2012 at an auction for the jaw-dropping price of $120 million US dollars.

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In Business 3 Mins Read

Small Tech Solutions That Make A Big Difference

There are so many ways to use technology in business that it’s impossible to count. Yet, there are some in particular which you might need to think about if you are to try and improve your business as best as possible. Sometimes, it turns out, the smaller technological solutions are the ones that make the most of a difference to the company in the long run. Understanding this, especially knowing which areas,  can help you to appreciate the power of technology in any business in the world. In this post, we will look at just a few of the smaller and more subtle tech solutions which can make an enormous difference to the business – any business – in the long term.

Using Templates

When you are trying to communicate openly with people across the business, it can be hard to make sure that everything is properly understood. There are however a number of ways to get around and improve this situation, and one of the best is to simply use templates. By having company-wide templates for different kinds of documents, you can ensure that there is likely to be no deviation between them. This makes communication clearer, simpler, and easier; and that means less confusion throughout the business on the whole. As you can see, using a service like https://www.templafy.com/ can really make a massive difference to a company, even if it only appears to be a small technological change at first.

Analysing Customer Data

The actual process of collecting and analysing data on your customers is not very difficult. It doesn’t take up much time, or even much computing power, and it is unlikely that you will have to manually pore over it very much. In other words, it is the best kind of helpful technology – that which does what it does without any need for loads of input or attention. Yet, having this data is largely valuable and it might mean that you even end up changing your entire method of dealing with your customers. This might translate into more customers and an improved marketing scheme in no time – and all just with a simple program running in the background. See https://www.dummies.com/ for more on this.

Timers

Sometimes, it’s not all about the software you can use on your computers. There are plenty of clever subtle technologies which you use and rely on every day which you may not realise but yet make a huge difference to your company in the long run. A perfect example of this is the motion sensor timer that you most likely have on some of your office lights. These turn off after a period of inactivity, meaning that less energy is used and wasted, and ultimately leading to lower energy bills and a greener business. Clearly, such a small piece of technology can have a profound effect on not just the business, but the wider world.

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In Business 3 Mins Read

Taking The Stress Out Of Your City-Based Office

When you started your business, you probably did so with a city office in mind. There’s just something satisfying about high-rise buildings and bustling streets. Cities like Singapore are the business capitals of the world, and you can rest easy once your business is based here.

But, as with most pipe dreams, an office in a big city isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. Undeniably, that high-rise facade will impress investors. To start with, it may even attract a whole new quality of staff. After all, most professional go-getters dream of city jobs. However, it’s usually not long until this becomes an issue of ‘be careful what you wish for.’

The simple fact is that those who work in cities often display much higher levels of stress. It’s no surprise, given the levels of traffic and the length of commutes. For obvious reasons though, a stressed workforce is the last thing you need.

Hence, this is why you should do what you can to create a sense of calm in your central office. But, how can you achieve that?

Work Around Rush Hour

If you want to stress your staff out before they start, open your office for regular business hours. Roads and public transport become unbearable as people rush for a nine AM start. Your staff may have to wait hours in traffic or stand like sardines in the trains. Not the best start to the day. And, if they don’t finish until five, they’ll face the same thing later. But, getting around this is easy. By opening and closing your office just half an hour earlier, you give staff the chance to avoid rush hour. And, that in itself can go a massive way towards reducing stress.

Provide the Chance to Work from Home

Even when you work around rush hour, the city is a busy place. Sometimes, your staff may just want to settle down and work without worrying about crowds. It’s for this reason that many companies now allow staff to work from home at least a few days a week. And, you could benefit from doing the same. Getting this right is as simple as looking into virtual desktops like those offered by Arnet Technologies, Inc. This will allow employees to access and share their jobs without needing to be in the office at all. It doesn’t get much better than this especially when you can reduce those stress levels.

Introduce Casual Days

Big city jobs often come hand in hand with smart suits and briefcases. These are, obviously, essential for portraying a professional image. But, if no clients or investors are due in your office, introducing casual days could also serve you. Let’s be honest; suits aren’t exactly good for getting those creative juices flowing. Instead, they’re uncomfortable and leave us on edge all day. Instead, consider introducing casual Fridays. The mere knowledge they can turn up in comfortable clothes could work wonders for destressing staff before the weekend. And, it doesn’t cost you a thing. Give it a try and see how much of a difference it makes.

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In Business 4 Mins Read

Co-working Conundrums – A Guide to Singaporean Co-working Spaces

Singapore’s multi-ethnic, multi-lingual demographic contributes to the diversity that makes living and working in the country worth it. In addition, this diversity, the quality of life for professionals in the city is quite high with many earning a substantial salary. Throw in the many beautiful sites and diversions, and you have a country rife with opportunity and resources.

Furthermore, the business and residential landscapes support industry from around the world. Singapore’s coworking scene is looking to reinvent itself while incorporating more of life into many of its workspaces. With many variations on the coworking space, professionals working in the city or stopping in for a short while can find something to fit out their outfit.

Let’s take a look at what you need to know to get the most out of your coworking space in Singapore.

Contemporary Coworking

The typical coworking office places professionals in a shared space where they have the opportunity to rent a hot desk or a dedicated desk. Furthermore, professionals benefit from this low-cost alternative that provides them with office equipment and amenities. Take a look at Servcorp’s coworking Singapore’s site at http://www.servcorp.com.sg/en/coworking/ to view one version of the way coworking spaces operate.

Singapore’s take on the coworking space has grown to include spaces that cater to a variety of populations. Female-centred coworking spaces and industry-specific spaces offer a variety of perks including daycare for working parents and activities centred on professionally relevant topics. There are also spaces that focus on nurturing start-ups.

Sense Of Community

One of the most important aspects of the coworking space is the social interaction that it provides its occupants. While the purpose is to work, much of the networking that takes place in the community is the foundation of such businesses. The culmination of networking in the coworking space is usually connecting with mentors who act as a resource and collaborating with others in the space.

The collaboration is important because, if successful, can raise your business’s visibility in the Singapore business community. Furthermore, the collaboration is one way to learn about an array of industries while working toward business growth. Ultimately, when joining a space, consider whether the outfit has a sense of community.

Prime Location

Regardless of the industry, location is extremely important when looking for a space. In general, offices that are located near CBDs tend to offer businesses more in terms of access to resources and traffic. In Singapore, businesses that are near Marina Boulevard, Market Street, and other prime locations are attractive and prestigious. The benefit to coworking is because you are essentially paying for space on an as-needed basis, your rent is going to be drastically reduced.

Coworking Etiquette

Coworking is primed for social interaction and this social interaction is pretty much a part of Singaporean culture, as business relationships are founded on family ties and friendship. Even so, being overly social in the coworking space does have its drawbacks, namely, lack of productivity. To avoid offending others at work, avoid some of the following behaviours.

Most coworking spaces come with cafés and lounges, and so if networking or even just hanging out, seek those areas so that you will not distract others who might be working. Also, hot desking presents opportunities to spy on your neighbour’s work, which might be sensitive, so try not be too intrusive. Finally, if you need to listen to some music while working, bring your own earplugs so that you will not disturb your neighbours.

Finding Space In The Coworking Singapore

The coworking format in Singapore runs similar to most. However, professionals benefit from spaces that cater to their various needs while providing a community with their services. In your hunt for office space, consider the many opportunities, including networking, that a coworking space can offer your business.

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In Business 3 Mins Read

Here’s What You Need to Know If You Are Hoping to Manage an Online Store!

Billions of dollars change hands within the online community. In fact, there are countless entrepreneurs who are now employing their e-commerce site as a full-time position. If you already have a clever product or service that will appeal to the public, the first (and most difficult) hurdle has already been overcome.

The question now, is how you will be able to transform this dream into a digital reality?

You will be happy to learn that the world of online promotions is well within your reach. However, whether or not such a concept is realistically achievable depends on the approach that you take as well as the software that is employed. It is wise to examine both of these concepts in greater detail.

Understanding the World of E-Commerce

Electronic commerce (E-Commerce) is simply defined as goods or services changing hands between two or more individuals within the online community. In other words, you will sell a product to a buyer for a specific fee. This principle is no different when compared to the physical retail environment. The main disparity is how these sales are achieved.

You will need to possess a user-friendly and intuitive e-commerce platform if you ever hope to increase sales while still appreciating how your product is performing. This is why selecting the best e-commerce platform is pivotal to your success.

Some of the important qualities to take into account are therefore:

  • Ease of use
  • Flexibility
  • Cross-platform compatibility (a bundle that works with mobile devices as well as personal computers)
  • A host of relevant themes to choose from

You might understandably be concerned about coding. Modern e-commerce platform service providers have included a drop-and-drag functionality within their design, so you will literally be required to do nothing more than point and click on specific sections in order to change their appearance. These are perfect solutions for those who have never owned an online store in the past.

Embracing the Correct Mindset

Even if you successfully create an online store, it should be a foregone conclusion that becoming a millionaire overnight is virtually impossible. Much like in the real world, success takes hard work and an eye for detail. You will also require a great deal of patience as building up a loyal client base can be a moderately slow process. There will likewise be instances when a specific sales or marketing campaign does not go as planned. Modifications could be required in order to adhere to the needs of your clients. Although such changes are associated with a certain amount of intuition, modern e-commerce platforms will provide additional insight in the form of real-time analytics. You can therefore enact smaller changes before they snowball into more profound issues.

Engineering a functional online sales platform from the ground up is much easier than you think. Still, any future success will depend just as much upon the tools that you use as it involves hard work and a fair share of dedication.

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