Minimising the Risk of Injury

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Injury is one of the most troublesome things that could happen to you. Whether you sustain an accident in the workplace or in a public area, at the gym or in your household, chances are you’ll have to take time to recover from the wounds. This means that you’ll have to postpone some activities you had planned and maybe even take time off work to ensure you’re not placing any undue strain on your body. 

While there’s no way to prevent injuries completely, it doesn’t mean that you cannot take proactive steps that ensure you’re less likely to become wounded. Here are some of the aspects you should have in mind. 

Rest well 

Sleep is one of the most critical factors for good health. When you consistently neglect it and become progressively more sleep deprived, you put yourself at increased risk for injury. Tiredness makes you more absent-minded, and therefore it becomes more likely that you’ll make a mistake and injure yourself. This can mean you’re less attentive and stumble and fall. If you work out regularly, neglecting rest means that you’re more likely to sustain injuries as a result of your training since the body doesn’t have sufficient time to rejuvenate between sessions. 

Be aware 

To reduce your probability of coming down with an injury, you must be aware of the possible dangers you’re exposed to. After all, you don’t know what to avoid if you’re not sure what the potential risks are. However, the risks are specific to the location you’re in. For example, in the public space, you should be mindful of the following: 

  • Tripping on the pavement: Falling and tripping on the pavement is one of the most common injuries that can occur in public. However, this doesn’t make it any less dangerous. The injuries can be quite severe, depending on the nature of your fall. They’re particularly troublesome if you’re dealing with a chronic disease such as diabetes that makes wound healing slower and more prone to complications. 
  • Road accidents: In some cases, injuries you sustain on the road can also fit into this category. For instance, you might become wounded after driving over a pothole. If public authorities were aware of this damage and neglected to fix it, it fits the criteria for a public space injury. 
  • Slipping: If your injury occurred in a park or playground, you could be eligible to file a personal injury claim in the UK. The amount you can receive depends, much like in the case of any personal injury claim, but it is typically dependent on the extent of your injuries, as well as whether or not you came to deal with chronic health damage as a result of your wounds. Subsequent financial difficulties are included as well. 
  • Housing accidents: If your household is part of public housing built by local authorities, injuries you sustain as a result of poor maintenance that the authorities were aware of, the accident can fall under the umbrella of injuries public authorities can be held responsible for. 

Improve balance 

Many injuries happen as a result of poor balance. Improving this aspect is generally a long process and takes a considerable degree of patience, but it’s essential for your overall health. The best part of it is that you can train anywhere, at any time, and the only thing you need is your own body and strength. One of the most effective exercises you can try is tightrope walking. Luckily, this doesn’t mean you must develop a flair for acrobatics, as you can simulate it. Single-leg standing or walking with alternating knee lifts are the other exercises you can try out. 

Depending on how advanced you are, or if you’ve already breezed your way through the more accessible versions, you can try something a little more advanced. For instance, you can try maintaining your balance by letting go of any support you are using or keeping your position with your eyes closed. When you are able to perform these exercises well, you also get in a little bit of strength training. 

Increase flexibility 

It might not appear like the most obvious solution, but becoming limber can actually mean that you’re at diminished risk for injury. Stretching regularly can help improve this ability. It isn’t only beneficial in the long term and can also alleviate combat daily soreness or body aches. These exercises can be incorporated into your daily routine, and you can perform them whenever you feel the need. Even a few minutes of stretching can go a long way to alleviate any tightness you feel in your muscles. 

Dynamic exercises that keep your body moving, followed by static stretching to help minimise the risk of next-day soreness, are fundamental for health and balance. They help make your body stronger and reduce the risk of you ending up with a bothersome injury after an accident. And if you do happen to become injured, research suggests that being more physically active helps speed up the wound healing process by nearly 30%. 

Limit manual handling 

Lifting heavy boxes or handling hefty machinery can put significant strain on your back, as well as your knee joints and shoulders. If your job involves the need to lift heavy items regularly, you should take the necessary steps to ensure a system is implemented that can do more of the heavy lifting for you. You should have adequate tools at your disposal, as well as the necessary training to operate them safely. 

Injuries tend to happen unexpectedly. They’re bothersome occurrences since they take you out of your routine. You must adjust your life and behaviour around them until you get better. If you have anything planned, you’ll probably have to postpone it until your condition improves. However, if you follow a few guidelines, you are likely to help prevent injuries and significantly reduce your risk. 

If you happen to become injured, you must remember that experts are willing to help you navigate this difficult time so that you can return to your everyday life as soon as possible. 

Recruitment Trends Employers Should Use in 2023

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Do you plan to hire new talent in the year to come? Staying on top of the latest trends in the sector is crucial in developing a hiring strategy. This is crucial, especially at the moment because the global economies are heading towards an uncertain future. 

As an employer, you know that the recruitment sector is constantly changing and evolving. Several external factors impact the global economy and companies’ ability to attract talent, putting more pressure on businesses and recruitment agencies to be on top of their game. 

An essential part of sourcing top talent is staying up to date with the trends that impact the industry and adapting the recruitment strategies accordingly. This article provides information about the trends expected to impact the sector in 2023 to help employers and recruiters understand how to use them to maximise their results. 

Employer branding

Employer branding will impact the recruitment process in 2023, and all companies should keep an eye on the trend. All candidates examine a company’s reputation before applying for an open position, and you want to make an excellent first impression. Therefore, put more effort into creating, preserving, and promoting your brand image. Use your website and social media platforms to share with your public details about your company and help them understand what values stand at its core. Talent, like clients, want to associate themselves with a reputable business. 

Remote work

You might say that remote work is old news, but it’s one of the recruiting trends that won’t fade in 2023. 98% of candidates want to work for a company that offers them the option to work remotely for at least a few days monthly. However, you might have second thoughts about allowing your employees to work from home because you want to keep them productive and supervise their work. Both companies and workers have much more to learn about remote work, making it a relevant trend to watch out for in 2023. Also, the reason why workforces shifted to remote work is still present because even if the vaccines were introduced, people still get sick. Business specialists encourage companies to keep their workers remote because it allows them to save costs. 

Change in work patterns

Gone are the days when people worked 8 to 5, especially these days when many work from home due to the pandemic. Also, many people work temporarily or contract-based and are hired as freelancers, making a big part of the workforce. There are some reasons why freelancing is popular among workforces, people want more flexibility and prefer to work on a contractual basis because they want to balance their personal and professional lives. When recruiting talent, make sure to offer the candidates the opportunity to choose when they prefer to work because flexibility is one of the benefits most people are looking for in a job. 

Social recruiting

The progress of technology provides companies with a new view of the world. If people used social media platforms only for amusement purposes a couple of years ago, now they’re looking for jobs and business opportunities. Social media might not be the most effective recruitment method, but it’s affordable and allows you to reach a broader group of candidates. Use social media platforms to showcase your brand’s identity and help your public learn more about it. Post content relevant to your industry to encourage people to interact with your pages. 

Data-driven recruitment

Another trend employers should keep a tab on is data-driven recruitment, mainly if they perform in a sector like the legal one that requires greater effort when recruiting talent. With increasing pressure to hire skilled individuals, time and cost-effectively, you can turn to data to help you make smart hiring decisions. It would also be helpful to hire recruitment professionals like those from Legal Recruitment Agency to help you prevent unconscious bias. 

Data-driven recruitment is essential when you want to rely on critical metrics because it allows you to control the process and prevent mistakes. Establish what metrics you want to track and gather and analyse data that will enable you to hire effectively. 

It’s crucial to capture data that provides information about how long it takes for candidates to complete your application form, how many clicks your job adverts register, and other similar aspects that enable you to improve the hiring process. 

Candidate experience

Over the last couple of years, candidates have held power in the job market, and if you look at the present situation, they’ll continue to do so. Candidate experience remains crucial in the recruitment process because it’s more valuable than education and other aptitudes. 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Your objective should be to hire individuals from all walks of life because inequalities, injustices, and discrimination have become a matter of society, but you should keep your company separate from it. Yes, it’s more complicated to reach marginalised communities when acquiring talent, but you can find skilled professionals in all groups of people, and you should do your best to engage diverse candidates. Inclusion, diversity, and equity are real concerns job seekers experience these days, and it’s crucial to promote your business as an environment that does not discriminate. 

Businesses with diverse workforces register improved financial performance than companies that acquire talent from a single walk of life. Why? People tend to perform better in workplaces that value diversity because they feel esteemed and included. 

External referrals

Referrals can help you find talented candidates and lower the costs associated with the hiring process. Statistics show that talents that have been referred stay longer and perform better. Motivating your employees to work to reach the company’s goals and bringing talented friends and acquaintances to grow the workforce is the best strategy in building corporate success. Your workers know your company well and can envision if someone they know would fit a particular position. Encourage them to refer to their acquaintances by providing bonuses for each recruited candidate.  

The recruiting environment experiences constant changes

If you want to grow your workforce, keep track of the latest trends because they give you a good idea of what strategies to employ. 

 

What Do Profitable Businesses Have in Common?

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No one can deny that entrepreneurship is a challenging career path that not everyone can take. It requires strong communication skills, a willingness to accept failure, and a lot of self-discipline. But at the same time, it comes with many great rewards: flexibility, satisfaction, freedom, etc. Not all businesses are successful, but those that thrive have some qualities at their foundation. Mindset is vital in determining whether your venture will flourish, and the best entrepreneurs are those with a firm conviction regarding what they want to pursue in life. They embrace challenges and don’t give up when the road gets bumpy. That said, here are the things that most profitable businesses have in common.

Unique value

Businesses stay on top of their competitors when they offer customers unique services or products. Successful entrepreneurs have a secret ingredient that can’t be found elsewhere, which helps them stand out and keep their company running smoothly for a long time. In other words, their business has an unparalleled feature, such as outstanding customer service, customised services, etc. Whatever that characteristic is, it should be something that defines your venture. When creating a unique value, looking at your potential customers can help, as you will identify their needs and, thus, come up with something they will appreciate.

Customer-focused approach

Profitable businesses know that customers are the ones to determine their success, so they never lose sight of them. This is true especially these days when customer expectations have risen significantly. They compare the experience with your business with those they have with top companies and never return if disappointed. Thus, customers should always be your main focus during all stages of your marketing strategy. Adopt a customer-centric approach when building your procedures, and you’ll see how this will contribute to brand recognition and client satisfaction. Clients who are satisfied with what you offer will keep supporting your business, giving you a competitive advantage.

Positive organisational culture

The organisational culture is a critical element that sets a business apart from the rest. This includes its background, ethics, values, norms, and history. Employees who feel safe and happy at work tend to be more productive, thus bringing a positive outcome to your business. On the contrary, poor company culture hurts your company’s bottom line. That’s because it promotes unethical behaviour, leading to a lack of trust from employees, damaged reputation and even legal issues like claims. With resources like https://www.personalinjuryclaimscare.org.uk/  being just one click away, employees can learn about their rights in case of an injury sustained at work and take legal action against companies. To avoid these things, you should look at your current practices to determine what the workplace culture looks like. Chances are, you can take steps to improve it and make it more appealing to employees and customers alike. Businesses with a positive organisational culture put employees’ wellness at the forefront and take steps to reduce hazards as much as possible. 

Flexibility

Your business can’t succeed unless you’re willing to adapt if things don’t work as planned at some point. Flexibility can go a long way in your venture’s success; without it, you may quickly fall behind. That’s because the business landscape is constantly evolving, and what worked a year ago may not bring any results in the present. You have to review your methods and practices regularly and change them accordingly, as that is the only way your business can thrive. As a leader, you should always look for innovative ways to address your company’s needs for every challenge.

Diversity

Diversity matters significantly in today’s society when businesses and consumers care about being socially responsible and inclusive. Companies that embrace it are one step ahead of their competitors and benefit from improved performance, profitability, and increased employee engagement. Workplace diversity leads to innovation, as individuals with different backgrounds work together to devise solutions to specific problems. It’s a catalyst for an organization’s growth, allowing team members to generate original ideas based on their diverse experiences.

Strong vision

Without a clear vision, you can’t expect consistent results for your business. Defining your company’s mission should be the first thing you do when implementing your business because it will be your guiding light. Think about why you chose entrepreneurship as a career path out of everything. What is the objective you’re striving for every day? Once you know your mission, you should also share it with employees and business partners to ensure all the processes are developed to match that vision.

Technologically advanced

Successful businesses also leverage technology – they have adequate systems and use the best software to improve customers’ experience. These technologies are a worthy investment because they help you reach your goals with minimal effort. In a modern business world, technology is indispensable for companies – the only way to operate optimally is to implement the latest tech, such as artificial intelligence and robotics.

Good marketing strategies

Your marketing efforts can make or break your business. You need to use the right strategies in order to succeed – for example, if you don’t employ several marketing channels, all your hard work could go to waste, and that’s because you won’t become visible. People will know about your business only if you put yourself out there through different means, like newsletters, advertising, or social media. Review your current strategies, and change them if they don’t work. Learn from other businesses and ask for expert help if necessary. After all, you want your business to prosper, which means taking advantage of all the available resources.

The bottom line

Not all businesses succeed, and there are many reasons why that happens. Perhaps they focus more on their personal goals instead of their customers or fail to embrace change. Or maybe they aren’t inclusive, or don’t know how to make their brand known. Whatever the reason, not achieving your goals can be truly disappointing. But it doesn’t have to be that way for you. Consider the characteristics mentioned above and build your business around them – doing this will help you reap the benefits of all your hard work.

What to Prioritise for Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur?

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Being an entrepreneur these days comes with many challenges. You need to be focused on many aspects of your business, but also learn how to keep your work life balanced so that you don’t burn out fast. And as you create your own processes and methods, you also need to develop innovative ideas and practices to keep up with this fast-paced world. 

So, to become successful, you need to be organised as well as take risks, when necessary, in order to improve your business. Let’s see how you should design your business approach so that you simultaneously cultivate a company culture of steadiness and innovation. 

Time management

Time is money has become more than an old saying. It is not a way to suggest that you need to sacrifice your time or others to make money but to prioritise it. That means you need to learn what tasks are essential and what could be delayed or even eliminated from your to-do list. This should be the opposite of multitasking, as it does not save time nor help you concentrate better. 

Time management is about working smart and getting more things done in less time. Learning this will help you:

  • Take better decisions. Good time management allows you to adopt a wiser judgement since you’re not pressed by time;
  • Expand your business. While you’ll be able to handle tasks more efficiently, you’ll have the time to explore new opportunities for your company;
  • Increase work quality. Planning and managing your tasks and goals will give you enough space to focus better, which will increase the quality of your output;

Data-privacy compliance 

All types of businesses are prone to experiencing a data breach at some point, especially SMEs. That’s because data safety and privacy have been overlooked and not considered a priority. However, you need to understand the importance of building a solid data security culture to make your company successful. 

That’s because data breaches harm your business by damaging your reputation and brand. At the same time, customers will no longer trust you for providing excellent services and products since you couldn’t protect their data and the company from being the target of a data breach. Given that clients are able to claim compensation in the UK, you’ll also need to figure a way out from lawsuits. 

As a successful business, you must keep up with the latest data privacy compliance and ensure you know all the practices for securing your customer’s data. Although you can’t avoid a data breach 100%, you can still minimise its consequences.

Culture 

Building a company’s culture is no joke because you need to be an example for your employees. If you want your employees to adopt certain practices, you should be the first one they look up to. So, your business must align with your beliefs so that you’ll run the industry driven by your own set of values. 

Company culture is all about being friendly, motivating and collaborative. However, you’re the one to set critical elements closest to your values and ethics. Whether you want to nurture communication and transparency, diversity or a growth mindset, it’s important to make a 

long-term goal and not just something you can check on your task list. 

You can take as an example some of the most known companies that succeed in building strong and healthy company cultures, such as Netflix, Adobe and Google. These businesses aimed to create work environments that encouraged candid communication, risk-taking without penalty for failure as well as employee autonomy. 

Improvement 

Prioritising business improvement processes is crucial for growth and expansion. Nurturing improvement takes time and practice because it’s not something fixed that you can simply add when starting a new project. Improvement is flexible, therefore, not easy to assess.

However, you can encourage your employees to come up with improvement ideas whether they consider them. This openness allows them not to be pressured by time or company practices but to have the initiative for change. If you start with this mindset, you’ll be able to measure these small actions to improve revenue, efficiency and brand image. You could also adopt a strategy with four basic steps for improving your business:

  • Modernisation;
  • Optimisation;
  • Standardisation;
  • Automatisation;

If you’re able to pursue this strategy each time you need an improvement in your company, you may be able to help your team learn what are the steps for changing something, be it a product, a process or a technique. 

Cash flow 

Finally, it’s time to talk about cash flow. Although it’s highly important for the company’s growth, cash flow wouldn’t happen if none of the factors above wouldn’t exist. We can say that cash flow can be your last priority since it’s only a read of how much money you have. 

However, managing it takes a lot of work and effort. Being in control of your cash flow allows you to be up to financial regulations and avoid other complications due to late payments. It’s essential to:

  • Bill up front to prevent delayed payments; 
  • Handle your invoices with care by sending them far in advance;
  • Be accountable in case of not having a clear budget and proper accountability; 
  • Practise smart inventory management for implementing a simple economic model;

Maintaining your cash flow allows you to meet your financial obligations, but that’s not all. Keeping everything in place will help you make more manageable and critical financial decisions in the future so that it’ll be easier for your company to expand. 

However, keeping your cash flow balanced can ensure your business is going well, so you won’t have to cut corners or take shortcuts to meet your final goal. Prioritising this will make you successful and a model for many other small entrepreneurs. 

Final thoughts 

These days, everything is acquired rapidly, but with a lot of work. Given that trends change and businesses need to adapt, you, as an entrepreneur, might find it even more challenging to break the market and remain stable. However, if you know what’s a priority and not, you’ll be able to become prosperous. 

What Qualifies as Workplace Bullying, And How Can You Prevent It?

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Bullying in the workplace creates an environment that makes employees feel uncomfortable, scared, and intimidated. It negatively impacts employees’ health and well-being, yet bullying can also reduce their productivity and performance. Bullying can happen to anyone at any age and takes the form of spiteful comments, verbal criticism, or exclusion. Regrettably, bullying remains one of the most neglected issues in the realm of employment relations. The harassed employee is perceived as being weak, that is, unable to solve their own problems. Bullying is accepted and encouraged by the culture of the organization. 

There are costs to employers that fail to address bullying, such as loss of productivity, healthcare costs, absenteeism, and reputation damage. Some acts of workplace bullying can be grounds for a lawsuit. In other words, the person can take action under the law. The employer is responsible for discrimination even if the employee hasn’t received a written contract. There’s a duty of care to ensure all employees work in an environment that doesn’t affect their health and safety. If an employer blatantly ignores bullying in the workplace, in serious cases, it can result in a personal injury claim. 

Common Examples of Workplace Bullying 

In a healthy workplace environment, employees come together in a community and find opportunities for collaboration. At times, a company’s environment doesn’t support respectful actions. Persistent mistreatment from others that causes physical or emotional harm is workplace bullying. The conduct is meant to threaten, intimidate, or humiliate the employee and can interfere with their ability to work. Bullying tends to thrive in stressful conditions or rigid hierarchical structures and doesn’t concern everyday disagreements. Even if bullying is a form of aggression, these actions aren’t always obvious. Here are some examples of workplace bullying: 

  • Spreading rumors about a coworker
  • Dismissing someone’s efforts in front of management
  • Intimidatory or derogatory comments
  • Sharing sensitive photos
  • Giving unfair/unattainable tasks/deadlines

In many countries around the world, there are specific prohibitions against bullying in the workplace, requiring employers to take the necessary steps to prevent such conduct from occurring. In the UK, for instance, harassment is against the law, and employees can take legal action at an employment tribunal. If you want to find out more, please visit https://www.legalexpert.co.uk/. Unfortunately, most targets of bullying lack the knowledge to respond effectively. Either they don’t grasp the cause of their problems, or they fail to realize it’s possible to fight back.

Actions Your Business Needs to Take Right Now to Stop Bullying 

For some employees, remote work has provided relief from bullying. Nevertheless, there’s evidence to suggest that, as companies have switched to remote work, workplace bullying has thrived. It doesn’t matter if it happens in the office or online; bullying should be addressed right away. Managers at all levels greatly influence attitudes towards bullying, so it’s up to leadership to model good behavior. Here are some effective strategies to reduce workplace bullying. 

Have An Anti-Bullying Policy in Place

Bullying shouldn’t be part of the job, so create an anti-bullying policy highlighting your stance and commitment to preventing it. A policy on its own isn’t enough to curb workplace bullying; employees must be aware of its existence and have the confidence to use it. Consider establishing an open-door policy where employees are encouraged to speak their minds without judgment or penalty. This will foster an environment of respect, and people in the organization will understand their rights and responsibilities. Training done through the policy strengthens organizational culture. 

Build Awareness Around the Impact of Bullying 

Prevention starts with building awareness. Coworkers might intervene to stop bullying by showing support to the victim or disagreeing with the perpetrator. Lack of intervention can leave the victim feeling their colleagues endorse bullying. More often than not, people don’t realize what’s happening and unknowingly support bullying, so hold mandatory training sessions on the different types of harassment. Take things one step further by adding your anti-bullying policy to your employee handbook and having everyone sign the acknowledgement. 

Train Managers to Identify Signs of Bullying 

Management must get harassment training to eliminate and prevent incidences. They should be able to identify the signs of bullying in the workplace, such as deceit, intimidation, isolation/exclusion, undermining work, etc. If bullying exists, it can be detrimental not only to the person in question, but also to the organization, with implications for productivity, collaboration, and turnover rate. There’s a strong correlation between bullying and the personality of the bully. Common characteristics of a bully include impulsiveness, anger management issues, lacking empathy, and prone to frustration.  Managers can’t spot bullies during the recruitment process, unfortunately. 

Create A Reporting System for Employees 

Since most incidents involve coworkers as the main perpetrators, it’s crucial to create safe channels for employees to raise their concerns. Individuals who have experienced bullying should be able to report the incident and file a complaint. If the process doesn’t work well, it will make the overall situation in the workplace worse. Most importantly, victims should be able to report incidents without fear of retaliation; they shouldn’t be punished for taking action. If individuals have reason to believe that a complaint will cause further harassment, they won’t follow normal grievances procedures. 

Closing Thoughts 

It’s one thing to be occasionally mistreated at work, and it’s a completely different thing to have it happen constantly. Those being harassed at work feel depressed, have symptoms of anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and even suicidal thoughts. Simply put, it can make the job unbearable. The working environment should be a supportive one, where every person can meet their goals without undue pressure and attention. You can play an important role in developing a positive team culture, so be alert, identify bullying early on, and take corrective action. 

Managers aren’t the only ones who can put an end to bullying. Employees need to do the heavy lifting when it comes to identifying and reporting incidents of bullying. Left unchallenged, bullies may trigger violence or escalate their bad behavior – or the victim may respond with aggression. Employees should emulate good behavior.

The Benefits of Building and Maintaining a Professional Network

Did you know that prospective business students prefer universities that have a strong alumni network? This is because students have more opportunities to start building relationships with other students and faculty that have higher chances of continuing after they graduate. These relationships can be very important when it comes to starting a new business or changing careers later in life. 

Students who foster relationships with fellow alumni have a higher chance of succeeding once they graduate. When it comes to starting a new business, investors are more likely to invest in startups that are started from a founder who went to their alma mater. What’s more, founders who went to school with large alumni networks are able to raise more capital on average than other entrepreneurs due to the higher success they have with networking events. This is why it is imperative for students to begin forming relationships with current and future alumni as soon as they can, and continue those relationships even after they leave college.

While university is one of the most common places for alumni to come together, large businesses also have very valuable alumni pools. Businesses that instill strong alumni programs are able to see a 2.8 times increase in revenue per employee and 4.5 times increase in product innovation. Employees can benefit from these programs by connecting with mentors or even with assistance when they are ready for a career change. By utilizing relationships formed with other alumni, employees can bolster their resume with trustworthy references which can result in upward mobility and increased professional opportunity.

Participating in alumni networking events can be a great way to meet new alumni and learn about potential career opportunities. These events often include free resources such as career information seminars, resume reviews, and more helpful career based information. Attending these events along with having a large networking pool can help you get an edge with other potential candidates for your next career. 

After meeting alumni and adding them to your professional networks, it is important to keep up with them. Influence networks with alumni both academic and professional can be invaluable, so it is important to treat them as such. It is important to remain professional, so make sure to reach out via email or LinkedIn with an explanation of who you are and why you want to meet. Inviting an alum out to lunch or for coffee can be a great way to remain friendly while learning about new potential career paths or how to develop professional skills. If a good relationship is formed with an alumni and maintained over time, they will be more willing to provide assistance in the future. 

Alumni networks in higher education and business alike can be very useful tools for building your social sphere and discovering new opportunities. You can learn more tips on how to be engaged in these networks as well as the many benefits by reading the infographic below:

An Interview with Carlos Urbaneja About Security Consulting and Risk Management

Carlos Urbaneja has been an attorney and security consultant for more than two decades. He was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. As an adult, he made a conscious decision to leave his home country in favor of immigrating to the United States, ultimately putting down roots in Miami, Florida. He earned his law degree in the year 2000. 

In the years since, Carlos Urbaneja has been involved in a number of business ventures in various security capacities, and currently works providing consulting services to several U.S. security agencies. He has worked in both the private and public sectors, engaging in projects with large corporations and the United States Government alike, primarily in the realms of risk assessment and threat identification. Throughout his career, Carlos has cultivated a well-honed ability to recognize anything—be it a dubious legal practice, a technological vulnerability, or a potentially dangerous human factor—that might pose a genuine danger to governmental organizations and large corporations.

When not working, Carlos spends the majority of his time with his wife and sons.

Why did you decide to create your own business?

After years of providing corporate ‘bulletproofing,’ I encountered a personal issue that showed me a new path forward. It led me to begin consulting on prospective legal concerns within corporate structures. It’s important to prevent major problems that evolve from poor corporate structure, but it’s also important to head off major concerns, such as the one I endured, from developing. Risk management is a critical component to developing strong corporate security, and governmental understanding of a corporation’s structure empowers both venues to identify and rapidly rectify concerns.

What do you love most about the industry you are in?

I enjoy every aspect of my average workday. It goes something like this: I get up early and exercise. After that, it’s off to the office. Upon arriving, I usually set up or take meetings for quite a while. The company has offices in both Latin America and the United States, so there are always a great many details to sort out, including contract negotiations, risk and security reports, and everyday paperwork. My first regular meeting is at 10 am and after that, I prioritize my tasks and participate in conference calls. Throughout the rest of the day, I ensure the production of documents and requisitions as required based on the needs of each client. At the end of the day, after spending quality time with my family, I review what has been accomplished and make updates wherever needed before finally heading to bed around 2 am. I know it sounds like a long day, but I really do love it.

What would you tell others looking to get into your industry?

It’s vital to get all the data possible before making any decision. Luck doesn’t have to factor into anything, as long as you do the requisite research. Any situation you enter into when properly prepared will improve the outcome for all sides. Doubly so if all parties concerned are well prepared. 

What keeps you motivated?

I derive a lot of satisfaction and inspiration from the people I work with, as well as building and implementing new ideas. I think brainstorming with my team is absolutely crucial. The company is filled with talented team members, each fueled with insights and inspiration. After being presented with a few ideas that we all agree would be worth pursuing, we systemize them and explore them thoroughly. This investigative process can take a lot of twists and turns, but it keeps things flowing. 

What is the biggest lesson you have learned managing your business?

The strategy we’ve employed that has most helped us grow the business has been providing undeniably effective results. Consistently making our clients happy and more secure has solidified our reputation in the industry, which in turn has brought us more business. There is no better advertisement for us than our long track record of success.

What trends in your industry excite you? 

I really appreciate the value we’ve found in holding meetings on Zoom and other video conferencing platforms, and they empower us to connect across the world without the cost of airfare and travel. At the same time, I will temper my excitement by saying that I think perhaps the company depends too much on technology. We need to remember that connecting in person and directly with our clients is more than a nice gesture; it’s a trust-builder.

What has been the hardest obstacle you’ve overcome? 

One of my personal failures was also a business failure. I gained a lot of weight for a while. A year ago, I made the decision to correct that. The correlation between this seemingly personal issue and my business is simple: If I ask my team to be disciplined, I need to be as well. That realization led me to lose about 65 pounds, which has made me feel better and allowed me to stay much more focused on work.

What pieces of advice would you give to others? 

My first piece of advice would be not to trust everyone. Even if a proposition sounds incredibly good and it’s pitched by a person you want to trust, make sure you’re making a choice based on research instead of emotion. Many people say that, but they forget that feeling good about something is an emotion. It was that particular emotion that led me into a partnership that should have been avoided. My second piece of advice is research your choices, and even your possible partnerships. By doing so, you may ultimately save yourself a lot of time, money, and headache.

Outside of work, what defines you as a person? 

When I’m not working, I spend most of my time with my wonderful family. Making sure they’re cared for and they know they’re loved defines me as a person.

The New Generation Electric Cars For Businesses

Owning an electric car is becoming reasonably popular these days. With the increase in the use of electric cars, the manufacturing companies that produce these cars have been working hard to develop newer and better electric vehicles that are not just high performing but also affordable and suitable for businesses.

Using an electric car for your business can be an excellent financial decision. Due to recent government tax policies, owners of electric vehicles are qualified for a federal income tax of up to $7500, which means you save more money by switching to an electric vehicle. While earlier electric cars might not have had enough range to compete with regular combustion engine vehicles, the new generation of electric cars can perform at favorable speeds and still cover as much distance as you regularly drive.

While many models of electric vehicles are available for purchase, here are the best new-generation electric cars you should consider for your business.

BMW I4

First on our list of electric cars suitable for businesses is the BMW I4. This spacious electric vehicle is powered by a battery that uses about 400kw of electricity. With a range of 366 miles, this electric car is sure to get to your destination and back on a full charge. You won’t have to worry about waiting long to charge cause the BMW i4 comes with fast charging. With a top speed of 118 mph, this EV can move as fast as 0- 60 mph in about 6 seconds.

Nissan leaf

This award-winning car from Nissan is bound to appear on this electric car list. With a range of 226 miles on a full charge, this electric car will not have you stranded on the road during your business trips. A 163kw battery powers the Nissan leaf. While it might not have a wide range, with only about 144 miles on a full charge, the Nissan leaf is one of the cheapest electric cars to buy and performs above its price range. This car is also innovative with its auto-braking and reverse systems to prevent collisions.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

The ford mustang Mach-E is one of the best electric vehicles available for purchase in today’s market. Ford’s Mach-E is a powerful SUV powered by a 363kw battery. This spacious vehicle boasts a large size and is one of the most comfortable driving experiences. The driver can be reassured about driving long distances because this car has a range of about 314 miles. This car also charges fast, reaching 80 percent in about 40 minutes. Although the ford mustang Mach-e is a big car, it can accelerate from 0-60 in just 3 seconds. This vehicle has a top speed of 180mph, making it easy to overtake other vehicles even at full speed.

Porsche Taycan Cross Tourismo 4S 

Porsche’s Taycan 4s cross tourismo is an excellent example that cars can be high performing even without an engine. This vehicle by the luxury car manufacturer Porsche is one of the best-performing electric vehicles. This car accelerates from 0-60 in just 4 seconds. The Porsche Taycan 4s has a range of about 281 miles on a full charge which is suitable for regular drives. This electric vehicle is powered by a 420kw battery and has a top speed of 149 mph.

Tesla Model 3 

No top electric vehicle list would be complete without a tesla. The leading manufacturing company of electric cars, Tesla’s Model 3 is one of the best electric vehicles to consider. This tech-forward electric car has an actual life range of about 374 miles. This car can accelerate from 0-60 in just 4.2 seconds, leaving most cars behind. It has a top speed of 142 mph which is more than sufficient for everyday driving. While this EV might be more expensive, the public charging service Tesla provides makes it a cost-effective option.

Kia EV6 

The new Kia EV6 is the ideal electric vehicle on this list. This car has a real-life range of about 328 miles on a full charge which takes only about 20 minutes. A 168kw battery powers this fast-charging car, and its performance is optimized. It boasts an acceleration rate from 0-60 in just 7.3 seconds. With a top speed of 114 mph, this car might not seem like much compared to others on this list, but at its price range, it is simply miraculous. 

Understanding Your Business Electricity Bill

Photo URL: https://pixabay.com/photos/electricity-energy-environment-206928/ 

All businesses are required to pay for the electricity they consume, but how business electricity bills are calculated can be confusing. You must understand how your business electricity bill works to make informed choices about your energy use and costs. Your business electricity bill will list the charges for the amount of electricity you have used, as well as any taxes, fees, or other charges that may apply.

It is necessary to have a good understanding of business electricity rates and how your business electricity bill is calculated to ensure that you are paying only what you need for your business’s electricity consumption. With the help of a business energy comparison website, you can understand all the details you need to know and make sure that you are getting the best deal possible. 

  • Businesses pay the price for their electricity from two main components: the energy charge and the capacity charge. 
  • The energy charge is the cost of the actual electricity your business uses, while the capacity charge is a monthly fee that covers the cost of your business’s electricity demand.

In some cases, businesses may also be charged a service fee or other miscellaneous charges. Firms in the United States usually have two options for how they are charged for their electricity: flat rate or demand rate.

  • With a flat rate, businesses are charged a set price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity they consume. This price does not change, regardless of how much electricity your company uses.
  • With a demand rate, businesses are charged based on their peak electricity demand during a given month. Businesses with higher electricity demands will pay more for their electricity than businesses with lower electricity demands. In most cases, businesses are only charged for their peak demand during summer, when air conditioners are typically used more often.

How Business Electricity Bills Are Calculated?

The price you pay for electricity as a business is referred to as a business electricity rate. Business electricity rates are set by utility companies and may vary depending on the region in which your business is located. In some cases, companies may be able to negotiate their business electricity rates.

The price of electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). A kWh is a unit of measurement that equals the amount of electricity required to power ten 100-watt light bulbs for one hour. The cost of electricity is based on the number of kWhs your business uses.

  • To calculate your business electricity bill, you will need to know your business’s kWh usage for the billing period. This information should be listed on your business electricity bill. You can contact your utility company to clarify your business’s kWh usage.

For example, if your business uses 1,000 kWh of electricity in a month and your business electricity rate is $0.10 per kWh, your monthly electric bill would be $100. In addition to the cost of the electricity itself, your business electricity bill may also include other charges, such as taxes or fees. These charges will vary depending on your location and utility company. 

What to Look For on Your Commercial Electricity Bill?

Total Electric Load

The first thing you need to look for on your business electricity bill is your company’s total electric load. This will give you an idea of how much electricity your business uses and what the maximum amount of electricity your business can use at any one time is. It is important to have a good understanding of how your business electricity bill works so that you can make informed choices about your company’s energy use.

Electric Rate

The next thing you need to look for on your business electricity bill is the electric rate that your business is being charged. This will give you an idea of how much your business is paying for each unit of electricity that it consumes. In some cases, businesses may be able to negotiate a lower electric rate with their utility company. However, it is important to understand that business electricity rates can vary depending on the region in which your business is located.

Taxes, Fees, or Charges

Finally, you need to look for any taxes, fees, or other charges that may be included in your business electricity bill. These fees can add up and should be taken into account when you are budgeting for your business’s electricity costs.

How Much Is an Average Business Electric Bill?

Small businesses in the UK spend an average of £1,500 per year on electricity, while larger businesses can spend up to £5,000 or more. The amount your business will be charged for electricity will depend on a number of factors, including the total electric load, the electric rate, and any taxes, fees, or other charges that may apply.

Businesses generally expect to pay between £50 and £200 per month for their electricity consumption. However, the exact amount that your business will be charged for electricity will depend on your company’s specific circumstances.

  • For example, the cost of commercial energy is slightly higher for micro-businesses, which typically have less than ten employees. They pay about 14p for their unit cost and 29p per day for their standing charge. That is the reason why the costs are higher. They only utilize between 5,000 and 15,000 kWh of electricity.
  • The best prices deals are typically found for medium-sized businesses because they use more electricity and can purchase in greater quantities. They will consume between 25,000 and 50,000 kWh of electricity annually with up to 250 employees. The average cost per kWh of power will be 10.5p, and the daily standing charge will be about 22p.

In Conclusion

Consuming electricity is an integral part of doing business. The amount that your business will be charged for electricity will depend on the total electric load, the electric rate, and any taxes, fees, or other charges that may apply. These factors will guide you in deciding how much your business should budget for electricity every month. Aside from that, it would help if you also considered the average cost of business electricity bills in the UK to get an idea of how much you will be spending.

In today’s business climate, it is important to be aware of your company’s energy consumption and to budget accordingly. By understanding how your business electricity bill works, you can make informed choices about your company’s energy use and save money on your bottom line.

Why Tourette Syndrome Shouldn’t Get in the Way of Success, According to Renowned Children’s Book Author Luis Del Rosal

Although some might deem Tourette Syndrome (TS) an obstacle to success, it hasn’t stopped many hardworking individuals from excelling in their chosen paths. In fact, prominent celebrities such as David Beckham and Billie Eilish, as well as important historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, are only some of the names recognized in their respective fields that live with TS. This only shows that the condition cannot hold back people from achieving their true potential as long as they work hard and persevere.

Another notable example of an individual who has dominated his field despite TS is the renowned children’s book author Luis Del Rosal.

Like many of the professionals mentioned before him, Luis is a stellar example to people in the TS community. He inspires others with Tourette Syndrome that they, too, can overcome anything with determination and faith. In addition, TS is in no way a hindrance to them reaching for their dreams as long as they dedicate themselves to it. Luis’ win also sends an inspiring message to other people with limitations. While many others are discouraged by differences and believe it puts them at a disadvantage, Luis tells the story of a man that no disability can stop short.

Despite Tourette Syndrome being a neurological disorder usually referred to as “disruptive,” Luis did not allow himself to get swayed. With TS causing tics characterized by sudden and repetitive movements, sounds, and vocalizations, the condition can easily get distracting. Luckily, Luis is a one-track mind guy. He did not let his disorder faze him in the face of climbing toward his ambitions. Because of his resilience and tenacity, he has made a name for himself in the writing industry.

Although Luis is now at the top of the industry, his journey to success was not as easy as he made it look. Born in Mexico in 1973, Luis had not immigrated to the United States until he was eight. Unfortunately, this is where all of his hardships started to make themselves known. Throughout his school life, Luis suffered from bullying. Because he was the subject of much-unwanted attention, his self-confidence and self-worth slowly withered away. This didn’t stop even as he got out of school, but he eventually learned to fight back and stand up for himself. However, this led to added social pressure and hatred, which isolated him further.

But Luis did not let these situations stop him from enhancing his skills and capabilities. While in school, he focused his time and effort on developing highly valued skills and studying journalism. As he entered the professional world, he overcame the hurdles thrown his way and worked successfully in the hotel industry. Luis didn’t shy away from positions requiring customer interaction, overcoming his condition to serve as a reservations agent, front office clerk, and PBX operator. As he continued conquering TS, Luis ventured on to more personal interests.

He returned to his home country, Spain, in 1997 and decided to start writing children’s books. This brand new career endeavor was brought upon Luis’ desire to help children develop a more profound capacity and understanding of their emotions – a desire born out of his early struggles when he was a young boy himself. So, with the goal of inspiring others with his journey and experience, Luis set out to carve a representation for children and adults with TS by taking pen and paper as a medium to raise awareness.

Luis hopes that through his words and stories, people who are just like him will feel seen, heard, and as though they are not alone. He hopes to inspire and motivate them to reach their dreams, just as he did, without feeling like having TS makes them any less special, capable, or worthy.

His books are a reflection of the colorful odyssey that is Luis’ life, filled with adversities and blessings all in one breath. Because such is the message he wants to communicate to his readers; that people with Tourette Syndrome are just as capable as anyone else of living and leading a normal life – and maybe even a successful one if they strive for it.