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5 Important Things To Consider Before Choosing an Event Venue
Events bring us together, whether they’re for work, school, or family. The experiences gathered at events are supposed to be mostly positive, building good memories of times with the people you care about. Maybe that’s why we put so much effort into making our events great. But even after all the work is done, the success of any event still hinges on the venue chosen.
Nobody wants to deal with inadequate facilities or seating, or poor light and sound, or tedious driving to locate the venue you have chosen. It’s unnecessary to put your guests through that stress, so you have to know the unique attributes that make a venue perfect. Which is comfortable for you as well as your guests. Whether it’s for a wedding or a corporate retreat, these 5 things are important to consider while choosing a venue for an event :
Location
Different events have different optimal locations. For example, a wedding venue is not going to need the same considerations as one for a corporate meeting. You have to make sure that your location does your event justice because a wrong location can put a pall on the whole event. Venuefinder offers different venues for different occasions to start you off on the right foot.
Accessibility
Nobody wants to travel to the other end of a rainbow via tram because of your event, so making sure that it is reachable by multiple sources of transportation is the key. For example, party venues in Birmingham are very popular on Venuefinder because you can reach them by air, the Metro, train and road. Also, make sure to include a map and adequate directions for your guests.
The Invitees/Guests
It might sound unnecessary to have your actual guests on this list, but they should be chief on your mind when you choose a venue. This is very important, especially in professional settings. You want to choose a venue that matches the calibre of people invited, and one that wouldn’t put them out of their comfort zone and won’t lack the amenities they’ll need. You can’t invite the company CEO to a retreat without first asking their unique quirks o make sure that they are met in your choice of venue.
Comfort
People often look to acoustics, light and capacity when choosing venues, forgetting that comfort is key. People will remember your event by how comfortable they were or how they weren’t. Make sure that the seats are good, the restrooms are clean and inviting, and the wait staff is helpful and friendly.
Guest Lodging
For an event that will last more than a few hours, guests might choose to find lodgings so that they won’t have to leave at night. This is especially true of weddings. In this case, you have to make sure that the venue of your event is attached to comfortable lodging for your guests, or make other arrangements elsewhere for them. Don’t be the host that leaves guests stranded.
Finding a venue and location that matches all these considerations is time-consuming and stressful. Cut out the burden of doing the footwork with Venuefinder – you’ll get more than the perfect location; you’ll get a whole experience for you and your guests.
4 Important Tips To Know Before Investing In A Smart Car
Who doesn’t want state-of-the-art technology? Especially in this age and time where high technology is becoming increasingly accessible. The smart car is one of these inventions with advanced technology and it makes the driving experience more comfortable and memorable. Hence, more people are considering investing in one for these and more purposes. There are some tips you need to know though before investing in a Smart Car and here are four of them.
Do Your Price Research
Before you begin any other steps necessary to get the car of your choice, make sure you do your research on the price. That means you should be familiar with the price range of the car you want to buy. Do not settle on the first deal you see but find out about other deals in your vicinity, compare them and make your choice from there. You do not want to go beyond your price range for the first deal when you can possibly get a much better one elsewhere if you do intensive research.
Ask as Many Questions As Possible
This is not the time to ignore your curiosity. When making an investment of this nature, it is essential to ask all the questions you might have concerning your potential purchase. If for instance, you are considering a smart car convertible and you have never used one before, asking questions are a good way to see if it would be a good option for your lifestyle and finances. Ask about the maintenance and other pertinent things before making your decision as this would ensure that you make a more informed choice.
Inspect the Vehicle
Excitement should not be the reason why you would not inspect the vehicle you are considering, be it new or fairly used. Sometimes, people purchase cars without inspecting them, and when they start driving it, they discover certain things that they didn’t notice in the purchasing stage. You do not want this to be your case so ensure that you inspect the vehicle thoroughly. Also, what you learn from examining a smart car can inform the negotiation process.
Don’t hesitate to negotiate
Some people are uncomfortable with negotiation, and that is okay. When investing in a car, especially when it is a used one, it is essential to negotiate reasonably. The worst that can happen is the seller refusing your proposed price. It can also go the other way if you negotiate well and you would be the better for it. Use the information you discovered about the car during your inspection to your advantage when negotiating so that you can get a much better deal.
At the end of the day, you have to pick a car that you would enjoy both functionality and aesthetic wise. These four tips should help ensure that you make an informed decision when getting the smart car of your choice. For more information, enquiries and concerns about getting a smart car, visit Sandown Smart today.
Tips For Traveling Safely With Kids In The Car
Every family needs the memories and moments experienced on a road trip, but there’s always the inevitable “Are we there yet?” lurking right around the corner. Kids don’t always take the monotony of traveling in the best way, so it’s important to know how to handle the casual chaos.
Driving with screaming kids in the back is a special kind of challenge. Prepare yourself with a little pre-trip research. Take a moment now to read through some travel safety tips for those road tripping with kids.
Prepare yourself for the drive
Before you ever pull out of your driveway, you should have taken steps to prepare your body and mind for the journey ahead. You don’t want to get into a car accident because you didn’t get enough sleep the night before.
Be responsible, and go to bed. Eat a healthy meal before you depart, and drink plenty of water while you’re traveling. If your body is in good shape, your mind will have less trouble following suit.
Pack with a list
Packing for your trip is an essential deciding factor on the level of awesomeness you enjoy while you’re away. If you don’t pack well, you’ll have inconveniences and challenges to tackle.
Take those irritations out of the equation, and plan well for your packing list. Go down the list the day before you’re set to depart, and check it twice. You don’t want to get two states away before you remember you left your phone charger.
Be prepared to stop
If you’re traveling with kids in the vehicle, you need to know that potty breaks are inevitable. Many potty breaks will arise along the way, and you have to be patient.
Don’t expect to make record time driving from point A to point B. If you relax about the time schedule, the trip will be a much more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Bring snacks and drinks
Save yourself some money, and pack a cooler for the trip. Give your kids healthier snacking options and spend less with one simple task. You’ll save a little time stopping too. If you don’t have to stop every time a belly rumbles, you’ll make more forward progress.
Entertainment is a must
Prepare to entertain the kids. If you’re making a super long road trip, they will get bored. Boredom leads to whining, bickering, and eventually screaming. Pack for maximum entertainment. It’s okay if your kids get a little more screen time than usual while you’re gone on vacation. It’s vacation!
Safety Tips For Driving Alongside 18-Wheelers
Driving alongside a big truck is a scary situation for millions of people on the roads every year. The lack of knowledge people have in general regarding truckers can arguably be a contributor to the number of accidents authorities work annually.
Knowledge could save your life when you’re out on the open road, and now is the time to learn. Take a moment to read through this brief summary, featuring a few safety tips for driving alongside 18-wheelers. Feel safer on your next road trip, and calm your age-old fears.
What’s with the flashing headlights
If you’ve ever wondered why a trucker was flashing his headlights on the interstate, it’s time you dispel the mystery. Truckers flash their headlights as a form of communication.
They are typically telling you or other truckers that it’s safe to switch lanes. When the switch is complete, it is customary for the driver who moved to flash their lights as a way of saying thank you.
Properly passing a big truck
When you are passing a big truck, it’s important to drive with confidence. Don’t take your time passing, as there are plenty of places where the driver of an 18-wheeler can’t see you. Move along, and keep the roads a little safer.
Don’t move to pass a big truck unless you know the way is clear. Driving aggressively around an 18-wheeler isn’t safe. Getting into a truck accident could leave you with injuries you cannot fix. Save yourself the struggle and pain, and press the gas pedal when you pass an 18-wheeler.
Understand the braking abilities of 18-wheelers
It’s important to remember that an 18-wheeler is very heavy. The braking abilities of a rig that heavy aren’t quite the same as your four-wheeled vehicle. Don’t slam on your brakes in front of a big truck.
When you’re driving down an incline, it’s safer to stay way ahead or behind a big truck. Keep your distance, so the driver has time to slow down should a situation arise on the road ahead.
Get to know the blind spots
If you have a better understanding of a trucker’s blind spots, you can do more as a driver to stay visible. Truckers have massive blind spots, which makes it all the more important that you keep moving as you pass them.
Following too closely behind an 18-wheeler will make your vehicle completely invisible to the driver of the rig. Know the safety zones, and arrive alive at your destination.
Dispel the myths about truckers
Finally, it’s important to understand that all truckers aren’t rough and tumble meanies. You don’t have to expect bad behavior from a trucker. In fact, they are often very conscientious of their behaviors on the road.
Tips for Starting an Online Business
Are you considering starting an online business? This is something that many entrepreneurs are doing in today’s day and age because there are many perks to this type of business. First, an online business can be much cheaper to set up and operate because you do not have to have a fixed location — which can help you improve your bottom line significantly. Additionally, an online business can easily be run from your own home for a greater work-life balance and it allows you to target people from all around the world. Here are a few important tips for starting an online business:
Market Research & Business Plan
Much like any business, you need to make sure that you carry out market research and create a business plan. This will help you determine if it is a good idea, the current state of the market and who your competitors and target customer are. The business plan will then provide guidance and can be used to secure investment if necessary.
Strong Online Presence
It is essential that you have a high-quality website that will convert visitors into customers. The website needs to be attractive, functional and well designed so that users will stay on the page and discover why they should choose your brand over the competition. Additionally, you need to be active on the major social media channels and engage with your target audience to raise awareness and boost your reputation.
Use Digital Marketing
As an online business, you need to be easy to find, otherwise you will never succeed. This can be a huge challenge, particularly if you are operating in a completive industry. This is why you must use digital marketing to increase your visibility online. It is worth using the services of an experienced agency who will be able to deliver both long- and short-term results.
Make Cybersecurity a Priority
There are many online threats to your business, so it is vital that you make cybersecurity a priority. This will include educating yourself on the latest threats, using high-quality antivirus and being vigilant. You should also use DMARC services to make sure that your online business is not being misused by email which could damage your reputation beyond repair. Phishing is the most common scam so you need to make sure that your online brand is not being used as a cover in addition to avoiding this dangerous scam.
Focus on Customer Service
Many online business owners make the mistake of not focusing on customer service which could hold them back. Although most communication will be digital, a consumer still needs to feel valued and it needs to be easy for them to quickly contact you — otherwise they will go to the competition. Excellent customer service will help you attract and retain customers while developing a positive reputation.
These tips should help any online business owner to lay the foundation for what could be a successful venture. There are many perks to running an online business, but it does also pose a few unique challenges, so you must know how to overcome these if you are to achieve your goals.
Four Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas For Your Partner
With Christmas well and truly behind us and a new year well underway, it’s time to start planning for the next big date on the calendar – February’s Valentine’s Day. For anyone in a loving relationship, this day is all about showing how much you care for your significant other with a well-thought-out gift. However, if you’re still stuck for ideas on what to get for your partner this Valentine’s Day, this article will provide you with four excellent choices to help you with your plans.
A Spa Break
There’s nothing quite like holing up in a tranquil spa for the weekend, with all the facilities under the sun at your disposal. If you’re the kind of couple that like to kick back and relax – especially if you’re normally working hard over the course of the weeks and months before Valentine’s Day – then this can be a real winner. Simply book in for some treatments and massages, pack your bags for a weekend of pure bliss, and look forward to bonding in the peaceful surroundings of one of the country’s finest spa facilities.
Entertainment
Most couples consume a good deal of television and film (especially if they have a Netflix account). Maybe you have little energy to do anything else on a weeknight after you’ve both been working hard in your jobs. But, for a Valentine’s Day treat, why not consider something unique in the entertainment space, like going to watch a musical or a play, or finding a local venue showing the kind of music you both enjoy. Instead of staying on the sofa watching a romcom, push the boat out this Valentine’s Day with something entertaining and memorable.
Jewelry
If you’re more of a physical gift kind of couple, then you cannot go wrong with some small sign of your affection, especially if it is in the form of jewelry. Here, you’ll be able to experiment with all kinds of styles and pieces, including watches and rings for gentlemen. But there is extra emphasis on women’s presents on Valentine’s Day. Here, you may wish to look at Orocal’s gold quartz jewelry in order to find the best pieces to treat your partner with on this special and loving day – ones that’ll last a lifetime.
Homemade Gifts
Finally, while spending cash is certainly one way of showing your love, there’s also an equally important way that you can prove your affection and commitment on Valentine’s Day: through a gift that you make yourself. Whether you’re an artist, a handicraft whizz or a wordsmith, you’ll be able to find some way to curate a small gift for your partner that they’ll be able to cherish, not for its material value, but for the fact that it really shows just how much you care.
In this article, you’ll have discovered four key gift ideas for February’s Valentine’s Day. Pick your pieces or events wisely in order to create a memorable day for yourself and your partner, showing off your love and affection.
Go for Growth – 5 Methods You Can Use to Boost Your Business When Growth Has Plateaued
Customers used to be lining up at your door, and the phone was ringing off the hook. Now? Silence. There will come a time when your company’s growth starts to plateau, and you might be wondering if there is anything you can do to fix it. Fortunately, there is. Here are five growth methods that can provide that much-needed boost at the right time:
A New Location
Working from home can save you a fortune in lease and rent costs. It’s an ideal option for start-up businesses and entrepreneurs who prefer the flexibility of a home office. However, there is going to come a time when your business can’t get any further without a change in address.
Many established and start-up businesses are beginning to see the value in serviced office packages as opposed to traditional office leases. The costs are far more manageable, and you also get to enjoy a professional image and location that can boost business growth. Working in your pajamas is no longer an option, but it’s a small sacrifice to make for the benefit of your bottom line.
Alternative Marketing Strategies
You would be amazed at how many marketing techniques exist. The reason why so many exist is that every business works differently and has to reach a specific demographic. A walking stick salesperson will find a smaller market of interested buyers on the internet, but a larger one in the local newspaper. The results might flip for someone selling computers.
If growth has plateaued, then play with your marketing methods. Re-evaluate the avenues you use now, and consider the use of a marketing expert to highlight the best routes to consider. Your current marketing method may have worked once, but it might not be doing your business any justice today.
Special Event
A common problem many business owners face is that they are not in the right location. They may not get the foot traffic they require, or they aren’t in front of people’s faces. Social media marketing can let people know you exist and what you sell, but a special in-store event can bring them to you. Whether it’s a professional event, conference, or a free-for-all, you can attract all the right people to your business with a bit of planning and hype.
Incentives
Loyal customers mean everything to a business, but it can be hard to retain them and build on them if you don’t put in any effort. If you’ve noticed a drop in growth recently, then evaluate your incentive programs for customer retention. Focus on tactics to promote expenditure, such as reward points, referral rewards, membership cards, and prize draws. People like to feel loved, and your special attention will pay off with repeat business.
Expand Your Range – But Slowly
If you’ve reached the absolute limit of where your current business model can take you, then it can feel like you are beginning to stagnate. The only thing to do now, aside from sitting pretty, is growing your range to grow your business.
Look at complementary products and services that can enhance your business and bottom line. For example, if you sell shoes, you might look at shoe repairs or sock sales. There are plenty of avenues, but remember to grow at a sustainable pace.
Every business will go through a slow stage where they feel like they are stagnating. Get back on that upward trend by re-evaluating your location, marketing techniques, and even what you sell to your customers. You’ll be back to full growth in no time.
5 Signs You May Need To Call An Electrician
Problems with the electricity in your home can mean a load of troubles ahead. Your home relies on electricity for an array of processes and functions, and an interruption in your power can cause chaos in the home.
However, trouble with your home’s electrical wiring can cause dangerous conditions. Save yourself the struggle of paying a huge repair bill or going through the trauma of a house fire, and read over a few signs you may need to call an electrician today.
Dimming or flickering lights
The lights in your home don’t draw that much electricity from your home’s power grid. If your lights are flickering, it’s probably not the light fixture.
It’s more likely that there’s something pulling too much energy from that particular circuit. You should call for electrical service as soon as possible to lower your risk of causing further damage to your home.
Power sockets are warm to touch
There’s never a good reason for your home’s outlets or switch plates to get too hot to comfortably touch. Even if you’re using an appliance that is meant to produce heat, the outlet shouldn’t be hot.
The heat means that there’s a problem. Try using another outlet. If the outlet remains hot even when there is nothing plugged into it, call an electrician immediately.
Frequent fuses or breakers blowing
If you struggle to fix blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers on a regular basis, your home’s electrical system is being overloaded. If you can’t narrow the problem down to a particular appliance, you may have a bigger issue to address in your home.
You may need an electrician to upgrade your circuits to handle a higher power flow. Save yourself the hassle of finding the fuse that is blown, and take care of the issue at its root.
Running too many extension cords
Running an extension cord usually means that more than one thing is going to be plugged into a single socket. Running too many extension cords places your home’s wires at risk of being overloaded and fried.
It’s dangerous. Your house shouldn’t be littered with cords and wires. If that’s the case, you need an electrician to come and survey the issues immediately.
Sparking or shocking at the outlets
It’s never a good sign to find sparks coming from your fuse panel or the sockets in your home. A sparking appliance plug could ruin your appliance, and you could spend even more money fixing the issues in your home.
It’s best to head the problem off at the start. Don’t let your family be at risk of being shocked. Call an electrician to address the issue immediately.
How to Purchase a Motorhome Next Year
Are you approaching retirement age from your job? Seeking an overhaul to your current life situation? Want to travel around the country and even further afield? If so, a motorhome could be the ideal solution.
Although a motorhome can be an expensive outlay — especially if you have no savings or pension to fall back on — it’s much more affordable when you plan ahead. If you give it 12 months to save and prepare, the motorhome will obviously be easier to purchase.
If you need advice on how to raise the money, below are tips to consider before purchasing a motorhome next year:
Begin Putting Money Aside
When you have time to put your finances in check, it’s easy to start putting money aside for that dream motorhome. If you already receive an ample amount of expendable income from your job, there’s no issue with cutting out a few treats and saving it all up. However, if most of your monthly paycheck is tied up, consider changing around a few bills — such as that premium cable package or unused gym membership — that are not necessary.
Downsize and Sell Off Unwanted Assets
A year provides a generous amount of time to downsize your life. If the plan is to effectively turn the motorhome into your first home, there’s no need to stick with your current abode. If you sell your house and move into a smaller property, this will likely supply the necessary funds to cover a motorhome.
Even if you don’t downsize your house, look into offloading any assets you no longer require. These possessions could include everything from gym equipment to cars.
Improve Your Credit Score
A good credit score can help in many different ways. This is especially the case when it comes to applying for a loan. If you have an excellent credit rating, the interest on a loan will tend to be much lower than if the credit score was bad.
A year will provide sufficient time to improve your credit score. As for how this can be achieved, there are various methods that can be utilized. Simply repaying your monthly bills on time will help, as will paying any credit card debt off early.
Opt for a Personal Loan
Even after a full year of saving up, you might have failed to amass the necessary funds for a new motorhome. Even in this case, not all hope is lost. One solution that’s available is a personal loan.
While this can be attained from a large bank, it is sometimes best to get a loan from a small lender. Take Auto Finance Online, as an example. This company specializes in financing for motorhomes and caravans, and they ensure the whole process is effortless, even for those with bad credit.
Pick the Right Motorhome
With plenty of time on your hands, you won’t be rushing into a motorhome purchase. This gives you the advantage of scouting all available options, comparing features, and deciding on the right motorhome for your needs. It also provides the opportunity to closely analyze what motorhome features you don’t require, which might help cut down on the overall cost of the vehicle.
How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Your Dog
As a dog owner you love your dog and you want the absolute bets for them. Just as you choose good healthy food for yourself, it’s important to buy the best dog food for your precious pet to ensure they are healthy and happy. So, what type of things do you need to look out for to ensure you are giving them the best dog food?
Indicators Your Dog Has the Best Dog Food
You will know when your dog is happy with their food because they will look forward to eating it. As soon as you open the cupboard or fridge to get out the pack of food they will be keenly watching your pestering you to serve it up, and then as soon as you do they will try and eat it as fast as possible.
But your dog been happy with its food isn’t the best indicator of whether it is the best food for them, just as with children and most adults, we are happier eating junk food that healthy food! Just as with humans it’s our health and physiological response to our food that gives the best indicator of whether it is good for us or not.
It may surprise you that most dogs are allergic to or intolerant toward one or more of the main ingredients in regular dog food. The main culprits are chicken, potatoes, wheat gluten, corn and soy. If you check the ingredients list of your dog’s food you will probably find at least two of these ingredients, and you will also see a list of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.
You will know your dog is allergic or intolerant to their food of they have skin conditions, digestive problems and overall poor health and energy levels. Just by switching to a hypoallergenic dog food you could see a massive improvement in their health.
Mix of Components in Their Food
The next factor to consider is how your dog’s food is made up. We all know dogs are carnivores. We’re omnivore’s, we’re designed to be able to eat either meat or vegetation, or a combination of both. Dog’s on the other hand could live off just meat, look at their teeth, they’re designed for tearing meat. So why then do most dog foods have a higher percentage of carbohydrates and vegetables in them than meat. Two reasons really, the meat in the recipe doesn’t have the vitamins and iron required to keep your dog healthy because it is farmed poor quality meat. The second reason is carbohydrates are much cheaper than even poor-quality meat. So, if you don’t won’t to pay much for your dog food then that’s what they’ll eat.
The result of that is digestive problems, dogs struggle to digest grains and other carbohydrates. They also put on weight, often becoming obese when on a high carbohydrate diet because their appetite isn’t suppressed for as long. So, switch to a dog food high in protein instead.