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Budget Makeover? Here’s Where to go For Inspiration

When it comes to decorating, or redecorating your home, money is usually one of the single biggest driving factors behind what it is that you are looking to do. Personally speaking, I would always invest money in rooms such as the living room and the kitchen, but when it comes to spare rooms and little used bathrooms, I just can’t justify spending the big bucks. Equally, as much as I love to look online at some of the beautiful design ideas which the likes of Gary Friedman puts forward on his YouTube interviews, I much prefer to use the internet to get ideas for budget makeover tips. If you are looking to give your room or home a makeover, but you don’t want to spend a great deal of money, here is where you can go to find some inspiration for budget home style tips.

Facebook

Not many people are aware that Facebook can be used for far more than simply chatting and connecting with friends. In fact, this is a community which has many mini-communities within it, by way of groups. With a quick search on Facebook, you can find a number of groups which have been set up by those wishing to share their budget home designs and hacks which can help you achieve the look that you want in your home, for a fraction of the price. If you are going to use these groups, make sure that you are active and that you engage with people, so as to add value to the community.

Pinterest

I used to always follow Pinterest just to look at the weird, wacky and utterly wonderful things which people all over the world do with their homes. When the time came to decorate my home on budget then, I decided that Pinterest was the best place to go to look, and I was absolutely right. If you haven’t used Pinterest before, it was originally set up so that people could create their very own ‘notice board of the internet’ which means sharing cool things and great ideas. With this in mind, if you are looking to get some budget design hacks, there is no better place to look than here on Pinterest.

Reddit

I always knew that Reddit was a great place to go for strange online offerings, but what I hadn’t realized was that there were sub-Reddits, which are committed to saving money and budget home design tips, in fact there are quite a few. You will need to do some sifting through in order to find the right section for you, but once you do you can get some really great ideas. What I love about the items that are shared on Reddit is that you will see link accompanying the idea, for where you can buy the products, and where the original idea has come from. As happens online, you start looking at one thing, click a link or two and all of a sudden you find yourself in places that you never thought, this is exactly what happened when I was looking on Reddit, and I managed to get some amazing ideas for my home.

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Watch Outs For Your Home Extension

If anyone out there thinks that a home extension is an easy process, think again. Last year my wife and I took the decision to have our home extended in order to give our family some more space. After consulting with an architect and the wonderful construction guys at CBI Tulsa, we were all set to get the work underway. Whilst I never had any expectation that this was going to be a simple process, it did end up being far, far more complicated than I had previously thought. IF you are looking to get a house extension underway, I wanted to share with you some tips based on the experience which I had.

Planning Permission

Whatever you do when planning your extension, ensure that you have been granted the planning permission by your local council government agency, to be allowed to have the work completed. I decided that we should push ahead with the work first, and was consequently denied the planning permission. This meant that we had to go back to the drawing board and the extension ended up taking an extra month. The only advice I will offer here is not to be as laissez-faire as I was, and wait for that planning permission to be granted before you commence any work.

Money

Almost every single house extension goes over budget and so you will need to ensure that you have some money in reserve, for when the extra costs come in. These extra costs can be anything from increase cost of materials, bad weather causing work delays, or even last minute changes to the plan because of unforeseen issues. The best bet is to allocate your budget, and then only dedicate perhaps 70% of that budget to the home extension, leaving 30% of it in reserve. It is not just the extra costs of the move, but also the decorating and finishing costs of your new space. Make sure to save up enough money to budget what you want done with your home. 

Moving Out

In retrospect, another mistake which we made was not moving out of the home whilst the work was being completed. We took this decision because we didn’t want to go through the upheaval of moving into a hotel. Unfortunately we didn’t have any friends or family who we could stay with during this time, and so staying seemed like the smartest option. Unfortunately, staying in the property turned out to be an incredibly stressful situation which had daily problems that we had to deal with. If you decide to stay in the property during this time, it is important to be aware of the fact that you will essentially be living on a construction site, complete with the banging, the chaos and the general upheaval that this will cause you. In light of the decision which we took, and the way I feel about it now, I would strongly recommend that you move out of the home if it is possible.

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How To Make The Most Of Your First Trip To New York

The Big Apple. We’ve all seen countless films and television shows set in the famous city, but for travellers in Europe, Asia and elsewhere, it’s not easy to make the way over. It’s truly worth it though – The City That Never Sleeps is always an exciting and eye-opening one to visit. So for your next trip, make sure you head over and see what all the fuss is about. It’s worth preparing though – there are plenty of pitfalls adventurers can fall into when it comes to New York, so be a savvy traveller (even if it’s your first time) by making sure you follow this guide.

‘New York’ – Pedro Szekely via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Preparing

It’s important to do a bit of thinking about when and how you’re planning to head to New York. The summer might seem appealing, but remember the streets are rammed with holidaymakers in July and August. If you like cold weather head over in the winter – the city looks beautiful decked in snow and no-one does Christmas like America. But the best time may well be in the Spring – Central Park will be blissful in bloom and the weather is warm but not boiling.

Book flights a couple of months beforehand, and make sure to do some comparing before you do. Flying into JFK is handy, and beware that getting into the city from Newark, the nearby airport in New Jersey, can be costly overnight. If you’re in the area for a week or more, staying outside of Manhattan may well be a good move.

Where to stay

There’s no shortage of hotels across New York’s five boroughs, so you’ll want to have a think about where’s best. Midtown Manhattan is where it all happens, and there’s plenty of budget hotels catering to tourists around there. But they aren’t exactly plush – so if you want comfort for a reasonable place, you may want to hop across the bay and stay in Brooklyn. The trendy, cool borough is only a few subway stops from Manhattan, and it’s a peaceful place to head home to after a day of sightseeing. It’s a pretty awesome place in itself, too – Williamsburg is an insanely cool spot with coffee shops and bars aplenty, so you might even forget about Times Square while you’re there.

‘New York City’ – Jörg Schubert via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

How to get around

The subway is the cheapest and quickest way to travel big distances, and stretches throughout Manhattan and into the surrounding boroughs. If you’re taking short trips, yellow taxis aren’t too expensive (and they’re pretty iconic, too). The good news is that the city is easy to navigate thanks to its grid system, and walking distances aren’t usually too difficult, so the cheapest way to get around is by foot. And if you want to do a bit of exercise and slip in some sightseeing during your journeys, use the city’s public bikes to cycle around.

What to do

So, you’ve arrived in NYC and the city is your oyster. What to do? There’s plenty to choose from – you could start by ticking off the necessary tourist traps, like Times Square. It may seem a little commercial, but it’s certainly worth a visit, if only to marvel at how many people flood into the city from all over the world every day. If you like your shopping, stroll down Fifth Avenue and treat yourself to a few new garments. You’re on holiday, after all.

But there’s plenty of less touristy areas which are definitely worth checking out. You might recognise Greenwich Village, towards the southern end of Manhattan, from television shows like Friends. But in real life, it’s a laid-back and pretty part of the island which doesn’t feel all too much like it’s part of one of the world’s biggest cities.

‘New York Cabs’ – Sakeeb Sabakka via Flickr

The good news is that there’s plenty of free activities in the city, so enjoying your trip doesn’t have to break the bank. Of course, taking a walk through Central Park is a must – the huge square of gorgeous green land and stunning lakes sit right in the middle of Manhattan, and there are worse ways to spend a warm afternoon than finding a quiet patch of grass in the park. And plenty of museums are walking distance away, which you have a peek in for free or for a low admission fee – check out MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art, for some of the most jaw-dropping contemporary art pieces in the world, or visit the legendary Metropolitan Museum of Art if you’re after a more traditional collection.

Come evening, you’ll need a new activity – and what could beat heading to Broadway and taking in a show? The best theatre in the world is located right there on that glittering street, and walking down the sidewalk is another of an experience. But it’s worth taking the time to enjoy a show, with plenty of dramas, comedies and musicals to choose from. Favorites like Aladdin, Chicago and Phantom of the Opera are currently showing – or, of course, you could try your luck at getting a ticket to Hamilton, the hottest show of the decade.

‘New York City’ – Yoann Jezequel via Flickr

For sport lovers, New York is also a super-sporty town – so there’s plenty of opportunities to take in some action. If you’re over during the NFL season, hop across the Hudson River into New Jersey and enjoy a game. The area has two teams – the New York Giants and the New York Jets. They share a stadium, so see who’s playing while you’re there and pick up a ticket. The Giants are one of the league’s most famous and storied teams, with four Super Bowl wins and a hard-nosed history.

They’re about as legendary as the New York Yankees, the baseball team which plays up in the Bronx, who are also well worth a visit. And if basketball is your game, head over to a Knicks game. The great news is that the city is crazy for any kind of sport – so head to a sports bar and watch whatever’s going on at the time. If you’re over in the spring, put down a bet on the Grand National, the famous annual horse race, which will be shown across the city. Take a look at Oddschecker first to make sure you’ll be onto a winner.

New York, New York – so good they named it twice. Follow in Frank Sinatra’s footsteps and find out what all the fuss is about as soon as possible, because the city is truly one of the best in the world. And the great news is that there’s something for everyone – shopping, theatre, sports, bars and plenty of food; New York City has it all. Remember to stay safe while you travel and most importantly have a great time!

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Reasons Why More People Are Choosing Luxury Apartments Instead Of A Hotel

Generally, luxury apartments are more spacious than hotel rooms. They also have kitchens and even laundry rooms. Living rooms are also available for social gatherings. This is the reason why a lot of people are now seeing the benefits of renting luxury apartments for their short vacation instead of 5-start hotels.

People travelling in groups

When you are heading to a destination in a group, it is more practical if you opt for a luxury apartment. If you compare the price of a luxury apartment that has 2 or 3 bedrooms in it and a hotel with the same number of rooms, the price is very different. You even have the option of cooking food for everyone. You don’t have to go elsewhere just to eat all the time. Like hotels, room service may also be available.

Couples on a honeymoon

If you are travelling for your honeymoon and you wish to be there for an extended period of time, it helps if you rent a luxury apartment. You can even negotiate the price if you decide to stay longer. There is no need for you to stay in a cramped budget hotel room if there is an option which is bigger and cheaper.

Families

Luxury apartments are definitely children-friendly. They are a great place to stay when traveling with family as the place is well-secured. There are security cameras, roving guards and key cards for exclusive entry. If you are cooking for the family or your kids have diet preferences, the kitchen in the apartment would make it easier for you. Staying longer would also require you to wash your kids’ clothes. The availability of a washing machine or a laundry area in the apartment is perfect.

Cheaper, but not of lower quality

There are still some people thinking that just because luxury apartments are cheaper, they are worse in terms of quality. This is totally untrue. Luxury apartments still have the same amenities and facilities found in a hotel. The apartments have Wi-Fi, and fitness centres, swimming pools and room service. You can also find a serviced apartment so if you want someone to clean up the room on a daily basis while you are away, it is possible.

If you have not yet tried renting a luxury apartment, it is time to consider it now. There are great locations for these luxury apartments that will make it easier for you move around the area. Key areas are also easy to access.

It would be a great idea to start with apartments in Edinburgh if you are heading there the next time you take a vacation. There are great options available that would make your stay even more memorable. 

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Tips For Buying A New Boiler To Ensure Quality And Durability

Boilers are useful whether at home or in commercial areas. The problem is that they come with a hefty price. However, since you need it, the best that you can do is search for a boiler that is worth the price.

Choosing a new boiler

The first thing you need to do is determine what type of system you have in place. Check if there are tanks in the loft plus a cylinder. If so, you have a conventional system. Otherwise, you have a combination boiler. You will also know if it is a combi boiler since the moment you turn the hot water on, the boiler starts to fire up.

After determining what type of boiler to buy, you should check the existing boiler and what model it is. This is usually printed on the inside casing, on the data plate. Once you have located the data plate, you can decide which specific boiler to buy. There are different models to choose from. You can also find one based on the number of people using the system at any given time.

Don’t be easily carried away with the idea that bigger boilers are always the best. This is not true. Find one that is most suitable for your property and which upgrades that are good for your home. You can find systems using copper cylinders or stainless steel. They can store more water and allow hot water to be used right away.

Get a quotation

In regard to the new boiler cost, the best thing to do is ask for a quotation. Usually, a heating expert will come over to assess the place and determine which type of boiler should be used. If this is not possible, you can ask for a quotation online as a basis for making a decision.

It helps if you compare the models based on the brand, capacity, and reviews made by other people. You can easily tell if there is a specific boiler model that is worth your trust.

Installation

Once you have decided which specific model to buy and how much to spend, the next step is to think about the installation. Usually, the cost of the new boiler model comes with free installation services. Otherwise, you have to look for someone to install it for you. The company selling the boiler might also provide installation services at a different rate. Compare it with the rate of other companies locally and determine if getting the installation package would be the right thing to do.

Eventually, the boiler will be installed. Make sure it is regularly serviced so you can check if there is a problem or parts that have to be repaired.

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Do You Want To Have The Perfect Indian Wedding? Here’s What You Should Know

Planning a wedding is difficult enough, so how much more for a traditional Indian wedding? Even if you are in another country, such as the UK, you can still have the beautiful Indian wedding of your dreams with the proper knowledge and planning. Do you want to have the perfect Indian wedding? Here’s what you should know.

What makes an Indian wedding so special?

Many of us have the impression of Indian weddings as bright and colourful events, and rightly so. An Indian wedding is a celebration of colours and textures, but the ideal Indian wedding isn’t just comprised of that. One factor which makes Indian weddings special is the different customs – there are rituals for different regions, so these have to be taken into consideration to give the wedding its unique flair. Some modern couples choose to forego certain practices, but if you want your Indian wedding to be extra special, it’s a good idea to stick to the traditional – and the beautiful and memorable. Luckily, there are many Indian wedding venues which can cater to your express requirements, so have a look around and see what your options are.

When to begin preparations

For many Indian couples, preparing for the wedding starts quite soon after the formal betrothal or engagement ceremony. This is often held a few months prior to the wedding itself. Traditionally, the betrothal is also when the families decide on the wedding date. Bear in mind that according to scripture, weddings should not be held on Saturdays, and the time of the event is also significant. A priest is often called to participate in the planning of the date and time of the wedding.

The bride’s attire

To have that perfect Indian wedding, the bride needs to have the right clothing and accessories. This means using gold as well as a ‘kanjipuram saree’. The gold is important because it symbolises prosperity and wealth, and the saree, according to tradition, is a favourite of the god Vishnu, and brides wear it to ask for a blessing.

The rituals before the wedding

There are ceremonies which are often held about 2 to 3 days before the wedding, leading up to the wedding itself. One such ritual is the nallunge, which is a cleansing ceremony where the bride and groom are rubbed with a paste made of sandalwood and oil (haldi) prior to taking a cleansing bath.

The wedding day

A ceremony, referred to as parasam, allows the mother-in-law to present the bride. Afterwards, the groom and bride go to the wedding venue for a last ritual of cleansing. They then exchange garlands, and the groom ties a garland or thali around the neck of the bride. A classic Indian wedding feast to celebrate the union is called a ‘banana leaf’ feast, where the dishes are often vegetarian.

So, now that you know what you need to consider to have the perfect Indian wedding you are all set to prepare. Next stop, is the honeymoon. Remember to stay safe when you travel and to have fun!

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Up Your Social Media Impact by Creating Your Own Memes

If you spend much time on the internet, you’re probably already familiar with the concept of memes. Memes are those pictures that people share with funny comments that can relate to just about anything from the latest episode of Game of Thrones through to politics or even just funny things about normal life! Sharing memes is very common on social media but when people’s news feeds are full of these, it is harder to make the same impact with jokes they may have already seen than it is with new content that will catch their attention.

Whether you are running a social media account for yourself and simply want to amuse the people that you have as contacts, or you actually want to use your Facebook page or Twitter feed to promote a business, you can have a lot more impact by generating your own memes than by sharing ones you find around the web. Here is why.

Something Funny Warms People to You

One of the best reasons why making your own memes will help you to have more of an impact on social media, is that people tend to both remember and enjoy things that are funny. There is some hint of this effect when you share a meme that you found, but when people know that the joke can be attributed to you yourself, the effect is much stronger.

Memes Are Shared Easily

Another great thing about memes is that they can help you get a lot more social media shares. This seems important if you run a business but is actually important for ordinary people too. This is because Facebook’s algorithms make sure that people see the content from their own friends that is receiving the most interest online. Things that get a lot of likes or shares will appear in your friend’s news feeds. If you want people to remember you and to see your updates more often, memes can be your friend.

Flaunt Your Creativity

A third advantage of memes is that they allow you to show your creativity. They’re actually very easy to make if you have a good idea for a joke, and even the more complicated looking memes like rage comics can be made using template sites like ragemaker.net which give you all of the graphics you want, so all you need to do is create the layout for your comic and add text. You can show off your sense of humour and your way with words without having to learn complicated photo editing software.

Making memes can certainly boost how people see your social media pages and can make people really look forward to your next updates. It can also be quite addictive to make things that other people find funny, and you’ll soon find yourself looking out for new ideas for jokes as you browse the web. You can also look out for meme trends to get on board with, as these tend to pop very regularly on the internet!

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Why You Need To Get The Best Birthday Party Planning Services

Planning a party can be time-consuming. It can also drain a lot of your energy. For these reasons, most people dread holding a party for their children on their birthdays. Worry not, as you can have the best party, thanks to the best party planners. Here are reasons why you need to have a party planner.

Make dreams a reality

A professional party planner can easily make your dreams come true. For your children to be happy, they need every detail to be included in their birthday party. You only need to forward your ideas and photos to the people organising the party. Party planners are aware of the materials necessary for each party to be a success.

Commitment

For every party to turn out successfully, you need to have a planner who is committed. This is to ensure each and every plan runs according to your wish. While a relaxed planner might mess up your party, one with commitment will ensure your satisfaction. This is what you ought to look for when searching for a great party planner.

Timeline

Every plan you have needs to have a timeline. This is to ensure that you do not run late on some items such as the cake. You need to place all the orders in time so that they are delivered a day before the day of the party. This allows you time to cover any inconveniences. Running and coordinating all these activities can be tiring when planning on your own. However, there are experts in party planning in Oxfordshire who can help. These experts are professionals in planning, assembling and arranging everything you need for a birthday party.

Appropriate goodies

Goodies at a party are necessary. They, however, need to be appropriate depending on the age of the children. The guests need to enjoy the snacks and the food, as well. If they are appropriate for their age, they will enjoy the party. This will ensure the party remains memorable for them.

Party theme

There are various party themes that make children happy, for example, fairies, magic gardens, and puppet shows, as well as others. Choosing the theme for the party can be tricky. With an experienced party planner, you can choose the most popular themes. Hire the best planner, for the best party.

Cake ideas

Most party planners will have multiple cake ideas. This is due to the multiple parties they have planned. They are experienced and will give your child the best party, according to the likes and the age of the child.

The best thing about hiring a party planner is that they will help keep the children busy. Not just before the party but also during the party. Therefore, it is important that you choose professional party planners. This will help you have an easy time planning the party and making your child happy.

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Lifestyle Advice For Traveling Families

Are you looking to make a major change for 2018? Traveling for extended periods has become more accessible than ever with the rise in acceptance of international nomads and remote workers. Two separate destinations in Asia make the top five list for travel destinations in 2018, and the combination of tourism opportunities and international-class business centers makes it a peak zone for travel.

Whether you’re taking an extended leave of absence to go exploring, relocating for work, or switching to a nomadic lifestyle, technology is giving you more options and making life easier year over year. However, traveling with a family can add some complications back into the picture. Your kids will have different needs during travel, and you’ll need to consider what they require before setting off. Here are four aspects to check off as you make your travel plans.

Health needs

Checking on health requirements before heading to a new country or region is important for people of all ages, but since kids have less energy reserves and built-up resistance to illnesses, you want to be particularly careful to make sure that they’re up to date on all necessary vaccinations before setting off.

Double-check on the type of insurance that’s needed while still at home. Based on the duration of travel and locations, you may need to arrange local health care coverage instead of travel coverage. A regular schedule of health care, including checkups, dental, and vision care, should be adhered to as much as possible, so you’ll want to look at what’s available in your chosen destinations. Major city centers such as Hong Kong, Tokyo, or Seoul offer a variety of high-quality health care options, but small, remote destinations may not support the variety or quality of health care that you expect for your child. Make sure you stay safe while traveling and be aware of any health needs or required check-ups.

Mobility needs

This depends partly on your children’s ages and also on their individual capabilities or preferences. Small children may not be able to keep up with an adult’s taste for day-to-day travel, and some have a stronger need for security and a defined home base than others. Regular meals and naps or sleep schedules as appropriate can help safeguard health, happiness, and energy levels for children.

Take their mobility capabilities into account when planning trips, and arrange for child care or adjust your pace accordingly to find the right balance between keeping things fun and accessible for them while also meeting your needs as parents. A day on the beach in Thailand is probably within reach, but a weekend on the slopes in Hokkaido or marathon shopping sessions in Singapore might be too much for some.

Educational needs

Older children need to keep up with school. If you’re traveling for shorter periods of time, it may be possible to make arrangements with school to complete special projects, but for extended travel or a long-term relocation, you’ll need to start homeschooling, enroll the kids in a local school, or place them in an international school to make sure that their education stays up to date and on track.

If you or your partner is up to the challenge of homeschooling, and your children learn well in short, focused doses, then remote learning can be an excellent travel-friendly learning solution. However, many children do better in a classroom setting with qualified instructors and classmates to interact with. Local schools can be a good way to learn a language and culture, but those benefits can also be barriers to education, and the curriculum may not be widely transferrable.

International schools offer recognized curriculums and English language instruction among other benefits and are an accessible way to handle your child’s education. A Singapore American school offers the benefits of a high-quality education in a key transportation hub. If good schooling options aren’t available in your area of travel, or you’re moving around frequently, picking a school in a city with main transportation arteries makes it easy to check in on a regular basis.

Relational needs

Kids need a certain amount of consistency in their relationships, as well as healthy socialization opportunities. While needs will vary based on family patterns and the individual, you’ll want to consider how much together time you need or want as a family. Will you arrange child care and go off on adventures as adults-only, or do everything together? Will you make time for the kids to interact with other children on trips, or help them make connections with other children in local communities?

Getting the kids into a good school can be a great way to establish consistency and relationships. A local school offers more cultural exposure, which can come with a shadow side of bullying in some cases. An international school generally offers more diversity, a more accepting environment, and a worldwide network of friends for the future.

Traveling as a family is certainly within reach. Consider the needs and preferences of each member of the family, and make arrangements to meet those needs as you travel or during your upcoming relocation.

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Crowdsourcing Software and the Other 3 Cs of Innovation

Crowdsourcing software is one of the main Cs of innovation. However, there are three other Cs that leaders need to be aware of if they truly want to have a culture that thrives on change and believes in innovation. The three other Cs, which are made possible through crowdsourcing software, are Critical thought, Curiosity, and Customers.

Crowdsourcing Software and Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is essential to innovation and creativity. Some people don’t understand this, because thinking critically is based on theory and processes, whereas creativity is about free form. However, the two can coexist very well. In fact, they are true partners. Through crowdsourcing software, someone can put forward an idea, which is all about being creative. But others then review it through critical thinking. This, in turn, makes them more creative and encourages the original idea poster to think critically about what is being said.

Crowdsourcing Software and Curiosity

Innovation cannot exist without curiosity. People must want to know about the “what ifs” and the “whys”. Even if they believe they already know, they are curious to find out whether they were right or not. Crowdsourcing software encourages people to be more curious because it makes them look at other people’s ideas, while at the same time finding out what people think about their ideas. But mainly, with curiosity, people can learn to think outside of the box and reframe certain issues.

Crowdsourcing and the Customer

Last but not least, the customer has to be central to all operations relating to innovation. Again, crowdsourcing software can make this possible, because customers can be added to the process. Not just that, however, but everyone in the team must agree that whatever they do is for the benefit of the customer. And this is something they can discuss through crowdsourcing software as well. It brings everybody together and challenges people to talk about their ideas and how those can impact the customer.

Is Your Team Proficient?

It is very important that you, as the leader, determines whether or not your team is proficient in the 3 Cs, and that they know how to use the crowdsourcing software. The next time you have a team meeting, therefore, you should ask yourself:

• How many new ideas were openly suggested in the meeting itself.
• Whether the ideas that were suggested focused on customer experiences and the company’s mission and values.
• Whether others listened properly to the idea presented, and how long it took them to determine the idea would never be a success.
• Whether group think, overconfidence, and other cognitive biases were in place and whether the team succumb to them.
• Whether the team discussed from the perspective of assumptions on the customers.
• Whether any new ideas were properly evaluated, or whether they were simply dismissed.

If you find your team isn’t being as innovative as they could be, then focusing on the 3 Cs is the best place to get started to turn your business into a modern functioning one.