Corporate events are really important in businesses for many reasons. When corporate events are held to celebrate business success and reward employees for their hard work, they can motivate employees and develop a positive and collaborative culture. In this article, we take a look at the different ways that corporate events affect company culture. 

Improve company morale

How the workforce feels as a whole, including their motivation, outlook and satisfaction, all fall under company morale. When businesses go through challenging periods where employees are required to work extra hours or perform tasks outside of their job description, the whole company’s morale is negatively impacted. Businesses can use corporate events to improve the morale of the workforce. Many corporate events take the time to recognise employees’ hard work by providing them with a luxurious evening or all-expenses-paid social events. This reward in the form of a corporate event can boost employees’ morale, which can often be felt throughout the company as a collective. However, employers need to find a balance between rewarding their employees for hard work and ensuring they have the necessary resources so they don’t need to do overtime continuously. An event to celebrate employees’ hard work might feel like a contradiction if, previously, the employer has been reluctant to spend money on more resources to prevent employees from being overworked.

Encourage collaboration

A collaborative culture can help boost growth and profitability within any business. Day-to-day employees in different areas of a large business won’t often interact unless their jobs cross paths. This is even more true when employees work remotely full-time or part-time; some employees may never even meet in person or even speak to people in other departments. This separation impacts the company culture and prevents collaboration. Corporate events can be used to bring employees together into a single space, encouraging collaboration between departments. When all departments work together towards a single goal, the business will be more successful, and employees will feel part of a larger company-wide team.

Sense of belonging

When employees feel like they belong in a company, they’re more motivated, which improves productivity. A satisfied workforce also changes how the company as a whole feels as it becomes integrated into the corporate culture. When Individuals perform a single role and never fully understand their place in the business, they can feel isolated and unimportant. Corporate events can be used to change this perspective and show individual employees how important they are to the business as a whole. Many employers hold corporate events in Malta and other beautiful locations to show employees how important they are to the business. Inviting all employees to these events creates a sense of belonging and helps employees feel part of something. This improves the culture of the business and reduces employee turnover rates. 

Creative culture

When employees do a single job role and aren’t challenged or taken out of their comfort zone, creativity can suffer. Employees can get stuck doing their job the same way each day without thinking about potential new solutions and ways to improve the product or service they provide. Corporate events can take employees out of their safe zone and challenge them to think differently. This could be done through team-building activities or a series of challenges. This creativity is often taken back into the workplace, where employees will use their adapted way of thinking and apply it to their job role. When this happens to all employees, the culture of the business can become more creative. This creative culture can help businesses to improve, grow and maximise productivity. It will also keep employees motivated as they won’t feel stuck and can influence how they perform their job role. For a creative culture to be successful, employers must listen and try out the suggestions of their employees. The company culture won’t adapt and change if employers don’t listen and disregard creative suggestions. 

Corporate events can be incredibly beneficial for corporate culture. In order to make the most out of corporate events, they should be held regularly, and all employees should be invited. Changing corporate culture isn’t a quick fix; it takes time and effort over several months or even years to make a positive change. 

If you were to ask people the exercises they think of most frequently when they hear the word ‘cardio’, they would probably answer by saying running or cycling. There are so many different ways that you can exercise and some of them are obvious while others are not so obvious, and running and cycling are just two of the most popular forms of cardio. 

One of the most important things you need to know is that you should not do cardio only – you should also try and do some strength and resistance training too. Cardiovascular exercise decreases your resting heart rate and improves your overall fitness performance and strength and it’s not just about getting onto a stationary bike or running on a treadmill aimlessly.

Walking, whether brisk walking or simply jogging around the park are forms of cardiovascular exercise. Any kind of moderate or intense aerobic activity is cardiovascular by nature. The big difference is that there are several different intensity levels of exercise which all build up your heart rate differently. You will find that you can build up your pulse rate slowly when doing any kind of brisk walking or gentle jogging, while at the same time you might feel your pulse rate pick up much more quickly when doing more intense aerobic activity such as running.

The benefits of cardio

There are many benefits of cardiovascular exercises and these benefits include weight loss, reduced blood pressure and lowered cholesterol. It is also very good for your muscles and joints because it works out your muscles and strengthens your bones and ligaments. The biggest benefit is of course the feeling of being fit and happy and being able to move around more freely without any aches or pains. This is the one aspect of exercises that almost all people enjoy because it is so easy to do and there are so many different kinds of cardiovascular exercises.

Of the cardiovascular exercise benefits mentioned above the most obvious is the reduction in risk of stroke and coronary heart disease. When you increase the amount of blood flow through your body you increase the amount of muscle mass, this increased muscle mass helps burn off fat more efficiently and you also end up losing weight. 

As you lose weight you lower your blood pressure and body fat levels and an indoor cycle trainer is the ideal way to do your cardio sessions each week and you can supplement your nutrition with triathlon energy gels and caffeine supplements to help you reach peak performance. 

This is a very important health benefit because high blood pressure can cause strokes that can lead to severe complications and even death. If you increase the amount of muscle mass you have through cardiovascular exercise and build up cardiovascular strength and endurance, you are decreasing your chances of developing these debilitating conditions as well as helping to reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis.

Probably one of the most overlooked cardiovascular exercise benefits is the increase in your happy hormone levels during cardio workouts. When you are exercising you are increasing your heart rate, but you are also stimulating your body to release more endorphins which improves your mood and reduces stress. The endorphins released into your brain act as a natural painkiller and you will find yourself wanting to exercise more often when you have those feelings of well-being.

Your muscles burn more calories when you do cardiovascular exercises than they do while you are sedentary. You also passively lose weight over time because with increased muscle mass you will be burning more calories even though you are at rest. There are many other health benefits associated with cardiovascular exercises, and these cardiovascular exercise benefits alone are worth some serious consideration. 

There are a variety of programs you can use at home that can be incorporated into your daily life. If you start an exercise program and find it difficult to continue, you can always start with lower intensity workouts to see if that makes it more achievable. Anyone who is completely new to exercise should consider speaking to their doctor about their plans just to make sure they will be safe to proceed. 

Natural light is key to making a space feel open, airy and welcoming; without enough natural light, rooms can feel cramped and claustrophobic. You can do several things to open up your space and add more natural light. In this article, we look at some simple design changes and more drastic building modifications that will add more light to your home. 

Take down the curtains

You might want to ditch curtains altogether if you’re trying to add more light to a living room or dining room. These rooms don’t necessarily need anything covering the windows unless you’re overlooked by neighbours. Curtains can add bulk and block out some of the natural light at the edges of the windows. If privacy is an issue, choose a low-profile blind that can neatly fit at the top of the window and won’t obscure the shape of the windows. In the winter, you might want to add curtains for warmth, but make sure to take them down again when the summer months come around. 

Use mirrors

Mirrors are a great way to brighten up any dark room. They reflect light into the room, making it appear brighter. Place mirrors on a wall opposite a window or on the wall that runs adjacent to the window. These positions are the best for reflecting the natural light back into your room. The bigger the mirror, the more light you will reflect, but choose something that also works with your overall room decoration. 

Add skylights 

If the room you’re trying to add light to has no other rooms on top, you could look to add a skylight to brighten up the space. Skylights are essentially windows where you can see the sky; they’re great for loft conversions or dark extensions. Building a skylight into the initial design stages of your loft conversion or extension will be much more straightforward and cheaper than adding one later.

Don’t obstruct light

You should avoid putting any furniture in front of windows as this will block the natural light entering the room. The same goes for internal structures such as staircases; a large open window can become obsolete if it’s blocked by the staircase. Contemporary staircases can help add more light to a room; they use materials such as glass and metal to let light flow through the staircase and brighten up the space. Architects should incorporate these elements into the design of any new home or building. 

Light furniture 

Another way to add the feeling of a lighter, brighter room is to use light or neutral colours for your furniture. A cream sofa, bright white wall and accessories will create an open light space with the illusion of more light. Dark colours painted on the walls can make a room feel more enclosed. Light furniture is great aesthetically, but it can be an issue practically; sofa throws and washable rugs are great options if you want to keep your light furniture clean and stain-free. 

Lamps and light sources

You don’t need to always rely on natural light to brighten up a room; sometimes, this isn’t possible. If you have a particularly dark corner of your room, try adding a statement lamp to brighten up that area. Fairy lights and candles can also be used if a lamp doesn’t fit with your room decoration. You can purchase special lights that mimic natural daylight; however, this isn’t necessary if you have other sources of natural light in your room. 

Floor colour and material

When choosing a colour and material for your floor, think about the light in your room. If the room could use more light, choose a reflective floor material to help the light bounce around the room. Tiles and shiny wooden floors can help with this effect; opt for a light colour if you want to add even more light to your room. If you’re choosing wood, avoid small planks as they can make your room feel smaller, larger planks will open up the space to make it appear lighter and bigger. 

Using these clever design tips, you can add more light to your room and create an open and enjoyable space for all of you and your guests.

Resources:

• Staircase Design – Bear
• Floating Staircases – Talium
• Modern Stairs – Slab
• Stone Interior Design – Bloggi

Almost everyone is affected by debt at some point in their lives. It can happen very quickly and without you even noticing. When you’re in debt, it can feel like you will never be able to get out and move on with your life. This has a huge impact on your physiological health and mental health. In this article, we take a look at three ways debt can impact health to show you the importance of seeking help and finding a way out of debt. 

Blood pressure 

Blood pressure is an important measure of health. High blood pressure can be very dangerous and lead to issues throughout the body. Studies have shown that people living with debt are more likely to have high blood pressure. This could be because when you’re in debt, you might lean on substances such as alcohol and tobacco for relief. Often the lifestyle of those in debt forces them to rely on unhealthy convenience food, which can lead to being overweight and having high blood pressure. High levels of stress and poor sleep also contribute to high blood pressure. People in debt often struggle to get quality sleep and constantly feel stressed out. When your blood pressure is high for prolonged periods, it can put you at risk of a stroke or heart attack, which could end your life. It can also impact your brain, kidneys, eyes, arteries and heart in numerous other ways. Taking control of your debt by finding an appropriate debt solution and other lifestyle changes can help to return your blood pressure to a normal level.

Anxiety

Debt issues can cause anxiety in many people. Anxiety has various symptoms, including nervousness or restlessness, sweating, trembling, trouble sleeping and uncontrolled worry. Anxiety can be debilitating and prevent you from leaving your house or getting a job. If you develop anxiety whilst you’re working, it can interfere with your ability to do your job properly, leading to job loss. On top of this, anxiety may result in a breakdown of your relationships with partners, friends or family members. If anxiety is caused by uncontrolled debt, you can help to reduce your anxiety by getting on top of your debt through a debt solution. An IVA is one example of a debt solution that may help; through an IVA, you can write off some of your debts, freeze interest payments and put a plan in place to pay back an affordable amount each month. IVA specialists can advise on how to apply for an IVA if this solution suits your needs. You should also explore other debt solutions before deciding which meets your needs; a debt advisor can help you if you’re unsure where to start. 

Immune system

When you’re stressed, you create a hormone called cortisol; this hormone gets you ready to take action or get out of the situation, also known as the fight or flight response. However, this isn’t always possible in modern-day life, and stress can become a regular part of everyday life, especially when you have uncontrolled debt. This can lead to a weakened immune system; cortisol can suppress your immune system, leaving you vulnerable to picking up common colds and other infections. Many people find themselves in a position where they’re trying to work long hours to pay off debt and are chronically stressed about their situation. This can leave them vulnerable to picking up illnesses that might force them to take time off work. If their employer doesn’t pay for sickness leave, it can be a cycle which leads to more debt and increased stress. 

Debt and the stress that comes with it can be very damaging to your body and your mind. If you’re worried about any of these health conditions, you should make an appointment with your doctor. In an emergency situation always call the emergency department for immediate help. If you’re in a position where you’re struggling with debt, speak to someone for advice. Many charitable organisations can offer free debt help and provide you with the information and solutions you need to get debt free. Getting advice about your financial situation is the first step to getting debt free and healthy. 

Resources:

• IVA Debt Help – Fediverse
• Advice on IVA – Talium
• IVA Checker – Wikiful
• Is an IVA Right for Me – Bloggi

Suppose you’ve heard of pilates or seen classes advertised at your local gym or community centre. In that case, you might be interested in finding out more about what pilates involves and how it can be beneficial. This article looks at pilates and its benefits so you can get all the information before deciding if you want to sign up for a pilates class. 

What is pilates?

Pilates is an exercise that focuses on core strength as well as increasing flexibility. During a pilates session, you will get into a pose that tests your core strength. Once in this pose, you will move your legs or arms to challenge and improve your core strength. Pilates has some similarities to yoga, but some differences make these two forms of exercise unique.

Pilates and yoga

The main difference between yoga and pilates is the areas they target on the body and their overall aim as different forms of exercise. Some of the moves may be similar, but with yoga, the focus is to tune in to your body and emotions; it’s more than just physical exercise. Pilates is different; it only focuses on the physical aspects of the poses, and the aim is to improve strength, particularly core strength. Yoga has more of a complete body focus, including core strength. Some people switch between yoga and pilates, and others prefer one. 

What is a pilates machine?

A pilates machine is a piece of exercise equipment that’s designed to help with pilates exercises. You can use a pilates machine in many different ways to improve core strength. The most famous pilates machine, the pilates reformer, has a platform that has springs to hold it in certain positions. The person using the pilates machine will utilise the resistance that the springs create to get into various positions that challenge and build core strength.

Can anyone take part in pilates?

Pilates is considered a low-impact exercise, making it more suitable for those with injuries or conditions. Almost everyone can practise and see some benefits from regular pilates. If you’re a beginner, we encourage you to go to a beginner pilates class; before the class, you can discuss any concerns or injuries that could impact your ability to perform. The pilates instructor may make changes to the positions to ensure you don’t aggravate an injury further. If you’re in doubt during the class, always listen to your body and sit out if you feel the move isn’t suitable for you.

What to wear for pilates

If you’re a beginner attending a pilates class for the first time, you might want to know what clothing you should wear. Pilates clothes generally consist of fitted tops, flexible bottoms, and grippy socks or bare feet. You might also want to wear a sports bra to protect your chest. There are no specific pilates clothes that you need to buy for this type of exercise. Generally, gym wear will be suitable. Opt for leggings, a fitted gym top and bare feet for a beginner pilates class. 

Can pilates help with weight loss? 

Combined with a healthy and balanced diet, pilates can be very beneficial for those looking to trim down and lose some excess weight. If you’re looking for an intense cardio workout that will burn a lot of calories, pilates might not be the best option for your needs. However, although pilates doesn’t burn as many calories as other forms of exercise, it can be very beneficial to your body. It improves your core strength and flexibility, which will help if you plan on doing any other forms of exercise.

Pilates is a popular form of exercise that’s enjoyed by many people of all ages and fitness levels. If you like the idea of taking part in a pilates class, look for one nearby at a local gym or sports centre. Going to a pilates class with a friend can be a great motivator to continue the exercise and maintain your focus. Don’t be put off if you can’t do the positions straight away; it will take time, practice and patience to build up your core strength and get better at pilates. 

Resources:

• Womens 3/4 Leggings – Are.Na
• Bamboo Trainer Socks – Diary.By
• Womens Jodhpurs – Hype.News
• Gym Clothing – Wikiful
• Yoga Clothing – Talium

Dogs are indisputably mans’ best friend, and proof of this is found in the fact that they are one of the world’s most popular pet species. In some places cats just about take first place and in others, dogs are preferred. In general though, dog ownership is seen as something of a rite of passage in many cultures and many people don’t feel that their home is complete without having a dog in their family. 

There are hundreds of different dog breeds with lots of variation between them, and the differences span more than just their size. They also vary a lot in their coat types and colours, their genetic predisposition to certain health conditions, their temperaments, their willingness to please. Dogs that are more willing to please their owners tend to be more trainable than others though every dog is an individual with their own personality. 

With that in mind, some breeds are known to be much easier to train than others and often it is because they are genetically predisposed to this kind of behaviour through their breeding. Genetic predisposition plays an important role in how a dog may behave. Retrievers will naturally want to retrieve things for their owners, pointers point, and shepherds will instinctively display herding behaviours. 

There are many reasons why you might prefer to choose a dog breed that is known for its trainability. Perhaps you are in search of a working dog to assist in hunts or other jobs like scentwork, or maybe you even have your sights set on winning an obedience trial at Crufts, or maybe you are looking for a trainable dog to alert you when a stranger comes to the house. Alternatively, you may simply want a good companion that you can train well. 

Ultimately the dog will be more easily trainable if they are being trained to do things they genuinely enjoy and if you can find the right thing to motivate them, be it praise, treats, or a game of tug with their favourite toy. The most important thing is to play to the dog’s natural strengths, so choose a dog that is proven to excel at the skills you need them to have. 

German shepherd dogs

The GSD is an iconic German dog breed that is of working stock. When given a job to do, they can be single minded and extremely focussed on the task at hand. Highly trained GSDs are excellent guard dogs and can excel at scentwork. They are herders by nature, but they are so reliably trainable that they can be encouraged to focus their attention on a range of skills and will benefit from training with dog whistles for recall. 

This versatility makes them extremely popular among the police and the armed forces and they do need a firm but gentle hand in order for a handler or owner to gain their trust and respect. The GSD can be prone to become suspicious of strange people and dogs unless they are properly trained and socialised from a young age. Enrol your new puppy in a training class and keep up the momentum for a well rounded and highly trained dog. 

Standard poodles

The standard poodle casts a more imposing silhouette than the smaller toy and miniature poodles, and retains much of its original working temperament. The working nature of these dogs is apparent in their noble bone structure and their love of advanced training that really gets their bodies and minds working. They are one of the most intelligent dog breeds and will need a trainer that knows what they are doing as these dogs can be prone to stubbornness. 

Where the GSD has a thick double coat that sheds, poodles have hair that grows long and sheds at a similar rate to human hair. They are also hypoallergenic, but will need regular grooming and trims to keep their coats healthy. Standard poodles are large, agile dogs that excel at agility and obedience, but they are also wonderful family pets that are gentle, friendly and patient. They do need a lot of exercise because they are still genetically a working dog, so keep on top of their exercise needs to keep them happy and healthy.

Resources:

• Dog Training Clicker – Boxmode
• Football Referee Whistle – ConvertKit
• Prestige Gifts – STUDIO
• Personalised Whistle – Hashnode

Taking your brand new baby home for the first time can be daunting. Having everything organised and ready to go will put your mind at rest so you can focus on bonding with your bundle of joy. Your precious little one deserves the best start possible, so ensuring you have all the essentials ready for them is vital – something which can also be an overwhelming process. To make things a little easier, here is a list of newborn must-haves to check off your list.

 Nursery Furniture

A cosy, functional bedroom or nursery will consist of a cot or cot bed, changing station and any storage you may need. Depending on the size of your nursery, you could opt for multifunctional furniture. For example, a cot and changing table combo is highly convenient for nighttime changes and will save space. Many changing units feature drawers and shelves for storing nappies, clothing and toiletries. 

Once you’ve purchased your nursery furniture, you can start thinking about smaller essentials such as baby monitors, mobiles and toy storage baskets. Consider buying several cotton fitted sheets and comforter blankets to help regulate your baby’s temperature while they sleep. Organic cotton is breathable, durable and kind to your baby’s delicate skin. You may want to include a newborn sleeping bag to keep them warm and snug on cold nights. 

Changing Essentials

Some of the most obvious items on your list will be nappies and wipes – for the next year or so, you’ll be changing a lot of nappies. Whether you opt for disposable or reusable, ensure you have plenty to be getting on with, along with nappy bags, nappy cream and cotton washcloths. 

A practical changing bag will be vital whenever you leave the house with your little one. Select one with multiple compartments with easy access to all of your baby’s essentials to make changing them whilst out and about a breeze. 

Bathtime Products

You may choose to purchase an infant bathtub or bathe your baby in a clean sink – whichever you opt for, inserting a non-slip bath mat will keep your baby steady while you get them clean. Use a soft, cotton washcloth to gently wipe over your baby’s skin and a rinsing cup may help you wash their hair. You can begin using a mild, non-perfumed body wash from around 4-6 weeks. 

Don’t forget the toys! Bathtime can be stressful for some babies – non-toxic, enrichment toys will help them become accustomed to your routine by distracting them, making bathtime fun! Some bath toys can harbour harmful bacteria and fungi, so ensure you purchase anti-mould bath toys from reputable manufacturers.

Clothing

Through messy nappies, spitting up, and mucky mealtimes, your baby will go through multiple clothing changes a day. Ensure you have newborn clothes a-plenty in a range of sizes to account for your rapidly growing little one. Consider at least 4-8 sets of onesies, babygrows, pyjamas, t-shirts, trousers, jumpers and rompers. Your baby’s clothing should be good quality, easy to wash and quick-drying. Similar to bedsheets, opt for soft, breathable organic clothing that will allow air to circulate, vital for healthy skin and temperature regulation. 

Feeding Essentials

If you plan on breastfeeding, you’ll need a few good-quality nursing bras, breast pads and possibly a breast pump. If you’re opting for bottle feeding, ensure you have at least 8-10 bottles with teats and bottle caps, along with cleaning equipment and formula if required. Bottle feeding items can often be purchased as sets, complete with a steriliser.

Feeding time can get awfully messy – stock up with bibs and muslin cloths, and keep the baby wipes handy. You may wish to purchase a nursing cover to provide privacy for you and your baby during public feeds. 

Outdoor Items

For all of your outdoor adventures, a robust, practical pram is a must. Choose a model of pram that aligns with your lifestyle as closely as possible. For example, if you travel frequently, a lightweight, convertible stroller with detaching bassinet will enable you to get from A to B hassle-free. 

Convertible car seats will see your baby through from birth to toddlerhood, saving you from having to buy several separate models over time. Above all, a car seat should be safe, comfortable and user-friendly – consider weighing up your options by reading online reviews to find the best model for you and your family. 

Resources:

• Baby Clothes – Wikiful
• Baby Dungarees – Diary.By
• Organic Baby Clothing – Telescope
• Reusable Swimming Nappy – Bloggi

Designer clothes that last much longer are better for the environment than fast fashion alternatives. Besides being wearable and durable, designer clothing can also be sold if you no longer need it. If you have some unworn designer clothes that don’t fit or don’t suit your current clothing style, this article can help. We take a look at some tips for selling your second-hand designer clothes. 

Research the market

Start by looking at the price others are selling and fetching for similar designer items. This will help you figure out how much you should charge when you list your designer clothing. Some websites come with a listing fee, so you want to avoid pricing your items too high. Otherwise, they might not sell. You also need to avoid setting the price too cheap as we’re sure you want to make as much money back as possible. Look at similar quality items from the same designers; if you can’t find an exact match, you can research the price of pieces from other designers of the same calibre. Get a view from several different websites; this will help you decide the figure you want to charge for your designer clothes. Take into consideration the age and condition of the item as well as the designer and original cost. 

List on-trend items 

If you have any designer clothing items that are on trend or in season at the moment, these are much more likely to achieve a good price and sell quickly. Listing these first and placing your effort on fetching a good price for them is a good strategy. If you have items that are not in fashion or suitable for the current season, you might want to hold on to them. You can get more interest and a higher price if you sell items in high demand during the season when people need them. 

Clean and iron clothing

To get the best possible price and attract more interest, you need to invest time in ensuring your items are clean and ironed. A shabby-looking dress with stains and creases will fetch less money and have fewer people interested compared to a mint-condition designer dress. Some websites, such as eBay, can work on a bidding system; having more than one person interested can help to boost the sales price and increase the money you get in return.

Choose your sales website

There are many different websites where you can sell old clothing and designer items. Try to choose a website that is popular with the people that are likely to want the items you’re selling. For example, if you have some designer items by Victoria Beckham, you should opt for a selling site that attracts women over the age of 25; this is the kind of demographic that typically buys Victoria Beckham’s designer clothing. It can be hard to work this out, but a good rule is if you’re selling items you had a few years ago, they’re likely to appeal to a younger demographic. If you’d still wear the item, but it doesn’t fit, opt for a website you’d use to buy clothing. Many second-hand sales websites appeal to a vast range of women and men. If you’re struggling to sell an item on one website, you could always list it on a few to give you more opportunities to reach a wider audience. 

Photos and lighting

When selling designer clothing, you should take a variety of photos in good lighting to show off the product you’re trying to sell. Photos of the garment alone and photos of someone wearing the item can help potential buyers get a better idea of what the clothing will look like on them. Always photograph any issues or stains on the clothing and be upfront. Otherwise, you might get a bad reputation as a seller and receive complaints. 

Remember fees

When selling garments online, there are often certain fees associated with the sale. This can vary between each website. Do your research before making a listing, and factor in any fees the website may charge. In addition, you’re also going to need to post the item. Make sure you calculate the postage costs before setting your postage amount. Some large items can be more expensive than you think, and you’ll want to avoid making a loss on your postage. 

Resources:

• Designer Clothing – Clover
• Alexander Wang – Tech.blog
• Stella McCartney – Talium
• Proenza Schouler – Diary.by
• Balmain – Telescope

Small businesses are being urged to make the switch to fuel cards now as the UK struggles with the cost-of-living crisis and unstable fuel prices.

Challenging times

Indeed, these are worrying times for businesses in the UK, many of whom use diesel powered vehicles.

Given the current financial situation, there seems little room for optimism in the near future as it seems prices, including fuel, will need to be watched.

Fuel cards offer savings

And that is why small businesses are being urged to make the switch to fuel cards.

It means, for example if they use the fuelGenie fuel card, that it can help them save money, which in turn, helps their own customers as they can keep their costs down as practically reasonable.

Not only this, fuel cards can help create a more efficient business model, which is vitally important as the UK looks to overcome the squeeze on finances.

Other factors

Indeed, SMEs are also facing difficult decision about investment and fleet renewal when faced with increased costs and administration.

Once again, fuel cards provide a solution as they provide an effective way for SMEs to help reduce motoring costs and start to create a more efficient business model, especially if using fuelGenie which offers cost-effective fuel.

For example, small businesses may be using pay and reclaim and many have substantial administration and receipt processing costs, not reclaiming all VAT because of misplaced receipts, or simply not be aware of the benefits of fuel cards – all of these factors impacting overall operating costs.

Yet SMEs can be better prepared when faced with economic uncertainty with the right advice and support from an established fuel card provider.

Stay positive

Indeed, it needn’t be all doom-and-gloom for small businesses.

As highlighted, small business fuel cards are an effective way for companies to help reduce motoring costs.

The financial benefits is one aspect but fuel cards, such as fuelGenie, can also help on a practical level.

For instance, the fuelGenie mobile app can help small businesses by providing even more card detail and invoice functionality. 

Other ways

Use natural lulls in the business cycle, such as the summer holiday, to review how to reduce other outgoings when battling rising inflation, rising interest rates, plus more.

Such opportunities can provide a time for small businesses to consider other ways to reduce financial outgoings and to reassess their operating costs against a back-drop of economic volatility.

For instance, if allowed the time, then businesses who are using other fuel cards where they believe they’re getting fixed weekly pricing could check through their fuel card invoice to compare if they are actually getting a good deal.

Look closely

Not only this, many small businesses may have significant receipt processing costs and might be using pay and reclaim.

Additionally, they might not be reclaiming all VAT simply due to lost receipts, or just not be aware of the benefits of fuel cards.

Whatever the factor, all these considerations can combine to significantly push up overall operating costs.

Extra help

As well as fuel cards, there are other ways that small businesses, including those just starting out, can save money at the moment.

Simple measures, such as going paperless, not only help keep costs down but also help the planet.

This can be achieved by discouraging unnecessary print outs, while encouraging digital note taking. Another option is to introduce hot desking as a way to reduce clutter.

Office factors

Other ways to keep down costs around the office, or at home if it is home working, include buying recycled printer cartridges, and seeing if there is free software available that could do the job instead of buying it.

Cost savings

Just like in personal shopping, bulk purchasing can possibly help reduce outgoings. Usually, the larger the bulk purchase then the cheaper the unit cost. 

Light ahead

Many savvy small businesses have already made the switch to fuel cards as a way to save money.

They have come to appreciate that as well as helping to keep costs down, they can also reduce admin time, allowing them to focus on other key areas of the business, which is especially important as small businesses look to the future.

Resources:

• Fuel Cards – Notion
• Fuel Cards for Small Business – Talium
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Your bedside table is usually a small surface which can only fit a select number of items. However, with these clever design tips, you can make the most of this small surface space and help create a stylish and inviting space in your bedroom. 

Choose the sized bedside table

When buying new bedside tables for your home, you need to consider several factors before making your choice. The size of the bedside table is important; it shouldn’t be higher than your mattress. Otherwise, it will look out of place and be awkward to use when you’re in bed. In addition, the bedside table shouldn’t stick out too far from the wall that your headboard is against, if it does, it can be challenging to get into bed, and you may end up knocking into it in the night. If you buy bedside tables that are too small, they can also be frustrating to use and reach whilst in bed. Another size consideration is the space you have available in your bedroom; each bedside table needs to fit neatly next to either side of the bed. To determine the best size for your particular room, you should measure your available space and height before shopping for a new bedside table. 

Get the style right

In addition to size, it’s important to get the style of your bedside table right. It should complement the other furniture and colours of your bedroom. If your bedside tables are completely different to the rest of the room, they will look out of place. For a traditional style bedroom, oak bedside tables will look great and fit in with the aesthetics of the rest of the room. For a minimalist bedroom, stick to minimalist bedside tables, which use a combination of metal and wood to create interesting textures. 

Think practically 

When choosing a set of bedside tables for your bedroom, it’s important to think practically. You should consider the items you want to keep on top of the table and if you need space to store other items in a drawer or on a shelf. Many oak bedside tables have drawers which provide extra storage space for items you want to keep close when you’re in bed. For those with lots of personal items, draws are ideal for containing the clutter and keeping it out of sight. 

Group items in three’s

A good design tip is to arrange things into groups of three. You can use this tip when placing items on top of your bedside tables. A lamp, a plant and a stylish alarm clock are three items that will look great on any bedside table. Plants look great and help people to relax and get ready for a good night’s sleep. The alarm clock and lamp are both stylish and practical items that can be used daily. If you don’t have enough space on the limited surface on your bedside table, you can opt for a standing lamp and plant and use the surface for more practical items you want to keep close at night, such as your glasses, a drink of water and your mobile phone.

Consider smart options

If you’re looking for a way to make your home smarter, you could opt for a smart bedside table. Smart bedside tables often include features designed to make things easier for the user. This includes things such as an integrated light, speaker and wireless charging point for your phone to charge whilst you sleep. A smart bedside table is perfect for anyone that has limited space but loves to include high-technology items in their home design. Integrating these features into the table creates a more minimalistic look and more space to place items on top of the bedside table.

There are many options when it comes to choosing a bedside table to fit your room design and personal needs. Always measure your available space and choose a design that is in keeping with the rest of your bedroom furniture. When deciding what to place on top of your bedside table, think both practically and from a design perspective to achieve a look that impresses and is helpful for everyday living. 

Resources:

Oak Chest of Drawers – Paragraph

Oak Blanket Boxes – Diary.by

Oak Living Room Sideboards – Talium

Oak Coffee Tables – Wikiful