James and Sandy Easdale, two of Scotland’s richest men, have paid tribute to the “hardworking and dedicated” staff at Scotland’s largest children’s hospital.
The brothers pledged their support with a £50,000 donation and a touching tribute to the hardworking team serving sick children in Glasgow.
“We are humbled and hugely impressed by the achievements of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity,” said Sandy Easdale.
“Year after year they give their best to vulnerable kids and in the most trying of situations.
“James and I want to pay tribute to their work and we are delighted to pledge our support.”
The brothers, who this year were one of the highest new entries on The Sunday Times Rich List, were welcomed by the charity as guests at a fund-raising ball at the Glasgow Hilton.
“As fathers we are touched to see how vital help is given to children in need,” added James.
“Their operation is superb and should get a greater spotlight.
“Huge generosity has been shown by many people at the fund-raising ball and we are just happy to play our part.”
The total contribution of all other supporters of the charity’s 20th Anniversary Legacy Pledge was matched pound-for-pound by the brothers.
The children’s hospital in Glasgow has offered pioneering treatment for young people for more than a century.
A charity wing was established in 2001 to support the kids and families treated at the famous institution.
Vital money is also poured into equipment and research.
The Easdale brothers have played a prominent role in Glasgow for the last twenty years.
Headlines have been made with their purchase of the famous Watt Brothers department store and stewardship of Rangers football club, but the pair also have transport and property interests in the city.
With the help of generous donors, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity has invested a total of more than £30 million in the children’s hospital in Glasgow.
Buying a new perfume is not as easy as it sounds. Sure, you can follow the trends or choose a scent based on the brand and bottle. But, when you try the perfume for the first time, this is when you truly know if it is the right fragrance for you.
So, how can you tell when you are buying one online? Well, the best thing you can do is examine the fragrance notes. This is going to give you an insight into what you can expect. Are you not sure what fragrance notes are? We have created a useful guide so you can get the low-down on fragrance notes. So, let’s get started.
What are Fragrance Notes?
First of all, let’s keep things simple and talk about what fragrance notes are. Simply, fragrance notes or perfume notes are the different layers of a scent. Together, the top, middle and base notes will create the fragrance you enjoy. Think about them as explaining the different ingredients that have been used in the bottle and a description of when you are going to recognise them.
Top Notes
First of all, let’s start with the top notes of a fragrance. These can also be referred to as head notes, as well as some calling them opening notes. Ultimately, they all refer to the same thing and these are the scents you are going to notice first in a perfume. So, these are the ingredients you recognise when you spray the perfume onto your skin. For example, Emporio Armani Diamonds is a surprising gourmand perfume that boasts lychee and raspberry top notes. This is something that is fun to wear and will instantly provide some sweetness.
The top notes are light. This means that they will fade and not last as long as others. Think about it as the first impression you get of a perfume. Namely, it is common for fruity ingredients to be used as the top notes, as well as citrus. This is because they are light and refreshing.
Middle Notes
Middle notes can also be referred to as heart notes. As the name suggests, these are the ingredients at the heart of a perfume. Namely, they are classed as the main ones and the ingredients you should pay attention to. In a women’s perfume, you can expect the middle notes to be floral. Middle notes can last for several hours.
Base Notes
Last but not least, there are the base notes of perfume. These are going to add some body to a fragrance and are considered important for the overall vibe of a scent. They deepen what you will experience with the heart notes. Just as the top notes are your first impression, base notes help to solidify a lasting impression. Some common base notes you will find include amber, musk and sandalwood.
What are Fragrance Families?
Something else that is important to understand when you are learning about fragrance notes is fragrance families. This is going to give you further insight into what you can expect from a perfume. Let’s take a closer look at some of the fragrance families you will want to be aware of.
Floral
Floral is a popular fragrance family with women. Indeed, it is going to mean that there are fresh and flowery notes included in the perfume. This can make you feel feminine, as well as be nice to wear during the spring and summer months. The top notes and middle notes can be light and delicate.
Woody
Men’s and women’s perfumes can be woody when it comes to the notes. Indeed, this means that you can expect a woodsy scent, which reminds you of being outdoors and in nature. Think about notes like cedarwood, vetiver and sandalwood. They are all very popular in woody perfume. Note that dry woods are going to have a warm and smoky element to them.
Fruity
Of course, fruity perfumes are very popular. They are sweet and have recognisable notes, such as apple and raspberry. Often, these fragrances are described as fun and light, which means they can be refreshing and energising.
Oriental
A fragrance that is described as oriental can be an interesting one. It can contain a warm and spicy aroma, which is enjoyable to wear during the autumn and winter months of the year when it is colder. What’s more, it does have a warm element to it, which is why it is popular to wear them. There can be rich and luxurious notes available in an oriental perfume. This includes cardamom and vanilla.
What are the Different Fragrance Strengths?
Something else you will want to be aware of is the fragrance strength. Sometimes, this can affect the notes and the impression they leave. For example, Eau de Parfum has a fragrance oil per cent of 10 to 20. This means that it can last around eight hours, which allows the notes to develop fully. An Eau de toilette will be around 5 to 15 per cent, which will last less time. Then, when it comes to men, you have an Eau de Cologne, which has around 2 to 4 per cent fragrance oil. This is going to last the least amount of time on the skin, which could change the way notes develop.
“If you’re looking for rental properties to start a nice little landlord portfolio it can be a real money-spinner if it’s well-managed,” says mortgage advisor Mike Collins.
But being a landlord is no easy task. There’s also the maintenance, tenants and money to deal with!
Right now, house prices are high and so are mortgage rates – so you don’t want to make a wrong decision about the property you opt for.
If you’re a new investor and keen to get stuck in, avoid these things.
Structural problems
Interested in an older property? Get paperwork about it wherever you can as poorly laid foundations could end up costing you a small fortune.
A good indicator that things are not well structured, are any large cracks or bulges in the concrete, as this may mean there is an uneven load on the foundation.
Flood plains and poor drainage
Take heed of these warning signs if you find either in a property you want to purchase. It’s always a good idea to check any recent work done to the pipes, drains or foundations.
Pooling water on the floor could indicate drainage is poor, or worse still a sewage leak.
Check basements for mouldy areas which should be major giveaways that damp could be breeding.
Mould patches
It may just look like unsightly black or green patches appearing on walls, but mould can cause severe illness in children and is so severe it can go undetected.
Often caused by poor pipework, condensation, water ingress, poorly lit areas, inadequate drainage or poor ventilation, even minor damp patches could erupt into something much more serious.
Infestations
A good indicator that you may be sharing your new home with some unwanted guests, is damage to the woodwork.
Check floors, skirting boards and particularly the attic. You should look for small holes or little tunnels as this can mean there is a woodworm infestation.
Repairing this – or worse still, replacing it all can cost thousands of pounds.
This should be picked up in a homebuyer’s survey, along with issues like damp or subsidence
Japanese Knotweed
This invasive plant grows up to10cm per day and costs the UK more than £40 million a year.
It’s very hard to remove but can damage buildings, as it attempts to go through weal cracks in the walls.
Where possible, Mike suggests investors observe photos of Knotweed carefully and spend time viewing the grounds before putting in an offer.
Houses on the market too long
A property that has been on the market a long time tends to suggest something is wrong with it.
If others aren’t putting in offers to buy, you can assume tenants won’t be keen to rent either.
Get some advice on the local area – perhaps the amenities are poor, crime stats are bad or there’s no local bus service.
It’s always a good idea to stay away from these types of properties unless you are experienced in property investment and are prepared to get stuck into a major refurbishment job.
No photos online
If you can’t see a photo of every room on an estate agent’s website, start worrying as there’s normally a reason why.
A lack of interior shots may mean the property is in poor condition or the rooms are disappointingly small.
Flipped properties
If you check a property’s sale history, you will soon see whether it has been bought, renovated and resold rapidly.
If that’s the case, it could be one to avoid as workmanship may be shoddy due to the quick turnaround times.
Be cautious when going through with a sale like this and gather any infrastructure paperwork.
High property management turnover
Check out how many people have managed a site. If the turnover is high, it may mean there are serious issues involved with the property. Perhaps there are high maintenance costs or landlords are unable to get the rental income they need for the area.
Consider a high turnover as a red flag as it may cause difficulties for you as the next landlord.
RV loan rates are at their lowest during the holiday season. Here are five reasons this is the best time to finance an RV.
Financing an RV
Many companies offer Christmas sales and other discounts to bring in end-of-the-year sales during the holidays. The RV industry is no different. Financing an RV is a chance to lock in low prices but not have to drop the total amount all at once. You can easily break up the costs of an RV over time and not break the bank.
With holiday travel on the horizon, RV loans are a great way to finance your travel plans. Whether you’re taking a road trip with friends, heading out on an RV adventure with family, or just hitting the open road for some much-needed rest and relaxation, financing an RV can help make these trips possible.
Another reason RV loans are such a great option during the holidays is that RV dealerships often have unique financing options. From low-interest rates to flexible financing terms, you can explore your options and find the perfect RV loan for your needs.
Buying an RV
An RV is a lifestyle purchase, so when you find it’s time to buy an RV, you’re buying into a lifestyle. Whether you plan to use this new home away from home for occasional road trips, hunting season, or full-time life on the road, you’ll want to know that the RV you’re putting your investment in will last.
Before committing to an RV purchase, run through the following checklist first:
Research
When researching RV loans, it is crucial to consider your needs and wants. What are you looking for in an RV? What are the must-haves for your next road trip? How much can you afford to spend?
Once you have a good idea of what you’re looking for, it’s time to start researching the available RV loan options. Each lender offers different rates, terms, and fees, so it’s essential to compare them before deciding.
If you’re unsure where to start, or need help comparing RV loan rates, don’t hesitate to contact a lending specialist. They can help you find the best RV loan for your needs and ensure that the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Additional Costs
When financing an RV, one must understand the additional costs of owning one. Maintenance and upkeep, insurance, fuel, and other costs can add up quickly, so it’s essential to plan for them ahead of time.
To help you budget for these additional expenses, most RV lenders offer a payment calculator on their websites. This tool can help you estimate your monthly payments and the overall cost of owning an RV.
It’s also important to be realistic about how often you’ll use your RV. If you only plan to take it out a few times a year, you may not need as comprehensive an insurance policy as someone who uses theirs full-time. Likewise, if you know you’ll be doing a lot of traveling, you’ll want to ensure you have enough fuel budgeted into your monthly expenses.
Storage Space
One additional consideration when financing an RV is where you’ll store it when it’s not in use. RV storage can be expensive, so it’s important to factor this into your budget. If you don’t have the space to store your RV on your property, look for a storage facility that offers RV parking. By keeping these things in mind, you can ensure that financing an RV is the right choice for you and your family.
Establish Relationships for Services
When financing an RV, you must establish relationships with mechanics in your area who can help with future repairs, winterization services, and more. By doing this ahead of time, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you have a reliable team to turn to when something goes wrong.
To find RV mechanics in your area, search for “RV mechanic [city name].” Once you’ve found a few reputable shops, read online reviews to get an idea of what others have said about their experience. This will help you choose the right mechanic for you and your RV.
Laws and Regulations
RV ownership comes with its own set of laws and regulations that must be followed. Ensure you are familiar with these before buying an RV, as ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Some of the most essential RV laws to be aware of include:
Driving an RV in Canada: You must have a Canadian RV driving license to drive an RV in Canada. You can get this license by taking a written test at a local Driver’s Licence Testing Centre.
RV Parking: RV parking laws vary from city to city, so it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the specific rules in your area. Usually, RV parking is allowed on streets and in designated RV parking areas.
Camping: Many states have camping regulations that must be followed. Ensure you know these regulations before camping in a state park or other public camping area.
By understanding the laws and regulations that affect RV ownership, you can always ensure that you stay compliant with the law.
By researching and planning, you can ensure that the RV you buy will perfectly fit your needs. With knowledge and careful planning, buying an RV during the holiday season can be a win-win situation!
With the cost of housing skyrocketing, and the costs for bare land dropping in many places, buying and living in an RV full-time has become more attractive for many people. RV loan rates are typically lower than housing prices, and RV financing options can help you explore the many ways to finance an RV.
Whether you’re looking for a short-term RV loan or a longer-term option, an RV financing solution will meet your needs. So if you’re ready to make the leap and start living the RV lifestyle, now is the perfect time to explore RV financing options and find the best RV loan rates for your needs.
RV Financing
Interested in RV financing? Whether buying your first RV or adding to an existing RV fleet, RV financing can help make your dreams of RV life a reality. With low-interest rates, flexible terms, and various payment options available, now is the perfect time to explore RV financing options and find the best RV loan for you.
Don’t miss out on all the fantastic opportunities owning an RV will bring. Besides the investment in the RV itself, you’ll add extra sleeping space to your home for guests to use when they visit and reduce your accommodation costs while traveling. Fuel and upkeep may cost more, but you won’t pay as much for your RV rental space as you would for a hotel, and you get to sleep in the comfort of your bed.
Essentia Scientific is a global solutions provider of hemp derived extracts leading the industry to a safer and more sustainable extraction method with their patented water-as-solvent technology.
There is a prevalent need in the cannabinoid industry for a cleaner and more sustainable way to extract cannabinoids from the raw hemp plant, and Essentia Scientific’s patented water-as-solvent technology delivers just that. Their proprietary process utilizes water as the solvent to produce a safer, more sustainable, consistent, and affordable output of high purity pharmaceutical grade cannabinoids, including the rare offerings of acidic cannabinoids at a mass scale.
What is Water-as-Solvent technology?
Essentia Scientific’s patented water-as-solvent technology leverages water to leach cannabinoids from the plant without the use of heat, harsh chemicals, or hydrocarbons; while successfully rejecting contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, microbial, and mycotoxins. The process can also effectively limit or remove the amount of THC yielding a more consistent and compliant product.
Benefits of water-as-solvent technology
Traditional extraction methods utilize harmful solvents, such as butane and ethanol, for extraction having an array of consequences that have impact on manufacturers, consumers, and the environment. By utilizing water as the solvent, Essentia Scientific’s process eliminates the consequences solvents like butane and ethanol bring and provides an array of advantages the industry needs.
When utilizing solvents like butane or ethanol remediation is necessary to rid the final product of volatile solvents that can be harmful to the consumers health. However, the techniques and solvents traditionally used tend to not discriminate against most pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. Rather, the process tends to concentrate these compounds in the final extract, leaving trace amounts in the final product for consumers to ingest. To assist in the recovery of the volatile solvents vacuum distillation is often used. Unfortunately, the process does not fully rid the product of volatile solvents and can convert acidic cannabinoids to their neutral state by exposing them to heat, making it difficult or impossible to extract acidic cannabinoids, such as CBDA and CBGA, from the plant. Additionally, dehydration of the plant is often required for efficient extraction prior to adding the solvent. This causes the conversion of cannabinoids, or decarboxylation, to begin prior to the extraction, losing a large majority of acidic cannabinoids before the extraction even begins. By utilizing water as the solvent, Essentia Scientific’s process eliminates the need for heat, allowing for the extraction of high purity acidic cannabinoids at a mass scale with no trace residual volatile solvents in the final extract.
Taste is an important factor when infusing cannabinoid-based products. We want them to taste good, not like the hemp plant, but the product it is infused in to. Concentrates from traditional extraction technologies typically have a robust hemp flavor that can be off putting to most, making it difficult to infuse into edible products. Often available in a solid form, not only is infusing difficult, but dosing is also impacted making it difficult to accurately dose the extract. With their water-as-solvent technology, Essentia Scientific’s extractions are odorless and tasteless, able to be easily infused into cannabinoid-based applications and their clearly water-soluble products are truly water-soluble. Traditional extracts use nano-emulsions or liposomes to create their “water-soluble” products. However, they form colloidal suspensions, separating overtime leaving sentiment in the final product. Essentia Scientific’s clearly water-soluble extracts form a true solution where the solvent and solute consist of a single phase, not separating overtime, and fully dissolve in water forming a clear and transparent solution.
By not using equipment for extraction that is typically expensive that uses high temperatures or pressure to accomplish cannabinoid extraction, Essentia Scientific’s process brings the industry a simple and inexpensive extraction process. The process also eliminates the need for expensive organic solvents which are potentially harmful and polluting for the environment, delivering the industry not only a more cost-effective option, but also one that is more environmentally friendly. When extracting cannabinoids with butane, pressurized butane is passed through the plant material. Residual solvents then evaporate from the concentrate under a vacuum and are typically released into the atmosphere. Though there are attempts to recycle the butane, they are not 100% effective, releasing hydrocarbons into the atmosphere and in turn causing environmental harm. Water is a true inorganic solvent that will not will not release harmful chemicals into the environment, creating a safer and more sustainable way to extract cannabinoids from the raw hemp plant.
The Essentia Advantage
With a team that has over 100 years of combined chemistry experience, Essentia Scientific is leading the industry to cleaner cannabinoid extraction with their patented water-as-solvent technology. By utilizing water as the solvent, Essentia Scientific can produce an array of high purity pharmaceutical grade cannabinoids, including the rare offerings of acidic cannabinoids, such as CBGA and CBDA, at a mass scale. Their process eliminates the need for harmful solvents and produces a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable cannabinoid extract that can easily be infused into any cannabinoid-based application and gives consumers consistent high-quality products they can count on.
When you own a vehicle, it is inevitable that there are going to be potential problems that end up cropping up over its usable lifetime. Knowing about some of these issues, as well as their solutions, can help you avoid a situation in which you have to spend vast sums of money to fix these problems and get your car running again. So, let’s check out a few of the most common car issues and what you can do about them.
Flat Battery
Pretty much every single car owner out there will have found themselves in a situation in which they have come to start their car, only to find that the battery has gone flat. If you have a set of jump leads and access to another vehicle, there is the potential that the battery can be recharged all over again. However, if it is more than five years old, it may well be worth looking into the potential for a replacement. If you have access to a breakdown service, they can also help you by ensuring that the battery is recharged with ease.
Flat Tire
The other part of a car that commonly causes a problem is when the tire has a leak and goes flat. If it is a slow puncture this might have happened while you have been parked and you come back to your car after several days to find your once perfect vehicle now has a problem. On other occasions, it might be that you drive over something surprisingly sharp in the road and you can feel and hear the tire deflate as you go. Either way, having the tools in your car that allow you to replace it is essential. Simply watching a couple of videos and having some practice sessions at home can mean you can fix the issue for yourself rather than needing to call someone out.
Car Will Not Start
Sometimes, there are other causes that can result in a car not starting than a flat battery. It could be that there is a potential issue with your key, and you are going to need to call out an auto locksmith to take care of the problem for you. On other occasions, you may find that the engine needs a bit more oomph to get it started, but you do not want to keep on turning the ignition to the point that you are at risk of flooding it.
Burnt Out Headlights
When you are driving in dark or foggier conditions, it is certainly going to be important that your headlights are working properly. If they have become burnt out, this is definitely the type of problem that you can do something about yourself. You can replace them in a short period of time, and on most vehicle models, it does not have to be overly complicated.
All of these are amongst the car problems that are worth knowing more about, as well as the solutions that you have the potential to execute for yourself rather than calling the pros.
One of the most crucial aspects of running a business involves ensuring that you have all the right equipment. However, there is no doubt that prices can quickly start to escalate if you are not careful. Therefore, you need to come up with different ways to keep your expenses down as much as possible. With regards to this, there are several steps that you can take to try to reach this particular goal. Let’s check out what a few of these happen to be.
Shop for Used Equipment
It is always worth asking the question of whether new equipment is really going to be necessary or if you can easily manage with used products instead. It is often the case that purchasing second hand items is going to save you great sums of money, and they do not necessarily offer a significantly reduced performance either. Of course, you still need to be buying from a reputable seller, and it is going to be worthwhile doing thorough research and asking all the right questions in terms of what they are offering.
Hire Instead of Buying
Another potential option that you have at your disposal is to investigate hiring the equipment rather than heading straight out and buying it. You can look into a long-term hire agreement or simply choose to continue renewing it for as long as you need the equipment. Hiring is often the type of path that people choose to go down when they are running a warehouse or an industrial company and they need to be looking into such options as forklift hire.
Keep an Eye Out for Sales
During the course of the year, it is going to be worth keeping a close eye on what you need to work out whether there are going to be any sales that you can take advantage of. Buying ‘off-season’ can be much cheaper than buying at peak times. Ultimately, you are either going to have to do this manually or you will need to use software or an app to make it happen for you. It can also be highly useful to subscribe to the mailing list of companies as it means that you are going to be the first to know when there are offers that are coming up. Also, simply being more vigilant around times of the year when sales are happening, such as Christmas and Black Friday, can prove to be highly useful.
Opt for Energy Efficient Equipment
As well as having the major advantage of being better for the planet as a whole, there is no doubt that energy efficient equipment can be useful from a cost saving point of view – especially now that the price of energy has gone up in such a significant way.
All of these are ways in which you can ensure that you are keeping your costs low on your business equipment, so take advantage of the options that are readily available to you and have more cash for your company.
Manleys, a leading Chester law firm, are celebrating success following their swift settlement of a cross border litigation dispute. The legal case began after a commercial fallout between former business partners, who remain unidentified for legal reasons. This led to jurisdictional issues, with Manley’s legal opponent being based in Northern Ireland, and no jurisdiction clause being agreed. Despite this, Peri Mornington, Dispute Resolution Specialist and Solicitor, finalised the jurisdictional dispute out of court.
The Case
Whilst most business disputes are complicated by financial issues, cross- jurisdictional litigation cases present their own set of unique and time-consuming challenges. Defined as a business or company disagreement where a client is residing in a country separate to where the court is sitting, these cases rely on communication across separate jurisdictions.
A defining moment and win for the law firm, Peri Mornington explains: “Northern Ireland and Scotland each have their own jurisdictions and legal processes, the lack of a formal agreement with jurisdiction clauses could have caused issues in this case but happily we were able to secure an advantageous result without proceedings.
“Unfortunately, relationships can and do break down. When this happens, disagreements can escalate to legal proceedings.”
– Peri Mornington, Solicitor at Manleys, describes the common causes of buisness fallouts.
Securing £20,000 for her client, the solicitor added: “Friends and family, and even close business partners, often do not feel there is a need to formalise their agreements in writing. Unfortunately, relationships can and do break down. When this happens, disagreements can escalate to legal proceedings.”
Manley’s Law Firm Manley’s was founded in 2012 by litigation and media lawyer Mark Manley. The law firm are a specialist litigation practice, building a strong rapport with clients and focused on achieving results. Manley’s are recognised by both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners independent legal directories.
For advice on legal solutions or disputes, contact Manleys on: Email: info@manleys.law Telephone: 01244 230000
Bobby Kotick is the CEO of the video game holding company Activision Blizzard. “I couldn’t imagine doing anything different,” he said during a 2020 appearance on Leadership Live With David Rubenstein. “I think that for the next 30 years, if I have the opportunity to continue to do what I’m doing, I would love [to be] doing that.”
Bobby Kotick established the foundation for the multibillion-dollar business while he was a college student in 1983. During his first year at the University of Michigan, Kotick started a technology company, Arktronics, with his roommate Howard Marks. Kotick had a knack for developing Apple II software. Then, during his sophomore year, he took a risk and asked billionaire casino investor Steve Wynn to invest in Arktronics. That gamble paid off when Wynn invested $300,000 in Kotick’s budding tech company.
Establishing a Gaming Giant
Activision Blizzard has one of the most successful gaming libraries on the market, including the Call of Duty franchise, World of Warcraft, Candy Crush Saga, Farm Heroes Saga, and Overwatch. “Call of Duty is one of the most enduring franchises in entertainment,” notes Kotick. “The NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball are perpetual entertainment experiences and probably the most similar to the experiences [Activision Blizzard] deliver. [And] we feel a tremendous responsibility to our audiences to keep our franchises exciting.”
Bobby Kotick continued on the pathway to success in December 1990. He and his partner, Brian Kelly, purchased a 25% stake in Activision after it had been renamed Mediagenic and was on the verge of bankruptcy. Kotick and Kelly shared a vision of restructuring the business to focus mainly on video games. It wasn’t easy. He had to sell the office furniture early on to ensure everyone got paid. “In our early days, being recognized on any list of great companies was hard to imagine,” says Kotick. “[All these] years later, we are the world’s most successful video game company.”
In 1991 he became the CEO of Mediagenic, which had reverted to the original Activision name. Throughout the ’90s, the video game company was responsible for popular games that included Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Quake, Disney’s Tarzan, Battlezone, Independence Day, Civilization: Call to Power, and Diablo.
In 2008, Kotick helped orchestrate the merger between Activision and Vivendi, which brought Blizzard under the Activision umbrella. The company officially became Activision Blizzard, and Bobby Kotick became CEO of the newly formed video game holding company headquartered in Santa Monica, California.
“We have six operating units,” Kotick said. “Our games units consist of King, Blizzard, and Activision. This is the source of our incredible collection of franchises like Call of Duty, Candy Crush, and World of Warcraft. In addition, Major League Gaming is our ‘ESPN of video games’ division.”
Hiring the best talent is at the heart of every company decision. Kotick says Activision’s mission “is to inspire audiences to play, connect, and compete by making the most engaging entertainment in the world. Our talent evaluation process ensures that each new hire shares that commitment.”
Kotick continued, “Successful business leaders who have helped build institutions of lasting value — all are committed to talent and a culture of excellence. This is usually accomplished by identifying, retaining, and developing great people. For me, the difficult part of the process is accurately assessing character, integrity, and humility, but these are the most important factors for success. We like people with the potential to be leaders of leaders, not managers of managers.”
One way it does that is through the Level Up U initiative, which launched on July 18, 2022. The training program is the first of its kind. It’s funded through the $250 million investment that Activision Blizzard announced in October 2021 to establish opportunities for underrepresented communities in gaming and technology.
The purpose of the 12-week Level Up U course is to educate nonindustry professionals in conjunction with those currently working in the industry to create a more diverse, better-skilled pool of full-time game engineers and developers for the company. “Talent and diversity have always been critical to our success,” stated Kotick.
Bobby Kotick: Education Is an Asset to Entrepreneurs
Although Bobby Kotick left college to pursue his passion for the video game industry, he’s stressed the importance of getting a good education. “You know, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend [quitting college]. However, I think a great education is probably the most valuable thing you get, especially in America,” stated the CEO. “If you’re an entrepreneur — Warren Buffett and I have talked about this a lot — the only reliable predictor I’ve ever seen for future business success is how early and enthusiastic you are as an entrepreneur.”
Kotick continued, “I was always very entrepreneurial as a kid. And when I got to college, I continued my entrepreneurship by starting this software company. I didn’t get the benefit of the college experience. [However] two of my children have had extraordinary experiences at Duke [University] and Brown [University]. [They received] great educations [and] they are going to have successful careers. And so, I would definitely not dissuade someone from a great college education.”
Today, businesses successfully implement digital solutions and automation in their workflow. Some just get a website to expand the audience, while others go far and get a CRM to manage all the processes connected with customers. There are separate products for logistics, HR processes, sales, etc. But is there a solution that will provide all of that as an entity? Today, it is business platform software that is the closest idea to that.
What Stages the Process of Software Development Consists of
As in any software development process, there are multiple stages that form the process of business platform development. What are they? We got an answer to that question from the Euristiq team. That company provides business platform development as a service and thus, knows almost everything about it.
The very start of the process is tightly bounded with communication between the development team and the customer. That stage is connected with setting goals and developing concepts of a product that the customers needs. It is implemented in numerous interviews and sketches of what a future platform would be like. Also at that stage, the choice of technologies and tools is provided.
Then it is time for designers to start their work to make the business platform not only functional but also convenient for use. UX/UI design is a cornerstone of the whole idea of the product as it is based on user experience and how the user will deal with the product.
The direct development of the product also goes hand in hand with the development of the design, because it is necessary to think over and implement solutions for both the server side and the client side. Also, often clients need to have both a desktop version of the platform and a mobile application at once, which also affects the development process because in this case, it is necessary to choose cross-platform solutions and optimize the product for various devices.
Another part of the development process is testing the finished product. In this way, maximum functionality is achieved and at the same time, the compliance of the platform with the client’s expectations is checked.
But this is not the end. Whatever the development product, it needs to be serviced and supported. And this is also the competence of the developer and his team.
How to Optimize Costs for Software Development
For clients, it is especially important to get a ready-made platform for their business, but at the same time, not go beyond the possible budget. How to do it? We have some tips!
Determine exactly what functions the software you want to receive should perform. Then you will not overpay for extra features.
Choose a business platform, not individual products, which then need to be integrated.
Choose developers who guarantee fast and efficient development, as well as provide support and maintenance of the platform. Then you will not have to pay extra for the services of specialists for further software maintenance and troubleshooting.
Whom to Hire for Successful Software Development
When it comes to the need for an effective solution for business process optimization, it is especially important to make the right choice of a developer. Some risks are connected with that choice.
Using the right technologies for the implementation of all the requirements of a client. Some frameworks can cope with all the tasks you give a developer while others can be a wrong solution. So, it is important to apply for the services of a developer who works with multiple technologies.
Having experience in the development of the project for your industry. There are no one-for-all solutions when it comes to business platform software development. So, if a contractor is skilled in providing solutions for your industry it is a good omen.
Concluding on timelines. Most contractors require hourly rates. Thus, the more time they need for the development process, the more money you have to pay.
Do not consider a business platform software to be a magic wand but it may help you to optimize the whole business flow by using one solution.
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