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How Secure is Your Office?

Sam Allcock
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How Secure is Your Office?

Now that workers are coming back into the office, it may be worth employers asking themselves how secure their offices are. Having gone for months without much traffic, now as we welcome people back into the workplace that means there may be a question over the premises’ security.

For instance, what is the unlocking and locking procedure for the business? How many members are staff are on-site at any one time? And do all employees know what to do in the event of a break-in?

These are just some of the questions that need asking as we head back into the office. You may not think too much about it but, with many workplaces having a change of staff during lockdown for a variety of reasons, not all employees may be familiar with procedures. That means that your business could be at risk without you realising it.

Train Staff on Security Procedures

All members of staff must be familiar with the business’ security procedures, especially when locking up. Different companies have different policies which may dictate that at least two members of staff must be present when locking up (so as there is a witness) while others are a little more relaxed, allowing keyholders to enter the building on their own. This may mean that one employee may be present in the office out of hours.

Any employee who holds a key, and is therefore responsible for ensuring that the premises are locked up correctly and that any security systems are working, requires adequate training. All that it takes is for an opportunist to walk by and try their luck to leave you severely out of pocket.

Managing Your Office Security

Unless your business operates on a 24-hour basis, there will be times when your premises are left unattended. This is when opportunists are most likely to strike when they believe there is no one to catch them. Deterrents can range from the relatively simple to the high-tech, which is something that security firms like Metropolitan Security are well-versed in. Businesses that call on the help of experienced security services, that offer products such as remote security and alarm response, do so because they feel that having a third party watching over the premises is a vital additional layer of security.

Location can play a huge role in determining the level of security needed for your business. For example, an office block in the middle of London is likely to require more security measures than a shop in the middle of the countryside due to disparaging crime rates. It is all relative to where your business is located (although you should always ensure that your premise is secure, no matter where you are based).

What Happens in the Event of a Break-In?

Should the worst come to the worst and your business does suffer a break-in, resulting in expensive damages through vandalism and theft, you should have a fall-back plan in place. Insurance is key, as this will help you to recoup the costs of suffering a break-in. Even though you may likely still feel a hit as you may not be able to operate as normal for some time after the incident, this will at least help with initial costs.

It is one thing if materials are damaged, but something else entirely if a member of staff suffers an injury – regardless of severity. As an employer, support should be offered to the employee to meet their physical and mental needs, as the incident is likely to be very upsetting (on top of any physical injuries). This may also involve making the member of staff(s) are aware of local services and considering compensation claims.

The Importance of Security

We are all excited to get back to some form of normalcy, but we should do so safely – not just regarding Covid protocols, but by not taking our eyes off the ball concerning usual security matters that have always been of great importance. Securing our businesses, our livelihoods, should be of key concern as we open back up following a tough year.

Four Ways to Shop More Sustainably

Sam Allcock
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Four Ways to Shop More Sustainably

You don’t need us to tell you that we’re living in a climate emergency. The Earth is warming at a rapid rate as toxic levels of greenhouse gasses and harmful emission are being released into the atmosphere at an alarming rate.

There are many culprits behind climate change, including oil companies, car manufacturers and energy providers, but one of the biggest contributors might surprise you: the textile industry. When you consider everyone needs clothes, it’s no surprise that clothing businesses contribute to global warming and environment destruction, but you might be surprised at just how bad they actually are.

For perspective, the textile industry fells over 70 million trees every year, uses more than 1.5 trillion liters of water and releases 10% of all the carbon emissions in the world. These are alarming statistics and are enough to surprise anyone into wanting to make a positive change with regards to their attitude towards clothing.

It’s only natural to want to buy new clothes, and there’s nothing wrong with having an interest in fashion. The climate emergency doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to new clothes, you just need to be more sustainable about it, and here’s how.

1. Recycle What You Have

It goes without saying that the first step to being sustainable is to recycle what you already have. We’re all guilty of thinking we have no nice clothes, but that’s very often not the case. Unless it’s a statement piece, there are so many ways you can rework what you have to suit current trends. For example, if you have a basic spaghetti strap vest top and want to make it more stylish to wear now, consider adding a statement trim. If you have an old lace top, you could fashion a trim from that to add to your stop.

Other ways you can recycle what you already have include adding patches to trouser pockets, changing the cut of a dress by amending the hem, and painting a pattern on a pair of old trainers. It will feel like you have a brand new item without having to buy one which is the key to being sustainable.

In a similar fashion, try and fix up broken items. If you have a small hole in a garment or if your bracelet clasp is broken, rather than instinctively replacing the items, try and fix them instead. There are lots of tutorials online, and there are a number of professionals, too.

2. Thrift Clothes

Fast fashion is one of the main culprits behind the textile industry’s impact on the planet. It’s called fast fashion because trends come and go in the blink of an eye, and buying clothes is both fast and cheap thanks to online shopping. As a result of rapidly changing trends, people throw out clothes regularly, and that makes thrift stores and charity shops a goldmine for shopping.

Where possible, check a thrift store first, especially if you’re looking for something like jeans, bags, homeware and statement jackets. You might not find everything you need in a thrift store, but every purchase that is not from fast fashion is making a difference.

3. Borrow Items

Sharing clothes isn’t just for sisters in teen-hood, anyone can do it! If your friend has the perfect item for an event you’re going to and you’re the same size, ask them if you can borrow the garment. Odds are, they won’t mind so long as you look after it, don’t damage it and return it clean. This open policy will greatly reduce the need to buy new clothes for every day or night out, and it will save you money, too.

In a similar manner, more and more clothing hire businesses are popping up. Whether you’re renting a suit for your wedding day or a dress for a special occasion, hiring clothes is cheaper, sustainable and will save on wardrobe space for an item you’re unlikely to wear again.

4. The Three-Way-Wear Test

Oftentimes, people turn to fast fashion when they can’t figure out what to wear. This is because a lot of people lack the natural ability to style things multiple ways. If you do choose to shop for an item, ask yourself if you can wear it three ways. For example, you could wear an oversized shirt with jeans, with a unitard and as a dress. This makes it a versatile piece that gives you three unique outfits you can wear time and again, resulting in a versatile and ultimately sustainable piece.

If you’re struggling for ways to wear something, have a look at look books online curated by fashion-centric people who are experts in combining pieces in ways most of us would never think of.

Summary

These are just four ways you can shop more sustainably. Will you be trying any of them?

How to Keep Your Employees Healthy and Happy

Sam Allcock
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How to Keep Your Employees Healthy and Happy

As an employer, you have a responsibility to keep your employees happy and healthy whilst at work. This is because your employees will spend the majority of their days at work, so it’s important that in the place they’re spending most of their time, they feel at ease, content and have good habits that won’t impact negatively on their health.

Following the return to work after the pandemic, there is even more of a push on how employers can assist their employees with their physical and mental health in the workplace. If you’re looking to better support your employees, here are some tips.

Physical Health Support

For a lot of people, the office is where they indulge in their most unhealthy habits. Whether it’s drinking five cups of tea with sugar in each, or constantly grazing on junk food snacks throughout the day, office workers can be among the unhealthiest. On top of this, sitting down at a desk and being sedentary only exasperates the problem.

To help encourage healthier habits for your employees, why not offer up alternatives such as sweeteners for hot drinks and put a fruit bowl in place of chocolate bars? Try and incorporate more healthy snacks such as granola bars and yoghurts, too.

A big part of being healthy comes from eating proper meals and taking regular breaks, so make sure you’re encouraging your staff to take their lunch breaks (and all of it, not just five or 10 minutes), and ensure they have routine screen breaks also. This will allow them to briefly recharge and refuel whilst easing the strain on their eyes, too.

Once you’ve tackled the eating and break situations, make sure you’re providing ergonomic support for your employees whilst they’re at their desks. Many of your employees might have been working from home during the pandemic and will be used to their own office chairs. It’s important you provide them with equally as supportive chairs in order to promote good posture, reduce backache and improve overall comfort.

Mental Health Support

It’s not just your employee’s physical health that you need to consider, you also need to look closely at how you can support them mentally. The pandemic will likely have taken a toll on your employees, and it’s highly possible that they will take a small while to settle back into the swing of normal working life.

Be prepared for increased rates of anxiety amongst your employees, especially pandemic parents who will be apart from their children for the first time in over a year.

Ways you can support mental health post-pandemic are similar to how you would have done pre-pandemic, save for the need for more leniency and understanding. Things you can do include offering flexible working hours so that employees who are nervous about returning can ease themselves back into it, as well as providing your employees with the work/life balance they’ve likely become accustomed to.

As an employer, you should always promote an approachable environment for your team. This means having an open door policy in terms of mental health and always making the time to listen to your employees when they come to you with concerns. Many employers feel unprepared to deal with mental health in the workplace, so it’s important to invest in training or to have the information of referral services at your fingertips.

Summary

By taking the above points on board and providing an environment whereby employees have healthy options, the right physical support, a positive work environment and the option to speak should they feel it necessary is imperative to promoting a healthy and happy workplace where your staff feel supported and content.

Accepting High Risk Payments in the UK

Sam Allcock
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Accepting High Risk Payments in the UK

Collecting payments in various European countries can be really simple, but you need to understand how they work. If your business is located in the US, but you have customers in Europe, the fee structure and payment options can vary. They will not only be different between Europe and the US, but they can also vary slightly from country to country.

You do have plenty of options, though. As a merchant selling goods and services internationally, you want to be conscientious of both the risks and benefits. You also want to provide your customers with a variety of payment options to suit their needs, which will improve the customer experience and ultimately customer loyalty.

Methods of Payment in the UK

In the UK and across Europe, there are a variety of payment methods that are widely used. Not unlike the US, many of them include credit or debit cards. Here are some of the most popular payment methods currently being used in the UK and other European countries.

Credit and Debit Cards

As you might expect, credit and debit cards are popular in the UK, just as they are in other countries. From the consumer perspective, cards are easy-to-use, readily available forms of payment. Most cardholders don’t think twice about using them to make purchases both online and in-stores.

For merchants, cards offer a great option for customers but are associated with some pretty high transaction fees. Many high risk credit card processing companies charge a fee of 2-5% per transaction. You will also likely be charged a fixed fee per transaction, as well.

In addition to processing fees, many banks and payment processors will also charge a cross-border fee for accepting payments internationally. The money will also be subject to exchange rates as applicable. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t accept card payments, though.

Depending on your specific business and the fees your processor charges, you might be better off opening an international bank account to take payments in the UK. If you have a merchant account with a UK bank, you can accept payments there and likely see a significantly reduced fee structure.

Direct Debit / ACH

Another easy way to accept payments in the UK is through direct debit payments. If you’re familiar with ACH payment processing, then you probably know how it works. Direct debit is one of the key types of payments that are processed via the ACH network.

More often than not, direct debit is used for recurring payments. If your business has a subscription-based payment model, this can be a great option for you to offer customers. It is a little bit slower in terms of receiving funds than a credit or debit card transaction but is often associated with lower fees.

Depending on your specific bank and merchant account, you might need additional accounts with a bank in the UK in order to process these types of payments. This is not typical, but it could be something that comes up as you go through the process of setting up your business.

E-Money

Although e-money is not a typical term in the US, the concept is. This is a type of payment system, representing real money but held in an electronic account. PayPal is a great example of this type of payment method.

Merchants who use PayPal or another e-money platform as their exclusive form of payment leave a lot to be desired by their customers. Although these systems are extremely easy to set up, not everyone in the world uses them. Additionally, there are some drawbacks to these online payment processing systems.

  1. They tend to be almost as expensive as credit and debit card transactions. They can have transaction fees ranging from 1.5% to 3.5%, plus additional cross-border and other fees.
  2. These systems also lack usage in the UK. Although they are extremely popular in the US, they account for less than 10% of online payments made in the UK. This means that you’re limiting your customer base, which is not usually a good business plan.
  3. These systems re-route customers to their own website to complete their payment. While some consumers are perfectly comfortable with this, others are not. It can negatively impact your customers’ experience with your brand, especially if the payment processor’s website is malfunctioning.

Instead of using e-money as the exclusive form of payment available on your site, it would be smart to just have it as an additional option. This way, consumers can choose to use it if they want to, but they won’t have to.

Bank Transfer

If you run an online business that sells products business-to-business (B2B), you might want to consider allowing bank transfers for payments. These are typically only used for large purchases and are often used in B2B transactions. The biggest thing to consider here is how much the transfer fees will be.

Depending on your bank, and the UK bank that your customer uses, these fees can vary substantially. It’s smart to give your customer a few different options for payment, especially if it’s a large amount of money changing hands. You may also want to consider opening an account with a domestic bank in the UK to avoid large transfer and transaction fees.

If you want to get really savvy and avoid transfer fees, you could consider some of the peer-to-peer platforms similar to PayPal that will allow you to transfer large sums of money. However, in general, you can do this between a US bank and a UK bank without too much trouble. Just be sure to investigate the associated fees before making the transfer.

Conclusion

If your business is a US-based business that is considered high risk, it doesn’t mean that you can’t sell to consumers in the UK. A little bit of research into your bank and your payment processor’s fee structure will go a long way. Once you know what the fees are and the potential solutions available, you can make an educated decision about how to proceed and be able to accept high-risk payments in the UK.

10 leading brands of vacuum cleaners on the market today

Sam Allcock
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10 leading brands of vacuum cleaners on the market today

Vacuum cleaners are one of the most essential maintenance equipment you need at home. It would have been much easier if we had just a few renowned brands that manufacture vacuums. However, unfortunately, that is not the case, there are hundreds of brands that are stepping into the industry and making it difficult for consumers to find the best vacuum cleaner for their houses. Mostly, consumers want to invest in vacuum cleaners from a well-known and well-reputed brand.

In this article, we have listed down the top 10 vacuum cleaner brands along with a brief history and their top vacuum cleaners.

Dyson (high-end vacuums)

This United Kingdom-based British Technology brand was built in 1991 by its founder James Dyson. The company is famous for its household appliances like air purifiers, hand dryers, vacuum cleaners, heaters, hairdryers, fans, etc. Among the list of companies that manufacture vacuum cleaners, Dyson tops the list. As compared to other companies, the Dyson is one of the most expensive vacuum brands which is known for its creative innovation in vacuums for solving typical consumer issues.

Dyson vacuums come with their patented cyclonic technology which actually makes them the high-end vacuums since the company claims that these vacuums never lose their suction power. On top of the cyclonic technology vacuums from this vacuum, brand comes with ball technology as well which makes maneuvering around the house especially in tiny places and corners easier. The best part is, Dyson vacuums are re-evaluated every year and the internals is improved. Currently, the top Dyson vacuum is its handheld V11 trigger which is a common fan favorite.

Shark (one of the best upright vacuums)

Shark, owned by SharkNinja Operating LLC, is a Canada based vacuum cleaner brand that is known for its cleaning solutions and household appliances. The company started in 1998 as a family-owned business when its Founder and Chief Executive Officer Mark Rosenzweig decided to venture in Canada. This brand of vacuum cleaners is mainly popular because it has catered to users with different needs. It has developed a versatile range of vacuum cleaners with different technologies. Hence, it has managed its way to the list of top vacuum cleaner brands.

The company is known for its innovations in vacuum cleaning technologies, the aggressive pricing and the ease of use. Nowadays, the trending vacuum from this vacuum cleaner brand is the Shark Navigator Lift-Away ZU561. It comes with the vacuum brand’s cyclone technology and has a 10-amp motor which keeps the suction on point throughout the products life. This model is equipped with a self-cleaning brushroll, so it is good for vacuuming hair. The best part is all Shark vacuums are equipped with filters to suck out the allergens from the air.

Miele (perfect bagged vacuums)

This German home appliances brand is one of the best vacuum cleaner brands on the market. It came into being in 1800s and over time has grown up to be an empire of 18,000 employees around the world. The company has been striving to improve the old school vacuum cleaners i.e. bagged vacuum cleaners and optimize them so that they can be used efficiently and ergonomically in today’s world. Every vacuum is constructed using top of the line materials including ABS plastic and is equipped with HEPA filters which claim to remove 99.97 percent of allergens from the atmosphere. Even though the vacuum manufacturer is known for its bagged vacuums it also manufactures upright and robot vacuums.

The vacuum brand’s best vacuum in the market is its Miele Complete C3 Marin canister vacuum which comes with the company’s in-house electro brush that makes it easy to clean stubborn debris of all kinds of floors. The vacuums from the vacuum cleaner brand are known for their easy maneuverability, durability, ease of access and easy operations. All Miele vacuum cleaners are high functionality.

Bissell

Another vacuum brand that made it to the list is this Michigan based company dubbed Bissell. It has been in the market for over 100 years now and is known for its vacuum cleaners and floor cleaning solutions. It is one of the less expensive vacuum brands on the market which is why it is a fan favorite. The company mainly deals with bagless vacuum cleaners that come with a plethora of accessories. This popular vacuum brand manufactures a number of different types of vacuum cleaners for versatility and user convenience. these inexpensive vacuum cleaners are ideal for people on a budget, their vacuum line with pet hair cleaning abilities has been receiving a lot of praise over the past.

The best Bissell vacuum on the market is Bissell Featherweight Stick Bagless Vacuum which only weighs 2.6 pounds and is famous for its versatility. It is a three in one kind of vacuum and can be used to clean every teeny tiny corner of your house including the crevices of the stairs. Everything from low piled carpets to countertops can be cleaned with Bissell vacuums since they, at an affordable price, work towards offering the most versatility.

Hoover

This American Vacuum company has been around for more than 10 decades now and is famous for it’s easy to use and powerful cleaning products. It is one of the most trusted vacuum cleaner brands in America and has become a household icon. It was founded by Murray Spangler in 1907 and since then has been providing consumers with innovative cleaning solutions. The company competes with top of the line vacuum cleaner brands and has a history of adaptation and evolution.

The best part is, Hoover holds a sweet spot between high-end vacuum cleaner brands and low-end vacuum cleaner brands as far as the prices are concerned.

Hoover, unlike many other vacuum cleaner brands, Hoover has stuck with the old school American vacuum cleaner design. The best Hoover vacuum on the market is Hoover Anniversary Self-Propelled WindTunnel U6485900 which was basically launched as a celebratory vacuum cleaner that expands the original Hoover design and optimizes it according to what the modern world needs. The best part is that it is self-propelled which means it will put less strain on the users and will be easy to maneuver.

Oreck

Another American company in this Vacuum cleaning brand list is this Chicago based company Oreck that came into being in 1963. The company has always kept its approach minimalistic and classic which is why the name always stands out in the list of vacuum cleaner brand names. These carpet focused vacuums are simple, affordable and extremely effective for long term use. Almost all the vacuum cleaners from the company look similar, but there are small technological advancements being incorporated that make all the difference. Since Oreck vacuums are carpet focused, they are less comprehensive as compared to its competitors. All the Oreck vacuums come with brush rolls that cannot be turned off.

The current best-selling Oreck vacuum cleaner is Oreck Elevate Control UK30100 which comes with all the typical Oreck features including the SaniSeal filtration, a powerful brush roll, and ergonomic design. Oreck vacuum cleaners are known to be lightweight and extremely functional.

This vacuum cleaner has LED headlights as well to spot the debris. Oreck vacuums come with 1-year warranties and side to side brushes as well, for wall to wall cleaning.

Electrolux

This Swedish electronics company came into the limelight due to the old-styled canister vacuums that are manufactured for the initial 20 years of the company’s life. However, with time it adapted new technology and trends, hence, the vacuum brand moved towards manufacturing egg-shaped canisters. The company is known for its high-quality construction and durable vacuum cleaners. One of the most popular Electrolux vacuum series is the ultra series which consists of bagged vacuums. These vacuums come with versatile cleaning options and can clean hardwood floors, tiles, low-pile, and high-pile carpets. Apart from this the company also manufactures cordless vacuums and stick vacuums.

The best Electrolux vacuum cleaner on the market is Electrolux UltraFlex Canister Vacuum Cleaner which is a common fan favorite since it is specifically designed to make the user’s life easier. The machine is manufactured using plastic in combination with a polycarbonate derived material called Lexan which is known for its durability. It comes with a telescopic wand and an automatic suction control as well which is pretty reliable. The vacuum also gives a full bag indicator by stopping the brush from moving. All Electrolux vacuum cleaners also come with HEPA filters.

Shop-Vac

Known for manufacturing top of the line wet and dry vacuum cleaners, this vacuum brand was founded in 1953 and is recognized worldwide. Very few vacuum brands manufacture vacuums that can deal with both wet and dry messes. The Shop-Vac vacuums come with powerful motors that can pick up all kinds of debris and fluid in little time. The best part about these vacuums is the efficiency with which they work and the large-sized tanks that they come with. Hence, users don’t have to empty the bins after every use. The Shop-Vac vacuums are focused on easy usability, affordability, and efficiency of the design. They have depicted their policy of continuous improvement in every release.

The best Shop-Vac vacuum on the market is Vacmaster VBV1210 which comes with a massive 12-gallon tank and can suck up 2 gallons of water in just 3.9 seconds. This depicts how strong the motor is. However, due to the heavy motors and huge tanks, the Shop-Vac vacuums are pretty heavy. This one weighs 17 pounds which can hinder the maneuverability of the vacuum but since it provides top of the line cleaning experience, users are usually ready to make the compromise.

iRobot

Founded in 1990, this new company makes use of the fact that people nowadays don’t really have time for cleaning. As the name suggests, the vacuum cleaner brand is famous for its robot vacuum cleaners. iRobot created autonomous vacuum cleaners using cutting-edge technology. The robot vacuums manufactured by this vacuum brand are capable of mapping the rooms to clean and can also detect dirt and debris in the vicinity, which helps them calculate the path that will be best for cleaning the room. They are battery operated and usually come with a navigation system which allows them to make their way back to the docking station in case the battery gets low during the cleaning process.

The best iRobot vacuum currently available on the market is iRobot Roomba 960 which is designed for deep cleaning the house. it comes with top of the line navigation technology and has a 70 minutes battery life. On top of this, it comes with features like recharge and resume, Wi-Fi connectivity, multiple scheduling options and clean by room options.

ECOVACS Robotics

ECOVACS Robotics is a Chinese company known for in-house robotic appliances to help consumers live a peaceful and easy life. The company is relatively new and was founded in 1998. The company has been an innovation award winner since 2013 as it is continuously working on the development of new ideas. ECOVACS Robotics vacuums are innovative and are equipped with features like special safety sensors, Wi-Fi connectivity, remote control, audio alarm system, safety tether and lots more. Most robot vacuums don’t come with mopping options but ECOVACS robot vacuums do.

The current best-selling robot vacuum from ECOVACS Robotics is ECOVACS Deebot Ozmo 920 Robotic Vac & Mop. This robot vacuum comes with a 130 minutes long running time with an automatic suction boost which activates as soon as the robot senses stubborn debris. It has the ability to map three different parts of your house and will also control the water flow. The vacuum also has automatic carpet and tile detection.

Conclusion

There are a large number of companies and brands dealing with vacuum cleaners and vacuum cleaner production. However, the vacuum cleaner brands mentioned in this article are top of the line and are known for their high-quality products. Some of them are extremely expensive and manufacture high-end vacuum cleaners but others are pretty reasonable and work towards consumer convenience.

Is the Bitcoin Bull Run Over? What to Consider if You are Invested

Sam Allcock
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Is the Bitcoin Bull Run Over? What to Consider if You are Invested

With Bitcoin’s recent major dip to $30,000, the rumor that the bull run is over has spread like wildfire throughout the crypto world.

If you have invested in cryptocurrency, you are probably worried about what to expect next.

Is the Bitcoin bull run really over? Or are we going to see another all-time high soon?

This article will help you understand what to consider if you are invested in crypto. Let’s get started!

Main reasons behind the dip

Crashing as much as 30% within 24 hours, Bitcoin has been on a downward trend. But the big correction had multiple reasons.

Elon Musk’s tweet was one of the reasons behind the dip. The famous billionaire has a significant influence on the crypto-verse and has been supporting ‘DOGE.’  His interest in cryptocurrency has brought millions of people to invest in cryptocurrency, and his tweets have a major impact on the prices of cryptocurrencies.

On May 13, Elon Musk’s tweet stating Tesla has suspended vehicle purchases using Bitcoin due to environmental concerns brought great tension in the market. Rumors of Tesla selling its Bitcoin created panic throughout, making people panic sell. Almost $300 billion was wiped off the entire cryptocurrency market after the tweet.

To add to this panic, China barred financial institutions and payment companies from carrying out any cryptocurrency transactions. The China ban brought a wave of fear, uncertainty, and doubt, resulting in high selling pressure.

Bitcoin exchanges like Independent Reserve saw massive sell orders, with other cryptocurrencies plunging with Bitcoin pricing going down.

What are famous people doing?

While an almost 40% drop in the price of Bitcoin from its all-time high seems dramatic, it is common in many volatile markets. After such a huge rally, Bitcoin has seen a major 40% correction in the past, so this is nothing new.

Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy and the face of Bitcoin, stated that “I’m not selling.” In fact, MicroStrategy purchased an additional 229 Bitcoins for $10 million.  

Michael Saylor tweeted that entities he controls have 111,000 Bitcoins in their possession. His actions are a clear indication that the bull run might not be over yet.

One of the biggest crypto channels named BitBoy Crypto also highlighted that this might be a short-term correction. Many YouYube influencers have been calling this dip mere ‘manipulation by hedge funds.’

Are you wondering what they are doing? They are holding!

Elon Musk’s tweets highlighted that Tesla has diamond hands and is not selling any Bitcoin at all.

Technical analysis of Bitcoin

Bitcoin has been fluctuating between the price range of $30,000 and $42,000. Strong resistance at $42,000 is evident, with support lying around $30,000.

For Bitcoin to see an upward trend, the price has to break and close above $42,000. The next resistance can be seen at $47,000 and $51,000.

Dipping down below $30,000 can be a clear sign of weakness. It can lead to further panic in the crypto market and more selling by retail investors.

What to consider if you are invested?

The cryptocurrency market is highly volatile, and such corrections are regular. However, you need to manage risk accordingly. Long-term investors are calling it an opportunity to add cryptocurrency at a discounted price.

Investing what you can afford to lose is the major advice every experienced trader gives out.

If you are already at a loss, holding onto your cryptocurrency till the market stabilizes can be one way to go about it. Or you can cut more potential losses by selling your cryptocurrency at this loss. You need to know about your exit strategy and decide when to exit or enter the market.

It all depends on your risk appetite. If you can hold till the market sees an upward trend again, you can reap the rewards.

Has the bull run ended?

Whether the bull run has ended or not remains uncertain. The market is unstable and in a critical period.

We don’t know when these time frames formally began because many observers, particularly those who entered the market early, have different viewpoints. Furthermore, we have no idea what the peak will be during this period or when it will occur.

You should listen to both views and come up with your own conclusions since simply embracing FUD or hype may not be a good idea!

7 Ways a Digital Marketing Agency Helps to Grow SME Business in the UK

Sam Allcock
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7 Ways a Digital Marketing Agency Helps to Grow SME Business in the UK

In recent times, small and medium business enterprises have experienced a considerable change in the way brands are marketing themselves around the world. If you are a small or medium enterprise trying to understand how a Digital Marketing agency can help brands in positioning themselves and growing business in the United Kingdom, then this blog is just for you.

Digital marketing has surfaced as one of the fastest ways to expand your network and increase your profits. The main reason why businesses have welcomed it so well is that it gives quick results with fewer resources. Besides the fact that it uses all platforms to grow your business reach; it is also adaptive to the latest technological changes. A local SEO based in UK can help you to optimize your website and gain visibility in search results.

Nowadays, SME businesses across UK have begun to hire web design companies to develop a customized website for their brands. A successful business website is built with a lot of hard work from creative content makers, web design experts, social media strategists, and digital experts who come together to give you the best results.

NV Digital Marketing is one such agency that believes in utilizing the latest advancement to expand business reach and yield higher ROI. We foresee your brand’s evolving needs and prepare your business to overcome the challenges. We connect you to your target audience in the digital space. Our creative geniuses constantly brainstorm to find new ways to build your presence and use the digital platforms for your brand awareness.

Here are some ways that digital marketing can help you grow your business whatsoever the size and nature of your business.

  • Data-driven Analytics: Lead generation is a very difficult task for most businesses to begin with. It is a process of identifying your potential customers who share an interest in your business services & products. Identifying the right leads is important to your marketing and selling efforts as it helps in better conversion. A digital marketing expert can help you in accessing the data that drives sales. Based on these data analytics, businesses can personalize their messages to their audience. It also helps to know how customers are viewing your website so that your business can be designed to attribute to different devices. You can get essential data like website traffic, demographics, and the growth potential of your business. Hiring the right digital marketing agency will help you figure out what strategies work well for you and which ones need to be changed based on logical facts rather than guesswork.
  • Customized Web Design and Development: A well-crafted website design is a fundamental part of any business’s digital marketing strategies. Websites are a platform to showcase your business products or services that you wish to offer to your customers. They also make communication easy for your customers, by creating a medium for contact. This platform for your customer engagement will gain their loyalty & increased trust for your brand.

NV digital marketing has a team of experts who can design a website for your business that adapts itself with different devices like desktops, mobiles, laptops & tablets that a customer uses to view the website. Our web developers create a web design that adjusts both the content and images based on the resolution of the display mode. A fast-loading website with an attractive design and high functionality can improve your brand positioning and drive more sales.

  • Cost-effective solutions:

Traditional marketing involves huge expenditure even for minimal content on any medium of advertising. This is one reason why digital marketing has grown over the years, as it is affordable for businesses even with limited resources. With digital marketing tools, you can strategically target your ads to potential customers and make sure you even grab their attention. This not only results in optimal utilization of your financial resources but also gives efficient results. Even small and medium businesses can afford to promote their business with the help of digital marketing strategies built just for them. Unlike traditional marketing methods, digital marketing creates a long-lasting impact on internet users by using social media. With very little investment you can personalize your ads and reach out to your customers. Further with the help of useful analytics, you will spend only on the audience that is interested in your products and follows your brand.

  • Widens your reach: One of the barriers the traditional marketing tools present to businesses is geographical limitations. Digital marketing kills these barriers by allowing you to showcase your products or services and communicating to your audiences at a global level. Even if you’re competing with big industrial giants, you can still gain mileage. When you interact with your audience you develop a sense of loyalty with customers and gain their trust. With regular engagement on different platforms like social media or customized email newsletters you can reassure them of your presence in their lives. This allows you to understand what they’re looking for and what you can offer to satisfy their needs. Digital marketing helps to expand your reach each day with new customers coming to the table and also making sure that the existing ones are satisfied. Using the right marketing tools that fit perfectly with your business, you can communicate with your audience anywhere and anytime. You can tell them what’s new about your brand and keep them updated with the latest products. When small businesses put efforts into digital marketing they can grow their businesses by presenting themselves to the masses.
  • Variety of tools: Digital marketing offers a wide variety of mediums that can be used according to your specific needs, NV digital marketing agency helps you to analyze the demographics of your target audience and decide which medium works best for you. Small and medium businesses can also witness substantial growth in their customer base by choosing to create their social media presence on platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, etc. This can not only help them build their brand awareness but also drive traffic by regularly posting interesting content. Email marketing can also be a very useful tool, as it allows you to connect to your customers through newsletters that enable instant action. If you’re looking for instant results, we can offer you paid search ads option as well. These are the ones that appear on search results and are popular for boosting click-through rates. The same digital marketing medium cannot be used for all businesses. So get a digital marketing specialist who knows what best suits you, is an important decision. You can go for a combination of techniques like social media marketing and email marketing to create a larger impact for your band.
  • SEO integration: Businesses in UK are trying to find the most affordable SEO packages for their websites. Search engine optimization algorithms often keep changing and your business needs to align with them. Search engine optimization helps to make regular changes to your websites so that they remain visible in the Google search results. These improvements will not only lead to higher rankings but also help boost your click-through rates, so that your website gains more traffic, and increases the conversion rate. Even if you’re a small business it becomes essential to gain a rank in the organic search results. When you adopt SEO practices, it makes your website prominent in the search results and thereby leads the users directly to your website. Users find it easier to view websites that are optimized and present them with relevant content. When you optimize your website it becomes easy for search engines to identify and rank based on relevance.
  • Suitability for SMEs: The best part about digital marketing is that even businesses with limited resources can use it to promote their business. Small and medium-sized businesses might often hesitate to invest in marketing efforts as they do not have the financial capacity. But the need to market their brand is just the same as the big industries. With very little investment you can grow your businesses with the help of the right digital marketing strategies. You can use it to your advantage and enable your business to compete with other market players. By establishing your online presence you not only boost your brand image but also benefit from improved recognition that comes with regular interaction with your customers. Online platforms have made it easier for customers to share their experiences with their referrals and that benefits your business directly. Since the majority of the population is engaged in using the internet, you might miss out on a lot of benefits online opportunities present. Being online not only makes you a part of their life but also keeps them associated with your brand. With regular posts and updates about your brand, you can make it a happy experience for them.  And all of these within a very little budget.

Netventure Digital Solutions Pvt. Ltd is a digital agency located in India; that has empowered businesses by providing website management and online strategy development services. It also has a dedicated department for providing the best digital marketing solutions for businesses. It bags an experience of 15 years in the industry and has urged to grow its network across the world.  It also has a group of marketing associates  in the UK who will provide consultation to all your web and digital marketing needs.  Netventure has passionate designers who constantly pledge to find innovative solutions to the modern challenges. Our experts will offer you consultation on what your business needs and how we can achieve the desired results. We focus on experimenting, testing and fine-tuning our online strategies to facilitate businesses with growth and higher profits. This involves creating engaging content, unique website features that have high functionality, analytical tools, customer research and analysis and using them to create custom digital solutions.

Join Netventure Digital Marketing to change the way people view your brand. We have specialists covering all aspects of digital marketing from website development to strategizing your digital campaigns, and using mobile marketing, email marketing and SEO to enhance your reach. Our team of experts will give remarkable digital solutions for your business.

Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot A Story?

Sam Allcock
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0
Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot A Story?

Many a time people wish to screenshot an Instagram story and save it in their gallery as a memory, reminder, or note to self. However, one question stops people from doing this. This the question is, does Instagram notify when you screenshot a story? Well, if you’re worried about the same thing, you have launched on the perfect page. In this blog, we are going to discuss whether Instagram notifies when someone takes a screenshot of a story or not. Read this article for more information.

Does Instagram Notify for Taking Screenshots?

Talking about whether Instagram notifies about screenshots taken after stories, it is found that Instagram users were given an opportunity to see the names of people who were screenshotting their stories. It can be dated back to February 2018. However, this feature expired in the month of June of the same year, and cannot be used in present. Therefore, now the Instagram users are not notified about who took the screenshot of their stories. The people can freely screenshot any story without the fear of being caught or pinpointed.

Hence, taking a screenshot of a story, screen recording a story, taking a screenshot of a post, or even screen recording Instagram reels, the Instagram users will not be notified.

Some other things you should know about Instagram in case of using screen recording or screenshotting, are discussed next.

In what cases does Instagram notify about screenshotting?

As discussed earlier, Instagram does not notify the user about screenshotting or screen recording of any post, Instagram reel, direct message, or story. However, if a photo or video that was sent through direct message had disappeared or deleted, and in that case, somebody takes a screenshot, the Instagram user will be notified.

How does Instagram Notify you about screenshots taken?

Now how to know if somebody has taken a screenshot of your content? Well, for this purpose you need to look for a small circle beside the disappearing or deleted video or photo.

This will give you a notification that somebody has taken a screenshot of the chat. You can also see the notification about screenshot in the summary of the conversation on the main page of your Instagram page.

Things you need to know about screenshotting Instagram DMs

Before we talk about the things you need to know about screenshotting Instagram direct messages, you need to know what a disappearing video or photo is. A disappearing video or photo is the one that has been clicked or made using the Instagram camera. This video or photo can only be viewed by the users once after it has been delivered by the sender via direct messages. If the Instagram user screenshots or screens records the photo or video, once the message has disappeared, the sender will be notified about it.

One thing needs to be noted that this is only possible when you send someone a disappearing message. In case of messages that are not disappearing, the sender will not be notified about screenshots regarding or screenshotting of that particular video or photo.

Furthermore, screenshotting of the chat and the media like images or videos shared through the gallery of the cell phone will not notify the person.

Third-party apps claiming to notify you about Instagram screenshots is a scam

Any third-party app, claiming to notify you about Instagram screenshots or screen recording needs not to be trusted. It’s a scam because Instagram takes care of the privacy issues of its users and restrict the actions of any third-party apps that try to invade in the Instagram app. This clearly indicates that there is no way you can know who is screenshotting or screen recording your content on Instagram. Hence beware of any third- party app that claims to notify you about the names of people who are screenshotting your content. That third party app might also install a virus or result in malicious activities on your Instagram account that might even lead to hacking of your Instagram account or even losing your Instagram account. Just as caution is advised with third-party apps, similar due diligence is crucial when exploring other online platforms, including financial ones. For those interested in digital asset trading, researching the Best Crypto Sites is essential to ensure secure and reliable transactions. Always prioritize platforms with strong security protocols and transparent operations to protect your digital assets.

So, these were a few things that you need to know about screenshotting and screen recording of content on Instagram. I hope this blog helps you enhance your knowledge about screenshotting and other concerns about Instagram, and warns you of the potential harms of availing services from third-party apps.

Flashy Wrists for Work From Home: Wearables surge thanks to Covid-19 Pandemic

Sam Allcock
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0
Flashy Wrists for Work From Home: Wearables surge thanks to Covid-19 Pandemic

Unsurprisingly, wearables have come into a league of their own as more of us become obsessed with tracking all aspects of our lives. The pandemic has tested and challenged us beyond our wildest imaginations. 

Changes in routine can elevate a range of health issues and create sensitivity in already problematic areas of our lives, such as sleep and eating. Wearables have been a great way for people to track and control these issues as well as stress levels, which have naturally heightened over the course of the pandemic. 

The graph below shows a positive and steady increase in the number of wearable devices used in the US. It is apparent that the level of growth will increase into 2022, presenting a healthy appetite for wearables from consumers.

(Image Source: eMarketer)

The pandemic and lockdown have increased money-saving opportunities for many thanks to work-from-home (WFH) effects to keep virus contractions to a minimum. This has given many the flexibility of having a disposable income which trends have shown. Consumers are spending money on electronic goods rather than leisure activities. 

Over the fourth quarter, global shipments or electronics, more specifically wearables, increased by 27% resulting in a colossal 153.5 million units. As the pandemic continues, many have taken strides in reducing calories, increasing diets and efforts to keep fit. In doing so, the surge for a healthier lifestyle has helped fuel growth and increased the demand for wearable technology.

For some time now, Apple gadgets have dominated the wearables market and has maintained its lead. In the fourth quarter of 2020, Apple shipped 55.6 million units which enabled it to hold its vast 36.2 market share from the previous year. 

(Image Source: Macrumors)

In accordance with shipment volume, the Apple Watch Series 5 was unsurprisingly the best selling smartwatch worldwide, followed by the more modestly priced Apple Watch Series 3 in the first half of 2020. However, will the popularity of smart wearables drop or increase over time?

The future of wearables

Some counterpoint research suggests there will be a decline in wearables over the years, which will be down to two reasons. First, inevitably there will be another trend of technology to replace current smartwatches. Secondly, as smartwatch technology increases, wearables will not be able to keep up, making their functionalities and progress limited. 

However, Apple and other smartwatch tech giants are working on new features to keep wearable trendy. For example, Apple is working on fall detection to be part of future models. Smartwatches and wearable devices can also be used for various functionalities, including measuring oxygen monitoring through the watch. 

Wearables began as fitness trackers and have merged into devices of their own. The latest Samsung galaxy watch allows users to make and receive calls through it while speaking through the watch, eliminating the need to use smartphones. 

However, the future of wearables is thought to look a lot more different in the future and how we understand and use them today. The future of wearable technology will see them stitched into textiles and clothing, making them discrete and sophisticated. Sensors in textiles can eliminate the need for fitness trackers as athletic clothing sensors will be able to measure heart rate, steps and so on. 

Although this does sound promising, the pandemic has created issues that have restricted tech growth by disrupting shipment and manufacturing processes leading to a decline in the market. However, even though their supply issues have been problematic to in revenues for wearable technology overall, the pandemic has birthed some new opportunities that wearable sensors can be used in creating a whole new market. 

As mentioned earlier, parallel trends have seen the implementation of smartwatches and tracking devices being used as medical equipment to track the early onset of conditions. Sensors can also be used for contact tracing purposes and even provide better remote care for patients in isolation.

As technology increases and thanks to the pandemic, we will see sensors and wearables being used in various ways that will help to successfully commercialize new applications in an array of industries, mutating over time. With this in mind, the wearable market may not shrink as suggested earlier, but the drives consumers use may look very different to how they look now.

HOW GAMINGS CLUBS IN LONDON WERE AFFECTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?

Sam Allcock
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0
HOW GAMINGS CLUBS IN LONDON WERE AFFECTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?

Even as the new year had begun, casino properties and the gaming industry around the world are still suffering the impact of COVID-19. Land-based casinos have struggled severely throughout the pandemic, with new outbreaks of infections and greater travel restrictions. Many locations were forced to shut down in March, only to resume at a reduced capacity before being requested to close again. This has resulted in significant income loss, and many casino stakes have collapsed as a consequence.

London is not simply one of several world’s most populous cities for tourism. It has been one of the world’s biggest gambling centres, if not the biggest in Europe. Casinos, betting shops, and sports arenas have almost all lost income in the last 12 months or so. With the 17th of May restriction loosening approach, what can we expect life to be like in this post-pandemic age? That’s what we’re trying to focus on.

BOOKMAKER SHOPS AND COVID-19:

The first gaming establishments to resume were bookmakers in England and Wales. This was effective on April 12th, more than a month before casinos and other indoor sites were permitted to reopen. There had been, of course, constraints in place. Each client could just stay in the establishment for a total of 15 minutes before needing to leave. All sporting activities that are normally broadcast live on TVs in stores had to be turned off. In actuality, until further notification, all chairs and booths have been evacuated. Workers must also ensure that consumers are kept socially apart at all moments. A few of these limitations were removed on May 17th. As a result, individuals will be allowed to more readily make bets on the Euros at gambling venues.

BINGO HALLS AND RACECOURSES:

Bingo halls and casinos are in the same boat. That is, they both reopened on May 17th. Mecca Bingo and Buzz Bingo have battled to retain employees given the fact that they have been closed for the majority of the year, except for the initial shutdown. Buzz Bingo was pressured to officially shut down 26 bingo venues as a result of this. Even though some bingo halls are shutting, bingo remains one of the Uk’s favourite pleasures since it is a low-cost source of amusement. Due to the social aspect of bingo, rooms will almost certainly be back to full capacity as the current limitations are lifted.

Even though there are no often attended racecourses in Greater London, many Brits enjoy a day at the courses. For day outings or public holidays, the nearest places to explore are Windsor, Sandown, Kempton Park, Brighton, and Lingfield. Horse owners have been allowed to return to the racetrack to witness, but spectators have still not been permitted. With the hospitality business resuming on May 17th, racetracks are now permitted to welcome a small number of racing fans beginning upon this date.

THE BLOOM OF ONLINE CASINOS:

When contrasted to its online competitors, land-based casinos have struggled. Many individuals have been looking for UK casinos online because casinos have been forced to close for most of the last year.

Even when people are not attending their hometown casinos, they are still betting. These, though, are accessed digitally. During the outbreak, the online gaming industry expanded significantly. Because players are unable to play in person, they must depend on the activities available online, where they can still have a good chance of winning while playing classic casino games from the comfort of their own homes.

As the pandemic persists, existing online casinos seek to draw new players. How long this will endure is unclear, but for the time being, internet gambling is thriving. As a result of this, some land sites have shifted their focus to the establishment of online networks. Organizations are attempting to keep loyal players by introducing online games that may be played precisely like those in a land casino.

THE FUTURE OF LAND CASINOS AND WHAT TO EXPECT?

Some localities have permitted land casinos to reopen as long as it meets social distance and capacity standards. While this allows these businesses to begin earning cash from players, it is rather limited. Casinos around the globe proceed to struggle as a result of the cost of maintaining rules.

 Not only are fewer players attending locations, but they are also spending less money. Because of the disease outbreak, the global unemployment rate has risen, limiting the quantity of money available to gamblers. Lower-income levels, higher travel limits, and regulatory limitations continue to obstruct land-based casinos.

Because digital casinos remain a tempting alternative, the question is whether gamblers will resort to land-based casinos once they are allowed to. Online casinos may very well draw a sizable part of habitual gamblers away from brick-and-mortar establishments. With the globe turning digital and numerous limitations in effect, online casinos remain to gain from individuals who choose to remain at home and enjoy casino games on a Pc or smartphone.

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