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Reasons to hire professionals for waste clearance services in London

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London – a big city, and even bigger ‘contribution’ to the total waste production in the UK.

The junk adds up to 3.7 million tons each year. When it’s empty, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa weighs half  a million tons; so we’re talking 7 times that amount, in waste, every year.

However, London has low recycling rates. When compared to other cities in the UK, London ranks far behind.

Now, what can you, as a commercial organisation, do your tiny bit to not be a part of the problem

You just need to take one simple step.

Engage professionals for waste clearance.

But that costs big bucks, right? Why would you want to spend money on waste?

Well, because…

(a) It doesn’t really cost that much. It is a cost-effective solution in most cases.

And
(b) There are many other benefits of hiring professionals and availing waste clearance services in London.

Here is How Professional Waste Clearance Services Save Costs

The one invisible cost you often fail to account for is – opportunity cost. The cost value of a certain choice is equal to the value of the benefits that you could have gained with the other choice.

Try and understand this in the context of professional waste clearance services.

If you are a big fan of DIY and feel that you can handle the waste clearance and management, you’d spend time doing that. And you could have used that time in evaluating your business’ process bottlenecks, gathering feedback from your customers, motivating your employees, understanding their concerns and resolving them or anything else for that matter.

And when you spend time handling waste clearance, you are losing the chance to spend time doing something productive. That is a huge opportunity cost.

Plus, you’d hire manpower for waste clearance. And pay the workers a monthly salary. Even for the days when you don’t really need waste clearance.

Professional waste clearance services, on the other hand, would charge you for only the services that they offer you.

Thereby, saving both time and money is possible with professional waste clearance services.

Other Reasons for Hiring Professional Clearance Services in London

When you hire professionals for waste clearance services in London, you benefit in more ways. Some of which aren’t too obvious. Here are the top reasons for hiring professionals and ditching the DIY drill –

Proper waste management

What you call ‘waste’ can be segmented into multiple categories. E-waste, green waste, to organic waste and hazardous waste, waste can be categorised in many ways.

And all these different types of wastes need to be managed and disposed of in different ways.

Do you have the time for segregation?

Do you have the expertise for all categories of waste management?

Do you want to cause more harm to the environment by not carrying out proper waste segregation and management?

No, right?

The only solution?

Hire professionals and get the job done in a jiffy.

Maintain Health and Safety

You might not always realise that you are dealing with hazardous wastes. Items of routine use – that’s stuff like print solvents, car oils, brake fluids and batteries – are hazardous.

And without professional know-how disposing of these waste materials is a huge risk.

It’s not just hazardous wastes and their inherent risks. You are also exposed to harm like cuts, bruises and back stains if you don’t handle wastes in the right way.

So, waste, if not managed, is a health hazard waiting to hit you. And waste managed without professional know-how is a hazard of equal measure.

Professional waste cleaners have training and experience in managing all sorts of waste. And they will clear all the junk from your premises of waste without anyone getting sick, injured and hurt.

Improving your Brand Image

Social responsibility isn’t something you can run from. And you need to make sure that you send out positive signals, even when it comes to waste management.

Your customers don’t just judge you on the basis of your services. Seemingly trivial matters like how clean your premises is and how you carry out waste management shape your customer’s perception of your brand.

When you hire professionals for waste clearance services in London, you can rest assured that your premises will be spick and span. And your contribution to proper waste management in the city won’t go unnoticed.

You can think of professional waste clearance services as a well-deserved investment in keeping both your premises and your brand image clean and shining.

Your Waste Is Recycled

From the list of top 10 councils with the lowest recycling rates, 5 are in London.

The only way to get rid of materials like plastic, rubber tires and the like is to recycle them. These non-decomposable waste items can pose a great threat to the environment if not optimally managed.

However, you aren’t the only one to be blamed. You have other stuff to manage. You cannot schedule a daily trip to multiple recycling centres to ensure all the waste that your organisation produces gets recycled.

But, what you can do is hire professionals for rubbish removal in London. Waste clearance service providers are likely to recycle the wastes after segregation.

This way, you can ensure that the waste doesn’t land up at all the wrong places. It would be recycled, and you’d be ultimately contributing to the global good.

Making the final call

Just like you hire marketing specialists for marketing, accountants for accounting and several other specialised service providers for reliable services, you need to hire professionals for taking waste away the right way.

While it is obvious that going high on DIY can seem an enticing option, you know it won’t do you any good. You don’t know its true cost. You won’t do it half as nicely as professionals. And your customers will know it immediately when they go to a competitor’s premise, where professionals take care of the waste clean up.

Ask a rubbish removal or professional cleaning services for a quote. It’s cost-effective, eco-friendly, safe, sustainable, and time-saving. It’s a no-brainer.

Dinesh Kumar VM

Dinesh Kumar VM, SEO & Digital PR Manager at ClickDo. Has Expertise in Google Ads, Facebook Ads & Remarketing. Wrote & Published many books related to SEO & Digital Marketing.

More parents steer towards their vehicles for morning school routine during pandemic

A survey has recently taken place which uncovered how 1 in 10 parents are now looking to alter how their kids will get to school for the rest of the academic year, by taking on the extra responsibility of driving them themselves, due to pandemic worries.

8% of those asked have reported that they will be ditching public transport and replacing it with their own cars, walking or cycling. 

The survey was sent out to 1,000 parents of school-age children, throughout the UK, by car dealers Swansway Group. They learnt 24.3% would drive whilst 11.1% would insist on their children walking/cycling.

The survey was commissioned by the car sales company after a substantial growth in customers was flagged during the summer, each looking to purchase family-friendly vehicles from the group in order to suit their home to school transportation needs. SUV sales in particular have rocketed since the announcement of the return back to school.

The company noted an increase in specific car sales throughout the pandemic and the previous 18 months and have deemed the following as the perfect ‘family carrier’:

• Land Rover Range Rover

• Land Rover Discovery

• SEAT Leon

• Peugeot 3008

• Volkswagen Tiguan

• Peugeot 2008

• Audi Q3

• Audi Q5

• Honda Civic

• Jaguar F-Pace

“Both our dealerships and showrooms have noticed a recurring pattern, this year particularly, revolving around the kids being back in school. The want for parents to better their current vehicle has risen due to decisions to drive their children to school as opposed to them using public transport as they were previously.” says John Smyth, Director of Swansway Group.

“At the moment there have been multiple new health and safety systems put into place by the schools, including specific drop-off schedules for each year group. This makes for a chaotic environment for both children and parents. Managing these changes with the assistance of an upgraded, more practical, and ultimately comfier vehicle can help put minds at ease.”

All eyes are on London as they will be experiencing the biggest shift in as 17% of parents surveyed admitted to making the new switch to driving. 

It’s certainly interesting to learn that previous to lockdown the Swansway Group also surveyed 1,000 parents who claimed that their biggest issues with their morning school-run routine was the lack of respectable and considerate parking (22%) and the amount of parents who, despite living within walking/cycling distance to the school gates, still insisted on driving their children to school (26%).

Contact a.ling@swanswaygarages.com for more information.

5 Money-Saving Practices to Help Businesses Prepare for Another Lockdown

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For many businesses, penny-pinching hasn’t exactly been a choice lately. Lockdown regulations have forced the part-time closure of companies across all industries. Recent announcements have seen the UK return to some stricter regulations once again. Although this will inevitably take its toll on the financial capabilities for business across the UK, some of those money-saving practices you relied on previously can help to prepare for more potential restrictions.

The UK economy has been plunged into a state of turmoil in the recent months, and now local lockdowns in some regions of the UK could see yet another large financial slump. However, many businesses have managed to stay afloat throughout these unprecedented times. Online giant Amazon has even managed to increase its net sales by 40 per cent in the second quarter of 2020 in comparison to its 2019 stats.

As business owners have reopened their doors to the public once again, we have seen socially-distanced crowds flood through the doors again. However, don’t let this turnout blow all other possibilities out the water – including a second lockdown. As we see restrictions tighten once again in the UK, it’s vital that as a business owner you always plan strategies for both the best and worst outcomes.

So, why not bring back some of those money-saving techniques that have helped your business survive over recent months?

Here, we discuss some money-saving tips that will help support the survival of your business, regardless of what industry it is a part of, if lockdown restrictions were to affect its operations once again.

1.      Bring back cost-cutting measures

Since the coronavirus pandemic forced businesses keep track of their overheads even more so than usual, there is something business owners can learn from this if faced by another lockdown. Rather than abandoning your business’ Covid-19 plan, continue revising the strategy and further your approaches to keep costs low.

Depending on which region you are based and the restrictions that are in place, determine whether there are any changes in your short- and long-term budgets. This will help you grasp a clearer understanding of your expenses and help create multiple recovery or survival plans.

Next, decide which products or services are not essential. For example, those working in the food industry may decide to continue operating at a reduced menu. This helps cut costs on suppliers and cooking equipment. As for those operating in the service sector, ensure that all employees who can work from home are doing so. That way, electricity and water bills can be kept low.   

There are many tactical approaches and strategies you can implement back into your business operations to prepare for another lockdown. As a business owner, preparing for all possible scenarios, regardless of a pandemic or not, is something that should always be valued. 

2.      The budget treats challenge returns: business edition

The budget treats challenge was all about saving money without cutting out the fun stuff that comes with many work cultures. Nowadays, building a strong corporate culture that helps develop employee relationships is essential. With this said, for those staff meals out and beer-garden days in the sun that have been dearly missed, it’s important for business owners not to rule these out of the budget entirely. Instead, dedicate a small proportion of it to use at a later date when this is possible again.

However, succeeding at this challenge works on the logic that there is always some form of money-saving going on. For example, there are many entertainment venues that offer discounts such as happy hours, cinema deals, restaurant discounts, or two-for-one deals. Look out for all the deals and discounts you can find and save them for a later date! 

3.      Reintroduce the little cices Challenge

Vices; all businesses have them. Whether it be an extra ‘Thank you for your purchase!’ sticker stuck on the packaging or an excessive amount of gift wrapping, there are some things that businesses might be better off putting on hold for now to help reduce costs and plan ahead.

Rather than using an excessive amount of gift wrap packaging, decide what is essential. Then, place a greater focus on making the design and layout of the packaging look equally as good with what you have. Creativity is key.

Although the marketing of your business should never be considered as a vice, there are some effective ways to reduce your promotional costs as well as continue with this process if another lockdown occurred. For example, for those operating in the takeaway or fast-food industry, rather than spending large sums of money on printing out menus and posting them through people’s doors, email or text them.

4.      Return of the 52-week savings challenge

The 52-week savings challenge is something that some businesses have been using to save for all those small expansion projects that the pandemic placed on hold. This savings challenge could help your business achieve exactly that once regulations ease again.

Put simply, the amount you save increases week-by-week, which is probably why it’s one of the most popular savings challenges. On week one, for every item or group of items you make a profit from, put £1 of this into a savings bank for your business. On week two, put £2 in, and so on. The amount of money you add into a savings account can vary depending on the size of your business and what products it entails of course. But hypothetically, this is how it works! If you choose to follow this exact method, your business will have an extra £1,378 in a year to dedicate towards those small projects and innovations you had in mind.

5.      Review your office overheads

Although this last money-saving tip will mostly apply to those operating within the services or digital sector, there are some pieces of advice other business owners can take on board. After reopening your doors to employers over recent months, your bills will have inevitably increased. However, now that many UK workers are working from home again, placing those unnecessary purchases on hold, such as equipment, software, or printing equipment such as cartridges could see you save greatly on your office overheads now that the demand for these is less. 

Ensuring your business stays afloat during this uncertain time seems like such a stressful process. But there are many instant strategies you as a business owner can implement to help cope with the threat of another potential lockdown. Regardless of a pandemic or not, it is vital that all businesses set clear goals to help them succeed and grow.

The Biggest Royal Influences: Which Country is the Most Devoted?

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Royal families all over the world are renowned for their luxurious lifestyle, fashionable clothing, and the history behind their regal status. Not only do they play an integral part in traditional cultures, they have proven to influence the fashion choices of entire nations. For centuries, clothing styles modelled by royal figures have been iconic, gaining the royal appraisal many strive to achieve through their outfit choices and styles.

With this said, just how much of an influence has royal attire effected the fashion choices of nations all across the globe? Here with Fulton Umbrellas, retailer of ladies umbrellas, we discuss the five countries around the world that has been influenced by royal fashion. 

India

The prestige style that various royal families models in their everyday life has influenced more than just Britons. In fact, they have shaped the outfit choices of individuals all over the world — India being one of them. Research shows that over 1,300 people in India searched for ‘royal fashion’ related terms over the course of a year since May 2019, proving a popular dress choice for many. Since India has a royal family of their own, royal fashion appears to be an interest their nation shares.

As for India’s royal family, there have been many royal members throughout the decades that are renowned for their prestigious fashion choices. Dating back to the late 1920s, Maharani of Cooch Behar, Indira Devi, was pictured wearing a silk chiffon saree that used luxurious materials with a tailored touch of personalisation, this being the initial catalyst for this trend. Even decades before this, the Maharani family have been responsible for embracing a sense of modernity in their fashion attires that have led to many monumental movements in terms of the nation’s fashion preferences. In 1905, Maharani Rani Kanari of Kapurthala was regularly pictured wearing lavish head pieces and hats, all of which comprised a slight westernised twist to them. It was said at the time that for royal families such as the Maharanis, they were fans of westernised clothing, so much so they began including it as part of their everyday attire.  

In recent years, it’s thought that royal fashion has been influenced by monarchies all around the globe, not just home countries. When Kate Middleton visited India, she wore a local designer dress out of respect to the host country and it caused an attention overdrive. The local designer’s website where she bought it from crashed due to the high volume of people wanting to purchase from them!

The USA

After the British television programme Downton Abbey took US screens by storm in 2010, it’s fair to say that America’s interest in royal life is a popular thing to obsess over. The historical aura of royalty that reputable British fashions and fabrics entail is desired across the USA. The terms ‘royal style’ and ‘royal fashion’ were searched almost 1,300 times on the web by US citizens since May 2019, suggesting many turn to royals for advice on this matter.

In 2017, the Society of London Fashion Designers hosted a dress show in memory of the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret that later on was repeated in places all across America including Washington, and many Canadian cities, proving royal dress attires dating back to the 60s are far from outdated.

In more recent news, Meghan Markle has become one of the most admired royal fashion influencers across the globe. The former Suits actress made her first appearance with Prince Harry at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto whereby she wore a simple white shirt and distressed light-blue jeans. This caused a surge in sales of these two casual wear clothing items. As for other royal fashion influences causing a stir in American fashion is the likes of Katie Middleton and her children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, whereby their tweed coats, long prestigious jackets, and adorable children’s clothing has led to many feeling inspired to take the same luxurious fashion tips on board.

Germany

High-end fashion brands that strive in exceptional quality and expensive materials are, of course, popular amongst the royals. German fashion brands such as Hugo Boss have proved to be a trusted source of clothing for many of the royals’ clothing attire. Prince Harry for example was pictured wearing a coat from BOSS while attending a church service event in 2017. As for Meghan Markle, she was seen wearing a Hugo Boss leather skirt while on a trip to Sussex in 2018.

Data suggests that since May 2019, royal fashion related terms were searched over 1,050 times in Germany, suggesting that royal style is something German citizens admire. Perhaps it is due to their shared admiration of Hugo Boss, or their love for prestigious clothing must-haves. In 2019 while spending time in Germany on their royal tour, Kate Middleton was pictured wearing an array of fashionable outfits. During a visit to the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, she modelled a blue Catherine Walker coat and dress with nude heels, followed by an off-shoulder maxi dress later in the trip for a party.

The royal trip could have been the inspiration behind high search volumes for royal fashion related terms — after all, figures such as Kate Middleton are renowned for their stylish clothing options.

The Netherlands

Known for being one of the most significant fashion influencers in monarchy, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is adored for her iconic styles. Since May 2019, royal style related terms were searched over 740 times in the Netherlands, proving many citizens want to take on board a touch of royal fashion advise as part of their everyday looks.

Wearing formal work attire while working at home, the Dutch monarch modelled a colourful print blouse with vibrant red earrings, forming a smart and sophisticated work outfit. As for her bolder statement looks, in 2020 she was pictured wearing a green blouse, bright yellow trousers, and a multi-coloured jacket, showing she is not shy to express her colourful side through outfits. As for some of her signature casual looks, the nation adored her beige t-shirt with floral detailing and matching culottes ensemble when visiting the Silima Lombu Ecovillage in Tobalake.

Queen Maxima has proven time and time again to be of high interest to those seeking fashion advise, as high search volumes are derived from royal fashion related clothing in the Netherlands. 

Clothing worn by the royals has been of great influence on nations across the world for centuries. From casual everyday looks to more formal events, it’s evident that royal families contribute greatly to these fashionable clothing ensembles.

Popular Magazine explores Narcissism and offers a helping hand

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Adored by it’s global audience for it’s warm spirited stories, food and drink recipes and chunks of celebrity news, Parade Magazine shocked it’s audience with dynamic content exploring the probable harm caused by NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder). The piece presented an insight to the disorder, leaving no stones unturned, by focusing on the experiences of multiple authors such as; Denna Babul, Julia Sokol, Steven Carter and Eleanor Payson. The full article can be found here.

Whilst remaining factual and precise, the company gave gentle caution to it’s readers by touching on the factors associated with the disorder such as narcissist seduction. ‘Don’t expect miracles, don’t expect magic, don’t expect kindness, and don’t expect anything to change.’

The complete article creates a true perspective for Parade’s readers by including facts such as the characteristics, behavioural patterning, and emotional weapons associated with NPD. There is also information provided describing how to shield yourself from the devastating pain and allurement experienced by those faced with sufferers. When is the time to leave a narcissist for definite? Parade Magazine lays it out.

Has this article given you a lightbulb moment? Do you believe that someone you know is a narcissist? Maybe a partner, friend, boss, you? Parade, as well as recommending you speak to a counselor or therapist, has listed the following books that could help your situation such as:

It’s important to remind yourself that this disorder cannot be used to label every difficult person encountered. The aim of this piece is simply to educate the readers and keep them alert to the associated traits, a principle step in raising awareness. The more we understand about NPD the better.

For more information please contact: rfried@caspublishing.org

Computer Networking Trends and How Having Cisco CCNA Certification AssistsYou

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Introduction

When it comes to entry-level certifications, there are a variety of options to choose from. This is because these credentials are often a prerequisite for higher-level ones and hence form the basis of your career. However, even if these fundamental badges are not required for moving further in your accreditation journey, Cisco Certification Exams they create a solid knowledge base making this process easier.

In the IT networking field, there are also different certifications serving as starting points such as CompTIA Network+ or CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate). This article focuses on the CCNA badge but first, let’s explore the industry trends to understand why pursuing this credential is the best decision you can make for your career.

What’s New in Networking?

Today, computer networks connect people, systems, places, and even whole businesses. Considering such coverage, it’s understandable why the sphere constantly develops and offers so many new solutions day by day. Having ExamTopics Pass Exams said that, what are some networking trends to watch out for? They include:

  • Artificial intelligence andmachine learning.These are crucial in providing networking solutions in real-time in various sectors of the economy such as manufacturing, transport, and even smart cities. These technologies depend on automation and programmability.
  • Cloud computing. Most companies nowadays lean towards cloud computing where a network of non-virtual and virtual ExamSnap Cisco 300-420 ENSLD CCNP Enterprise Exam Dumps machines are linked to store loads of data.
  • DevOps. In the near future, networks will no longer need hardware components, instead everything will be software-driven. DevOps will make network management easier by bridging the gap between designers and engineers.
  • Data security. Companies rely on data for their day to day operation, so it’s critical to ensure that the network and the information itself are sealed off from all possible breaches. This can be done, for instance, by limiting network access, and many other activities.
  • Internet of Things.This is a technology that is centered on connecting objects, machines, and people to those that are not linked to a computer network. This creates an autonomous ecosystem that can even control itself.

Does Cisco CCNA Cover All These Areas?

As a result of the latest changes in the certification program, the CCNA credential has replaced a number of associate-level accreditations. Now, it evaluates the whole set of the applicant’s skills from implementing a Cisco 350-401 ENCOR CCIE Enterprise Certification Practice Test network to troubleshooting as well as maintaining it. All those concepts along with updated ones are included in the outline of 200-301 exam, the only test you should pass to get certified. Taking it, you’ll show your proficiency in the six major topics, which are IP connectivity, networking fundamentals, IP services, network access, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability.

When you compare the trends mentioned above with the topics tested in exam 200-301, there is a close resemblance. Thus, once you ExamTopics CCNA 200-301 study effectively for the CCNA exam and with the right mind-set, you receive the tools to specifically go for any other disciplines such as cloud computing or artificial intelligence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there has never been a better time to attaining the Cisco CCNA certification than now. Though it is only an Website Here associate-level credential, its benefits go far beyond into the future. Commit yourself to prepare for its 200-301 test, master the skills evaluated, and initiate a successful career in IT networking!

What to Expect from a Good Online Sportsbook in the UK

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Sports betting is hugely popular in the UK. Overall, around 30% of people in the country gamble on a weekly basis, according to Statista, and billions of pounds are spent in betting shops and online.

The popularity of betting has led to an increase in the number of online sportsbooks. This means that you have plenty of choices if you want to place a bet online. However, you need to understand what you should expect from a good online sportsbook in order to make sure that you spend your money in the right place. Doing this helps you to stand a better chance of winning and protects your financial and personal information. Let’s take a closer look at the factors that you need to consider.

Good brand reputation

Well-known sportsbooks that have been in existence for several years have often built up a good reputation. You can check this by reading reviews of brands like Unibet, to see what sort of experience other people have had while betting with them.

You can also ask friends and relatives about their experiences. This works well as they are likely to be completely honest with you.

In addition, you should check if the sportsbook is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Having this license means that they can legitimately offer gambling services in the UK. It also means that they have to be fair in all of their activities regarding customers. 

Good promotional offers

Many sportsbooks offer promotions for people who sign up. This can be a good way of getting bonuses like free bets which help you make the most of your money.

However, you should always read the terms and conditions attached to these promotions as some sportsbooks make it very difficult for you to win anything from them.

It’s also worth looking for sportsbooks that offer promotional play on an ongoing basis and not just when you are new. This is a good way of optimising your spending. 

Different options for betting

There are some online sportsbooks that only provide a small number of sports to bet on and variations of bet available.

Ideally, you want to find a sportsbook which gives you the option to bet on a wide variety of sports as this can give you more chances of winning. You should also make sure that a variety of different betting options are available, such as betting on the number of yellow cards in a football match and not just on the result. This is because certain unusual bets can provide you with better value for money.

Various fast and secure banking options

In order to place a bet at an online sportsbook, you need to deposit money into your account. You want to be able to do this easily and securely.

Therefore, it makes sense to choose a sportsbook which provides several secure deposit and withdrawal options such as debit card, PayPal and Neteller. You should also check the withdrawal procedure for the sportsbook as you do not want to have to wait weeks for any winnings that you are lucky enough to get.

Before you make your first withdrawal, you will need to provide proof of your identity. This includes photo identification and proof of your address.

A high level of security

Security is an important aspect of the banking system at an online sportsbook, as it is across the whole site. You should make sure that the sportsbook has SSL encryption in place and that security is a top priority.

Making sure that a sportsbook has this security in place helps you to protect your personal and financial information.

Friendly and professional customer service

When you place bets at an online sportsbook, there may come a time when you have questions, or you need help with your account. This is when you need to contact the customer service team.

A good sportsbook should provide customer service that is friendly and professional. It should also be easy for you to get in touch with the team. For this reason, it makes sense to look for a sportsbook that provides different methods of contact such as telephone, email and live chat. It also helps if the customer service team is available for a number of hours each day; preferably 24/7.

If you take all of these factors into account, you should be able to find a site that provides what you would expect from a good sportsbook.

How to Stay Up to Date on The Latest Tech and Web Development News

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The minute you stay still in your career as a software or web developer you’ll be left behind and the wave of improvements, new technologies, and trends will wash right past you. Staying on the cutting edge of this evolution and finding ways to keep learning and developing your development skills should be considered part of your job. The world of development is incredibly dynamic, so if it’s your chosen profession, you should have a few great ways to keep up to date with these advancements and industry trends. Here are some of our favorite ways to do so.

Maintain a Personal Network

As web developers, we spend almost all of our working hours online because it is the very nature of our business. With all the communication tools available today, you have no reason not to build and maintain a personal network of professionals and friends in the industry and help keep each other up to date. It’s a symbiotic relationship that will benefit you and those you choose to connect with.

Whether you’re scheduling time to chat with one another on a Slack group maintained for the purpose, or you’re having ad hoc conversations on WhatsApp, every interaction with your personal network of web developers is an opportunity to learn and grow your skills. If you get stuck in your work or a specific task, this network will be beneficial too, because they will likely be able to assist you with a particularly difficult or unfamiliar coding task.

Online Resources and Websites

It’s very likely that you already subscribe to – or often visit – some of the big technical and web development websites and news resources on the web. Sites like TechCrunch, Ars Technica, and Smashing Magazine are all excellent resources to keep you up to date with design trends and changes and advancements in online and web-centric technologies.

You’re often expected to wear multiple hats as a web developer, or at least have a working knowledge of all of the aspects of web design. Areas like user interface design and database design and management are all parts of the web development process and having familiarity or working knowledge of these and other aspects will come in handy. Here, websites like Codeacademy can be very useful.

Forums and Online Groups

There are a plethora of online groups, forums, and websites that can quickly become an incredibly useful and indispensable resource for your development work, as well as a place you can go to keep up with these trends. Specialist web development forums and collaboration spaces like Stack Overflow provide this platform. Combined with powerful search tools, it’s a veritable dictionary of code snippets and on tap assistance from other software and web developers.

Other forums like Reddit provides a more community-focused alternative to Stack Overflow, with many subreddits offering specific specializations. You’ll find subreddits for almost any language or web development pursuit and most of them are very active, full of people ready and willing to help. Lending a hand to others will also let you flex your skills.

Attending Conferences and Events

Every industry has a thriving conference, seminar, and events calendar. Attending these, whether in person or virtually, provides almost a holistic combination of many of the suggestions listed here. It allows you to network with your peers, attend lectures, talks, and focus groups tailored for your industry. These conferences and events can be incredibly specific, like the CSSConf Europe, focusing solely on the pursuit of the art of CSS, or broader like the incredibly popular Forward conference.

You’ll find these conferences held by third party event planning companies or you might find them held by first-party companies too. Apple’s WWDC or Facebook’s F8 Developer Conferences are both excellent examples of targeted events where you can learn from the creators of the platforms, as well as keep up to date on expected and planned changes to their platforms.

Study with Online Courses

Online courses and learning resources are growing in popularity by the day. Many developers might have got their start with Harvard’s immensely popular CS50 online course, which offers an introduction to many of the theories and ideas that constitute computer science theory. They claim that more than 2 million users have enrolled in this online course, which shows you how popular this learning medium has become. These courses are offered by learning institutions directly – like the Harvard CS50, but companies like Skillshare and LinkedIn Learning provide structured video courses anyone can take for an almost negligible monthly fee.

These MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) are gaining popularity and companies might often even offer a subscription to them to their employees because they are an amazing way to keep up to date and constantly learn about the world of web development and acquire new skills or pick up new coding languages.

Subscribe to Some Podcasts

A commute without listening to a podcast is a commute wasted. Think of a topic or subject and do a quick search and you’re likely to find at least a handful of podcasts dedicated to the topic. They might focus on a specific area or offer a roundup of changes and innovations in the space. You’ll find podcasts for anything you might want, and the audio nature of the format means you can consume them in many different ways. Whether you listen to them during your daily commute, at the gym, or even while working, there’s never a moment where you have an excuse not to improve your knowledge and stay up to date.

A gentle introduction to the format can be found from podcasts like Syntax and CodePen Radio, both excellent development focused podcasts that not only focus on software development but include some more soft skills and business-orientated content too.

Read Company and Personal Blogs

Perhaps one of the more nuanced suggestions for keeping up to date with tech and web development news is to keep an eye on company blogs, and those of industry people you respect and admire. If you find yourself working on a particular platform often, it might pay off to follow blogs that relate to it.

Developers and those involved in the development process might gain valuable insight and knowledge from following these often-informative blog posts. QA engineers might, for example, find value in Global App Testing’s list of QA focused blogs hosted on globalapptesting.com. As a leader in the field of quality assurance, you’re sure to find something useful in their list. Global App testing is trusted by top app teams around the world.

There you have it. Seven sure-fire ways to not only increase your knowledge and technical capabilities but to make friends and industry contacts while you do. Being proficient in many different technologies and staying up to date with changes to the ones you are familiar with will increase your value to your employer or as a freelance web developer. Software development and the pursuit of new knowledge requires nothing more than your computer, your time, and your attention. Even if you can’t practice your craft on your own computer, renting a virtual environment or cloud computing service will enable you to do so with little cost. Putting your new knowledge into practice is easy as a web developer. Never stop learning!

7 Ways to Help Your Dog Lose Weight

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Obesity in dogs can be a huge problem that leads to even more health problems like heart disease and diabetes. Overweight dogs tend to be more lethargic and even depressed as they might struggle to do the activities that they once enjoyed, like chasing a ball at the park or playing endlessly with their favourite humans. Although it can be caused by certain health conditions, which will require a visit to the vet, typically, obese dogs are that way as a result of overfeeding and not enough exercise. However, keeping your dog at their ideal body weight has a lot of benefits, helping them to remain healthier, reduce their risk of serious disease and live for longer – and we all want more time to spend with our dogs, right? If you suspect that your dog might be overweight or is putting weight on and you want to get it in check as quickly as possible, here are some top tips to help you keep your dog at an ideal weight for them.

How to Evaluate Your Dog’s Weight:

There are three markers that you can use to get a clear idea of where your dog’s weight is at. These include:

  1. Feel the ribs: Ribs that are slightly visible are quite healthy for a dog. When you feel your dog’s ribs, there should only be a slight covering of fat over the top. Any more usually means that your dog weighs more than they should.
  2. The abdominal tuck: When you look at your dog from the side, the abdomen behind the ribs should slope up at a gentle angle. If your dog’s belly is straight and does not have this rise, it usually indicates that they are carrying excess weight in their abdomen.
  3. The waist: When you look at their dog, you should be able to see a defined waist. If it’s hard to make out, that’s usually a sign that they’re overweight.

Are You Feeding Your Dog Too Much?

If you’re not sure whether or not you are feeding your dog too often, a simple way to tell is by considering how often they are going to the toilet. Generally speaking, dogs who are at their ideal body weight should poop once or twice per day, provided that there are no underlying digestive health conditions that could lead to more frequent pooping. If your dog is going to the toilet three to four times a day and does not have any health conditions that could be causing this, then it could be simply because you are giving them too much food.

Determine How Much to Feed Your Dog:

Figuring out how much to feed your dog is not always easy. And there are many variables that need to be taken into account when determining the best amount to give your pooch. You’ll need to consider your dog’s average lifestyle – a dog who takes part in agility competitions, goes for long walks every day, and is generally very active will typically require more food than a dog who gets walked once or twice a day in the park. Dog nutrition is measured in Kilocalories (kcal) instead of calories, so it’s important to understand how many kcals the food you’re giving your dog contains. To work how much is ideal, multiply your dog’s ideal body weight in lbs by 10-15 kcal, or 15-20 kcal if your dog is highly active.

Giving Treats:

Many people think that treats are the reason why dogs become overweight and they are often the first thing to go when pet parents decide to put their dog on a weight loss regime. However, not giving any treats to your dog is not recommended by the experts since treats are so important for training and bonding with your pet. However, what you should do is be smarter about the treats that you give your dog. Break treats into smaller pieces rather than feeding them whole so you can treat your dog while they eat less and opt for healthier natural dog treats that offer more nutrition. Bella and Duke offer a range of tasty, healthy raw dog treats that are low in kcal and offer a healthier alternative when training. Check them out at bellaandduke.com.  Also, some dogs might be receptive to non-food treats like playing interactive games with their human.

Exercise:

Just like humans are healthier when they get enough exercise, a dog who’s active will also be a healthier dog. And, don’t forget that dogs who are exercised often tend to be tired and more content, which makes them easier to train too. Dogs who aren’t exercised enough will not only be more susceptible to gaining weight but they will also get more bored when they are at home, which can lead to destructive behaviours. Thankfully, there are many great ways to ensure that your dog gets more exercise even if you don’t have the time to take your dog on long walks. Hiring a dog walker is a great investment or you could send your pet to a daycare facility while you’re at work, where they will not only be able to run around and play all day but also get plenty of opportunities to socialise and make new canine playmates.

Regular Vet Visits:

Keeping up with regular visits to the vet is important if you want to keep your dog’s weight in check. Seeing your vet on a regular basis will give your vet the chance to monitor their progress and provide you with advice on how much weight they have to lose. It’s also important to consult with your vet before you decide to start a new diet or exercise routine for your dog, as this gives them the chance to offer tailored advice and check their overall health to ensure that there are no underlying conditions which could contribute to weight gain.

Avoid Crash Diets:

Just like with humans, it can be tempting to put your dog on a crash diet if they have gained a lot of weight that you want to help them lose quickly. But dieting too much and too quickly can have the opposite effect on your pet. Simply reducing the amount of food that your dog eats and increasing the amount of exercise that they do should be enough to help your dog lose weight, and bear in mind that losing weight slowly and steadily is always safer. Putting your dog on a crash diet could prevent them from getting the essential nutrients that they need.

If they’re eating too much and not exercising enough, it’s easy for dogs to end up putting weight on – just like humans. But also like us, being overweight or obese can lead to serious health problems in dogs, including arthritis from additional pressure on the joints and an increased risk of heart disease or diabetes. If your dog is getting overweight or you’ve just adopted a new dog who’s carrying a fair bit of extra weight, the good news is that there are some simple yet effective changes that you can make to their lifestyle to help them get back to their ideal body weight. By feeding less, giving healthier treats and encouraging your dog to exercise more, you can achieve their fitness and health goals.

How to Ensure Your Motorbike is Road Safe

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Have you just made a big purchase and bought your very first motorbike? Are you anxious to get out on the open road and see what the bike is made of and start enjoying a whole new way of touring and exploring? There’s no doubt you want to get to it, but first, it’s important to check off a few boxes – and those are road safety boxes.

Regardless of the condition of your motorbike, there are a few important steps you need to take that will ensure it is road safe and ready to be pushed to the limit. Here’s a look at those steps.

Perform a Pre-Ride Check

The pre-ride check isn’t meant to be something you do once or twice a year; rather, it should be done each time you are ready to take the bike out. It may seem like a lot of work, but when it comes to your safety on the road, it’s worth every minute.

The pre-ride check should include a look at the tyres to ensure they are properly inflated and there isn’t excessive wear. How do the brake pads look? The chassis and stand should be in good shape, the fluids need to be topped up, the lights should be working, and of course, a quick brake test is always wise. If anything is ‘off’, then it’s not wise to head out on the road until the problem has been addressed.

Do You Have Enough Fuel?

Just like with a car, you also want to be aware of your fuel level before you head out on the road. The last thing you want to deal with is running out of fuel mid-ride without any petrol station in sight.

Suit Up – Protect Yourself

Part of road safety is that you are also wearing the specific equipment to keep you safe – which means a properly fitting helmet and clothing that will protect you should you fall.

Do You Know How to Safely Operate Your Vehicle?

Besides the vehicle needing to be road-safe, you too need to fit into that category. That means you have done motorbike riding training so that you can handle all conditions and know the rules of the road, your confidence level will be high, and you also feel comfortable driving your specific motorbike.

If the bike is new to you, it’s a good idea to take some practice rides in an empty parking lot first and then quiet streets – just to familiarise yourself with how it operates and handles.

Put Plates on the Motorbike

You will also need motorbike registration plates in order to drive it. Rather than the standard plates, why not visit the Number 1 Plates website, that features a simple plate builder tool so that you can design large and small motorcycle number plates. You can do all the work online, and take advantage of next day delivery of these road legal plates. These plates are also highly durable so you know they are built to last.

Keeping Your Safety at the Top of the List

By performing these simple steps, you will be ensuring that your motorbike is road safe, and that you’re also feeling confident and comfortable in driving it.

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