How to boost efficiency in your business

There are many ways to boost efficiency in a business. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most effective methods. One way to improve efficiency is by investing in the latest technology. This could include developing custom software, programs, and apps specifically designed to help employees work more efficiently.

Another way to boost efficiency is by streamlining your business processes using automation. Automating certain tasks can save time and money, and improve productivity overall. We will explore all of these methods and more in our below business guide.

How to increase productivity and get ahead in business

In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, it’s more important than ever to be efficient and productive. There are a number of ways to improve efficiency in your business, including investing in the latest technology and streamlining your processes using automation. Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways you can boost your business.

Investing in tech

One of the quickest ways to boost efficiency in your company is to invest in the right technologies. This could mean anything from commissioning the development of custom software programs to investing in the latest productivity-enhancing apps.

By doing this, you’ll be able to equip your employees with the tools they need to work more efficiently and get more done in less time. In turn, this will lead to increased productivity and improved bottom-line results.

Some areas you could improve with the use of effective technology include;

  • Employee communication and collaboration
  • Customer service and support
  • Data management and analysis
  • Marketing and sales
  • Administration

As you can see, there are many ways in which technology can be used to improve efficiency in your business. In the case of the above, bespoke business software would enable you to manage all of these departments seamlessly. So, if you’re looking to get ahead of the competition, it’s definitely worth considering.

Streamlining through automation

Another way to streamline your business and boost efficiency is through the use of automation.

Automation can save you time and money by taking care of repetitive tasks that don’t require a human touch. This could include anything from customer service queries to social media posts and marketing emails.

Not only will this free up your employees to focus on more important tasks, but it will also help to improve your customer service levels. After all, automated systems can often provide quicker and more efficient service than humans.

So, if you’re looking for ways to improve efficiency in your business, investing in technology and automation is a great place to start. By doing so, you’ll be able to get ahead of the competition and improve your bottom line.

Recruiting the best talent for your business

Investing in the latest technology and automating your processes are both great ways to boost efficiency in your business. However, it’s also important to remember that your employees are your most valuable asset.

That’s why it’s so important to focus on recruiting and retaining top talent. By ensuring you have a team of highly skilled and motivated employees, you’ll be able to get the most out of your business.

There are a number of ways to attract and retain the best employees, including offering competitive salaries and benefits, providing training and development opportunities, and creating a positive working environment.

Conclusion

There are a number of ways to boost efficiency in your business. By investing in the latest technology, automating your processes, and recruiting top talent, you’ll be able to get ahead of the competition and improve your bottom line. So, what are you waiting for? Start implementing these changes today and see how they can benefit your business.

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How to make perfect porridge in a rice cooker

Porridge is one of the most delicious and nutritious breakfast foods out there. It’s also pretty easy to make – all you need is some rice, water, and a little bit of patience. But if you want to make sure your porridge comes out perfectly every time, then you should definitely consider using a rice cooker. In this article, we’ll show you how!

Types of porridge

There are many types of porridge, but the most common are made with oats, rice, or barley. Each type of grain has its own unique flavor and texture, so it’s important to choose the right one for your preferences.

Oats are the most popular type of grain for porridge, and they can be cooked in a variety of ways. The most common method is to simmer them in water or milk until they’re soft and creamy. You can also cook oats in a rice cooker by adding them to the pot along with water or milk and setting the timer for the desired cooking time.

Rice is another excellent grain for porridge. It has a slightly nutty flavor and a chewy texture that some people prefer over oats. To cook rice porridge in a rice cooker, simply add the rice and water (or milk) to the pot and set the timer for the desired cooking time.

Barley is a less common grain for porridge, but it’s worth trying if you’re looking for something different. Barley has a slightly sweet flavor and a firm texture that takes some getting used to.

If you want full instructions for how to cook porridge in a rice cooker then check out this great post.

Ingredients

Making perfect porridge in a rice cooker is all about getting the right ingredients. You’ll need:

-1 cup of rice
-1 cup of water
-1 cup of milk
-1/2 teaspoon of salt

To make your porridge, simply combine all of the ingredients in your rice cooker and turn it on. Cook until the rice is fully cooked through and the porridge is thick and creamy. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.

Method

Making perfect porridge in a rice cooker is easier than you think! Just follow these simple steps and you’ll be enjoying delicious porridge in no time.

1. Rinse your rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. This will help to remove excess starch from the rice.

2. Add the rinsed rice and water to your rice cooker in a ratio of 1:2. For example, for every cup of rice, add two cups of water.

3. Add any desired flavorings to the pot. Some popular options include salt, sugar, honey, or spices like cinnamon or ginger.

4. Stir everything together and close the lid of your rice cooker. Cook on the “porridge” or “steam” setting according to your rice cooker’s instructions. This usually takes about 30 minutes.

5. Once the porridge is finished cooking, let it sit for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve with additional toppings as desired and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

1. Use the correct rice to water ratio – This is important for getting a perfect consistency. For every cup of rice, you’ll need two and a half cups of water.

2. Rinse the rice before cooking – Rinsing the rice gets rid of any extra starch that can make the porridge too sticky. Just rinse it a few times under cold water until the water runs clear.

3. Don’t forget to add flavorings – Porridge is pretty bland on its own, so be sure to add in some salt, sugar, or another flavoring to taste. A little goes a long way!

4. Let it sit for a few minutes before serving – This allows the flavors to meld and the porridge to firm up slightly. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Variations

When it comes to porridge, there are endless possibilities for variations. The type of grain you use, the additions you make, and even the cooking method can all be changed to suit your preferences. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

– Use different types of grains: oats are the most common, but you can also use rice, quinoa, millet, or any other grain you like.
– Give your porridge some sweetness with honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup.
– Add some fresh fruit for extra flavor and nutrition. Berries are especially good in porridge.
– Stir in some spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm and comforting flavor.
– Make it savory by adding cooked bacon or sausage, grated cheese, or chopped nuts.

Conclusion

Porridge is a great way to start your day, and making it in a rice cooker is an easy way to get it just right. With our tips, you’ll be able to make perfect porridge every time. Once you’ve tried it this way, you’ll never go back to the stovetop method!

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Factors to consider when creating a passage plan

It’s critical to be able to sail the water with accuracy and confidence. But how can you decide which path to take? Passage planner software, which utilises GPS and other mapping applications to show you where you are in relation to your destination and the current sea condition, might make that decision a lot easier for you. These are the considerations you must make whether you are using conventional passage planning methods such as physical maps and charts or passage planning software:  

Route Planning

What’s the first step? What’s your destination? What method will you use to reach your destination? A clear route should be drawn up, with distances and expected travel times included. Any possible on-route risks, such as rocks, shallows, overfalls, and sandbanks, should be taken into account while doing a risk assessment. It’s important to keep track of popular shipping routes that are utilized by a significant number of ships on a daily basis. Alternative routes should also be planned as a backup plan in case the original route is disrupted.  

Weather Forecast

The ease with which a ship travels is influenced by the weather. If you are not adequately prepared and equipped, severe weather conditions might be highly dangerous. As a result, weather forecasts should be closely followed in the days leading up to a journey as well as onboard. For each specific place you will pass over on your trip, the Met Office gives an analysis of the weather conditions for the following 24 hours. Furthermore, the Passage Weather website will provide you with a seven-day forecast of weather, wind, and waves. The weather is sometimes unpredictable and can change fast, so the further ahead you check, the less accurate the forecasts will be.  

Wave Patterns

When it comes to passage planning for long-distance journeys, the weather and the waves are inextricably linked. Larger waves are produced by stronger winds that blow across a greater distance for a longer time. Waves that exceed 15 feet in height can be quite dangerous, so avoid them if at all possible. In the days preceding up to a voyage, checking forecasts for wave height and wind might help you avoid getting caught in stormy seas.  

Tide Predictions

If you go in the same direction as the current, tidal streams can save you time and money by reducing your travel time and using less fuel on your ship. Going against the tide will, on the other hand, slow you down and make for a bumpy and unpleasant journey. Additionally, when you approach the coast, you must determine if the tide is in or out. As you prepare to dock and enter a port, the water level must be high enough to prevent your ship from being trapped, which might create significant delays. As a result, it’s vital to do your homework on tidal streams and currents using the necessary charts before embarking on any trip. Tidal timings, too, must be taken into consideration. Tides Times predicts tide times for particular places over the following seven days.  

Time of year

Certain routes are preferable depending on the time of year. You should consider this when planning your journey to avoid ice hazards and prevailing winds.  

How has Passage Planning Software made this process easier?

Sailing has been revolutionized by advancements in passage planner software, making sea excursions safer and more comfortable. Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), Marine Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), and Passage Planner applications have all had a significant influence on how ships are currently navigated.  
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How to attract the best talent for your small business

We all recognise the value of having amazing employees on our team. Your firm will be significantly more likely to succeed if you have a competent and motivated workforce on board. Finding and hiring the proper people for your company is equally as important as managing finances and increasing sales. So, here are five strategies that can assist you in attracting and hiring the greatest employees available.

Examine your company’s strategy.

It’s a good idea to make sure you’re not truly losing your finest individuals before you start thinking about recruiting new prospects. It may sound self-evident, but this is common in many businesses: people forget that while one firm is recruiting individuals, another is losing them.

You must ensure that your organisation does not engage in the latter. Ask yourself, “Are my employees genuinely happy? Am I adequately promoting, training, and rewarding them? Is the culture of my organisation healthy or is it toxic?”

Establish a business culture

If you do this right, the next stage is to keep your staff on board by communicating what you’re doing. Make your organisation a “employer of choice” by identifying and developing your company’s brand.

This occurs through word of mouth and the recruiting sector. If you get your internal culture and business model correct, you’ll be astonished at how quickly word spreads that your firm is a great place to work. Also, don’t assume you have to work in the glitzy media sector to be successful.

Define the work function precisely.

If you don’t have any inside prospects to promote or consider for the job, you’ll have to look ‘outside.’ The first step is to consider your job description thoroughly. Be explicit, precise, and laser-focused on what you want, as well as what you’ll deliver.

Make sure to emphasise the prospects for training and advancement, as well as ‘sell’ the position and your company’s culture. A bad brief leads to a lousy work, as every decent advertising firm knows, and the same is true in recruitment. If your job posting or job description is missing anything, is wrong, or just plain awful, it will fail to attract high-quality candidates.

Make a list of probable prospects.

To reach the proper individuals, you must first determine where they are online: which websites they frequent and which media they consume. Some software programmes might assist you in locating your target audience by searching their favourite websites. There are several professional organisations that can assist you in this endeavour. Remember that an excellent ad in the wrong spot will be unsuccessful.

Improving the interviewing procedure

Assuming you’ve written and placed a great advertisement and job description in the proper place – one that attracts the right candidates who are driven by what you say – who would you appoint to conduct the interview? It’s astonishing how many firms put in the time and effort to recruit individuals, only to have their efforts squandered by ill-prepared interviewers. Unfortunately, it happens, and more often than you’d think: an interview pops up out of nowhere, and the manager scrambles to find someone who isn’t too busy to conduct it.

Good applicants aren’t dummies, and they’ll recognise a lousy or sloppy interview when they see one. Being preoccupied is hardly an excuse, and being ill-prepared is much worse. Put your strongest candidates in front of the ones you want. Everything they do and say, as well as the way they act, is marketing your company. You must woo your candidates, because if they are confident, ambitious, and qualified they will likely have other opportunities.

Get these factors right, and you’ll be a lot better at employing great individuals.

Getting outside assistance

This might sound like a lot to manage… and that’s because it is. Hiring great employees isn’t an easy process. You’ve likely already been down this road before and ended up hiring someone that lacked the wherewithal and motivation to drive positive growth in your organisation.

If you are strapped for time but still want to attract those high-quality candidates, consider enlisting employment recruiters to help you in your search. A recruitment agency will be able to guide you through each stage of the process with ease. It helps if you choose an agency with experience hiring within your industry. That way they should already have established relationships with a wide variety of talented professionals in your sector.

Not only will they craft the ad and seek out talent on your behalf, but they will even screen and interview the candidates to make sure that they only bring you the best of the bunch. Bringing forward unqualified candidates to a client will damage an agency’s reputation and cost them their fee so you can be sure that you’ll only ever meet with candidates that fit your search requirements.

Will you be outsourcing your hiring process the next time you have a vacancy to fill?

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How to make an explainer video?

Videos are increasingly being used by businesses to boost brand awareness and assist potential customers through the sales funnel. Explainer videos are one of the most effective types of marketing films, with 96% of people watching one to learn more about a product or service.
Everything you need to know about making a great explainer film for your company or brand is right here.

What is an explainer video?

Explainer videos are short videos that describe your company’s product or service. Explainer videos can also help you market your business by showing what you do, who you are, and why potential customers should do business with you.

Explainer videos are commonly found on website homepages, landing pages, notable product or service sites, and social media feeds. They can be used in presentations, events, and crowdfunding campaigns.

Why create an explainer video?

Increasing brand recognition: The tone of your screenplay and the visual style of your explainer film can reflect your brand personality. You will be able to provide essential help to viewers who will recognise your brand authority if you develop a solid explainer film.

Informing and educating: Whether used to teach a new skill, convey knowledge, or tell a storey, good explainer videos—including simple animations—aim to educate and inform. If you employ explainer videos, customers will be able to comprehend why they should choose you over a competitor.

Trying to sell or promote a product or service: People who watch good explainer videos have a better grasp of your product or service, making it easier for them to value it when purchasing it.

Assisting viewers with knowledge recall: Our eyes process images faster than other sensory inputs. • Creating easily shareable content: You may upload the video to other video-sharing sites like YouTube and Vimeo, adding keywords to help people find it and embedding it to make it easier to share.

How to create an explainer video

1. Do some background research on the topic.

Conduct preliminary research to ensure that youreducational explainer video is as relevant to your target audience as possible. To identify what will function best, you must be totally aware about the subject.

Monitoring social media conversations about the video topic, conducting surveys to find out what customers want to see in the explainer video, and analysing data from Google Analytics could all be part of the research.

2. Choose the type and style of explainer video you’d like to create.

The goal of the video, such as explaining a product or service or completing a sale, will dictate the style of explainer video you create.

3. Develop a script

The writing is the foundation of your explanation video. You won’t be able to employ your outstanding visual assets unless you have strong notions that are well-presented in a video screenplay. Even if you’re hiring a production company to make the explainer video, writing the screenplay yourself is a fantastic idea because no one knows your customers’ pain points and preferences better than you.

Remember that you’ll probably be working on several draughts of the script, so get something down on paper and go from there. While ideas and storytelling are important, remember that explainer videos are a visual medium. As expressed more explicitly in the storyboard, important visual components should be integrated into the script’s treatment.

4. Make an audio recording Don’t overlook the audio components when creating an instructional video.

As a result, you may require expert voice aid. For the most polished presentation, it’s a good idea to hire a specialist voiceover actor. On Upwork, you can hire top freelance voiceover professionals with experience and expertise in a variety of fields.

5. Assemble the graphic assets

You’ll need to create a range of visual elements to put together the final explainer video. This can be done with moving brand logos, animations, still photographs, live video footage, infographics, and more. Because different graphic assets require different software and experience, having a plan in place to create them and make them available for modification is essential.

Don’t be concerned if you lack the appropriate expertise or software to create visual assets. It’s easy to locate freelance video editors, animators, producers, videographers, and other experts with the abilities you need on Upwork.

6. Use sound effects and music.

Of course, an explainer video need more than just visuals. The music and sound effects play a big role in setting the tone of the video. You’ll also need sound effects to suit the video’s movements, as well as a background score customised to your target demographic (for example, something cheerful and current for a younger audience) (for example, a swooshing sound as something is erased from a whiteboard video).

While creating a custom score for a video can be pricey, the good news is that there are a plethora of royalty-free music and sound possibilities.

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The biggest items ever shipped

There is no such thing as normal in the haulage industry. Nearly everything you’ll see has been shipped via truck, whether that’s a container, a piece of machinery, a building component, or even your amazon package, it all makes its way to you thanks to the hard work of HGV drivers. Without trucking, the world, as we know it, would quickly grind to a halt. We often forget that that is the case. Perhaps you have seen an unusual or oversized piece of equipment and wondered, how on earth did this get here? Trucking made it happen, and it’s not uncommon for a haulage company to have to transport oversized or abnormal loads on a regular basis. Some companies even specialise in delivering this kind of cargo. This requires a lot of advanced planning, special permission, and police escorts to move the cargo securely from A to B.

With that in mind, we have come up with a list of some of the largest and most unique loads ever moved by road, air, or sea.

 

The gas power generator

The Antonov An-225 Mriya, also known as “the inspiration,” is the world’s largest jet. It was initially meant to transport the Russian space shuttle, but in 2009, it transported a gas power generator weighing 418,834 pounds to Armenia, making it the heaviest freight shipment by air. This world-record-breaking consignment used the An-225’s six turbines to transport the payload from Frankfurt, Germany, to Yerevan, Armenia, and the delivery was recognised by the Guinness Book of Records.

 

The water desalination unit 

A Saudi Arabian logistics business holds the record for the heaviest object ever transported by road freight. Almajdouie organised the development, assembly, transport, and installation of a football-field-sized water desalination plant in 2012, supervising the project’s 4,700-mile journey from Korea to Saudi Arabia. The project’s size necessitated the construction of a purpose-built port in Saudi Arabia to discharge eight evaporator units weighing a total of 41,000 metric tonnes.

 

The Statue of Liberty

The most famous freight journey of all time involves the Statue of Liberty, which took place in 1885. The most famous emblem of the United States was created in France by a sculptor named Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and had to be disassembled into 214 wooden crates before being sent by ocean to the United States, where it was rebuilt and erected. With a weight of about 450,000 pounds, the delivery needed months of meticulous planning to guarantee it arrived safely.

 

The power plant transformer

In 2013, the delivery of a 640-tonne power plant transformer brought traffic to a halt, with tailbacks reaching for 13 kilometres. The 100-metre long, 5-metre wide transformer carriage from Didcot power station to Avonmouth Docks in Bristol, dubbed the UK’s greatest logistical undertaking ever, took nine months to organise. Two lanes of the M4 were closed for the 4mph crawl, which was supervised by a team of specialists.

 

Heavy Haulage solutions by Dyce Carriers:

 

Dyce Carriers specialises in the transportation of atypical loads, or goods that cannot fit into a regular shipping container due to its size, weight, or awkwardness. Abnormal loads need more preparation than standard cargo deliveries, and frequently necessitate a comprehensive, tailored route to guarantee a safe and effective travel from point A to point B.

HIAB lorries ideal for transporting larger things and maneuvering through a variety of areas to deliver your goods to where they need to go. Depending on your haulage demands, Dyce carriers may tailor their service to meet your needs by utilising the various types and capabilities of their specialised equipment. Their skilled operators, drivers, and employees work together to provide one-of-a-kind haulage solutions for your transportation issues.

 

What to expect when you hire a HIAB truck?

  • A qualified operator can swiftly and easily load and unload broad, heavy, or large items.
  • HIAB vehicles are excellent for any palletised products
  • HIAB cranes can access difficult-to-reach locations and narrow corners, including inaccessible regions such as elevated or sunken areas

 

Conclution

There is no limit when it comes to the haulage industry. No cargo, no matter the size and weight, is too much of a challenge for a team of seasoned professionals with the right equipment. Trucking and haulage are ever-evolving, as logistics experts continue to find unique solutions to the transportation of abnormal loads. We can’t wait to see what is next on the horizon.

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How to create the perfect home office: All remote workers should read this!

To tackle the spread of COVID-19, more and more teams are turning to remote or flexible work from home (WFH). For many people, WFH means fewer distractions, reduced commute discomfort, reduced overall noise, increased personal space, and, most importantly, more comfortable clothing.

Aside from PJs all day, there are a number of ways to remain efficient while working from home, beginning with how to set up your home office.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of tips and ideas to assist you in selecting the ideal location and appropriate equipment for remote work.

Without further adieu, here is the ultimate home office checklist:

  • Get yourself a comfy chair- you’ll need a good one if you’re sitting over a computer all day.
  • Use a second monitor- An additional screen makes multi-tasking and managing your workload much easier.
  • Follow ergonomic rules – make sure your workspace supports your back and neck and prevents slouching.
  • Add a little greenery- plants in the workplace are proven to increase productivity and lower stress.
  • Access to high-speed internet- wifi is so essential to working from home, without it we’d be lost. Check your local providers to make sure you are getting the best deal.
  • Invest in an office printer– make your working life a lot easier with an office printer right by your desk.
  • Position yourself in natural light- sunlight and fresh air are good for both your physical and mental health.
  • Allocate space and resources for brainstorming- Your best ideas are likely to arise while you’re not at your desk. Whether you use a pinboard or simply take a short walk, give yourself space to get creative.
  • Keep your home office tidy- A cluttered desk makes for a cluttered mind.
  • Separate work from play- Avoid adding too many personal touches to your workspace. Some people find it best to get dressed for the office and take a short walk before work to help define their work zone from their home life.
  • Stick to working in office hours- Although working from home allows you to work whenever you want, if you want to optimize productivity, you should adhere to normal office hours.

There are a few easy tricks you can use to make your home office more comfortable and efficient. You’ll be able to get more done if you pick the right furniture, add ambient lighting, and keep your office tidy.

Do you have any suggestions for improving efficiency in a home office? Please share them with us in the comments section.

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Corporate Blogging In An Anti-Corporate World

Many people still believe that corporate bloggers have it easier than the self-employed blogger who has to work really hard to build a presence before he begins to see payment.

It’s certainly true that blogging on a huge authority domain is a huge advantage, especially since there are something like 500 million blogs on the web (in 2020). However, as Brian Morrow, a leading Aberdeen web designer explains, despite the fact that ‘every man and their dog’ can set up a blog cheaply, easily and quickly, there is still a place for the corporate blogger in today’s increasingly diverse and disruptive blogosphere.

While many blogs provide news on a particular subject, some function as online diaries or as we’ve seen, personal blogs. However, the corporate blog is thriving and far from becoming obsolete as earlier marketing pundits had suggested, it is becoming well established as an online marketing tactic.

With the rapid growth of social media and social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook, new strategies are required to ensure the corporate blog complements, not competes with these platforms.

According to a eMarketer report, currently 1 in 3 US companies maintain a blog and 43% of US companies will be blogging by 2019.

There are however, huge discrepancies between corporate blogs. It is believed that tech blogs dominate the sector, and this may simply be because they have the understanding and manpower to create innovative, interactive and outstanding designs.

The ones that ‘get it’ are bound to have spoof sites and spin off’s, which can generate further publicity – good or bad – for the master brand. An example is TUAW.com, which bills itself as the ‘Unofficial Apple Weblog’

e.g. IBM< SAP, Oracle

Social blogs like those seen by hotels and companies like Starbucks cannot be ignored. They get their message across via true stories that shock, motivate, encourage and inspire. The also get people engaging in a conversation by connecting their blogs to their social networking sites like twitter and facebook, thereby bridging the chasm between the two that is often seen in corporate blogging.

Still others have taken the idea of multiple division to their blogs as well. By not spreading themselves thin, and instead creating blogs based on the various departments or industries, these companies have allowed their target audience to connect on a personal level with each blog site. An example of a company that has done a fine job of this separation is Caterpillar which has established blogs for not only each of their industries, but each of their sub-industries as well.

A very common example you’ll find in the blogging world of a company which has taken an unusual approach (which works!) is with Friskas. Their problem was they had to promote a simple, common, everyday item, the scissors. Their solution? Take four very different women who share a passion – that of scrapbooking. Friskars has allowed each of these women to blog about topics they feel strongly about, and relate it back to Friskars. Has it worked? Today, Friskars is one of the most popular blogs that individuals interested in scrapbooking will visit.

Blogs can add a whole new marketing dimension to a business, especially as employees begin to accept and integrate blogging as part of the corporate identity. While there are no hard and fast rules in smaller companies when it comes to the business blog, in larger companies, protocol must be maintained, especially if the blog is to be shared by a number of employees.

Questions arise as to how much information the individual blogger is allowed to share about the internal workings of a company. For example, can a blogger who writes about a new mobile app actually divulge the programming that goes into it? Can a coke employee reveal the secret ingredients of coke’s formula. And even if the entire process or all the ingredients were not revealed, how much is enough?

Likewise, employees are not allowed to criticize the company they work for. But what if they are having a particularly bad day and want to rant about it? Can it be misconstrued. It most certainly can. And get tweeted, retweeted and discussed all over social media forums, until the situation receives its own special unwarranted attention.

Still another question that will need tackling is how much time are employees allowed to spend on a company blog? While a lot of it can be classified as promotional time, one may argue that it is hard to define, or set limits on the time an employee should, or should not be allowed to spend on blog related pursuits.

It is clear that for those companies that wish to venture into corporate blogging, certain rules and guidelines must be defined at the very start, which employees are instructed to follow. While this may then bring up questions about creative writing being stifled as time limits are imposed, it may equally well serve the purpose of legally and morally protecting the company.

The following are starting guidelines which a company can use to create their own set of blogging rules:

  • Set a limit to the number of bloggers per blog site. If there are more than the defined number, the business should consider creating blogs per industry or department.
  • Define at the start how long a blogger can or cannot spend on a company blog during working hours.
  • Specify the blogger should not be allowed to criticize the company.
  • Determine that the blogger should highlight the opinions stated are their own, as opposed to those of the company, unless otherwise agreed to.
  • Agree that the blogger should respect the company’s confidentiality and proprietary information.
  • Allow, if there is doubt, that the blogger should be able to contact a senior manager for a final decision.
  • Agree that the blogger should not use the blog post as a medium to overtly sell the company’s products or services.
  • Agree that the blogger should be responsible for handling comments if and when they arise, or direct them to the responsible party.

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Should Your Business Use Personality Tests?

Quite a few companies these days use personality tests as part of the job interview process when hiring new employees. These personality screening help companies uncover who could be great leaders and who could be people they should avoid. There are many personality tests, each with different approaches to measuring emotional and intellectual traits. We’ll look at how personality tests may be used to find potential leaders and what the benefits and drawbacks are.

It takes different types of people to set up a successful business. When using personality tests, therefore, it’s important to understand that you need diversity within your organization. You’ll realize that your company will have difficulty if the people you hire are the same as you. As an example, some administrators and business owners choose to target hiring people who are team players. Nevertheless, including independent thinkers into a team can help keep creativity flowing. Similarly, there are several types of intelligence, and it’s useful to have people in your company who are smart in different ways.

A number of industry consultants are not certain how helpful personality tests are even though many companies use them. Just one objection to them is that people aren’t automatically honest when filling out personality tests. The answers they give tend to be the answers a business wants to hear instead of how they really feel. You will find assessments that take such answers under consideration but it makes scoring harder. It is not essential to use a personality test since it really depends on you. A number of business owners like the old fashion way of using their intuition during the interview to determine potential. You will also have particular employers who rather use the data obtained from the personality test to help make the selection.

With a personality test as part of the interview process, you will be able to find the right candidate based on the results of the test. Getting data from a personality test will help you find the person who can do the right job on your team. While the data is not 100% accurate, you’ll have data that you cannot get if you didn’t have an exam. You’ll be able to have an accurate assessment of the way a particular person will succeed in a particular task. These exams can be taken by either existing employees or prospective candidates. A personality test can tell you things about a person that could otherwise take you months to discover.

Having a personality test can be a good way to measure the potential of your employees skills and leadership ability. You probably should not be dependent entirely on a personality test to gauge someone’s abilities, but they can be one part of the process. There are many different personality tests that are great for particular requirements so it is best to do some study and find out what’s out there before you choose.

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The Basics Of Laser Cutting & Engraving

A laser cutter uses a beam from a laser to slice through an object with the help of a computer system to give the laser cutter directions.

The laser nears the object undergoing cutting from the side. If there isn’t an edge of an object to approach, then a puncture can be produced. The laser beam is concentrated and pulsed onto the material to be cut so that a puncture is formed and cutting can be continued. Oftentimes, a spray of air, oil or water onto the object occurs after the cutting to clean away left-behind steel. It can additionally stop “splash back” of debris onto the cutting lens. Laser beams are focused by means of lenses. A laser beam can be focused enough to be 0.004 inch. Lasers take a large amount of energy to function. This may be the only disadvantage that they hold in the manufacturing environment.

Lasers can sever a large amount of materials such as steel, aluminum, wood, foam, plastic, fabric, vinyl, leather, paper, acrylic, film, rubber, ceramics and glass.

Laser Categories

  • One type of laser is a CO2 laser. In this category of laser, a mixture of gas is brought to an energized state in order for the laser to perform. The mixture contains the elements helium, nitrogen and carbon.
  • Another type of laser used in laser cutting is a neodymium (Nd) laser. This laser employs the exact employability as the CO2 laser, but employs a crystal with diminutive amounts of neodymium in it instead of a mixture of gas for the medium.
  • A third type of laser is the neodymium yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd-YAG) laser. The distinction between the two types of lasers is only in employability. The neodymium laser has a slow repetition speed and can be employed in high energy uses and for boring. Nd-YAG is employed for engraving and boring yet is extremely high energy.

Methods of Cutting

There are many methods that a laser slices an object explains Kal from Krintech, a leading laser engraving company in London. In vaporization, which is for materials like metals that are non-ferrous, the object is heated faster than it can dissipate the heat and it is vaporized. The material reaches an extremely high temperature, 50,000 degrees, the cut or kerf elongates, and vaporization continues. In the cutting process referred to as melt and blow, a gas under high pressure blows the molten material away from the cutting zone. The material that is cut is most often a metal. In thermal stress cracking, a brittle material comes into contact with the laser’s heat and a stress crack is made. The crack is continued through with the laser beam to complete the cut. This process is mainly used during cutting of glass. There are many other ways of laser cutting as well.

Benefits of Using a Laser Cutter

By employing a laser beam to cut, the material is not contaminated during the cutting action since the object being cut does not meet with a cutting tool. The employment of the laser cutter also speeds up the production line actions. The light beam is also very accurate, offering an extremely decisive cut. There is reduced erosion on the machinery involved since there is no wear involved on the laser. This also saves on costs since there is not as much repair involved in the machinery. From engraving to cutting, laser cutters have many uses and there are many advantages to using a laser in the cutting process in a manufacturing setting.

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