It can be hard to find enough hours to complete all the tasks you have to do in your working day; however, there are things you can do to maximise your efficiency and ensure you make the most of every moment. Before we get into it, most people work better in a clean environment, so be sure to take a look at these robot vacuum cleaners for thick carpets (because we all know how offices are).

Image Credit

Finish tasks

Try to finish the jobs that you start; otherwise, you will end up feeling anxious about them. You will feel a great endorphin rush when a task is completed, making you happy and relaxed and more able to move on to the next job.

Plan ahead

Whether you are spending your days converting PDF to Excel files or are ensconced in a top-secret design project, planning your week ahead can be really helpful. This will minimise the time spent procrastinating and give you a clear and prioritised pathway through your working week.

Image Credit

Track time

You may have offered to help with converting PDF to Excel files or taken on an extra weekend shift, but try to track your time whatever you are doing. Take notice of how much time you are spending on individual tasks and how many minutes you spend doing very little except chatting with colleagues or making the tea.

Take breaks

When you are under pressure to get jobs done, it can be tempting to miss breaks; however, taking a little time out can give your productivity levels a boost. There are rules about taking breaks at work.

Think positively

A little positive thinking can go a long way in increasing your productivity. Positive thoughts will spur you on and ensure you don’t waste time worrying about impending deadlines or your workload for the day.

Minimise distractions

Distractions in your workplace can really lower your efficiency levels and your motivation. These distractions come in many different forms, from constantly ringing phones to gossiping colleagues, but all can have an adverse effect on your efficiency.

There are obviously some distractions that you can’t avoid, but there are ways to minimise others. Make sure that your personal mobile phone is switched off, for example, or get some noise-cancelling headphones if your company allows this.

Set short deadlines

Set shorter deadlines and make yourself work against the clock. This will make you work faster and give you a sense of achievement when you complete a task.

Electrodeposition – or more properly electrochemical deposition – is a technique that has been available since the 19th century. Basically it involves putting a layer of one metal onto another using electrons deposited on ions in a solution. Think back to your school science lessons where you probably put a shiny silver coloured coating on a copper penny via electroplating – that’s electrodeposition.

Image Credit

It’s a versatile process with many uses. Silver and gold plating of jewellery and tableware has been around since the 1840s. But while it’s still widely employed to apply decorative and protective coatings, in more recent years it’s found uses in the electronics sector and in nanotechnology – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313099862_electrodeposition.

How it works

Put simply, electrodeposition uses an electric current to dissolve small particles of metals such as nickel composites and deposit them on the opposite electrode. The part to be plated is the cathode, the metal to be used makes up the anode. Both are immersed in an electrolyte solution, this contains dissolved metal salts and ions to allow the flow of an electric current.

By applying a direct electrical current to the anode ions dissolve from it into the solution and from there are transferred to the cathode. The ions in the electrolyte are constantly replaced by those removed from the anode.

Image Credit

There is an inverse process known as electropolishing which can be used to remove the surface layer from a plated object.

Where it’s used

Electrodeposition using nickel composites and other metals has been around for a long time and been applied to many household items. Since the mid 1990s it’s also had a place in the microelectronics industry.

Electrodeposition on a silicon chip was first used in 1995 to apply the solder connections for high density of output lines. As the process evolved it was also used to apply copper connecting lines to the silicon chip. It offers more accuracy and lower costs than the evaporation techniques previously used. An insulating mask is used to ensure that the metal is deposited accurately where it’s needed. This process can be extremely accurate – a computer chip can have electrodeposited copper wires that are under 100 nanometres in width.

A similar masking technique is used in nanotechnology applications. This is still in its early stages but has great potential for medical applications such as creating implants.

If you have contaminated water on or under your land, don’t worry. Tried and tested solutions exist that will solve your contamination problems. Here are three common methods of managing the decontamination process. You are likely to need expert advice to find the method most suitable for you.

Image Credit

Extract and dispose

This method involves finding a way to get to the water, either using a sump or by drilling a borehole. The water is then pumped out into storage tanks or tankers. The water is then taken away to a processing plant who will extract the clean water and dispose of the pollutants safely.

In-situ treatment

In some cases, ground water can be decontaminated on site, with minimal disruption. If your pollutants are a type of fuel, such as kerosene, petrol or diesel, this might be the best approach for you. Chemical oxidants, air, or nutrients can be added to the contaminated water. The pollutants can break down faster and escape to the atmosphere, or get eaten by bacteria. Expert land remediation services and advice can be found to provide advice on whether these techniques are appropriate for you.

Image Credit

Pump and treat

One of the most common land remediation services to decontaminate groundwater is a technique known as ‘pump and treat’. This basically involves pumping the water into tanks, treating and decontaminating it, then releasing it back into the soil, or into drains. Reverse osmosis or carbon filters can be used, depending on the type of pollution, budget, and time constraints. Pump and treat systems tend to be in place for weeks or even months at a time.

What is land remediation?

Land remediation is the process of bringing land back into safe use, including removing contaminants and pollution. Defra, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, is the UK Government department most involved, and has published research on land remediation – http://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=SP1001_9957_FRP.pdf.
For another answer to what is land remediation?, this company can help

If you are concerned about contaminated water on your land, there’s no need to panic. A range of expert solutions exist to solve your particular problems, allowing your land to be used safely for generations to come. Expert advice is readily available to guide you in the right direction and give you an idea of timescales and costs.

Holidays are great for getting away from everyday life, seeing new things, and experiencing different cultures, but sometimes our financial woes get in the way of holiday plans. If you are experiencing a shortage of funds, then maybe one of these cheaper holiday destinations could be the way forward. Here are the top holiday destinations that won’t break the bank.

Spain

Spain is a top cheap holiday destination for travellers and it has lots of gorgeous beaches to sunbathe at and clear oceans to swim in. If you’re interested in the party scene, then Ibiza or Malaga could be the way forward. Why not relax and take in the Spanish culture?

Image Credit

Portugal 

Portugal boasts an array of amazing cities such as Lisbon and Madeira. There are lots of places to see in Portugal, as they have a wide range of historic buildings and landmarks, so rest assured that you will not be stuck for things to do. There are plenty of stunning beaches to relax on, so a peaceful holiday will be guaranteed. Why not visit the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian? one of Lisbon’s most popular museums. 

Turkey 

Turkey is certainly one of the most captivating locations in the world; the weather is hot, and the beaches are stunning – what’s not to like? Turkey is one of many amazing cheap holiday destinations, so you will definitely want to add this place to your travel list. Turkey is also home to gorgeous cities such as Istanbul, and Ankara, the capital of Turkey. You can even visit Turkeys most popular beach resort, Marmaris. If you fancy staying in a villa in Turkey, why not check out websites such as https://kas4villarentals.com/, a Kas Villas rental and letting company that provides stunning, and reasonably priced villas in Kas.

Cyprus 

Cyprus is a country based in the Eastern Mediterranean; during April time and onwards the temperature there can reach up to 21 – 23°C, so this would make the perfect holiday destination if you want to visit somewhere hot. There are many gorgeous beaches in Cyprus such as; Coral Bay, Nissi Beach, and Konnos Bay – so why not relax and sunbathe at your nearest beach? You will not want to miss out on an historic site called ‘Tombs of The Kings’; a royal burial ground from 4th century BC.

Image Credit

Bali 

Bali is an island in Indonesia that is home to many stunning beach sites, coral reefs, and mountainous areas. Bali is one of the top cheap holiday destinations in the world; it is full of friendly locals, and amazing places to see that won’t leave you short on funds. If you are a keen fan of yoga, there are even many yoga and meditation retreats to go to in Bali. They also have an array of amazing tourist landmarks and attractions such as the ‘Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary’, and ‘The Uluwatu Temple’.

Many young people are finding getting on the property ladder problematic, but there is a possible solution: buy with friends. It’s not such a far stretch from the rented house-sharing that takes place. What are the pros and cons?

Image Credit

For

The obvious one is that you get a foot on the property ladder at a reduced cost, and you are paying towards your own home for the future rather than paying rent. If you are all going into it with the same deposit and agree on the same share of repayments every month, it is much easier to manage. Nowadays, mortgage companies provide mortgages specifically for this type of arrangement, although you still need to ensure you fully understand all the terms. Your home is at risk if you don’t keep up repayments. You can also split the other costs involved. If you are buying as a group, you will no doubt be looking for cheap conveyancing, so look around for companies that do this.

Against

Friends do fall out and circumstances change, so get your exit strategy sorted out right from the start. Agree how you will split the proceeds when you sell and agree how you will split the repayments. If one party wants to sell before the others, you may be responsible for buying them out and all the costs that go with that.

Image Credit

You may find that you just can’t live with the people with whom you buy; it’s very different living with someone. Depending on your agreement, you might be able to rent your part out so you can live elsewhere. Don’t fall into the trap that doing everything on the cheap is the best way, even if your co-buyers want to. Make sure you use reputable conveyancers. No one wants to get caught out, so check out websites such as https://www.samconveyancing.co.uk/news/conveyancing/conveyancing-for-99-the-scam-of-cheap-conveyancing-289 for details of the difference between quotes and estimates.

Other considerations

You should make sure that everything is legally drawn up and keep accurate records of who has paid for what and when. Sort out the house rules early on, including house guests, partners and so on. Be open and honest with each other about what you want and how long you intend to own the property and plan for the future.

Marketing, advertising or promoting an event successfully, is key to its success and to do this effectively, requires a strategy.

Image Credit

Being organised, working to a schedule and being able to delegate are all necessary skills required to manage the marketing of an event and this is where anyone working in this industry should start.

Who are you selling to?

Firstly, make sure you know your audience. Are you trying to market your event directly to the consumer, or to businesses? Although you may use the same strategies, i.e. social media and other techniques, the language you use will depend on who you are marketing to.

Strategy

Always prepare a timetable before launching a marketing campaign. Break it down into four sections including what is required pre-event launch, the event launch, what needs to be done throughout the campaign and what needs to be done in the final run up to the event.

Initiatives

Consider initiatives such as early bird ticket price offers, group booking discounts, loyalty schemes, etc. This will get reservations to come in early and start to create a buzz around your event.

Image Credit

Partnerships

Always consider working for other non-competitive businesses. This can double the awareness of the event, save costs and give your brand kudos.

Mission statement

Always know why you are putting on the event, what you hope to achieve and have a mission statement that everyone on the team knows and understands. Businesses looking for event management companies Dublin, for example, can get advice and guidance from a range of event management companies Dublin wide.

Social media

Make sure you engage people with social media early and be creative to encourage sharing and engagement.

Contingency

Always make sure you have a contingency plan. Depending on the type of event, you may be affected by the weather, or travel problems. Many sporting events are having to postpone and reschedule due to the Corona virus outbreak.

Mailing lists

Both before the event and during the event, build up a database of customers and stay in touch with them regularly, reminding them about the event, informing them of what to expect and keeping them interested.

Press release

Prepare a press release to go out a few days before the event and issue it to relevant publications that target your key audience in a last push for ticket sales.

If you don’t know who Jim Cronin is; he is the founder of Dorset’s ‘Monkey World’ – an ape and monkey rescue centre. Originally from America, Jim Cronin began working with animals as a zookeeper at ‘Bronx Zoo’, this is where he discovered his love for animals and wanted to continue his career working and caring for them. He eventually decided to move to the UK where he worked at John Aspinall’s zoo.

Image Credit

Working here, he gained more knowledge about the care and rehabilitation of primates and really gained key skills in this field of work. Whilst working at this zoo, he found out about the abuse of many chimps abroad, including baby chimps taken from the wild to be sold as exotic pets, and people using chimps as photographers props on Spanish beaches; they would have had to work long hours in the day, and sadly would have had their teeth knocked out to prevent injuries to tourists. This motivated him to start Monkey World and make real changes.

Jim discovered that a plot of land that was being used as a pig farm was on sale near Wool in Dorset, and he also had a small bank loan to help him begin his venture. Monkey World opened on 7th August 1987, with just an enclosure of nine rescue chimps, along with a cafe and play area for visitors.

It didn’t take long for the small primate sanctuary to grow bigger and bigger; they began rescuing orangutans, and other small primates such as stump-tailed macaques, woolly monkeys, and even gibbons. The more it grew, the more primates they were able to rescue.

Image Credit

Sadly Jim Cronin died from Liver Cancer on 17th March 2007, which was a devastating loss for the keepers, and Jim’s wife, Alison Cronin; who has carried on his journey in rescuing and rehabilitating primates. His work with Monkey World has certainly touched many; they even set up a memorial fund called the ‘Jim Cronin Memorial Fund’, as well as having a statue on the site of Monkey World, which shows him looking into the eyes of their well-known chimp, Charlie.

Even though his legacy has not been forgotten, life has continued on the grounds of Monkey World to carry on with rescuing mistreated primates. Monkey World even had a TV show called ‘Monkey Business’, which later became ‘Monkey Life’; where they document the day to day happenings of the animals, the keepers, and their rescue journeys. If you’re interested in watching ‘Monkey Life’, then you will need to make sure your TV and aerial are up to scratch. If you are in need of a brand new aerial, you could get in touch with an Aerial Installation Gloucester based company, or one nearer to you, who will install a brand new aerial for you. New episodes of Monkey Life are even to this day being released, so you will not want to miss out.

Packing for a summer holiday doesn’t have to be a nightmare, and if you’re smart you can ensure you have everything you need for fun in the sun and a whole lot more without paying for excess baggage at the airport! Taking the items out of the wardrobes that you had created by a Fitted Wardrobes Hampshire company doesn’t have to be stressful and messy. Just follow our tips for a stress free packing session.

Image Credit

Don’t Pack Too Light

You’ll get people who will tell you they can fit everything they need into hand luggage for a two-week trip. That may be so, but it’s not very realistic. Rather than packing light, pack smart. Invest in clothes that do not need to be ironed, make-up and skincare products that are multi-functional and a few accessories that can take you from day to night.

Pack in Advance

The pros will all tell you to plan your packing to ensure that you don’t end up throwing things into your suitcase at the last minute or leaving important items behind. Pack a day or two in advance and have a list of everything you need that you stick to!

Create a Capsule Wardrobe

Yes, this is easier said than done, but with a little bit of creative thinking you can come up with a capsule wardrobe that’s perfect for all your summer holiday activities. Stick to versatile garments like maxi dresses that can be worn just about everywhere and can even work as a cover-up on the beach, and only pack three pairs of shoes maximum!

Image Credit

Check Your Itinerary

What you pack will depend on where you are going and what you plan to do. If you are going to be spending all day at the beach and evenings in bars or restaurants, maxi dresses are a winner. If you’re going to be engaging in more strenuous activities, then shorts and T-shirts may be best, and if you’ll be in places with a lot of insects, you may want to pack long, light pants and longer shorts instead.

Make Your Own Rules

Don’t follow a set packing list that someone else has created. By all means learn as much as you can from other seasoned travellers, but don’t skimp on the things you really need just because someone else’s list says so. Make a list of what you consider a priority and then work with that rather than trying to meet the criteria set out by someone else.

If popular historical culture is to be believed the Sandwich was conceptualised and invented by the Earl of Sandwich in the eighteen hundreds. The Earl was a busy man and he was enjoying a game of cards with friends. Feeling a little bit peckish the Earl decided he wanted something to eat. However, he was in no mood to leave the table, perhaps he had a Full house that he was building but whatever the reason he summoned his servant and requested pieces of bread with a slice of cold meat stuck between them. Not exactly the healthiest of dishes and nowadays you are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing your lunch – whether you are looking for a small sandwich or salad or perhaps a larger meal from a restaurant that serves the Best pizza in dublin.

Image Credit

The Earl though had gone for the bread and meat combo and his playing companions realised that this was a brilliant idea, and all started shouting they wanted the “same as Sandwich”. Off the poor old servants went to start cutting up the bread and slicing the joints. It must have been one intense game of cards for them not to simply just put the cards all face down and go for some supper. Anyway, the name for the Sandwich stuck and it’s a common conception that the human race had managed to go eons of time without someone not realising that it might be a great way to carry meat and cheese around with them by sticking them in between bread. But cometh the man cometh the rich bloke and the sandwich had its name.

Image Credit

Expect here’s the thing it wasn’t an original idea. It seems that people had since Iron age times and figured out that when they made bread it might be an idea to have something tasty other than churned cow’s milk on it. There is recipe and evidence that unleavened bread with a meat or vegetable filling and been around since biblical times and the whole story neatly ignores the Kebab and the Pitta bread which easily update it. Now you could argue that they are not strictly sandwiches but they are certainly the forerunners. This is a very British conception as usual that we pretty much invented something regardless of whether it had already been developed. We don’t limit ourselves to just meat go in the sandwich either.

Veganuary has not only impacted on the eating habits of the nation, it has created jobs in the hospitality trade.

Image Credit

More vegan restaurants are opening – not only that, other areas of the hospitality business are widening their ranges. This is good news not only for vegans but people with other special food requirements. This trend is creating jobs in a range of areas, from growers of organic or other certified foods through to specialist chefs. Existing staff are being asked to extend their knowledge too – the whole hospitality business is growing from this. Even those food chains considered to be traditionally carnivorous, or at least omnivorous, are getting in on the act. In fact, there are a surprising number of chain restaurants that serve vegan food – too many to list here.  If the vegan trend has attracted your attention and you want to look at exploring the possibilities of opening up your own restaurant it is important that you do some market research to ensure that there it is a viable business option and that you also consult with Gloucester Accountants like https://www.randall-payne.co.uk/ to get your business set up the right way.

Cordon Bleu Veganism?

According to a 2018 report in the Guardian, the rise in demand for vegan food in restaurants has led to a shortage of chefs trained to cook it. People are used to eating well-prepared, well-cooked food, and a lot of vegan food has been mediocre to say the least. Those superb Cordon Bleu French chefs that we know and love are virtually non-existent in the vegan cooking world. Vegan cookery schools have started opening to help remedy the situation.

Image Credit

Jackfruit ‘Ribs’ and Seitan ‘Fried Chicken’

By definition, vegan food is plant-based. Many people say that Jackfruit spare ribs taste exactly like their pork counterparts, and Seitan ‘fried chicken’ is free-from cholesterol. Another advantageous side-effect of plant-only kitchens is that the chefs don’t need different equipment – just one catering fridge for different foods.

It’s Not Just Hospitality

The good thing about this growing trend is that it has a knock-on effect on other areas. More vegans mean more catering fridges, cutlery, crockery and other cooking equipment. Like other shopping trends, lots of the specialist shops selling catering equipment have closed down, so restaurants are more likely to shop online.

Final Words

Even the most committed omnivores amongst us have to recognise that veganism is better for the planet. 66,000 people took part in Veganuary in the UK in 2017. With a whole range of vegan products now being made, it looks like the job boom is set to continue.