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Employer Branding: Tips to Attract and Retain Employees

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Attracting and retaining employees is a major challenge many companies today are facing. However, if you can create an ideal workplace where everyone is given importance and priority, it’s possible to keep your workforce happy and content. So how do you build the best work environment that employees exactly need?

Building an Appealing Workplace Environment for Talents

If you check out some modern offices, they provide revolutionary workspaces designed with top-of-the-line amenities and services. It helps make employees happier, more excited and productive about going to work every single day. And that should be the main goal of proper employer branding in this day and age.

Work life balance has become more important than ever. Therefore, implementing a workspace that prioritize these two things can get more employees wanting to work for you. It’s important to consider the well-being of your talents and help them achieve their personal goals, too. If they enjoy working, they become more competent and productive.

Ideal Amenities That Most Employees Need

Creating the best office experience for employees has been the number one reason you need to keep up with your employer branding. As a matter of fact, some of the features they look for in an office are:

  • Flexible and wider space for working and meeting with colleagues.
  • Great community to work with inside the building.
  • Make discrete conversations inside private areas like cubicles.
  • Places for relaxation such as nap pods, lounges, meditation areas, and cafes.
  • Ergonomic work desks and convenient fitness center.

Other amenities that you should consider are recreational spaces including ping-pong tables (here’s a list of hand reviewed affordable ping pong tables here), video game centers, and game rooms. All these elements can help create a positive environment for both employers and employees.

Creating a Safe and Comfortable Office Experience

Work should be more humane, and offices need to be futuristic. Companies must be geared toward achieving an ideal environment for workers and the whole staff community. There should be excitement whenever your employees hear about working and staying in the office.

In order to succeed in creating the best office experience, you need to explore other workspaces that feature hospitality and flexibility. That way, you will know how to develop and expand your workplace for the benefit of your workers. After all, the happiness of your employees become the most important factor in the success of your company.

Look for amenities that will help your employees get their work done on time and with great quality. Now, how do you imagine your workspace to be so that your future employees will enjoy and have fun while working?

Finding the Perfect Perfume that Suits Your Partner’s Personality

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Whether it is for a birthday, anniversary, or just because you love them, fragrance is a classic gift for all partners. Men’s cologne can be as varied as women’s. All men should have a look for a perfume or cologne which suits them, and one of the easiest ways to find a match is by looking at their personality. Let’s take a look at some of the different personalities the special man in your life might have, and the scent you should buy them to match.

The Perfect Gentleman

If you have a perfect gentleman in your life, you are often whisked away with bunches of flowers and little love notes to let you know how much he adores you. Such a classic guy needs a scent which harkens back to a bygone age of chivalry.

Choose something with some deep notes of spice and a little hint of alcohol like whisky. These are strong scents and have been loved by men and women alike for generations. As such, you are able to buy original fragrances for men online which perfectly match this much-loved corner of the male scent market.

The Career Man

He is good at what he does and he is sure to go far in his chosen career. Whether he is a doctor, an engineer, a musician, or anything else, the career man is confident and ready to take on anything his job might throw at him. Echo that confidence with a woody perfume to help him feel like he can get through anything.

Choosing a cologne with extracts of cedar, sandalwood, or even rosewood for a very rugged scent which is undeniably masculine. While most colognes have some wood in them somewhere, you want to find a scent which is nicely balanced to bring wood to the forefront for maximum impact.

The Adventurer

If you know someone who is always on the go, traveling to distant lands and always keen to get out and try a new sport, then you need to find a fresh and sporty scent to match their free-loving attitude. Luckily, there are many scents out there which make you think of the great outdoors as soon as you take a sniff of them. Even the freest of guys can learn to appreciate a good perfume!

Look for something with notes of grass, sea salt, or even tea. Fresh and natural is the key here. You could even mix a little wood in there by choosing a cologne with pine; a scent universally considered to be quite refreshing.

Men deserve a fragrance which matches their personality and helps them to be the best they can be. The right scent can truly do that. Since women love to experiment with different perfumes and how each one makes them feel, it is high time we started encouraging the men in our lives to think the same way. Think about the one you would be buying scent for. What do you think he would like the most? Start searching for the perfect scent for him to wear today!

Answers You Need to Know Before Buying a Bespoke Suit

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You need to think twice before you decide to buy a bespoke suit. It is more expensive than the suits you find in malls that are ready to wear. You also need to wait for some time to finish the creation of a bespoke suit. Your tailor will make several tweaks until the suit fits you like a glove. It is not just a piece of clothing, but a work of art. You need to know the answers to these questions before you can have the best suit ever.

What are the differences between made to measure suits and bespoke suits?

You might always hear these words, but you do not know what they mean. Bespoke tailoring means that the garments that you will wear came from a bare canvas using the measurements obtained from you. The pattern will then come from the measurements. The cut-out pattern will be the basis for cutting the fabric that you also choose. Made to measure suits, on the other hand, rely on standard patterns that are not necessarily appropriate for you. There will still be changes based on your measurements, but you cannot go beyond the standard patterns available.

Why is bespoke better than made to measure suits?

Bespoke suits are customised clothing that is perfect for your body. You will be the only person to wear that suit since no one else has the exact pattern, detail, and measurements. It might be expensive, but you deserve to wear something that you can call a masterpiece. It is an elegant and luxurious-looking piece of clothing that you would not mind paying a lot for.

Is it possible to replicate a preferred design?

Yes. You can even bring a magazine to show the sample of the suit that you want. The tailor will give suggestions on what would be suitable for you, but you will still decide what to wear in the end. You can tweak the details based on your preferences. As long as you provide a reasonable request, your tailor will most likely make it happen.

Is it possible to choose fabrics?

Yes. It is another feature of bespoke suits. You can decide which fabric you will be comfortable wearing. Some materials cause allergic reactions. Others are not suitable for the weather. Apart from the fabric, you can decide which style, colour, design, and pattern to have.

How many times is it necessary to provide the measurements?

The good thing about bespoke suits is that you can request adjustments until you feel satisfied with the fit. If it requires several tweaks in the process, your tailor will not complain since it is a part of the amount that you paid.

How long will a bespoke suit last?

The answer depends on you as the wearer but given the quality of the fabric and the craftsmanship of the tailor, you can use the suit for a long time. You can say that it is worth whatever amount you are spending.

Now that you know the answers to these questions, it is time to get started.

Financing a Business Expansion—Consider All Options, Even the Outrageous Ones

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When your business is ready to expand into new locations, sectors, or anything else, the biggest hurdle in the way is usually finances. Hoping that profits alone could help is a dilemma actually. Small to medium sized businesses rarely earn profits big enough to solely finance and expansion. But expanding is necessary to earn huge profits that investors expect. See the predicament.

No businesses, even the major corporations, find is easy to finance expanding business operations. But it must be done to dominate your niche. Amazon is a prime example of this phenomenon. It’s one of the biggest online retailers in the world; the brand that upended retail. And yet, Amazon has yet to turn a profit. The company instead raises funds to reinvest in everything from cloud-based services to Whole Foods. The result is a giant corporation that no one can ignore.

Now your small business might not become as big as Amazon, but that’s no reason not to be ambitious about expansions. Here are several options that might help you finance the project as you like:

Borrow Business Specific Loans

Borrowing is obviously the first, and usually the only, option for most small business owners. There are several ways to borrow money, and doing it right is important for avoiding crushing debt later.

You can seek personal loans or borrow against an asset you own. But you can avoid the risk of losing your assets by seeking out highly business specific private loans. For example, say you want to expand into freight transportation. You can seek out truck loans provided by reputable lenders in your area. Your loan would be then tied to the business, and not a personal asset that you could lose.

Seek Government Business Assistance

This is not a readily available option. But many countries have loan schemes to support small to medium sized business owners. These may not be widely available, but you can still try to research such financing options you might qualify for.

You can increase your chances of getting approved for a government financial assistance by paying down any personal debts you might own. Debts like mortgages are fine as long as its without delinquency. But if you have other non-secured debts, try to pay these down as soon as possible. You can consider an option like debt consolidation to help you pay off loans quicker.

Crowdfund Online

Small businesses rarely find angel investors, like they show in Silicon Valley movies. Angel investors are typically not interested in businesses not in the innovation sector. So when this option is not viable, you can instead try crowdfunding online.

It may not be easy, but it has worked for many enterprising entrepreneurs. As long as you have a good business idea that you can pitch to an online audience, crowdfunding should work.

Don’t hesitate to exhaust the above options before you give up on your dream of expanding the business. The above options are better for your financial security than doing something like taking out a second mortgage. Businesses are notoriously prone to volatile market risks. So don’t risk losing your family home. Use one of the above suggestions instead to raise funds to improve your small business venture.

CBD Oil: Things to Consider Before Purchasing It

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It can be challenging to put your trust in a natural supplement, especially when the companies behind the product tend to oversell what it is capable of. Too many people have been pushed into purchasing a brand new supplement only to realise that it does nothing to help their situation. Fortunately, cannabidiol oil is making waves because it is the exact opposite of most types of natural supplements in the market. It is surprisingly effective, and safe to use.

That said, there are still a few things to consider before making the purchase. It is always best to err on the side of caution, and it is a good idea to be completely informed before going for CBD oil products or CBD vape oil UK retailers supply.

Don’t worry – CBD oil has no capability of making you high

To start with, some people might worry about purchasing CBD oil because it is one of the compounds present in cannabis. Fortunately, while that is the case, CBD oil cannot cause anyone to become intoxicated or high. It means that it is safe to use whether you are out driving or in a public area, and you have nothing to worry about.

CBD oil is also perfectly legal

Another thing to consider is whether or not CBD oil is entirely legal. Fortunately, the use of industrial hemp means that there is no issue, as the type of hemp used does not meet the regulations of regular cannabis. You do not have to worry about CBD oil making you high, and there are no legal repercussions.

Side-effects with regards to cannabidiol oil

Natural supplements have a habit of affecting everyone differently, though the one thing most have in common is that the side-effects are relatively mild and the occurrences are rare. Fortunately, CBD oil is no exception, though it is still vital to understand the possible side-effects which include diarrhoea, a shift in appetite and possible fatigue. There are no documented cases of CBD oil causing more severe reactions than the ones mentioned above.

CBD oil can help individuals deal with a host of issues

There have been cases of people suffering from anxiety and depression that have had their lives turned around through the use of CBD oil. While not every case is going to have as big an impact, it does not change the fact that it can help treat a variety of conditions. The anti-inflammatory property of CBD oil is also nothing to scoff at, helping to lessen pain and making it easier for stressed individuals to relax.

Most of the things that need to be considered when it comes to CBD oil have to do with its connection to marijuana. Thankfully, CBD oil is perfectly viable for anyone looking for an alternative means of treating headaches and pains as well as a host of other conditions. That said, there are still side-effects connected to the use of the product, though it is unlikely that you will be affected.

To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.

 

TitleCard Capital – Understanding the Benefits of a Private Equity Real Estate Firm

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Most of us understand the basics around making money from real estate, on the one hand you have the flippers who buy low and sell for a quick profit and on the other you have those with more long term plans with their properties. A third option however, and one which has been making hundreds of thousands of dollars for many investors is a private equity group. We normally think about the stock market and hedge funds when we talk about private equity but there are companies like TitleCard Capital who use this approach in the real estate market to, with great success, and here are the benefits of using such a system.

Background

These funds have existed for some time now but it wasn’t until the early 1990s that they really rose to prominence. The real estate market slumped and groups of wealthy investors and even families, would pool together their resources in order to scoop up as much real estate as possible. This worked very well for these people and these funds are still thriving today.

Diverse

If you invest $250,000 of your money then you may be able to purchase one property, perhaps two if you are smart and you can find bargains. What a pirate equity group will do however is pool the resources of a number of investors and they will buy multiple properties, spreading out the investment and boosting your chances of making strong returns. Diversifying your investment in this way is how you minimize your risk and your exposure. Markets change geographically and so having multiple properties across a number of different locations is how you can secure your investment.

Larger

The biggest upsides in real estate investment usually comes from the larger scale properties such as commercial buildings or mansions, something which most of us do not have the spending power to buy. When you invest in a vehicle such as private equity investment group, you will put yourself in a position to purchase properties like these, because it will be a pooled effort rather than the power of the individual investor.

Returns

The aim of any investment is of course to make strong returns and history has shown that investing in pools such as a private equity real estate firm can bring you very strong returns indeed. In most cases there is a cooling off period after your initial investment, usually around 8 years. Following this cooling off period however investors can count on annual returns of at least 6% and as high as 10%. It is these strong returns which draws people into this type of investment, combined with the additional benefits such as diversification of your portfolio, security and bigger spending power.

This is a great vehicle for anyone who is looking to get involved in real estate investment, the minimum investment usually sits at around the $250,000 mark but there are some which allow slightly smaller investment.

 

What the Future Holds for Construction Using Structural Insulated Panels

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Rapid industrialisation and development around the world are paving the way for widespread adoption of modern building techniques such as using structural insulated panels or SIPs. Conventional construction uses timber frames as the foundation for walls, roofs, and walls. SIPs, on the other hand, are pre-fabricated boards with built-in foam insulation produced in factories and delivered ready for installation.

Although SIPs were invented in the 1930s, traditional timber-frame houses are still more popular. The main reason for this is the rapid changes in building techniques influenced by current trends within the industry. What fuelled the invention of SIPs was the desire to create energy-efficient structures. SIPs were mass produced in the 1960s and met with much success until the 1970s when there was an ongoing energy crisis.

When the energy crisis was eventually resolved, using SIP panels slowly became outdated. It was not until recently when there was a renewed consciousness to build eco-friendly buildings that SIPs once again came into the limelight.

What makes SIPs an excellent building material?

The sheathing material used in fabricating SIPs is typically oriented strand board, but some manufacturers make panels with sheathing made with steel or plywood. Oriented strand board is preferred because it can be made using recycled wood and pressure treated for durability and strength.

The foam insulation core of a SIP is responsible for its thermal performance, thus making it an excellent material to achieve energy efficiency. When building with SIPs, contractors save time and money on labour and an entire building can be erected in as little as two weeks.

A building made with SIPs has not only high thermal performance but also has excellent load-bearing capacity. To improve the fire-retardant characteristic of a SIP construction, gypsum boards are installed in the interior panels before adding a decorative finish.

The growing market for SIPs

The market for SIPs is growing steadily because of the increasing demand from the construction industry. SIPs are not only used in building residential and commercial buildings but also useful in constructing cold storage facilities such as warehouses.

The primary driver for the growing market for SIPs is the demand to construct energy-efficient buildings which result in the reduction of energy consumption. The SIP market is currently segmented according to how these panels are applied.

The main areas of SIP application include building walls, roofing, and cold storage facilities where roof and wall construction take the most significant chunk of the market. Aside from implementation, the SIP market is further segmented according to insulation foam type, and sheathing material used. Currently, oriented strand board and expanded polystyrene panels are the most commonly produced type of SIPs.

Although there is no denying that SIPs are superior over other types of building materials, the lack of awareness and expertise of builders hinders its widespread adoption. As more builders, architects, and engineers involved in the construction industry use SIPs more extensively, the general public will be more aware of their benefits and perhaps choose them over conventional building methods.

Tips To Help You Choose All-Inclusive Luxury Resorts For A Honeymoon

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The honeymoon is a really important moment in the life of a couple. It should be among the most memorable moments in one’s life. Obviously, the most important part of the honeymoon is the spouse. However, nobody can deny how important it is to have wonderful accommodations present.

Choosing an all-inclusive luxury resort like those you see at Capital Resorts Group reviews is not a simple decision. You will think about so many different things. The big advantage is that you pay in advance for practically everything that you receive, including rooms, activities, drinks and meals. However, you can also opt for paying just for the accommodations and then pay for activities, drinks and meals once you are there. Choosing between the two is difficult.

One of the easiest ways to choose the all-inclusive luxury resort, together with whether or not you want to pay for everything in advance, is to consider the following factors.

Available Budget

Sometimes a honeymoon budget is really strict but in others it is not at all. Is there enough money to deal with the unexpected trip expenses? This is something that should be taken into account as you always need some money for situations that are unexpected. Based on this, you can see how much money can actually be paid and your choices become simpler.

Be Careful With Included Drinks

When the deal that is offered says all drinks are included, you need to read the fine print or talk to someone at the resort to understand exactly what is offered. Sometimes the drinks are just local alcohol that you will most likely not love. If this is the case, it is usually better to buy your own drinks. Fortunately, when opting for the best all-inclusive luxury resorts, the drinks are high-quality.

Check Included Activities

You need to think about what you want to do as a couple while on your honeymoon. Are you interested in relaxation and you want to spend a lot of time together in a dream home? Are you more interested in adrenaline activities? These are important questions to ask since most all-inclusive luxury resorts include some activities. Will you take advantage of them? If not, it is better to opt for a deal that does not include activities so that you can pay for those that you want.

Entertainment is always important for a honeymoon. It is equally important as activities that are enjoyed. There are couples that want to explore while others just want to stay at home and watch movies in a state of the art home theatre room. Consider your preferences so you choose the very best possible options for you as a couple.

Final Thoughts

Always consider the tips mentioned above and you are going to be able to choose some really great all-inclusive luxury resorts where you can create those honeymoon memories that will last for a lifetime. Take as much time as you need to make the best possible choice. There is definitely no shortage of all-inclusive resorts to consider.

 

Due Diligence For Private Equity Evaluation

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When you want to make an investment, private equity stands out as a really interesting option that needs to be taken into account. However, due diligence is always necessary since you should always carefully choose every single opportunity you put money in. Marc Leder highlights that one of the most important things at the end of the day is to be sure that all general risks associated with an asset class are understood. Private equity investments can be highly illiquid. Money is practically trapped until a specific scenario materializes.

Private equity investments are expensive, with much money being put into a business for the long run. Evaluations are needed since you need to be sure the investment is actually worth it. If the risk is too high, the investment is simply not worth it and should not be undertaken.

Before recommending private equity managers that work with clients, the investment strategy needs to be analyzed so that it is appropriate. Private equity investors are fully aware of all the risks that are associated with a business. All possible red flags are identified so nothing can come as a surprise.

Whenever a deal-breaker is noticed at any stage of private equity investment, the investor can pull the plug. An important thing that needs to be understood is there is never a shortage of companies that are looking for private equity funds. When a deal stands out as one that is not going to be profitable, the best thing that can be done is to just look for something else. Every single investor needs to take into account the strategy and plan of the manager in order to be sure everything is suitable, according to personal risk tolerance levels.

Generally speaking, private equity firms prefer the businesses that are making large operational improvements instead of companies that rely on the use of leverage. The track record of the company manager is always evaluated and researched. Obviously, the final decision is not solely based on the past results of a manager but those results are never ignored.

Fees should also be considered since they have the potential to impact long-term returns. Many private equity managers charge a 2% management fees and a carried interest of 20%. However, this is not always the case in modern business. Managers can charge more but they need to justify the higher fee. The exact same thing should be said about lower fees.

The bottom line is that private equity involves a lot of money and the investor is always interested in making sure the investment is going to be profitable in the long run. This is much easier said than done. Due diligence is needed because the private equity firm needs to understand everything about the current state of the business and the future earning potential. If there are signs that something bad will happen, a risk level is assigned. When this risk level is determined to be too high, the best thing that can be done is to simply not make the investment and not offer the funds.

 

Raj Dharampuriya – Dealing With Problematic Tenants

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My good friend Raj Dharampuriya began with a single house which he was renting out and now he has over 8 properties which he rents out to a wide range of tenants. This is something which I have an interest in doing and so I spent a few months with Raj Dharampuriya to see how he managed the whole affair and what challenges there were to face. At that time Raj Dharampuriya was having all sorts of problems with the tenants in one of his apartments, a nightmare for any landlord. For me it was a good experience to watch, but for Raj I can’t imagine that he enjoyed it very much. Raj however handled the whole thing very well indeed.

The Issue

The issue for Raj Dharampuriya was that his tenants were having late night parties, they were allowing trash to build up outside and they were causing a nuisance to the neighbors. In such a situation Raj knows the importance of maintaining a good relationship with his neighbors and it was actually them who contacted him to resolve the situation.

Step 1

The first step which Raj undertook was to visit his tenants and give them their first strike, a warning that this kind of behavior wouldn’t be tolerated and that steps would be taken if it continued. Raj had made a very smart decision some time ago when he asked for a bond of 3 months rent to be paid, which came to around $1200.

Step 2

Unfortunately just a week later the complaints were coming in again and Raj had to go out and see his tenants again. Under law a landlord cannot just show up unannounced but the issue was that if Raj gave notice that he was coming, the tenants would tidy the place up and then it would put Raj in a tough spot, having only complaints to go off. And so instead of this he called up the neighbor who was complaining and asked if he may go to see them, and talk about the issue. This meant that Raj was able to catch the tenants red handed with trash blocking up the stairwell. Raj could easily have called the police on his tenants as the trash broke city laws and the late night parties were tantamount to noise disturbance. The problem is however is that if Raj had to do this, it looks bad on him and neighbors will remember what happened. There was also a risk that the tenants would destroy the place and then leave.

Step 3

Armed with photos of the trash in hand, Raj went to see his tenants  for the final conversation. Doing this conversation he showed them the photos and threatened them with legal action, as well as telling them that their bond would be lost if they continued in this way. He gave them an official letter of the complaints and told them that one more event and they would be given their notice to leave. Somewhat surprisingly, after the threat of losing their bond was offered, they were quiet as mice for the next 3 months before they left.

I like the way that Raj handled this, instead of going straight for legal action, which would have been a real pain for him, he managed to get the result which he wanted, without too much upheaval.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category