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THE PERKS OF USING PLASTERBOARDS IN YOUR PROPERTY

ABC Staff
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THE PERKS OF USING PLASTERBOARDS IN YOUR PROPERTY

If you are building a new home or remodeling your current property, you will be required to choose a material for your ceiling and walls. Many homeowners prefer using plasterboards for their ceilings and interior parts of the walls due to their many advantages. They consist of a non-combustible core and paper surfacing on the face, backside, and even along the edges. You can also find plasterboards in the form of different materials like fiberglass mats or paper.

Installing plasterboards on your ceilings and interior walls come with many perks.

They are easy to install and maintain

The process of installing plasterboards is easy and quick whether you are fixing them on your ceiling or walls. One unique thing about plasterboards is that they are lightweight so handling them is easy. That means even transportation to your construction site is easy because of its lightweight nature.

From 8-12feet and width of up to 48inches, plasterboards can cover large areas at ago compared to other ceiling materials. You can cut them using a saw or knife, and only a few tools are required for the installation. The lightweight material makes it easy to achieve the best fixing for plasterboard, and you will have no difficulty maintaining them. Repainting is also easy because you can remove the old paint by scraping it off.

They are fire-resistant

Plasterboards are valuable, especially where fire resistance is necessary. They are manufactured with chemically combined water which releases steam when the heat is high. As a result, plasterboard is the most used interior finish where fire resistance classification is needed as it is a non-combustible material.

According to a study, the material produces steam that does not exceed 100degrees Celcius under normal atmospheric pressure. This feature helps deter the transfer of heat and any spread of fire. That means in case of a fire outbreak in your home, the steam produced lowers the temperature and slows down the transfer of heat. The material can adequately protect your property from fire hazards.

Sound isolation

Using plasterboards in your property ceilings and interior walls helps you to control sound transmission effectively. Ideally, a contractor should keep in mind the use of the building when during construction to ensure they include all the right noise reduction features.

For instance, an office space needs more sound reduction than the other rooms. Installing plasterboards on the ceiling and interior walls provides the much-needed sound isolation in your property. The material prevents the transfer of unwanted sound to the adjacent areas.

Versatility

Plasterboards are versatile because they can help you achieve different architectural styles. They are incomparable to other surfacing products due to their adaptability to various forms of decoration. They come with qualities such as ease of installation, maintenance, repair, performance, and availability. With the right products, you can quickly fix plasterboards or repair them when need be.

You can quickly achieve the size and shape you desire in your ceiling or interior walls with plasterboards. They are flexible to shape into any form, and they are easy to cut. You can paint plasterboards with the perfect finish or decorate them however you desire. Again it is easy to move or replace the plasterboards if you want to change the layout of your ceiling.

They are durable

Another perk of using plasterboards in your property is that they give you the much-needed durability of your ceiling. Plasterboards provide dimensional stability, can be decorated and refinished, making them durable. Plus, they are fire-resistant, which also contributes to their durability. Also, high-quality interiors designed with plasterboards can be recognized as drywall.

Plasterboards are affordable

Last but not least, plasterboards are an affordable and readily available building material. Building or remodeling your property doesn’t come cheap, so finding quality but inexpensive materials is needful. Plasterboards come in different sizes to install in either ceilings or interior walls. Also, they are a cheap ceiling covering and wall surfacing material that results in a fire-resistant finish. The installation and labor are also affordable because they are lightweight hence easy to handle and fix.

The bottom line

As you can see, plasterboards are the go-to ceiling coverings or wall surfacing materials that are fire-resistant. They are versatile, flexible, easy to install, durable, and made of an environmentally friendly material. If you are constructing or remodeling your property on a budget, they are the go-to material because they are quality, affordable, and readily available.

Digital Nomads: Why You Need Them In Your Business

Claire James
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Digital Nomads: Why You Need Them In Your Business

The term ‘digital nomad’ has grown in popularity recently. It refers to people who prefer to be able to live and work anywhere in the world, utilising telecommunications technology rather than being a part of a traditional workplace. 

It might be that you have never considered specifically hiring digital nomads in the past – indeed, most businesses still focus their recruitment around local staff. But, hiring digital nomads can actually be very beneficial to your business. Here we take a look at why. 

Access to talent

Perhaps one of the best reasons that businesses have to consider hiring digital nomads is that it opens up their potential workforce. If your business will only employ within a reasonable commuting distance from your base, you are limited to the people who are willing to commute. Opting for remote workers can provide you with access to talent.

And this could be a crucial time to do it. There is a well-publicised digital skills shortage and if you need to get specific digital skills into your business, it can actually be very expensive. This problem is worsened significantly if you limit where these skills can come from. 

In this sense by working with digital nomads you are actually opening yourself up to the possibility of saving significant money on staff. That’s before you consider the ongoing costs of not moving forward with plans, or not having them completed by skilled professionals. 

Access specific skills

It’s not just the fact that you can access a greater number of potential staff. Being open to working with digital nomads gives your business the chance to bring in the specific set of skills you need for a period without having to hire someone locally. Indeed, many of those with advanced technical skills may be more interested in working as a digital nomad.

For example, 84% of chief technology officers (CTOs) understand the benefit of moving to the cloud but not enough companies have the skills to do it. Digital nomads can provide the kind of technical skills that you need without having to hire someone on a full-time basis. When you need high quality skills for a specific project, this can be a great way to get them. 

Different perspective

Remember that when you bring someone into your business, you gain more than just the skills on their CV. There can be a danger that if all of your staff come from the same area, you will only get a very narrow perspective from them. While it is good to have staff who all understand each other and can work towards a shared goal, there is also much to be gained from a diversity of perspective. 

When you hire a digital nomad into a business that is primarily made up of in-office workers, you get someone who is more likely to think in a different way to them. This can bring a hugely valuable perspective difference that can spark new ideas or encourage creative thinking. 

Businesses can very easily miss out on new opportunities simply because they do not know that they exist. Hiring digital nomads can help broaden horizons and make it less likely that this situation will occur. 

Offering flexibility to staff

There can be no doubt that the pandemic changed a lot of working habits. Many people were forced to work from home – while others found themselves changing their hours to suit their schedules better. But, as businesses have returned to the office, there have been some who haven’t continued offering that same flexibility to staff. 

By re-embracing the possibilities of remote working and hiring a digital nomad, your company can once again enjoy the benefit of providing staff with more flexible opportunities. Some members of the team may have preferred the working situation where they could change up their hours as necessary. 

Hiring digital nomads can act as the catalyst to offer this kind of working arrangement permanently. This might be more effective than you think – it has previously been reported that over a third of staff would prefer flexible working to a pay rise.

Save on office space

Undoubtedly office space remains one of the major expenses of any business. Having to pay for a property all year round can be a huge cost, especially if you have to rent a working space that is much larger than you currently need to give you the room to be able to grow. Digital nomads offer you the opportunity to grow without using office space. 

Without having to worry about finding space (or, worse) actually moving office, you can focus on more important aspects of recruitment. 

Move forward as a digital business

If you have never considered digital nomads for your workforce before, it may be that your business hasn’t fully embraced the possibilities with digital technology. Working with a remote member of staff can actually open up new opportunities and allow your business to thrive as a modern, digital operation. 

The advantages of living in retirement in Spain

Claire James
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The advantages of living in retirement in Spain

If you are starting to plan your retirement and are considering retiring to live abroad, what better place to move to than Spain. Spain has it all, the hot weather, delicious food, plenty of things to do and spectacular landscapes. Whether you are looking to move to a city like Barcelona, or you want to settle down in the countryside like La Azohia, Murcia, there is a place for everyone. So, what are the advantages of living your retirement in Spain? Below we look into 4 different advantages. 

The Spanish Weather 

We know this may come across as an obvious one, but it goes without saying the weather in Spain is a very attractive reason to consider retirement there. With temperatures mostly above 20C, you can turn your back to the horrible rainy seasons that you may be used to in England or other countries. Your raincoat can be left in the cupboard to gain dust as most days you can enjoy wearing a t-shirt or a jumper when it gets slightly colder. Yes, Spain isn’t immune to the odd rain shower or storm, however it happens a lot less than in other countries. 

Reduced Living Costs 

Now, this can vary depending on what parts of Spain you are thinking of settling down in, however, on a whole, you will find your day to day costs less than in other countries. Due to the hotter climate, ‘in-season’ fruit and veg tend to cost less as well as meat. You also find the cost of eating out can be considerably lower compared to other countries – although this again depends on the places you are visiting in Spain. 

Support For Other Nationalities 

When living in Spain there are a whole plethora of companies that specialize in providing personalized services and making life easier for people moving from other countries. Most of these companies will have a multilingual team, making it easier for you to communicate and get set up. Companies like Tiekom.com will help with your internet and mobile plans, whilst dedicated property providers will help with your move and settling you in. 

The healthcare

When retiring, it is important that you look after your health and if it is to deteriorate you are in a place where there is a good healthcare system. Luckily, Spain is very known for having a good healthcare system in place that is very similar to the UK’s NHS. Under their healthcare, most treatments come free of charge for both working and retired residents. If you prefer to go private, they have plenty of private healthcare providers that you can sign up to. 

These four are only a touch on the many benefits that there are to moving abroad. That said, it’s important you do your research before moving and look into how moving will affect your tax, pension, student loan etc. 

What part of Spain are you considering moving to? Have you already moved to another country and what benefits did you get from making that move? Let us know in the comment box below. 

Ebbsfleet United CEO Abdulla Al Humaidi on the Value of the Rapid Attack

ABC Staff
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Ebbsfleet United CEO Abdulla Al Humaidi on the Value of the Rapid Attack

Abdulla Al Humaidi, CEO of Ebbsfleet United, knows the importance of being on the offensive. His team’s focus on the attack is what helps them succeed. The plan for recent games has been to attack from the very beginning. With the first whistle, all the players on the team were tuned into the same goal. With a CEO dedicated to the team and a coach focused on the details, Ebbsfleet United is improving its performance. Scoring against Welling and other teams is coming easier than it did before.

After purchasing the club several years ago, Abdulla Al Humaidi started working to make it better. That came with some rapid spending, which was then adjusted as the team acquired what it needed. While some seasons in the past have been challenging for the club and Al Humaidi, the rapid attack strategy is seeing the club begin to win more games. Being on their toes right from the very start of every game puts the other team on the defensive. From that position, Abdulla Al Humaidi and his team can do more.

While it’s not always easy for teams to stay on their toes from the beginning, the value of it is worth noting. Teams that train themselves to do that more frequently, may see higher winning percentages. That’s good news for anyone who wants to see the club succeed, and for all the players working hard for that outcome. Wins have been increasing for the Fleet in recent weeks. That’s a trend that Al Humaidi and others involved with the club want to see continuing for as long as possible.

Early Goals are Important, Says Abdulla Al Humaidi

Scoring early goals is one of the best ways to build strength and confidence. When the club scores early, the players feel more secure in their abilities. Abdulla Al Humaidi knows what that’s like, and the value of it. The more he works with his team, the more he understands how they work and what they need from him. Now that he has owned the club for years, working with the players is easier and more efficient. The players also start to develop new goals, which can be encouraged by their teammates.

Originally, scoring early goals wasn’t a huge confidence booster for the team. They often felt as though they would score quickly, but then would end up losing the game. Now, though, they’ve learned more tricks and ways to keep the momentum going. When they score a goal early now, they focus on the next one and the one after that. Understanding how they can score more goals, and the ways they can continue to improve is helping them do even more as they build together as a team.

Early goals don’t guarantee success, of course. The club has scored quickly in the past, and been unsuccessful in the end. But the more they score quickly, the more they get into that mindset. That, in turn, improves their focus on fast goals. As they continue to build on that, those goals come more easily. The team is also better able to understand which opponents are expecting that rapid attack. Teams who are braced for that may be harder to defeat. But a change in strategy can help with that issue.

The Momentum Makes a Difference

Not only is it important for Abdulla Al Humaidi to see his team score a goal quickly, but turning that goal into more also matters. The first half of the game can be crucial, for both momentum and morale. Players who see their game going badly may struggle to keep giving their all. But when the club is doing well, they can relax a little and still have plenty of success. Naturally, the more goals the better. But staying ahead of the competition is going to be the largest focus, moving forward.

Now that the club has started scoring early, they’re beginning to win more games. That winning can continue if the team pulls together and keeps the focus on how to beat their next opponent. While momentum is a big part of that, it’s not the only thing that Abdulla Al Humaidi is looking for. He knows that the strategy of the team is another area where they need to stay on top of things. Every opponent has different requirements, strengths, and weaknesses that the club needs to be aware of.

Abdulla Al Humaidi Focuses on Long-Term Strategy

Winning is important for any sports team. Without wins, many players may find themselves cut, or traded to other teams. But a long-term strategy is also one of the most important areas for any team. It’s not realistic to do the same thing all the time, because other teams are making changes. In that way, strategy has to focus on two areas. Those are the specific changes to the team, and the changes that have to be made due to other teams. Knowing weaknesses for those teams means a higher chance of winning.

As the club continues to strengthen what it has to offer, more players are settling in. That helps them focus on what they bring to the team. It’s also a good way for them to get to know their teammates. Working together well takes time, and Abdulla Al Humaidi knows that his team will continue to improve. Strong strategies for each game are different from the overall strategy that will continue into the future. Both are valuable and important, but they can’t be the same, or they require too much compromise.

People Do What They Need to Do, Not More

In general, Fleet players do what’s required of them, but they aren’t going to do more than that. While that might seem like a complaint, it’s actually a good thing. Players who know how much they need to do are good players. They don’t over-exert themselves, so they have more to give for a longer period of time. In a game where both teams are committed to playing well for the long term, players who tire out too quickly can reduce the chances that their team will have success.

Abdulla Al Humaidi knows that the value of his players is in them knowing when to lean back, so they can be ready in the future. That doesn’t mean slacking off, but rather only doing what’s required to keep the strong momentum going. If they’re winning, they’re already doing enough to be successful. More than that would simply be extra, unnecessary effort. That could weaken the team for future games, and wouldn’t solve anything. But with the right mix of effort and understanding, the club is more successful.

Strong Bonds Make Strong Teams

Another area of focus for Abdulla Al Humaidi and his team is the bonds that players have with one another on the field. If a particular group plays especially well together, that’s the group Al Humaidi wants to keep together. But sometimes, changing out one player for another is necessary. Accidents, injuries, and illnesses are all reasons that one player may not be able to participate in a game. In those cases, another player will need to step in. Keeping all players in rotation helps them all be ready for action.

As players continue to spend more time together, the teams that work the best together become apparent. These are the teams that Abdulla Al Humaidi tries to keep together as much as possible. Substitutions are only made by the club’s coach when necessary. The goal is to make sure players don’t become burnt out or injured, so they can provide their best for the games that are coming up. It’s not always easy to do that, but the proper rotation of players and teams allows for a much higher chance of that.

As long as Abdulla Al Humaidi owns the Fleet, the focus will remain on growing the team’s strength and abilities for the future. As with any team, that takes time. Players come and go, and there are injuries and other concerns that can affect sports teams. While there’s not always something that can be done about these issues, the goal is to make sure there’s as little of it as possible. Because of the dedication of Abdulla Al Humaidi and others associated with the club, the strength of the Fleet will continue to grow.

6 Video Editing Tips for Better Social Media Content

ABC Staff
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6 Video Editing Tips for Better Social Media Content

Video content for social media is quickly becoming a great resource for creating your community and conveying your brand’s narrative. There’s never been a better moment to start making high-quality social media videos than now, with a growing array of video features on various platforms. Discover our top 6 video tactics for increasing engagement and conversions

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Before we get into details about tips that can help you in making social media videos, here is the highlight for brands and businesses to remember.

  • High-definition footage
  • Begin with a powerful hook.
  • A consistent flow of content
  • On the video, show your face
  • Text or subtitles for added advantage

Let’s discuss more…

5 Tips for Increasing Engagement on Social Media Videos

Grow with square videos 

You want people to be able to see your video in the best possible quality on their phones. You may take and share square or even vertical movies to make use of different screen sizes. That’s true, landscape isn’t the sole desirable viewpoint any longer.

Videos that are square-oriented do well on almost all social media platforms, especially when viewed on mobile devices. Take advantage of your phone’s built-in square camera. You won’t have to worry about cropping critical sections of your frame while shooting square video footage. Do you have a standard-sized video that you’d want to resize? To crop any film into a perfect square, use a free resizing app.

If you’re a brand or business trying to make an impact with video marketing but don’t know where to start, we recommend taking an expert’s help. To help you curate branded content for your different social media channels, choose from a wide range of stock video clips. Apply voice-overs and captions to give your films a clean, professional appearance.

Start with words that can hook the audience 

Do you know, the start of your video can make it popular or leave it in the back? If your video doesn’t catch the interest of your viewers, they will scroll to the next. The only way to grab attention is a compelling hook.

A strong hook gives life to your video. Start with an alluring question or anything that touches the pain point of the people or maybe an announcement for giveaway or freebies.

Use the power of visuals

You can score a short film directly from your phone thanks to advances in mobile video editing, but it’s more likely that people will watch your movie without sound. Enhance your video’s graphics instead of depending on the sound. Take the help of a good online video editor and enhance your video.

Filters can be used to set the tone and ambiance. The text should be used instead of voiceovers. Put your video on silent while it’s being edited to simulate the conditions under which your mobile video will be viewed.

By focusing more on the graphics, you may enhance the chances that your film will be watched all the way through. Every clip should be intriguing and eye-catching, even if your audience will just stop and watch or scroll away for a fraction of a second. You’d be amazed how simple techniques combined with a little imagination may result in a viral video.

Show your face in your video

People love to interact with people. So, when you are making videos for social platforms, make sure that you appear in your video to share your presence. This is a growing media hack for videos.

This helps to build trust among your audience and also encourages engagement through likes, shares, and comments. 

Video optimization based on the choice of social platform

The duration of your video is determined by where you plan to post it. According to Hubspot, there are a few guidelines for how lengthy clips should be based on the platform:

30 seconds on Instagram. While images may be up to one minute long, Instagram is primarily a visual medium where users are accustomed to moving fast to the next image. Users also anticipate the visual quality of Instagram videos to be similar to that of photographs.

45 seconds on Twitter. Tweets are designed to be concise, and Twitter users want videos to be equally brief.

1 minute on Facebook. In this social media platform, short but entertaining videos will receive the most views, likes, and engagement.

2 minutes or more on YouTube. On YouTube, viewers are used to seeing longer episodes. You may make a short and amusing vlog or a 30-minute documentary. As long as the content is meaningful, your video will rock.

Experiment with fun

There are no hard and fast rules for making amusing and engaging video material–just look at TikTok for an example of a wide range of interesting content. You should strive for eye-catching graphics that hold an audience’s attention. Playing around with the available design elements and transitions in your video editor is one method to achieve this.

You could also be able to integrate some comedy with the inclusion of a visual sticker or sound element. When you express your personality and infuse an honest dose of creativity into your videos, you may use special effects, texts, transitions, and other features to produce a video product that adds a fun factor and keeps the audience captivated.

Enjoy making the videos

Don’t be hesitant to experiment with different kinds of texts, frames, and other special effects. These features are designed to assist you in being artistic and putting your unique touch to each clip. Adding entertaining aspects to each video can enhance the engagement of your content while also allowing your personality to shine through.

When you demonstrate your uniqueness and ingenuity, people are more inclined to watch your next video and follow you. It’s quite easy for consumers or even companies to generate video content that matches their branding or aesthetics, thanks to all of the tools and online video editors accessible.

Whatever your goal for video making, you can accomplish them with your phone camera and ideal video editing tools. 

Construction Business Ideas 2021 for Beginners

ABC Staff
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Construction Business Ideas 2021 for Beginners

The construction industry gives ample opportunities and pushes business-minded people to start new ventures. 2021 is filled with lots of epic and fantastic construction business ideas, and below, you can check out the details about them. These ideas can embraced by civil, structural, and other engineering field professionals.

Globally, the construction industry looks exceptionally lucrative. It gives immense business opportunities to all entrepreneurs out there. In addition, it demands minimum initial capital investment, and you are good to go! If you have planned to start a business in real estate construction, you can either make your way to a residential site or a commercial site. Besides, you can venture into infrastructure road building projects or make an entry into industrial construction.

Set up a Cement Manufacturing Plant

It looks like one of the lucrative and quite profitable business ideas that you can go for. Setting up a cement production plant needs huge capital! But you will not have any problem selling the cement because a massive market is out there to buy cement from your plant. Thus, have a solid capital base and try considering opening up a cement manufacturing plant. And make sure to consult reliable construction takeoffs companies so that they better give you a clear picture of how much does it cost to set up a plant!

Set up blocks and bricks manufacturing plant

How about setting up blocks and brick manufacturing plants? You can opt for this idea indeed. This respective business idea needs minimum start-up capital. The catchy part is that as long as the construction industry is successfully thriving, it means that this respective niche will also thrive and never give a loss to you.

Business of offering Bricklayer Services

If you wish to make money out of the construction industry, you can try out the business idea of offering bricklayer services. It is a good business plan for all aspiring entrepreneurs out there. Most importantly, you have to undergo some training if you intend to offer such services.

Become a Real Estate Broker

It might turn out to be fruitful if you plan to become a real estate broker. Indeed, it has become one of the profitable professions linked with the construction niche. This respective business demands making solid connections with buyers and sellers! In other words, you act as a third-party person between a buyer and seller and get a hefty commission in return.

Offer landscaping services

One of the worthy and money-spinning business ideas we have for you is to start offering landscaping services. Here you grab contracts and deliver the services on a residential and commercial scale. Your primary job will be to maintain the gardens and lawns.

Offering House Repair Services

Old houses constantly demand repairing and a lot of maintenance. In this regard, professionals offering house repairing and remodeling services are contacted. You can surely start this business idea because you make ample profits here and never face a financial loss.

Set up a Manufacturing plant of Marbles and Tiles

The 21st century has seen the massive trend of using marbles and tiles installed in homes and offices. It will surely not be a bad idea to set up a manufacturing plan for marbles and tiles. People love flooring ideas that are packed with eye-catching marbles and interesting-looking tile designs. There is a massive market that seems ready to buy this stuff from you! You can also start a business about fixing tiles, marbles, and interlocking slabs, and paving stones.

Building Wiring Business

Try considering the Electrical Wiring Business idea! We all know that any building does not look complete if it does not have a proper and thorough electrical wiring system installed. If you have studied engineering and are thinking of initiating a business in the construction industry, we suggest you opt for this venture. It has been marked as one of the thriving business ideas that you can go into. Moreover, if you know the tactics to network and market your services, you can do exceptionally great in this business.

Set up a manufacturing plant for Doors and Gates

The trend of setting up a manufacturing plant for doors and gates is going sky-rocket high. Such an idea has to turn out to become a supplementary construction-related business venture. No building seems to look complete without having doors and gates. So, the idea of setting up this respective plant will go in your favor on the financial terms.

Conclusion

So, which construction business do you want to start now! We know that there is a pool of other ideas and plans, but we have shortlisted some of the best and profitable projects with you. Stay tuned with us, and we will regularly update you on what other ventures and business schemes have become limelight of the construction industry.

3 Investment Options That Are Worth a Look

ABC Staff
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3 Investment Options That Are Worth a Look

When you are looking to grow your personal wealth, there are a variety of options out there to consider. From countless investment options to simply putting your money into a savings account, you have plenty of routes you can take in order to protect and grow your wealth.

Unfortunately, even though you might think that opening a savings account and relying on the interest rate attached to the account to do the job is not typically the best option for these days. The fact of the matter is that there are very few banks that will offer an interest rate that will even come close to competing with the opportunity you have to grow your wealth via investing.

The trick is to ensure that you choose the right investment options for your situation. While there will always be some degree of risk involved with any investment you make, there are ways of mitigating or minimizing that risk.

With this in mind, here are three investment options that are worth a look at when you are trying to find the right route that will help you to grow your wealth.

1. Letting a Holiday Property

In many ways, property seems to be the best choice for many when it comes to investing. It is a commodity that will hold its value and almost always make money in the long run. This is particularly true when you are taking your time to find the right real estate investment for you.

One specific type of property investment is that of a holiday property to let. You can purchase a property in a popular holiday spot and let it out throughout the year to holiday goers. Such an investment can turn into an incredibly profitable business when done correctly.

If you are interested in purchasing a holiday property to let, start looking into holiday let mortgages today to see what you can qualify for.

2. Stocks and Shares

Even though you will want to approach this option with some degree of caution, stocks and shares remain one of the most viable investment options that there is. Generally speaking, the interest rate that you would be able to secure for a standard savings account at a bank simply cannot compare to the return on investment that you stand to make when investing in stocks and shares.

Your best course of action is to do as much research as possible before investing and even get the advice of an expert if possible. By making low-risk investments, you can turn a profit and effectively grow your personal wealth.

3. Wine

It might sound like the most farfetched of your investment options, but many people these days are finding out just how viable an investment fine wine can be. While you will want to consult an expert about any investments you are about to make, fine wine is something that has the potential to increase significantly in value over time.

Will AI actually change our lives?

ABC Staff
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Will AI actually change our lives?

The history of human evolution can be understood through the development of tools. From flint-shaping in the Early Stone Age and agriculture in the New Stone Age, to telegraphs, refrigerators and steam engines in the Industrial Revolution, the process of machines replacing humans has been underway since the beginning of our species. As we outsource labour to mechanisms, we increase net efficiency, allowing ourselves to focus on higher goals.

Where in the past, however, machines replaced activities of the body, increasingly they are replacing activities of the mind. With Amazon using algorithms to manage its workforce and Mastercard relying on intelligent systems to detect fraud, AI is becoming more and more integrated into the many facets of human life. Many have talked about AI replacing manual jobs like factory work, or even removing the need for most human lawyers, but what other changes can we expect in the next 10-20 years? How will day-to-day existence transform as AI becomes more embedded in our lives?

AI as an embryo

AI stands for artificial intelligence. Currently, the ‘A’ of AI is quite pronounced — intelligent systems do outperform humans in computing, data analysis and games with fixed rules like chess and Go, but they are still unsophisticated in ‘open systems’ (where the task requires interfacing with the external world). If we were to predict the growth of AI, it would look like a steep curve, one we haven’t even begun to ascend. Changes will be slow to come, but once they do, they will do so explosively. Experts argue whether that explosion, known as the ‘singularity’, will come in 20, 30 or 100 years.

Automation as a first step

The immediate future, however, is easier to chart. Over the next decade, many of the developments in AI will involve widespread automation. A term many have grown familiar with since the pandemic, automation is the deferring of tasks and processes to computers and machines. Most cars will be partially, if not fully self-driving, reducing the number of vehicle accidents. The supply chain will be integrated and automated, meaning that goods reliably arrive where and when they are needed. Algorithms will increasingly be used in medicine to diagnose potential issues – there may even be online tests users take where AI systems will analyse the individual’s body without necessitating a trip to the doctor. In the immediate future, firms like Uber Eats and Deliveroo are preparing for the mass layoff of employees as drones are quickly becoming a viable method of food transportation.

Connecting people with content, products and services

There are two sides of this — the business side and the consumer side. At the consumer level, AI has played an increasing role in content suggestions over the last decade. Spotify, YouTube and Amazon have led the charge in generating algorithms that provide intelligent suggestions to help people find content or products they like. These systems will become more and more advanced, to the point where we will have dedicated managers on our devices with recommendations for the ocean of content and products that exist on the web.

For businesses, ad targeting and connection-forging will be assisted by AI. Algorithms will not only help business owners find target consumers, but provide intelligent suggestions on why the content/product is not yielding more success, analysing similar cases to gain an understanding of why one works over the other. Of course, AI will be implemented into large corporations first, but SMEs can also expect technologies that assist with marketing, product design and social media management.

Will these changes actually liberate us?

Past these somewhat basic changes, AI will eventually take over most aspects of human work. Whether it’s 3 decades or 10, that world will become our reality, raising yet more questions we struggle to answer. First of all, is an easy, cushioned life something to wish for? Let’s say AI replaces most of the living workforce, profits skyrocket and a generous UBI (universal basic income) is introduced. Many, including Karl Marx some 250 years ago, predicted that we would then be free to pursue art and ‘higher’ ambitions in our abundance of free time. But why, then, do rich kids make bad artists? They have all the time in the world, all the ease of convenience and access to whatever tools they need, but 9 times out of 10 it’s the young, poor, ambitious artist that captures the attention of the world and shakes up the industry. Work is a fundamental component to almost any practice, and a removal of necessity doesn’t seem to motivate people to work harder. Will a humanity liberated from work be liberated at all, or simply sink into a comfortable, stagnant life of ease? What will there be left to do once the machines have outsmarted us in every measurable way?

The topic of AI raises some of the most headache-inducing questions of our time. Beyond the simplest changes that are sure to arrive in coming years, predictions become varied and confused. Larger corporations are investing millions in AI, not necessarily to profit from the developments, but in part just to understand the trajectory and how to adapt to a transforming world. Smaller businesses, on the other hand, are unlikely to spare a second thought to the gaping question of AI, unable as they are to gain any practical insight on how to position themselves in coming years. Ross Pike of web design agency Koreti Ltd comments, ‘The question of AI looms over all industries, but some more than others. Factory workers are bound to fear for their livelihoods. Sectors like web design and digital marketing, however, are generally unsure about how the developments will affect them. For most, it is simply a question of staying updated and waiting.’

We all know that large-scale AI is coming, but we don’t know when, and we don’t know how exactly it will change each of our lives. For the moment, we have largely brushed the question from our minds, and perhaps that is best. Hopefully, the progress will be slow enough to allow us time to respond and adapt to the changing world.

WE KNOW HOW TO HELP YOU WITH AIRCON TROUBLESHOOTING SERVICES

ABC Staff
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0
WE KNOW HOW TO HELP YOU WITH AIRCON TROUBLESHOOTING SERVICES

It’s summer – the season of heat, humidity and sweat. If you live in an area with extreme temperatures or high levels of pollution, your air conditioner might not be able to keep up with the demands placed on it. Here at 7Days Aircon Servicing Singapore, we know how to help you troubleshoot these problems and get your air conditioning running smoothly again!

We know how to help you with aircon troubleshooting services.

When is air conditioner not working? There is no cold air coming out of the vents and your power bill has gone up, then there’s a problem with your AC that needs to be looked into as soon as possible. If you’re having these issues, it’s best if you book an appointment with 7Days Aircon Servicing Singapore as soon as possible.

7 Days Air Con Servicing will tell you what the problems are and resolve them for you using our many years of expertise in repairing and servicing residential and commercial ACs. We offer a 30-day warranty on all repairs carried out by our technicians, so there’s no need to be anxious about the state of your AC unit.

Common problems with air conditioners

7Days Air Con Servicing knows that some problems are more common than others, which is why we’ve created a list of the most common issues with air conditioners and how to troubleshoot them.

What causes air-condition not to work?

When you turn your AC on but it doesn’t seem to be working properly – there must be something wrong. But what could it be? There are many different factors that can affect the performance of an AC unit, so take note of these things when your unit isn’t working as well as it usually does:

The circuit breaker has tripped

Don’t try restarting the AC yourself; this isn’t safe for you or for the device. Instead, call 7Days Air Con Servicing and we’ll do it for you.

The thermostat is set too high or too low

If the thermostat isn’t set properly, the AC unit will not function as well as it should. Make sure that the thermostat is set to a reasonable temperature – neither too hot nor too cold.

There’s something blocking the airflow

Are there any curtains or furniture blocking the vents of your AC unit? If so, move them and see if that solves the problem.

The outdoor unit is covered in ice

This means that there’s a problem with the refrigerant levels in your AC unit; call 7 Air Con Servicing immediately to have this fixed.

The compressor is not turning on

If the compressor isn’t turning on, it’s likely that there’s something wrong with the capacitor or the motor. Bring your AC unit to 7Days Air Con Servicing and we’ll take a look at it for you.

We can solve any problem that you’re having with your air conditioner 

7Days Air Con Servicing has been repairing and servicing air conditioners for many years, so we know exactly how to solve any problem that you might be having. We also offer a 30-day warranty on all of our repairs, so you can be sure that your AC is in good hands. Book an appointment with us today! You don’t want to be stuck in the heat this summer.

5 Key Points for your Pharma Business Plan

ABC Staff
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5 Key Points for your Pharma Business Plan

Pharma companies produce chemical-based vaccines and medicines, while biotech companies manufacture medicines and other products using live organisms. Companies like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson are top companies that excel in both fields.

Pharmaceutical companies take time during the research and development phase and need massive investment. But once the drug becomes a hit, it will also provide a high return on investment for the company. However, small and medium pharma may not recover from heavy losses if the development is unsuccessful.  The medical society may not support the use of your medicines or vaccines. It can be a hit-or-miss effort.

On the other hand, large pharma companies seem to cope with this situation since they already have various existing medicines and vaccines out in the market. They can simultaneously do research and development for new products and improve the current ones. Investors for pharma companies are willing to take high risks in return for high returns for their investments.

When assessing the financial feasibility of your pharma company, there are critical factors to consider. Let’s discuss these key points below.

1.  Sources of Revenue

Sources of revenue for pharma companies will vary from product sales, licensing, and milestone payments. Product sales have higher returns than licensing, but you also need to incur costs for the selling, promotions, and logistics. When you opt for licensing, distributors will do the logistics and distribution for you. Your return is lower but also means minimal workloads and staffing on your part. Milestone payments are from buyers you sign a contract with to deliver the products in the agreed time. Payments can be in tranches, and the buyers will pay in full upon final delivery.

2.  Portfolio of Products

Since investing in a pharma company is riskier than other business ventures, you should have a portfolio of products instead of focusing on one or a few products. These will diversify the risks if one or some of the products are a failure.

3.  Success Probability

A company may spend years developing the products, but there is no assurance whether a drug or vaccine will succeed. Also, a drug may be successfully made, but the medical community and society may find it controversial. To be more conservative in your projections, putting a success probability rate per product will help you evaluate how it affects the company’s overall revenue. Products in early phases have a lower probability, 100% for those already out in the market.

4.  Research and Development (R&D)

R&D is the significant cost incurred for a pharma company. It takes years to develop a drug or vaccine and go through different phases and approvals before it is out in the market. R&D can either be capitalized or accounted as an outright expense. Capitalized R&D will be amortized for several years. So, when we say that the costs will be capitalized for ten years, the costs are divided into ten years, and only a portion is recorded per year until the end of the amortization period. When it is accounted as an outright expense, it is recorded when incurred. Recording as an outright expense may result in a loss in your Income Statement, especially if the business is only starting. It will also mean no taxes to be paid on that losing year. The capitalization approach will spread the amount, thus minimizing the recorded expenses annually.

5.  Patents or Generics

Whether you will produce patent medicines or generic will depend on the direction you want your company to take. Patent medicines and vaccines command higher prices than generic drugs. Producing patent products will require more investments for the R&D, but once it becomes successful, it will also have a higher return. Usually, the patent period is 20 years. Once patents expire, the prices of the products will drop since you don’t already have the exclusive rights to produce.

On the other hand, producing generic drugs does not need a lot of investment, and you can produce similar products out in the market with no patents. Due to steep competition for generic drugs, prices are generally lower.

Presented above are the critical factors to consider when planning to start or expand a pharma company. Financial planning for a pharma company is more complicated. Utilizing a financial model template will be helpful, especially those financial models with well-thought structures and critical metrics for financial planning tasks.

You can check eFinancialModels, a leading website providing financial model templates. It offers a pharma biotech financial model template that is easy to use and fully editable for your project evaluation.

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