October 2018 - Page 2 of 7 - Web Magazine Today

What Makes a Great Visitor Experience?

Whatever your business, people who visit your company need to be treated well. If they are, they’re more likely to visit you again or purchase your products. They might write an online review – one which can influence a much wider audience – or recommend you to friends, family or colleagues. What, though, makes a great visitor experience? And how do you make sure your visitors have just that?

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First Impressions

The first thing you need to think about when it comes to creating a great visitor experience is what you want it to look like. Create a visitor experience strategy and implement it across your organisation. What do you want a visitor to think and feel when they walk through the door? Will they think it’s easy to find where they are going? Will they feel like they are being made to feel welcome? First impressions are ones which help form lasting impressions for visitors, so you need to get this right.

A Warm Welcome

Your staff are key to providing a great visitor experience. They should be warm, friendly and helpful, answering any questions your visitors might have and making them feel welcome. Think about this when you recruit any customer-facing staff and when you’re looking at training for them.

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Making Things Easy

Once a visitor arrives, they shouldn’t need to jump through hoops to get to meet who they want to meet or see what they want to see. Streamline any sign-in processes you have, using technology if you can to make things easy for visitors. The visitor management system UK based https://www.ofec.co.uk/web-and-software-development-services/digital-visitors-and-staff-signing-in-book.aspx offers might be the ideal solution here.

Gather Feedback

No matter how good a visitor experience you’ve created, you can always get better. Ask people who’ve visited you what went well and what you could’ve done better. This doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Many shops and museums now have a simple button people can press to say how they felt, for example, but it can help you understand how you are doing and how to improve things.

And, finally, remember to say thank you for visiting. Your visitors will appreciate it. They are more likely to return and more likely to recommend you to others. As a result, your business is more likely to succeed.

How to Install an Indoor Aerial

How to Install an Indoor Aerial

Sometimes an outdoor or rooftop television aerial isn’t an option, whether that is due to the area or building that you live in or the available space that you have.

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The Best Aerial

Some aerials will include features specifically required for certain use. For example, you may need an aerial with an amplifier in order to boost the signal (yet they can often cause some interference with the picture itself). When you do buy your indoor aerial, make sure you read the features on the box, and double-check with the sales assistant that you are able to return the aerial just in case it does not work for your specific requirements.

https://www.oneforall.co.uk/what-is-the-best-digital-aerial can help you decide on the best aerial by your postcode.

Setting Up

The aerial cable firstly needs plugged into the back of your television set. Most aerials need you to position it in a certain direction in order to pick up the best available signal. We would suggest checking the rooftop aerials around your area in order to figure out which direction is best.

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Once you have the aerial in position, you can then begin to tune in your television to the locally available digital channels. This could result in some time spent going through the motions of scanning for the correct channels, but it is also a good idea to plug the television into another working aerial in your house, already connected to the channels, and tune it in that way. If you do not have another connection in your home, maybe a neighbour could help with their connection. And if you are still struggling, a Bristol TV aerial repair specialist can help – aerial-installations-bristol.co.uk/installation-and-repair-services/tv-aerial-installation-bristol.

Finding the Best Position

Turn on your television and choose a channel – perhaps one of the standard first four channels (BBC One to Channel 4). You will require ‘male’ and ‘female’ leads (ask in a hardware store if you are unsure of which is which). Hold your aerial and try moving it very slowly around the television set to find the best picture reception. You might try setting the aerial down on a surface such as a shelf or near a window to try to boost your chances of getting the best reception. This could also be tidier if you want to tuck the aerial out of view.

Getting a VOIP phone can really shake up your business.

The future of telecommunications is upon us and it has come in the shape of the VoIP phone. Once upon a time your use of telecommunications was a pretty simple choice. You bought a phone from British Telecom and then just waited weeks for it to be installed into your home by an engineer. There was little choice and as it rang on an analogue system you were reliant on wires transmitting the signal underground or through telegraph poles. This was an easy system to interrupt and it wasn’t that far removed from the one laid down by Alexander Graham Bell.

Once that technology was in place it was just a simple matter of laying miles and miles of cable across the Atlantic Ocean and beyond. As with any analogue or non-digital system there were lots of situations that could break up that signal. The poles could fall over, although they were cemented in, a gale force wind could send them toppling, severing the line. Alternatively some other kind of accident like a tree being felled across the line or the possibility of lightning strikes meant that the public or businesses would be faced with weeks of inconvenience as the aforementioned British telecom engineer had to get out in his van and find the fault and fix it. This took a lot of time.

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The other factor was a box with a bedazzling conundrum of wires that only a select few engineers could fathom with the help of a very big guide. One wrong wire in the wrong hole and that was you cut off. That meant another contact to the British Telecom engineer to send them back out to the exchange. The other thing that the old analogue system could not deal with was atmospherics, heatwaves etc and also the quality of the copper that was used to keep the line in check. If that corroded, then the signal became week and you could barely hear the other person.

Originally this was run as an extension of the post office and they would employ armies of women to connect people via the exchange system. Again, if the lady plugged the wrong connector in the wrong hole you ended up talking to someone completely different to the person you wanted to. Exactly how these women kept track of what was where is a mystery. They were highly prized for their speed and deftness of touch plus their precision. It was a role that was for once done exclusively by women and brought about the realisation of the importance of the skills women brought to the workplace and how these differed to those skills that men possessed.

As the years moved on the technology for the phone began to improve dramatically as new ways of working also took a hold. Personal phones in the home began to become cheaper and business also learned the advantage of reaching a whole new market. This was especially lucrative as the only people to own phones were the upper classes and they had plenty of money to spend!

This brand of telephone marketing would grow as the phone became more affordable, so it was not only the social benefits of keeping in touch with friends and family on long distances there was also the chance to buy and sell goods and services that previously were not available. This also saw the rise of the phone directory basically a massive book full of everyone’s address and phone number, hard to believe now and the famous Yellow pages the internet of contractors, businesses and public offices in paper form. No wonder there were world records based on ripping them apart.

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There was still the problem of the poor reception as the signal was based on the old analogue system. One of the most amusing and potential difficult errors that the system brought up was the crossed line where someone else conversation suddenly butted into yours. Rather than use the direct landline system radio waves were also used but again these were easily disturbed by atmospheric conditions so that at times the system was unusable. We had to wait a good few years for the onset of digital to make life a bit easier.

The best new feature of the digital age is the use of the VoIP phone. All that analogue waves and copper wiring are redundant as you can use this voice over the internet protocol system to communicate without the worry of all the things we’ve mentioned above. You will need to find a VoIP provider that is given the technology by an International voip wholesale provider like https://www.idtexpress.com/ but once you do all you then have to have is an internet connection. No is no more need for British telecom engineers fiddling about with wires. A truly modern improvement.

What are clinical trials and why should you get involved?

You’ve probably seen the adverts asking for healthy volunteers to participate in Paid Clinical Trials but what are the benefits of such research and why should you get involved?

Medical research into healthcare has the main aim of increasing knowledge for finding new treatment methods, new ideas about patient care and finding innovative new policies. This kind of research can help to identify life-saving treatments and make a positive change for future generations, making sure all people have a better quality of life.

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Despite huge breakthroughs and a wealth of knowledge about disease, drugs and human health, there are still many unanswered questions that need further examination and exploration. Medical research aims to answer some of those questions and fill in the gaps of existing knowledge. New discoveries and improvements to current treatments enables healthcare providers to better that care for all patients.

However, clinical trials can only succeed if there are willing volunteers. This is the only effective way for scientists and researchers to learn what methods and processes work and what treatments aren’t effective.

Clinical research can help in the following areas:

It helps to identify those people at increased risk of becoming ill and find preventions for the illness.

It facilitates improved knowledge and understanding regarding a variety of different conditions.

It can help to measure the effectiveness of different treatments, services and existing therapies to enable doctors to give better advice in the future.

The local population benefits from access to improved health, wellbeing and medical environments.

There are many different types of research to participate in, from filling in a questionnaire to attending a therapy session. You might also be asked to attend scans and tests at a local hospital or even qualify to participate in a new drug trial. For more information about how you can get involved in this important research, visit https://www.trials4us.co.uk/

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Here are some reasons why volunteers choose to get involved:

Perhaps the person may have a particular interest or personal connection to a certain disease or condition that they care about.

They might have a strong desire to see treatments improved and help the quality of life for people now and in future generations.

Perhaps they themselves suffer with a condition and would like to see advances in the treatment for this condition.

It can be a way of accessing new treatments for some people.

The participant may want to take a more active role in their own health and wellbeing.

Relaxing bedroom to sleep more and better

Are you having trouble falling asleep? Have you ever wondered why it is hard for you to sleep? Stress, poor diet, worries, copious dinners and technology are some factors that make it difficult to sleep more and better. But are not the only ones, as you will also need a relaxing bedroom to sleep more and better.

The decoration, the bedding, the mattress and even the temperature of the bedroom are other culprits of our sleep deficit. We help you decorate a relaxing bedroom to sleep more and better.

How to Store Your Garage Tyres

With summer well and truly behind us, you may be starting to think about getting ready for all that winter brings. This may include swapping over your car tyres for winter ones. But did you know that how you store unused tyres can have a big impact on their condition?

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They’re not designed to be stored for long periods of time, so if you don’t store them correctly now, the chances are they well may be damaged by the time you go to use them again when the seasons change. And having to buy a new set of tyres simply because they weren’t put away properly is enough to take the spring out of anybody’s step.

Here we take a quick look at the dos and don’ts of tyre storage.

Storage of Dismounted Tyres

All tyres should be stored away from direct sunlight to avoid the rubber being corroded and at a low temperature. It is also important that they are kept in a room where there is a good circulation of air and extreme changes of temperature can be avoided.

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Don’t hang unmounted tyres or stack them on top on one another in piles. This can lead to them becoming deformed. Instead, ensure the tyre is kept upright. Not only will this make it much easier for you to mount them on wheels when you need them again, but it will also minimise the risk of damage.

Purpose-built racks are available to ensure the safe storage of tyres, such as those offered by industrial shelving Ireland from https://www.rackzone.ie/shelving/industrial-residential-shelving.

Once you have your tyres safely racked, remember to rotate them regularly to prevent one side from caving in.

Storage of Mounted Tyres

If you have spare wheels and are able to store your tyres as complete units, it is much easier to store them without the risk of damage. When fully mounted, tyres can be safely stored piled on their side or even hung against a wall.

When you’re ready to use your tyres again, remember to check that they have the correct tread depth and pressure for your vehicle. Further information can be found on the tyre safe website – https://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-safety/tread-depth/

Taking care of your tyres now gives them the best chance of doing the same for you when they’re back on the road.

How do you create SEO content for AI?

For any new technology to succeed, it has to offer people a higher level of convenience in their everyday lives. The car supplanted the horse because it needed less effort and offered greater range. The electric lightbulb replaced candles and gas mantles because of its flick-switch convenience.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) has seen huge amounts of money poured into its development, but ultimately its success will be down to how it affects consumers. As more and more devices have AI built in, so more people will become familiar with it and its benefits.

AI is already on most smartphones in the form of Google Assistant and Apple’s Siri, and it is starting to creep into our homes and our cars.

AI and search engines

Most companies want their websites to feature high in the rankings of search engines and therefore employ some kind of SEO. As a London professional SEO services company such as www.elevateuk.com/ will tell you, one of the most effective ways of boosting your search results is through good content, but what effect will AI have on this area?

The search engines themselves are already employing AI. Google’s algorithms use a form of AI to determine the purpose of a query and help to deliver relevant results. Building a page around keywords that the AI can easily recognise is therefore more essential than ever.

Fine-tuning content

If AI can determine the purpose of a search, it becomes more important than ever that your SEO content is relevant and that it contains useful information that will encourage visitors to stay on your website. This is because the AI is looking not just at how relevant the content is but also at how long people spend reading the page.

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It is also important to ensure that your content is mobile-friendly. The majority of searches are now carried out on mobile devices and – of course – the AI knows what kind of device is being used. If it sees mobile visitors spending less time on your page, it will penalise your results accordingly.

Some will fear that AI could actually be used to create content and put the SEO writers out of business. This is something that is probably still a long way off – says the content writer optimistically – but you can’t afford to ignore its potential.

How to wash your van

How to wash your van

A van is a big investment for any business and is an asset that needs to be looked after. With some care and attention, it will last your business for years.

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It also says a lot about your business. It is a visual representation of your brand’s values. A scruffy dirty van is not going to convey a very positive message! Therefore, it is important to keep your van clean.

Washing your van exterior

According to the car experts at the New York Times, salt from the roads is a particular issue as it encourages the oxidation process that causes rust.

The best way to remove salt and other environmental contaminants from the surface of your van is with a special vehicle shampoo. Harsh household cleaners will do more harm than good. Use a soft sponge or a wash-mitten to apply the soapy water and work it into the dirt gently. Start at the roof and work downwards. It is vital that all of the soap is washed off so use a hose or several buckets of clean water.

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The wheels require particular attention as they can get filthy from dust produced by the brakes and from the road surface. You cannot clean warm wheels effectively so make sure that they are cold. A power hose is the best way to remove dirt from wheel-arches but an old cloth and an acid-free cleaner is best for the wheels themselves.

Cleaning your van interior

It’s a good idea to protect the interior of your van and make it easier to clean by installing a Speedliner from a supplier such as https://www.vehicle-accessories.net/interiors/van-linings/speedliner-euro-fr/. It will make cleaning much quicker and more effective.

Start by removing any loose mats and take out any old bottles, food wrappers and general rubbish. Use a vehicle vacuum cleaner on the carpets and fit the brush attachment to clean the seats. A crevice attachment is useful for areas between the seats.

Fabric mats can be shaken or vacuumed but rubber mats can be washed with warm soapy water and rinsed. The vinyl/plastic interior surfaces can be cleaned with a special vinyl cleaner. Don’t forget the windows – a glass cleaner is best because it does not leave streaks. Finally, pop in an air freshener to give it that ‘new van’ odour!

The health benefits of playing netball

It goes without saying that exercise should be factored into our everyday routines if we are to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Here we take a look at some of the health benefits – particularly for children and young adults – that playing netball brings.

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Start them early

It is a known fact that playing netball – especially from a young age – can help children to develop healthy bones and achieve all-round fitness. From netball training drills to competitive matches, netball players are some of the fittest in the sporting world.

Encouraging agility

Sitting in front of a console, tuning into YouTube and gaming on tablets obviously won’t provide the same flexibility and agility as taking part in netball games and netball training drills.

Assisting flexibility

Playing a game such as netball and taking part in those all-important Netball Training drills is perfect for flexibility. Both require the ability to react quickly, change direction and keep focus; in turn, these develop player flexibility. Interestingly, this encourages a healthy brain – one that can make super-swift connections to coordinate the body on the court.

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Stress ball

In today’s fast-paced world, stress levels are at an all-time high. This is why playing a game such as netball is so important. Exercising helps the body to produce endorphins, which remain in the body for a few hours after the game has finished.

Keep on running

A standard netball court is 100 feet long and 50 feet wide. You may not think it, but playing netball offers a fabulous cardiovascular workout. The average player – and more so for the player in the centre position – will cover a significant distance during a game.

Hand and eye coordination

Passing the ball to team players using a variety of different throwing techniques naturally develops hand to eye coordination. An example is a high pass, which sends the ball over the opponent’s head and requires the thrower’s teammate to jump to catch the ball. Another example is a chest pass, which is a fast throw at chest height. A bounce pass is one from waist height that involves a single bounce on the ground.

Learning to cooperate

This great life skill is well demonstrated by netball players, who must cooperate to attack, defend and score goals.

How to become a financial adviser

A career as a financial adviser is an increasingly attractive option for those with an interest in finance and helping people at crucial points of their life.

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There are two kinds of investment adviser: Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) and Restricted Advisers. The latter can only recommend certain products or providers and cannot describe themselves as independent.

Most people will be looking at a position as an IFA, as the employment prospects are much greater.

Furthermore, the emergence of sophisticated software for IFAs found at sites such as www.intelliflo.com/ is transforming the job and attracting applicants with an interest in technology.

Experience

Although graduates are attracted to this kind of career the National Career Service suggests that entry to a firm can be accessed by candidates with good grades in GCSE Maths and English, potentially via an apprenticeship. You could also start as a paraplanner, who provides research and administrative support to a financial planner.

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As well as numerical skills and tech knowledge you will also need excellent communication skills and be comfortable writing reports. Experience in customer service, sales or finance will also be an advantage when seeking an initial position. With a degree you may be able to enter a graduate training scheme, either with a bank or an IFA.

Career

You will also need a qualification in financial advice approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, although you will usually acquire this whilst working. There will be the possibility of acquiring further qualifications as you progress through your career, increasing the markets and products you can advise on.

When embarking on this training expect to be subjected to a credit check and a background check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Further details on training can be found at the Financial Conduct Authority website.

There are lots of career options for financial advisers who hold the relevant qualifications from working as an IFA, working for a bank or building society selling their products, or as a restricted adviser.

As an IFA you will be talking to clients about their finances and plans, researching the right products for them and explaining them clearly. You will also negotiate with providers and produce reports for the client to keep them updated on their investments.

Finally, you will also need to keep abreast of new products and changes in the law.