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The Most Popular Racing Games of All Time

By
Elaine Goetz
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Back in 1997, Gran Turismo, regarded as one of the most distinguished ‘racer’ games of all time was released on the iconic PlayStation — an ultra-realistic simulation racing masterpiece. More than 20 years on and virtual reality headsets are allowing games across the globe to partake in lifelike races. Even if you’re not a diehard gamer, you’ll most likely have a favourite racing game to bring you into a fun, adrenaline-fuelled world.

The evolution of video games is certainly an impressive one, with exponential developments in graphics and hardware. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the greatest racing games of all time.

1.      Gran Turismo

As pointed out, Gran Turismo (GT) is one of the first established racing games based on real-world cars, and from here, a new generation of gaming was born from Japanese car modification culture. Taking five years to develop this (now looking back) hazy and pixelated game, a total of 10.85 million copies were sold worldwide. The game was received so positively by gamers that it became one of the highest rated racing games of all time, resulting in a series of sequels and spin-offs to satisfy gamers’ hunger for better and more.

Many consider the first GT game to be the best due to it revolutionising the racing game world. In this video game classic, gamers used Ford Fiestas, Honda Civics, and many more attainable car models to race against other computer-generated players. Players could realistically modify their cars, progress through a motorsports career, race around city streets or racing track venues, with licence options to learn how drive fast in the game. After lots of empty promises, online play was finally introduced in the fifth instalment.

The latest of the series is Gran Turismo Sport, released in 2017, however this game focused more on the online experience with significantly less cars. Following consumer demand for more racing games with virtual reality integrated in the gameplay, PlayStation VR introduced immersive content for gamers to race each other in VR, coming a long way from the first release.

2.      Forza Horizon

Released on 23rd October 2012, Forza Horizon comes in at a close second as a spin-off series from Microsoft’s Forza Motorsport series that unleashed a stunning selection of realistic cars. Taking things up a gear, gamers can explore an open-world map set in Britain to the background of festival music — a well-deserved position, this game hits the spot for our fellow fuel heads. These instalments of the franchise ended up becoming more popular than the main series and is perhaps comparable to GT in setting the bar high for realistic racing game standards.

Created at the intersect of arcade racing and simulation racing, Forza Horizon allows you to modify tyre pressure and suspension torsion as well as create a glistening bodywork. Forza Horizon 4 has been hailed as the greatest of this series, allowing you to both compete online with up to 72 players or solo. Dynamic weather with seasonal transition bring new challenges to the game, as well as exciting races against hovercrafts or trains. Need extra cash? Start a business to rent out supercars. Every hour on the hour, challenges are set for players to work together to earn points to spend in the shop to upgrade your cars, clothing, and wheelspins.

3.      Need for Speed: Most Wanted

Following Gran Turismo and Forza comes another open-world extravaganza, Need for Speed: Most Wanted. A game that totally encapsulates attention to detail and expert craftsmanship in the gaming world — after navigating your way through winding tunnels into the blinding light, bits of dirt and blades of grass stick to your screen when you venture off-road, the quality of the radio will drop out on your Sat Nav when you trek underground. These little touches make the game one of the most realistic. There’s a lot to do in this game with a lot to discover, featuring a breath-taking selection of 41 cars like Porsche and Lamborghini. A unique aspect of the game is that instead of winning cars or earning points, you must find them — some are hidden on the top of buildings, and some are tucked behind back alleys.

Most Wanted lets players tease authorities, having the boys in blue chasing you across maps and attempting to ram you into oncoming traffic. As you become more wanted, the chase becomes more intense with SWAT teams in pursuit.

4.      Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

To be inclusive of different types of racing games, it’s safe to say that the critically acclaimed Mario Kart is the best casual arcade racing game of our time — certainly a fan favourite of all old and young gamers, who might not necessarily be gearheads or avid simulation racers.

Whether this is partly due to the fact that Mario Kart competitors have tried to replicate the success of the unique game and were struck away with a blue shell, we’re not sure. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s battle mode is unparalleled with a variety of fun modes to take part in, such as Balloon Battle where players compete to burst each other’s balloons with whacky power-ups. Colourful and creative tracks are tremendous to escape real life, with many favourite characters from the Mario series such as Princess Peach and Bowser. Perfect for online multiplayer or split screen, this is a family favourite among many, something that is certainly hard to achieve!

There we have some of the greatest racing games of all time. Each game brings with it its own unique advantages and features that helps keep gameplaying one of our favourite things to do! There are still a lot out there that suits everyone — keep your eyes peeled for other fun racing games!

A guide into staff productivity and how to improve it…

By
Elaine Goetz
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Workwear is a topic regularly discussed. Over the years, employees have adapted their clothing for work with what employer’s think is practical for industrious-based jobs and smart in client-facing jobs.

But with rules and attitudes changing all the time on how we approach the way we dress our employees, how much does is affect productivity in the workplace? We explore this issue with Jermyn Street Design, corporate uniforms suppliers.

The history of the uniform

Employees that regularly deliver important items would have wore a badge showcasing the royalty of which they served. The badge would also indicate the exact role of the wearer.

It was a way of proving the legitimacy of the workers themselves, as well as giving workers such as merchants authority, to prove that their items are of higher quality. Though this was common centuries ago, the durability of them wasn’t up to the standards that they are today, so many of them did not survive. However, these badges were the start of the uniform tradition that would go onto become mainstream.

Liveries were a popular form of uniform throughout the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and many retail uniforms today still have similarities where brand logos are concerned. Liveries were items of clothing that were fashioned with the colours and insignia of the families or countries they were serving.

Why are uniform seen so positively?

One of the main benefits of having a specific work uniform, is that some of the staff may not actually be able to afford a whole new outfit(s) for work. This helps the employee not only financially, but also keeps them in a working mindset.

Scientific research has also shown that those in formal clothes tend to perform better in situations than those in casual clothes, although this does not account for all industries. But opposing research has also found that 61% of employees are more productive at work when the dress code is relaxed.

In a study by Social Psychological and Personality Science, subjects were asked to dress in either casual, everyday clothing or formal business dress, before going on to take part in cognitive tests. It was found that those in business dress showed an increase of abstract thinking when compared to those who remained casual — the findings of the experiment suggest the effects are related to feelings of power and authority, in turn granting confidence.

Although it’s common to assume that allowing workers to wear what they want will make them work to a higher standard, providing uniforms is a great way to instil a sense of belonging. It reminds them that they’re part of a team too, proudly representing the brand. Deploying a uniform could also harness team spirit, creating unity and fostering that feeling of belonging.

It’s really important to build a great place to work to ensure that you’re ticking all of the ‘work positivity’ boxes, alongside the workwear. Another way you can add to the work experience, is displaying office plants to improve the ambiance.

How popular are dress codes?

There have been studies carried out which suggest that both having a dress code and not having one has its advantages. As a generalisation, dress codes in non-industry roles are approached differently by the individual; some people like the creativity and flexibility of not having a dress code enforced at their workplace, but others like dressing up to feel as though they are in a more formal working environment.

Some of the most successful people in the world decide to dress more or less the same every day, limiting the decision-making process. Steve Jobs was known for his black turtleneck jumper, jeans and New Balance trainers, and Mark Zuckerberg for his daily grey t-shirt, with their arguments stating that it lowers their decision-making process and allows for more brainpower on their day-to-day roles.

Certainly, uniforms are more apparent in customer-service based roles, as it helps customers distinguish authority from consumer, with hotels, leisure parks and airlines being the main examples. But if smaller businesses were to adopt a ‘wear what makes you comfortable’ dress code, where health and safety isn’t concerned, this would perhaps encourage a more relaxed environment in the workplace.

5 Best Gift Ideas to Strengthen Your Love Relationship with Your Partner

By
Elaine Goetz
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Relationships are fragile and delicate and need to get nurtured and well taken care of. It is just like having a kid. Yes, it requires equal attention, care, love, and responsibility as an infant needs. So, making it stronger through love, communication, gratitude, and affection is sometimes just not enough. More than anything, it requires something. What could it be? Yes, it is some extra effort that you are meant to show in a relationship. They keep the fire burning and words cannot touch the heart that an effective gift that has your personal touch can (regardless, its prize and size). For example, for your loved one is mad at you for something that you screwed up and sorry is not helping then, try gifting something delightful, or it could be crazy too. I bet, this act would not fail to bring a smile on their face.

The best kind of gifts that everyone personally loves is chocolates and cakes. Look for some service that does cake delivery on the same day, and make your sweetheart drool over them. If it is your partner’s birthday, order them a birthday cake. So, do not need to wrench your mind, here are a few gift ideas that could be helpful for you if you are looking for gifts for a boyfriend or girlfriend. Let’s roll in:

  1. Get a blooming smile on your Partner’s face with a blossom

Every single day, your partner deserves to be surprised in their life. No special occasion like birthday or anniversary is awaited to bring an ear to ear smile on their face, right? Show them your love and appreciation through your sweet gestures every day since actions are louder than the words. Bring all the compassion and affection that your love possesses by sending flowers along with a birthday cake online to your loved one.

  1. Frame a picture

Why express your feeling in a million words when a photograph says it all? Gifting your loved one’s favorite picture from a very special and memorable day is a complete win-win movie. The gift will not only be a great showpiece to be decorated in your dear one’s living room, but also it will take them down the memory lane every time their eyes will fall on it.

In addition, turning the photo into custom lucky coins is also a good way to make your partner feel your love. Choosing the photo and writing the words you want to say, I believe your partner will feel your heart and love this gift. They can be customized in size, thickness, metal finish, and edge you want on GS-JJ. You can also invite your friends to customize this memorable gift, which is a good way to strengthen your love relationship.

  1. Leave love notes

Of course, your actions can do wonders in your relationship, but words too can be no less than a magic spell, for help with this consider custom essay writing. To your love, if you can express the deepest of emotion that is hidden in your heart, then no bond could be stronger than what you and your partner share. Leave them sweet love letters carrying your deepest of feelings and emotions.

  1. Gift a spa Hamper

What could make you happier than seeing your loved one all relaxed and chilled after a long, tedious day? Gift them a spa so that they could get rid of all the unwanted stress and negative vibe around them.

  1. Conversation cards

There are many manufacturers of deck of cards with questions designed to start a conversation and ultimately more connection between you and your loved one. You don’t need to buy a deck; just you could simply make a jar with your questions.

Final words

Now decide what gift should be given when you messed up and even when you did not, is a bit of a dicey task. Therefore, giving random gifts does not mean that you satisfy the material needs, but it is a way of appreciation that plays an important role in any relationship.

Waiting for Time: First Film of Worthily Films

By
Claire James
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Waiting for Time: First Film of Worthily Films

Worthily Films, An Independent Company based in Central London, that is founded by Steve Dodsworth and Chelsea Leigh Macleod for production of short films. Waiting for Time is their first short film produced mostly online. The Bashford Twins direct this film, and Paul Chronnell writes its story and script.

As it was the first film shoot after lockdown, so we ask the directors, Liam Bashford and Kyle Bashford some questions about their working experience in the film. We were exploring and discovering all about the process of film and the goals and plans of the directors.

Working on the Film:

For keeping everyone safe at the set of Worthily Films, Chelsea Leigh Macleod and Steve Dodsworth, Producer and Executive Producer respectively, made a lot of planning and preparations during Corona Pandemic and development of Waiting for Time film.

The work even casting before the film was taken into account through Zoom meeting. Then we met Ariyon Bakare and Jade Harrison at rehearsing face to face before the commencement of the film. By keeping social distancing, everything was moving so relaxed and enjoyable as it was deemed.

The excitement went at the peak when filming started, and we were back to the Worthily Films set to perform and shoot film with super 16mm. Our dream has got an opportunity from Worthily Films of shooting on super 16mm, and it became true.

Biggest Accomplishment:

During the journey, we have accomplished several things, and the one that makes us proud is getting into the carrier of filming. We were brought up in a small town Blackburn of Lancashire. For becoming a film director, the town was not offering enough opportunities, and consequently, we sold our equipment and moved to London. At Pinewood Studios, in the beginning, we worked for free and finally started to create our films.

Favourite thing about the Industry:

The great thing about the Industry was meeting with new people and working with them to explore what we like. Our motive is to understand by those people who are involved in the film industry, and we are going to form a family. You build trust all around, and for the sake of your bright future, you join everyone with excitement in every new project. The Industry is full of fun at each stage while doing commercial shoots or directing a music video.

Future Plans:

When we were 13, we aim to get the BAFTA and Academy Award for Best Director, but right now, we were enjoying our career-building process as directors. We were enthusiastic about creating this film and not were running in a race to direct a feature film falling on our lap. We were in patience and wanted to shoot a feature film or TV series in the future projects with Worthily Films.

The first short film, “Waiting for Time”, is in Post-Production at this Time, but we are getting ready for a positive festival sequence. Paul Chronell, the Script Writer, has also been working on new feature scripts and TV series.

Revealed: Europeans pay the world’s highest alcohol tax

By
Elaine Goetz
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Tax is a fact of life. Whether you’re a business accountant who encounters tax through daily use of invoicing software, or a customer making a single purchase in a shop, tax is an integral part of our economy that everyone is aware of.

Alcohol tax is occasionally increased to combat crime and deaths caused by excessive drinking around the world — Australia’s alcohol tax climbed 2.5% already this year and has been doing so every six months for the last 35 years. According to research, alcohol tax cuts in England in 2012 resulted in roughly 2,000 deaths and around 100,000 extra crimes.

Tax can depend on the alcohol content in beer, wine, and spirits. For example, there’ll be a 12 cent increase on beer in South Africa, which will rise to R1.74 excise duty, a 750ml bottle of wine will rise 22 cents to R3.15, and a bottle of whiskey will go up by R4.54 to R65.84.

Countries with the highest alcohol tax

The average tax on alcohol is at 16% — both Zambia and Kenya have the average alcohol tax rate, with relatively low alcohol-related deaths at 2.1% and 2.6%, respectively, suggesting that alcohol tax is effective in these countries for reducing alcohol intake.

Interestingly, the top 16 countries that pay the highest tax are all European countries. Hungary is the highest at 27%, followed closely by Croatia, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden at 25%. But despite the higher alcohol tax rate, Hungary also had the second highest alcohol-related death rate at 6.7%, which in 2014 was reported as twice the global average. Norway’s alcohol mortality rate is 2%, with Sweden at 3.3%, Demark at 4.8%, and Croatia at 5.6%. Considering Andorra’s alcohol tax is one of the lowest at 4.5%, their mortality rate of 3.9% is considerably high when taking other countries into account.

Is higher alcohol tax effective?

Attempting to reduce alcohol consumption with a policy might not be as effective in all countries, with cultural differences playing a major part in drinking alcohol. For example, Hungary has been recognised by the WHO as a country that has adopted drinking alcohol as a large part of their culture, a trend common among Eastern European countries which is less prevalent in Scandinavian countries, reflecting findings of the data above — does this suggest that high tax works as a deterrent only if drinking alcohol isn’t a large part of the country’s culture?

Country Alcohol Tax (%) Alcohol-Related Deaths (%)
Hungary 27 6.7
Croatia 25 5.6
Denmark 25 4.8
Norway 25 2
Sweden 25 3.3
Zambia 16 2.1
Kenya 16 2.6
Jordan 16 0.4
Mexico 16 6.8
South Africa 15 6.4
Andorra 4.5 3.9

Other countries that matched the average alcohol tax of 16% were Jordan and Mexico. Jordan’s alcohol mortality rate was the lowest at 0.4%, surprisingly followed by Mexico at the highest with 6.8%.

Alcohol tax and alcohol-related mortalities

Alcohol has been reported as being at the centre of daily and ritual life in numerous Mexican communities while simultaneously being a damaging factor both physically and socioeconomically. With a similar tax rate to Mexico of 15%, South Africa’s rate of alcohol-related deaths stands at 6.4%, one of the highest out of the countries selected for discussion. South Africa has some of the heaviest drinkers in the world — 61% of the population abstain from drinking, with around 31% drinking so heavily that it contributes to many societal and health problems. This suggests that perhaps alcohol tax isn’t effective in controlling alcohol death rates when drinking is so prevalent.

Similarly, Jordan had the same tax rate as Mexico, however their alcohol death rate stood at 0.4%. As 90% of the Jordanian population are Muslim, there’re stricter laws for drinking and being drunk in public. It would seem that religious belief can play a key part in societal expectations and regulations.

According to WHO, higher-income countries are more likely to introduce alcohol interventions — nearly all countries (95%) have implemented alcohol taxes, however less than half of these countries are also using further price strategies to reduce alcohol consumption by banning below-cost selling and bulk discounts. Many have television bans, but this is less common for digital marketing and social media.

Based on research, it would appear that increasing alcohol tax to reduce drinking largely depends on the extent to which drinking is a part of culture, as well as further government interventions and price strategies. Countries such as Hungary, Mexico, and South Africa where drinking is a popular activity will have less effective alcohol taxes in comparison to countries like Norway, Sweden, and Jordan where it isn’t indulged in as often.

Maximizing the Use of Digital and Social Media for Your Business Start-up

By
Elaine Goetz
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The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to make necessary changes in the way we think and behave to stay safe. Being social people, we find ways to connect with others without putting our own health and others’ at risk. This has resulted in the increase in Internet usage and the realization of the importance of social media, to keep in touch and to know what’s happening in the world.

The power of social and digital media became more rampant when corporations, entrepreneurs, and start-ups began to weaponize it for business. Being stuck at home for several months without work, people looked for means to be productive and started opening online businesses to support their financial needs.

To advertise their products to immediate friends and family and–eventually–to their community, social media advertising has been their aid. Social media presence has become the means of businesses to remain operational, relevant, and connected to people–most importantly to potential customers.

All businesses–even established ones–suffered a loss in their earnings since the pandemic started. To boost brand recall without shelling out too much cash and still reach the masses, businesses made wise use of social media marketing and the digital media industry.

As a start-up or a small to medium business enterprise, you would want to expand your means of promoting yourself–not only limited to social media. This is where the knowledge about digital media strategies comes in handy, especially when you start to create and promote your own website and create video ads to be displayed on other digital platforms.

Before coming up with your own social media and digital marketing strategy, it is best to be thoroughly knowledgeable about your business and its goals. This will greatly help you in selecting the right keyword mapping strategies, social media platforms, engagement strategies, consumers’ interests, and other factors for your business success.

Considerable knowledge about what digital media technology is will help you save time, money, and energy while maximizing the potential of your strategies in using social media for business.

One important factor to consider when establishing your brand in the digital media industry is your choice of social media platform. Similar to other marketing and advertising platforms–like TV commercials, radio commercials, and newspaper advertisements–social media platforms are unique and are tailored to a specific audience for a specific purpose.

It may not be enough to rely on social media, alone, to boost your business. This is why you should understand the basics of SEO in your digital marketing strategy, too.

Knowing the basics of SEO such as keyword research and search intent will help you craft your social media marketing strategies in such a way that will help contribute to your business goals and allow you to rise amidst the ongoing digital marketing competition.

To help you make the seemingly tough decision for your business needs, below is a round-up of some major social media platforms.

Facebook

As of March 31, 2020, there are over 2.6 billion active Facebook users worldwide. According to recent statistics, female users of the world’s most popular social medium are aged 18-24 years old, while the male users range from 25-34 years old.

Businesses and other start-ups that use Facebook can create a dedicated page for their business. For your potential customers to get to know your business better,  be sure to fill out the page sections on your Facebook page such as About, Community, Events, Home, Info and Ads, Offers, Photos, Posts, Reviews, Services, and Shop if it applies to your business.

Aside from this, make sure to utilize the Facebook page’s Messenger account when engaging with your customers, as this is a means to communicate  directly with them.

The ability to show that you personally care for your customers by directly communicating with them is what makes the impact of social media strong, especially for businesses. Find out what Facebook ads cost. You can also use this to send messages to your customers regarding new offers you may have, if they are not able to personally see it on their timeline or on your page.

Twitter

With 330 million monthly active users, it is undeniable that using this platform for business is good to promote your brand and products. Twitter platform is especially useful in promoting brand awareness and being able to connect directly with people.

With the use of a # (hashtag) and an @ (at reply) function, you can conveniently post ads that are directed towards your target audience. Keeping a close eye on the trends will give you an idea of what’s in and what’s interesting for your audience.

To be able to let your audience know who you are and what you offer, make sure that you update your header image of any promotions or offers you have, as of the moment. Don’t forget to include your location, business hours, and website link to your bio.

Instagram

According to statistics, 72% of Instagram users are teenagers which shows that this platform is used greatly by the younger population. If your business target market is teenagers or people below the age of 35, this is the right social media platform to use.

Since this platform is used to show rather than tell about your products and services, make sure to be creative in creating a unique visual aesthetic for your brand. Optimize your business profile bio such as contact information, category, and call-to-action buttons to guide your visitors to your landing page.

With the addition of the “checkout” option on Instagram, your customers can now avail of your products and services while browsing your business’s Instagram page.

YouTube

Another fool-proof strategy on how to do digital marketing is through video creation to promote brand awareness, product reviews, and information sharing this to the most number of people possible, because even without creating their YouTube accounts, users can still access your videos and advertisements. You can also do a live streaming through YouTube Live and YouTube stories.

There are also different ways to advertise on YouTube that you can avail of to generate leads and traffic for your channel and website based on your chosen options.

LinkedIn

If you’re a start-up or a micro- to small-business enterprise, aside from generating leads and sales, you may want to build connections with other companies and professionals to make your business thrive. Moreover, if your products and services are primarily catered to professionals, then LinkedIn is the right social media platform to use.

You can create a LinkedIn Page for your business where you can share Word Docs, PDFs, and PowerPoints to your audience and contribute to meaningful discussions in your area of expertise. You can optimize your posts to make sure that they meet your goals in reach and impact.

The impact of social media to business and consumer behavior is great. Now that you have the right social media platform for your business in mind, you should know what a good digital marketing strategy is to maximize the use of your chosen platform for your business.

Social Media Marketing Strategies

  • S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Goals, as mentioned before, serve as your guide toward your end goal. When making a good digital marketing strategy, know your goals, as this will clearly guide you on the steps you should take:

Specific – Specific goals help you focus on one or two important things you want to achieve.

Measureable – Measurability should be tracked using tools and algorithms.

Achievable – Achievability should prove that your specific goals are doable.

Relevant – Relevance is important because when your posts and offers are relevant, people are sure to avail of it.

Time-bound – Set a specific span of time for the goal so that you can track if your steps and strategies are effective or not and be able to come up with fresh ideas.

  • Creating creative and fresh content with your audience in mind

Your audience is not everyone. Knowing the demographics of your target market will enable you to come up with specific content that is sure to fit their tastes and needs. Make sure to incorporate your brand personality in  your content and voice, as these details will help you stand out among your competitors.

When creating content, make sure that it is fresh and creative: something that will catch attention. However, it is not enough that you make the right content. You should also define the best time to post them; so that you are sure that they are viewed by your target audience while they are online.

Neil Patel–who is known to help small- and medium-sized businesses with their revenues through SEO and digital marketing–noted that there’s no perfect time to post, but there are best practices you can follow when timing your posts.

Using social media for business requires proper scheduling and dedication. Prepare your calendar to schedule your posts per month; so that you maintain your social media presence. You can also use social media posting and scheduling tools to make your life easier.

Digital Media Marketing Strategies

  • Search engine optimization

Once you are familiar with your target audience, you’ll be fully aware of their search intent and keywords used when searching for specific products and services that you may offer.

When crafting your bio, posts, and hashtags, it is best to perform a thorough keyword research that will help you rank high in search results and that may have less competition with similar businesses.

If you’re creating blogs for your website, it is also good to focus on keywords that are likely to be used by your customers, that way, your blogs will be one of the top search engine results pages (SERPs).

It is also important that when using social media or any other digital platform, you are aware of the algorithms they use so that you can create a strategy that will enable you to come up with ideas on how to promote your site and products.

To encourage your page and website visitors to avail of your products and services, do not forget to include a strong call-to-action. Make sure that these calls-to-action are clear and specific and not annoying to the point that they pop up everytime they transfer from one page to another on your website. The more your site is easy to use and fun to browse, the more users will enjoy navigating your site, thus spending more time on it.

  • Engagement

Use tools to monitor engagements both in your website and in your social media business accounts. These monitoring tools will help you determine the effectiveness of your posts and notify you when you receive reviews or questions  from your potential customers.

Remember, in any business, it is important to develop trust. Once your customers trust you, then they will be loyal to your business. To sum up this advice: build relationships, not just followers.

Show people you care. It is important to have an empathetic brand voice for your business. Moreover, immediately try to address complaints and don’t forget to express gratitude to those who give you compliments.

  • Branding

Since all businesses try to solve a problem, customers should feel that you’re the right one to do the job through your products and services. If you use an indifferent tone in your business, they might feel the need to look for another company instead of availing of your services.

Familiarize yourself with the different social media channels you can use for your business, and don’t forget to apply simple and practical tips to your social media strategy, to help achieve your business goals.

5 Celebrities That Will Inspire You to Try Blue Zoning

By
Elaine Goetz
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Imagine living in one of the few areas of the world in which the community is famed for its health and longevity. There are five such places known around the globe, and we refer to them as “Blue Zones”. In Blue Zones, people live long and healthy lives. They intertwine exercise into their daily routines, eat healthy plant-based diets, and know the importance of a calm and spiritual lifestyle.

Any celebrity who is a strong advocate of health and wellbeing would feel right at home in a Blue Zone, but some have particularly close connections with Blue Zones around the world. Let’s take a trip around the globe to these inspirational locations and learn a bit more about the celebrities who have been shaped by their way of life.

Zac Efron — Sardinia

High School Musical star Zac Efron may not be a Sardinian native, but if is recent Netflix documentary Down to Earth is anything to go by, he has been truly inspired by the Blue Zone way of life and the Sardinian diet. In episode four of Down to Earth, Zac Efron spent time getting to know some Sardinian centenarians and learning what made them tick.

Along with wellness expert Darin Olien, Zac visited Seulo, the town with the highest number of centenarians in the world. During their stay, Zac and Darin became equated with the Sardinian recipe for health aging, namely, the world-renowned diet. As they get to know some Sardinian food enthusiasts, including local chef Vittoria Murgia, they come to realise that it isn’t just the healthy Sardinian ingredients that make the food of this Blue Zone so powerful, but the fact that it is made with love and paired with community living and regular, gentle exercise.

As Zac so rightly says in the programme, “What better way for us to study this Blue Zone phenomenon than through the local diet?” The simple Mediterranean diet is largely plant-based and includes plenty of flatbread, barely, fennel, and chickpeas.

As the show has since seen huge success around the world, reaching number three on the US watch list for example we are likely to see more people than ever embracing the Sardinian way of life, taking inspiration from Sardinian cooking, and even factoring this Mediterranean island into their next holiday.

Mel Gibson — Nicoya Peninsula

Famed for its vast white beaches and dense juggle landscapes, Costa Rice has long been a holiday hot spot among A-list celebrities. This central American country is a favourite holiday destination for the likes of Selena Gomez, George Clooney, Rafa Nadal, Leonardo DiCaprio, Miley Cyrus, Beyoncé and Jaz-Z, Chris Hemsworth, and Matt Damon — to name but a few!

Mel Gibson however, really embraced the Blue Zone lifestyle when he purchased his holiday home in the depth of the jungles on the Nicoya Peninsula. The Brave Heart star has famously struggled with his mental health over the years and in 2008 he announced in a documentary that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Perhaps his villa in the Nicoya Peninsula became a haven from the demands of everyday life. If so, he couldn’t have chosen anywhere more remote than this secluded Costa Rican spot, famed for longevity and health.

Matthew Modine — Loma Linda

Loma Linda (which translates from Spanish as “beautiful hill”) is a city in San Bernardino County, California. It is a relatively new city that was only incorporated in 1970 but has already achieved fame as one of the world’s five Blue Zones. The inhabitants of Loma Linda, who are mostly descendants and practicing members of the Seventh-day Adventist church, live an average of ten years longer than the rest of the USA.

Matthew Modine, the actor most famous for his role in Full Metal Jacket, was born and raised in Loma Linda. In one interview with Men’s Health magazine, he discussed his simple upbringing and how he learnt to do household tasks from a young age, helping out his family. Household tasks are championed in the Blue Zone mentality, and it is believed that you can get as much out of putting your all into daily tasks as you would dedicating time specifically to fitness.

Modine’s mother was a student of Buddhism, and he learnt a lot from his parents about how to let go of anger and accept life for what it is. Spirituality and mindfulness are both key aspects of Blue Zone-thinking and shared traits of the inhabitants of all the Blue Zone locations.

Tamlyn Tomita — Okinawa

Another longevity hotspot is Okinawa in Japan. The Okinawa islands boast the world’s longest-living women and this area was once even referred to as “the land of immortals”. The inhabitants of Okinawa are also known to have minimal cases of cancer, heart disease, and dementia. One thing that Okinawa residents hold to great importance is their powerful social network, known as a “moai”.  This close-knit circle of friends and loved ones is thought to help people live long and healthy lives with a powerful sense of purpose.

This can certainly be reflected in the attitude of Okinawa-born Japanese-American actress, Tamlyn Tomita. In 2019, Trek Magazine noted that Tamlyn Tomita “is always ready to lend her support to community events and organizations, and keeps her life simple, focusing on love, work and family.”

Her community efforts can be seen through her ongoing activism around the theme of Hollywood whitewashing and the part she has played in LGBTQI+ Asian American performing arts festivals.

Tom Hanks — the Greek islands

The Greek islands, and specifically the island of Ikaria, have become famous for their elderly residents who, for the most part, have lived lives free from disease. Combine this with the turquoise water and world-renowned beaches, which make you desperate to throw on your designer bikini and go for a swim, and it’s no wonder that celebrities have gravitated towards the Greek islands when looking for a second home.

Tom Hanks is married to Greek-American actress Rita Wilson, so it’s no surprise that this Oscar-winning actor feels an affinity with the Greek lifestyle. The Greek locals say that the island getaway is the only place where Hanks and Wilson are “left alone to relax, catch up with friends, throw dinner parties and unwind, away from Hollywood’s demands and flashing lights.”

After the demands of Hollywood, a slow-living Blue Zone environment sounds like the perfect place to unwind!

We can certainly see how all of these Blue Zone locations have either drawn celebrities in or played crucial roles in helping them become who they are today. Perhaps we can all learn a thing or two from these tantalising destinations and embrace a Blue Zone-inspired lifestyle.

How Car Technology has Changed Over Time and What we can Expect to see in the Future…

By
Elaine Goetz
-

These days, if a car doesn’t have electric windows and power steering, it’s viewed as being almost antique. But, perks such as these haven’t always been a given. Exactly who invented the first-ever automobile may be up for debate — many believe it was Karl Benz — but what can’t be argued is that it certainly didn’t resemble the car equipped with a hi-tech vehicle platform of software and apps that we use today.

Benz’s first petrol-powered car, created in 1885, was powered by a single cylinder four-stroke engine. Fast forward 133 years and your typical petrol-fueled economy car has either three, four or six cylinders.

But what else has evolved in the car we see before our eyes today? Here, we look at car developments throughout time and how technology has changed the car industry. After all, as technology keeps advancing, so too will the car we drive.

Electric cars

Electric cars were actually introduced over 100 years ago, but are currently seeing a rise in popularity. By 2030, the UK’s government has proposed that three-fifths of cars sold should be electric.  Whether this target is met remains to be seen, but with Vauxhall already introducing the new Vauxhall Corsa E to their model line-up earlier this year, it’s clear that many manufacturers realise the importance of the electric car’s future.

In-car radio

For many of us, the first thing we do (well, second, after we put our seatbelts on – safety first!) is choose our radio station that we plan to listen to on our journey. While this is second nature to us these days, it was first introduced to our vehicles in 1930.

The invention by Paul and Joseph Galvin and William Lear allowed for drivers to have access to monophonic AM radio. Compact cassettes arrived on the scene in the 1960s, before car stereos started to rival home versions for their sound quality in the 80s. Nowadays, a lot of drivers connect their own music systems – often their mobile phones – to listen to their favourite tunes, and if we don’t, many car radio systems are now touchscreen.

Anti-lock brakes

While anti-lock braking systems are now a standard safety feature, of course this hasn’t always been the case. ABS’s development has been a long process since first being a concept in the 1920s. Until the 1950s, the system was primarily used on aircrafts, but by the 60s, car manufacturers began to experiment with the technology. It wasn’t until the 90s that ABS and related systems became commonplace.

Cameras

There are so many uses for cameras to now be included in a new car. Whether it’s a dash-cam to record everything that is happening around you – where there’s blame there’s a claim, right? – or reverse cameras to help you park, these are really becoming a staple addition to any new car.

However, like parking sensors, a reverse parking camera has been around a lot longer than you may think. In 1956, Buick’s Centurion concept car included the technology. However, like parking sensors, this helpful tool wasn’t used mainstream until the turn of the millennium.

On-board diagnostics

Gone are the days, in theory, that you’d break down without any knowledge of what is going on. Since 1994, on-board diagnostics have been able to indicate to us that there is a problem before it’s too late. We may not know what the symbols always mean, but by detecting a fault or an issue, we are able to seek the help to fix the problem before it causes further issues.

Parking sensors

You’d be forgiven for thinking parking sensors haven’t long been introduced; some cars still don’t have them. However, they first burst onto the scene in the 70s and were originally supposed to be guidance devices for the blind.

Using ultrasonic technology that is installed on a car’s bumpers, parking sensors detect any obstacles or surroundings as the vehicle approaches them, beeping louder and faster as you get closer. This device become widely used in the early 2000s and is now the most common and basic parking system available.

There have been many other technological developments that could be mentioned, such as the introduction of cigarette lighters in 1921, intermittent windscreen wipers in 1969 and, more recently, lane departure warnings in 2010. With plans in place to have fully autonomous cars rolled out as soon as 2021, it’s clear that technology will never cease to change the car industry. The invention would mean that in less than 150 years, we would have gone from our first car to our maiden autonomous car. Now that is fast!

Importance of Appointment Booking Software in a Clinic

By
Elaine Goetz
-

Undeniably, the long waiting in the medical offices has become a headache!!! Surely, no one wants their potential customers to lose in any way.  They are the whole and sole responsibility for your success. Hence, it is the utmost need to satisfy them and give the best service.

Be the one to give your patients the chance to schedule their clinical appointments online.  You must be aware of the recent technological aspects and the manner it is surprising us every day.   Nowadays, technology has become an unavoidable aspect. From a decade, the world is experiencing several changes related to it in many fields.

And, one of those fields is health care, undoubtedly it holds the essential elements in human life for ages now.

Although the most challenging task in the medical field is to expand its services to the lowest yield at an appropriate time, and yes, technology has reached out to further narrow the gap!

The main concern of each patient when they visit the doctor is-  How long do they have to wait at the waiting room or front desk.

Most of the time, filling the appointment is in their hands. This will eventually reduce the production time, thereby effectively providing the best medical services to patients.

Both the doctors and patients find it difficult to track the appointments because the demand for medical services has increased and the requirement of technical support has become imminent.

Online scheduling software must be the well-suited option for everyone to get the best outcomes possible. It not only allows your patients to fix appointments with you but also has many other applications.

When you have online scheduling software by your side, you can track the hundreds and thousands of patient details or appointments with ease. Also, you can manage the employees even if you are away and hence, can easily handle the emergency cases easily.

The best part about online scheduling software is that it seamlessly mixes the busy professional lives. It, therefore, improves the patient inflow and superbly, increases the revenue, and gives you the time to utilize it properly.

Table of Contents

Benefits of using Appointment Booking Software?

Reduce No Shows

No time wastage

Preserve Capital

Enhanced patient experience

Centralization

Easily Accessible

Real-Time Updates

Similar day appointments

Customization

Features and components of Appointment Scheduling Software

Automation

Appointment Reminders

User-Friendly Interface

Mobile Access

Patient and Appointment Tracking

Patient Portal

Wrapping Up

Benefits of using Appointment Booking Software?

Even if it is a medical clinic, a veterinary office, or other types of businesses, operating a clinic is a daunting task. Assuring everything to complete on time and maintain the smoothness of all the things. Top of all, without bothering about the scheduling process.

This is the reason several like to spend in the best clinical appointment scheduling software. To make it more clear to you, we are below mentioning the benefits of the same.

Reduce No Shows

Every business, including the clinics, faces the issues of the customers not showing up on time for their appointments. This is not just annoying, but also wastes a lot of time, effort, and money. Here, the appointment management software sends automated alerts to reduce no shows and receive payments when the customers missed their bookings.

No time wastage

No one likes to get entertained via calling customers and scheduling appointments. The online scheduling software streamlines the overall process and makes handling everything easy. It amalgamates the online scheduling features for saving time, such as, calendars that allow the customer to secure the appointments and then, schedule them conveniently.

Because the appointment booking software allows the patients to book the timings of their choice, hence, the software totally reduces the waiting time to get their turn. Hence, it boosts the bottom line by allowing you to entertain more patients or customers. Hence, we can say that this process totally, eradicates the process of making phone calls.

Preserve Capital

The best thing about using accurate online scheduling software is that it saves a large amount of money.

This is because it is considered to be able to improve efficiency, reduce the number of personnel required for daily operations, and no need to use redundant equipment (such as servers) because every scheduling task and patient information will be stored online.

Enhanced patient experience

Needless to say, improved scheduling processes rightly translate into the improved clinic workflow and patient experience. Using the best clinic online scheduling software, you can reduce the waiting time in the clinic, uncertainty scheduling, and make it seamless for your customers to schedule the appointments easily without calling the office and to be placed on hold, many more.

Centralization

The online scheduling software sorts every patient detail in one database. It implies that when someone books an appointment, every basic information gets saved in the software system, consulting treatment notes, making scheduling follow-ups, etc. This overall makes it easy for you to manage the appointment schedules with many providers and locations.

Easily Accessible

When it is about online scheduling, you can access the calendar anytime and from anywhere. All this makes the process convenient for those who work from many locations or travel frequently but, likes to maintain the scheduling process. With the online scheduling software, you can monitor the patients’ schedules and know the staff’s day to day activity 24X7.

Real-Time Updates

Generally, the setbacks in scheduling the appointments and getting valuable data of the patients create issues. Nevertheless, the online clinic scheduling software, the comprehensive information gets updated on time and reduces the waiting time and difficulty in both you and your patients.

Similar day appointments

A gap occurs when the patient cancels or reschedules the appointment at the last minute. It implies that when you fill the gap, then, you end up losing money. Nevertheless, with the scheduling software, you can send the email or text to the maximum about the offers, discounts, and other important aspects and assist you to fill those gaps and administer your clinic at maximum efficiency.

Customization

Another benefit of investing in online scheduling software is that it gets configured easily for the clinic’s requirements. For instance; you can make the customized appointments setting according to the locations or particular providers or adjust the time of appointments and the reasons accordingly. This process, overall allows you to be organized by offering several form-fill and labeling options.

Features and components of Appointment Scheduling Software

As far as of now, you got informed about the benefits of clinical management software. There are many main elements and features behind this that is the best choice for all. Hence, to make it viable to you, we are below mentioning the Appointment Scheduling Software features.

Automation

Bid farewell to old-fashioned analog scheduling methods, such as having the receptionist who is responsible for fixing appointments in the scheduling book. Every process can be automated to lessen the need to hire extra staff and reduce human errors to a great extent.

Appointment Reminders

Reduce confusion and no shows with automated appointments alerts. The scheduling software can be programmed to send the email or text reminder to patients prior to an appointment to assure they make it on time.

User-Friendly Interface

The clinical booking software can be accessed easily, allowing customers and your employees to navigate the calendar easily. They fill in the required information to schedule the appointments as easily as possible.

Mobile Access

As we all know that most of the businesses are now handled on mobile. Hence, it becomes essential that the Business management apps or software also fulfills the mandates. It also permits the patients to book an appointment and get real-time updates on their mobile devices.

Patient and Appointment Tracking

The online scheduling clinical software enables you to track the patients from the time they visit, to where they are in the appointment manner to make you sure when they are about to check out.

Patient Portal

The patients can easily access the calendar online using clinical software. Even, they can receive the updated receipt and the requirements to get follow-ups appointments, etc.

Wrapping Up

In healthcare services, patient self-scheduling is becoming a rising trend.

As the demand for effective and user-friendly appointment scheduling continues to grow, it becomes more and more essential.

Use the scheduling software into your clinic and know-how to satisfy management, patients and you, can ever get when it is about scheduling the day.

Here, in this article, we have given you the best scheduling software features and benefits. Now, you should get the one and start getting success sooner.

Hopefully, you liked this article. If you have queries and suggestions then, let us know in the comment section below.

Thanks for reading!!

Discontinued Cars That Are Worth the Most

By
Elaine Goetz
-

You’re searching for a new model to buy — you narrow your search down to a select few motors that have caught your eye, they meet the specifications you’re looking for, they have powerful engines and fantastic handling — the reviews are superb. And then you find that they’ve been discontinued by their manufacturer, dubbing it a ‘zombie car’.

Buying a discontinued model can plant seeds of doubt in drivers’ minds, whether it’s to do with sourcing parts if something goes wrong or it changes your opinion of what you thought was a popular and well received car. However, parts are often still produced for years after a model has been discontinued or will be made by other manufacturers, as well as sharing car parts with other cars. Some models are discontinued and replaced with a modernised version with new features, have been renamed to fit in with a series of models, such as the Infiniti G37 Coupe becoming the Q60, buyer habits have changed, sales are down, or costs have risen. With automotive manufacturers reacting to the boom of the SUV and the push for electric cars, many cars, including diesels, are on their way out. Certainly! It’s true that some discontinued cars can become sought-after classics, leading to an increase in their value over time. Among these, there are several models that stand out for their rarity and popularity. One example of a discontinued car that has gained value over time is the 1500 GMC Sierra.

Sometimes, although some discontinued cars fade away, some models can be an investment, with the value increasing. Often, classic cars are those that were hugely popular and rare, which discontinued cars become classics as they’re harder to get your hands on. Here, we’ll look at expensive discontinued cars that are worth the most.

Volkswagen Beetle

Price: £10,490

After nearly seven decades on the automotive market, the German engineer announced in 2018 that the Beetle was to be discontinued. Recognised as one of the most iconic, quirky cars, this model symbolised the 1960s counterculture — breaking away from conformity and tradition. With over 22.5 million models sold over the decades, the shifting trend of SUV and crossovers has caused VW to turn their attention elsewhere.

With around 420,000 units sold in its peak popularity in the 60s due to its feature in the Disney film The Love Bug. Only 15,000 were sold in the U.S. in 2017, a dramatic fall. With the average price of a Volkswagen Beetle being around £1,321 in 2003, this vehicle has increased in value, making it more expensive than what it previously went for.

Jaguar E-Type
Price: £65,000 – £300,000

Initially rolling off the production line in 1961, the Jaguar E-Type was a legendary supercar that stole the hearts of car lovers everywhere. Famously described by Enzo Ferrari as the world’s most beautiful car, the E-Type ranked first in the Telegraph’s 2008 “100 most beautiful cars of all time”, so it isn’t surprising that as a discontinued car, its value has increased. Discontinued in 1975 to make way for the Jaguar XJ-S, the E-Type was ahead of it’s time for style, technology, and handling — one of the most innovative vehicles of its era. Certainly a different style from the bulked up Jaguar I-Pace SUV.

Aston Martin DB9
Price: £12,340 – £87,570

A British grand tourer first introduced to the public in 2003 at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Aston Martin’s DB9 was initially produced as a replacement for the DB7. It was manufactured until 2016 to make room for the DB11, with an all-new platform and engine. Although a sign of innovation and progress in the automotive world, the discontinuation was sadly received, putting an end to one of the most iconic and popular Aston Martins ever created. The DB9 was so iconic that its style became the norm for future designs.

BMW Z8
Price: £250,000

In 2003, it was announced that this successful and sought-after car would be discontinued, following the James Bond film The World is Not Enough surged it to popularity in the three years it was produced. Initially priced at $104,000 in 2003, the Z8 was sold to less than 150 drivers in the UK and 5,700 in the world, making it a rare piece of art. Recognised as one of the world’s sexiest cars, Considered a collector’s car, the Z8 now goes for more than double the original price at £250,000, while other BMW models’ values have depreciated.

If you’re considering buying a discontinued model — don’t fret — do your research and find out which models have increased in value and make your purchase an investment.

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