Road Safety in 2016: Top 10 Causes of Car Accidents in the US

Auto

Within just a few days it will be the official first day of spring and within just a few weeks the weather will turn warm and sunny. During late spring and early summer, an increased number of motorists hit the road after being cooped up all winter due to snow and freezing temperatures.

This year, take the time to re-check your road safety tips to ensure that you, your passengers and occupants of another vehicle are safe from crashes that could have been avoided. As a preventative measure, read and understand the following top 10 causes of car crashes in the United States.

First Some Gruesome Statistics

According to ASIRT, The Association for Safe International Road Travel, more than 37,000 individuals will lose their lives in car accidents in the United States each and every year. In addition to that, it is estimated that almost 2 million others will be injured or become disabled as a result of a car crash. Here is where it gets really sad, although loss of life is sad at any time:

  • More than 1600 of those that die every year will be children under the age of 15.
  • Of those that die in car crashes, almost 8,000 deaths involved drivers between 16 and 20 years of age.
  • Of those US citizens traveling abroad, car crashes are the leading cause of death in foreign countries.

And if those statistics aren’t gruesome enough, consider the cost. It is estimated that driving accidents cost US taxpayers almost $231 billion each and every year. Not only is there a cost in human life but a financial cost as well.

Leading Causes of Crashes in the US

Although these may be off by a place or two in the actual ranking, the only one that is for sure would be that in the number one position as the leading causes of crashes. The top ten causes of car crashes in the US according to the latest statistical data released by the Department of Transportation include:

  1. Distractions while Driving – Typically this is due to illegal use of cell phones but other causes include reaching over to tune the radio, talking to passengers and believe it or not, lighting a cigarette while trying to handle the wheel. Many driving teachers suggest using disposable e-cigs that can simply be puffed with no distractions as they aren’t ever lit up.
  2. Over the Speed Limit (Speeding) – Many times the driver is going anywhere from 10 to 30 miles (or more!) above the speed limit and it is a fact that driving fast does reduce reaction times. Want to avoid an accident? Obey the speed limits.
  3. DUI (Drunk Driving) – Each state has a legal blood alcohol limit but no matter what it is, the rule of thumb is that even if you’ve had a single drink you should let someone else do the driving.
  4. Reckless / Careless Driving – This can be the result of a number of careless behaviors when behind the wheel. From speeding to improper change of lanes to tailing too close, if you are not obeying the traffic laws, chances are you are being careless.
  5. Weather (Especially Rain) – Not only does heavy rain create poor visibility but rain on oil-slicked roads makes it difficult to stop on the drop of a dime. Snow and high winds are also weather-related causes of traffic accidents but not nearly as numerous as those related to rain.
  6. Failure to Stop at Traffic Lights – What needs to be said about running a red light? If you fail to yield the right of way while another car is traveling through the intersection, an accident will probably ensue with you being at fault.
  7. Failure to Obey Stop Signs – Next in line is failing to stop at stop signs. Just as in failure to yield the right way at red lights, failing to stop at stops signs is a leading cause of crashes.
  8. Teen Drivers – No one is singling out teen drivers to be mean. The reality is that they are simply inexperienced and typically more careless than older, more seasoned drivers. With age comes experience so if you are a teen, it is better to be slow than sorry. Slow down, learn the rules of the road and be patient. Good driving will come in time.
  9. Impaired Vision of Night Driving – Typically it is elder drivers who have trouble with night vision but there are younger adults who also suffer this impairment as well, so if you have trouble seeing at night either find an alternate driver, wait until daylight to travel or simply slow down and take it easy.
  10. Defects within the Design of the Vehicle – Every day you hear of a class action lawsuit involving recalls that were never made. Defects within the design of the car come in as number 10 in the leading causes of traffic accidents in the United States.

So here you have the top ten causes of car crashes in the United States and some pretty gruesome statistics. Don’t leave yourself open to being on the wrong side of the coin so learn these causes and work to avoid them. Your life and the lives of those you love could depend on it.

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Picture a Better World of Marketing with Video

Business

Marketing with Video gives your business a buzz unlike any other ... photo by CC user Pattymooney via wikimedia commons

Photo by CC user Pattymooney via wikimedia commons

Is your brand getting the best marketing possible?

For many companies, the answer to that question unfortunately is no.

Whether businesses opt for email marketing, digital marketing, mobile marketing, social media usage, the list goes on and on.

One thing too many companies drop the ball with is opting for video promotion.

When you stop to think about it, video promotions can open up doors you probably never even thought about.

With that being the case, picture a better world of marketing with video.

Let the Professionals Give Your Brand Positive Light

If you’re thinking video promotions can help your business, the next question is then do you shoot the videos yourself or call the professionals?

Yes, you may be a bit of a whiz behind the camera, but there is much more to shooting a sound brand promotion than just the camera itself.

Keep in mind that you need to decide who will be in front of the camera, what the brand’s message will be, what the setting should be, how long the shoot should be and much more. When all is said and done, that is a lot of planning and detail to think about.

So that your video promotion catches the eyes and ears of consumers, your effort to find a Tampa Video production company or one closer to home should include the following:
 

    • History – Your search should begin with how long each video production company has been in the business. Do they have the long-term knowledge of the community that your business resides in? If no, can they quickly learn about the demographics you are trying to reach out to with your video aspirations? While there is nothing wrong going with a younger company in terms of experience in the business, finding one that has the video and local history behind it certainly does help;

      •  

    • Customer service – As great as their video productions may be, your company of choice also needs to provide unparalleled customer service. In today’s fast-paced world, customer service sometimes seems almost like a lost art. You want a video production company that has not forgotten the fact that the customer always comes first. While many companies earn stellar customer service marks through word-of-mouth, you can also turn to the Internet to get to know something about a company. Along with going to the company’s website, look on social media to see if there is a buzz about the business. Are customers (current or former) talking about the video production company you might be thinking of using? If so, are the comments positive or negative? Remember that some consumers use social media to lash out at bad experiences they’ve had with products and/or companies, so take that into consideration with any questionable comments. Then again, positive comments could definitely lead you to the right company sooner rather than later.

     
    Once you have narrowed down your choices, ultimately deciding on the one company that best suits your needs, the actual video promotion comes next.

    Here is another area where it is important to remember just how fast-paced today’s world truly is.

    Many of today’s consumers can barely take time to eat breakfast in the morning, let alone sit down and watch a 30-second or longer video. As a result, your video has to deliver a message that makes your brand stand out in their minds.

    Once again, this is why letting the professionals shoot your video is so key.

    With the knowledge not only behind the camera, but also with how best to present your brand in front of the camera, video professionals can mean the difference between a product or service that gets so-so attention and one people can’t stop talking about.

    Since you want your brand to be the latter of those two choices, having professionals on your side is typically the best way to go.

    Yes, you could try and muster up the equipment and know-how to shoot your own productions, but there are many question marks involved as to how well it will come out.

    By turning to professionals with experience and dedication to the video production industry, you can all but be assured of picturing more business.

     

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Are You Growing Your Small Business Too Quickly?

Business

Photo by CC user Виталий Смолыгин on http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/

Photo by CC user Виталий Смолыгин on http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/

If your small business is taking in lots of new customers (along with retaining many of your older ones), you are likely feeling pretty good about things.

So, is there anything to truly worry about as you look out over the financial landscape?

Unfortunately, there can be storm clouds out there, specifically in growing your small business too quickly.

As great as growth is for a business, it must be managed properly. Otherwise, one can find themselves with too much work and not enough time and/or resources to complete that work. They can also discover that they do not have all of the financial resources they need to handle the demands.

Take Baby Steps Early on

So that you can grow your small business at the proper rate, remember these tips:

    1. Big picture – What is your brand’s big picture? Are you planning to stay local or would you like to take things nationally at some point and time? Can you manage your small business all on your own or will you have to seek help in the form of full-time or part-time workers? Lastly, do you have the means to get fast cash for your business if needed? There may very well come a time when you need a fast capital infusion to keep your business moving forward, perhaps even to save it from going under. Recognizing the signs of when one or both could be occurring is important;

      2.  

    2. Never forget your customers – One of the most (if not the most) important tips in successfully running a small business; never forgetting who got you to the business world in the first place. Yes, those people you call customers, they can never be forgotten and/or taken for granted. Just as people look to maintain healthy relationships in their personal lives, relationships in the business world are equally if not more critical. One of the dangers of growing too quickly is losing touch with what got you to where you are in the first place. Yes, growth is certainly good, but do it at a managed pace;

      3.  

    3. Where to turn for financial assistance – If more financial capital is required to let your small business truly take off, where are you going to get it from? Some business owners may have just enough extra capital on hand to do it all on their own. Others, meantime, may turn to family or friends, perhaps with the idea of encouraging one or more of them to invest in the small business. Still others will seek to do business with financial loan companies, banks etc. No matter who you turn to for the financial push you need to move your brand forward, make sure you understand each and every word of the contract drawn up between parties. It is especially important that if you so choose to seek financial assistance inward (family, friends etc.), a contract is put together. Some may think that dealing with people close to them doesn’t require an official contract, but not having one can be the death of a relationship should things go sour;

      4.  

    4. Need help or don’t need help? – Your last big decision in determining if it is time to grow your small business is seeking employees. Some small business owners are perfectly comfortable being in charge of all aspects of their companies, meaning no help apply. Others, however, know that moving the business forward will require additional hands on deck. One of the dangers in moving too quickly with your business is bringing on employees, which translates into paying them. Some business owners will look to cut down on expenses (salaries, health insurance etc.) by hiring people for less than 30 hours a week, including using independent contractors. Once again, this is where your business smarts come into play. If you grow too quickly, you may end up finding worker salaries and other benefits will eat into your profits. By the same token, not acquiring the assistance you might very well need could end up in too much work at once for you, potentially leading to burnout.

     

    Growing your small business at just the right pace can oftentimes be a tricky call.

    When you need some financial help along the way to grow as the business climate dictates, knowing where to go for it might be the biggest call you ever make.

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Does Your Business Truly Know Its Customers?

Business

Does Your Business Truly Know Its Customers? ... photo by CC user geralt on pixabay

Photo by CC user geralt on pixabay

In order for your business to achieve customer satisfaction and solid revenue stream year after year, you truly have to know what your customers want.

While there are different ways to go about discovering such details, too many brands don’t make for the needed time and effort to learn the necessary data. As a result, they can end up missing out on growing their brands, leaving the competition to pick up the pieces.

That said your business can and should regularly review its data capturing methods, seeing what has been effective and what needs retooling.

With that being the case, does your business truly know its customers?

Gathering the Vital Data

So that your brand can truly decipher the mix of data vs. information vs. insight, remember these tips:

  • Demographics – First and foremost, knowing who you are trying to market to (and ultimately sell to) means having as much data as possible on people. When you understand factors such as gender, age, income, you have a much better feel as how best to undertake marketing campaigns, campaigns you hope lead to sales. You can use a number of tactics to better gather the demographics, notably through surveys, polls etc. If some customers are hesitant to respond and/or give you their time, provide them with an incentive or two to fill out an online survey or answer a few questions in-person or over the phone;
  • Priorities – In marketing to customers, you sometimes have to set priorities, especially if you’re a smaller business on a budget. While the larger brands typically have more money and manpower for marketing and advertising needs, the smaller guys are oftentimes limited. That said set priorities in which products/services you offer get the top marketing. Some companies pull out all the stops especially during the holiday season, others will look to ring-up big-time sales during the summer months;
  • Mobility – If you’ve been asleep at the wheel when it comes to mobile marketing, change that moving forward as soon as possible. With more and more consumers all but demanding mobile marketing, your brand can’t just pass on these opportunities to connect with consumers on their various mobile devices. If you’re a startup business, mobile marketing should be one of the first tasks you undertake. If you’ve been around for a number of years, you’ve hopefully been able to see in recent years how mobile marketing has blossomed;
  • Competition – Even though you should never duplicate your competitor’s efforts, watching (even analyzing) what they are doing is important. Seeing how they communicate with consumers, what they offer consumers, and their success or failure results, should all be of interest to you and your brand. One of the ways to monitor the competition is via social media (see more below). You can look at their actions on sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more. The feedback they receive from consumers can actually benefit you, especially as to how you do your marketing campaigns moving forward;
  • Socializing – When it comes to your social media efforts, they should be one of your company’s top priorities. As mentioned earlier, engaging with customers (the ones you have now and the ones you hope to have soon) is an important part of analyzing your success and failure ratios, especially as they pertain to your marketing and advertising campaigns. No matter which of the popular social networking sites you are active on, regularly monitor and analyze them, looking for the latest trends. You can truly learn a great amount of details about consumers by listening to what they say on social media. Remember, consumers in the past (before the Internet’s arrival) would typically comment to business owners via in-person visits, phone, regular mail etc. With millions of consumers on social media, they can post comments in seconds or minutes, giving business owners lots to think about. Lastly, any engagement you have with consumers on social networking venues always needs to be positive. Even if a consumer or more than one rips your brand, avoid firing back a nasty response. It makes both you and your brand look silly. Finally, as a great tool as social media can be, never let it replace the one-on-one contact you have with consumers in person.

 

So, can you say that your business truly knows its customers?

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3 London experiences for the culturally minded

Travel

England has been a favorite tourist destination for years, especially with those inclined towards discovering its historical riches, from treasures of the monarchy to some of the best European and world art that has found its home here. It would be worthwhile to visit London if you’re planning a trip to Europe anytime soon.

So if museums and art galleries are your thing, London is most definitely a city that will fulfill your hunger for these things and some. Here are 3 things that you can and should do if you want to get the best out of your stay in London:

Theatres:

 

As London experiences go, seeing a play at the Globe is among the most sought after

Photo: David Stanley

Theatre culture is big in England. Hang on, Theatre culture is VERY, very big in England, and it is probably more present in London than anywhere else. Perhaps the quintessential representation of this would in fact be the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Shakespeare’s life and works are presented here in different formats from modern renditions of his plays to symposiums and talks for all ages to discover and enjoy. You can also delve back to the Elizabethan period and try out a bit of what life was like in the most famous Bard’s times.

 

Art Galleries:

Ever since the Renaissance period, England has garnered some fame in possessing some of the best artwork from all around. London’s art galleries are some of the better curated ones in Europe and display a vast range of historical masterpieces as well as contemporary works. The National Gallery is one of the most popular displaying works from between 13th to 19th century, covering some of the most important artists from various major movements including Renaissance and Victorian. You can also visit Royal Academy of Arts, which houses the only marble sculpture made by Michelangelo in all of England, the ‘Taddei Tondo’ or The Virgin and Child with the Infant St John as it is better known.

 

stoneart

If you have a more contemporary taste and want to check out some more modern work, make sure to visit the Saatchi Gallery, which albeit a much smaller one, it always has some of the best up and coming artists the circuit has to offer.

 

Photo: Michael Summers

Royal Sites:

When you think of England, you can help but imagine kings and queens in their glamorous gowns and fancy palaces. London is the place where you can walk into your imagination by witnessing some great royal sites that will leave you wonderstruck. Kensington Palace is one of the historical places which are open for tourists and you can enjoy the cultural and historical vibe there. Hampton Court Palace, Household Cavalry Museum and many other royal sites are open for tourists and you can enjoy such sites while you are visiting London.

No matter the London experiences that you have, a long list of memories will be attributed to each of these places and you will feel the beauty and cultural abundance in each of the sites that you visit.

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Tips For Maintaining Healthy Relationships (Literally)

Health & Fitness

Maintaining Healthy Relationships is possible to do via activities such as running

You’ve met the girl or guy of your dreams, you’ve hit it off and you want it all to be perfect. You want to do what you can to make it last – a healthy relationship is a good relationship, and the stronger and healthier you can make it upfront, the better you have of sticking together. Plus, you want to stay healthy, literally, in your life to enjoy it.

Here are a few tips to help you and your partner find that health relationship and stick with it. Also, the plus about going the healthy track with someone you’re interested in, you can support each other!

Be Safe in the Bed

It’s a new relationship- passionate, exciting and you really can’t keep your hands off of each other. But remember other hands may have touched, too. Be healthy with this new relationship, and keep your sex life safe. Part of this entails telling each other about any health issues regarding sexually transmitted diseases. You don’t have to reveal all of your past partners or past history, but be honest, especially in regards to any STD’s or past risky behavior. Be safe in your actions, too. Use condoms. For variety, take a look online. Yes, you can buy condoms online, and thought your new relationship may not need spicing up; you can still check it out.

Exercise Together

Maybe you are an avid exerciser – you love to get up early and bike on a Saturday morning or hit the gym every night after work. Or maybe not. Maybe your new girlfriend or boyfriend loves to exercise – or hates it. Either way, getting into an exercise program is so much easier with someone, and it can do wonders for your health. The fun thing about getting involved with exercise with your significant other – you can try new stuff. Maybe she’s into yoga, but you’re into rock climbing. Give each other’s thing a try. You never know – you may be one the grabbing your yoga mat and heading into crow pose before you know it. You can also do fun dates together that incorporate exercise. Go for a fun hike or take the dog for a walk, run a 5K together or do some hot yoga. The more fit you are, the more it opens up the things you can do together.

Eat Healthy

Just like exercise is something fun to do together, so is healthy eating. From shopping to cooking, a healthy meal can be an amazing date. You can take it a step further, and hit the farmer’s market early in the day, bring your yummy finds home and prepare a romantic meal together later. It’s a fun, healthy way to spend the day. You can also go on dates to new, healthier restaurants instead of your usual pizza place. Again, things like this can be much more fun with someone you enjoy being with. Exploring new foods in fun ways is a great date as you are getting to know your new partner better.

Encourage Each Other

Even if you’re not eating every meal or spending every free moment together, you can encourage each other to be the best each of you can be. In the excitement of a new romance, everything seems new and fresh. It’s a great time to gear into good health. Think about how much better you feel eating healthy, or how much more energy you have getting more exercise. Maybe one of you is already there in a good healthy place; bring the other one with you. It’s easy to slip into each other’s habits – choose the good ones. You can also encourage each other to make other healthy choices – stop smoking or drinking too much, get that check up from the doctor, let go of stress.

A new relationship is amazing – and maybe this is the one. If it is, you want to start with honesty and good choices – from sex and past behaviors to current habits and healthy choices. Enjoy each other, and encourage each other to be healthy and be around for each other for a long time. Leave your old baggage behind, from your bad eating habits to old, unhealthy relationships and enjoy this new one!

Image Source: http://www.fitnesswellnessblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Ways-for-Couples-to-Exercise-Together-500×258.jpg

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The ‘tummy tuck’: why an abdominoplasty could change your life

Health & Fitness

In today’s health-conscious world, more people are taking charge of their diet and exercise regime. People want to lose the extra baggage, get fit and change the way they feel about themselves by adopting a more positive mind-set.

For those people who lose a lot of weight though, this can lead to the problem of large amounts of saggy, excess skin. It can be very painful, upsetting and give people who have worked so hard for the body of their dreams low self-esteem.

There is a procedure that can help though: the abdominoplasty.

640px-Dr._Placik_Abdominoplasty

What is an abdominoplasty?

An abdominoplasty, or ‘tummy tuck’, is an operation that rejuvenate the skin around the stomach and abdomen. It removes excess skin and fat, contours the body and gives back confidence to the patient.

There are certain requirements you must meet to be eligible for the surgery, as it’s mainly performed on those of a normal, stable body weight who have developed excess skin or fat. For example, it could be through pregnancy, weight loss, aging, genetic or due to prior surgery.

This is certainly not a surgery to be taken lightly, though. There is a misconception within the industry that these will be given to people who just want to improve their contour after being encouraged by friends and family, or for those with unrealistic body expectations, which is not the case. You can also not apply if you smoke or have a significant medical history.

A lot of people contemplating an abdominoplasty often think that it will be very expensive, but truthfully the financial implication will be entirely dependent on your case. The cost usually includes the price of the surgeon, hospital care and the anaesthetic fee, although some clinics have specific packages.

How do I know the right surgeon to go for?

This is a tough field with a lot of competition, as plastic surgery has become one of the most sought after services in the medical industry. Plus, given how serious the surgery is, many people delay it out of fear of something going wrong or of picking a fraudster.

For these reasons, it can be difficult to know who to trust, and you need to know that whoever you pick will perform your surgery to the highest standard. The best thing to do is to base your decision on research into the field. Always make sure that you ask for references of previous patients and before/after photos to see the quality of their work.

The great thing about searching online is that practitioners will often post case studies online, so that potential patients can see how transparent they are. For example, people in search of an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery) in Manchester would come across Gary Ross and find tonnes of case studies already on his website. This is a great place to start, and will help to build that initial trust with you even before your first consultation.

Are you thinking about a tummy tuck? Or have you already had one? Let us know your story.

 

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Twelve of the Most Beautiful Flowers in the World

DIY / Home Improvement

Beautiful flowers such as the Columbine can be found in abundance in the alpine meadows of Colorado's Rocky Mountains ... photo by CC user mypubliclands on Flickr

Photo by CC user mypubliclands on Flickr

There are maybe only a handful of people in the world that do not appreciate the most beautiful flowers in the world. The colours, the smell, the shape or the many other beautiful features from these flowers are something you do not want to miss out on.

No two people would pick the same 12 flowers if they were asked which were their favourite. We do not even believe that florists at www.reidsflorists.co.uk would be able to agree.

My Own Personal Beautiful Flowers List is as Follows…

  1. One of the most beautiful flowers in my book is the Colorado Columbine, a native flower to the Rocky Mountains. This beautiful and rare mountain flower that grows at an altitude of over 14.000 feet, has delicate purple petals combined with white outer petals and a yellow stamen. It is an absolute vision of beauty.

 

  1. Canna is another flower that many people do not know of. The beautiful flower has extremely bright colours and unique patterns on the petals. It is visually amazing every time you see it and it always brings a smile to my face.

 

  1. Some people love this flower and some just do not see the beauty, but the Black Petunia with its velvet looking petals and deep black appearance with a yellow stamen is a special sight. It is a flower that is extremely rare and has been developed in recent years by horticulturists.

 

  1. Parrot Beak is a special flower, not only because it looks like a parrot’s beak, but also the beautiful colours of orange, red and black all mixed in to give the picture of a flower that is both unique and astonishing in appearance.

 

  1. Jade Wine is a flower that cannot be found outside the Philippines. It is rare and you will not find it in many colours. The petals range from mint green to blue green, but the claw like shape of the petals and hanging in truss of up to 3 metres.

 

  1. The Dahlia is another flower that has to be on my list. It is a flower that not catches your eye with its colour but also with its size. It can grow to over 30 centimeters and sprout many petals in an integrate pattern, that will intrigue and attract many admirers.

 

  1. The small delicate Cherry Blossom that is seen in spring is amazing. The flowers are delicate in colour and range from white to a light pink. To experience a Cherry Blossom tree in spring and see the petals fall to the ground like snowflakes is a sight you must experience at least once in your life. Consider planting one in your backyard if you live in a warm enough climate.

 

  1. The Bleeding Heart… they look like the name suggests, a bleeding heart. It looks so delicate and in red, pink and white colours it is a beautiful small flower that you can see from April to June.

 

  1. The Tulip is also amongst the prettiest and most beautiful flowers to be found. It comes in many colours. They bloom in the springtime and can be found in many gardens around the world and grows wild as well. And they do make some of the most beautiful bouquets.

 

  1. With a name like Lily of the Valley you know you will set your eyes upon something of extreme beauty. A small and delicate flower that will bloom in spring. They are also known as “Lady’s tears” due to their beautiful bells.

 

  1. The Magnolia is a tree that only blossoms for a few days in spring. But it is a sight to behold. The flowers are so beautiful that they are worth a detour just for you to look upon this tree in bloom.

 

  1. The Rose is considered to be the most beautiful flower in the world. And with good reason. With its perfect petals this flower has crowned itself the queen of them all!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The above beautiful flowers all makes an astonishing entrance whether it be in nature, in your garden, or in a bouquet. A blooming flower always draws attention for a reason. Because who can fail to enjoy their beauty.

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Is your company taking credit for a smooth business operation?

Business

Top notch customer service is at the nexus of a smooth business operation ... photo by CC user rahulrodriguez on Flickr

Photo by CC user rahulrodriguez on Flickr

In order to run your business down the path of success and not failure, you need to make sure you are giving customers everything they want and then some.

With that being the case, what exactly are you doing to make sure consumers have all the options needed to make their browsing and buying from you as smooth as possible?

If you’re not sure, take the time now to put a winning game-plan in place to ensure smooth business operation.

Technology is a necessity for smooth business operation

Start the process by looking at what level of technology you are provider customers with.

If it is great, then you don’t need to make any major changes. On the other hand, brands with average to poor technology offerings for their customers are the companies looking for trouble.

In order to best determine what level of technology service you are providing customers, look at the following and see where you’re at:

  1. Website – Face it; your website is your company’s greatest selling point. Without a formidable website, your brand will have trouble reaching countless consumers, many of whom could be your next customers. Review your site regularly to make sure it is firing on all cylinders. If your site offers an Ecommerce store, it is imperative that it is running properly 24/7/365. With more and more shoppers doing their browsing and buying online these days, it is imperative that your Ecommerce store (if you have one) works flawlessly. This is especially true when shoppers go to the “checkout” phase of a purchase. Nothing frustrates customers more than taking the time to fill out all the needed information for a purchase, only to have the credit card processor fail. That’s why it’s important to use a reliable credit card processor. Even without an online store, always review your website, looking for any potential shortfalls that could have a negative impact on business;
  2. Customer service – Put yourself in the shoes of customers for a moment. Don’t you get frustrated when you phone or email a business over an issue, only to essentially be ignored? It happens more times than not, leaving many customers disappointed, a disappointment that can lead to them changing businesses. Make stellar customer service a priority when it comes to your brand. Whenever a customer has an issue with your brand (online shopping, in-person matter etc.), always make their problem your problem. If you stop and think about it, bad customer service will become your problem sooner rather than later if you start losing business over it. Your website once again oftentimes plays a key role in this department. If customers are emailing you and/or reaching out on social media, make sure you do not keep them waiting when it comes to response time;
  3. Consistency – Whether you have been in business for many years or just recently started up your company, consistency is something you should never overlook. How you treat your customers, how you promote your brand, even how you go about ordering supplies, all should show a degree of consistency. While there is nothing wrong with trying out some new initiatives (in fact, encourage this), most customers want to know that they can count on your business for efficiency and dependability. Unveiling some new tech initiatives, especially things such as mobile marketing (see more below), are great ways to increase the odds of landing new business;
  4. Mobility – Speaking a moment ago about mobile marketing, how much of a role does it play in your present business affairs? If the answer is little or not at all, change that moving forward. As more customers turn to their mobile devices to browse and ultimately buy goods and services, you need to have a presence there whether you want to or not.

 

In today’s world, taking credit for running a smooth business operation is something you should be doing on a regular basis.

No, you’re not tooting your horn too much to say you’re on top of your game as a business owner.

What you are doing is reassuring consumers that you are a brand they can trust.

When you do that, your business stands to reap the public relations and financial benefits for all to see.

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A Guide to Surviving a Long Layover

Travel

The long layover is loathed by many ... how do you turn the experience on its head?

Whether expected or unexpected, a long layover between flights can be a grueling experience. Waiting for hours in an airport is not a pleasant experience, especially when you have a long flight ahead of you.

When it comes to a layover, there is not much you can do to shorten the length, as you are completely at the mercy of the airport. However, there are ways you can make your layover more comfortable, enjoying the time you have before taking flight.

Here is the ultimate survival guide for the long layover:

Entertainment

There is nothing worse than being stuck in a long layover without any form of entertainment. Many people make the mistake of packing their books, electronics, and charging cords in their luggage, leaving them with little to no way to pass the time in the airport.

In your carry-on bag, keep your phone or tablet cords handy, thus if you begin to run low on battery, you can charge up at a charging station while catching up on the news, your favorite TV shows through your Directv app, reading your favorite books, or listening to music.

Plus, over the airport’s wifi, you can stream your favorite movies or TV shows from Direct TV packages, download new books or albums to listen to, and keep up with your social media sites. There are also some great online games you can kill some time by utilizing free airport Wi-Fi. Try playing finding dory, it’s a lot of fun!

Exercise

Depending upon what airport you are in, there is often plenty to explore. If you know you are going to be sitting on a long flight, take the time you have during your layover to walk the airport. Not only will you be able to find interesting gift shops, you will also be stretching your legs and preparing them for a long flight of sitting.

Food

Most flights no longer serve food, unless it is an international flight, so enjoy a nice meal at one of the restaurants in the airport. Many people spend the whole layover time waiting at their gate when there is a whole airport to explore. Find a good restaurant, order a nice meal, and enjoy the atmosphere. Most of the restaurants have TVs where you can catch up on sports games or other highlights. Plus, most of the restaurants have a fully stocked bar so you can grab a drink and relax before your flight.

Sleeping well on a long layover

For those who do not sleep well on a flight, consider finding a quiet corner in the airport to catch up on your sleep. Set an alarm to ensure you do not miss your flight, grab your neck pillow, and enjoy the rest you can get before your flight.

Explore

Many airports have more than just restaurants or gift shops available. Some have museums, massage parlors, and other entertainment that can help pass the time. Getting up and checking out what the airport has to offer can help you stay alert and keep time for feeling like it is standing still.

While the long layover is not the most fun experience ever, with these tips, you can make the most out of it!

Image Source: https://pixabay.com/en/airport-travel-trip-transportation-925093/

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