One of the harsh realities of the contemporary business world is that in order to stay afloat, businesses of all sizes and industries constantly need to improve and move ahead. The world around is changing at such a rapid pace and so many new players enter the arena with each passing day that staying idle means nothing more than lagging behind.

Even so, numerous business owners, especially the ones working in the SMB sector are afraid to engage in thorough reforms fearing they will overstretch the companies budget and their gambles eventually won’t pay off.

We are here to break some good news. Effective improvements of your small business can be successfully pulled off in a very straightforward and budget-friendly manner with little to no risk involved. Let us take a look at some of the most intuitive mentions.

 

Establish relevant KPI for marketing

The success of some effort can only be assessed if we set up some parameters we will measure the overall results against. This knowledge is for measuring how far we have gone down the road, but also to make necessary course corrections. Marketing is, unfortunately, one of the business sectors that suffer the most from this lack of accurate and relevant metrics. So, do your best to remedy this problem by setting up Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for the following tangible results:

• Number of conversions
• Conversion rates
• Cost per conversion
• Number of leads
• Cost per lead
• Cost of customer acquisition
• Sales growth
• Search rankings

Set clear and tangible goals

Of course, relying on the KPIs to lead you through the business maze will amount to very little if you don’t have a seat of clear, measurable, and tangible goals you are going to work towards. Aside from the requirements we have listed above, your goals should also be productive and lead to effective progress. So, growing your customer base indefinitely is good, but knowing how many new clients you need to, for instance, launch a new product. This way of mechanical thinking combined with incremental short-term objectives will expose you to clear and concrete measures you need to make to get the ball moving.

 

Move your infrastructure to the cloud

Cloud computing offers a plethora of tangible benefits. It’s more affordable than maintaining on-site infrastructure, offers a great level of scalability and versatility (“pay-as-you-go” pricing model), and creates endless possibilities for collaboration, outsourcing, and remote working. What’s even better, you don’t even have to develop new departments within your company to use this novel technology. For instance, if you plan to start using Amazon Web Services, you can hire a remote team to perform the migration, maintenance, and managed AWS professional services.

 

Upgrade the sales funnel

If you are not familiar with the term, the sales funnel represents the set of steps people need to take to become your customers. No matter whether it exists in the form of a retail store, online store, sales team or personal consultations, a good and streamlined sales funnel usually consists of these four basic steps:

• Awareness
• Interest
• Desire
• Action

What can you do to refine and streamline these four steps? For a start, you can segment your customers into different, distinct groups and create the most suitable approach for each of them. Second, you can adjust your portfolio to suit these customer groups and make your sales items more approachable. Last but not least, you can reduce friction on checkouts and forms to make the purchasing process convenient, easy, and versatile (you should include as many payment options as possible).

 

Put some effort into team building

This advice may sound beaten to death at this point but it’s good advice nevertheless. The recent survey says that 86% of employees cite a lack of collaboration for workplace failures. On the other hand, efficient workplace collaboration can increase innovation by 15%. These numbers are something you should by all means keep in mind if you want to keep your company competitive long-term. Fortunately, the opportunities for efficient team building are as abundant as they are affordable and the constant evolution of digital tech only makes this plethora of activity options more expensive.

Boost your online and social media presence

We are not even talking about some convoluted online strategies. For instance, small upgrades like presenting the contact info on every page of your website can go a long way in making your business more streamlined and approachable. Furthermore, hiring a team to develop a content strategy for your social media channels and keep them open 24/7 can do wonders for your customer relationship as well as lure in new people who were not necessarily interested in your products and services. Finally, you can never go wrong by investing more money into your SEO efforts since 70% of marketers today consider this form of marketing far more effective than PPC.

We hope these couple of tips gave you some idea about the general direction on which you should take your company in the following months and years. In this day and age, constantly pushing your business forward is the only way to stay profitable. Still, spearheading your way through the business arena doesn’t have to be all too hard, or for that matter expansive. Now that you know the basics, all you need to do is to take some action.

Vasectomy, or what you call permanent contraception, is a route that quite a few people have taken. While it is still something that not everyone trusts, people have started researching it and think that it can solve quite a lot of problems.

Vasectomy also became something more people preferred due to its apparently lesser side effects than female contraception and abortion which is harmful to the female body and is seen as taking life in many parts of the world. Quite a few states have also made abortion illegal, and at the same time, the peril that female contraception brings did make room for another alternative for people who were not yet ready to have kids. 

 

What does a vasectomy entail?

Vasectomy should not overall have any worst effects on your body. The male body can still ejaculate, but the semen does not contain any sperm; thus, it does not and cannot impregnate anyone. During the surgery, the two tubes, namely vas deferens, are cut and sealed. These tubes are actually responsible for carrying sperms from testicles to the male urethra; thus, this connection is terminated.

On a side note: there is also a thing known as reversible vasectomy, so even if you think that it would be a decision not worth it, you can always have that reversed. Do it whenever you think you are ready to become a parent, but you can be sure that you are safe until then. However, you always need to evaluate when you want to get this reversed because after a decade has passed, the success rate declines heavily.

 

Vasectomy has its pros and cons

Vasectomy in Renton WA is a form of permanent contraception. After that, it is no longer necessary to use other forms of contraception. However, a vasectomy does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) – so if you are not in a monogamous relationship, make sure to get tested regularly, even if you don’t have any symptoms. Look up Gonorrhea test near me in the search bar to find the nearest clinic to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases. As with any surgical procedure, there is little chance of complications. Talk to your doctor about these risks. Most importantly, as it is permanent, take the time to make an informed decision.

 

Vasectomy does not reduce sexual pleasure

You will continue to ejaculate after the vasectomy, but the sperm will not contain any semen. In fact, sperm has only a very small part of the sperm volume – you will not notice any change. A vasectomy does not affect one’s libido, the capacity to get an erection, or the way you feel when you orgasm. You can also enjoy more sex knowing your partner can’t get pregnant. Unless you are in a monogamous relationship, be sure to practice safe sex with a barrier method, such as a condom, to prevent STDs.

 

Reversing a vasectomy is possible but complicated

Since the vasectomy is permanent, it is a crucial life decision. The urologist may be able to reverse the vasectomy by reattaching the ends of the tubes. However, a reverse vasectomy is much more complicated than a vasectomy and may not be successful. This is also expensive. When deciding whether to undergo a vasectomy, it is important to consider the likelihood that you or your partner will want to reverse this in the future.

 

Use other forms of contraception while a vasectomy is becoming effective

The effectiveness of a vasectomy can take 12 weeks or more. If you have sex during this time, you or your partner will need to use another form of contraception. After three months, the doctor will examine the semen sample for sperm. Once the doctor’s office confirms that you have no semen in your sperm, you can have sex without worrying about conceiving a baby.

 

Urologists perform most vasectomies

If you are interested in a vasectomy, ask your GP or local public health department to perform them on-site. Urologists regularly perform vasectomies, usually in an outpatient surgery center or doctor’s office. Some general surgeons and family doctors also perform vasectomies. The cost ranges from around $ 350 to $ 1,000, and your health insurance can cover it.

 

Expect some discomfort after the vasectomy

While it would not affect your health, it is bound to cause you discomfort. Local anesthesia will prevent you from experiencing pain during the procedure; you will probably feel only a slight pinch from the anesthesia injection. During a vasectomy, you may experience a slight pulling or pulling sensation. Your scrotum can be painful for several days. Wearing tight underwear, applying ice to the area, and taking over-the-counter pain medications can help relieve discomfort.

 

What are the common misconceptions about vasectomy?

Misconceptions about vasectomy can unnecessarily increase anxiety. A vasectomy is simply the disconnection of the vas deferens, the tubes that supply sperm from semen to semen or sperm during intercourse. Vasectomy does not involve removing the testicles. Concerns about erectile dysfunction are also unfounded. After a vasectomy, the testes will still produce sperm, but the sperm dies and is absorbed by the body. Sexual health does not change: Testosterone levels remain the same, and the ability to achieve an erection is not compromised.

 

How is the recovery period supposed to be?

Patients can be sent home with a prescription for pain medication, although Tylenol may be all that is needed to relieve the discomfort. The most important part of recovering after a vasectomy is easy. Physical activity during the first two days should be limited to relaxing on the sofa and watching television. On the first day of recovery, men will also need to hold an ice pack on their scrotum for 20 minutes every hour until they fall asleep. One can expect to return to work within 24-48 hours of progress. During the first week after the procedure, you should avoid routine exercises that include strenuous activity, weight lifting, or swimming.

 

Bottom line

While vasectomy may look like the best solution to you, it may not be the thing you should get done if you only temporarily feel that you do not want to have a child and would have a tendency to question this decision in the future or think that you would more partners in the future. While this decision may be sitting well with your current partner, it may not be something that your future partner might like.

The primary reason most people choose medicine is because of the honest and sincere intention to help people. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most honorable and respectful professions. Whether healthcare practitioners work in hospitals or private practice, they restore health and bring a real difference in people’s lives.

The concept of a patient-practitioner relationship isn’t something new. It’s a critically important element for a successful and sustainable healthcare system. However, the evaluation of the factors that significantly influence this relationship is still in its initial stage.

Due to this, another crucial perspective gets overlooked, which is equally important, if not more, i.e., about patients. The distinctive characteristics and qualities of healthcare practitioners greatly influence the clinical experience of the patients. Unfortunately, this is something patients fail to realize.

Aren’t they the reason why healthcare workers practice in the first place? Why not value their viewpoints and listen to what they expect from the healthcare system?

There are countless benefits of a healthy patient-healthcare worker relationship. A few of them include increased patient satisfaction, improved diagnosis, more compliance to the treatment schedule, and positive results. However, it’s pretty challenging to overcome the barriers that impede the path of a constructive relationship.

The article reveals some of the crucial elements that strengthen the patient-practitioner relationship:

 

1. Deliverance of optimum care

The idea of continuity of care is paramount to establish a relationship of trust. Continuity of care is a process that involves both the patients and the healthcare workers to ensure the deliverance of the highest quality care.

Often, patients encounter several professionals in the healthcare facility for different purposes. And this raises concerns for fragmentation of care. Since nurses are an integral part of the healthcare system, they serve as mediators between patients and other health teams.

Although continuity of care nursing is complex, nurses should use their critical thinking skills and technical knowledge to provide holistic care and cater to patients’ needs. In addition, they must advocate for the patient’s concerns and communicate them to other healthcare members.

That way, patients can receive quality care at the right time, and healthcare workers can provide strong rapport.

 

2. Strong communication

Communication is a two-way road. Patients and healthcare professionals should practice excellent communication skills to get on the same page. Providers should convey complex medical information and instructions in simple terms that are understandable and sounds reasonable to the patients.

Moreover, good communication doesn’t restrict to speaking only; it also involves active listening. Healthcare professionals should listen intently, understand patients’ concerns and repeat what they say to show their immersion in the conversation.

Also, it’s imperative to use non-verbal cues such as nodding the head, constant eye contact, and leaning forward to show interest. Through these signs, patients feel a sense of acknowledgment, security, and comfort.

Likewise, patients should be honest about their condition when talking to their practitioners. Not sharing accurate information and only disclosing the brief details might affect the treatment process and care delivery. Instead of feeling self-conscious and uncomfortable, patients should be as candid as possible.

 

3. Mutual decision-making

The key to thriving in the healthcare career depends on the relationship with the patients. The more healthy a relationship is, the more likely patients are to cooperate with the healthcare workers. Thus, to strengthen the bond, it’s indispensable that healthcare professionals keep the patients in the loop and go for shared decision-making.

Shared or mutual decision-making refers to a multi-pronged approach in which the practitioners and patients work collaboratively to map out a treatment plan. Instead of making their own decisions, providers should indulge the patients in conversations.

After complete assessment and diagnosis of the patient, healthcare workers should first discuss various treatment choices available. Once the patient settles on a particular option, the provider must point out and explicitly explain the pros and cons of that treatment plan.

That way, patients will feel independent and in control and probably comply with the treatment plan, thereby enhancing outcomes.

 

4. Empathy

The institution of a constructive patient-practitioner relationship lies on the golden rule of empathy. When treated with empathetic clinicians, patients feel more at ease and feel contented. Therefore, healthcare professionals who wish to break the code of high patient satisfaction should also practice empathy during practice.

When healthcare professionals put themselves in patients’ shoes, only then it’s possible to understand their feelings and concerns. While the practitioner might not be in the exact situation as the patient, still, they must think of an incident when they were at the receiving end of diagnosis.

Healthcare workers who showcase compassion can relate with the patients differently and make them feel valued. Therefore, if they have some heart-shattering news to share, use positive words and consider the patient’s feelings. Or providers can share their own stories to strengthen the connection.

To sum it all, the positive patient-provider relationship is utterly impossible if there is no involvement of empathy from the beginning.

 

Final Words

To say that a lasting patient-practitioner relationship only requires mutual understanding would be a bit of an understatement. It takes a great deal of time and endeavor from both sides to forge a healthy relationship and encourage good health practices.

While it is beyond doubt that healthcare professionals have never ceased to provide quality care. Unfortunately, during this fast-paced and time-crunched work settings, it’s easy to push the thought of a valuable patient-practitioner at the back of the mind.

There has been a recent rise in the trend of drinking gin in recent years. This has enabled a rise in gifting people gin gift packs which contain a wide range of things other than just the bottle of gin. This includes various types of botanicals, spices, a beaker, and a funnel, along with a flask for the prepared alcohol.

Therefore, quite a few factors need to be thought upon before buying a gin gift pack. The factors that determine in selecting the ideal gin gift pack are written below.

The type of user receiving the gift

With the rise in the popularity of drinking gin, buying gin gift packs has also increased. This has enabled the creation of a wide range of gin gift packs depending on the complications involved in the mixology of the gins and the botanicals depending on the specified preference. Gifting four pillars gin bottles is a perfect choice since it’s a reputable brand people prefer and love to try.

Gifting a complex mixology-induced gift pack to a beginner in gin consumption might not be a good choice. So, it is essential to know about the knowledge of mixology known to the gifted person. The gin gift packs range from essential gin-tasting flavoring boxes to molecular mixology gin gift sets, so the knowledge of the gifted is an essential factor in selecting the ideal gin gift pack.

The Reason for the Gift

The reason for gifting any gin gift pack has great importance on selecting a gin gift pack. If the person to who it is to be gifted is a beginner in curating personalized gins, then different types of easy mixology-based gin gift packs would suit the need. However, veteran gin curators love the more complicated DIY gin-infusing gift packs.

If the gift pack is to influence someone to start curating their gin, then the different types of Gin tasting gift packs and the botanicals cut. On the other hand, people who know basic mixology can opt for the much complex molecular mixology or increase the type of botanicals to make things interesting. Thus, knowing the reason for the gift is a valid point in determining the ideal gin gift packs.

Knowing the Preference of the User

Knowing the user’s preference can be a valid point in determining an ideal gin gift pack because of its variants. People who drink gin generally acquire a specific taste for the drink, especially those who curate their flavors of gin out of craft gin. This preference of the acquired taste can also help enable the knowledge about the mixology of the user.

Knowing the preference of the gifted person can help in choosing because the preference can determine the mixology complication, which in turn can give an insight about that person’s knowledge over that stuff. The preference, however, is subject to change among users due to various user-oriented users. If the gifted tend to fluctuate preferences, then gifting a gin gift pack with a broader range of botanicals and spices along with some snacks would be the ideal bet.

Playing it safe

There are various scenarios in life where you cannot understand the taste and preference of the gifted person. In this case, just knowing the person’s ability to mix alcohol could do the trick. Going for a basic gin gift pack of 2 to 3 bottles of craft gin with an array of botanicals at the user’s disposal to create their version of gin could be the safest option. In scenarios such as this, the best gift should be a basic beginner-level gin gifset.

They are accompanied with some snacks and munchies, with a selected generalized array of botanicals that render to mild trustworthy flavored gins. In the account of choosing the right botanicals, general popular flavors should do the trick as curating from craft gins is an exciting affair anyway. However, the safest bet in choosing a gin gift pack when there is a lack of information is always to play safe and gift a basic general gin gift set.

The four points that have been discussed above are the valid points that should be considered while gifting an ideal gin gift pack. These points, along with some others, are the essential points that people need to keep in mind if they want to have an ideal gin gift pack to give someone.

Sometimes, as mothers, we neglect our own needs over everyone else that we’re charged with taking care of. When this happens, we get burnt out and cannot perform the most demanding job on Earth as well as we know we can. In the same way, we want to keep our babies their healthiest during winter. It’s time for us to prepare our bodies to be in tip-top shape as we head towards the wintry months and cold and flu season. So, let’s take a look at some easy lifestyle changes to implement to stay healthy as moms. And let’s face it, if it’s “easy,” we’re much more likely to incorporate it into our day-to-day routines and stick with it.

 

Start With Sleep 

Remember before you had your first child and everyone with their well-meaning advice said, “sleep when the baby sleeps”? Well, you quickly learned that many other things in the household would fall by the wayside if you did that. But when you were out of the baby phase, you may have regretted not taking that sage advice. Because, when we’re low on sleep and feeling burnt out, we realize that maybe some of those dishes could’ve stayed in the sink, and the house wouldn’t have fallen apart. 

So, make sure you’re getting in at least eight or nine hours of sleep a night. Maybe this will cut into private time with your spouse, but find another time in the day to be spontaneous! It would be best if you were well-rested not only to be a patient mama but to maintain your overall physical and mental health. Sleep is proven to be therapeutic and beneficial to our health. 

 

Watch What You Eat 

Don’t get things twisted –  we’re not talking about weight loss here. Bodies are beautiful in all shapes and sizes, but what we eat directly impacts our physical health and mood. It can be easy to fall into the trap of grabbing quick and convenient food as a busy parent. But, most of those foods are full of over processed ingredients and a ton of sugar, which leaves us feeling more tired after we eat them and, in general, unwell. Instead, try to make sure your house is mainly filled with healthy, nutrient-dense food. That way, when you need a quick snack, it’s a banana, not a candy bar. That’s not to say you can’t indulge occasionally, and you deserve a treat for being a strong mother. 

Additionally, if you’re feeling sluggish and have mainly consumed fast food and convenience items, you should consider a detox plan. These types of plans are great because they can help you clear out toxins and give you energy. They also work amazingly on your gut health, which is super important. 

 

Get Regular Exercise 

Though running around after children, up and downstairs with laundry, and typical household and work tasks do get us moving, it’s not the same as getting in regular physical exercise. The critical thing about bodily exercise is that it keeps you in shape, benefits your mental health, and makes you more capable of dealing with stress as it comes and goes. 

The key to a solid exercise program is finding something that you genuinely enjoy doing. When you like the form of exercise you’ve chosen, you are more likely to incorporate it into your daily routine because it becomes an escape for you. If you haven’t found an exercise that you enjoy yet, take a look on an App Store or Youtube to find tutorials that can ease you gently into new workout types. Many of them have free programs you can join to keep you motivated and accountable. So, get moving, mamas!

 

Practice Gratitude 

In the hustle and bustle of raising littles and keeping up with work and house life, it’s easy to snap sometimes when we lose patience. This is normal and nothing to be ashamed of. Of course, you want to explain to your beloved children why that happened and apologize, but to err is human. It helps if you can try and practice gratitude in times of severe burnout and frustration. Even if you can only find five minutes alone in the kitchen pantry – take some deep breaths and remind yourself how much you love your family and what you have to be grateful for. It’s much easier to approach a rowdy household or child not listening if you take a few minutes to ground and center yourself. Mindfulness also plays a crucial role in overall health and well-being.

There’s nothing easy about being a mother. Even though it’s rewarding as all get out and the love indescribable, sometimes it can wear even the toughest mama down. So, make sure you’re doing the things mentioned above and others you may already be doing to keep yourself in the best physical shape and immunity as high as possible as we head into winter. Here’s to your health, mamacita!

Coming up with a name for a baby is a fun and exciting time in a new parent’s life. You can get really creative in the name you give to your baby.

Still, it can be tough navigating through all the different possible names you might give your baby. There are a ton of them out there.

Here are five tips that can help you choose your baby’s name.

 

Avoid illegal names

You should avoid giving your baby an illegal name. As to what exactly is an illegal name, that varies. Each state has its laws as to what constitutes an illegal name. For example, you generally cannot include a numeral, special characters, or an emoji in your baby’s name. This is part of the reason why Elon Musk and Grimes couldn’t name their baby “X AE A-XI.”

There aren’t many names that are outright banned, though. You could hypothetically name your baby “Dolphin” or “Banana.” You probably shouldn’t give your baby either of those names, but you are free to do so if you choose.

Some common illegal names are probably ones you could guess, like naming your baby “Jesus Christ” or “Adolf Hitler.” Others might not be as obvious. Some states prohibit you from naming your baby “King” or “Queen.” If you’re really unsure about your baby’s name, it doesn’t hurt to do some research on your state’s laws.  

 

Avoid trends or fads

Naming your baby after a popular celebrity or fictional character happens often, but it should be avoided. Fads fade, and people can fall out of favor with the public quicker than you’d imagine.

Think back to how many people kept naming their children after the Game of Thrones character Daenerys, only to probably regret it considering Daenerys actions at the end of the series. It’s best to avoid going with trends or fads.

 

Analyze the entire name

It’s one thing to imagine what your baby’s first name will be, but you need to imagine how their entire name will be. That includes their middle and last name.

It helps to say your baby’s entire name to get a good feel for what it sounds like. You should also write it down or type it up to see how it looks.

You might end up discovering your baby’s entire name sounds kind of funny. You might also notice their initials might be a bit silly. Imagine your child’s name is “Billy Ulysses Turner.” Their initials would be “B.U.T.” and might make them the target of some bullying as they grow up. 

 

Consider meanings

Names generally have some meaning attached to them. For example, the name “Paul” means “humble” or “small,” and the name “Melinda” means “sweet.”

Having your baby’s name mean something or not shouldn’t be a dealbreaker, but it can hold significance. You could give your baby a name you would hope they would eventually live up to. For instance, you could name your baby “Ethan,” which means “strong” or “safe,” with the hope your baby will one day live up to its namesake.

 

Honor the past

It doesn’t hurt to keep certain naming traditions going or name your baby after a loved one you respect.

Some people have a tradition of giving their firstborns a name that starts with a specific letter. Others might have a tradition where they pass down their name to their baby.

Naming a baby after a loved one is a great show of respect. It’s a great way to honor a loved one that’s passed or to show how much you appreciate someone.

 

Final Thoughts

It’s tough coming up with a baby’s name. It’s the name they might carry with themselves for their entire lives.

However, you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself when it comes to figuring out a name. Take it easy, and the right name will come to you. 

Most leading law firm founders would say that developing a successful practice isn’t a simple task. Success gets measured by various verticals and can get lost fast. There can be losses at the courtroom cases as well.

Similar to any other business, even in law success isn’t a linear path. And it’s essential for a leading law firm to undergo several changes and walk-through times of losses. A successful law firm doesn’t just happen in a day. Instead, it takes years of dedication.

The important factors for a successful law firm according to John Giorgi

Do you own a law firm? If yes, here are a few pointers that will enable you to maximize your growth potential.

 

1. Create a vision and stay committed

A successful firm requires to have a correct vision aided by strong core values. By selecting a few essential values, you can allow your team to come up with small decisions that pass through the firm and help in making bigger decisions. Also, it’s essential to keep these values simple. If there are increased core values you might find it challenging to remain focused. Hence, assess the values that you want to use during successful and hard times.

 

2. Choose your partners and leadership wisely

Similar to any other business, even your law firm is as good as the leaders. Hence, when you are recruiting people for leadership positions, chose the ones who have good work ethic and possess a greater vision. Excellent work ethic can offer the partners with every zest and zeal to work on long-term projects says John Giorgi. And the broader vision will ensure that they are on the correct track.

 

3. You should invest in organization culture

If you wish to develop a good organization culture, make sure that both social and professional scopes for the co-workers assemble daily. The meetings are a scope to discuss the work adjective in a good environment and can result in social gatherings as well. And when everyone, from the receptionist to your managing partners, abide by this culture, you will find an improvement in the organization effectiveness.

 

4. You should be always client-driven

Once you outline yourself, it is essential to embrace the value for the clients. You should focus on the client’s requirements and cater to them in the best way. John Giorgi says that legal work is essential and you have to give your best for each case. Listen to your clients carefully and suggest the scopes of improvement. And you should look at the clients as an extension of the firm’s vision.

 

5. Standardize common processes and systems

A fraction of your client-driven culture depends on the company and the shared understanding of common processes. The probable clients will also leave the firm just in case you appear unreliable, unorganized or ineffective in the first impression. Do you want to make a good first impression? If yes, have guidelines for the employees to follow all through the case and intake process. It can comprise of consistent pricing, record-keeping process and various other aspects that can save your client’s time.

These are the five essential pillars that can help to make your law-firm a successful one in the future.

Not all blogs are created equal. That’s just how it is. When we’re searching through lifestyle blogs, very often, most of what’s on offer just doesn’t fit well. Then you read half a blog, get bored, and move to the next one.

Admittedly, It’s not the very worst thing in the whole wide world, but things do tend to get a little samey after a while. Nothing is quite what you were hoping for, and what should have been a compelling journey through lifestyle articles becomes dull and frustrating.  

It’s right at this point that our little compilation enters the fray! We’ve done the hard yards and emerged with a great selection of lifestyle blogs and articles to suit your tastes. Take a look below because something is bound to grab your interest.

 

1. Modamily

Modamily is an online network that helps connect people who are ready to start families, whether they are looking for romantic, platonic parenting, or known-donor relationships. Modamily was the first digital platform of its kind to provide this service in the U.S. and its app continues to be a great resource for prospective parents around the globe. They also feature blog content related to building a family whether it be a co-parenting, sperm donor, or even surrogate resources as their blog aims to help educate prospective parents on all the opportunities available to them.

 

2. The Babe Report

The Babe Report is a popular lifestyle blog that focuses on dating advice, wellness, mental health, beauty, and travel. The Babe Report has been syndicated by POPSUGAR, HuffPost, Elite Daily, Bustle, YourTango, Thought Catalog, and many other publications. The founder, Erica Gordon, initially started The Babe Report as a relationship advice column while she was working for one of the world’s largest dating sites. She’s since been able to grow it into a lifestyle blog with a worldwide audience.

 

3. Sustain Health

Sustain Health is the first-of-its-kind online digital magazine that is non-gender specific in its articles regarding all things fitness and sports.
SH helps its readers perform at the best of their abilities bringing them the latest and best apparel, nutrition, tech, and fitness/sports news that is out there to aid them in fulfilling their goals.

 

4. The Multitasking Woman

Eva, the woman behind The Multitasking Woman, transformed her blog into a Mental Health & Wellbeing blog after her diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder in 2017. The Multitasking Woman aims to give hope, inspiration, and guidance to women struggling with family, career, and mental health juggling.

 

5. DietZones.com 

DietZones.com, is your go-to destination for all things entertainment, health, diet, and beauty. We have built a community of modern women and we are familiar with all of their needs. That’s why we work incredibly hard to ensure that our platform is always up to date with the best entertainment, health, diet, celebrity, beauty, and gossip news that can be available with a simple click.

 

6. Made In A Pinch

Made In A Pinch is a family lifestyle site by moms and for moms to help eliminate the overwhelm and stress many moms face by providing real-life experience, practical solutions to common issues, fun ideas to do with the kids and as a family, and easy, delicious recipes that kids will actually eat. Come check out your new one-stop resource for all things family-related!

 

7. PuckerMob

PuckerMob is a blog for women, on all things Fashion, Fitness, Beauty and Business.

 

8. Bed Guru

Bed Guru, You dream it, we make it. Made to measure mattresses, bed frames, and divan bases in any size. Over 200 standard UK, EU, and custom sizes to make your dream bedroom a reality.

 

9. Happy Healthy Hippie

Happy Healthy Hippie is a health & wellness brand that was born out of a genuine passion for a healthy, natural, and intentional life. This includes using the gifts of nutrient-filled plants that nature has provided us. The founders, Kylie and Keio, are working to promote the message of healthy, conscious living through the HHH blog and their 100% organic and natural products.

 

10. NativePath

At NativePath, we’re on a mission to restore human health by rediscovering the Native way to eat. We do this by providing the purest, most natural ingredients that Mother Nature has to offer. Choose from Grass-Fed Collagen, Collagen Coffee Creamer, Wild-Caught Krill Oil, and more to look and feel your very best.

 

11. EnviroMom

EnviroMom is a blog about sustainable living for busy parents. There are lots of tips for reducing waste around the house and the garden. I like it because it keeps it real and practical without being the eco-police.

 

12. Cathy Taughinbaugh

Because of her own child’s drug use journey, Cathy, a certified parent coach, is passionate about supporting parents with research-based skills to help struggling teens or young adults. She is the author of  The Compassion Antidote: A Path to Change for You and Your Child Struggling with Substance Use.

As a result of her journey with her own child’s drug use, Cathy, a former educator became a Certified Parent Coach to help other parents struggling because of their child’s substance use. Cathy was an elementary school teacher for fifteen years. She has a Certificate of Completion from Robert J. Meyers, Ph.D.& Associates, Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) and is certified in the Invitation to Change Approach. Cathy is one of over 350 Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) Parent Network Coaches trained by the Center for Motivation and Change and the Partnership to End Addiction. She is the author of “The Compassion Antidote.” You can learn more at her website, www.cathytaughinbaugh.com.

13. We Made This Vegan

We Made This Vegan – You will mainly find delicious vegan recipes (all homemade!) and also a spattering of beauty and lifestyle content, from homemade moisturizer to DIY crafts.

14. My Life Your Way

My Life Your Way – is a lifestyle blog full of informational articles about interiors, beauty, fashion, food, and travel ideas. It is a brilliant resource for the busy working woman who is interested in broadening her knowledge base and living life to the full.

15. We Made This Life

We Made This Life – An aspirational parenting and lifestyle blog featuring recipes, parenting tips, interior design ideas, and much more.

16. Pilot

Pilot is the brand-new trip planner that helps you discover and build travel itineraries connecting you to resources everywhere. Make the planning experience more fun by collaborating with your travel buddies! Pilot makes it fun and easy to share and relive your favorite travel memories with many useful features, which include Flightdeck, our complementary travel resource to help you discover, explore, and get inspired on all things travel!

17. GenTwenty

GenTwenty is a career, financial, and self-development resource for twenty-somethings who are growing up and navigating the real world. With a free resource library, they’ll help you make the most of your twenties.

18. Miss MV

Miss MV is a lifestyle blog that features the latest trends in fashion, beauty, personal finance, home décor, and DIY. What sets us apart from other blogs is that we care about our audience and we try to build a close relationship by allowing them to express their opinion.

We’ve worked with large and small brands and independent artists to help them set the foundation for their businesses. Our mission is to share the best information possible, helping people make the most of what they have and also supporting local, national, and international business owners.

There’s no doubt that moving houses is an exciting process. You may already have a vision of how you want to decorate your new place, and you’re excited about all the changes you’re going to make so that it feels like a home. Your new home is basically a blank canvas you can use to express your personality and creativity. The fact that it’s currently a bare and empty space is precisely the reason why you need to give your new home a deep clean before you move in.

Not only is cleaning an empty home easier compared to a place filled with all the boxes and furniture, but it’s also a way to give yourself a peace of mind knowing that you’ve taken care of all the nooks and crannies previous owners may not have. Whether you’re renting or buying, here are some tips on what to clean when you move into a new home.

 

Tackle the bathroom first

This is the most used space in the entire house, both during the move-out and the move-in. This is why it makes sense that you’d start by cleaning the bathroom first. Start at the top, as you would with any other room, dusting and vacuuming the accumulated dust and cobwebs. Rely on an all-purpose cleaner to wipe down the windows, cabinets, vanity drawers, and linen closets. Then, move on to the tub, shower, sink, and toilet, giving them a thorough scrub using a disinfecting cleaner.

Remember to disinfect all the switches, paper holders, door handles, faucets, and make sure to change the toilet seats. If you’ve got your dryer next to your washer, be sure to give them a thorough scrub as well. Clogged dryer vents are notorious for starting dryer fires. Cleaning the vents regularly prevents the buildup of dirt and lint, and the same goes for ducts and filters.

 

Move on to your kitchen space

Now that you’ve got your bathroom in order, it’s time to tackle the heart of the home – the kitchen. The best place to start with disinfecting your kitchen space is the fridge. You need a place to store all your perishables, so this is the step of the move in cleaning process that you shouldn’t put off. Remove all the shelves and drawers and use soap and warm water to clean them. Repeat the process with the freezer. Rely on vinegar and water to clean the inside of the fridge, and return everything once it’s dry.

For the rest of the kitchen, start at the top, tackling the ceiling, lighting fixtures, walls, and the upper cabinets. Move on to the appliances, countertops, and sink, using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to remove stubborn stains. Finish by cleaning the inside and the outside of the cabinets and disinfecting all the handles.

 

Tackle the rest of your living space

For the rest of your living space, you’ll need to change your cleaning routine a bit. Instead of cleaning room by room, tackle the dirt and grime by going item by item and working with gravity.

Take your duster, microfiber cloth, and your vacuum, tackling all the ceilings, walls, corners, and lighting fixtures at first. Pay special attention to ceiling fans, shelving, and other elements close to the ceiling that tend to get neglected. Speaking of the areas where the dust tends to accumulate, remember to change the air filters in your HVAC units. Scrub down glossy paint walls, and take a gentler approach to cleaning wallpapers and flat paint. Make sure to wipe all the moulding, trim, window casings, too, leaving your bedrooms, hallways, and living room spotlessly clean.

 

Finish things off by tackling the floors

A proper cleaning process always starts at the top and finishes at the bottom. Start by vacuuming the remaining debris and using the right attachments to tackle edges and corners. Depending on the type of flooring, you want to make sure you’re using the right cleaning products.

Mild and wood soaps work best for laminate, hardwood, and engineered wood, while stone, linoleum, tiles, and concrete floors will all require different cleaning solutions after being swept or vacuumed. Carpets and rugs, on the other hand, will benefit greatly from a professional steam cleaning. They often harbor bacteria, germs, and allergens that can be successfully eliminated with deep floor cleaning done by a professional.

 

Wrapping up

A new home comes with new possibilities, allowing you to be creative and transform it into a place you’ll love. That said, it also comes with a list of cleaning tasks that need to be tackled sooner rather than later. Keep this list in mind next time you’re moving homes, and you can rest assured you’ll be starting this new chapter in life off on the right foot.

Human resources are the soul of every organization both large or small. Here’s what we think many may not know, though. How do HR managers measure the performance of their employees?

Wondering why a certain colleague gets recognized and awarded during their company’s annual dinner event and more than once, too? We know what that’s like.

What’s their secret? Read on to find out. 

Those employees know something others don’t. They know the key performance indicators of an employee in that particular organization. Different organizations have their unique policies and mode of operation. This also applies to their key performance indicators. All of this is taken into account during performance management review.

What is measured in an affiliate marketing company will be different from what is measured as performance in a book publishing company. However, certain key performance indicators are commonly measured. 

So what are these key performance evaluation tools that the HR managers use to measure employees’ performance in an organization? Why is Henry getting awards at the annual company’s dinner event and others don’t?

Let’s delve right in to know why. The first performance metric is clients’ satisfaction. 

 

Clients’ Satisfaction

No organization will be in business without its clients. It’s a common performance metric for employees. So how do they relate with the organization’s clients?

Let’s look at a telecommunication firm, for instance. Gemma is a customer care representative at the firm and is in charge of fielding calls from subscribers phoning to lodge complaints. Unfortunately, Gemma is temperamental and easily loses her cool when a client gets insistent on certain requests. She becomes rude, forgetting she is projecting the image of her firm to the subscribers. This goes on for a while until the firm notices that they are experiencing a significant decline in subscribers. A quick investigation into the source of the problem is launched, and HR discovers from the reviews online that the firm has one of the worst customer support centers.

An unsatisfied client is an unhappy client. An unhappy client is bad for business. When a business becomes bad, it will reflect in the performance metrics of that organization. The customers’ rate of satisfaction with the products and services is a key performance metric for every company. Conversely, organizations experiencing a surge in growth and stock value are keeping their clients happy. 

On the other hand, when the clients are not happy, they will seek satisfaction elsewhere (going to the competitors). This can gradually lead to a decline in business and the company’s market value. This metric can be quantified or measured by the number and nature of reviews, recommendations, and testimonials about the company’s products or services. 

 

Employees’ Productivity

HR managers look at the quality of work done by the organization’s employees to gauge their performance. It’s beyond keeping up with task deadlines, working efficiently, getting the job done, and doing it well. No supervisor will applaud a staff who delivers work on time when the work is far from impressive.

Hank is a staff in the administrative department. His desk is regularly saturated with tons of paperwork to type, proofread and submit before the close of work each day. Then, finally, his boss hands him a particular file, telling him to prepare a comprehensive report on it and submit it before closing for the day. Two hours before the close of work that day, Hank is back with the typed report and submits it to his pleasantly surprised employer. Only that satisfaction is short-lived once he takes a look at the document and finds it poorly structured and riddled with typos. 

This is a subjective performance metric. Employees handle different tasks, but how they’re measured depends on what they’re doing. However, one common denominator is the quality of the task done. If it’s impressive work, then it speaks well of the employee’s performance. But if not, such work will be turned down, which leaves a dent in that employee’s performance. 

 

Individual Targets

A lot of times, employees are given separate targets or goals to accomplish. As much as teamwork is a thing, so are individual tasks. Teamwork can shadow low-performance employees due to the brilliance of others covering for them. However, in an individualized setting, it’s every employee for themselves. Organizations usually give employees quantifiable or measurable targets. 

Typically, nominees for “employees of the year” are those whose individual achievements and contributions have been instrumental to the organization’s success. The appraisals of employees’ accomplishments are used to measure this performance metric. In-house company reviews can be carried out monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, or annually where the employees’ output will be analyzed and evaluated. 

How about we paint a scenario with this?

Henry is a staff in the firm’s marketing and sales department. Along with his co-marketers, he has been given an individual monthly target to sell 50 of the company’s products. After every month, a performance review is conducted by the head of Marketing and the HR manager. A couple of them were able to sell 20 products, some 25, others 30. Some performed below expectations and were able to sell only 10. Henry delivered and sold all 50 products. So naturally, he gets the highest performance ratings for that month and a noteworthy appraisal from his superiors. 

With this scenario, it’s easy for you to know how the performance metric for each marketer will be like. If the metrics are graded via percentages, those who sold 30 products had a 60% success score. Those that sold 25 products achieved a 40% success score. Henry, who sold every single product allocated to him, had a 100% success score. 

Indeed, percentages may not be used. It’s up to the company to decide how to quantify their employees’ performance data. 

 

Conclusion

In summary, the clients’ satisfaction, the employees’ productivity, their quality of work, and setting individual targets for employees are some of the key performance metrics that HR managers based on for their employees’ reviews. Using a tool like a good HR Software in India can be very useful to HR managers to keep track of everything.

So, what other performance metrics do you think HR managers use? Please drop your comments. We’ll love to know what you think. 

 

References

https://blog.namely.com/the-4-metrics-you-need-to-gauge-employee-performance

About AbstractOps

Do you want to implement performance based metrics? AbstractOps handles and automates your HR ops so that you can focus on your customers. If you have any questions about how to implement performance based metrics, email us at hello@abstractops.com. We’ll do our best to help.