Business 5 Small Business Tips To Survive And Thrive During The Pandemic 4:59 PM One moment you’re standing strong and steady, and the next you’re grasping at straws. “What now?” That must be what everyone’s thinking when COVID-19 hit. Especially small business owners. Some companies temporarily closed and others even filed bankruptcy because of this pandemic. How about you? If you’re a small business operator trying to survive or wanting to thrive, here’s some practical advice: 5 Small Business Tips to Survive and Thrive During the Pandemic Business Tip #1: Put everyone’s safety first. If you’re a brick and mortar business, practice safety protocols. Open the door for your customers to lessen their surface contact.Have an alcohol or sanitizer ready at the entrance.Take their temperature and if convenient, have someone ask them about symptoms.Wear face masks (and PPEs if needed) to make your customers feel safe.Disinfect the place regularly.Have your employees checked and tested.Monitor your team’s condition. If someone feels sick, let them take the day off or let them work remotely.Take health precautions seriously. A decrease in productivity is better than the whole business shutting down because of the virus spread. Business Tip #2: Adapt to change. Be like the bamboo. Strong but adaptable. If this crisis has taught retailers something, it is to be flexible. Change with the times. Use modern technology to your advantage. Let your customers find you online. “Grocery retailers have to realize online order and click-and-collect will become 30-40% of their business,” Brittain Ladd, Global Business and Strategy Consultant. Here are a few new normal most businesses are adapting to keep their businesses surviving and thriving: Operate with a skeletal workforce.Offer house delivery or partner with delivery apps.Have a pick-up or take-out only option.Adjust your space to ensure social distancing inside your store/office.Ask customers to give the exact amount.Provide online payment options or cashless transactions.Offer subscription services. Subscription box is flourishing in health, beauty, fashion and even in the pet industry.Go digital. Even companies as big as Target are turning to online shopping because of COVID.Putting up an online shop is not as hard as you think. There are online tutorials you can check. Or you can book a consultation with a digital marketer and plan a strategy. Business Tip #3: Stay connected with employees. Your employees need you now more than ever. And you need them too for your business to survive. Thank heavens for technology, working remotely is now possible. Establish a work from home option with your team. You have the advantage if you’ve already created a remote work system before COVID. If you don’t have one, don’t fret. It’s not rocket science. Have a clear work from home guideline for your employees. Here are 3 tools you can use for productivity: Slack is a great tool for chatting and simple project management. Google Meet, Zoom and Skype for calls.Trello is an amazing app you can use for keeping track of your team’s daily tasks.Talk about your deliverables---who should do what and when is it due? Clear communication is the key. More than work, ask your team about how they’re coping during this crisis. Offer support. There are free mental health consultations online you can refer them to. Your employees should feel heard. If you take care of them, they will take care of your business. Business Tip #4: Keep your clients/customers in the loop. Like you, your customers are trying to figure out what’s going on and where they should go from here. Be their guide. Be the constant and the normal they know they can still depend on. How to stay connected with customers when everyone’s staying home? According to International Telecommunication Union, over 4 billion people are now using the Internet. That’s a whopping 53.6% of the global population! Make sure someone’s manning your communication channels. Set up a Messenger bot for FAQs. Have someone check message inquiries.Send emails and/or post updates about new policies, process change, store hours or promos.Get their feedback. Ask your customers what they need from you as a business and what changes they want to see.Use social media to share your behind the scene stories with your followers and engage with them.Customers will appreciate your effort to ensure they’re still getting the service or product they need even during this crisis. Be transparent with your company’s plans. A well-informed customer is a happy customer. Show them you care and that their needs come first. Don’t leave your loyal customers in the dark. Trust goes a long way. Business Tip #5 Give back. Some companies involve their customers in giving back to the community by asking them to donate. Human Nature offers Pledge a Package wherein you can shop online for natural hygiene kits. They will then deliver these to healthworkers in different hospitals. Some restaurants offer their kitchen for organizations preparing free meals. What can you offer? Remember: whatever you give comes back to you a hundredfold. ✨ Bonus Business Tip: Change your mindset! Now is not the time for victim and scarcity mentality. Now is the time to think out of the box. Your business will not move forward if you as the business owner stays stuck. Condition your mind as it is your most important asset. The more you master your mind, the more you can take control of your business no matter what the circumstances. The resources you have at your disposal or your skills will all go to waste if you have a poverty mindset. Take this pandemic as an opportunity to grow not only your business but yourself. When you feel lost, go back to your business’ mission and vision. Why did you start? What are your goals? This crisis will end soon. But your business doesn’t have to. Use these tips to keep your small business surviving and thriving during the pandemic. Hang in there. You’re not alone in this journey. 😉
Fashion & Style Finding The Perfect Wedding Dress Sleeves for Your Upcoming Wedding 2:57 PM Of all the planning and arrangements that go into a wedding, nothing jumps to people's minds more than the wedding dress shopping. The wedding dress defines the impression that the bride makes on her big day. No wonder the wedding dress is often the first thing that crosses a bride's mind after getting engaged. There’s a lot to consider when picking a wedding dress. What kind of dress should you wear? Is your body shape right for the specific style? What about the neckline, color, length, and material? Should you buy online or at a store?And then, you have the sleeve design to worry about. The importance of sleeves reentered the bridal scene after The Royal Wedding. From flowy flared fabric to intricate lace detailing, sleeves are no longer used for modesty, but to make a gown feel more stylish. Recently, almost every collection from the bridal fashion week placed emphasis on sleeves. There were a variety of sleeves, from Victorian-inspired bishop sleeves to detachable, modern illusion lace. With so many types to choose from and so many reasons to wear sleeves, here is the sleeve glossary that will make your wedding dress planning a little less stressful: Finding The Perfect Wedding Dress Sleeves for Your Upcoming Wedding Straps and Strapless Strapless gowns, as the name suggests, are strapless and usually feature a straight-across or sweetheart neckline. The dress ends right above the bust and has no fabric covering the shoulder. Strapless dresses are popular among brides as they come in various silhouettes and are genuinely flattering on most body shapes. On the other hand, spaghetti straps, thick straps, and halter straps have delicate sleeves that support the bodice without covering the entire shoulder. Spaghetti straps are popularly seen in ball gowns, especially with an empire waist. The straps can be easily removed and embellished to create a timeless and classic look. Spaghetti straps are the right choice for brides who want a wedding dress as close to a strapless as possible, but with a little bodice-support. Sleeveless Sleeveless wedding dresses are often mistaken for strapless gowns when they are more similar to dresses with straps. Sleeveless wedding dresses have wide straps over the shoulder to hold it in place. They provide more coverage than simple straps and are found in gowns with Queen Anne, jewel, high-neck, asymmetric, square, and bateau necklines. Short Sleeves Short sleeves are the classic style for summer weddings and offer great versatility. They are similar to a short sleeve blouse or shirt that covers the shoulder and goes all the way around the arm, providing a generous range of motion. Cap Cap sleeves are short and hang from the shoulder with no fabric under the arm. They give your wedding dress a cutesy and feminine touch. But when pairing them with an illusion neckline or soft lace, they turn chic. Cap sleeves add stability and coverage even though they cover just the shoulders. Off-the-shoulder Off-the-shoulder wedding dress sleeves are the romantic and ethereal choice for any bride-to-be. The sleeves surround the shoulder, exposing skin in a sexy yet chic way. Puff Puff sleeves are a short-sleeved variation of the Juliet sleeves with a puff fitted at the bottom of the sleeve. Such sleeves are generally made from lighter fabrics to create a youthful and bohemian feel. Butterfly Butterfly sleeves, as the name suggests, are loose flowing sleeves, fitted at the top of the arm with little to no coverage underneath – the reason why they flutter! Butterfly sleeves are commonly seen on bridesmaid dresses but have made their way back to the bridal world. Tulip Inspired by the look of a tulip, this short-sleeve wraps over itself at the top of the shoulder. Usually seen in bridesmaid dresses, they are an option worth considering when customizing your wedding dress to have more coverage but with a romantic touch. Keiko LynElbow-Length, Three-quarter, and Long Sleeves The elbow- and quarter-length sleeves are perfect for weddings in all seasons. Depending on the fabrics used, they create a modern and sometimes a dramatic look. They also come in soft tulle to create a structured and different feel. Some churches make it mandatory for brides to wear sleeves for the ceremony. Long sleeves are usually preferred, as they add a formal feel without going overboard. Whether you prefer a vintage vibe or a sexy silhouette, long sleeves are the way to go. Illusion/Lace This wedding sleeve option is excellent for brides who prefer more coverage in a sexy way. The illusion lace detailing wraps around the entire arm, starting from the shoulder to the wrist. They are typically made of sheer fabric and are a transparent style that won’t show too much bare skin. Juliet Juliet sleeves are fitted long sleeves that feature a gathered puff at the shoulders. They depict the Renaissance and Shakespearean fashions and paint the bride in a romantic light. Bell One of the top trends seen in the most recent Bridal Fashion Week runways is bell sleeves. They are full sleeves that open at the cuff and flare toward the wrist, creating a dramatic touch to the arm. Often, bell sleeves are long-sleeved and add a fullness that is both awe-striking and flattering. Bishop The long, loose-fitting bishop sleeves are a classic style that is full at the top with a tight cuff at the wrist. This style creates a whimsical effect and is a popular choice for relaxed-style or bohemian weddings. Poet Poet sleeves are also known as flared/bell sleeves. They paint a romantic and feminine feel while holding true to the youthful spirit. Not to mention, they look especially great when done in sheer fabrics or soft lace. Finally Selecting a Sleeve Style Choosing the right wedding dress sleeve style that suits your body shape is an essential part of your wedding planning. The sleeve fabric doesn't have to be the same as the wedding dress. You can choose from a wide array of materials like tulle, lace, or netting. Whether you need the sleeves or not completely depends on the formality of the wedding and your personal preference. Most importantly, the sleeves you choose should make you feel beautiful and confident on your big day.
Home A Summer Guide To Decluttering Your Home 12:06 PM Let’s face it…we are all guilty of accumulating clutter of one kind or another. The thing is that clutter is stressful and can affect both your mental and physical health. We are here to help. It’s time to simplify and declutter your home with our handy tips. Tackle one section at a time - or pick one thing to do a day. You could even print out a task sheet. Whatever method you use, decluttering your home is a very satisfying, cleansing thing to do. Where to start decluttering?A Summer Guide to Decluttering Your Home Clearing Your Closet The best place to start decluttering is your closet. You should only have pieces in your wardrobe that you love. This will save you time when choosing outfits. It'll simplify your day. Say goodbye to hunting through piles of clothes and still finding nothing to wear. Another great thing about clearing out your closet is that you can deal with any signs of a clothes moth infestation. Sometimes when we store clothes, we don’t notice that they are being eaten away by creepy pests. If you notice holes in your clothing or discover moths in your home, be sure to call in professionals like Diamond Pest Control (our go to guys in London). If you've managed to dodge moth pests so far this summer, follow their clothes moth prevention tips to help keep it that way. Be ruthless when sorting out your clothing. Take everything out of the wardrobe and only put the things back that you love, you wear and that still fit you. Here’s a list of things you should throw away: Anything that isn’t your size and doesn’t fit anymore Anything that still has the tags on that you’ve had for a while. You’ll probably never wear it Worn out underwear Workout clothes that aren’t comfortable or functional Odd socks Broken jewellery Old hangers Uncomfortable shoes Tidy Up the Toys Kids seem to gather a lot of toys so it feels like they’re cluttering up your home. Try abiding to the one in, one out rule. Whenever a new toy comes into the house, donate an old one that the kids don’t play with anymore. There are lots of good cases like donating toys and games to Great Ormond Street hospital in London. In your decluttering binge, it’s time to say goodbye to: Toys that aren’t appropriate for the age of your children Any broken toys Toys that have missing pieces Toys that were gifted but that your children never play with Duplicate toys Messy toys that have dried up or gone bad Purging the Pantry During these months of quarantine, baking and cooking have both been hobbies that many of us have taken up. Now is the best time to clear out the pantry and get rid of anything you don’t need. You can still donate any unwanted food items to your local food bank or to a local church. The mayor of London‘s office has a lot of info about how to support local food banks during COVID-19. Get rid of the following things to organise your pantry and make cooking a lot easier: Anything that is past it’s use by date Appliances and novelty tools that never get used. Only keep the ones you use on a regular basis.Tinned food that no one eats Serving dishes that you never use Plastic cutlery and menus from takeaways Food that isn’t clearly labelled Old spices and herbs Stripping Back the Bathroom The bathroom is one of the worst rooms for clutter. It’s easy to keep old beauty products that you never use just for the sake of it. It’s time to toss out the following items: Any expired medication Old toothbrushes that aren’t used anymore Old makeup, especially if you’ve had it for more than a few months Samples from hotels like shampoo and lotion bottles Beauty products that you tried but didn’t like or that didn’t work Broken hair clips and stretched out hair bobbles Any fragrances that you don’t like the smell of Dry nail varnish that can no longer be used Old bottles of suntan lotion. Always buy a new bottle when you know warm weather is coming Old smelly loofahs and sponges. These are a breeding ground for bacteria. So, consider replacing them with wash clothes instead How about you? Do you have a declutter your home checklist? Don't miss out on the summer fun just because you need to clean and organise your house. Follow this guide and make life easier. Good luck!
For Moms Choosing Educational Toys For Your Kids 1:29 PM We all love to see our children playing. The smiles on their faces put smiles on ours. Their joy is infectious. Not to mention the fact that play is one of the ways our children learn new skills. It is great that doing something they love also helps them later in life. Many parents see this and makes sure that their kids have access to plenty of toys---specifically designed to help them to learn. For example, alphabet bricks that help them to learn their ABCs. Research shows that these types of toys speed up the learning process. So, it is worth adding a few to your child’s toy chest. You can use this short guide to help you buy the right ones. Choosing Educational Toys for Your Kids Buy toys that are designed for your child’s age group A good starting point is this website. This toy retailer has categorized the toys they sell by age group. Something which is incredibly helpful. It enables you to immediately narrow down the options. You just need to browse the appropriate category and pick out the educational toys. Shop on toy sites that categorize toys by skill set Even better, that site has also started to organize the toys that they sell into learning categories. At the time of this writing, they have separate lists for science-related, engineering, creative, and adventurer toys. Providing you with another quick way to find items that your children can play with to boost specific skill sets. Ask their teachers for recommendations The next time you go to a teacher-parent evening, ask whether there are any toys you can buy to bolster your child’s understanding of each subject they are taking. This will enable you to know, for example, whether it is worth buying your child a play chemistry set or not. Often, you will be surprised by which toys have true educational merit, and which ones are not worth the money. Listen to other parents Other parents are always a great source of information. But, there is no need to stick with those in your immediate circle. Tapping into parenting forums from across the world is an effective way to pick up all kinds of tips and tricks. Including how to support your child’s learning through play. Start with this list, or do a simple search while signed into different country versions of Google. Read the research If you have the time, it is also worth reading this. It summarizes some of the recent research that has been carried out into learning through play. However you choose your child’s educational toys, have fun doing it. Look for things you can play with together. Kids love nothing better than having fun with their parents. So, be sure to choose a few educational toys you will enjoy as well. Art and craft packages are a great example of something you can do together and both learn while doing so. Do you have a hard time choosing educational toys for your kids? Follow these tips and enjoy your playtime with them as they learn.
Listicle 5 Ways Spirituality Can Help You 10:25 PM Spirituality means different to everyone. It’s considered to be the belief in something bigger than ourselves. But different people believe different things. Being spiritual may mean speaking to a psychic or medium (see mediumchat for more information). Or it could mean spending more time with nature. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to spirituality. It has many benefits and you might find that spirituality is the path you were always looking for. How can spirituality help you? 5 Ways Spirituality Can Help You Health To many people, spiritualism means eating food that isn’t harmful to the body or the environment. This might mean a vegan or plant-based diet. While many of us enjoys sweets or junk food, gaining a better understanding of food and what it does to our bodies helps us to live healthier lifestyles. Being spiritual means thinking about what is going into your body and considering how it makes you feel. Food is greatly tied with emotion. Because of that, you might overindulge or deprive yourself. Spiritualism can help you on a path to a healthy relationship with food. Honesty and acceptance Spiritualism teaches honesty and acceptance. Meditation, for example, focuses your mind and helps you to come to terms with who you really are. You learn to forget your judgments and preconceptions. You become a more open and accepting person. Spiritual people encourage open conversations and don’t appreciate lies or deception. They want us to accept people for who they are; and work hard to be better than they were the day before. This is something people should aim for. Fitness Being spiritual often means being more active. Spiritual people like to engage in activities that help their bodies and make them more connected. Yoga, for example, works on balance, muscle strength and flexibility, while simultaneously soothing the mind. It’s a popular exercise which builds strength and helps us to relax. Spiritualism might also mean spending more time outdoors; swimming, hiking or running. You learn to appreciate nature and this hugely benefits your body and fitness levels. Relationships Being spiritual can help with your relationships. While some of us keep thoughts locked away, spiritualism encourages us to talk about our problems and give people the attention they deserve. We all want to be treated with care and respect, and spirituality values the way we speak to one another. It focuses greatly on feeling and emotion: encouraging people to vocalise their thoughts and consider the way their words make others feel. All good relationships need this level of care and attention. Reducing stress Spirituality can hugely help in reducing stress. When we live busy lives, meditation helps in switching off the mind and reducing brain chatter. Those who meditate often find that they have a better sleeping pattern and work-life balance. Spiritual people also believe in the joy of relaxing scents and crystals; making the home a colourful and sensual place. So, if you’re struggling with stress, spirituality could be the answer. How about you?Can you say that you are a spiritual person? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments below!
Business Why You Need To Dress Smart Plus 3 Simple Tips 10:02 PM I have always believed that fashion was not only to make women more beautiful, but also to reassure them. Give them confidence. -Yves Saint Laurent Do you know why you need to dress smart? There's a psychology behind this. It goes beyond fashion statement.Do you notice that people treat you differently if you look more presentable? They seem to be more interested about what you have to say and caters to your need when you look like you mean business.On the other hand, you dress sloppily and some people look at you like "You don't belong here. You're just wasting my time. You better leave."That's from a personal experience, yes.We Heart ItIt's cliche but first impression matters. Especially in business.Most offices have dress codes for their employees to follow. Smart casual, semi-formal, or what our office calls dress up.Same with some restaurants, government offices and other establishments. You can't go in if you're wearing slippers, sleeveless shirts or tattered jeans.Sad realitySociety judges you by your appearance first. It's sad but it's the truth. I don't agree with this superficiality. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:2)My friend's dad (so humble and rich) walked into an appliance store looking like a broke dude. No one paid attention to him at first.So, everyone's surprised when he paid for multiple items---in cash.Gfycat Why You Need to Dress Smart RespectQuestion: If you're attending a seminar about financial investment and you get to choose who to listen to, which of these speakers would you pick?a.) dapper man wearing an expensive suitb.) a guy in a worn out shirt and jeans who looks like he skipped showerWhether we like it or not, we are preconditioned to believe or respect more those who look more presentable.When you dress smart, you increase people's perceived status about you. You command respect.(Side note about women dressing for respect: As a woman, I hate it when people blame the victim for getting abused because "she dressed like she's asking for it". 😤Sexual assault doesn't happen because of the woman's dress. It happens because there's a sick person who thinks it's okay to abuse women.It's never about what the victim is wearing. #StopVictimShaming) Confidence"Put even the plainest woman into a beautiful dress and unconsciously she will try to live up to it." -Lady Duff-Gordon Yes to that 100%. In a job interview, dressing smart helps boost your confidence and makes you look competent.It leaves the impression that you're responsible enough to care about your appearance and you're serious about your job.Your physical appearance may be a reflection of your inner self, but it also works the other way around. How you change your look affects how you feel inside.I don't know about you but when I'm in my high heels, I feel like I can conquer anything. Personality Your wardrobe says a lot about you. "Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak." -Rachel ZoeDressing up is not just about the expensive brands. Not everyone cares about the price of your clothes, honestly.What's important is how you present yourself, how you're able to pull off a style without breaking the bank. Or how creative you could be with how much you have.Here's how to dress smart in 3 simple ways. 3 Simple Tips on How to Dress Smart1. Invest in the basics.You don't have to spend on designer brands to look smart. Just invest in the basic items. Buy tops with solid colors.Neutrals, pastel or rainbow colors, choose whatever suits your taste. Choose what makes you happy. Just because you need to dress smart doesn't mean you should look boring.There are versatile pieces like button shirt top that can be worn as a dress or a shawl that can be converted multi-ways.What's important is that you're happy and comfortable with your ensemble.2. AccessorizeChoose accessories that are easy to mix and match with your outfit. Find pieces that are classic and can be a statement piece.Belts, shoes, jewelries can transform a basic looking outfit to a remarkable ensemble.Adding a pop of color can bring a monochromatic drab attire to life.Put an importance to finding the right pair of shoes because it can make or break your outfit.3. Blazer Blazer completes the smart look.Find a good blazer. There's something about blazers that make you look like you're serious about business. And it helps when it gets cold in the office too. 😉Choose the right color and the right fit.Blazers are also versatile. You can wear it with your office attire, over a casual or formal dress or layer your overall look.What's your favorite go-to piece for your smart casual look? Do have tips to share?
Holiday The Essence Of Christmas Cards 5:13 PM The essence of Christmas is its relevance. It celebratesthe beginning of the world's greatest love story every told.Is it Christmas yet? Definitely not. We're not even in the -ber months which usually signals that the world's most famous holiday is just around the corner. But hey, everyday could be Christmas Day as they say. The essence of Christmas is its relevance.So, even in this month of July, let's talk about Christmas and how special this time is, shall we?Wherever you are in the world, Christmas is a holiday to look forward to. Does taking a little effort to show care and love during this time matter to you? Then consider Christmas cards by Mixbook.Whether you're giving Christmas cards to family members or business clients, it sends an important message and sentiment: they are important to you!A little fun fact: Sir Henry Cole introduced this tradition in 1843. These Christmas cards are commercially designed and bought for the special occasion. Sending Christmas cards is the best time for people to highlight the holiday's narrative, which ideally focuses on the nativity of Jesus Christ. The cards also present a chance for us to connect with others. The Essence of Christmas CardsBrief history of Christmas cards We can trace the start of this tradition to England. In 1843, Sir Henry Cole thought that sending out Christmas cards to his friends will help in cooling their anxieties. It was an idea that initially aimed at responding to the letters he had earlier received from friends. During this time, he designed a card that showcased a family in celebration. Flanking the image of this family were other people helping the poor. That was the beginning of the first Christmas card. History Today3 Reasons why sending Christmas cards is essential Did you know that there are various valuable reasons for you to send Christmas cards to your family and clients? This may convince you to consider getting them next time. Here are 3 reasons: A suitable way of reminding clients who you are Christmas cards can represent your brand. With a bespoke logo highlighted, the client will readily associate you with your products or services. This reminder will encourage repeat business in the long run. Besides, it will show how concerned you are about them. If you are sending the card to family, it will be a reminder that you value and care for them. Personal appeal A personal touch is vital in improving your relationship with both family members and business clients. Handwritten cards show that you took the time and effort to reach out to someone, showing you're thinking about them. With this, you will confidently express your gratitude and highlight care at all times. Low-key marketing Did you know that this approach is a subtle yet affordable marketing approach? You may no longer need to send marketing flyers to your clients throughout the year. A single Christmas card will be enough to convince them to return for more business. Remember to send out a Christmas card. Visit Mixbook for more information about how you can conveniently upload photos to create stunning custom Christmas cards. Their tools and resources will enable you to create professional cards with a touch of personal feel.
