What to look for in a commission-only sales job
We explore the key factors to consider when pursuing a commission-only sales position.
Choosing a commission-only sales job can be a game-changer for your career, offering unlimited earning potential and a sense of entrepreneurial freedom. However, not all commission-only roles are created equal. It’s crucial to evaluate opportunities carefully to ensure they align with your career goals and financial needs. Below, we explore the key factors to consider when pursuing a commission-only sales position.
1. Compensation Structure
The core of any commission-only role is its compensation plan. Look for positions with transparent and fair commission structures. Be sure to understand:
Percentage Rates: What percentage of the sales revenue will you earn? Higher percentages can sound appealing, but they should align with realistic sales goals. Consider the price of the product or service and how much effort will go into each sale as well.
Frequency of Payment: Are commissions paid weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly? This will impact your cash flow. How you manage your finances is up to you, but it’s important to ensure that the companies you work with align with your spending habits and needs.
Bonuses and Incentives: Some companies sweeten the deal with additional perks for exceeding sales targets. A company that doesn’t isn’t necessarily bad, but additional bonuses can be an important tiebreaker when you’re weighing your options.
Explore listings and opportunities like those on CommissionOnly.com to find roles with transparent and competitive commission structures.
2. Product or Service Viability
Selling a product or service you believe in—both in its value to the client and in its market future—is critical for long-term success. Evaluate:
Market Demand: Is there a clear need for what you’ll be selling? Is there a steady supply of people who want it? Is the demand likely to continue into the future?
Quality: Does the product deliver on its promises? Positive testimonials and reviews can be a good indicator. You can also test the product or service yourself, if feasible, to better acquaint yourself with its merits.
Pricing: Determine who the target audience is and ensure the price point is reasonable for them. The quality and demand don’t matter if the target audience can’t afford the offering.
A viable product paired with an in-demand market ensures that your time and effort will yield tangible rewards now and in the future, setting you up for a fruitful career.
3. Support and Training
Companies working with commission-only sales reps should equip their salespeople with the tools and resources they need to succeed. Check for:
Initial Training: Will the company train you on the product and sales techniques? You want to work with companies that ensure you feel comfortable and well informed by the time you start talking to clients.
Ongoing Support: Are there regular meetings, mentorship, or resources to help refine your skills? Can you talk to colleagues and superiors for advice or feedback? Continuous improvement is key to a lucrative career in commission-only sales, so pick companies that support ongoing growth.
Marketing Collateral: Does the company provide materials like brochures, digital assets, or presentations? Such materials help you make sales, which will, in turn, elevate your earnings.
Companies that invest in their sales team’s development are more likely to see—and share in—your success. The more you sell, the more you both earn.
4. Flexibility and Autonomy
One of the biggest perks of commission-only roles is the independence they often offer. Ask yourself:
Do you have control over your schedule? Organizing your work day to fit into the rest of your life—including childcare responsibilities, social events, or simply the times that you’re most energetic and productive—can make a huge difference in your performance and job satisfaction.
Can you choose your territory or client focus? Naturally, it will be easier to make sales with clients who you better understand. If you can choose who or where your clients are, it can make your job both more enjoyable and more lucrative.
Are you expected to report to a physical office, or is the job remote? Ditching the commute and working from your home office—or wherever else is comfortable—not only saves you time and money but also allows you to set up your environment to maximize your productivity.
These factors will determine whether the role aligns with your preferred work–life balance. How you organize your life is up to you—just make sure the companies you’re working with fit into your lifestyle.
5. Reputation of the Company
Do your homework on the company offering the position. Research:
Online Reviews: What do current and former employees say about the company? Former employees in particular can offer valuable insights into a company and the way it treats its workers.
Track Record: How long has the company been in business, and how established is its sales model? Working with new companies can be a gamble because their future is less certain.
Customer Feedback: Happy customers mean a sustainable product and potential for repeat sales. Keeping your clients happy will ensure your network is strong, healthy, and ever-growing—and, conversely, dissatisfied clients will hinder your ability to grow as a sales professional.
You can find reputable companies offering commission-only sales opportunities on platforms like CommissionOnly.com, which specializes in matching job seekers with trustworthy companies.
6. Earning Potential and Realistic Goals
While commission-only roles offer uncapped earning potential, it’s essential to ensure that goals are realistic and achievable:
Set Quotas: Are sales targets attainable based on the market and product? Don’t just assume the company has set reasonable targets—use your experience and knowledge to judge it for yourself.
Average Earnings: Ask current or former employees about their average monthly income. It may also be worth it to ask them about their strategies and approaches to assess what tactics work best.
Upselling and Cross-Selling Opportunities: Does the company encourage and reward add-on sales? When extra effort is rewarded, you’ll earn more and discover more opportunities to grow.
Maximising Your Commission-Only Sales Opportunities
Commission-only sales jobs can provide freedom and unlimited earning potential, but they also come with risks. By focusing on the transparency of the compensation structure, the viability of the product or service, the reputation of the company, and the available support whenever you evaluate commission-only sales jobs, you can maximize your success. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to sales, carefully vetting opportunities is essential.
For those ready to explore their options, visit CommissionOnly.com, a trusted resource for commission-only job opportunities. It’s your gateway to finding a role that matches your ambition and potential!
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Key 2025/26 tax year dates, deadlines & thresholds
Here are the self-assessment tax return dates, VAT return dates for financial year 2025/26 in the UK.
If you’re self-employed or an employee working from home, staying informed about key UK tax dates is essential for managing your finances. With the 2025/26 tax year beginning in April 2025, it’s a good time to review important deadlines.
Here you’ll find the critical self-assessment and VAT return dates for the 2025/26 tax year to help you plan effectively.
Click to see the tax year dates for 2024/25.
When does the 2025/26 tax year start?
The 2025/26 tax year begins on 6 April 2025 and ends on 5 April 2026.
Self-assessment tax return dates 2025/26
Here are your Self Assessment tax return dates, and other important deadlines for individuals and self-employed in the 2025/26 tax year:
5 April 2025 | 2024/25 tax year ends |
6 April 2025 | 2025/26 tax year begins |
31 July 2025 | Second Payment on Account (POA) for Income Tax for 2024/25 |
5 October 2025 | Deadline for Self Assessment registration to notify chargeability of Income Tax/Capital Gains Tax for 2024/25 |
19 October 2025 | Deadline for postal payments of CIS, Class 1 B NICs and PAYE to HMRC |
22 October 2025 | Deadline for electronic remittance of CIS, Class 1 B NICs and PAYE to HMRC |
31 October 2025 | Deadline for postal submission of Self Assessment tax returns for tax year ended 5 April 2025 to be received by HMRC |
30 December 2025 | Deadline for online submission of Self Assessment tax returns for tax year ended 5 April 2025 |
31 December 2025 | Due date to file company accounts with Companies House for limited companies with 31 March 2025 year end |
14 January 2026 | Income tax due date for CT61 period to 31 December 2025 |
31 January 2026 | Deadline for filing Self Assessment Tax Returns for tax year ended 5 April 2025 and 2024/25 Capital Gains Tax
Balancing payment of tax due for 2024/25 and first Payment on Account for Income Tax for 2025/26 |
5 April 2026 | 2025/26 tax year ends |
6 April 2026 | 2026/27 tax year begins |
Deadlines for submitting VAT returns 2025/26
The deadline for submitting your return is 1 month and 7 days after the end of the VAT period, whether you pay your VAT monthly or quarterly.
Here are the key dates for submitting VAT returns in the 2025/26 tax year:
7 April 2025 | Deadline for VAT returns and payments of Accounting Quarter period ending 28 February 2025 |
7 May 2025 | Deadline for VAT returns and payments of Accounting Quarter period ending 31 March 2025 |
7 June 2025 | Deadline for VAT returns and payment of Accounting Quarter period ending 30 April 2025 if filed online |
7 July 2025 | Deadline for VAT returns and payments of Accounting Quarter period ending 31 May 2025 |
7 August 2025 | Deadline for VAT returns and payments of Accounting Quarter period ending 30 June 2025 |
7 September 2025 | Deadline for VAT returns and payments of Accounting Quarter period ending 31 July 2025 |
7 October 2025 | Deadline for VAT returns and payments of Accounting Quarter period ending 31 August 2025 |
7 November 2025 | Deadline for VAT returns and payments of Accounting Quarter period ending 30 September 2025 |
7 December 2025 | Deadline for VAT returns and payments of Accounting Quarter period ending 31 October 2025 |
7 January 2026 | Deadline for VAT returns and payments of Accounting Quarter period ending 30 November 2025 |
7 February 2026 | Deadline for VAT returns and payments of Accounting Quarter period ending 31 December 2025 |
7 March 2026 | Deadline for VAT returns and payments of Accounting Quarter period ending 31 January 2026 |
PAYE tax rates & thresholds 2025/26
Tax Band | Rate | Income Range |
Personal Allowance | 0% | Up to £12,570 |
Basic Rate | 20% | £12,571 to £50,270 |
Higher Rate | 40% | £50,271 to £125,139 |
Additional Rate | 45% | Over £125,140 |
Standard PAYE Tax Code | 1250L |
These thresholds have been frozen since the 2021/22 tax year and will remain unchanged until the end of the 2025/26 tax year as part of the government’s policy to stabilise public finances
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Working from home UK statistics 2024
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers of people working from home in the UK and around the world has dramatically increased. Here are the WFH remote working stats you need to know.
Updated: 1 December 2024
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers of people working from home in the UK has dramatically increased. That’s no surprise.
But now, with advice from the government constantly changing, how will homeworking in the UK change? Will the numbers of remote workers decrease? Will we embrace hybrid working? What will the trends look like? How has productivity changed?
Here, we have collated the information available for working from home in the UK in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 from a series of studies and surveys to provide a picture on what the WFH landscape looks like.
Latest working from home statistics (2024)
52% of business leaders surveyed believe that hybrid working is the most supportive environment for employee productivity (source)
47% of female office workers and 44% of male office workers believe hybrid working is better for their mental health (source)
53% of business leaders believe hybrid working helps employees better manage the costs associated with work (source)
82% of men and women believe their employer now has a greater responsibility to offer health and wellbeing support post-pandemic (source)
98% of employers have implemented a measure (like work socials, on-site gym access etc.) to encourage employees to come back to the office (source)
35% of employed people surveyed did at least some remote work in 2023, continuing the same trend in 2022, where 34% of respondents did some remote work in the US (source)
Working from home doesn’t have much of a difference on productivity, but those who did work from home or hybrid workers record a happier work-life balance than those who don’t, with their retention rate improving by 35% (source)
But another report says 84% of employees surveyed say they get more work done in a hybrid/remote setting than in-office (source).
64% of leaders surveyed said their workplace is currently implementing a hybrid model (source).
84% of leaders surveyed say generative AI has increased productivity (source).
75% of leaders surveyed believe their organisation will change its workplace model in the next two years (source).
Working from home habits and behaviours
Over 80% of hybrid workers watch television during work hours, averaging two hours daily (source).
10% of homeworkers in Britain regularly nap while working from home, typically between 3 PM and 4 PM (source).
Some remote workers take the opportunity to hold two jobs simultaneously (source).
Over one-third of UK workers fake productivity when working remotely (source).
In 2022, 60% of employees believed they were monitored at work, with this figure expected to rise to 70% by 2025 (source).
Some tools monitor tone, sentiment, and even the content of workplace chats, are used by companies like Starbucks, AstraZeneca, and Nestlé (source).
Remote working prior to 2020
Working from home is a modern phenomenon. Prior to 2020, working from home was the exception, not the rule.
Homeworking was relatively rare in 1981 when only 1.5% of those in employment reported working mainly at home, but by 2019 it had tripled to 4.7% (source)
The proportion reporting that they worked exclusively at home rose from 5.7% of workers in January/February 2020 to 43.1% in April 2020 (source)
Before the pandemic, staff went into the office an average of 3.8 days a week. (source)
Population working from home
Working from home at start of lockdown
When lockdown hit in March 2020, the numbers of remote workers changed overnight - mostly due to the impact of COVID-19.
In April 2020, 46.6% of people in employment did some work at home (source)
Of those who did some work from home, 86.0% did so as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic (source)
Women were slightly more likely to do some work at home than men, 47.5% and 45.7% respectively (source)
57.2% of people living in London did some work at home (source)
40% of respondents’ perceptions about working from home has substantially improved (source)
5% of those respondents’ perceptions have slightly worsened (source)
Working from home after lockdown
There’s a mixed reaction to the future of working from home in the UK - but a trend is emerging for ‘hybrid working’, where employees are keen to split their work between home and the office.
Fifty of the biggest UK employers have said they have no plans to return all staff to the office full-time in the near future (source)
21% of respondents never want to work from home in 2022 (source)
19% of respondents want to work from home 5 days a week in 2022 (source)
Over 55s are the most likely to want to work from home permanently (source)
16-24 year olds favour working in the office full-time (source)
85% of employees currently working from home want a ‘hybrid’ approach of both home and office working in future (source)
In June 2021, 44% of those aged between 30 and 49 worked from home because of COVID-19 (source)
38% of workers earning £40,000 or more, and 32% of those earning between £30,000 and £40,000, hybrid worked between 27 April and 8 May 2022 (source), as lower income earners are less likely to work from home
78% of those who worked from home in some capacity said that being able to work from home gave them an improved work life balance (source)
47% workers recorded improved well-being from working from home in some capacity (source)
The working from home tax relief was claimed by more than 3 million people for the 2020/21 tax year (source)
As of May 2023, 39% of workers in Great Britain had worked from home at some point in the previous 7 days, with 73% of British workers saying they had travelled to work in the last week (source)
Hybrid working - the future of working from home?
With lockdown measures now eased in many countries, employers and employees are now trying to strike a balance between pre-pandemic working in the office and a more flexible working from home culture, which has led to a recent rise in “hybrid working”, where employees spend their work time split between the office and home. What impact has this had? Can it be maintained long term? Is hybrid working productive? It certainly appears that more and more people are returning to the office in some capacity. If you are currently looking for remote job options, you can consider opportunities offered by big companies. For instance, you can browse Amazon work-from-home jobs that unite a variety of fields.
80% of people leaders reported that a hybrid setup was exhausting for employees (source)
47% of American workers prefer to work in a hybrid model (source)
In the UK, this is even higher, with 58% of workers preferring to work in a hybrid model (updated source)
21% of respondents who had quit their jobs in 2021 reported doing so because of lack of flexible working hours or location (source)
Office workers went to the office an average of 3.8 days per week pre-pandemic. Post-COVID, this has reduced to an average of 1.4 days per week (source)
Just 13% of workers go into the office on a Friday (source)
The proportion of people hybrid working as risen in 2022. 14% worked from home exclusively between 27 April and 8 May 2022, while 24% both worked from home and travelled to work (source)
High earners are more likely to hybrid work. 38% of workers earning £40,000 or more hybrid worked between 27 April and 8 May 2022, while only 8% of those earning up to £15,000 reported hybrid working (source)
Commuting to work
Since September 2022, there has been a surge in workers returning to their offices in Central London (source)
As of October 2022, representative average daily demand on the London Underground was about 82% of pre-pandemic levels (source)
As of October 2022, bus demand was around 84% of pre-pandemic levels (source)
Cycling now exceeds pre-pandemic levels of demand at 140% of pre-pandemic levels (source)
Differences among the days of the traditional working week have been exacerbated since the pandemic, with Tuesday to Thursday now having a relatively higher difference to Mondays and Fridays (source)
Hiring and working from home
Research suggests that companies with flexible remote work policies are find it easier hiring and adding headcount compared to those with full-time in-office policies. The data was collected from a combination of Scoop's quarterly Flex Index, which catalogs flexible work policies of around 4,500 companies, and data from PeopleDataLabs about individual companies' headcount growth.
Companies with fully flexible remote work policies (allowing full-time remote work or choice about office attendance) grew headcount by 1.9% on average in Q2 2023
Companies with structured hybrid policies (workers come into the office between one and four days a week) grew headcount by 1.5% over the same period
Companies with full-time in-office policies grew headcount by just 0.8% in Q2 2023
Between July 2022 and July 2023, fully flexible companies grew headcount by 5.6%, hybrid companies by 4.1%, and full-time in-office companies by 2.6%
The trend of fully flexible and hybrid companies outperforming full-time in-office companies remained consistent across different company sizes
Even after removing tech firms from the analysis, companies with flexible or hybrid setups still grew headcount at least 0.5% faster than full-time in-office firms, across various company sizes (source)
How long have people been working from home?
Some people are seasoned professionals when it comes to working from home, others have only started to embrace homeworking in the past few years. As we can see from a 2020 survey, however, most remote workers around the world had only done so since the start of COVID-19:
56% of respondents have worked remotely for less than a year
21% have worked remotely for less than 5 years
14% have worked remotely for less than 10 years
7% have worked remotely for over 10 years
1% could not respond (source)
Productivity of remote workers
It’s not clear how much working from home improves the productivity of workers, but those who’ve found remote working beneficial for their productivity levels want to remain working from home in the future. In fact, many have found that they’ve actually worked longer hours because they’re at home.
40.9% of homeworkers reported that they were able to get as much work done in June 2020 as they were six months earlier (source)
28.9% said that they got more done, while 30.2% said that their productivity had fallen (source)
65.5% of employees who reported that they were able to produce much more per hour while working at home in lockdown wanted to work mainly at home in the future (source)
30% report an increase in their hours whilst working from home (source)
55% report that they concentrate better working from home (source)
80% would recommend working at home to a friend (source)
80% are able to accomplish all their tasks remotely (source)
Economists at MIT and UCLA found that WFH resulted in 18% less productivity for data-entry workers in India compared to those who worked in an office (source)
A study of 61,000 Microsoft employees suggested WFH is bad for communication between different teams (source)
How much work can respondents do at home?
Working from home and mental health
Mental health in the workplace, and employee wellbeing in general is important, whether they’re in the office or at home. It’s been found that people are generally happier working from home because it allows for more flexibility, but there has been struggles when it comes to communicating and collaborating with teammates.
81% of younger workers say they would feel more isolated without time in the office (source)
56% reported an increase in happiness levels when working (source)
48% reported they need to communicate more to demonstrate their value (source)
60% reported that they feel less connected to colleagues (source)
30% have found it difficult separating their home lives from their work lives (source)
29% of organisations have introduced additional resources to support employees’ physical and mental wellbeing (source)
The biggest struggle with working remotely is not being able to unplug, followed by difficulties with collaboration and communication (source)
The most named benefit of working from home is flexible scheduling, followed by the lack of commute (source)
Working from home and attire
The increase in working from home seemingly brought in a whole new fashion trend - comfy working from home clothes. Many workers embraced - and continue to enjoy - the benefits of a more relaxed outfit when working from home. But some have argued against the typical WFH dress code. What do you think?
89% of employees said “absolutely not” to formal dress codes for remote work
65% of managers think employees who work from home should dress smarter
55% of managers think remote workers should dress more smartly on video calls
53% of employees say they dress differently for working in the office versus working at home
48% of employers said they were considering a formal dress code for hybrid work
42% of employees said having a formal dress code introduced would cause them to look for a new job (source)
WFH statistics by industry
As expected, the popularity and success of working from home differs depending on the type of work and type of business, with those working in IT finding it easiest to work from home.
Where homeworkers work
Lucky homeworkers already had an office to use when lockdown and subsequent work from home requests struck. However, many WFHers have had no option but to use another room for work.
Where do respondents work in their house?
Benefits of working from home
There are more people working from home than ever, whether or not by choice. There are a number of advantages to homeworking in the UK, according to those who do:
The main benefit is flexible scheduling, according to 50% of respondents
The second main benefit is a lack of commute, according to 43% of respondents
34% find that working from home allows them to look after family, pets, ageing or unwell relatives better
33% love the savings that WFH brings
Another benefit is reduced anxiety/stress, according to 32% of respondents
25% cited improved health, whether it’s mental, physical or spiritual
Reduced office politics is another big benefit to working from home, according to 19% of respondents
18% state that homeworking gives them the freedom to travel or relocate entirely (source)
Disadvantages of working from home
Despite the flexibility of working from home, there are times when remote workers struggle to manage their work-life balance. Here are some of the cons teleworkers around the world have when working remotely in 2021:
27% struggle to unplug at the end of the day
16% have difficulties with collaboration and communication
16% experience loneliness
15% have distractions at home
12% struggle to stay motivated
7% find it challenging working in different timezones to their teammates (source)
The rise of videoconferencing
Along with the sudden rise of working from home, the use of videoconferencing apps like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet has dramatically increased in the last few years.
How many users downloaded Zoom at the start of the pandemic?
In February 2020, there were just under 5 million downloads of the Zoom app (on iOS and Android) globally. By March 2020, this had surged to 26.9 million downloads, according to Prioriti Data (source).
What were the leading videoconferencing platforms used in 2020?
Zoom - 50.3% of respondents
Microsoft Teams - 12% of respondents
Facebook Live - 9.4% of respondents
Instagram Live - 7.3% of respondents
GoToWebinar - 5.8% of respondents
YouTube Live - 5.2% of respondents
On24 - 4.7% of respondents
WebEx - 1% of respondents
At the onset of the pandemic, Zoom was by far the most used videoconferencing platform compared to similar counterparts, like Teams and WebEx (source). This has led to the rise of the so-called “Zoom fatigue”.
Parenting and working from home
Remote work trends driven by the pandemic:
In 2021, 58% of parents with kids under 18 were working remotely all or most of the time, up from 44% pre-pandemic (source)
75% of surveyed parents worked from home more frequently during the pandemic (source)
25% of remote working parents reduced work hours or left jobs due to childcare and schooling responsibilities (source)
61% of parents want to maintain primarily remote work even after the pandemic (source)
Benefits of parents working from home:
72% cite avoiding virus exposure as a motivator for remote work(source)
54% reported remote work allows more family time (source)
51% reported increased productivity working from home (source)
Challenges of parents working from home:
54% of parents who worked from home reported decreased productivity when working while caring for children at home (source)
40% of remote working parents struggle to stop working after hours (source)
Gender disparities in parents working from home:
Round up of working from home statistics
Scroll along the charts above.
Currently working from home? Read these:
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Where can I find free coffee in the UK? [Updated for December 2024]
Looking for a place to find free or cheap coffee for a well-deserved home working break? Look no further.
Updated: 1 December 2024
Wondering how to get free or cheap coffee? Find out which of your favourite coffee shops and cafes are offering free coffee in the UK here. After all, it’s great to reward your work from home efforts with a stroll into town and a barista-made brew, especially if you’d like a change from making great coffee at home and are craving a latte.
We ❤️ free coffee.
Did you know: 99% of the population can’t function without C8H10N4O2 (that’s caffeine to you and me).
OK, so my fact isn’t scientifically proven and I may have over-exaggerated slightly, but let’s face it, we all love a good cup of coffee or tea. We love it even more when it’s free.
Who’s giving away free coffee?
Many of your favourite high street cafés and stores offer their shoppers a free cup of coffee or tea, including:
Costa Coffee
Starbucks
Waitrose
IKEA
Caffè Nero
Marks & Spencer
Greggs
McDonald’s
Keep an eye out, as many of these locations will also offer you an extra free coffee to celebrate your birthday! 🎉
Free coffee in the UK - Full list
Benugo
If you’re London-based, here’s a deal for you. There are a number of Benugo cafes to be found on the high streets of London, and if you sign up to their newsletter, you’ll receive a free coffee as well as a birthday treat. Simple! Learn more.
IKEA
Sign up for a free IKEA family card and you can grab a free tea or filter coffee in their cafes any time from Monday-Friday. OK, so you won’t visit IKEA nearly as much as you would a supermarket but you’ll thank us for letting you know when you need reviving from a trek around the showrooms. Does this give a new meaning to on the house? Learn more.
Pret A Manger
Pret A Manger staff are known to give away free cups of coffee to members of the public as a random act of kindness, so who knows? You could be lucky on your next visit!
Waitrose
The popular free coffee at Waitrose offer is back! myWaitrose members who make a purchase in store, and bring in their own cup, can get a free cup of coffee, made from Caffè Nero beans, or tea. Learn more.
Wetherspoons
One for the heavier coffee drinkers, if you purchase a Lavazza filter coffee before 2pm (prices can vary per branch but usually £1.99) you can get free refills. Not completely free, but if you like your coffee in large doses, your cost-per-cup can be pretty impressive. Learn more.
Freebie websites
If you’re happy to hunt around, check out freebie websites. Sign up to their newsletter, you’ll be the first to know when your favourite establishments and brands are giving away free samples or even full drinks. In the past, they’ve shared free teabag samples from the likes of Redbush tea and Taylors, and loads of free coffees to try at home too.
Free coffee with loyalty cards
Chances are, your favourite coffee chain has a loyalty scheme where you can get a free hot drink after you purchase a certain number of beverages from them. Which schemes are available?
Black Sheep Coffee
Download the free Black Sheep Coffee loyalty app and collect points on your purchases. Use these to redeem a FREE hot drink of your choice! Make sure to check out their regularly updated seasonal menu. Learn more.
Blank Street Coffee
Blank Street Coffee has a number of coffee shops throughout London. Download the Blank Street Coffee app and collect points on every eligible purchase. 10 points will earn you a free coffee or pastry! Learn more.
Caffè Nero
You can join Caffe Nero’s loyalty scheme to earn free coffee. Get a free beverage after every 9 stamps, or use code "GIVEME5" when you download the Caffè Nero loyalty app to get 5 stamps straightaway. Learn more.
If you’re an Octopus Energy customer with a smart meter, you can join their free rewards scheme, Octoplus, and claim a FREE Caffè Nero OR Greggs coffee once a week, alongside a range of other deals. Learn more.
Coco di Mama
Join Club Coco at Coco di Mama and get a free drink after every 8th purchase. Sign up and download your digital card to get started! Learn more.
Costa Coffee
Join Costa’s Coffee Club and get a free drink after every 8th purchase. Plus, free cake on your birthday. Yum! Learn more. Even better, if you bring in a reusable cup, you'll get an extra "Bean" or point, meaning you could get a free drink after only 4 drinks! Learn more.
GAIL'S
Download the GAIL'S Bakery App to earn rewards, including free coffee and cake. Collect 9 stamps to get your 10th coffee free. And you can get a free sweet treat on your birthday month! Learn more.
Greggs
When you download Greggs’ free rewards app you can get a coffee on the house. You’re also entitled to a free birthday treat and, if you use the app every time you get a coffee at Greggs, you’ll also get your 8th coffee free! Learn more.
Plus - o2 users, check out your o2 Priority app as they regularly share free coffee codes at Greggs, with new codes released every Monday. Learn more.
Grind
Join Grind's Rewards Program and you'll earn points every time you buy coffee at Grind. You'll earn 1 point for every £1 spent, and 35 points will bag you a free coffee. Learn more.
Harris + Hoole
At Harris + Hoole, you’ll get a free drink when you join their loyalty scheme and be rewarded with a free drink with every 6 stamps collected. Learn more.
Jack’s Beans
If you’re near a Jack’s Beans outlet on your travels (you can find your nearest location here), then sign up to their app to get a free coffee straightaway. You can also collect loyalty stamps on the app that entitles you to your 10th coffee free! Learn more.
Joe & The Juice
Download the JOE App to collect points and earn prizes like free juices and free coffee! Learn more.
Knoops
Not a coffee fan? Why not redeem a FREE iced or hot chocolate instead! Download the free Knoops loyalty app to collect points that you can redeem against a free drink. You can also grab a FREE hot or iced chocolate on your birthday. Learn more.
Krispy Kreme
Download the Krispy Kreme Rewards App and collect points ("Smiles") on every purchase. Once you've collected 150 points, you'll be able to get a free hot drink of your choice. And you get a FREE doughnut just for signing up. Learn more.
M&S
Marks & Spencer have relaunched their Sparks coffee rewards programme, which gives members a free coffee after every 6 hot drinks purchased at an M&S Café. Simply download the M&S App and be sure to collect stamps every time you buy a barista-made drink in an M&S Café. Learn more.
McDonald's
Not only do they boast some of the cheapest prices for coffee on the high street, their loyalty scheme allows you to get your 6th cup on Ronald McDonald too. Simply collect your McCafé loyalty stamps on the My McDonald’s app. The app has completely replaced their sticker scheme. Learn more.
Muffin Break
Register for Muffin Break’s loyalty club and you’ll receive every 6th coffee free, as well as a free coffee as a thank you for signing up. You’ll also be gifted with a free muffin for your birthday. Learn more.
Patisserie Valerie
It couldn't be easier to grab a hot drink on the house at Patisserie Valerie. Simply join their Cake Club and enjoy a free coffee after sign up. Collect points as you spend at Patisserie Valerie to reward yourself with another free coffee in the future! Learn more.
PAUL
Download the PAUL UK Loyalty App to earn rewards, including free coffee. Collect stamps on every hot drink to get your 10th coffee free. Learn more.
Redemption Roasters
Reward yourself with a FREE hot drink with Redemption Rewards, the free loyalty scheme from Redemption Roasters. Sign up to receive 200 points right away, and get 5 points for every £1 spent. These'll soon tot up into redeemable rewards. Learn more.
Starbucks
With Starbucks Rewards, you collect 3 points (called ‘stars’) per £1 you spend. 150 stars = a free drink. Earn 450 stars to achieve Gold status, where you’ll be entitled for a free birthday drink too! Learn more.
But what if you're not a Starbucks Rewards member? According to their T&Cs, you are entitled to a FREE Tall refill if you've purchased a Filter Coffee: "Any customer who purchases a Filter Coffee to stay in one of our participating stores in the UK or Ireland, can enjoy a free Tall refill on us. Customers must retain their mug and provide this to the barista when redeeming their refill." Learn more.
Subway
Register for Subway Rewards and you can get a free hot drink with every 100 points collected. You receive 10 points for every £1.00 spent, and you can get double points within your first 28 days of registering. Learn more.
Watch House
Download Watch House's app and you'll be rewarded with a free coffee right away. You'll also get every seventh Watch House coffee on the house! Learn more.
Don’t forget to check your favourite independent coffee shop as many have their own loyalty schemes too!
Coffee subscription services
So they may not be completely free, but there are a few popular chains that offer a monthly coffee subscription service. If you really love your caffeine fix and live near a one of these cafés, then a coffee subscription might be just the service you’re after for a low-cost, high quality barista coffee every day. It’s like Netflix, but for coffee…
LEON
Within the LEON Club App, you can sign up and enjoy LEON's Roast Rewards for £25 a month. Your subscription will bag you up to 5 barista brews a day (each coffee could be as cheap as £0.15!) and 20% off their food menu. Learn more.
Pret A Manger
Club Pret subscribers can get 50% off up to five Barista made drinks a day for a reduced monthly fee of £10. (If you're an existing Club Pret member, it will cost just £5 for existing and new subscribers until 31 March 2025.) If you're not a Club Pret subscriber, you can still enjoy cheap Pret coffee. The cost of their Filter Coffee has been reduced to just 99p, making it one of the cheaper coffees on the high street. Learn more about the changes.
Pure
Pure's subscription service - Pure+more - works a little differently. For £4.99 a month, you'll get 20% off all food and drink via click and collect. Right now, the first month is free, so you'll get 20% off your order. Plus, they send members regular offers and discounts. Learn more.
Cheap coffee deals
It’s agreed - free coffee is the best kind. But, when you’re not able to grab a free cuppa out and about, there are some impressive coffee deals to be had. Here is our pick of the best cheap coffee offers:
Caffè Nero
Offer: £1 coffee with Three+. If you’re on the Three mobile network, you can get a hot or cold barista brew made for just £1 once a week. Download the Three+ app to get started. New codes are available every Monday - there are only 60,000 available a week, so be quick! Learn more.
Offer: Free/50% off weekly drinks with Vitality. Buy a qualifying Vitality insurance plan and claim active points each week and you could claim a free weekly drink at Caffè Nero or 50% off your drink, as well as 25% off the Caffè Nero food menu, 25% off the Coffee at Home Range, and 50% off the Vitality Healthy Food menu. Learn more about this offer and qualifying plans.
Greggs
Offer: £1 coffee. The classic O2 Priority offer of a free Greggs hot drink every week will change as of 12 September 2024. Instead, O2 Priority customers can claim a £1 coffee once a month. Learn more.
Home Coffee Co.
Home Coffee Co., offer exceptional cost-effective and eco-friendly coffee products for the home. Including coffee bags that are made sustainably and in bulk purchases. Learn more.
Use your own cup
Don’t forget - many coffee shops will encourage you to bring in your own reusable cup in exchange for a discounted hot drink or stamps/points towards their loyalty schemes. Here’s what the major chains offer:
Pret - 50p discount
PAUL - 50p discount
Pure - 50p discount
M&S Cafe - 50p discount
Starbucks - 25p discount
Greggs - 20p discount
Knoops - 20p discount
Caffè Nero - additional stamp
Costa Coffee - additional stamp (“bean”)
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Creating a functional and fun work-and-play space for your kids
Here’s how you can transform your child’s bedroom or working space into an environment they’ll love, complete with functional furniture and inspiring décor.
With the rise of remote work, many parents have had to adjust to the dual role of managing their home office while supporting their children’s education and creative growth. A well-designed space for your child not only fosters productivity but also encourages creativity and learning. Whether it’s a dedicated study nook or an artistic play area, thoughtful decoration can make all the difference. Here’s how you can transform your child’s bedroom or working space into an environment they’ll love, complete with functional furniture and inspiring décor.
Design with purpose
Before you start decorating, think about your child’s needs and preferences. Do they need a quiet spot for homework, or are they more focused on hands-on projects and creativity? This will help determine the type of furniture and storage solutions you’ll need.
Desks and Shelves: Choose ergonomic desks that fit your child’s size to ensure comfort during study time. Adjustable desks and chairs are a great investment as they grow. Incorporating shelves nearby can help keep their workspace organized. Open shelves make it easy to store books and supplies, while closed cabinets can hide clutter.
Consider browsing options for kid-friendly desks and chairs at IKEA or Pottery Barn Kids. These retailers offer durable, stylish, and affordable furniture that can fit various room sizes and themes.
Bring walls to life
Walls are often an underutilised part of any room, but they can be a game-changer when it comes to decorating a child’s space. Wall murals, in particular, can completely transform the room’s atmosphere.
We found a range of vibrant and inspiring childrens wall murals tailored for children’s rooms from Photowall. Whether your child loves outer space, jungle adventures, or whimsical fairy tales, these wall murals can set the tone for a creative and inspiring environment. The best part? These murals are easy to install and can be swapped out as your child’s tastes evolve. For example, a mural of a serene forest could create a calming backdrop for a study space, while a colorful animal-themed design could energize a play area.
Maximise storage
Keeping the room tidy is crucial for maintaining a productive atmosphere. Utilise multi-functional furniture like storage benches or ottomans that double as seating and stash away toys, books, and art supplies. Installing wall-mounted organisers near the desk can keep essentials within reach and reduce clutter.
You can also use decorative storage bins or baskets to maintain a visually appealing aesthetic while making clean-up a breeze. Encourage your child to personalize these items with labels or stickers to make organisation fun and engaging.
Personal touches
Lastly, let your child’s personality shine through! Display their artwork, awards, or favorite collectibles on shelves or corkboards. Incorporating elements they love—like themed bedding or colorful rugs—can make the room feel uniquely theirs.
You could also add a cosy reading nook with bean bags or cushions, encouraging them to wind down with a book after a productive day.
Designing a functional and fun space for your child doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By combining practical furniture with inspiring décor like wall murals, you can create a room that supports both learning and creativity. Don’t forget to include storage solutions, good lighting, and personal touches to make the space truly their own.
By keeping the room organised and visually stimulating, you’ll set the stage for your child to thrive in their personal work-and-play environment. Whether you’re planning a major makeover or just a small upgrade, these tips will help you strike the perfect balance between functionality and fun.
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Caffe and online games: A perfect blend for gamers
This article looks at the attraction of popular online games and just why this virtual home feels so welcoming to gamers.
In today's fast-paced and electronic world, gaming, whether it's an action-filled adventure or challenging strategy game, is a big part of most people's daily lives. With the inception of game cafes, the idea of games and coffee was supposed to turn into a unique environment for gamers to spend time, socialize, and enjoy themselves over the games. But why is the combination so popular, and for what reasons are gamers attracted to cafes to enjoy their virtual pleasures? Coffee culture and online gaming make an interesting combination. This article looks at the attraction of popular online games, such as slots, and just why this virtual home feels so welcoming to gamers.
The allure of gaming cafes
Gaming cafes have existed for many decades, but their appeal has grown presently because more people need places for socialization and entertainment. Unlike gaming from home, cafes offer that communal place where players gather together, share experiences, and enjoy the comforts of a coffee shop while engaging in their favorite games.
Coffee, especially, plays a huge part here in giving gamers a sense of relaxation, with a feeling of alertness, helping them settle in for long sessions or giving them that quick break between rounds.
Online gaming is enjoyable, from classic games to modern slots, but in such cyber cafes, all are easy to play for those who want to relax without thinking over any complicated strategy. Gaming combined with coffee shop feelings means a casual yet engaging atmosphere for both novice and professional gamers.
Why coffee and games make a perfect pair
One of the reasons that coffee and gaming simply go so well together is because of the stimulating effects of caffeine. For many, it improves their level of focus, allowing them to appreciate fast-action games more or to play longer without fatigue. This enjoyment is enhanced by the sensory pleasure of drinking, whether a rich espresso or a cream-laden latte, which heightens the overall experience of gaming.
Games like online slots in gaming cafes add to this dynamism. Without requiring detailed strategy, slots, the pure excitement of chance, can casually be played over a drink. This flexibility allows players to pause, socialize, and take a breather from the intensity of more competitive games. These games are popular in cafes: gamers can simply hold small, relaxed sessions, having breaks to sip coffee and speak.
Creating a social space for gamers
For many, gaming cafes represent their essential social element. Playing at home usually leaves a player in isolation, while at a cafe, there is a sense of community. People may well chat easily with others who are having casual conversations to celebrate after wins or discuss aspects of the game over a cup of coffee. This gives them a social presence element for lovers of online gaming, which is often absent when playing alone.
Events or theme nights associated with gaming are also common in most gaming cafes, bringing together enthusiasts with similar interests and hence fostering this feeling of community. Thus, gamers are encouraged to connect and share their experiences, and the gaming cafe becomes a place to be for those who enjoy the combination of coffee culture and gaming.
The benefits of gaming in a café environment
The atmosphere is cool for the cyber cafe, many are fitted out with high-quality equipment, comfortable sitting, high-speed internet, and a great variety of games. This allows players to spend hours playing several casual sessions of gaming, and all this is enhanced by the availability of coffee and snacks: without stopping his or her gaming pleasure, he could have anything he wanted.
It's all in the gaming cafes-from those who love internet gaming at high speeds like slots to the players who love mentally intriguing and challenging games. These are places where gamers can change their game midway or lean back for some time, unbothered by household chores or any other cause of disturbance.
Online gaming, combined with drinking coffee, allows them to have the right and entertaining experience. Definitely, it is not a place to game but rather to relax, have conversations, and simply indulge in a community of people with interests. Online games, such as slots, contribute even more to this casual atmosphere because a player can have fun with several rounds without feeling obliged to some kind of long session of game playing. The game culture is ever-changing, and this function as a game cafe will survive because they will be making, with further creation, a comfortable mix of community and entertainment, creating a home for all sorts of gamers.
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Deciding to divorce? Here’s how to prepare
Deciding to divorce is a significant and often challenging step. Planning thoughtfully and approaching each step with care can ease the transition and help you navigate the process with greater resilience. Here’s how to prepare if you’re considering divorce.
Deciding to divorce is a significant and often challenging step. Planning thoughtfully and approaching each step with care can ease the transition and help you navigate the process with greater resilience. Here’s how to prepare if you’re considering divorce.
Consult a lawyer early
Divorce involves complex legal issues, and it’s vital to understand your rights and obligations from the start. A family law solicitor can provide expert guidance tailored to your unique situation, helping you avoid costly mistakes that could impact your financial future or child custody arrangements.
By seeking legal advice early, you’ll be more equipped to make informed decisions and understand the long-term implications.
Organise your finances
As you prepare for the proceedings, start by gathering a comprehensive record of all your finances. This should include bank statements, tax returns, mortgage details, loan agreements, and any assets such as property, investments, or pensions.
Knowing your financial position can streamline discussions about asset division and ensure fair negotiations. A clear understanding of both parties' financial situations will also make it easier to determine appropriate child or spousal support.
Establish emotional support
Divorce can be emotionally draining, and no one should have to go through it alone. Establishing a solid support network of friends, family, or mental health professionals can make all the difference during this time.
Trusted individuals can provide a listening ear, a sense of perspective, and emotional stability when things get tough. Seeking support is not only about finding comfort. It’s also a proactive way to maintain your mental health through a major life transition.
Prioritise self-care
The practical demands of divorce can sometimes overshadow the importance of self-care, but maintaining your wellbeing is essential.
Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and relaxation techniques such as mindfulness or meditation can help you stay centred and reduce stress.
Rediscovering hobbies or engaging in creative activities can also give you a break from the emotional toll of divorce. Taking time to care for yourself will make it easier to manage other aspects of the process, too.
Create a co-parenting plan
If children are involved, one of your top priorities should be to create a co-parenting plan. This plan should cover practical arrangements such as living situations, visitation schedules, and decision-making responsibilities, all with a focus on your children's best interests.
A well-structured plan can provide consistency and stability for your children, helping them adapt to the changes. Co-parenting doesn’t end when a divorce is finalised. It’s an ongoing commitment to maintaining a healthy environment.
Stay open to communication
Although it may be difficult, keeping communication open with your ex-partner can make the process significantly smoother.
Effective communication can reduce misunderstandings, prevent unnecessary conflict, and facilitate better outcomes for both parties. Where possible, approach discussions with an open mind and a willingness to compromise, especially when children are involved.
Maintaining civility and focusing on mutually beneficial solutions can help you both move forward without lingering resentment or animosity.
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What are the main challenges of remote working for small businesses in the UK?
No doubt working from home is convenient, but it’s not without its set of challenges, especially for small businesses.
Remote work was something that was, initially, widely accepted and seen as a new way of working, even praised as forward-thinking. Countries shaped entire new laws around the whole “work-from-home” momentum, people bought homes in the countryside where they were cheaper. We all prepared for something that seemed permanent. It wasn’t long before everyone realised we may have made hasty decisions.
The 'new normal' they said, where we would all be working in our pyjamas forever. Wasn't that something? It wasn’t long before companies started to change tune. Quietly at first, then with a bit more insistence. Almost like the remote experiment didn’t quite pan out the way we all thought it would. Maybe we got a bit too excited, too soon. No doubt working from home is convenient, but it’s not without its set of challenges, especially for small businesses.
Remote work still an incentive when hiring
Offering remote work when hiring new people is probably still one of the most common ways to draw applicants’ attention. But from the perspective of a small business, where operations need to be tight, remote work can be both challenging and beneficial.
According to Forbes’ own survey, a good number of people in the UK still work from home or have some sort of hybrid work hours. That proves people are willing to work remotely, and businesses are willing to let them do it. The problem is – workers and businesses don’t necessarily always have the same goals. While people undoubtedly look for remote jobs, there’s a shortage of offerings, according to LinkedIn reports. A 23% drop in remote job postings, compared to 2023. Businesses are not so eager to offer fully remote positions, which implies there are logical reasons behind that.
However, we don’t need any surveys to confidently conclude remote work offers great work-life balance, and thus remains popular in many industries. It is especially true for tech and gaming industries, where flexibility and productivity are key. For instance, game developers and designers can easily collaborate remotely, continuing to expand gaming platforms, offering users the chance to play their favourite games, whether it is to play a video game or to play Megaways at Pink Casino.
Main challenges of remote working, from a small business perspective
In some ways, remote work has given small businesses a fighting chance, but in others, it’s made things more chaotic. There's the lingering issue of communication. Something that is especially critical for startups and small businesses. You’re trying to get the team on a Zoom call, half of them are on mute, the other half have bad Wi-Fi that cuts out at the worst possible moment. Not to mention – it happens daily.
Lack of office camaraderie is also a problem. Workers miss chats by the kettle, where they would talk about everything and nothing at the same time. Sure, messaging and emailing can be efficient as well, but there’s always something lost in translation. Plus, managing productivity remotely is a bit of a guessing game. You trust your team, obviously, but if we're honest, there's always that nagging feeling of wondering whether they really work or watch Netflix. Then there’s a legal side of things. Health and safety regulations, ensuring staff have the right equipment, and ergonomic chairs. Who would’ve thought that would be a business expense now? Remote work sounds simple on paper, but the devil's in the details.
For some small businesses, it's also about control. Managers want to see their employees’ faces, and there’s also some reports that productivity is better when working from the office. There's also something called company culture. It’s hard to have a spontaneous chat when you need to schedule a meeting just to ask, "Hey, how's it going?"
Companies are starting to realize that those accidental interactions in hallways or during lunch breaks actually matter. It’s hard to build a strong team spirit when everyone’s just a face on a screen. Despite all the tools available, small business owners can start to feel like they’re losing touch with their team, and have a hard time keeping progress of what everyone is doing.
Remote work reats the spirit of small business
Small businesses are specific in a way that makes them more personal. Like a corner coffee shop where the barista knows your order before you even walk in. Their management is often a bit more hands-on, with the owner juggling ten different things at once. You don’t have departments passing memos like in some faceless corporation. You can’t remote into that, can you?
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Top tips for efficient and focused work from home
We’ll explore practical strategies for efficient, concentrated work at home to help you establish a productive and balanced remote work routine.
Working from home has its benefits—flexibility, no commute, and a more comfortable setting. However, it also comes with challenges, particularly when it comes to maintaining productivity and focus. Without the traditional office environment, many people find it hard to set boundaries and avoid distractions. Here, we’ll explore practical strategies for efficient, concentrated work at home to help you establish a productive and balanced remote work routine.
Designate a dedicated workspace
One of the most crucial aspects of working efficiently from home is creating a workspace that is solely for work. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate office, but it should be a designated area free from distractions. By keeping work and personal spaces separate, you signal to your mind that this is a place for focus. Ensure your workspace is tidy and stocked with all the tools you need to avoid having to get up frequently.
Having a designated workspace also makes it easier to switch off at the end of the day. When you leave that area, you can more easily mentally transition from “work mode” to “home mode,” which is important for maintaining a work-life balance.
Establish clear boundaries between work and leisure
Blurring the lines between work and personal time can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. To avoid this, establish a clear routine with specific work hours, and communicate these boundaries to others in your household. Setting these limits will help you stay focused during work hours and fully relax during breaks or after-hours.
If you’re looking for activities to help unwind, consider enjoyable leisure time activities like online gaming. For instance, 1337games.io offers a range of online casino games not on Gamstop, providing a fun way to relax and shift your focus after a productive day. Having an activity to look forward to after work can keep you motivated and help maintain your work-life balance.
Set daily goals and prioritize tasks
Starting each day with a clear plan is essential. Take a few minutes in the morning to outline your top priorities and the specific tasks you need to accomplish. Try dividing your list into categories like “high priority” and “secondary tasks” to ensure you complete the most important items first. You can also use productivity apps or a simple to-do list to stay on track and check off tasks as you go. This structure not only boosts productivity but also gives you a sense of achievement.
Use time management techniques like the pomodoro technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a highly effective way to maintain focus throughout the day. It involves working for 25 minutes, followed by a short, 5-minute break. After four cycles, take a longer break of around 15-30 minutes. This method provides structure to your workday and helps prevent fatigue, keeping you refreshed and productive.
By committing to specific intervals of work and rest, you avoid the burnout that comes from overworking while still achieving a high level of focus. This technique also helps reduce procrastination, as each task is approached in manageable chunks.
Minimize distractions to boost focus
In a home environment, distractions are often inevitable, but minimizing them is key. Consider setting your phone on silent mode or keeping it out of reach to prevent the urge to check social media or messages. If you live with family members or roommates, communicate your work schedule with them to minimize interruptions. Noise-canceling headphones can also be helpful if you’re working in a shared or noisy space.
By actively managing distractions, you’re more likely to stay focused and complete your tasks in a timely manner, giving you more free time once your work is done.
Take regular breaks for improved productivity
Taking regular breaks might seem counterintuitive, but they are actually crucial for maintaining productivity. Short breaks allow your mind to reset, preventing mental fatigue. Make it a point to step away from your desk, stretch, or get some fresh air during these breaks. These short breaks give your brain the downtime it needs, making it easier to return to work feeling recharged and ready to concentrate.
Invest in ergonomics for long-term comfort
An often overlooked aspect of remote work is the physical strain it can cause. Poor posture or uncomfortable seating can lead to pain or fatigue, affecting your ability to focus. Invest in ergonomic furniture like a supportive chair and adjustable desk. This small change can help keep you comfortable, making it easier to work effectively without unnecessary strain.
Monitor and reflect on your productivity
It’s helpful to periodically review your productivity habits and see what’s working for you. After each week, take a moment to reflect on which strategies helped you stay focused and which didn’t. You may find that some changes, like adjusting your work hours or finding new ways to unwind, improve your productivity. Being aware of what boosts your efficiency allows you to make small tweaks to enhance your overall work-from-home experience.
Creating a productive and focused work-from-home environment takes some effort and discipline, but with a few simple strategies, it’s entirely achievable. By setting clear boundaries, minimizing distractions, and scheduling time for relaxation, you can create an efficient remote work routine that supports both productivity and well-being.
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8 cybersecurity tips for protecting your home Wi-Fi network
Because of all these connected devices and the data transferred across them, it is important that you take heed of the following tips to protect your Wi-Fi network from cybercriminals.
When you’re working from home, it is important that you keep your home Wi-Fi network secure. It’s most likely not just your work computer running on your network, you might also have cell phones, smart TVs and even your smart thermostat connected.
Because of all these connected devices and the data transferred across them, it is important that you take heed of the following tips to protect your Wi-Fi network from cybercriminals.
1. Ensure your router is secure
The first thing you need to do to ensure your personal data is protected is to secure your Wi-Fi router. Routers usually come with a standard username and password, and cybercriminals have ways to find these standard credentials online. They can then either lock the network or access your data.
As soon as you set up your Wi-Fi, give the router a unique name and use a strong password with letters, numbers and symbols.
2. Strengthen Wi-Fi encryption
Encryption is one of the best ways to safeguard your Wi-Fi network. It scrambles all the data transferred on your network so that hackers can’t decipher what is being sent.
It is recommended that you use WPA2 encryption as this is the most secure. Most newer routers are compatible with this type of encryption. If you have a router that is older than a decade, it might not be compatible and it is essential that you upgrade your router.
You can check whether your router uses WPA2 encryption by logging in to your router and checking the network settings.
3. Use a VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) is a type of encryption that hides your location’s IP address. That means that someone keeping an eye on your network won’t be able to see where you are based or what you are doing online.
VPNs have many benefits beyond securing your network. Since you can often select your IP address, they allow you to access content that might be restricted in your country. For example, if you enjoy online gambling but it is not regulated where you stay, you can use a VPN to mask your address and access new casinos not locally available. That way your data is not only secure, but you also get to enjoy many more entertainment options.
VPNs and their features can be used on your work computer as well as your phone and tablet.
4. Install a firewall
Most modern routers come with a pre-installed firewall. This firewall acts as a barrier to prevent hacking. However, there is the option to disable this firewall, so make sure it is enabled before connecting any of your devices.
If your router doesn’t have a firewall installed, make sure that you get one for your devices themselves.
5. Set up a separate network for IoT devices
The Internet of Things (IoT) includes other smart devices that you have in your home that are connected to your Wi-Fi network. This can include your smartwatch, fitness tracker, Alexa, smart thermostat or Google Home.
It is convenient to have all these devices online, but the more devices you have, the higher the risk of a hacker gaining access to your network, especially since not all devices prioritise security.
If you wish to elevate your work-from-home setup by protecting the Wi-Fi network you use for work, it is best to create a separate network for your IoT devices. This can be done via a virtual local area network (VLAN). With a VLAN, your work devices can be connected to one network, and your IoT devices to another.
6. Disable remote access
Modern Wi-Fi routers allow remote access so that a network technician can log into your device if you are experiencing problems. However, unless you need someone to have this kind of access, it is best to turn off this feature in the router’s settings.
Log in to your router’s web interface and look for settings, then disable “Remote Administration” or “Remote Access”. Most routers have this disabled as a default, but it is always best to check. By disabling this feature, you’re reducing the risk of someone outside of your home accessing your Wi-Fi.
7. Switch off your router when not at home
It may seem simple, but switching off your router when you’re not at home or not working is one of the easiest ways to protect your network. By unplugging the router you’re preventing hackers from accessing your network when you’re not home.
As a bonus, your router will also be protected from unexpected power surges.
8. Enable media access control (MAC) address filtering
A MAC address identifies specific devices on a network, each device has one. By turning on MAC address filtering, you’re preventing cybercriminals from connecting to a Wi-Fi network even if they managed to gain access to the password.
You can enable this feature in your router’s settings. Select the MAC addresses you wish to allow (e.g. your phone and laptop) and block any others.
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Analysing the unexpected fees and performance trade-offs hidden in shared hosting plans
Here's what you should consider if you're using or considering a cheap shared hosting platform.
The global web hosting market rose from $94.64 billion in 2022 to $124.80 billion a year later. It is anticipated to increase by 17.35% a year from 2024 to 2029, ultimately reaching $355.80 billion in 2029.
Shared hosting holds an estimated 37.64% market share and is still the most popular web hosting choice in 2024. It is projected to amount to $72.2 billion in 2026, growing at the impressive rate of 15% a year.
There is a reason for its popularity. Shared hosting is the most affordable type. Websites are hosted in bulk on shared servers. There can be hundreds of websites on the same server, and they share an IP in most cases. Shared hosting might cost as little as $3, but it comes with hidden fees and potential performance issues. Here's what you should consider if you're using or just considering a cheap shared hosting platform.
The hidden costs: backups, setting adjustments, and external help
Most shared hosting providers don't back up the websites on the server. The best ones perform backups once a week. Each new backup overwrites the previous one.
Backups are important because they allow data recovery. If your website crashes, gets hacked, or someone on your team makes a mistake and deletes content, you can't restore the data without having backed it up.
Backups can cost a pretty penny. Cloud backup for individual accounts can cost as much as $50 for 500GB of data or $100 for 2TB.
Most shared hosting platforms don't let clients change the server settings. You might want to run a specific PHP version while other sites on the server are using another version. If this happens, the provider will suggest you "upgrade" your account, i.e., paying more.
Few shared hosting platforms have adequate support, much less support around the clock. Your website might crash right before an important event, like launching a promotion. If you run a business, you face a drop in revenue, reputation damage, etc. You must fix any issues that arise due to inadequate maintenance or hosting. You might need to hire someone to improve website performance or purchase special software.
Buying an SSL certificate separately
Shared hosting providers don't normally offer free SSL certificates, which are critical for security. You would then need to buy an SSL certificate from the hosting provider or a third party, and it will cost more than what you're paying for hosting a year.
As of August 2024, there were almost 318 million SSL certificates online. While the most basic ones cost a few dollars a month, you can expect to pay as much as $169 for more reliable products.
Two last issues with low-cost shared hosting are that just one website per account is allowed and you need to pay for cPanel separately. You might have more than one website or want more than one environment – one for development, one for production, etc.
There are cPanel licensing costs to reckon with. Other than that, it's an excellent user interface for managing multiple shared hosting accounts.
Performance issues with shared hosting
Shared hosting providers tend to offer limited RAM, CPU, and storage capacity. If your website experiences growth, the limitations begin to manifest as poor scalability and slow loading times.
Website owners don't get root access to the server, so no changes to its configuration are possible. This limits the hosting environment's flexibility and customization.
They should consider using a content delivery network to address the lack of control. CDNs reduce the load on the server by distributing the content across several servers. As you probably expected, this also costs extra. The CDN market is growing dynamically. It was worth $23.66 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $408 billion by 2036. As of September 2024, more than 42 million live websites are using a CDN, and another 54 million have used one in the past.
If you're set on shared hosting, choose an intuitive content management system. It can help you manage your content without a technical background.
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This year’s guide to your office party
This year’s guide to your office party will help you get it right and avoid those office party faux-pas, so you can come back to work in January without regrets.
The time for office Christmas parties is almost here! The venue may be booked, the deposit paid and your menu choice made but If this is your first work Christmas party, you’re probably wondering what exactly to expect and how to behave on the night.
This year’s guide to your office party will help you get it right and avoid those office party faux-pas, so you can come back to work in January without regrets.
Keep it professional
Office Christmas parties are a chance to let your hair down at the end of the year, celebrate how hard you’ve worked and get to know your colleagues better outside of your usual work environment. However, it’s crucial to remember that you’ll all be back in the office together come New Year, so you don’t want to get too carried away!
If in doubt, keep it professional. If you’re worried about saying the wrong thing after one too many drinks, set yourself a limit or alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks so you don’t overdo it. You could even volunteer yourself as a designated driver, which will not only ensure you stay sober and in control but also make you popular with your colleagues!
Don’t let fear of embarrassing yourself put you off going altogether. Work Christmas parties can be an important part of office culture and a good way to strengthen relationships with colleagues. Making the effort to attend shows that you’re invested in your job and happy to be there.
Dress classy
Just because it’s an office Christmas party doesn’t mean you need to don your usual business casual workwear! It’s still a party after all! Opt for something simple and classy, such as a full-length evening dress in a block colour or pair tailored trousers with a glittery top and heels.
Festive colours such as green and red are popular choices but black, silver and gold can work just as well for an office Christmas party. Anything with sparkle is an excellent choice, just be careful not to overdo it. You want your outfit to turn heads for the right reasons!
Arrival and exit
No one wants to be the first to arrive but you don’t want to be too late either, especially if your office Christmas party involves a sit-down meal, as many do. If you're nervous about walking in on your own, arrange to travel with colleagues so you can arrive together.
Likewise, it’s a good idea to have a time in mind for when you’ll leave, and to have arranged your travel plans for getting home well in advance. Whether you’re lift sharing, getting a taxi or catching the last train, knowing what time you plan to go home and how will save any end-of-the-night stress and will make sure you’re not the only one left on the dancefloor when everyone else has left.
Get mingling!
Office Christmas parties are the perfect opportunity for socialising and getting to know your colleagues better.
If you’ve already got an established friendship group at work it can be tempting to spend the whole night having fun together, but you should make an effort to chat to people outside your usual team, and try to mingle if you can.
Remember that while this is a work party, most people will be wanting to switch off for the holidays, so try not to ‘talk shop’! If you’re nervous, a smile can go a long way, and above all, don’t forget to have fun!
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Maximising property value through exterior renovations
This post will explore the most effective upgrades, trends, and practical considerations for enhancing curb appeal and overall market value.
Looking to increase the value of property? This is always a smart move, even if you do not have plans to sell anytime soon. One of the most effective ways to do this is with exterior renovations. This post will explore the most effective upgrades, trends, and practical considerations for enhancing curb appeal and overall market value.
Curb appeal: First impressions matter
Improving the exterior of the home can significantly impact property value, as this is how the first impression will be formed. There are many ways to improve curb appeal, including upgrading the facade, freshening up the paintwork, installing new front door furniture, and enhancing landscaping. A few recent trends to be aware of include clean, minimalist designs and low-maintenance features that are popular among UK buyers.
Enhancing outdoor living spaces
Outdoor living spaces are highly in demand, especially in the UK, where gardens and patios have become extensions of indoor spaces. Investing in decking, patios, or outdoor seating areas can elevate your lifestyle and add value to your home. When redesigning outdoor spaces, homeowners are gravitating towards durable, low-maintenance materials for their patios and walkways. Materials such as porcelain paving are popular choices due to their sleek appearance and resilience, adding a premium feel to outdoor areas.
Energy efficient & eco-friendly upgrades
Energy-efficient and eco-friendly upgrades are a major trend in 2024, as they will help homeowners minimise their impact on the planet and save money during a time when the cost of energy is high. These can include renovations such as double-glazed windows, energy-efficient doors, and solar panels. Government incentives are also available for eco-friendly upgrades that will benefit homeowners financially.
Garden landscaping: A key to higher valuations
Well-designed outdoor spaces can significantly increase a property’s value. A few landscaping trends to be aware of include installing flower beds and hedges to create low-maintenance gardens with artificial grass or gravel paths. There is also the trend of integrating sustainable features like rainwater harvesting systems and native plant species that require less maintenance.
Driveways & parking: A high-impact upgrade
Driveways and off-street parking are highly valued in many UK properties, especially in urban areas. Upgrading or installing a driveway with durable materials can improve functionality and add to the home’s appeal. Just be sure to choose a long-lasting, weather-resistant material and check local regulations around driveway installations.
Well-planned exterior renovations can make a huge difference to the value of your home. By improving the curb appeal, enhancing outdoor living spaces, choosing eco-friendly upgrades, incorporating landscaping trends, and installing a driveway, you can make your home a lot more desirable to potential buyers and drive up the value while making life more enjoyable at home. These are all excellent upgrades to consider that could make a big difference to the value of your home.
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Remote work revolution: Adapting letter formats for home office communication
This article delves into how remote workers can boost communication skills through well-structured letter formats.
The ability to communicate effectively is crucial in remote work environments, especially when coworkers and clients are spread out over different locations. Crafting professional yet easy-to-read letters is key to maintaining clarity and ensuring your messages hit home as intended. Adjusting letter formats for digital communication becomes incredibly important as traditional office settings transition into home offices. This article delves into how remote workers can boost communication skills through well-structured letter formats.
Key elements of a professional letter for remote work
Clarity should really be the primary focus when you’re composing a letter remotely. Consider these key elements to seriously enhance professionalism in your communication:
Clear Subject Line
Start with a subject line that captures the essence of the message and gives the recipient an idea of what’s coming next. For instance, instead of something vague like "Update," go for a more specific subject line such as "Project X Status Update - March 2023."
Concise Introduction
Your introduction should briefly outline the purpose of your letter. A statement like, "This letter provides an update on the progress of Project X, including key milestones achieved and upcoming deadlines," effectively sets up what’s coming next.
Professional and Approachable Tone
Maintain a tone that strikes a balance between professionalism and approachability. Using phrases such as "Appreciation is extended for your support on this matter" conveys respect while encouraging positive engagement.
Furthermore, bullet points are a common organisational technique for sharing information effectively. They make your letter much easier to digest. For example, when outlining project milestones, you might include:
● Milestone 1: Completed initial research by February 15
● Milestone 2: Finished the first draft by March 10
Combining these elements results in a remote work-friendly letter format that's perfect for digital communication. A well-structured letter promotes understanding and encourages positive interactions among remote workers, project managers, and freelance clients.
Common formats for different types of letters
In this method of communication, different scenarios call for various letter formats. For formal business letters, such as requests or updates, a structured approach is essential. If you're requesting additional resources for a project, start with a formal greeting followed by a clear explanation of your needs. Use headings to separate sections like "Background," "Request," and "Conclusion" to clarify what's being asked.
Conversely, emails between colleagues or supervisors may benefit from just slightly more relaxed tones while still maintaining professionalism. For instance, you might say something like: "Hope all is well. A discussion on our upcoming presentation would be beneficial so we can brainstorm some ideas together."
A polished approach is necessary in communications with clients. This means incorporating professionalism with warmth. Tailored letters that reflect the nature of the relationship emphasise respect and trust. A concluding remark might read something like: “Thank you so much for entrusting this project to our team; we are committed to exceeding expectations.”
Digital etiquette in remote letter writing
Sticking to digital etiquette is extremely crucial for promoting smooth and effective communication. Think about these essential points to boost clarity and professionalism:
● Clarity and Brevity: Focus on being clear while thoroughly conveying the message. Readers often deal with an overload of information, so it's very important to summarise project updates effectively.
● Professional Image: Maintain a professional appearance in a remote work environment where personal and professional boundaries can easily blur. Use a polished email signature that includes your name, title, and contact details; avoid typing in all capital letters and using casual language or emojis in formal emails.
● Review Before Sending: Before hitting send, take some time to review the tone and structure of your business documents. This practice helps ensure messages are received positively and clearly convey the intended meaning.
Tools for enhancing digital letter writing
With the number of digital tools available today, enhancing your letter writing has never been easier. Different software solutions can assist with formatting, grammar checks, and even tone adjustments. They can save you time and ensure quality. This is particularly helpful for those who struggle with writing or prefer their work to be polished before sending it out.
Additionally, sample letter templates can simplify recurring communication tasks by allowing you to focus on content rather than layout. You can customise sections based on specific projects while maintaining a common form throughout.
Furthermore, incorporating digital signatures and personalised letterhead adds a professional touch to your correspondence. These small details are business communication essentials and can significantly impact how your letters are perceived by others.
Creating an impactful closing statement in remote communication
The closing statement serves as the final impression of the letter—and it’s absolutely critical. Consider these key points when crafting an impactful conclusion:
Reiterate the Message
A well-crafted conclusion should reiterate the main points while inviting further engagement from the recipient. For instance, a statement like, "Looking forward to your feedback on the proposal! Happy to discuss any questions," encourages ongoing communication.
Choose the Right Sign-Off
Select an appropriate sign-off based on your relationship with the recipient. Use "Sincerely" for formal correspondence or "Regards" for something slightly more relaxed, ensuring that it aligns with the overall tone of the message.
Offer Next Steps
Including follow-up instructions enhances clarity and ensures communication continues beyond this one letter. For example, when sharing project updates, saying something like, "Attached documents should be reviewed by Friday. Feedback or requests for follow-up meetings are welcome," promotes ongoing dialogue naturally.
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Top tips for decluttering your home and creating more space
A clutter-free home provides multiple benefits including a more functional environment and improved mental wellbeing. If you’re seeking to simplify your life and maximise space, then the home is a great place to start.
A clutter-free home provides multiple benefits including a more functional environment and improved mental wellbeing. If you’re seeking to simplify your life and maximise space, then the home is a great place to start.
Start with a clear plan
Rather than diving in haphazardly, start with a strategy. Divide your home into sections and tackle one at a time. This helps prevent overwhelm and allows you to see progress quickly. Set realistic goals for what you hope to achieve and allocate a specific time for each section to keep the momentum going. For example, plan to declutter your kitchen over the weekend and move on to your bedroom the following week.
Embrace smart storage solutions
In smaller homes and where space is limited, maximising storage is key to keeping clutter at bay. Under-bed drawers, stackable storage boxes and foldable furniture are perfect for helping you utilise every nook and cranny. Invest in multi-functional furniture, such as ottomans with hidden storage or shelves that double up as decorative pieces. You could even install vertical shelving, taking advantage of the wall space to store items in rooms such as the kitchen or bathroom.
Let go of unused Items
One of the biggest challenges of decluttering is parting with belongings, especially those with sentimental value. But holding on to unused or broken items only adds to clutter. A good rule of thumb is to apply the “one-year rule” meaning that if you haven't used an item in the past year, it's time to let it go.
Make money from decluttering
Second-hand platforms and online pawnbrokers can be great ways to sell unused items. This is not only an excellent way to earn some extra cash, but it also contributes to the circular economy, reducing waste.
Donate or recycle responsibly
Another option is to donate your unused items to charity shops. As well as freeing up space, this is a fantastic way to give back to the community. Many charities offer free collection services for larger items like furniture. For those items that can’t be donated, consider recycling.
Remember to check with your local council to find out what they accept and how to dispose of items like electronics responsibly.
Maintain a clutter-free space
Once you've successfully decluttered, the key is to keep it that way. Create a habit of regularly reviewing your belongings, at least a couple of times a year, to prevent clutter from building up again.
Finally, decluttering your home isn’t just about creating more space, it’s about embracing a more mindful and enjoyable environment to live in. By following these tips you can reduce stress, run a functional home and even contribute to sustainable living.
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Crypto casinos may just be the future of online gambling
The online gambling world is evolving rapidly, and one of the most exciting developments is the rise of crypto casinos. As cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Solana continue to grow in popularity, they are beginning to shape various industries, including gambling.
Players are now seeking new ways to gamble that offer them more control, privacy, and flexibility. For many, crypto casinos provide the solution they’ve been looking for, blending the anonymity of cryptocurrency with the excitement of online gaming.
Regulatory pressures and the move to offshore sites
While traditional online casinos remain dominant in the UK, crypto casinos are emerging as a viable alternative. This shift is driven by numerous factors, including regulatory pressure and evolving player preferences.
These account for some of the main reasons many players are turning to crypto casinos these days. In regions like the UK, the online gambling market is heavily regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The UKGC’s role is to ensure player protection, fairness, and ethical standards, but its strict rules are also causing some unintended consequences.
UKGC-regulated casinos face numerous restrictions, such as deposit limits, restrictions on bonuses, and verification processes that require players to submit detailed personal information. One of the key measures is the GamStop program, which enables players to self-exclude from all UKGC-licensed casinos.
While well-intentioned, these restrictions are pushing some players to look for alternatives. As a result, more and more UK players are now opting for non gamstop casinos UK, which provide a viable alternative that doesn’t fall under UKGC regulations. These offshore sites are usually crypto casinos and feature fewer restrictions, amid other perks like instant payouts, less invasive registration processes, and better bonuses.
This is made possible because crypto payments are processed and verified using blockchain technology. With a wide range of benefits in tow, there’s plenty of evidence so far to suggest these platforms could end up becoming more popular than traditional online casinos one day.
The benefits of crypto casinos
Crypto casinos provide some key enhancements over their traditional counterparts. One of the most appealing features is a more private experience. This is made possible by blockchain technology in general to an extent and it can be more efficiently provided via the use of a private blockchain.
In conventional online casinos, players often need to verify their identity by providing personal details such as names, addresses, and bank account information. Crypto casinos, on the other hand, allow players to maintain their privacy. This is particularly attractive for those who value discretion and want to keep their gambling activities separate from their personal finances.
Another benefit is the speed and efficiency of transactions. Traditional casinos rely on banks and other financial intermediaries to process payments, which can result in delays. In contrast, crypto transactions are typically faster and cheaper, as they don’t require third-party approval.
This allows players to deposit and withdraw funds almost instantly, without the usual waiting periods. Moreover, cryptocurrency’s decentralised nature means players from countries with restricted access to gambling sites can participate more freely without facing geographical limitations.
The flexibility of cryptocurrencies also adds to their appeal. Unlike fiat currencies, which are subject to exchange rates and banking regulations, cryptocurrencies can be used globally without the need for currency conversion.
Players who travel frequently or live in countries with strict financial laws can easily access their funds and gamble on crypto platforms without the need for lengthy conversion processes. These benefits collectively make crypto casinos a much more convenient option for a growing number of players worldwide.
Challenges facing crypto casinos
Despite the many benefits, crypto casinos also face several challenges that may hinder their mainstream adoption. One of the biggest concerns is the extent of future crypto regulation—or the lack thereof. While traditional online casinos are subject to strict regulatory oversight, many crypto casinos operate in a grey area where regulations are either unclear or non-existent.
Players may feel uneasy about the potential risks involved in gambling on a platform that isn’t regulated by a recognized authority. There are also concerns about the security of crypto transactions. While blockchain technology is generally considered secure, there have been instances of hacking and fraud in the cryptocurrency space. Despite this, many crypto casinos currently offer legitimate, safe, and licensed platforms so it’s important to first do your homework before choosing one.
The future of online gambling
Crypto casinos are still in their infancy, but their growth potential is undeniable. As more players discover the benefits of these platforms, we can expect them to play a more prominent role in the future of online gambling.
One of the key trends driving this growth is the increasing adoption of cryptocurrency in everyday life. As more businesses accept cryptocurrencies as a legitimate form of payment, it’s only natural that their use in gambling will grow.
As regulators begin to take notice of the crypto gambling sector, we may see a shift towards a more structured regulatory environment. This could provide the necessary framework for crypto casinos to operate more transparently and gain the trust of hesitant players. For now, the integration of advanced technologies such as blockchain and decentralised applications (dApps) is set to revolutionise the way online casinos operate.
Tips to always be ready for online meetings
Here are six essential tips to help you be prepared for your next online meeting.
Online meetings have become part and parcel of professional and personal dealings in today's digitally-driven world. Working from home, attending virtual conferences, or catching up with clients or colleagues requires readiness regarding the consideration one needs to observe for the professional and efficient execution of tasks. Here are six essential tips to help you be prepared for your next online meeting.
Test your technology in advance
One of the largest technical barriers that could happen in an online meeting can be avoided if participants get into the habit of testing their technology well in advance: making sure your internet is working well, your computer or device is at top speed, and your microphone and camera are in great order. Most video conferencing platforms offer tools to test audio and video settings. Also, keep upgrading your software and apps to avoid issues of incompatibility. All of the above preparation, when done in advance, shall save you from last-minute technical hassles and ensure smoothness while conducting the meeting.
Choose a professional and non-distracting environment
This is the part where the background you are surrounded by during online meetings can easily affect how professional you are, or how well you are focused on the ongoing discussion. Attend to a quiet, well-lit area with no background noise or distractions. Make sure your background looks neat; this will, in turn, show that you're someone detailed enough and cares about your audience. You can use virtual backgrounds, if appropriate, to avoid giving away where you are currently located. Be sure to indicate when family members or roommates around you will be finished to help minimize any possible disruptions of your meeting. A clean and clutter-free workspace will help in supporting your focus and productivity for the meeting.
Prepare and organize meeting materials
The success key to conducting any online meeting is to be prepared. Get all your documents, presentations, or reports that may turn out to be useful in a meeting and go through them in advance. Familiarize yourself with the agenda and all the important points that are going to be discussed. This way, you would easily be able to refer to or share such materials since they would already be at your fingertips. In case you are going to share your screen, clean up junk on your desktop and ensure that only important documents or apps are open. This kind of preparation will make you effectively contribute and look professional.
Dress appropriately for the occasion
Online meetings are taken seriously through proper dressing. Dress accordingly to the type of meeting it is going to be—business formal, business casual, or casual. Even when you're working from home, dressing professionally puts you in the right mindset for the meeting. Shy away from far-too-casual attire like sleepwear and gym wear, as that can influence how others will perceive the level of your engagement and seriousness. Being properly dressed will boost your confidence and further reinforce your commitment to being professional.
Personal grooming
The professional preparation for online meetings also includes getting your grooming, so that you have the confidence and are able to give out the best version of yourself. If you have curly hair, then keeping your hair healthy and great-looking is not a question of your appearance only; rather it's a part of your persona. To keep your curly hair alive condition them regularly and use products friendly to them to help keep your locks looking vivid and healthy. Keep your hair clean and appropriately styled when attending online meetings.
Master effective communication techniques
Regardless of the form an online meeting takes, what's needed is clear and effective communication. One should talk clearly at a moderate speed to ensure clear messages are passed out to the listeners. Embrace high-quality microphones that enhance the clarity of audio or avoid situations where one speaks over people. This also applies to non-verbal activities: eye contact with the camera, appropriate facial expression, and core body language exposure. At the same time, be careful about what other participants are hearing and respond to them accordingly.
Technical, professional, and communicational—these are all the things you should be prepared for in any online meeting. Some ways to get you on the right track for any virtual interaction include testing technology, building a no-distraction environment, keeping materials at hand, dressing appropriately, mastering the communication art, and following up after the meeting. These tips will help you be confident and professional in participation and therefore be able to render productive and successful virtual meetings.
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Eliminate the clutter with 10 innovative living room storage ideas
In this article, we’ll explore ten storage ideas to help you eliminate clutter while recommending some of the finest contemporary living room furniture from Furniture in Fashion, a leading UK-based online store.
In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining a clean and organized living room can be challenging. Clutter not only detracts from the aesthetic appeal of your space but can also create unnecessary stress. Fortunately, there are numerous innovative storage solutions available to help you keep your living room tidy and stylish. Whether you prefer traditional, minimalist, or rustic interiors, the right storage pieces can transform your living space into a sanctuary of calm and order. In this article, we’ll explore ten storage ideas to help you eliminate clutter while recommending some of the finest contemporary living room furniture from Furniture in Fashion, a leading UK-based online store.
1. Multifunctional Coffee Tables with Storage
A coffee table is often the centrepiece of a living room, but why not make it functional too? Opt for Furniture in Fashion Coffee Tables that come with built-in storage compartments. These tables are perfect for stashing away remote controls, magazines, or even board games, keeping your living room tidy without sacrificing style. Available in a variety of designs, from elegant glass tops to solid wood, these coffee tables add a contemporary flair while offering practicality.
2. Wall-Mounted Shelves
Maximize your vertical space by incorporating wall-mounted shelves. These are ideal for displaying decorative items, books, or small plants while freeing up floor space. For a cohesive look, consider matching your shelves with other Contemporary Living Room Furniture from Furniture in Fashion. Their collection includes sleek white and black shelving units that complement any modern decor, helping you maintain a clutter-free environment.
3. Corner TV Stands
Make the most of every inch of your living room by utilizing a corner TV stand. These stands are designed to fit snugly into corners, freeing up more space for other furniture pieces. Furniture in Fashion offers a range of contemporary corner TV stands that blend seamlessly with various interior styles. Whether you prefer a minimalist design or something more traditional, these stands provide ample storage for media devices, DVDs, and more.
4. Storage Ottomans
Storage ottomans are a versatile addition to any living room. They can serve as extra seating, a footrest, or even a coffee table in a pinch. More importantly, they offer hidden storage for items like blankets, pillows, or toys. Furniture in Fashion features a selection of leather and fabric ottomans in various colors, including classic black and brown, that can easily integrate into your existing decor.
5. Sideboards and Cabinets
Sideboards and cabinets are essential for anyone looking to keep their living room organized. These pieces offer plenty of storage space for items you want to keep out of sight, such as games, books, or even dinnerware. Furniture in Fashion provides an extensive range of sideboards and cabinets in modern designs, from sleek white gloss to rich wooden finishes. These pieces are perfect for those who want to combine style with functionality.
6. Floating Media Units
Floating media units are a contemporary solution for those who want to keep their living room clutter-free. These units are mounted on the wall, offering a sleek and modern look while providing storage space for media equipment and accessories. Furniture in Fashion offers a variety of floating media units that pair well with their Furniture in Fashion Coffee Tables, creating a harmonious and stylish layout in your living room.
7. Nesting Tables
Nesting tables are an excellent space-saving solution. When not in use, these tables can be tucked under each other, freeing up floor space. They are perfect for smaller living rooms where every inch counts. Furniture in Fashion offers nesting tables in various materials, including wood, glass, and metal, allowing you to choose the perfect set to match your Contemporary Living Room Furniture.
8. Display Cabinets
If you have a collection of decorative items or cherished memorabilia, a display cabinet is a must-have. Display cabinets not only keep your items organized but also protect them from dust and damage. Furniture in Fashion offers a range of display cabinets, from minimalist glass designs to more traditional wooden options, allowing you to showcase your treasures in style.
9. Magazine Racks and Wall Organizers
For those who enjoy reading, magazines and newspapers can quickly accumulate and contribute to clutter. A magazine rack or wall organizer is a simple yet effective solution. Furniture in Fashion offers stylish magazine racks and wall organizers that can be placed next to your sofa or mounted on the wall, keeping your reading materials neat and accessible.
10. Decorative Baskets and Bins
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective. Decorative baskets and bins are a versatile way to keep small items like remote controls, toys, or throws organized. Furniture in Fashion offers a variety of decorative storage options that can blend seamlessly with your living room decor, whether you prefer a rustic, minimalist, or contemporary style.
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Maximising workspace productivity: How the right office desk can transform your work environment
The office desk serves as the command centre of any workspace. It's where ideas take shape, tasks get completed, and productivity thrives. A well-chosen desk can make a significant difference in how efficiently and comfortably you works.
The office desk serves as the command centre of any workspace. It's where ideas take shape, tasks get completed, and productivity thrives. A well-chosen desk can make a significant difference in how efficiently and comfortably you works.
The right office desk can boost productivity by up to 20% through improved organisation, ergonomics, and functionality. This transformation of the work environment goes beyond mere aesthetics. It's about creating a space that supports focus, reduces distractions, and enhances workflow.
Selecting the ideal office desk involves considering factors such as size, style, and features. From standing desks that promote better posture to those with built-in storage solutions, the options are vast. The key is to find a desk that aligns with your specific needs and work habits, ultimately fostering a more productive and enjoyable work experience.
Ergonomic Office Desks and Productivity
Ergonomic office desks play a crucial role in enhancing workplace productivity and employee well-being. These specialised workstations are designed to support proper posture, reduce physical strain, and optimise workflow efficiency.
Adjustable height and posture support
Ergonomic desks with adjustable height features allow users to customise their work setup. This flexibility promotes good posture and reduces the risk of musculoskeletal issues. Users can easily switch between sitting and standing positions throughout the day, combating the negative effects of prolonged sitting.
Standing desks have gained popularity for their potential to boost energy levels and focus. Many models offer electric height adjustment, making transitions seamless. Some desks include programmable presets, enabling users to save their preferred heights.
Proper desk ergonomics extend beyond height adjustment. Ergonomic desks often feature rounded edges to prevent wrist strain and ample legroom for comfortable positioning. These design elements contribute to improved comfort and reduced fatigue during long work hours.
Impact of desk design on workflow
A well-designed ergonomic desk can significantly enhance workflow and productivity. Ample surface area allows for efficient organisation of work materials, reducing clutter and minimising distractions. Some desks incorporate built-in cable management systems, keeping wires tidy and freeing up valuable workspace.
Ergonomic desks may include integrated storage solutions, such as drawers or shelving units. These features help maintain a clutter-free environment, promoting focus and efficiency. Multi-functional furniture designs, like desks with attached whiteboards or monitor arms, can further optimise workspace utilisation.
The layout of an ergonomic desk can influence task management. L-shaped or corner desks provide separate zones for different activities, supporting improved workflow organisation. This design enables users to designate areas for computer work, paperwork, and other tasks, enhancing overall productivity.
Strategies for a Clutter-Free Desk
A tidy workspace promotes focus and efficiency. Implementing effective organisation methods can transform a chaotic desk into a productivity hub.
Organising through storage solutions
Desk drawers offer prime real estate for storage. Utilising drawer dividers keeps items neatly separated and easily accessible. Small containers or trays within drawers further compartmentalise supplies, preventing jumbled messes.
Cabinets and shelves provide additional space for less frequently used items. A well-structured filing system, whether physical or digital, ensures important documents are always at hand. Colour-coded folders or labels enhance quick retrieval.
For daily essentials, desktop organisers keep pens, notepads, and other tools within reach without cluttering the work surface. Stackable trays or letter holders efficiently manage incoming and outgoing paperwork.
Vertical space utilisation
Maximising vertical space frees up valuable desk area. Wall-mounted shelves or pegboards offer flexible storage options for books, files, or decorative items. Floating shelves above the desk create a visually appealing and functional storage solution.
Monitor arms lift screens off the desk surface, creating room underneath for storage or work tasks. Desk risers or stands elevate computer equipment, providing additional space below for organisers or frequently used items.
Vertical file holders or magazine racks mounted on walls or cubicle partitions keep documents tidy and easily accessible. This approach maintains a clear desk whilst keeping important materials close at hand.
Cable management and digital clean-up
Tangled cables create visual clutter and impede workspace efficiency. Cable clips, ties, or sleeves bundle cords neatly together. Cable management trays mounted under the desk keep wires off the floor and out of sight.
Wireless peripherals, such as keyboards and mice, reduce cable clutter. Charging stations or docks centralise power cords for multiple devices, minimising desk sprawl.
Digital decluttering is equally important. Organising computer files into logical folders streamlines workflow. Regular deletion of unnecessary files and emails prevents digital buildup. Cloud storage solutions offer secure, off-site file management, reducing the need for physical storage.
Enhancing Focus Through Workspace Ambiance
The right workspace ambiance can significantly boost focus and productivity. A well-designed environment reduces distractions and promotes a calm, creative atmosphere.
Importance of lighting and colour
Proper lighting is crucial for maintaining focus and reducing eye strain. Natural light is ideal, as it helps regulate circadian rhythms and improves mood. When natural light is limited, use adjustable task lighting to illuminate work areas effectively.
Colour plays a vital role in workspace ambiance. Blues and greens promote calmness and focus, while warmer tones like yellows and oranges can stimulate creativity. Avoid overly bright or dark colours that may cause distraction or fatigue.
Consider incorporating plants into the workspace. They not only add a splash of colour but also improve air quality and reduce stress levels.
Minimising distractions with design elements
A clutter-free workspace is essential for maintaining focus. Implement smart storage solutions to keep desks tidy and organised. Use cable management systems to reduce visual clutter from electronic devices.
Sound-absorbing materials can significantly reduce noise distractions. Install acoustic panels or use noise-cancelling headphones to create a quieter work environment.
Choose furniture with clean lines and minimal design to reduce visual distractions. Opt for ergonomic chairs and desks to promote comfort and reduce physical stress, allowing for better concentration throughout the workday.
Consider creating designated zones for different tasks. This can help mentally separate work activities and improve focus when switching between projects.
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Balancing work from home with online gaming
This shift brings forth both opportunities and challenges, including the allure of online gaming as a form of relaxation and entertainment.
In today's digital age, the shift towards remote work has opened up new avenues for balancing productivity and leisure. With it becoming the ‘new normal’ in 2024, many individuals find themselves navigating the complexities of maintaining a work-life balance from the comfort of their own homes. This shift brings forth both opportunities and challenges, including the allure of online gaming as a form of relaxation and entertainment.
The rise of remote work
Remote work has become a cornerstone of modern employment, offering flexibility and convenience that traditional office settings often lack. The ability to create a personalised workspace, avoid lengthy commutes, and tailor work hours to fit personal schedules has significantly improved job satisfaction and productivity for many. However, with this freedom comes the responsibility to manage time effectively and avoid potential distractions.
Integrating leisure into your routine
One of the benefits of working from home is the ease of integrating leisure activities into your daily routine. Online gaming has emerged as a popular pastime, providing a quick escape from the stresses of work. From casual games to more immersive experiences, online gaming can offer a refreshing break and a chance to recharge.
For those interested in exploring a variety of online gaming options, especially those beyond traditional platforms, non-GamStop casinos present a viable alternative. These casinos operate independently of the UK’s self-exclusion scheme, GamStop, and offer a broader range of games and promotions. For more information on these platforms and what they offer, check this out for casinos not on GamStop guide
The benefits of non-gamstop casinos
Non-GamStop casinos cater to players seeking more freedom and flexibility in their gaming choices. They provide access to a wide array of games, including slots, table games, and live dealer experiences. These platforms often feature attractive bonuses and promotions, enhancing the overall gaming experience. Additionally, players can enjoy a higher degree of anonymity and fewer restrictions compared to traditional online casinos.
It's important to approach online gaming with a balanced mindset. While it can be a great way to unwind, setting boundaries is crucial to ensure it does not interfere with work responsibilities. Here are some tips to help maintain this balance:
Set specific gaming times: Allocate certain times of the day for gaming to prevent it from encroaching on work hours.
Use gaming as a reward: Motivate yourself by using gaming sessions as a reward for completing tasks.
Monitor your gaming habits: Keep track of the time spent on gaming to ensure it remains a leisure activity and not a distraction.
Trustworthy resources and internal insights
For those looking to delve deeper into the subject of remote work and online gaming, reputable resources are invaluable. Websites like Remote.co offer insights and advice on maintaining productivity while working from home. Additionally, for a more specific look at integrating online gaming into your lifestyle.
On our site, you can also explore our previous article about managing your work and life balance effectively in 2024.
Balancing work and leisure in a remote work setting is essential for maintaining productivity and overall well-being. Online gaming, particularly through non-GamStop casinos, offers a viable and enjoyable form of entertainment that can seamlessly fit into your daily routine. By setting clear boundaries and using gaming as a constructive break, you can enhance both your work and leisure experiences.
Remember to explore our Home Office Life section for more tips and resources on optimising your remote work experience, and consider trustworthy external resources for further reading. With the right approach, you can enjoy the best of both worlds – a productive workday and a fulfilling leisure time.
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