Vince – We Are The In Crowd

It is fair to say that there are few things which are more important or impactful in the modern business world in which we live than business. After all, whether you are a businessperson on the rise, just looking to stay afloat, or are preparing to enter the fray, the fact of the matter is that marketing is quite often what attracts people to your business in the first place. You can have the best products or service in Canada, but if you don’t have the marketing to back it up, chances are you won’t get very far. That’s why you’ll want to call upon the likes of a quality PR agency to get your product or service the buzz it needs to succeed.

Here are a few ways in which the best PR agencies strive to get the word out about their clients’ businesses.

2 May

4 Popular Types of Home Painting Services

Latest Trends byVince

One of the best things about owning a home of your own is being able to put your own personal spin on things. That is something which is simply not possible when you are stuck having to deal with the laws set down by a landlord. If you rent an apartment, condo, or even another home, you know the problem all too well. What’s more, because you do not own the property, you can’t improve the property value by hiring home improvement experts, such as painters.

When you own a home of your own, however, all of that is different. So, just what can a great painting team do for your property?

26 Nov

5 Moving Supplies to Stock Up On

Shopping Trends byVince

When you call a moving company to prepare for relocation to another home, they often can provide all the packing supplies you need. However, some people prefer to do at least some of their own packing and even transporting of certain items, especially breakables and those with special meaning. Here are 5 types of packing and moving supplies to get.

1. Boxes

Corrugated boxes or boxes of various sizes come in handy when you are packing clothes, shoes, food, and miscellaneous furnishings. Folding boxes can be purchased from shipping stores or department stores, and some are available at no cost through local stores that receive regular deliveries and then toss out the boxes or send them to recycling. Books, folded clothing, toys, pet supplies, and other items of that size can be safely stowed in boxes for ready transport by movers or owners. You can find more resources available at the Premiere Van Lines Vancouver website.

2. Storage Bins

Large or small plastic bins with fitted lids provide the opportunity to organize and store items to be moved in containers where they can remain even after settling in the new home. The bins can be tucked away in closets, the basement, or the attic, ready for long-term storage, since the organizational work will already be done. This preparation makes it easier to move these things out of the old home and into the new one.

3. Moving Blankets

Many people like to use moving blankets for wrapping valuables or delicate items that can easily be broken or nicked, especially if they do not have their own storage container, like some collectibles. These transport blankets are great for items that require extra protection and padding while being moved in a truck or other vehicle.

4. Tape and String

Although most moving cartons, boxes, crates, and bins come with fitted lids if desired, it does not hurt to have some tape and string on hand for binding similar items together. For example, if you plan to stack several towels in a box or crate without a cover, you may want to tie them together with a string, twine, or cord first in case they should accidentally fall out. Tape can secure boxes holding delicate items or smaller things that might be prone to sliding out if the box top flicks open. Tape can also attach labels to boxes and bins.

5. Labels

To help movers know where each packed item or freestanding furniture goes at the new location, attach labels with easy-to-read directions or room locations. The moving crew can then load the boxes accordingly so they can be placed in the correct new locations without having to wait for your spoken instructions.

Packing supplies like these can facilitate the move. Stock up in advance.

14 Nov

4 Benefits of Web Hosting for Entrepreneurs

Technology Trends byVince

Many businesses and entrepreneurs manage web hosting services which can take a toll on the owners of the websites. An excellent web hosting service comes with tons of benefits that you can exploit. Starting with automatic software installations and updates, plugin troubleshooting, improved security, and website themes among many other benefits. Many entrepreneurs and business owners can benefit a lot by using dedicated servers or running the servers themselves. Below are distinct benefits you can enjoy by managing a good web hosting service. Keep reading to find out more.

1. Control over the data or content

Businesses that have and use web hosting provide their clients total access to everything they post and how they look. Owning a dedicated web hosting is a lot different from using any third-party services where the web hosting is free. With the free services, the owners do not always have any control over the data or content over some aspects of the website. However, with the pro web hosting services, the owner of the website has unlimited control over the data that run on their web pages.

2. Better customer support

Excellent customer support means everything in the web hosting business. You find that most newbies in web hosting give little to no importance to their customer support services. And doing this can be really detrimental to the business. Customer support is a crucial part of any business. Web hosting included. You never know when something can go wrong. And the chances are something will go wrong at some point. This is the time you will wish you had the best customer support team at your disposal. A FAQs and answer sheet tab can be useful but is restricting to the number of questions a customer may want to ask. You may want to visit Cirrus Hosting for more info and insights.

3. Automatic software installations and upgrades

Staying on top of upgrades is a crucial step especially for everyone who owns a WordPress website. However, with managed hosting, this is usually one less issue to think about as WordPress is always up-to-date. Most paid web hosting come equipped with automatic software updates, upgrades, and installations which work to ensure your clients have the best-optimized experience as they run the latest optimized software and other programs. This makes all management easy and saves more time using the web hosting services.

For business needs, automatic updates also provide extra benefits like little to management being necessary for the websites especially the ones that are not usually updated continuously. All the work is done for you. So, you do not always have to call an expert in to check whether your software is updated or not. And that can save you a lot of money eventually.

4. Automatic backups

This is also another chore that businesses and entrepreneurs prefer to leave to experts especially when they must be done manually. For most manual backups, you always find that whenever you need some content from the backups, they are usually either missing or obsolete and isn’t much help. However, with managed web hosting, all the data is automatically updated every night, so, you always have all a fallback plan in case you lose all your data. You can retrieve it in a heartbeat without any worries.

16 Oct

5 Steps of Business Management Consulting

Business Trends byVince

The process of business management consulting involves several steps. Implementation consultants are hired for various purposes. A management consulting firm often takes up several big projects at once, which they later find difficult to complete in time. This is when an implementation consultant helps out by executing large, company-wide projects. They are a big part of the whole consulting process.

Business management consulting services can be of different kinds dealing in various areas of business. But the process involving the consulting company and the client remains more or less the same.

Consulting services are generally hired when the client organization needs help with certain business practices. However, regardless of the size or type of project, the following five steps are the most important part of the consulting process.

1. Entry and contract

This is the first step of the consulting process where the clients tests the consulting firms skills and the company learns if it is capable of the project. This step basically involves the client providing the details of what the project requires and the consulting firm figuring out if they can take up the project.

Both parties come to know of expectations they have from each other. The first step is usually about breaking the ice and figuring out if a working relationship between the company and the client can be established.

2. Discovery and discussion

Although a lot of information is already gathered in the first step the second step involves the consulting firm doing a research on the client organization and finding out more details.

From the information that is gathered by the firm the two parties proceed to discuss the required steps and how the project can be taken forward.

3. Feedback and action

Put the feedback received from the consulting firm the client organization decides to act. This requires the client organization to understand the feedback given by the consulting firm and how it can be carried out with help from the firm.

4. Implementation

This step involves implementing the solutions offered by the consulting firm to the client organization. The client is responsible for carrying out the solutions provided by the consultancy, but the firm remains deeply involved in the process, offering changes and alterations in the strategy as and when required.

Implementation consultants are often involved in this process, working with the client organization to put the solutions into practice.

5. Extension or closure

This is the final step and begins with the evaluation of the whole process. After the implementation, this is when both parties come together to evaluate the successes and failures of the solutions.

If the solutions need to be implemented on a larger scale, a new contract needs to be formed and the project extended.

If the project was a failure, the contract needs to be terminated. If the project was a success and no further steps are needed, then the project is closed with a working relationship ending on a solid note.

These five steps are the most important in a business management consulting process.

9 Oct

5 Natural Ways You Can Enhance Your Digestive Health

Health Trends byVince

Having amazing digestive health can be very challenging to everyone. Instances of bloating, gas, nausea, constipation and even diarrhea can sometimes be unavoidable. Many things can affect your digestive health negatively. Some of the leading causes of digestive problems include; allergic reactions, infection, poor eating habits (diet) or living an unhealthy lifestyle. Digestive problems can affect everyone, from the young to the old, and the most embarrassing thing is that you can suffer from digestive issues at any time and in any given place. Therefore, the best way would be to prevent yourself and to keep your digestive health in check.

Below are five natural ways in which you can improve your digestive health and hence protect yourself from embarrassing digestive problems.

1. Drinking Plenty of Water

The importance of water when talking about good health can never be ignored. Water is needed to help in the digestion process, and that’s why after every meal you should take a glass of water. Water helps the body in digesting the solid foods and also in absorbing the nutrients from the food we eat. Keeping your body constantly dehydrated means your blood pressure will be in check and hence zero chances of constipation. Its recommended that the average human being needs to take approximately 80 ounces of pure water daily. This amount of water should be taken in between in between meals and never during meal time. The information found on the Digestive Center website is useful to help you gain a better understanding.

2. Probiotics

Adding probiotics into your diet will definitely improve your digestive system. What exactly are probiotics? These bacteria that live in the digestive system of human beings, and are beneficial when it comes to having a healthy digestive system. The probiotics produce vitamins and fatty acids (the short chain type) which are used to nurture other useful bacteria in the digestive system that are non-disease causing. This leads to a healthier gut. In addition to that, the probiotics help in breaking down the food we eat, reduce any form of chronic inflammation and prevent digestive infections. The best way to get probiotics is by eating fermented foods. There are also recommended probiotics supplements.

3. Timely Eating Schedule

You need to have a set timetable that clearly states your eating time. Make sure your body is accustomed to a specific eating routine of both the main meals and snacks. Avoid taking meals randomly. Make sure your eating times are not interrupted, and you have a chance to enjoy your meal when seated down comfortably. Make sure your eating environment is very comfortable with zero distractions. Make sure you have your meals when you are in a relaxed mood.

4. Keeping Fit by Working Out

Having a physically fit body means you will have an improved digestive system. Whenever your body is involved in any physical workout sessions, the food in the digestive system is set in motion. This reduces instances of constipation. In addition to that working out will make sure you have the ideal healthy weight hence improved digestive system. Everyone needs to include working out sessions into their weekly routines.

5. Acid Level in Your Stomach

One of the major causes of digestive problems is low or very high levels of acid in the stomach. The stomach acid helps in breaking down the food into a liquid state before the food is released into the small intestine. When the food is not broken down properly, especially when chewing, your digestive system will have a longer mechanical digestion process. This is, in turn, will cause the food to stay longer in your stomach which leads to bloating. You can improve the stomach acid level by chewing your foods properly (15-20 chews), taking apple cider vinegar before every meal (1 to 2 tablespoons) and taking water with freshly squeezed lemon before eating.

6 Dec

Four Reasons Online Loans are Better than Traditional Bank Loans

Business Trends byVince

So you own a small business and are looking to finance it. You have walked down to your bank, and the bank officer has said no. Now, what do you do? You have to look for an alternative.

There are credit unions, nonprofit microlenders, Small Business Association loans, peer-to-peer loans and of course, online personal loans. You need to research so that you can make an informed decision. The following are some reasons you should go for online borrowing:

1. The Loan Approval Process is Fast

Online lenders process loans fast, typically within 30 minutes. An online lender will almost immediately let you know if you are approved, how much you qualify for, and the loan installment payable. Traditional banks may take a little longer as a banker will have to assess your application and make a determination about your creditworthiness.

2. Online Lenders May Offer Cheaper Loans

Since they do not operate brick-and-mortar businesses, their overhead costs might be lower than for traditional banks. Additionally, such lenders do not pay the same regulatory fees payable by banks. That means they can share the savings from lower business operational costs with their customers.

3. Online Loans are Safe

Typically, online lenders do not require borrowers to provide collateral to be approved. If you are unable to continue servicing your debt for one reason or another, the lender will not repossess your car. Failure to pay may ruin your credit, but you can always resolve this when your financial situation improves.

4. With an Online Lender, You Can Expect an Easier Approval

Traditional lenders may not feel comfortable lending to you if your credit score needs serious improvement. Online lenders, too, care about your credit score but they may not be as “strict” as banks are. Additionally, they may consider other important information such as your utility payments to assess your ability to pay.

How to go About the Application Process

Beging by deciding with whom you want to do business. There are many legitimate online lenders you can use. However, there are some you should just avoid, such as those that do not offer installment loans. Consider asking fellow business owners, family, or friends for recommendations.

You should also do some online research on potential lenders before you make your decision. What are their customers saying about them in the reviews? After you decide on the lender to work with, fill out an online application, and if approved, you can expect the credit to hit your account in 3-5 days.

There are many sources of finance for your business. You need to comparison-shop to ensure you get the best deal you possibly can. And do not completely ignore your bank. Additional resources are available at the Northcash website.

31 Aug

5 Ways to Use a Mascot to Market Your Business

Business Trends byVince

Mascot costumes aren’t just a fun and clever way to get the crowd moving at a sporting event. You can easily capture that energy and bring it into your office by creating an icon for your company. “Spokescreatures” work because they establish brand identity: you don’t see Tony the Tiger without immediately thinking of Frosted Flakes. The following tips will help you design and use a character that’s sure to make a lasting impression:

1. Keep Your Customer in Mind

Before you order those custom mascot costumes, think about what the key elements of what it is that you’re selling and how they are important to your customer. Use color theory: if you’re in the food industry, for example, colors like green and blue inspire calm and a sense of health. Designing a mascot also involves the clever use of lines and shapes. Thick, bold lines and blocky shapes make your character stand out. You should also ensure that the size and features of your character can also easily transition to multiple platforms, from the small screen of your customers’ mobile devices to the big splash of a billboard or a dramatic logo.

2. Make it Go Viral

Use your acting skills to broaden the scope of your company beyond the local. Get your employees together and make a flash mob starring your character and post the exciting event on all of your company’s social media channels. You can even use a custom hashtag to help spread the word.
3. Take it to the Streets

It’s important to look beyond social media as well: wearing mascot costumes also enables you and your employees to attract attention in the real world. Pick a crowded location close to your business and act out a scene that showcases your character using your product. This does more than just get some laughs: bystanders will remember this exaggerated theater and be encouraged to see what all the fuss is about, which directs them to you and your services.
4. Give Your Character Personality

What makes your mascot unique? Are they cute and cuddly, or sly and clever? Use your character’s features to play up their attitude whenever they talk to your customers. This makes for positive, memorable interactions and also helps keep your brand consistent because of the qualities your character represents.
5. Create Incentives

Have your character host a meet up at a popular location in your town or city, then encourage attendance with a prize! For example, the first hundred people to show up at the event can be entered into a raffle that includes your company’s product or services. Continue the good feelings by establishing a referral program that rewards customers for bringing friends and family to the event.

Above all, Loonie Times mascots are a great way to encourage company loyalty because they’re an icon that makes your brand memorable. No matter which channel or channels you decide to use in order to make your character shine, it’s what those mascot costumes represent that’s important.

14 Jun

The Key Benefits of Indoor Navigation Technology

Technology Trends byVince

The indoor positioning system is a budding technology that helps in aiding navigation inside the buildings. It is also critical to identify the location of the existing firefighting equipment in the building such as water hydrants and extinguishers. This technology also helps in the movement of firefighters within a building in the quest to save lives and property. In the hospitals, the patients can use it to find their way through the various departments while customers can use it in the retail sector to improve and enjoy their shopping experience. Since it is quite difficult to find the retail merchandise inside the big malls and supermarkets, this technology comes in handy when it comes to unearthing these items.

Indoor navigation

In simple terms, this technology takes over where the GIS cannot reach. While the GIS system rules the outdoor world, GPS helps in navigating the indoor scene. Since the indoor walls can obstruct the mapping of a building, the GPS for indoors program provides the accuracy you require to move from one room to another easily. Since most buildings have digital blueprints and schematics, uploading these images online can help in the mapping process. The GPS relies on the same satellite infrastructure that helps with GIS mapping. Besides relying on the satellite system, the GPS indoor positioning system also takes advantage of ultrasound and infrared waves. The transfer of these waves from one room to another helps the system to visualize the configuration and layout of a room and the location of the major precincts. Once the system develops a digital blueprint of a building, the technicians can label the various parts of the structure before converting it into a mobile-friendly program.

Benefits of Digital maps
While the strength of Wi-Fi fluctuates depending on the technology in place or the weather, ultrasound delivers the goods without fail. The service providers can also vary the strength of the ultrasound signal depending on your needs and budget. A large mall with plenty of rooms, shelves, and floors will require significant signal strength compared to a small retail shop. The indoor maps can also help during a calamity since they show the position of valuable equipment that must be given a priority in the process of firefighting.

Limitations of GIS
GIS has lots of limitations when it comes to indoor navigation. However, GPS can work to your advantage since it relies on multiple satellites and a triangulation process that produces a digital map, especially during indoor navigation for the military. Another advantage of the indoor GPS system is its adaptability. This system combines well with Wi-Fi, wireless local area networks, and conventional Internet services to deliver the results you need to do your job. Most importantly, it helps you to serve your customers conveniently.

14 Jun

The Latest Trends in Fire Alarm Systems

Technology Trends byVince

A fire emergency in a building with faulty or no fire alarm systems may cause extreme property damage, personal injuries, and loss of life. Fire takes approximately 2 minutes to spread and become life-threatening hence the need to contain it immediately it happens. Therefore, property owners should consider using fire systems that comply with the Fire Detection Systems and meet the OSHA standards requirements to ensure maximum safety. All fire systems follow the same principle of smoke or heat detection or manual operation that the triggers the alarm sounders.

Various Categories of Life Safety Systems

There are different alarm systems that homeowners can install on their homes. The conventional and the addressable systems have been the common ones, although there is also an increased use of the modern wireless ones and analog addressable fire systems.

1) Conventional Fire Alarm System

In this type of system, the installation involves wiring the call points and detectors to the control panel in zones. Sectioning the building into zones helps with the easier location of the area where the fire has occurred. The control panel also has at least two sounder circuits which contain bells and other audio devices.

2) Addressable System

The system is similar to the conventional alarm monitoring system with the only difference being that the control panel in the addressable system identifies the exact detector or calls the point where the fire has occurred.

3) Analogue addressable systems

The system maintains a two-way communication between the sensors and the control panel. The digital sensor evaluates the environment surrounding it to determine whether it is a fire incidence or a false alarm before activating the audio devices.

4) Wireless Systems

The systems use radio communications that link the sensors and devices to the operators. It operates as an analog addressable system, but this one has wireless properties.

How Alarm Systems Work

All fire systems work in a similar way with the difference being that some of them use the modern ways of detecting fire while others use the traditional methodologies. The control panel operates all the life safety system including detectors in a building and releases the sound alarm in the form of horns, sounders, chimes, or speakers whenever a fire occurs. The advanced panels can notify the building management and the fire service providers about a fire breakout and initiate a lockdown.

Conclusion

Therefore, installation of the right alarm monitoring system would be ideal for the safety of your house. Conducting occasional maintenance and care is ideal to ensure that the systems are in good condition in case of an emergency. The modern systems have extra advanced features compared to the traditional ones, but they all perform similar functions. For additional resources, visit Chubb Edwards Canada.

14 Jun

The Latest Trends in Fire Alarm Systems

Technology Trends byVince

Various Categories of Life Safety Systems

1) Conventional Fire Alarm System

2) Addressable System

3) Analogue addressable systems

4) Wireless Systems

The systems use radio communications that link the sensors and devices to the operators. It operates as an analog addressable system, but this one has wireless properties.

How Alarm Systems Work

Conclusion