Benefits to business: Health and Safety Training in the Workplace

There are almost 3 million workplace injuries reported by the private industry in 2014 alone, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Furthermore, nearly 5,000 of workplace accidents ended fatally in the same year. These figures are alarming and should inspire employers both in the private and public sectors to take greater measures to ensure their workforce is safe and secure at all times. This is where health and safety training programs come in. Despite the benefits of these programs, many employers remain stubborn about implementing it in their respective workplaces.

In many countries, such as Australia, health and safety managers are revered as assets to any company. Their efforts help ensure smooth business flow and for that, they are compensated with a handsome salary, somewhere around AUD$230,000. Here are five reasons to convince you why health and safety training programs are worth the investment.

Worker Safety

Business owners and employers are driven by profits. But while chasing the paychecks and bonuses, remind yourself of your moral obligation to take care of the people you hire. They clock in anywhere between 8 to 12 hours of their time per day just to keep your business growing and churning profits. The least you can do for them is to make sure they are safe from injury and illness. You’ll be able to think and work better every day knowing that you’ve done everything you could to guarantee your workforce’s well-being.

Enhanced Productivity

Tardiness and absences in the office can zap productivity levels. Staff members who suffer from back, hand or leg problems may lack the confidence or awareness to tell someone about their suffering and instead keep it to themselves. This results in them working slower to manage the discomfort. Employees who are trained in proper health and safety practices will be in a position to reduce the risk of illness and ensuing absences. Knowledge of good working temperatures and work schedule shifting will allow your workplace to thrive and be more productive.

Improved Reputation

A staff member could get sick because of poor workplace conditions. He/she goes out with family members or friends and the word spill out that there is no heating/cooling in the office or that they are being forced to work an unfair number of hours. Then, their family spreads the information to their friends and neighbors, each time denting your company’s reputation bit by bit. If you train your staff in a health and safety program, you empower them with the knowledge and skills to make decisions that affect their well-being. You are also put in a better position to make positive changes to the workplace environment.

Lower Insurance Premiums

Having health and safety managers on board and providing regular training to your employees with regards to health and safety all culminate to lower monthly premiums on your business insurance plan. Ongoing training will also ensure that the premiums remain low since there are few to no claims made. Any business that employs more than five people is bound by law to exercise everything in their power to protect the health and well-being of their staff members. If you refuse to take heed and remain negligent, you can be held accountable for injuries and illnesses that transpire in the workplace. This ends up with you being fined and doing prison time, which is bad for your business’ solvency and your reputation as a business owner and CEO.

Lower Turnover Rate

It costs money to train new staff members thus it’s only pragmatic to try and keep your turnover numbers at a low. One way to do so is by showing your employees that you care for their well-being through health and safety training.

Health and safety are often forgone for maximum productivity and efficiency. In the end, however, the hands and brains behind every task and operation in your business lie within the very employees and staff members designated to perform them.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/twitter-epicninjadaboss/benefits-to-business-health-and-safety-training-in-the-workplace/

6 Best Online Survey Services

Online surveys are a great way for a company to gather valuable data – they are more efficient than phone surveys, definitely less uncomfortable and time-consuming. When it comes to surveyors, however, they can benefit greatly from online surveys – many rewards and discounts are more than likely to be available, while there is no personal conversation they might find unpleasant. With this in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the best online survey services available out there.

Toluna

This site works on behalf of leading companies, gathering opinions about certain products, services and ideas. What’s in it for you, as a surveyor? Well, many Amazon vouchers, prize draws and even free products. If you gather about 80,000 points (you get 3,000 to 6,000 per survey), you get a £15 voucher. Set aside at least a bit of your time for trying this service out – it might be worth it!

OnePoll

OnePoll might not excel at the number of rewards, but they are great, when it comes to concrete rewards – you either earn cash or PayPal payments. The best part of this survey service is the fact that it is widely known for the shortness of their surveys and a wide variety of topics. You can expect 10p-£1 per survey, so, if you have some free time on your hands and are somewhat of a procrastinator, give this one a go – surveys are really fun to answer!

Opinion Outpost

Fast payments and generally fun surveys are the backbone of Opinion Outpost’s popularity, which makes this service on the very top of paid surveys list. The rewards to expect here are cash and ever-popular Amazon Vouchers. They pay 50p per survey, with a minimum reward threshold of £2.50. Each survey takes 10-15 minutes and you only need to complete 5 to be due a payout.

OpinionPanel

If you are a student looking to get some pocket money quickly, OpinionPanel might be a great choice – you get £10 just for signing up and can earn way more for diligently filling out surveys. OpinionPanel is by-and-large the greatest research panel for students and graduates in the UK. The rewards comprise Amazon and high-street, Bonusbond vouchers, so you can hope to earn £1-2 per survey, or even £30 – £70 for online focus groups. The minimum reward thresholds is £25 for students only!

PopulusLive

This service provides statistics to the press and current affairs programmes, and it offers only cash as rewards. You are looking to get paid an approximate amount of £2 per survey, with a minimum reward threshold of 50 points, which makes for approximate £50. The decent payouts that this service offers have made it somewhat popular and you can expect to earn £1 for every 5 minutes of filling out the questionnaires. Keep in mind, however, that you should be extremely careful with your answers, as they have quality checks put into place to whisker the cheaters away – the information truly matters to PopulusLive.

Ipsos

If you are a participant to a larger number of surveys, Ipsos may prove for a valid income. With this service, you are looking to get paid £10+ a month in rewards, such as High-street and Amazon vouchers, as well as prize draws for all members. An approximate of £1 per survey is to be expected, with a minimum reward threshold of £10. It should be also mentioned that Ipsos is a well-trusted panel.

Filling surveys is a great way to get paid online, while making a valid contribution to your favourite brand. All 6 online survey services are well-trusted and you should keep in mind that the majority is equipped with anti-cheat systems – don’t go out filling out the questionnaires just like that – provide valuable information instead.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/marcusjensen/6-best-online-survey-services/

Group or Solo Studying? How to Tell Which Study Method is Best for You

If you’ve got an upcoming quiz, exam, midterm, or final, you may be feeling like it is time to sit down and do some studying. While studying is essential for being a successful student at any education level, considering whether to study alone or in a group is a question you should ponder.

While both have benefits and downfalls, finding the study method that suits your particular needs is very important. After all, time may not always be on your side, so you want to make sure to maximize every one of those crucial minutes of studying.

Studying alone
For some students, having time to shut out all distractions in order to study is beneficial — but others may find they simply cannot retain all of the valuable information they should be. Here are some pros of studying alone:

Pace
Arguably the biggest benefit to studying alone is that you are able to move at a pace that is helpful for just you and how you learn. If you need extra time to review flashcards or skim a section in your textbook, you most certainly can do that. Prioritizing topics you know less about is easy to do when studying alone.

Quiet
If peace and quiet are necessities for your study routine, studying in a serene place by yourself can provide you with just that. There is no need to spark up conversations or discuss topics with others — just simply put your headphones in and hit the books.

Ease
Studying alone is simple. Whenever your schedule allows for a cram session, you can fit one in — no need to rely on others, here. Plus, you can pick up those class notes and give them a read literally anywhere. Heading to the gym? Bring the audio recording of your class lectures. Long bus ride? Flip through those vocabulary notecards one last time. Studying alone is easy because it fully revolves around you.

Studying in groups
Studying with a group can be largely beneficial for many students, especially those who may be lacking an understanding of the coursework or for those who find value in having discussions about the topics on an upcoming exam. However, some students may find they simply cannot concentrate in a group setting. The following are benefits of studying in groups:

Discussion
Group study sessions are the perfect opportunity to discuss all of the potential topics on the upcoming test and have each group member contribute his or her insight on such topics. Each individual may have a different interpretation of the course materials and it can be exponentially valuable for other students to hear and learn from varying perspectives. For classes that are opinion-based or theory-heavy, hearing other opinions can help broaden your thoughts and expose you to a different way of thinking.

Fill in gaps
Let’s face it — school can be challenging at times. It may be tough to fully comprehend every single topic that your teacher wants to you master. Studying in groups allows students to put their brains together and fill in those knowledge gaps. Putting your notes and level of understanding together can be valuable for all.

Staying focused
While group sessions can go awry, you may also find that you can count on these group study sessions to fit in some solid studying time (no excuses allowed!). What better way to get motivated than to be surrounded by a group of people who are in similar shoes as you? Remember to let being surrounded by others work in your favor, not soak up your valuable time.

Studying in groups and studying alone both have benefits, but be sure to always keep your needs in mind. You know yourself best, so make sure to choose the option that allows you to study hard and study well.
Jenny Modlisz is a contributing writer for Varsity Tutors, a live learning platform that connects students with personalized instruction to accelerate academic achievement.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/varsitytutors/group-or-solo-studying-how-to-tell-which-study-method-is-best-for-you/

6 Useful Tips on How to Improve the Management of Your Finances

Many people do not take the task of money management seriously until it’s already too late. So, it would be best to avoid such a scenario. Start managing your finances as soon as you get the job. If you don’t have any experience in this area, then you should follow the tips presented in this article. Here, you’ll be able to find some very useful suggestions, and money saving tactics that will ensure a financially stable future. So, here are six useful tips on how to improve your money management.

Track your spendings with great precision

Just like the good old saying goes: “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.” So, if you are to be efficient at this task, you’ll need to track your expenses closely. Whenever someone asks you about your expenses, you probably respond with bills and food. However, almost everyone is surprised when they go through their spending history.

There are always some unexpected expenses, of course, but we fail to notice every little thing we purchase, and at the end of the month, these small purchases drain most of our budget. So, always write down or monitor how you spend money for a more thorough overview.

Create a monthly spending plan you can follow

Once you receive your paycheck, you need to calculate how much money you need to pay the bills, and how much you will have left. Once you divide the leftover sum with 30, you’ll get your daily budget. However, it’s never a good idea to live from one paycheck to another, so adjust the budget in accordance to a daily spending plan that you can follow. If you want to start saving, see if you can reduce the amount of money you are paying for the bills, and be more diligent with your electricity and heating.

Use apps to help you out

You can also use apps to help you manage your expenses. There is an app called Betterment, and it can easily calculate and solve your budget management problems. Another way in which apps can help you is to use them to earn money.

You can use an app called GrabPoints, to earn points by voting or leaving reviews and you can then cash in all the points you’ve earned. Finally, you can use those websites that allow you to do surveys in order to either earn money or get discounts. All it takes is 20 minutes a day, and you’ll earn a decent amount of extra cash.

Pay the bills on time

It’s important to pay your bills on time; otherwise, they will only cost you more, and you won’t get discounts for being a diligent citizen. This is why you need to immediately set aside the money for those expenses and why you must remember to pay them immediately after they arrive.

Take advantage of discounts and coupons

You have no idea just how much discounts and customer-based incentives are out there, which is why it is always better to shop over the internet. There are so many ecommerce websites and you can easily find the item you want at a lower price. You can also collect coupons to lower the prices of the mundane items you purchase, so make sure you are always up to date with these things because you’ll end up saving a lot of money without any trouble at all.

Use techniques that can help you save money

Finally, you need to know how to save money efficiently. There are some really easy tactics for this as well. You can put all your change in a jar or a piggy bank – the oldest trick in the book, and it really works. You can create a weekly challenge.

Basically, you put aside a sum at the end of each week and double the amount at the end of the next one, and you do this until the end of the month ($1,$2,$4,$8). Lastly, you can start working as a freelance writer, since a lot of writing jobs can be found online, which is another way to get some extra cash and save up for a rainy day.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/nmanojlovic/6-useful-tips-on-how-to-improve-the-management-of-your-finances/

When Wanderlust Hits Hard: 5 Cheap Travelling Options to Consider

It’s been a month since you’ve last felt the pebbles in your shoes, and the familiar wanderlust has already started to itch. The world is yet again open and there is so much to see, taste and experience, but the problem you have is quite a common one – globe-trotting requires a full wallet, and yours is currently empty. Here are our top 5 options for traveling cheap (or free, if the luck serves you well).

1. Swapping & Sitting

 

In case you haven’t already heard, house-swapping is a real thing, and there is a number of acclaimed and verified websites that can provide you with this option. However spectacular and cost-effective, this option does come with a couple of catches. Firstly, if the location of your house is not a particularly attractive one, you might have a hard time finding a person willing to swap their cozy accommodation for yours, thus swapping locations along the way.

Even if you do live somewhere fancy enough, most of these websites require a registration fee, but then again, it’s a quite negligible one in comparison to what you get in return. House-swapping is a viable option for those looking for a bit more than an empty hotel room, if you are able to provide the same level of coziness in exchange. As always, be careful to do an extra safety check on both the website and the potential swapper.

When compared to this variant, house-sitting certainly seems like a less risky option, which is why it is usually quite harder to find. If lucky, you’ll have to take care of a stranger’s home for a period of time, water the plants, walk the dog and be sure to leave the premises in the exact same conditions as you first found them.

2. Volunteering To Make a Difference

 

If roaming around isn’t your only goal, but you actually want to make some difference in the world you’ve been so devotedly exploring over the years, then volunteering for a job, fundraising or a charity organization is an option made just for you. Numerous independent organizations are interested in hiring young and willing people to support their cause on the spot, and most of them are ready to cover your travel and accommodation expenses.

However, they usually demand a lot of your free time and require somewhat strict preferences and skills, but if helping others is your primary concern, than you probably already have what it takes. As an interesting combo of two options, trading labor for hostel accommodation is a good way of paying for a room while living in one.

You can advertise your offer online, research online providers that are experienced in these kinds of services, or simply connect with a number of hostel managers and pitch them your proposal directly. The same applies to other types of short-term jobs, like au pair or fruit picking for instance, which are just as advantageous as hostel work.

3. Hiking & Surfing

 

Slightly risky indeed, but quite safe for responsible adventurers, hitchhiking is one of the most popular ways of traveling with only a bit of many to offer for gas and other expenses (which most of the drivers will refuse to take anyway). In some countries, however, this practice is prohibited by law, which is why carpooling is a way better and safer manner of commuting. This is another option available for arranging online, and unlike hitchhiking, it allows you the opportunity of meeting with your fellow traveler beforehand.

When combined with carpooling, couch-surfing makes an unforgettable experience. Even if not looking forward to the idea of staying with a stranger, remember that meeting foreigners is the whole essence of traveling far and the only authentic way of experiencing new countries and their cultures. In case you’re determined to stay a lone ranger, we have a couple of options more to suggest to your travel-loving heart.

4. Being Fast Is Being Smart

 

Although not free, booking in advance is the smartest way of traveling cheap, and this option applies both to commute and accommodation costs. Budget airlines are a big thing in Europe, which is why joining flights in the Old Continent even if going elsewhere is always a clever move.

These airlines, as well as other means of transportation like bus and ship drives come with a variety of options, and since the market is so saturated, there’s always at least one provider offering special deals, travel coupons and last minute tickets. Be sure to research them all ahead of time – the sooner you book, the cheaper you’ll travel.

5. Educate or Dare

 

UNESCO Study Abroad Guide is the single most priceless perk good students are entitled to (except knowledge itself, of course), and there’s a similar scholarship program offered at almost every campus as well. The requirements for applying vary from place to place, but if you’re keen enough to read on the bus, learn new languages or improve your expertise on the intercontinental level, don’t be lazy enough to let this opportunity pass you by.

In case you’ve been busy with rambling around during your college years and your grades are simply not good enough for you to leverage them, you’ll have to “settle” for a little more daring option. Charity organizations across the world provide an opportunity, at least once a year, for adventurers to travel as far as they can get in order to raise awareness for a specific cause.

You’ll probably need to be ready to pitch the idea to sponsors yourself, but that’s not the only catch – your travel will have to be an expedition of some kind, and you’ll most likely have to take a less comfortable route like climbing Mount Everest or cruising through India. If going where no one has yet been thrills your wondering spirit, then this option is definitely for you.

“To travel is to live” is the most beautiful fairytale Andersen has endowed us with. To those who understand it, traveling with no money at all will always be an open road.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/aleksandarilic/when-wanderlust-hits-hard-5-cheap-travelling-options-to-consider/

10 Things That Every Woman Must Own

When it comes to clothing and accessories, women differ vastly in terms of taste and preferences. Some have a large wardrobe filled with items they’ve only worn once, while others take a much more frugal approach to dressing up. Nevertheless, there are certain things that every woman should own in order to make the most of any situation that comes her way. The following wardrobe staples have become mainstays of female fashion for a reason, and you should definitely consider investing in them if you haven’t already:

Your favorite jewellery

All women, even those who prefer wearing relatively little jewellery, have a few favorites pieces in their collection. From earrings to necklaces to bracelets, jewellery comes in a lot of forms, so choose the ones that best fit your style and personality and keep them somewhere safe. As most pieces of jewellery (except rings) don’t need to be tried on, online jewellery shopping is a great way to bulk up your collection and find great value pieces.

A trusty timepiece

A truly great watch is a lifetime piece, something that’s worth saving enough money for. And women’s watches can be just as elegant and stylish as men’s watches, if not moreso. Stainless steel or leather are popular materials for bracelets, while medium-sized round dials will work best for most women.

A forever bag

Every woman needs a handbag or a shoulder bag in which they can hold their belongings. While women generally have plenty of options at their disposal, it’s important to own at least one bag that you know is large enough to hold everything you’d like to store in it, yet small enough to look elegant alongside you.

A pair of black pumps

Even if you aren’t the kind of girl that goes for pumps on most occasions, there will still be certain situations where old-fashioned elegance is a must. For those times, a sturdy pair of black pumps will do just fine. They work well with everything from dresses to skirts and even trousers, and look best unadorned or decorated with a simple pattern.

Your fragrance of choice

Many girls have a keen sense of smell and delight in the various fragrances that surround them. Whether it’s a perfume, a body lotion or a cream, look for the scent that you feel best encapsulates you as a person and find a way to integrate it into your daily routine.

A sensual evening dress

Evening dresses are typically associated with special events where a more sophisticated style is necessary. Choose one simple dress that’s easy to maintain and goes well with almost any accessory. If possible, pick something with a V-neck and a fitted waist that accentuates your figure, while still being appropriate enough to wear at a more conservative event.

A black suit

In the business world, casual dresses and pants sometimes just won’t do, and when it comes to important job interviews or corporate events, a black suit may be the best way to go. Luckily, the modern business suit ensemble for women is fairly comfortable and can be found in all price ranges. Remember, however, that you get what you pay for, so it might be worth paying a bit more in the beginning in order to purchase a quality suit that won’t fail you later on.

Your go-to lipstick

Few things make a woman more memorable than her smile. So keep on smiling with your favorite colour on hand to give your lips that fresh and full look that everyone loves. Whether you opt for gloss or matte lipsticks, make sure that your choice properly conveys your style and personality while also complementing your outfit as a whole.

A pair of metallic strappy sandals

Sandals aren’t merely reserved for those sultry summer months. In fact, they can prove to be a great footwear choice whenever the weather allows it. Opt for pair that’s equal parts comfortable and alluring, with regular size high heels and a slight platform for added comfort.

A winter coat

Speaking of weather, outside temperature should always factor in your choice of outfits, and any woman should own a comfortable winter coat that will provide much-needed warmth throughout those chilly days and evenings. As far as colours go, choose something with a neutral hue like brown or beige, both of which work well with almost anything.

As you can see, there are some items out there that no woman should ever be without. With the aforementioned essentials on hand at all times, however, you’ll always know what to reach for, making your life that bit easier.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/twitter-epicninjadaboss/10-things-that-every-woman-must-own/

How to Get Your Finances in Order in 60 Minutes

This article is going to be very straightforward, because we will give you step-by-step instructions on how to get your finances in order within an hour. When these 60 minutes have passed, you will have a complete overview of your finances and you’ll be able to set clear goals. So, set aside an hour of your time and let’s get started.

Gather Everything in One Place

Take a piece of paper and a pen, write down all of your debts and separate them with an individual amount written beside each of them. Also, write down all of your investments and banking account information with the value or amount for each one.

Check Your Credit

In this step, you need to go visit AnnualCreditReport.com, to pull one free report of a credit bureau you choose, and once you get your report, look through it for discrepancies. If you by any chance have revolving credit card debt, you will need to switch to cash. Credit cards can in this case be a great tool, but you should not think about anything rewarding until you are out of debt.

Start Planning Your Budget

Take a piece of paper and write down your entire net income, after you pay your taxes of course, and make sure to include all sources. After that, write down every category you are spending your money on; for example, clothing, groceries, etc. Then, write down a n estimate of how much you think you can limit each one of those categories each month, and spend the next month tracking your every purchase to get a clear idea on those amounts.

Come Up with a Debt Payment Plan

Do not instantly think that you need to hire a professional debt relief company. If you are facing so much debt that you do not know where to start from and you are facing some legal problems, you need to consult a lawyer, because going to a debt relief company will not do anything for you that you cannot already do on your own.

So, figure out the amount of debt you owe. It will be easy if you have already done the steps above. If some of your debt has high interest rates, you can consider a balance transfer and save on the interest that way. There are two ways to start paying off your debt: the debt snowball and the debt avalanche, so choose one that suits you best and start working on this fast.

Do a Calculation on Your Emergency Fund

Come up with a plan to save $1000 as soon as possible, by getting into an investing game and using one of the leading robo-advisors, or by taking up a temporary side job. Try to figure out how much money you are going to need to cover your living expenses for one half of the year and think about having an emergency fund, if an emergency struck. Decide what amount you are going to save each month and save until you have fully funded your emergency fund.

Plan for Your Retirement

First, you need to check if your 401 k or any equitable fund matches or at least contributes enough to get a decent retirement, and for other retirement investing options, you need to decide whether the plan of your company or your own plan will be more efficient. Once you make your decision, you need to set a goal for contributing; of course, once you have paid off your debt. If you are considering to invest into your retirement plan on your own, make sure to educate yourself properly.

After you have gone through all of this, live within your means and return to this plan once every year, because if you do, you will be many steps ahead of the majority. With so many free online guides on how to invest, save money, plan a budget and pay off your debt, nothing can stop you. But, if your finances are not in order, you need to get them in order today, and if they are, remember the steps you did to get them there, and nothing will be able to stop you.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/aleksandarilic/how-to-get-your-finances-in-order-in-60-minutes/