The most important thing they need to do is familiarise themselves with the most common sustainability challenges faced by the real estate sector. Moreover, it’s also crucial to identify the right solutions to overcome them. Today we will look at a few examples of sustainability challenges that you will need to consider if you want to make a positive difference to the environment.

Increasing Use Of Energy

With the increasing number of new developments taking place, energy demands are also on the rise. However, this can cause a variety of problems, such as interruptions or power cuts. As a result, this can be especially challenging for areas with limited energy resources, which can negatively impact social activity. Therefore, it’s important to identify ways of producing and using electricity more efficiently, which will reduce the amount of fuel necessary and the number of greenhouse gases released into the environment.

Climate Change

The effects of climate change are now visible worldwide, such as the extreme low and high temperatures experienced in many countries. It’s crucial for business leaders to learn how to respond to these challenges. Taking part in a sustainable real estate online course will provide you with valuable knowledge and insights. As a result, you will be able to identify new opportunities for sustainable development and understand the impact of sustainable real estate on society and the broader built environment.

Resource Depletion

Resource depletion is another major issue that needs to be addressed in the real estate sector. This is because the industry depends on resources like fossil fuels, minerals, and timber. However, these resources can become depleted, which can lead to a number of challenges and delays. Moreover, this can also result in increased costs for the construction and management of assets.

Additionally, poorly extracted resources can lead to reputational damage for your company. Organisations must identify effective initiatives which can help them prevent resource scarcity. For example, they may need to be careful when choosing which suppliers to work with.

Water And Air Pollution

Last but not least, water and air pollution as a result of real estate operational activities has had a massive impact on the environment. This has also led to noise and light pollution, so it’s important to take action as soon as possible. For example, you might need to look into implementing sustainable principles and making use of green infrastructure.

It’s also crucial to provide construction companies with clear guidelines that they can follow to achieve the desired results. Moreover, more research will need to be conducted on improving water and air quality in the real estate industry.

The post 4 Sustainability Challenges Faced By The Real Estate Sector And How To Overcome Them first appeared on Economic Journal.

If you drive a conventional diesel or petrol car, we’ve outlined a few good driving habits to help cut your emissions and save your wallet.

1. Maintain your tyres

One of the most important contributing factors towards fuel economy is the overall performance and condition of your tyres. Not only does choosing high-quality tyres make a difference but keeping them inflated to the correct pressure has a significant impact.

When you buy tyres online, make sure to choose compatible models for your specific vehicle from trusted brands. Check the pressure regularly according to your vehicle guidelines.

2. Accelerate gently

Keeping an eye on your acceleration doesn’t necessarily mean you need to drive slowly. However, even if you’re not concerned about fuel economy, it’s safer and more sensible to drive steadily. You can conserve your fuel by limiting acceleration. If you normally put your foot down at green lights just driving through town, try to get out of this habit – it’s not only impractical and potentially dangerous, but could be increasing your fuel consumption too.

3. Lighten the load

The heavier your vehicle is, the more likely it is to require more fuel to keep it moving. If you already drive a large vehicle like a pickup truck, losing fuel economy in this way will be unavoidable. However, if you drive a family estate car, you can easily shift a few pounds. Remove roof bars or the roof box when not in use and try not to carry too many unnecessary items in your boot either.

If you need to carry luggage and passengers, try to distribute the weight evenly.

4. Stay in gear

It’s easy to assume that coasting should increase fuel economy, but conversely, it might be less efficient for newer vehicles. Many are equipped with sensors that detect the engagement of the accelerator, limiting the amount of fuel delivered to the injector. To avoid coasting, reduce your speed to the appropriate level and then put the clutch down to change gear. This will save unnecessary gear changes or prolonged time on the clutch too.

5. Avoid shorter journeys

Lastly, it’s always worth knowing that longer journeys at a consistent speed are the most economical to make. This is particularly true if you drive a diesel car, since these larger engines are designed to cruise comfortably over longer distances.

For instance, you could walk or cycle to work instead. When you’re proactive, you’ll notice plenty of opportunities to save fuel simply by driving less. In 2021, the average person in England spent just 7 minutes a week on their bike – so why not beat the traffic? If you have any useful tips for other motorists, feel free to share them in the comments section below!

The post How to Improve Your Fuel Economy: Our 5 Top Tips first appeared on Economic Journal.

Here are some ideas on how to use team messaging threads to get everyone on the same page.

What Is the Best Way to Use Team Chat Threads?

There are a few different ways to use team chat threads, and the best way depends on the team’s needs. For example, if the team is working on a project together, they might want to create a thread for each phase of the project. This way, everyone can share updates and files easily.

Alternatively, if the team is in charge of different tasks, they might want to have separate threads for each task. This way, people can focus on their own work and not get overwhelmed by other people’s conversations. The most important thing is to make sure that everyone knows how the chat threads will be used. Once everyone is on the same page, it will be much easier to.

What Are Some Best Practices When Using Team Chat Threads?

When using team chat threads, it is important to keep the following best practices in mind:

• Do use team chat threads to promote collaboration and conversation between team members.
• Do keep messages clear and concise.
• Do use team chat threads to share updates and important information with the team.
• Do use team chat threads to ask questions and seek input from others.
• Don’t use team chat threads to spam or flood the channel with unnecessary messages.
• Don’t use team chat threads as a replacement for one-on-one or small group conversations.

What Should You Never Do in a Team Chat Thread?

There are a few things you should never do in a team chat thread:

1. Don’t be a backseat driver – If you’re not actively participating in the conversation, don’t pipe up and try to take over. It’s annoying and will make your teammates resent you.

2. Don’t be a killjoy – No one wants to be the person who always brings down the mood, so try to avoid being that person in the chat thread. If you must complain, do it privately.

3. Don’t hijack the conversation – This is similar to being a backseat driver, but even worse. If you’re not supposed to be talking about something, don’t bring it up and try to steer the conversation in that direction. It’s rude and will just annoy everyone involved.

4. Don’t be a know-it-all – We all have different levels of knowledge on various topics, so don’t act like you know everything just because you saw it on the internet once. If someone asks for your opinion, give it, but don’t force it on people who don’t want it.

5. Don’t forget to proofread – This should go without saying, but unfortunately, it still needs to be said. Always proofread your messages before hitting send, especially if you’re prone to typos or poor grammar. An incoherent message can lead to miscommunication, so make sure your messages are clear and leave no room for misunderstanding.

What Are Good Ways to Promote Collaboration in a Team Chat Thread?

When it comes to promoting collaboration in a team chat thread, there are a few dos and don’ts to keep in mind. First, do encourage team members to share information and ideas openly. This will help the team to brainstorm and come up with creative solutions to problems. Secondly, use specific tools and applications that facilitate collaboration. These tools will make it easier for team members to work together on projects and tasks.

Finally, don’t be afraid to delegate tasks and responsibilities to team members. This will help to ensure that everyone is involved in the work chat and that everyone feels like they are contributing to the team’s success.

What Are Other Instant Messaging Etiquette Tips?

When you’re using an instant messaging program at work, there are a few etiquette tips you should keep in mind.

a) Use proper grammar and spelling. Don’t use all caps or all lowercase letters. Compose your messages like you’re writing a formal correspondence.

b) Don’t use abbreviations or emoticons in formal messages. Never use profanity or offensive language.

c) Be mindful of the tone of your messages. It’s especially important to be selective with your words when providing feedback as you don’t want to come across as rude or overly critical.

d) Don’t flood the chat with too many messages. Give people the opportunity to respond to what you’ve said so far.

e) Avoid personal conversations. Keep the chat focused on work-related issues.

f) Respect other peoples’ privacy.

Conclusion

Work chat can be a great way to stay connected with colleagues, but it’s important to use it wisely. Follow these dos and don’ts to make sure you’re using work chat in the most effective way possible and promoting good communication within your team.

The post The Dos and Don’ts of Work Chat first appeared on Economic Journal.

As a small business, being scammed is a regrettable concern as it takes away hard-earned money. Further, your customers’ data could be stolen, leading you to take responsibility. One way to avoid this is by securing your payment methods. Read the 5 steps you need to follow before choosing payment processing for your startup by beststartup.co.uk

Here’s how you can get started.

What to look for in payment solution providers

PCI-DSS compliance

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) is a set of security standards that ensure the protection of card transactions. These standards include using antivirus software and maintaining firewalls for payment systems.

As they serve to protect their personal data, these measures can boost customer confidence.

When looking at card payment machines, look for providers that comply with the PCI-DSS by conducting regular vulnerability scans and sending periodic emails for compliance maintenance. To evaluate online payment solutions for your website, make sure they provide regular system updates.

They should also cause a padlock symbol to appear in the address bar of a browser to indicate that your customer’s browsing activities are secure.

Address verification system (AVS)

This is one key feature to look for in any payment solution. An AVS requires cardholders to provide accurate personal information, which must match the billing address on a file. When a match is not detected, it is immediately shown as a fraud.

This prevents criminals from using a stolen card in your business and involving you in their theft.

An AVS is often used in online payments but can also be applied in point-of-sale payments where a card is not present, such as mail order/telephone order payments.

Tokenisation

Tokenisation is a process that turns a customer’s payment data into a random string of numbers. Even if hackers gain access to this data, they will be unable to use it. Tokenisation is often used in online and contactless payments like wearable payments, which include the use of mobile phones and smartwatches.

These have been growing recently due to the convenience and added layer of security that they allow for customers. Partnering with providers that use tokenisation methods can help you further secure customer transactions.

What else can you do as a small business?

Keep your payment systems updated

Even if you work with payment solution providers that comply with the aforementioned standards, updating their services is still your responsibility.

An outdated payment method will be more vulnerable to potential cybercrimes. As such, regularly checking for and conducting regular updates will ensure that your customers have access to the latest security patches.

Implement a cybersecurity policy

Small businesses need to follow certain guidelines to prevent threats, especially if they offer digital and online payments. Implementing a cybersecurity policy is the way to go about this. It will contain protocols for you and your employees (should you have any) to maximise protection against cyber threats and actions. To create a cybersecurity policy, analyse the potential risk you face, assess possible threats, and establish realistic goals.

For instance, offering online payments makes you vulnerable to cyberattacks. One procedure to include in your policy is for employees to report the attack to authorities immediately.

Secure payment methods protect you and your customers from any malicious financial activities. You can prevent this from happening by choosing safe payment solution providers, regularly updating your systems, and creating a cybersecurity policy.

The post How Small Businesses Can Secure Their Payment Methods first appeared on Economic Journal.

Read on for important steps when commencing your work-from-home business.

1. Create a Concept

Generating a profitable idea is the first phase in beginning your work. At this initial stage, it is fundamental to work with an experienced small business accountant like Howlader & co.

Ensure you develop a business idea that appeals to you and your potential customers and fills a gap in the market. Is there a problem you keep running into that you wish someone would fix?

Consider the companies already in existence and consider how you could enhance what they are already doing. A unique concept will help you scale up the market’s ranks.

2. Plan Your Work

Develop a work plan to function as your motivation and define your objectives. It will give you clarity as you get going and will be helpful if you decide to later apply for small business finance. You can write a summary that solely covers your occupation’s key elements.

If you need branded invoices to give a professional touch to your business, an invoice template will be the best and most affordable option.

3. Decide On the Legal Framework for Your Occupation

Making the right legal decision is crucial before starting any business. For instance, a single proprietorship can be the best option if you want the least level of interference. With this business structure, you have total control over every decision because no executive board or partner is involved in management.

Remember that there is no legal distinction between you and the firm; you are liable for any liabilities and legal actions it faces.

4. Open a Bank Account

You should open a bank account to ensure your savings are secured. The type of bank account you create depends on your interests, work plan and short or long-term goals. It is crucial since it distinguishes between your personal and company finances. If it is a company, open an account once your legal business structure has been formed.

5. Have Adequate Information on Insurance

Ensure you have the right insurance first. Running a business involves numerous risks, such as litigation, data breaches and business interruption. Asking an insurance agent for advice on what policies are best for your work-from-home business is a good idea.

6. Engage Professional Personnel

Most individuals find filing taxes complex, and having an occupation or a small business makes the process more necessary. Hiring or outsourcing the services of a financial advisor and an accountant is crucial. Seek guidance on how to set up payroll, establish your business and keep track of your spending and investments.

7. Verify Any Applicable Laws

It is wise to research local and state regulations when establishing your work-from-home business. A business license or work permit may be necessary for some states, and you risk legal repercussions if you do not comply. You might need to research local zoning restrictions depending on the work or business you intend to establish.

8. Analyze Your Concept

It is time to put your work idea to the test, which calls for you to concentrate on generating some revenue. After all, profitability is the standard by which success is judged. Partnering with established businesses can help you gain exposure and expand quickly.

Whatever approach you choose to use, be ready to make changes as you go. The most crucial factor is developing a suitable solution that meets your clients’ demands.

The post 8 Essential Steps to Starting Your Work from Home Business first appeared on Economic Journal.

Whether your financial objectives are to attempt to save for a home, set up your pensions for retirement, or prepare your kids for a prosperous future, getting assistance from a financial adviser can be a great approach to help you. Although it might sound difficult, we will go over what a financial adviser does and how you can make sure you find the right one to meet your financial needs.

Understanding your financial goals

First off, it is important for you to have a clear understanding of your financial priorities before beginning your financial journey to comprehend what you will need to do to achieve them. As a starting point, simply writing down where you want to be in a few years and what it would take to get there is advised. There are several options you may want to consider. Some of these may include creating a budgeting plan, paying off debt, beginning to have a pension, or looking for advice on how to start investing.

You will then be able to choose the financial services you require. Choosing to learn more about investing, for instance, would mean locating a financial advisor who specialises in this field, such as an investment consultant.

You might also consider hiring discretionary services, which entail having financial matters handled on your behalf, if you don’t have the required time or knowledge. In either case, you may start to effectively work toward your financial goals by recognising what they are.

So what is a financial adviser and how can they help?

A personal financial plan that will assist you in achieving your financial objectives is often created by financial advisors using their knowledge and experience. These strategies can involve making investments, initiating savings plans, creating a budget, or looking for other ways to strengthen your financial stability.

With this in mind, it’s also important to remember that there are numerous distinct types of financial advisers available.

Investment consultants: can assist you in building upon an existing portfolio, selecting the finest investments for it, or even starting one from scratch. If you want to increase your passive income, then this can be the best course of action.

Certified financial planners: can assist you with all element of saving, including retirement planning, budgeting, and investing. They provide a wider range of services.

Wealth managers: If you are affluent this would typically be your best choice as they are focused on handling clients with significant wealth and work on diverse tasks like major investments and  charitable donations.

How to choose the right one for you

Finding the appropriate financial advisor can be difficult, and the beginning of your financial journey may feel fairly daunting. But remember to take into account your own situation before looking at the numerous services that are provided to ensure that your counsel provides genuine value for your money by carefully preparing this.

The post How Can Financial Advisors Facilitate Your Financial Planning Journey? first appeared on Economic Journal.

Different manufacturers make solar panels; thus, they are not the same. Likewise, they have different systems, so you need to know a reliable source and a reputable installer to ensure that your system matches your energy requirements.

Types of solar panels

You must know more about solar panels before you request a proposal from a solar panel provider. Most solar panels are fitted on the roof, and several types of materials are used for solar panels, such as monocrystalline, multi-crystalline, and hybrid thin film. However, solar slates and tiles may blend better if you replace your roof. You might also look into bifacial solar panels that generate electricity from both sides. If you need help or want to know more about solar panels, click here.

How many solar panels do you need?

The size of the system or the number of panels you need depends on the amount of electricity you want to generate. Likewise, it will depend on the available space on your roof. One thing to remember is that you cannot meet 100 per cent of your energy needs with solar panels. This is because you measure the solar panel system size in kilowatt peaks (kWp), the system’s maximum output. For most houses, the most common size of the system is around 3.6 to 4kWp.

Using a solar panel inverter

An inverter converts the direct current the panels produce into usable alternating current, which is what the solar panel system is all about. The cheapest and most common is the string inverter. The inverter separates or isolates the panels. Therefore, if one board fails or is shadowed by trees, the other panels will continue to work. Typically, the inverter is positioned in the loft, so the energy loss in the cables is minimal. However, since inverters are affected by heat, it is better to place them in your garage.

Is your roof ready for it?

It is vital to check if the condition of your roof can take the extra weight of the panels. Get a professional to assess the structural integrity of your roof. Or get the necessary repairs done before you buy the solar panels. It will be costlier if you have the panels installed now and need to remove them later to repair the roof.

Cost of solar panels

Early in 2022, a single solar panel costs between £350 and £500, according to the system’s type and size. So, for example, a 4kWp solar panel system, which will cover 29 square metres of your roof, will cost about £6,000.
Now that you know the things to consider, it is time to find a reputable solar panel installer. First, look for three or four local installers and request them to submit a quote. You will then have an idea of the current rate in your area for the type of system you want or need.

The post Things to Consider Before Buying Solar Panels first appeared on Economic Journal.

These problems may only become apparent after implementation. Material handling simulation lets businesses test a new process or technique in a risk-free environment. Simulation can allow a design team to plan new upgrades in their likely real-world performance with less danger than conventional testing.

How Do Simulations Identify Material Handling Challenges?

The need for efficiency is greater than ever in heavy industry. Changing market conditions, supply chain disruptions and rising customer expectations have put new pressure on manufacturers, warehouses and industrial businesses. Adopting new technology and updating legacy systems is a great way to improve operational efficiency. However, upgrades bring some level of risk. New techniques that work well in theory may function poorly in practice, conflict with other systems or introduce new problems.

For example, they might damage important components in certain operating conditions. Material handling simulation lets businesses more effectively predict how a new system or upgrade will function in practice.

This technology can test system designs in various ways without risk, unlike pilot programs and real-world testing, which may damage important components or machinery. Simulating new systems during the design phase allows a business’s design team to ensure it will stand up to real-world operating conditions and integrate well with existing equipment.

Simulations can also help workers identify performance improvement opportunities, allowing them to create more efficient system designs ahead of implementation. Many simulation tools are built to identify process bottlenecks that can reduce the efficiency of a new material handling system.

These simulations provide the most value during the master planning phase of the design process, when the team is laying down the foundation for the new handling system. Staff can use simulation to validate the concept before proposing the new solution, providing additional assurance to stakeholders that it will perform well.

Material Handling Simulation Strategies and Techniques

Design teams can employ various simulation tools and technologies when they need to test a new system. Designers can use purpose-built material handling simulation tools, including modules created for simulating systems. Some design teams may also want to use tools built for related testing purposes. They might implement logistics simulation tools that can model the number of packages a conveyor belt may need to handle or the impact a more efficient system may have on a business’s overall operations.

A simulation platform may come with modules that simulate individual system components, like conveyor belts and autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs). These modules allow the design team to create a digital model of the proposed system, configure performance with variables like belt acceleration and deceleration, and observe how it may function in practice.

Other system modules may directly streamline the design process. For example, pathfinding modules can help designers identify the fastest paths for an AGV or worker in an existing facility layout. They can help build travel networks and accelerate the design process.

The design team and management can work together to research available simulation solutions and identify the platforms that will provide the ideal modules. Simulation is often as simple as recreating the design in the solution and using its test modules to simulate the design. Designers can then use these results to iterate and improve the system. They can also use the tool to create animations, images and other visuals that may help them communicate their test results to stakeholders outside the design team.

Businesses Can Use Material Handling Simulation to Streamline Upgrades

Integrating a new system always comes with some potential for disruption. Even the best designs may encounter unforeseen roadblocks when translated into real-world strategies.

Designers can use material handling simulations to more effectively anticipate potential challenges and identify opportunities for system improvement. Various simulation tools allow teams to test systems without the risks of real-world tests.

Many of these tools allow designers to quickly create models of common material handling system features, like conveyor belts, and visualize how they’re likely to operate in practice. The right set of tools lets businesses more effectively adopt new material handling systems without the typical hazards that come with upgrading technology or adopting new solutions.

The post Use Simulations to Design Better Material Handling Systems first appeared on Economic Journal.

When turbulence defines the current socio-economic landscape, it’s best to focus in on what you can control, and if that means confronting your organisational demons, then it’s best to get stuck in.

Here is a beginner’s guide to help you get financially organised. Hopefully, it can put you on the right path to busting your stress and maximising your savings.

Search for the Best Banking Deal

While you may be more likely to get a divorce than swap banks, it’s still worth looking into because you might be missing out on some benefits if you remain on a banking plan that doesn’t suit your current needs. Switching is simply a case of shopping around and searching for a plan that’s going to benefit your money-saving journey.

Come Up with a Budget

A good budget should be fairly easy to commit to, as long as it puts your needs first, like rent and utility bills, for example, and accounts for your wants and savings after. Perhaps it’ll be easier to save if you’re saving up for something in particular, rather than just saving as a terrifying existential concept.

Paying Down Debt

Paying off debt should be a top priority in many cases, so it’s worth coming up with a savings budget that puts it first.

Get Help from the Apps

There are plenty of great money-saving apps online, and loads of them are free. If you’re struggling to stick to budgets or you’re overspending, an app may enable you to take charge of your finances once and for all.

Consolidate Your Pensions

The earlier you can start organising your pension, the better your monetary reward will be later on down the line (thank you, beloved compound interest!), so even though retirement seems a billion miles away, it helps to think about it now.

A great way to maximise your pension and organise your finances is to consolidate your various pots under one roof. If you combine pensions into one secure and easily manageable location, you can keep better track of it, and you’ll have an easier time investing it in the future, should you wish.

Organise Your Subscriptions

If you aren’t using your subscriptions, get rid of them!

This can free up a surprising amount of spending money in some cases. If you’re spending more than you’re making, you’ll need to think about areas you can cut back on, and subscriptions are a good place to start. Such is the tyranny of modern life.

Seek Expert Advice

A financial expert will likely be able to make you feel better about your money situation, so it won’t hurt to reach out for advice. Feeling down about money is a horrid position to be in, and sometimes, professional guidance is all that’s needed to put you back on the right path.

The post A Beginners Guide to Getting Financially Organised first appeared on Economic Journal.

This shouldn’t deter you from launching your own venture, however, not least because around 80% of businesses survive beyond the first year and lay the foundations for more sustained success.

In this post, we’ll explore this concept in a little more detail, while asking how firms can utilise prepaid credit cards to survive during their first years of operation.

The Seven Ps of Marketing and Your Business Foundation

Let’s start with the basics; as the most successful major corporations are founded on clearly-defined business and marketing models.

The most popular marketing method includes the so-called “seven ps”, which in turn refers to product, promotion, price, place, people, process and physical evidence.

These all represent core strategic elements of any business plan, with price particularly insightful and covering everything from what you charge customers to available payment methods and the valued-added discounts used to incentivise customers.

Arguably, price and its various elements is the single most important aspect of the seven ps, and one that can impact on the business’s turnover, its ability to build a loyal customer base and its bottom-line profitability over time.

OK, So How Can You Manage Your Company Finances?

This leads us onto the importance of money management, with most businesses failing due to a failure to understand price components, make the most of capital or optimise cash flow while the venture is in its infancy.

But what steps can you take to manage your company finances more effectively? Here are some ideas to keep in mind:

• #1. Create a Separate Business Account: Ultimately, it’s important to run your business venture as a viable and standalone entity, and one that’s completely separate to your own personal wealth. To this end, you’ll need distinct business and personal bank accounts, while you should never utilise company funds to fund non-commercial purchases. This also makes the process of money management far easier, as you can review your company’s cash holdings quickly in real-time.

• #2. Utilise a Prepaid Debit Card: On a similar note, you may also want to take out a prepaid debit card in the name of your business. This is ideal when funding commercial purchases, as it requires you to budget accurately for materials and outgoings while making it easier to minimise spending and optimise profitability over time. This type of card is easy to use and top-up, while it creates responsible and accessible funding that’s ideal for novice entrepreneurs who are finding their way as business leaders.

• #3. Have Clear Spending Priorities: On a final note, it’s also important to develop clear and concise spending properties as a business owner. This allows your budget to be split between strategic and non-strategic expenses, while enabling you to manage and organise your spending while fulfilling pre-existing growth plans. This can take considerable time and effort, but it will ensure that your business spends responsibly and within its means over an extended period of time.

The post The Money Saving Hack That Can Save Your Business first appeared on Economic Journal.