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5 Benefits For Artists Attending Art Fairs

By
Elaine Goetz
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Art brings out emotions, values, ethics, and creativity of the artist. It becomes essential for an artist to keep on creating great artwork. Without great art, an artist is incomplete. To create art, some motivation and creativity is a must.

To keep on making art pieces, an artist must keep exploring places. An artist should never shy away from exploring places where they can connect with other artists and enjoy the art of others.

One may also look to visit art exhibitions where they can discuss art forms with various other artists and develop relations. These exhibitions can serve an artist in many ways.

1.) Opportunities To Collaborate

When two or more people meet and find out, they have similar interests and ideologies, and they make for a fantastic team. Art fairs and exhibitions do a lot to bring artists together. One gets to discuss art in detail when the meeting is offline. These meetings can often result in collaborations and business opportunities for various artists.

When two great artists collaborate, they ensure that they create nothing less than a masterpiece. And, which artist doesn’t want to call a masterpiece their creation? It’s the utmost goal of artists to create something extraordinary. And, collaborations through art fairs brings an artist pretty close to creating a masterpiece.

Art fairs can be pretty exciting. As in an art fair, when an artist meets another artist; they might also find a friend or critique.

2.) Chances Of Innovating

When two great minds come together, what they do is innovate new things. Art fairs are full of opportunities because it brings art lovers together. The interactions with people who share a love for the same thing are always meaningful. Moreover, art fairs feature works of so many artists that can be the source of motivation for many new ideas.

And, it is ideas that shape the projects. So, when an artist meets another artist or a fan of art, they get lots of new insights. These insights could prove essential for new ventures. Moreover, it is always a great experience to meet new minds and discuss what you love the most.

One could find inspiration and ideas from anywhere and, nothing better than an art fair to develop something eye-pleasing.

3.) Open Discussions

If you are an artist, your prime concern becomes to get people talking about your art. And, if you have never showcased a new art that you have created, you want to put it in front of art admirers as soon as possible. And for that purpose, an art fair serves you exactly what you were looking for everywhere.

An art fair gets the artist a lot of eyeballs and some recognition too. It is one of the simplest ways to have people talk to you about your work.

When an artist discusses his artwork with collectors, the artist gets to know a lot about the behaviour of collectors. Understanding the behaviour of collectors can help an artist in many ways.

4.) Time To Learn

People tend to overlook the importance of learning. It is one of the most crucial parts of growing and evolving both as a human being and an artist. An artist learns the most from art, doesn’t matter if it’s his or of others. And art fairs takes an artist so close to so many artworks.

In an art exhibition, one may observe and explore the art of others. Exploring art may help one to learn about the new art forms, artists, and their style of creating art. Exploring the work of others is so important to learn new things and do well in the market.

It helps an artist learn new art forms. And one may even discover the style of the other artists and what they do differently with their work.

5.) Scope For Business

An artist cannot pay his bills without selling his art, no matter how hard they try. Selling is as essential as creating eye-pleasing art. Art fairs and art exhibitions offer business opportunities for artists, as many buyers also visit to buy new art. The scope of business is better in art fairs because the artist and the buyer indulge directly in the negotiations.

Apart from selling only in the event, one may also develop business relations with various art agencies or collectors. These business relations can come handy to market their upcoming arts to the agencies and collectors.

Conclusion

Artists should not avoid going to places which can offer them opportunities for growth. Art exhibitions are full of new opportunities for growth. Moreover, these exhibitions can put an artist in a much better position as they can improve their network.

How Technological Advances Are Increasing Building Safety

By
Elaine Goetz
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Technology has consistently played a huge part in the progression of production across every sector. From creating a secure storage space in ‘the cloud’ to the rise of electric vehicles meaning less carbon being emitted into our atmosphere, every sector is using these advances to provide a better product. But how are such technological advances increasing our buildings’ safety? Let’s take a look at three key advances.

Ventilation

It’s important that your building has a significant ventilation system. The process of ventilation allows contaminated indoor air to be replaced with air from outside the building. These systems help provide a comfortable microclimate and offers a process to provide fresh air for occupants of the building while also reducing pollutants and providing cooling when necessary. It can also protect the building and elements against moisture. Without ventilation, or with limited ventilation, occupants’ health and comfort could be at risk.

The world’s first large-scale mechanical ventilation system dates back to 1854. Since then, the concept and methods have greatly evolved — especially in the last 40-50 years. While natural ventilation is simply when air moves in and out through windows, doors, vents, and other openings, mechanical ventilation is the use of mechanical air systems and is coming on leaps on bounds as technology improves. Also known as HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, this is now what most commercial buildings use.  It is more controllable and responsive than natural ventilation which means the building can benefit from more adequate indoor air quality.

Rainscreen systems

Nowadays, rainscreen cladding can be hook on, face fix, secret fix or whatever is required. Rainscreen cladding is a system which consists of an outer weather-resistant skin fixed to a primary structure using adjustable brackets. You can use it for the following:

  • Wall cladding and facade finishes
  • Spandrel panels
  • Facias and soffits
  • Column covers
  • Balcony and canopy cladding
  • Tunnel linings
  • Stairways and lifts
  • Roof edgings and parapet wall copings

This type of cladding can be a cost-effective way to improve a building’s aesthetics and thermal performance. It can also help protect the structure of a building.

Sotech, a North-East-based company specialising in rainscreen cladding, have recently released an evolution of their original hook on secret fix rainscreen solution.  “The industry has evolved a lot over the past three years”, said Charlie McLaughlin, Specification Manager at Sotech. “It’s important the people who eventually use the buildings understand that we not only provide fire-tested systems but that we provide high quality systems at the right price and in the right timeframe.

“The introduction of the slide and lock adjustment mechanism has given the original FC hook on system an incredible time-saving benefit and it reflects Sotech’s unwavering commitment to safety, performance and efficiency. We’re really pleased with the turn out of the new FC+ system and look forward to seeing it on buildings this year. Customers still have the option to order pre-assembled rails.”

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design

Of course, the main advance has come in the design of buildings itself. The question is posed whether beautiful buildings be strong too? Simply put, yes. While designs continue to push the boundaries, they are always looking to become safer as well as more aesthetically pleasing.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a method which is often used in security planning. It focuses on design, placement, how a building is used as a means to increase security in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

As technology continues to progress, many new aspects will help improve security. What will the future hold?

Fixing a Machine vs Buying a New One

By
Elaine Goetz
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Companies are often faced with the dilemma — to repair or replace? An important piece of machinery has failed, a crucial element of a process or production line. Biting the bullet and replacing it can be expensive, however on the other hand, is it worth spending money on repairing aging equipment?

When assets break down, productivity is at risk and this can adversely affect profitability in the short or even long term. Time and cost are both key considerations, but there are also a range of other factors at play. It is a decision that requires careful consideration in order to maintain productivity and manage costs.

Businesses have long used the 50 per cent rule as a guide: if breakdowns and repairs exceed 50 per cent of the total cost of replacing a piece of equipment, then you should outright replace it. However, there’s often more to consider — take that guide with a pinch of salt. Here, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of repair and replace, looking at several factors such as cost, time, reliability, and labour.

Reducing downtime

The first consideration when deciding whether to replace or repair is the nature of the machinery and how essential it is. For example, backup power generators are critical when mains power is lost. Following a programme of preventative maintenance and making minor generator repairs on an as-needed basis significantly reduces risk of total machine failure at a critical moment. Maintaining repairs through regular inspections is effective, and if any issues are identified they can be resolved immediately, preventing unanticipated downtime.

Replacing the asset is often the quickest route to resuming operations in the shortest period of time. In some cases, any additional cost to purchase a replacement will be offset by the quick return to profitability. However, the decision may not be this straightforward. There may be long lead times for the procurement of new machines or adjustments may need to be made to existing infrastructure if a direct replacement can’t be obtained, all of which can extend the period of downtime. For example, in this case of a dock pump motor, at over 100 years old, a direct replacement would not be possible. Costly adaptations would need to be made to allow for the installation of a new motor, so a repair was necessary. In these cases, a repair may still prove the most efficient solution.

Making cost-effective decisions

It is often significantly cheaper to repair or replace certain components rather than buying a whole new asset. According to the Association of Electro Mechanical Trades, simply replacing bearings resolves around 50 per cent of motor failures.

Even complex repairs can still achieve an outcome comparable with buying a new machine. For example, although there is a common perception that electric motor rewinding reduces efficiency, industry bodies EASA and the AEMT have demonstrated that it is possible to maintain or even increase efficiency when rewinding a motor.

If, however, equipment requires a significant amount of maintenance and repair work, then it may be more cost-effective to replace. Consider whether a new machine is likely to be more energy efficient, weighed up against the environmental impact of buying new.

While it’s common practice at larger companies, any business can carry out a lifecycle cost analysis on each asset, taking into account the costs of obtaining, maintaining, and disposing of machinery.

  • Ownership— purchase price, insurance, interest, taxes, storage, depreciation, decommissioning, and disposal.
  • Operating — repairs, maintenance, fuel, operator labour, fluids, and other consumable costs.

Improving reliability

Ultimately, reliability is the primary consideration when dealing with aging assets. The priority is to increase the mean time between failure, minimising downtime, and associated costs. Ongoing preventative maintenance is the most efficient way to protect your equipment, but machine failures cannot be avoided completely. Having a strategy in place for these situations will help minimise disruption.

Repair vs replace is a common consideration for a wide range of businesses. Make sure you weigh up the pros and cons so that your productivity doesn’t feel the effects.

Ten Tweets That Highlight the True Impact of UK Fly-Tipping

By
Elaine Goetz
-

With lockdown still in full sway, one of the few pleasures we have all been allowed is a nice walk through nature to keep our spirit and exercise levels up every day. So, to find many of the UK’s natural areas scarred with evidence of fly-tipping is nothing short of a travesty for many Brits. Take a look below at the top ten fly-tipping tweets that encompass Britain’s feelings towards this careless act.

“A feature of our morning walk was the evidence of flytipping; mainly green waste. Local collection and recycling centres are closed, while many will be (more) active in their gardens. With this situation likely to persist, I wonder if local councils will allocate street skips?”

With venues such as recycling centres and tips closed to the public during lockdown, fly-tipping has been on the rise in many regions. This is a particular problem when so much time at home means many are taking the opportunity to complete some long-overdue house projects. A sudden surge of waste and the realisation that there’s nowhere to put it all appears to have tempted many to simply dump their waste instead of contacting a rubbish removal service.

“@CllrSeema @luptonn @FinsParkFriends @metpoliceuk @Clive_Carter @haringeycouncil @ZenaBrabazon Seema, the woman who’s been flytipping has taken 3 guys who are homeless & living in #SoftballField #FinsburyPark away in her vehicle. How are the outreach team precisely engaging with them? The #Flytipping will continue if the rubbish dumped isn’t cleared as matter of priority.”

Another concern isn’t simply the act of fly-tipping, but the need to clear it away quickly afterwards. Waste can be an eyesore on the land, but it can also act like a flag to encourage others to dump their rubbish in the same place thinking that it’s just adding to a pile that is marked to be removed anyway. This fly-tipping episode in Haringey proves some people are risking hefty fines instead of doing the right thing (and the easier thing!) and arranging a !

“With local recycling & tips closing due to #coronavirusuk , I fear a huge increase in #flytipping which will ultimately cost councils more, which will lead to our #counciltax increasing :-(“

Naturally, with furloughs and lay-offs abound, concerns have also been voiced for the financial strain of fly-tipping. As this Twitter user rightly points out, any increase in cost for councils to clear away fly-tipping will be reflected upon us all in an increase of council tax bills…

“For clarity: #Flytipping during #Covid_19 crisis will be viewed as ‘aggravated’ rather than ‘reasonable’ or ‘excusable’ in any way. Surveillance operating 24/7 as usual along with investigation and #ZeroTolerance policy. #SCRAPflytipping https://t.co/KOeWaW61ZF”

Here, we see that there is no excuse for fly-tipping, not even in lockdown. While it may be an inconvenience to not be able to simply drive to the tip and offload your rubbish there, using the lockdown as an excuse to fly-tip just wont fly!

“Please don’t leave waste outside the gates of the Household waste recycling centres. It’s flytipping, a criminal offence for which perpetrators will be prosecuted and fined up to £50,000. See tips on how to reduce waste as we’re asked to #StayAtHome  https://t.co/BGPhNJE8QF https://t.co/VzEFJTV2kw”

When it comes to fly-tipping, “close enough” isn’t good enough. Some people have taken to leaving their rubbish outside the closed recycling centres around the country. But it doesn’t matter if it’s one foot or one thousand feet away from a recycling centre — fly-tipping is fly-tipping.

“@ilovesellyoak The council came really quickly, it’s disappointing that during this time students are still flytipping as usual, the message of community has been lost on Dale Road this year, mainly the large houses of rugby lads..rude and intimidating to me too :-(“

As with any criminal act, tensions can rise. This Twitter user expressed their dismay at the collapse of community pride as a result of fly-tipping.

“Sadly, and perhaps, inevitably, some people are using the cessation of garden waste collection as an excuse to dump their rubbish on #BallardWaterMeadow. Please dont. Its #flytipping. These article explains more. #lovenature #gardening #newmilton https://t.co/USmJeuoDrr https://t.co/zJjEzJvwpU”

You might be forgiven for thinking garden waste such as plant clippings could be left in a field or meadow to rot. After all, it’s biodegradable, isn’t it? While it is indeed biodegradable, not all garden waste will rot down into healthy nutrients for the soil beneath it. Often, such garden waste will release poisons into the local area, which can disrupt the natural wildlife and plant life. For example, pine needles are acidic when they break down, meaning little will grow where they have been dumped.

“@HarringayKJA @TophHooperton @ZenaBrabazon @ContactHaringey @CllrKirsten @haringeycouncil So this woman is back, #flytipping in #SoftballField #FinsburyPark @metpoliceuk this woman needs to be stopped and quickly. If police had responded more effectively on Friday this continued dumping wouldn’t be happening #CriminalAct #Harringay https://t.co/Pt31Pmb1DT”

Fly-tipping is a criminal offence, one that is somewhat difficult to keep tabs on. With eagle-eyed members of the public and smartphones everywhere though, people are finding it harder and harder to get away unseen!

“@lydia_massiah @MummaWesty We walk each day with our dogs in Thornton, North of Liverpool. Today we saw 6 Buzzards and a Kestrel. Road litter and flytipping is a problem here also along with discarded poo-bags.”

Again, this tweet highlights how fly-tipping can create an eyesore among an otherwise beautiful trip through nature.

“Looks like some people in #derby have used the #coronalockdownuk to do some #flytipping. Unbelievable amount of dumped rubbish where I live. It’s a perennial problem, but this is much worse than normal. @DerbyCC #CoronavirusLockdownUK”

Lockdown measures have certainly impacted fly-tipping levels across the nation. Some, such as the above Twitter user, have observed a noteworthy increase in just their local area.

“@skinoverbone @BarnsleyCouncil  since when has park springs become an industrial waste tip #flytipping https://t.co/qXxm7rRkNG”

Parks have become prime targets for fly-tippers, which not only creates an eyesore, but ruins one of the few freedoms people have been able to maintain during lockdown — walking in parks! This really highlights how problematic the simple act of throwing waste away carelessly can be.

Managing Waste in the Hospitality Industry

By
Elaine Goetz
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With more than 127, 000 hospitality employing more than 3.2 million people, it should come as no surprise that the UK’s hospitality industry is one of the largest.

Approximately 10 per cent of the country’s workforce is employed within hospitality, the third largest private sector employer, which also provides five per cent of GDP. From hotels to nightclubs, restaurants to pubs, almost every street corner you turn in this four-nation collective houses some aspect of this industry.

With a sector so large, however, comes complications, one of which being waste.

Consider the amount of recyclable goods that pass through the hands of these businesses every day.

Statistics propose that around 26 million tonnes of waste are produced ever year in the UK, 12 million of which are recycled while 14 million are sent to landfill.

If the UK is to achieve its ambitious targets in regard to recycling waste, the hospitality industry as a whole and the businesses within it have a lot to do. A 45 per cent recycling rate is a healthy number but it can be easily increased with simple changes.

Benefits

Virtually all businesses across the country will have some form of recycling measures currently implemented into their daily routine however for those who don’t or for those questioning why it is so beneficial, we detail the positives.

Recycling can actually be a significant money saver. Consider bars and restaurants who use a large number of glass bottles — these bottles are expensive to have taken away. Having them recycled instantly saves you a large amount of money.

Waste takes up a large amount of unnecessary space on your premises that could be being used in a more productive and efficient manner. Furthermore, by sorting waste and having it stored in the correct manner prior to collection by your waste disposal operator you are significantly reducing your chance of potential injury to your employees.

Finally, investing in effective waste disposal methods as opposed to simply allowing your waste to end up at landfill will enhance your business’ reputation, making you instantly display a sign environmental friendliness. Not only will this allow you to attract a larger customer base but it will similarly provide you with scope to entice a larger pool of talent, considering a large number of professionals want to work for a business with good environmental credentials.

Implementing a waste disposal system

One of the key things to consider when implementing a waste management system into your business, particularly in hospitality due to the sheer size and magnitude of some operations, is the education of staff.

Staff must be fully trained in recycling before you can expect it to be successful as how can they know what they are meant to achieve without being told it in the first place?

This doesn’t have to be a drastic, intensive training course on the benefits of recycling, more so a detailed plan of how recycling should be carried out and what you are expecting to see in terms of results. A leaderboard which pits different sides of the business against one another can be a fun way to engage all of the staff, for example making the bar and the restaurant compete against each other. Remember to update them as well!

You need to think about what you are going to be able to recycle. This will vary from business to business depending on the various materials that they use day-to-day however, most hospitality businesses can expect to be able to recycle the following:

  • Cardboard
  • Plastic bottles
  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Food and drink cans

One you know what you can recycle within your business you need to think about how you are going to do it. The most simplistic way of doing so involves employing a waste management team, an outside contractor who will detail a step-by-step plan on how your business can successfully dispose of its waste in an environmentally friendly manner.

Along with discussing when and how your waste will be collected, your management team may also propose a variety of machinery that you may want to invest in, in order to make the process more efficient, more cost effective, and more space saving. One of the potential pieces of equipment includes a carboard baler, which crushes boxes into manageable bales, which are easily stored and transported.

The hospitality industry is rife with opportunity when it comes to managing waste, so much so pubs could reduce their waste by 30 per cent, hotels by 16 per cent, and nightclubs by 98 per cent.

Bridges: 4 Things You Didn’t Know

By
Elaine Goetz
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Bridges have certainly come a long way from rustic stone or wooden structures. Thanks to technological evolution, we are now able to design and fabricate bridges across the world that can span a vast array of terrains, from lakes and rivers to rugged, otherwise impassable stretches of land. Of course, some bridges do this with more flare than the rest, standing out as iconic structures for a variety of reasons. In this article, we’re highlighting some of the most amazing feats of bridge engineering.

The world-record holder for the largest Bluetooth device
Spotlight: London Tower Bridge

It may come as a surprise to learn that the title of the world’s largest Bluetooth device is proudly held by a bridge: London’s Tower Bridge, in fact.

The bridge earned its title back in 2007, when the structure was heavily modified with the installation of detectors that could scan pedestrians using the bridge. The bridge could register who was carrying a Bluetooth device and, thanks to the marvel of technology, display an array of colourful pixels across the upper walkway to represent these passers-by.

Of course, these technological updates still pale in comparison to the marvel of the bridge’s original construction.

London’s Tower Bridge is primarily constructed from stone masonry and granite-clad steel. Granite cladding is an excellent choice of cladding due to its strength, durability, lack of maintenance needs, and simple aesthetic appeal.

The structure is supported by piers that house the bridge’s bascule machinery. These were built upon iron boxes that sit 6.5m deep within the riverbed, filled with concrete and clad in more granite brickwork. The towers themselves stand on a steel frame foundation, with four octagonal columns connected with an array of beams, including steel bracings to aid with wind resistance.

Perhaps compared to this, the use of technology such as Bluetooth might seem a little jovial! But it is a great example of how modern technology is being woven into existing structures.

Bridges have impressive lifespans
Spotlight: The Humber Bridge

With the sight of ancient stone bridges crossing rivers, many would assume that once a bridge is built, it will carry out its duty forever. This isn’t quite the case. While a bridge can indeed carry out its function for many decades, the structure will always need maintenance and refurbishment. However, some countries are better at upkeeping their bridges than others. For example, there are 614,837 bridges in the United States, and almost 40 per cent of those bridges are over 50 years old. While this might sound relatively young for a structure, it’s worth keeping in mind that many US bridges were originally built to a 50-year service life design. Therefore, to avoid structure and fatigue, they must be repaired and rehabilitated to continue safely serving for the coming decades.

But here in the UK, only 4.3 per cent of bridges checked by the RAC Foundation were found to be in a substandard state, supporting our nation’s impressive bridge care facilities! The study did, however, outline to the government that all UK bridges ought to be refurbished to perfect condition to maintain their upkeep.

By carrying out such refurbishment, bridges can have their lifespans extended. For example, the Humber Bridge was constructed in 1981, with architects choosing to use concrete rather than steel for the bridge’s towers due to its cost compared to steel and overall landscape appeal.

But the bridge is still going today thanks to careful monitoring and repairs throughout the years. Recently, the bridge’s iconic cables have undergone a 12-month inspection with Cleveland Bridge, a bridge construction and renovation specialist. The inspection was the first to be performed on the bridge since its 2010 dehumidification system was put in place to prevent corrosion. This corrosion avoidance method has also helped the bridge to further lengthen its lifespan.

“The Humber Bridge is a complex piece of engineered infrastructure, critical to the local area and economy,” said Andrew Arundel, Head of Engineering and Infrastructure on the Humber Bridge Board. “We needed a maintenance partner that understood how to minimise the impact of essential inspection works on our customers while providing a high-quality solution within a minimal programme time.”

Impressively, the bridge remained open to pedestrians and traffic while this inspection was being carried out.

The most expensive bridge in the world                                    Spotlight: San Francisco-Oakland Bay Toll Bridge

This steel and concrete bridge originally opened in 1963 to an already impressive receipt. However, after the structure was devastated by 1989’s Loma Prieta earthquake, a further £3.8 billion was poured into the iconic bridge for repair and refurbishment. Not only was the bridge repaired, but it was strengthened to face any future earthquakes.

The repair work included replacing the bridge’s old, impossible-to-heat-treat hot steel rivets. These rivets of old would stay quite soft, and an analysis of the bridge suggested they could fail under stress. Their replacements helped to strengthen the bridge against extreme stress.

The impressive structure is, in fact, three bridge-projects in one. The first two are a pair of suspension bridges that connect San Francisco to Yerba Buena Island. The third, a cantilever bridge and viaduct, stretches from Yerba Buena to Oakland, bringing the full bridge’s span to around 4.5 miles.

Longest bridge in the world
Spotlight: Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge
The Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge is recognised by the Guinness World Records as being the longest in the world. The steel bridge is a whopping 164km long — for context, if the bridge was built in England, it could stretch from Newcastle to Bradford.

Its design covers a vast array of terrain, from lowland rice paddies to rivers. With multiple pillars and steel supports threaded through its design, it is claimed that the bridge can withstand a magnitude eight earthquake.

The ultimate guide to internal auditing success

By
Elaine Goetz
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In order to achieve business success, continuous improvement is essential. Internal auditing provides a vital way to do this. Whether you choose to have an in-house internal auditor or hire a third-party auditor, the process can help to highlight flaws in your business approach.

The benefits include:

  • Risks occur during these processes
  • Processes are being followed
  • Processes are still effective/relevant
  • Output is of a consistently high standard

The frequency of the audit will depend on your business.

Step 1: audit planning

Firstly, you need a list of areas you wish to audit. This may include:

  • Purchasing
    • Purchase invoice process
    • Purchase order process
  • Sales
    • Sales invoice process
    • Sales order process
    • Sales quote process
  • Manufacturing
    • Preparation of Item A
    • Production of Item A
    • Finish/Quality Control process
  • Shipping
    • Stock process
    • Shipping process
  • IT and Security
  • Human Resources
  • Accounting
    • Payroll process
    • Expenses process

You can then assign the frequency of these audits using this list. With this information, you can create an Internal Auditing Calendar for the year.

Form an internal audit calendar

It should be a considered a main priority and responsibility your business shares when conducting the process of an audit. Drawing up a calendar ensures that the audits will be completed on time and frequently. Your internal auditing calendar doesn’t need to be anything fancy. A simple template to follow could be:

Any documents that have been prepped and contain must-know information for audits can be shared on the calendar. It also gives the internal auditor a chance to locate the process documents and review how the process should be followed and write up relevant questions, before they observe it in action.

Processes involved in internal auditing

Interview and observation

Interviewing the employee is the first part of the auditing process. With questions in hand, the internal auditor should then monitor the employee performing a given process, preferably in a natural scenario (i.e. the task needed doing that day). Asking the employee questions about the process they are performing will give the auditor insight as to whether or not the member of staff is, a) following the process properly, and, b) understands the process and the risks it is designed to mitigate. Depending on the answers, the auditor can make note of areas that may need refresher sessions, or aspects of the process that may not have aged well (such as inefficient practices compared to technology that has been brought into the workplace).

Write-up

In order to highlight any findings or issues, the internal auditor has the responsibility of writing up the report. Again, the report document can be as simple or as detailed as you require, so long as the findings are recorded. In the event of a process found to be non-compliant, the auditor will need to recommend further measures in an action plan. They may also need to raise a Non-Compliance Report, depending on your company and its quality compliance measures and recognitions:

Drawing up an action plan

After an action plan is created helping address these losses, they can be presented to the appropriate heads of departments. This should include the finding, the corrective action, who will take ownership of implementing the corrective action, and the deadline for doing so. There should also be a follow-up date to ensure the corrective action has been applied:

The table below uses bolt tensioners supplier HTL Group as an example:

With the help of an action plan, improved and more efficient processes can be conducted! The process of internal auditing is a benefit to any business, and it should be implemented as a critical procedure, and not simply as something to tick off in the books!

Tackling Gender Inequality in Career Paths

By
Elaine Goetz
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Young people should be able to do anything they set their heart on, regardless of their gender. With thathttps://unmudl.com/blogs/how-to-change-careers we’ve focused this article on gender equality in the workplace, and how we can debunk the tired stereotypes that have been holding us back.

Do we attach genders to jobs?

Often, people have been held back in certain fields due to unfair gender bias. Not only do we assign gender roles to people within our society, but we also stereotype jobs with these same set of arbitrary rules. Think about the following fields: nursing, engineering, banking, hairdressing — do you automatically assign each career path a typical gender in your head? We all fall into this trap. Even though times are most certainly changing, some career-based stereotypes are proving hard to shake. What’s more, when men and women do embark on the same career path, they are often treated differently to one another. They are treated differently both by other people within the business and any customers the business is providing a service for.

We can take a closer look at how gender bias develops in a newly created job thanks to a study by BBC workplace magazine. In this research, a relatively new job (which is therefore not-yet assigned to a certain gender) was studied in close detail. The researchers looked at the role of ‘microfinance loan manager’, a role which is split roughly 50/50 between genders. The study considered how loan borrowers responded differently to female loan managers and male managers, who were both in the exact same position.

As it turns out, borrowers had the tendency to instantly label this job ‘male’ or ‘female’. If the first loan collector they were assigned to was male, the customer tended to treat the role with more seriousness, assuming the loan manager had more authority and that this role was typically ‘male’. On the other hand, those who had been initially assigned female loan collectors began to think of the position as a ‘female’ role. They were seen to treat the repayments less seriously from then on — even if they were reassigned to male loan managers later. This study proved that the gendering of a job happens in an instant, and it can totally alter customers attitudes toward the role and the person completing it.

Checking our attitudes

Whether a job is considered traditionally male or female cleary has an impact on how customers behave. As well as this, men and women are treated differently when displaying the very same attributes in the workplace. An ambitious woman, for example, might be referred to as ‘bossy’, while a man acting in the exact same manner may be perceived as ambitious. This trend can be seen from early childhood and must therefore be addressed in schools. Careers week should focus on debunking these gender stereotypes from a young age and make young people aware of the fact that their gender doesn’t confine them to certain career paths.

How can we make a change?

The workplace is evolving, and we are finally beginning to see a change. Initiatives such as Women in STEM are encouraging more and more women to enter into traditionally male-dominated workforces such as engineering. In 2018, women made up 21.8 per cent of the engineering sector, and 46.4 per cent of girls aged 11 to 14 said they would consider a career in engineering, a figure that has been seen to gradually increase over recent years.

We are also seeing a positive change in the amount of men entering into the nursing profession. In 2019, there was a nine per cent increase of the amount of men applying to study nursing at university and many areas are working hard to keep these numbers on the rise. In Scotland for example, the ambition is to have a 25:75 male: female split in this industry by 2030. These numbers are set to keep increasing, and the gender imbalance that we see in certain careers today will hopefully lessen as time passes.

Hopefully the future will bring with it a working landscape in which people feel they can embark on which ever career they want to. If a woman wishes to be a cherry picker operator, or a man wants to go into a caring profession, no one will blink and eye. The concept of gendered jobs is already disappearing as more and more people choose to break the mould.

Follow Climate Scientists’ Lead in Slowing Climate Change

By
Elaine Goetz
-

The destructive effects of climate change were demonstrated at the end of last year with the Australian bushfires.

According to research, earth is now the warmest it has been in more than 120,000 years, with 19 of the 20 warmest years on record all occurring since 2001. Calls for action on climate change had fallen on deaf ears for almost 20 years, but now it looks like may be reaching a turning point thanks to the fact the UK legislated for Net Zero in 2019 and the Paris Agreement has been set worldwide. So, can we still save our planet?

In Britain, the court of appeals has ruled plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport as illegal, in the wake of the British Government’s target in law for a net zero emissions by 2050. Such is the escalating nature of climate change that many scientists have started to practice what they preach and are implementing their lessons at home. So, which of these measures can we learn from to reduce our carbon footprint?

Other methods of transport

Aviation is one of the biggest culprits of carbon in our atmosphere, a one hour 20 minutes return flight emits 0.24 tonnes of carbon. Experts have said travellers should restrict themselves to just one short haul flight every two to three years.

Alternatively, it would be greener to consider a car-ferry-car journey or taking the Eurostar to the continent. The argument for travelling by plane collapses when the same trip by car and boat would produce 0.08 tonnes of carbon — less than a third of the emissions produced by a plane for the same journey.

With the undeniable evidence and statistics, many experts are taking a stand. Professor Dave Reay from the University of Edinburgh is setting the best example for his children. He gave up flying in 2004 and has opted for the staycation, taking his family on trips around the British Isles instead of jet setting to the other side of the world. They even took the ferry to Amsterdam, proving that a lack of flying doesn’t have to prevent you exploring other cultures.

Say no to plastic

Plastic pollution is another huge concern and the amount being dumped into our oceans. Almost eight million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year, which consequently destroys the environment, as well as the animal and plant life to which they play home. More than 250 million people have engaged with Plastic Free July since 2011 to help clean up the streets and oceans, and there is plenty you can do at home too.

Carbon specialist Siobhán Pereira chose to go plastic-free in her bathroom and is encouraging others to do the same. Switch your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo or biodegradable alternative for starters, as well as choosing an eco-friendly soap.

Pereira commented: “We’ve got so used to going into the supermarket, putting something into our baskets and coming home, but we haven’t considered what happens at the end of its life.” Supermarkets are working to reduce plastics in the fruit and veg aisle but with higher costs associated with eco choices, are we being priced out of saving the earth?

Go off the grid

With everything available at the touch of a button, from switching your heating on at home before you have left the office for the day, to ordering clothes through your smart phone, technology is making everything more convenient for consumers.

Switching from oil heating to the environmentally friendly liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is a sensible option that doesn’t cause much disruption to your daily life. LPG produces less carbon emissions and can be used for heating your home, cooking, and heating hot water. LPG’s carbon footprint, for example is 30-40 per cent lower than coal. Therefore, choose an off grid gas supply and you will strip back the factors that contribute to a rising carbon footprint to have a telling impact on the planet. Plus, LPG prices aren’t much more expensive than oil.

If you put your mind to it, you can make change happen. Take a leaf out of Dr Alison Green’s book. The national director at Scientists Warning has opted to put her house on the market to downsize her carbon footprint. She plans to grow her own food and make a commitment to running an eco-friendly house.

After decades of warnings, scientists are really pushing the boat out to demonstrate the changes we need to make to save our planet. Governments are finally starting to wake up to climate change, but until the everyday person is sold on the idea that life will be better for them, it seems we may be having the same conversations in 10 to 15 years’ time.

There are options, however due to affordability and changing millions of peoples’ routines can be hard to achieve. Will you help our planet?

6 Best Video Streaming Services in 2020

By
Elaine Goetz
-

We are in the era of streaming services. Data says that YouTube is getting so big that by 2025, 72% of the earth’s population would be called “cord cutters,” i.e., the ones who would quit cable TV for their lifetime and start using the video streaming services. Nowadays, the scene has completely changed for Over-The-Top (OTT) media.

Movies, better content, exclusive shows, web series, etc. are among the reasons why people prefer streaming various services like Netflix, Hulu, etc. At times, it can be hard for a person to choose one video streaming service out of the many available. However, instead of streaming, if you’re looking to download content from sites such as MixCloud directly, then this article will undoubtedly help you out with its details and easily readable content.

So here, we provide you with a list of the six best video streaming services out there, so that you can kill the cable and stream what you love the most!

Netflix

If you are among the cinema addicts, looking for binge-viewing experience, you would appreciate Netflix, the most. Netflix has created a vast library of originals that you can learn about on TechWhoop. It will provide you the details of all those series or movies like their rating and the characters, etc. It has got pretty much something for everyone. If we talk about comedy, then there are top comedians like Ali Wong, Mike Birbiglia, and John Mulaney, etc. There are nostalgic sci-fi horror shows like “Stranger Things.” “Creeped Out” is a series of intriguing tales. Netflix also added probably its biggest movie, “The Irishman.” Original films might seem to be a little iffy sometimes.

* The cost is £8.99 a month, which is on the pricier side, but Netflix’s investment in original programming and its range of content means that its fair value for money. (The first month is free for all the packs on Netflix).

About Netflix, you would like:-

  • High-quality picture
  • Foreign subtitles
  • Ability to download and watch offline
  • Universal device compatibility

About Netflix, you might not like:-

  • No live TV
  • Titles are exchanged regularly
  • Region-locked content

Hulu

The number of free plans, features, and add-ons offered can make anyone an addict of Hulu. It provides a whole bunch of first-run TV shows, the day after they air. The registration process on Hulu is rapid, and its interface is also very intuitive. The picture quality is excellent, with no buffering.

*Price of Hulu Live TV is $54.99 per month (on-demand with limited ads). Subscribers can also have ad-free on-demand with Live TV for $60.99 per month.

About Hulu, you would like:-

  • Multiple plans and add-ons
  • Good original shows
  • Low-priced basic plan

About Hulu, you might not like:-

  • Games are subject to regional availability and blackout
  • Live TV is available for local

Amazon Prime Video

As a versatile video platform, Amazon Prime Video offers a unique combination of original content and a vast library of movies and TV shows. It is for you, movie addicts! You’ll not only be able to get the two-days delivery with your Prime Membership but also browsing through the movie and television shows content would be straightforward for you. There’s a massive range of films to choose from and some great original series too: including The Hunters, The Boys, and Good Omens, etc. You can watch Amazon Prime Video on Amazon Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube, Smart TVs, Xbox One, PS4, computers, laptops, and selected tablets.

*Memberships cost $12.99 per month or $119 per year if you choose to pay annually (you save $36.88).

About Amazon Prime Video, you would like:-

  • Great original content
  • Ability to download content
  • Ad-free
  • Smart search with Alexa AI

About Amazon Prime Video, you might not like:-

  • The interface might seem to be a little messy and clunky
  • Lack of live coverage of sports games.

HBO Now

HBO Now delivers outstanding original content with no commercials and an easy to use interface. People who love the old-time classics will appreciate the wide selection of the HBO Now library if you’re eager to see the airing episodes of hit TV shows, opt-in for this streaming service. Overall, one of the best libraries out there for movies and TV-series addicts.

*HBO Now costs $14.99 per month, in case you subscribe through the app on your devices or purchase it as an add-on from something else service like Hulu.

About HBO Now, you would like:-

  • All HBO original content available
  • Top-quality TV series
  • Unique sports specials
  • No ads

About HBO Now, you might not like:-

  •  No live TV
  • The library is not updated as often
  • No offline viewing

YouTube TV

All the cord-cutters out there, who want a carefree transition from cable TV, and don’t mind paying $50 a month, YouTube TV is for them. YouTube TV offers an experience identical to cable TV, with live channels and on-appealing content available on a variety of devices. It works with Apple TV, Roku, Android TV, Chromecast, and Amazon Fire TV along with numerous smart TVs, phones, tablets, and web browsers.

*A YouTube TV subscription, which charges $49.99 per month, will arrange access to relevant news and entertainment channels, live sporting events, and a choice of on-demand TV shows and movies.

About YouTube TV, you would like:-

  • Affordable solution with multiple channels
  • Three simultaneous streams & six personalized accounts with a single subscription

About YouTube TV, you might not like:-

  • Supports ads
  •  Poor original content

Sling

Want the best video streaming service on a budget? “Sling” is the answer to your question. The base packages provided are flexible and affordable. Only pay for the channels you like by selecting the right add-on for you. With over 2 million users, Sling TV is one of the well-established players among the live TV streaming services providers. For the sports fans, ESPN is available for just $25 a month, along with 30+ additional channels.

About Sling, you would like:-

  •  Affordable plans, which feature including ESP
  • Multiple add-ons available for $5.00 a month
  • Wide range of compatible devices

About Sling, you might not like:-

  • Limited local channel lineup
  • Only one simultaneous stream with Sling Orange
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