Tips

The integrity of finished flooring depends on a variety of factors. One of the essential steps is choosing the right sub-flooring material. If you prefer wood, you need a foundation that will provide continuous support for each joist. In locations like basements and warehouses, the contractor may choose a simple concrete slab. Flooring can consist of several layers, and the sub-floor refers to the primary structural support for the finished flooring. In this article, we will discuss the different types of sub-floor materials and their pros and cons.

Liquid screed

In recent years, liquid screed has gained popularity in indoor flooring applications. Unlike ordinary ready-mix cement, screed contains finer aggregate particles making the resulting mixture smooth and easier to apply. Although the mixture appears more liquid at first, it dries fast and is also easy to manage even for DIY installations. However, for larger projects, it is best to hire floor screeding contractors that can get the job done expertly and efficiently.

One of the many reasons why liquid screed is popular is that it is the most compatible material used when adding underfloor heating. Since you can apply screed in thin layers, underfloor heating capacity is optimised.

Concrete

Concrete is durable, hard, and smooth. It is an ideal subfloor for stone and tiles because you do not need to add another underlayer. One of the disadvantages of concrete is moisture. As such, if you use flooring such as laminate or wood, you will need a barrier over the concrete before installing the finishing material. Nevertheless, concrete is ideal for commercial purposes as it is a structurally sound material. It is often used as flooring for basements and warehouses when moisture is not considered an issue.

Plywood

This type of sub-flooring material has been around for many decades and is still popular today. Although standard plywood is the most common, most contractors prefer a thicker, tongue and groove, kind of plywood specifically manufactured for flooring. The tongue and groove installation prevents the material from shifting around the edges; hence, ensuring a more stable sub-layer for your floor. If you plan to use carpet as the finishing material, it may be best to use thinner plywood. On the other hand, you need to use thicker sub-flooring if installing tiles or hardwood flooring which will be nailed to the subfloor.

Wood planks

Wood planks are a traditional material used up until the middle of the 20th century. Since the invention of plywood and other high-performing materials, wood has become uncommon in underfloor installation. However, those who prefer a more rustic approach to their interior can use hardwood as the base for flooring. Many old homes that get remodelled still have wood sub-flooring.

Wood is an excellent choice if you plan on installing carpet or vinyl on your floors. It remains flat and is even attractive on its own. However, hardwood today is quite expensive, which is why most people prefer cheaper alternatives such as oriented strand board or ordinary plywood.

 

If you have a child who is diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, then you understand that your child lives in a very random world. An ADHD mind can focus on one thing, and then all of a sudden, someone is mad and yelling.

They won’t even understand what happened, when the issue is that they aren’t listening to a parent or they can’t follow a few orders directed their way. Education is an effective tool for your child and for you.

Take a moment now to learn a few clever ways to redirect the extra energy your child has to expel, and help your kid live a more accommodating world.

Place your child in music lessons

Music is a calming outlet for many children struggling with the symptoms of ADHD. If you can really get your kid to buy into the idea of learning a particular instrument, they could find an outlet that completely reframes the way they cope with their challenges.

The piano is a good place to start learning to play music, as it lays an excellent technical foundation. Find a teacher that is well-versed in children with a little less attention to pay, or offer to sit with your child for guidance as they learn.

Sign them up for team sports

Sports are the perfect solution for a kid who has far too much energy pent up inside of their tiny body. If you’re trying to find an outlet for your child, find out what team sport interests them most.

Not every child is suited for team sports, but children that are interested shouldn’t be denied the chance to play. Team sports also often offer the chance for underprivileged kids to take part, so money doesn’t have to be an issue.

Always be down for a hug

When your child has a particularly trying day with their attention challenges, you could really take the sting out of things with a simple hug. Loving contact with a parent is one of the most comforting things a child can experience.

Don’t let the business of your day distract you from giving your child a moment for a loving embrace. A good hug goes a long way.

Learn to ask silly questions

Sometimes distracting your kid from a bad day is as simple as a silly question. ADHD makes it hard for your kid to control the distractions in their mind, so offer a proactive solution. When your kid is in the middle of a meltdown, try asking them to tell you about the last time they saw a frog.

Encourage your kid to spend time outside

Fresh air and communion with nature is therapeutic. Your kid needs time outside in the sunshine. Don’t let the digital age take over every second of your kid’s world, and make them play outside.

 

Frequent power shutdown is experienced in several cities in Australia during the month of January alone. In Perth, sudden and unseasonable rain results in widespread power shutdowns. The rain-affects the insulators of the electricity network due to the dust that is formed. Other cities like Sydney and Melbourne experience power outages and left almost 45,000 properties without power supply due to the continuous usage of air conditioners due to record-breaking heat waves. Weather associated power breakdowns are hard to avoid. Power plants are struggling to meet the demand.

For businesses like hotels, power outages can result in critical safety and operational issues. Generally, the management aims to offer the best in class hospitality services to customers. The guests can feel disturbed if they face this issue during their stay and it is the responsibility of the hotel staff and management to offer power backup so as to keep them satisfied, safe and comfortable. Providing good customer service is vital for the hospitality and tourism industry.  Customer satisfaction is paramount to promote the business, market their brand, increase their reputation. The customer should feel special and have a memorable experience. From the amenities, decorum and customer service, the experience should be beyond the expectations of the customers to increase the profit.

How does power outage particularly affect the hotel business?

A study was conducted after a large blackout that took place in 2003. The study clearly showed that the majority of the hotels that got affected due to power outage did not have proper emergency backup power. Moreover, the hotels that have the emergency power system depend on either generators or batteries. It is said that only 15% backup systems that function on battery lasted and around 85% of the generator models remained up and functioning.

As the hotel business is completely dependent on offering excellent guest experience and services, it is necessary to maintain the amenities and facilities in exceptional condition. It helps in maintaining customer retention and brand reputation of your business. It is the reason most hospitality business owners find 2003 power outage a devastating and an unmemorable one.

Hotels offer a large range of amenities and facilities that has chances to get affected at the time of power shutdown. These are the list of amenities that can get highly affected in the following section:

• Guest room locks 24%
• Two-way radios 39%
• Portable water 45%
• Emergency lights 56%
• Automatic doors 65%
• Bathrooms 69%
• Hot water 74%
• Telephones 79%
• Refrigeration 87%
• Elevators 88%
• Cooking systems 89%
• Computers 89%
• Air conditioning 98%

Guests Carrying Own Equipment

If you do not have a power backup in your hotel, motel or bed and breakfast, it is safe to inform the guests at the time of booking, so that they are aware of the same. This will help them prepare themselves in case they have plans that might require the use of generators or compressors. Customers who visit hotels during their camping adventures carry their own set of emergency equipment which includes portable generators. Brett Patterson from Able Sales recommends a petrol generator for smaller power needs, such as a camping trip. Especially for bed and breakfasts near camping spots and forest vacation models, it becomes all the more necessary to keep guests informed regarding the facilities on offer.

Forest areas that have high proximity to forest fires in summer have high chances of power outages at any time and it is necessary to have a system and plan in place. When there is a power shutdown at a hotel, power back up should be the solution to provide an uninterrupted power supply and continue the operation until the power resumes.

Dealing with a Blackout

Certain hoteliers took steps to keep their facilities and amenities running and their efforts were very well seen from the reviews given by the guests. If you are a hotelier, you should make sure to deal with the blackout. For instance, if your hotel has all the essential power backup and generators, it is sure the guests would prefer your hotel more because of this backup advantage. Here is a perfect backup plan by the experts to set up in your hotel for the unexpected power outage.

How to be prepared for a power outage?

1. Ensure that the safety and building codes are latest and up to date.
2. Determine the rules in your jurisdiction regarding what to do during a power loss situation. If you are running a restaurant in your hotel, certain rules will force you to close the restaurant immediately.
3. Research the specifications and type of the power backup generator which can function for the entire building.  If you want to get a better idea regarding the type and budget requirement of the generator for your property contacting experienced power equipment dealers is a good idea.
4. Ensure to have a printed copy of emergency phone numbers. Some of the quick access numbers to print on paper are upcoming reservations, utility companies, staff members and the local health department. Preserve the paper in an easily accessible place so that it will be simple to access during a power failure. If you do not have any emergency backup or UPS systems in your hotel, it is not possible to function your computer as well as your digital equipment. If you are functioning them through UPS, then there are chances of battery draining in a few minutes.
5. Always have a fully charged and spare external mobile phone bank and phone battery for mobile phones in your hotel. Though these phone banks are expensive, they are highly useful during times of emergencies.
6. Update your ERP (emergency response plan) and discuss with your staff.
7. Purchase a case of candle lights or light sticks for immediate and affordable backup lighting.
8. Buy heavy-duty batteries and flashlights for staff usage.
9. Always maintain a set of keys for the emergency rooms in a safe and easy to access place.
10. Develop an action plan if in case the guests get trapped in elevators.
11. Prevent food spoilage by researching and developing a plan that is possible to execute in times of power outage.
12. Train the right staff to completely shut down the entire power of the hotel at the time of the outage and to prevent surges.  Providing continuous training for your staff, even if you do not have a power outage. Practice the drills on a monthly or weekly basis so that the entire team will be able to assist you and there will not be much stress. If possible, perform different emergency practice to reduce the chaos and risks during the power outage.
13. It is always good to have at least one traditional landline connection in your hotel. Ensure that it is plugged directly into the phone jack or into the wall.

During Power Outage

1. Make sure that your guests and employees are in a safe place. It should be your first priority.
2. Get in touch with your utility company and determine the power restoration time.
3. Note down the time the power outage began. You can use this information to plan the stocks you have in your freezer or cooler.
4. Keep all the freezer and refrigerator doors closed. Do not permit your chefs in the restaurant to cook any new food at the time of shutdown.
5. Contact your guests and inform them about the situation.

After Power Outage

• Resume circuit breakers
• Check whether all the equipment is functioning properly.
• Check your entire plan and see whether you need to do any improvements in your hotel building so as to face future power outage in a simpler manner.
• Find out what plan resulted in confusion. If you faced any difficulties at the time of the outage, describe and think about ways to solve the issue.
• Approach your sales dealer and schedule a portable generator maintenance session.

Most hoteliers have all the necessary power backup systems but fail to tune up and maintain them on a regular basis. It is necessary to check its functions and equipment if you are not using them frequently. When you keep equipment without running for a long time, there are high chances of damage or malfunctioning. It is best to purchase an annual maintenance contractor from a leading power backup or generator dealer. Ensure to see whether they have experienced and well-trained staff members to provide the best maintenance services.

If you have a lot of amenities and facilities in your hotel that are mostly dependent on power, it is important to check all the facilities that are connected to power backup on a regular basis. Do not miss out thinking that the room is not occupied and there is no requirement to check the amenities in the room. Always prepare a list of items to check and follow the maintenance tasks with the help of your staff. It is best to hire or have an in-house electrician in your hotel.

They will provide excellent support and assistance especially in situations like a blackout. As they have complete experience and knowledge, you can do any changes or take new plans at the time of blackout easily. Without an experienced electrician or skilled person, it is hard to make any move in a large establishment like a hotel.

Experienced backup dealers can take complete care of the restoration and maintenance of your power systems. It is best to discuss with them to find out the best generator that is right for your hotel business. They will completely analyze your building structure and see how to keep your guests comfortable, safe and satisfied even during the times of power outage. What’s more? Get in touch with a commercial generator dealer now for more details. The leading dealers offer round the clock assistance and support during emergency situations.

 

The term ‘A/B testing’ refers to the process of equating two versions of a web page, email, another digital marketing asset. These two versions have just one element that is different between them. For example, if you’re performing an A/B test on a headline for a landing page or a blog post, create two versions of the same page on your website with only the headline that is changed. You would then present each form to half of your visitors. The A/B test will show you which version was most popular among your audience based on specific metrics, such as conversion rate or time on page.

Companies are making the discovery that data is just as a product in the same manner as are the items and services they sell. Irrespective of if it involves a product, service, or content on a website, business is all about putting together value for customers. The more value which you can provide, the more chances your company will be successful.

What are the benefits of A/B testing?

A/B testing permits people, teams as well as companies to make considered changes to their user experiences while, at the same time, collecting data on the results of this type of test. An A/B test allows digital marketers to build out hypotheses as well as to learn better why particular elements of their experiences have an impact on user behaviour.

As opposed to just answering a one-off question or settling a disagreement, A/B testing can be utilised consistently to improve – on a continuous basis – a specific experience. A single goal – such as conversion rate – can be improved over time. For example, a B2B technology company may wish to improve quality of the sales leads that that get as well as and sales volume from campaign landing pages. In order to achieve that aim, the digital marketing team would try A/B testing changes to the headline of the page as well as visual imagery, form fields, call to action in addition to overall layout of the web page.

Testing one change at a time assists them with pinpointing which changes had an effect on their visitors’ behaviour in addition to which ones did not. Over time, the digital marketers can combine the effect of multiple winning changes from experiments to show the measurable improvement of the new experience as opposed to the old one.

A/B testing as a method of introducing alterations to a user experience also permits the experience to be optimised for a desired outcome. It can make vital steps in a digital marketing campaign more effective. Through the process of testing ad copy, digital marketers are able to learn which version attracts more clicks. By testing the ensuing landing page, they can discover which layout converts visitors to customers in the best possible manner. The overall spend on a digital marketing campaign can actually be decreased if the elements of each step work as effectively as possible in order to acquire new customers.

A/B testing can also be utilised by product developers as well as designers in order to demonstrate the effect of new features or changes to a user experience. Product onboarding, user engagement, modals in addition to in-product experiences can all be optimised with A/B testing if the goals are clearly defined and you have a clear hypothesis.

Your business is unique and possesses special characteristics which makes it irresistible to your target market. By using A/B testing to experiment with marketing those characteristics in order to find the ideal combination for your customers not only gives them with better experiences but it also inculcates trust and confidence in your brand and company. When visitors begin to trust your organisation owing to the value you provide, improved sales and loyal customers are a natural result.

 

A motorcycle is a great way to get around town, especially when the weather is good. It is a thrill like no other, riding with the wind rushing and the sun shining on your face. But driving around a motorcycle has its fair share of risks and sometimes even with all the safety precautions you may get involved in accidents. If you are lucky you will get away with minor injuries but if not it can lead to pretty serious consequences. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that close to 14% of the traffic-related fatalities in 2019 were of motorcyclists. You may be the driver or a passenger on a motorcycle or injured in a bike accident, it is essential to know about motorcycle claims to be on the safer side.

Prospective tenants are required to submit applications and it is easy for the reviewer of these applications to get quickly overwhelmed, especially in a densely populated area where applicants are plentiful. Therefore, optimizing an application review process is of great importance. It can be difficult to know where to start, so here are a few ways to revise your application review process.

The application itself

Generally, an efficient application review process deals with time management and the proper sorting of paperwork. An application should make sure that the information vital to properly sorting it is clear to both the applicant and the reviewer. Example information that an application should clearly display includes smoking tendencies, history of bankruptcy, number of references, and felonies, It should be noted that these are all qualities that could affect the viability of a potential tenant as a client. This information can be used for reference on your first scan through the application pile, during which the applications should be sorted by applicant viability. While sorting through applications in order the second time around, a certain amount of time should be allotted for the review of a determined number of applications. There are also online rental forms that are designed to expedite this process if time is of the essence. Regardless of the method used, you should also be sure to account for the extra time it might take to contact personal references, if they are included. Taking a moment before starting a task to better organize it is usually well worth the effort.

Beyond the submitted application

The application process is not finished until the lease is signed. Even if a potential tenant appears to be promising, be sure to take a few precautions anyway. Screening an applicant is relatively easy with the appropriate and sometimes freely available software. Tools like Turbo Tenant are often relied on to ensure candidates are properly screened and that there are no areas of uncertainty. Another method of determining the viability of an applicant is to interview them in person. Show the applicant the property, ask them questions, and be sure to note anything that is inconsistent with their application. These questions can be almost anything relevant be they about meeting minimum income requirements or additional people who might share the rented space or even about why the applicant in question is moving. Examining a potential tenant’s eviction history will be particularly helpful. Some people, known as “professional tenants,” will purposefully ignore rent payments and attempt to live on a property for as long as possible before they are evicted. Though you are required by law to consider each applicant equally, if you take your time and develop a consistent and thorough process that applies to every applicant, you should be able to weed out less trustworthy applicants.

Properly advertising your property is also important if you wish to ensure that you do not waste your time on misinformed applicants. Though the advertisement in question need not be functionally complete, it should list your contact information and the most important requirements for residing on your property. With the decline of newspapers, though, finding a website that can advertise your property in sufficient detail should be relatively easy. Commonly advertised requirements include pet friendliness, rent cost, deposit requirements, and provided utilities. Also be sure to include representative pictures of the property, as the size of a kitchen or bedroom can sometimes sway the opinion of a prospective tenant.

Sorting through a large number of applicants of any kind will certainly take a little bit of elbow grease. Even though it may be tempting to make the common mistake of accepting the first applicant you come across, it is even more important that you do not rush recklessly into a disadvantageous lease.

 

You might think that top companies don’t focus attention on marketing anymore. They already have a huge name in the business and people are aware of the brand. Despite their level of success, these companies still spend a substantial amount of money on advertising. Even for online marketing, the competition is fierce. It shows that even with popularity, you can’t be complacent. You have to keep working hard to remain on top. For online campaigns, these are among the most successful strategies.

Partnership with social media influencers

There’s no doubt that social media influencers are a huge deal in today’s market. They’re too powerful in shaping the minds of their followers. If they endorse a product or positively review it, you can expect their followers to flock to buy the item. Hence, even big brands try their best to choose the right influencers to serve as their ambassador. They want someone who can best represent their brand but also has a huge following.

Article writing

This process has been around for a long time, and it remains one of the most relevant SEO strategies. However, write ups need to be of top quality. They also have to be informative. People are still willing to spend time reading as long as they get excellent information. Articles with fillers, bluff, or false information could hurt your brand. People will discover the truth and think that your entire business is a scam.

Vlogging 

Everyone seems to have a vlog these days. It’s a way of humanizing celebrities and other famous people. Big companies are now doing the same thing. They try to bring their business closer to a lot of people through vlogging. They post videos related to the use of the products they sell. Some companies partner with top celebrities as well to guarantee the number of viewers.

Some companies even go live to discuss their products or launch a new campaign. People respond well to live shows since they’re a testament to the authenticity of the brand.

Social media posts 

Any online marketing strategy won’t be enough unless it harnesses social media. This platform reaches billions of people. It’s also the reason why many companies create social media pages and maximize the tools available. A single post is visible to hundreds or even thousands of people. No one wants to waste the opportunity to advertise using a platform with a guaranteed market.

You have to work hard

If these top companies are doing everything to retain their popularity online, you also have to do to the same. You need to ensure that people will see your efforts in reaching out to them. Some of these strategies might work and others won’t. Despite that, you have to keep working hard so you can continue to compete.

If you need help with online marketing or any other SEO techniques, you can partner with an SEO firm. You need their help because they’re experts in this regard. You can check out local SEO Miami firms now if your business is in the area.

Image: https://unsplash.com/photos/744oGeqpxPQ

 

It is understandable to be a little confused when it comes to trying to make improvements to a bedroom. While dealing with the kitchen and perhaps the dining room can be a relatively straightforward affair, the bedroom is a little trickier to deal with. It becomes even more frustrating when the reason why you are stressed with the bedroom is that it is a little too small for your taste.

That said, you do not have to resign yourself to being unable to make improvements to your bedroom. Here are just a few ways in which you can realize your bedroom’s full potential!

Making improvements to your bed is the most critical step

When it comes to bedrooms big and small, the focal point tends to always be the bed. It is the one place in the room where your eyes wander to when you enter, and it is the one thing to look forward to after a challenging day. If you want to make significant improvements to your bedroom and are unsure of where to start, your bed is the best place to make a difference.

Even if you might not necessarily have a large budget, it will not take much to make the bed as luxurious as you can. Those with smaller bedrooms will benefit even more from upgrading the bed, as it can transform the entire look of the room.

Making the bedroom unique to you

If you want your bedroom to look and feel entirely unique to you, there are a few ways you can go about accomplishing such a task. Aside from focusing on the bed, it would be a good idea to make use of a theme. You can go for bespoke bedroom furniture to create a sense of elegance to the room. A fitted bedroom will also make it look quite organized.

For those who do not have too much time on their hands, you can work on the wallpaper. You can paint the walls or add wallpaper unique to your tastes to transform your bedroom completely.

Making the bedroom feel more inviting

It can be quite stressful to get home from a hard day at work, only to enter a bedroom that does not feel comfortable or inviting. You can help alleviate the issue by investing in houseplants. While you might have to deal with maintenance every now and then, houseplants can help make your bedroom feel more accommodating while purifying the air at the same time. Investing in a mirror or two will also significantly brighten your bedroom during the day. Having more natural light will help your bedroom feel calming and relaxing.

While making home improvements to a bedroom can be a tricky affair, it does not have to be too challenging. With the help of the methods above, you can transform your bedroom without too much effort, realizing its full potential without any of the stress.

Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/bed-bedroom-lamp-bedside-pillows-1158267/