Author: anwaryusef

Anwar Y. Dunbar is a Regulatory Scientist. Being a naturally curious person, he is also a student of all things. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan and his Bachelor’s Degree in General Biology from Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). Prior to starting the Big Words Blog Site, Anwar published and contributed to numerous research articles in competitive scientific journals reporting on his research from graduate school and postdoctoral years. After falling in love with writing, he contributed to the now defunct Examiner.com, and the Edvocate where he regularly wrote about: Education-related stories/topics, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Financial Literacy; as well as conducted interviews with notable individuals such as actor and author Hill Harper. Having many influences, one of his most notable heroes is author, intellectual and speaker, Malcolm Gladwell, author of books including Outliers and David and Goliath. Anwar has his hands in many, many activities. In addition to writing, Anwar actively mentors youth, works to spread awareness of STEM careers, serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the David M. Brown Arlington Planetarium, serves as Treasurer for the JCSU Washington, DC Alumni Chapter, and is active in the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Ministry at the Alfred Street Baptist Church. He also tutors in the subjects of biology, chemistry and physics. Along with his multi-talented older brother Amahl Dunbar (designer of the Big Words logos, inventor and a plethora of other things), Anwar is a “Fanboy” and really enjoys Science-Fiction and Superhero movies including but not restricted to Captain America Civil War, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Prometheus. He is a proud native of Buffalo, NY.

How Any Brand Can Dominate A Local Market (Including Yours!)

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Depending the business you’re running, you want to figure out how you can thrive in the relevant environment. For some businesses that your local market. The following contributed post is entitled, How Any Brand Can Dominate A Local Market (Including Yours!).

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Big-picture company leaders can sometimes get into the habit of viewing the world through the lens of averages. They only see the whole and not the parts.

That might be a good technique for taking short-cuts. But when you only look at your “global” or “regional” market size, you neglect to consider the local.

You might think that appealing to a local market is something that only small businesses do, but even the biggest brands recognize that everything is essentially local. There’s no such thing as a “global consumer” because everyone has to come from somewhere.

So with that in mind, how can you change your marketing so that it appeals more to people inhabiting specific geographies. Here’s what to do.

Target Paid Local Results

Did you know that search engines like Google provide special PPC advertising segmentation for businesses looking to target local areas?

If you run a small shop, you don’t have to target popular generic keywords. Instead, you can make all your search ads appear automatically, in response to queries that contain local search terms. So, for instance, your ads will show up on results for “hairdresser in Washington” and not just “hairdresser.”

Be More Active In Your Local Community

Even if your business has big national or international plans, it pays to become more active in your local community. The more you can appeal to residents and build your base, the more resources you’ll have to expand to a second or third location.

Being more active in the community could involve anything that falls under the category of “corporate responsibility.” You could also contact your local chamber of commerce and ask them whether there are any events taking place in your local area. Becoming a sponsor helps to secure your brand in the minds of locals.

Do More Local SEO

Sites like https://unravelseo.com/seo/local-seo/ talk extensively about the benefits of local SEO. The basic idea here is to increase organic traffic arriving at your landing pages and sales funnels from Google search. Remember, the more people you can direct to your site this way, the less you’ll have to spend on PPC. Plus, you’ll acquire customers long-term, instead of having to pay a fee for every lead.

Target Government Contracts

Businesses compete fiercely for government contracts – and for good reasons. Not only do they provide a high and stable income, but they also allow you to align yourself with the local “official” sector, which is great for branding.

Be More Customer-Focused

Customers know that if they go to a big box brand, they’ll get the products they want at a low price. So there needs to be an additional reason for them to come to you.

For most local businesses, that differentiator is quality of service, according to https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/281174.

What does that mean in practice? Well, partly, it’s knowing your customers’ needs on a personal level. People want to be able to come to you and for you to know precisely what they want. And they enjoy the friendly atmosphere – something that’s challenging to achieve at the bigger companies.

What’s The Goal In Life And How Can You Get There?

A key focus of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success. A major key to being successful is setting goals and then creating a plan to execute and achieve them. The following contributed post is entitled, What’s The Goal In Life And How Can You Get There?

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In life, everyone is going to have a goal. Some goals are where you want to end up, what you want to do and basically, what you want from life. Once you know what this is, you can start putting plans in motion to get there, and these are the things that we’re going to be looking at in this article. If you would like to know more about this topic, then keep reading down below.

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What Is The Goal?

The first thing that you’re going to need to think about is what the goal actually is. This is important for a couple of reasons. The first is that it will give you something to aim for. Once you know exactly what your goal in life actually is, you don’t have to worry about it anymore. Too many people spend a lot of time trying to come up with a goal in the first place, and it takes a lot of time away from their lives while they are trying to figure out what it is they want to do.

The second reason is that it gives you some kind of direction. What we mean by this is that once you know what your goal is, you can start taking steps in the right direction. The sooner you can do this, the better as it gives you more time to come up with a plan of action.

Get More Education

So, the first thing that you may need to do in order to reach your goal in life is to get some more education. You should figure out what kind of education you need in order to achieve your goal, and then you should work towards it. If you already have the required level of education, then there’s no need to do anything further, and you should simply move on to another step. However, it is more than likely that you’re going to need some sort of course in order to get where you need to be. For example, you may need to study to offer health services or even some kind of engineering. It’s entirely dependent on where your life is headed.

It’s About Who You Know

The final thing that you need to consider is the fact that it’s about who you know more than what you know. While this may not be entirely fair, if you can network and make friends with the right people, you are more likely to get further, quicker. Knowing people in high places is always going to come in handy, so it’s a good idea to be as sociable as possible, attend events that you think will help you meet people in the industry, and do whatever else you need to do to make some valuable friends.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you can do to reach your goal in life. Everyone’s goal is going to be different, so your journey isn’t going to be the same as other people’s. It’s for this reason that you’ve got to stick to your own path, no matter what anyone else is doing. We wish you the best of luck.

The Mental Health Benefits of Playing Sports

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“While it might seem as though sports are minuscule and unimportant compared to so many other things, there are so many benefits that our children can enjoy from them.”

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Two focuses of my blog are Athletics/Sports and Health/Wellness. Sports is a major entertainment industry around the world, but there are tremendous benefits to it even for those who only played the scholastic levels. Even playing sports leisurely as adults has tremendous benefits. The following contributed post is entitled, The Mental Health Benefits of Playing Sports.

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Far too often, people blow off sports as unimportant, especially when compared to academics or other extracurricular activities. They think that unless a child or teenager shows incredible promise in a particular sport, it’s just something to kill time or keep them active.

But, even if that were the case, what would be wrong with it? Shouldn’t we want our kids to be active in a country that has an incredibly high childhood obesity rate?

Thankfully, there are more benefits to sports than just “killing time” when it comes to how kids and teens respond.

Many studies have been done on the mental health benefits of playing a sport. Now, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to focus on the mental health of our children and to pay attention to their stress levels. So much has been taken from them due to this pandemic, and keeping them active with a sport they’re interested in can be a promising and effective solution to keep them safe and reduce levels of anxiety or depression.

So, what are some of the mental health benefits of playing a sport?

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It Improves Concentration

Far too often, we diagnose children with different disorders or punish them for not being able to concentrate or pay attention. Playing a sport can help them to improve their focus naturally. Most sports require you to pay attention in order to be successful in the game, whether it be football, baseball, soccer, etc. Even losing for one second can make a big difference. Those skills that your child practices on the field can easily start to carry over into other aspects of their lives.

It Boosts Their Mood

Who doesn’t need a boost in happiness right now? Playing a sport, being active, and doing something outside are all-natural mood boosters. If your child isn’t interested in a team sport, you can do something like bike riding or hiking with them. Or, get creative and check out Roller Skate Dad for the best blades for young kids.

When your child finds ‘their’ sport – the one that really appeals to them – you’re bound to notice the difference in their mood.

It’s Good For Anxiety And Depression

Engaging in sports offers a powerful benefit in the battle against anxiety and depression. Physical activity has been shown to stimulate the release of endorphins, the body’s natural mood elevators, which can significantly alleviate symptoms of both conditions. And sometimes, when simple methods like playing sports are not enough, better steps need to be taken. Reading the Eva Carlston Academy Reviews will show that specialized programs can offer targeted support and a structured environment that is beneficial for those struggling more deeply.

The sense of accomplishment, belonging, and physical well-being gained from sports, along with the personalized support from a therapeutic setting, can be a potent combination for tackling anxiety and depression.

It Helps With Self-Confidence

Does your child or teen struggle with self-esteem issues? Playing a sport is a great way to improve their self-confidence. They’ll learn new skills, make new friends, and feel as though they are a part of something bigger than themselves.

The old stereotypes about “jocks” being self-centered are outdated and irrelevant. Sports are a great way to boost confidence, but they don’t need to make your child conceded. Instead, they can help them to come out of their shell and find a place to feel more like themselves, no matter what sport they decide to play.

The reality is, we’re living in an uncertain period of life. While it might seem as though sports are minuscule and unimportant compared to so many other things, there are so many benefits that our children can enjoy from them. So, don’t throw out the idea of letting your child play. By watching batting videos and giving them that opportunity, you could be doing more for their mental health than you realize.

Top 5 Benefits of Employee Training

Three focuses of my blog are Career Discussions, Organizational/Management Discussions, and Workplace Discussions. Hiring a workforce is not just a matter of getting them into the door. You also have to maintain them and grow them once they are in your workforce. The following contributed post is entitled, Top 5 Benefits of Employee Training.

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Employees are the biggest assets of your business. Investing in them guarantees your business. As the world continues to change, technological advancements are challenging the usual way of working. In order to survive in the competitive market, you need to align yourself with the workplace’s changes.

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One incredible way is by enhancing the knowledge and skills of your employees through training. Offering training to your employees is not a disregard for their education and qualifications. Instead, it refines their abilities and gives them a more practical approach to how they should handle tasks.

Initially, employees could only use their knowledge and skills to ensure a company’s success. However, organizations now provide training as it helps to develop their skills to the benefit of the company. It ensures that the employees are more engaged, competitive, and efficient.

Here are some reasons you should invest in employee training for your company.

Boosts the Performance of your Employees

By training your employees, you improve their ability to perform their tasks even better. Employees get a good grasp of what they should do and how they should do it. They can build up their confidence, and with time, their overall performance also skyrockets.

Prepares Employees for Higher Responsibilities

Training your employees can also help you identify employees that can take on more responsibilities and move to a higher position within the organization. The training can equip your employees with additional skills for the better operations of the new tasks.

For example, you can train employees in leadership skills if you want them to join management and how to use online marketing tools if you want them to join the marketing team.

Improves the Safety and Security of your Business

Security awareness is essential in today’s businesses as advancement in technology makes companies more vulnerable. Your business data is your most valuable information and ensures its safety.

Employees are the primary cause of data breaches. Training your employees enforces the importance of security awareness in them.

You should also train your employees on how they can ensure their safety at the workplace in case of an emergency. Ensure that there are confined space rescue plans in place and that your employees clearly understand them to ensure everyone’s safety.

Shows that you value your employees

Training programs are an investment you are making in your employees. It involves teaching them new skills and abilities that can make them stand out among other workers with similar qualifications.

Your employees will feel valuable to your company. Their morale will improve, and so with their productivity.

Improves the Reputation of your Organization

One of the critical factors that can affect the reputation of your company is an employee’s misstep. Training your employees improves their individual performance and further enhances the overall performance of your company.

It also builds the reputation of your company as many people will view your company positively and encourage more people to want to join as employees or even investors.

A flawed onboarding process can earn you a poor reputation, making people lose interest in your company.

Summing Up

As the market continues to change, employers are realizing the value of training employees. The process benefits both the employees and employers mutually. Employees get better skills that make them stand out in the industry, and in return, they work with more efficiency with the goal of ensuring your company’s success.

While you may focus on skill development in your training, don’t ignore employee health and safety. It is your responsibility as an employer to ensure that they are safe as they work.

3 Mobile Marketing Strategies to Help Make Your Sales Figures Soar

Three focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. In 2021 it’s critical to have a mobile marketing strategy to propel your business and your sales figures. The following guest post is entitled, 3 Mobile Marketing Strategies to Help Make Your Sales Figures Soar.

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Mobile phone usage is increasingly quickly across the globe. According to a report from Pew Research, over five billion individuals have mobile devices.

If your small business isn’t marketing to smartphone users, now is the time to start. Marketing your business to mobile phone users can bump up your brand awareness. What’s more, it can help boost your bottom line. The right marketing strategy will help mobile users find information about your products and services, which can help convert them to customers.

Take your business to the next level by adopting these mobile marketing tactics:

1. Optimize for Voice Search

Some mobile customers depend on voice search to complete everyday tasks, such as order food and find grocery stores near their area. They call on Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant and other voice-controlled personal assistants to help them with requests. If you have potential customers using voice search on their mobile phones, you’ll need to refine your marketing strategies to help your business become more visible to these people.

Not sure how to optimize your website for voice search?

Here are a few suggestions:

• Keep your business information up to date. You want to make sure that on-the-go voice search users can easily find the location and contact details of your business when they visit your area.
• Add long-tail keywords into your website content phrased in the way mobile users speak instead of the way they type. When people do voice search, the words they use tend to be long-winded statements or phrases compared to typed searches.
• Use your website to answer common queries. Find popular or frequently asked questions in your niche and provide answers to them in your site content.

2. Make Your Website Mobile-Friendly

When you use mobile marketing to reach a wide audience, you want to capitalize on it. An effective way to make this happen is to have a mobile-friendly business website.

Many companies have a website, but not all have a responsive site design that’s suitable for mobile phones. So, take this opportunity to get your website optimized for mobile users. If you need help with this, look for digital marketing agencies that include mobile site optimization in their website design and SEO packages. By having a mobile-friendly website, you can deliver a better browsing experience for your visitors and further improve your online visibility.

3. Spice up Customer Engagement with Augmented Reality

Concepts, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), are relatively new. Some marketers don’t completely understand how they can apply these tech trends in their promotional strategy.

AR involves projecting virtual images and other elements in a real-world environment. VR, on the other hand, is an immersive and simulated experience wherein an individual wears a headset that places them in a virtual environment, such as outer space.

Although VR marketing tools can get expensive, you can use AR components to your mobile marketing campaigns. Tools, such as Blippar and ZapWorks, let you integrate AR into your campaigns.

Employ these mobile marketing tactics to help boost the bottom line of your business. Remember to personalize your mobile marketing efforts because personalization can contribute to higher sales.

Boost Your Career In 2021 Using These 4 Skills

Two focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and General Education. There were a lot of changes in 2021, some of which changed whole industries and sectors. With this changes, it’s important for each individual to consider how to optimize their skill sets. The following contributed post is entitled, Boost Your Career In 2021 Using These 4 Skills.

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Due to the coronavirus, many things have changed including the way we work and learn. Thanks to technology, this has become even easier. As the world rapidly responds to these changes, you certainly cannot be left behind especially as an employee. Are you interested in gaining some new skills in time for 2021? Here are a few you definitely need to master:

1. Communication and presentation skills
Communication may seem like such a basic thing, but your ability to communicate effectively and present your thoughts in an organized manner could set you apart from the crowd. For instance, try learning a new language, especially as the world is now a global village. Doing this will not only present you with new opportunities but may also give you the chance to meet new people and learn about different cultures. Do you need to communicate with someone but have to deal with the language barrier? A voice translator app such as Vocre is a very helpful tool that enables you to hold meaningful conversations with others who speak a different language.

2. Digital and social media skills
In a technologically-driven era, having some digital and social media skills comes in very handy, and you don’t need to wait to be a sales and marketing person to learn. Whether you’re running a start-up, working for a company or have a school project, developing your digital skills could prove very beneficial to you and those around you. There are several short courses online you can try your hands on to improve these skills. Who knows, you could even start a blog or a new venture as a result.

3. Collaborative skills
The coronavirus pandemic has made remote working more common, but that doesn’t mean the human element is no longer important. Thanks to apps such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Skype, collaborating in groups is still possible and you need to adapt. This also tests your flexibility, ability to negotiate, manage your time and work towards a common goal. As a plus, it also enhances your cross-functional learning as it pushes you out of your comfort zone to learn more about others and smart ways to work. To flourish in a virtual environment, you certainly need this.

4. Creative skills
Before you limit this aspect to just musicians and artists, you need to be aware that everyone needs to be in touch with their creativity. Are you able to think on your feet or think outside the box? Then you’re already on the way to being creative. This skill has become even more crucial as you need a strong competitive advantage in an increasingly saturated working force. In being creative, don’t be afraid to explore and be yourself, as your unique characteristics can contribute strongly to your creativity. In developing your creative skills, also take some time to relax and allow your imagination to run freely, as this also helps to get your creative juices flowing.

These skills will not only develop you personally but help prepare you for a successful career as well.

What Is The Future Of Education?

Two focuses of my blog are General Education and Technology. The year of 2020 forced technology to the forefront in terms of education. In all likelihood, this trend is going to continue. The following sponsored post is entitled, What Is The Future Of Education?

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Advancements in technology and science are rapidly increasing. The speed at which these advancements are being made means that it may be difficult for the workforce to keep up. Compounded by this is the fact that there is a wealth of information at our fingertips. Knowledge and skills are becoming much more accessible at an unforeseen scale. What does all this mean for the future of education? There is no doubt that the internet and technology are changing the scope of education, and understanding what that means for yourself and society as a whole plays a critical role in how you think about curating a positive and progressive future.

The Inclusion of Technology

As with most industries in present day society, education and technology have already started integrating. This conversation has become especially pertinent after the coronavirus pandemic quarantined millions of students around the world. The inclusion of technology is critical for education, and building an infrastructure that maintains quality education at home is no easy task. Students and educators are becoming more aware of the pitfalls of educating online. Armed with this knowledge, now is the perfect time to integrate educational design projects that can ease the transition back to school and provide valuable feedback on the ways in which technology for educational purposes and the infrastructure used to maintain it, can be improved.

A Shift In Teaching Styles

As more people study education, it becomes glaringly obvious that the way people learn can vary widely. Understanding and catering towards different learning styles has been the focus of educators for years. As technology improves and becomes more deeply integrated into our daily lives, there is a chance that much wider variability between education and learning styles can be catered to. Structuring classrooms in a way that students work at their own pace and with educational materials that focus on variable skills is becoming more and more accessible, and will likely shift the way information is dispersed and learned.

Enhancing Your Photographs And Making The Most Of The Skills You Have

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Now more than ever, it’s important to make the most of the skills that you already have. This is particularly true if you have skills in the realm of photography, a particularly lucrative area. The following contributed post is entitled, Enhancing Your Photographs And Making The Most Of The Skills You Have.

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Whether you enjoy taking pictures of your family and friends, use photographs and imagery as part of your business or blog, or have a general interest in photography, any one of us are always looking for ways we can improve. A picture is a very personal thing, it’s more to do with the visionary of the person actually taking the photograph, and many of us could be photographing the same thing and end up with completely different finished articles. That is what is so fantastic and diverse about the photography and creative element side of things. However, there are always things and steps we can take to improve the skills we already have. With that in mind, here are some of the fantastic ways you can enhance your photographs.

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Consider the equipment you use

The equipment you use has a lot to do with the quality of pictures you produce. Although these days you can produce some amazing photographs on a smartphone, you can never deny the quality of the detail you can produce on a DSLR or the latest compact digital camera. There are other factors to consider that include SD cards and discs to help save your work. You should also consider things like Secure Media Duplication Services to help you duplicate cards and keep your work safe. You might also want to try a tripod and additional light boxes to help enhance the picture you are trying to take. A light box could help add some more light to the area, and a tripod can help stabilise your hands while you are taking the photo.

Try out a location shoot

Sometimes taking the person or item you want to photograph to an alternative location can really enhance the picture you are trying to take. You may want the perfect rustic backdrop or a perfectly styled home. This could really help you out. A location can add to the picture story. For example, if you are wanting to give the example of a lifestyle, then a styled area to take the photograph could only help to get the message across.

Take time when editing pictures

The editing of your pictures is vital to creating the finished look. So you need to take the time to ensure that you are editing the pictures. Think about the contrast of the image, the amount of light and colour saturation you want to add. You may want to crop the image to make it more focused or ensure that the background isn’t the main focus. Many basic editing software can do all of the above, and the difference it could make to your photographs is massive.

When it comes to your business or blog consider a theme

You may want to consider a theme for the pictures you publish especially for a blog or for a business. This might help to be consistent with your editing. So if you like the look of a picture that has too much contrast because of the pale colour scheme it can produce, then stick with it throughout the published pictures. More business and blogs are considering a theme now as it gives consistency.

Let’s hope these tips and tricks help you to enhance your photographs.

Methods For Creating High-Impact Teams That Don’t Alienate Their Methods

Two focuses of my blog are Organizational/Management and Workplace Discussions. No matter what sector you’re in, a key to creating a high-impact teams is doing so in ways that don’t hurt the team members and ultimately alienating them. The following contributed post is entitled, Methods For Creating High-Impact Teams That Don’t Alienate Their Methods.

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When you’re part of a world-beating team, you remember the experience for life. There’s nothing quite like it. Things just get done and you wonder why it doesn’t happen in every organisation.

But what makes great teams happen? It’s a bit of a mystery.

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In many cases, high-impact teams happen by chance. They just emerge spontaneously when the people and conditions are right. Other times, they occur because senior management put the right incentives in place and hire the correct people for the job.

In many cases, high-impact teams are path-dependent. Small perturbations in the initial conditions carry through, and everything just seems to work from that point onwards.

Creating high-impact teams isn’t an exact science. It isn’t something you can just guarantee. But you can increase the likelihood that your team will cohere by following some best practices. Here’s how to create a high-impact team without alienating any of the members.

Inspire People, Don’t Drive Them

Inspiration is a far more potent force than driving people to excellence. It’s more relaxing too. As a leader, you want to avoid cracking the whip. Instead, you need to find ways to motivate people intrinsically. Ideally, you want them to work hard because they love the job itself.

You see this kind of attitude among employees at most top-tier organizations. The people working there don’t need bossy or authoritarian managers. They’re just happy to get on with the work for the sake of it. It’s motivating in and of itself because it is something that they believe in.

Deploy Sales Training

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Our educational system doesn’t teach people many important life skills, including the ability to sell. Colleges seem to ignore the fact that we live in a market economy where selling is important. Most people only find out that they need to sell once they leave.

Great teams need people with sales training. These colleagues understand how to communicate the needs of the team to management and customers. Their actions are what make the output of the team valuable. They’re an essential link in the chain.

Think about when you last worked in a high-performance team. There’s a good chance that there was at least one person who could communicate the value of the team to senior management or the public. Without that kind of communicator, the team can’t easily justify itself and, therefore, struggles to find direction.

Get People To Trust You

Trust can be a big issue in teams if colleagues believe that you have ulterior motives. The best way to build trust is to lay out everyone’s incentives on the table and not to hide anything. If you’re trying to create a great team because you want a bonus or promotion, say it. If you’re trying to get a group of people together to create an award-winning product to ensure the survival of the business, don’t keep it a secret. Remember, members of your organization are often far more socially aware than you expect. If they smell a rat, it’ll adversely affect their work.

Let Me Entertain You: How To Create The Perfect Gaming and Home Entertainment Room

A key focus of my blog is Home and Living Discussions. Some people argue that the most important parts of a home are the kitchen and the bathroom. Another key room though is the entertainment room which is where many people spend the most time. The following contributed post is entitled, Let Me Entertain You: How To Create The Perfect Gaming and Home Entertainment Room.

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This year, we have all been encouraged to stay at home as much as possible. This means opportunities for going out to the cinema, bars, clubs, arcades and casinos have been limited.

However, staying at home does not mean that you have to be bored. If you have a room to spare room, you can create a room at home to fulfill all of your entertainment needs. Here, we look at how to plan the perfect gaming and home entertainment room.

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Invest in some comfortable furniture

The first thing you need to do is make sure you have some decent furniture in your home entertainment and gaming room. If you are planning on chilling out on an evening with a movie, or having your friends around for an all – night gaming and pizza session, the last thing you want is saggy old couches or rickety old dining chairs. No – treat it like an extension of your living room and invest in comfortable seating. You do not have to buy brand new – check out facebook marketplace and eBay for bargains, and consider adding things like beanbags, which are cheaper and comfortable alternatives.

Set up a snack station

When you are engrossed in a film or a game, the last thing you want to be doing is traipisng around the house searching for snacks and drinks to sustain you. Set up a snack station or a bar in your gaming and home entertainment room. It could be a mini fridge with a few cans of soda and beers or a full blown bar with optics. Make sure you stock up on easy to grab snacks – popcorn, chips and nuts are always a good option.

Choose a range of games

Make your gaming and home entertainment room the envy of everyone by making sure that you have a wide range of games and activities in place. Of course, the first thing you need is a decent sized TV with a sound bar and/or speakers to really throw the sound. Make sure you have your favorite game consoles and a range of games to play on it. Add in a pool table if you have the room and check out arcade machines for sale.

Think about the lighting

Lighting can be a tricky one in a gaming and home entertainment room. You do not want bright overhead lights shining in your face but at the same time, it needs to be light and bright enough to see what you are doing, especially if you want to reduce the risk of straining your eyes. Opt of wall lights rather than ceiling lights, lots of lamps and fun lighting options such as LED rope lighting. Think about your favorite gaming and entertainment center or bar; how do they use lighting?

Soundproof your space

Game and home entertainment rooms can get very noisy, so make sure that you have adequate soundproofing to avoid annoying the rest of the house or your neighbors. Put down carpets or rugs to absorb as much sound as possible and look at professional sound proofing options if necessary.