Big Words start conversations and open doors to new places.
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.
“Analyzing your current business model, developing a growth strategy, starting a mail campaign and utilizing technology are all important components when unlocking the full potential of your business.”
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. If you are running a business, you want to maximize its potential and profits. The following contributed post is entitled, Unlock The Potential Of Your Business By Following These 4 Steps.
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As a business owner, you know that unlocking the full potential of your business is important. Whether it’s reaching new heights of success or becoming more efficient and profitable, there are many steps you can take to ensure your company reaches its fullest potential. By implementing the following four steps, you can ensure that your business has every chance of achieving its goals and achieving success:
The first step in unlocking the potential of your business is to analyze your current business model. This involves evaluating what aspects of your current operations could be improved upon or changed to better-fit customer needs or market trends. By identifying areas where change could benefit your company, you can make adjustments or additions to your current model to ensure it is as optimized as possible. Also, by understanding the dynamics of your business and its environment, you can better understand what strategies to take to maximize growth and success.
Develop a Growth Strategy:
Once you have analyzed your business model, the next step is to develop a growth strategy focused on expansion and development. This should include short-term and long-term goals, milestones, and action plans for reaching them. As part of this process, it’s also important to ensure that your strategy aligns with the goals and objectives you set out when analyzing your business model. Your strategy should also consider your current resources and how they can be allocated to achieve your goals. This includes financial and human resources and any technological advancements that could help your business reach its fullest potential.
Start a Mail Campaign:
Starting a successful direct mail campaign is one of the best ways to reach out to potential customers and expand your client base. This can be done through postcards, catalogs, brochures or other print materials sent directly to interested buyers. You can also use email marketing as part of this strategy by sending personalized emails with information about special offers or new product releases.
Utilize Technology:
In addition to traditional methods for reaching new customers, utilizing technology can help your business reach its fullest potential. This includes using software like customer relationship management (CRM) solutions or data analytics tools for tracking customer trends and behaviors. You can also leverage the power of social media platforms to connect with existing and potential customers.
Invest in Your Employees:
Your business’ success depends on your employees. As such, investing in their development and growth is important by offering training opportunities or incentives like rewards programs. Additionally, ensure that you create a safe and comfortable work environment for them to ensure they are happy and motivated. Whether you run a railroad signals company or a marketing business, it is important to make your employees feel respected and appreciated.
By implementing these four steps, you can ensure that your business has every chance of achieving its goals and reaching its fullest potential. Analyzing your current business model, developing a growth strategy, starting a mail campaign and utilizing technology are all important components when unlocking the full potential of your business. With the right approach, you can ensure that your company succeeds now and in the future.
Sometimes things come together all at once and that is the case for this essay. As I was finishing up edits for my book project The Engineers: A Western New York Basketball Story, I did a broadcast on my science and technology YouTube channel for Black History Month. It focused on the Physicist Dr. Sylvester James Gates, Jr. and his peers. I started the broadcast by noting that I struggled with Physics during my junior year of high school, an important part of the story arc in my book.
I further noted that having the right Physics teacher can make all the difference in the world. Dr. Gates stated the same thing in the interview with him I read during the broadcast. He shared that an early Physics teacher inspired him to start his storied journey using an intriguing physics demonstration/experiment for he and his classmates. The sum of all of this was the genesis for this essay discussing learning Physics, and the critical role teachers play when giving instruction on the Grandfather of all the sciences.
The Grandfather of the Sciences
Physics is often referred to as the Grandfather of all of the sciences. I recall hearing that somewhere. Simply put, this just means that Physics is the basis for all of the other sciences. While my doctorate is in Pharmacology, Physics touched every aspect of my graduate research at the University of Michigan. My thesis project asked questions about drugs and their effects in living systems. That said all of the instruments we used to ask those questions used physics-based principles in one way or another. That goes for our columns used for chromatography, our orbital shakers, our mass spectrometers, our 96-well microtiter plate reader, our high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) devices, etc. In short, no matter the science or application, Physics touches it.
My High School Physics Teacher
My Physics teacher at Hutch-Tech High School six years earlier was Mr. Kenneth Boudreau. As you can deduce from his name he was of French descent. He was a skinny man who typically wore a white button down shirt, fitted black slacks and black shoes. He had gray hair, a gray beard and wore glasses. He could have been your stereotypical government scientist at NASA or any observatory. Everyday he brought a thermos to class and seemed to be wired on caffeine. A classmate actually joked once that he never blinked. Finally I noticed that he frequently popped chewable antacids in his mouth. He was in fact robot-like and spoke in a monotone way.
Our Teacher’s Level of Effectiveness
“It is that simple folks!” Every time Mr. Boudreau explained something to us or showed us a calculation on the board, he ended by enthusiastically saying, “It is that simple!” I only remember a few things from that entire year under his instruction. I remember an initial lesson on scalars and vectors. I also remember hearing the word Mechanics which was the chapter dealing with the movement of objects, impulses and velocities. I am certain the Electrical Technology and Mechanical Technology majors at Hutch-Tech remember more. They had to as Physics was the basis of their majors. The Electrical Engineering majors particularly had to understand electrical potentials, currents and resistance.
“Is there a way you can make this more exciting and interesting?” I also recall a classmate asking our teacher potentially the most important part of learning Physics, especially for beginners. As described later, Physics is a calculation intensive science and unless you know why you are doing those calculations, it is easy to get lost. While our teacher knew his calculations and formulas, there were not many demonstrations so we could see their applications.
By the way I am not sharing these stories to beat up on Mr. Boudreau. As I will describe later, he did something very important for me towards the end of that year. That said, making classroom material interesting is a larger educational skill and transcends Physics. It goes for pretty much every subject.
I also struggled with Physical Science in the eighth grade at Campus West, the precursor to Physics. The teacher was also a little on the dry side. He shared the same last name as a famous singer from the group ‘The Rat Pack’ whose first name was Frank. Okay it was Dr. Sinatra. I excelled at Life Science the previous year under another teacher who brought a lot of enthusiasm and creativity to our classes. That was Mr. Radamacher. My undergraduate Physics professor at Johnson C. Smith University also did not make the subject particularly interesting either but at that point, I knew how to approach the class.
Early Struggles and Gradual Progress
My junior year was marked by a mysterious injury suffered when running cross-country, a basketball season that came off the rails, and struggles in both Course 3 Math and Physics. While I struggled early in Physics, my math grade was average but dipped during the adversity from my basketball season. After my basketball season came to its early finish, my math grade rebounded once I refocused.
“Physics is a different way of looking at the world,” my father said over the phone during my struggles. He majored in Physics in college but there was minimal help he could give from five hours away with no internet. I did not understand his riddle immediately but I eventually figured it out.
My progress in Physics was incremental after starting off with a grade in the high 60s after that first semester. As described in my essay entitled, The Keys To Learning College Level Physics, once I sat down and started going over the materials and the problems, things started making sense. I wrote a similar piece about Chemistry. Physics was a quantitative science and it was calculation intensive. There was a formula for most of the principles whether it was a car accelerating or a rocket jettisoning into space. Once you understood the principles you could identify which formula to use. You could then plug in the numbers given in the word problem. Oh yes, all of the problems were word problems, so reading comprehension was also critical. Afterwards it was simple Algebra as Mr. Boudreau stated.
Turning Things Around
“I want to congratulate you for turning things around this year! You have made a lot of progress!” Late in the year, Mr. Boudreau sought me out in one of our classes. I sat in the back of the room goofing off with some classmates. He watched me struggle in his class early that year. He further observed when the switch turned on for me and when I started to understand things. I did not become the top student in the class by any means, but I was no longer scraping the bottom either. His acknowledgement of my progress was his greatest gift to me from teacher to student. It was an encouragement that I never forgot. It was an important step for me academically and in my future education and career as a scientist.
Understanding the Applications of Physics
As I end this essay, I want to acknowledge that teaching is one of the hardest professions out there. It can be exponentially more difficult depending on the district you are in and the students you have. It is a profession I do not know if I have the patience for. There are several factors that go into how well a student performs in a particular class. The teacher is just one of them. In some instances outside factors can impact how students learn. In some instances like mine, the seeds are planted early but do not bloom until later.
Regardless, for a class like Physics, I think using real world applications is critical for learning it, especially for beginners. Years later while volunteering at the David M. Brown Arlington Planetarium, I saw firsthand why planetariums and fulldome shows are important, especially for young people. I further understood the advantages kids who attend them regularly have over those who do not. Planetariums and fulldome shows about outer space spark curiosity and the imagination. They also show how subjects like Physics are applied. They show that the calculations can be fun.
One such kid who got to attend a planetarium regularly was Raphael Perrino. I met Raphael through his father Ralph whose tutoring company I worked in for a little while. Eventually all three of us worked together while volunteering in the group, The Friends of Arlington’s David M. Brown Planetarium. After finishing his education, Raphael started working in the aerospace industry. He was gracious enough to agree to the interview on my science and technology YouTube channel below. Early in the discussion, he acknowledged his high school Physics teacher and trained actor Dean Howarth, another planetarium volunteer, for creatively, effectively and enthusiastically teaching him and his classmates.
Basketball, Physics and Life: What’s the Connection?
As discussed in the opening of this piece, my early struggles with Physics was a part of my early basketball journey chronicled in my two-part book project entitled, The Engineers: A Western New York Basketball Story. As I went through my struggles, my coach at the time Ken Jones suggested tutoring by one of our team captains who also did not finish out that year. He will remain anonymous. Me and this captain were not particularly close and when I called him seeking his help, he did not respond in a way that encouraged me to further pursue his help. I thus took a risk and decided to figure it out on my own.
When I look back on the whole thing, a couple of things come to mind. The first thing I think about is my lack of mental toughness. Our basketball season hung in the balance and I should have done whatever I needed to do to keep myself academically eligible even if it meant a little bit of joking and ridicule. It was a two-way street though, and the second thing I thought about is that winning teams are cohesive units that stick together. Thus If a teammate is struggling, it is important for teammates who have the ability to help, to help them for the good of the team.
Closing Words
This concludes this piece. Thank you for reading it if you did. Some of the images used in this essay were lifted from an issue of Understanding Physics. If you have a child or know one who is struggling in a course like Physics, you might also consider getting a tutor. As described earlier, I worked in the tutoring world for a little while. It was fun coaching struggling students up and it generated some extra income for me. Also consider visiting your local planetarium or nearby science demonstrations. You might help that struggling student by doing so, and you may inspire the next great scientist! Best regards.
The Big Words LLC Newsletter
For the next phase of my writing journey, I’m starting a monthly newsletter for my writing and video content creation company, the Big Words LLC. In it, I plan to share inspirational words, pieces from my writer’s blog and this blog, and select videos from my four YouTube channels. Finally, I will share updates for my book project The Engineers: A Western New York Basketball Story. Your personal information and privacy will be protected. Click this link and register using the sign-up button at the bottom of the announcement. If there is some issue signing up using the link provided, you can also email me at bwllcnl@gmail.com. Best regards.
A key focus of my blog is General Education. If you are relocating to the Philippines and thinking about pursuing your education, you should have a feel for the academic landscape there. The following guest post is entitled, Everything You Need to Know about Studying in the Philippines.
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The Philippines is an excellent option for international students pursuing higher education abroad. With its tropical climate, vibrant culture, and diverse range of universities, it’s easy to see why studying in the Philippines is attractive. But what do you need to know before you leap? Read on to find out!
The University System in the Philippines
The educational opportunities available to international students can vary significantly from country to country, and knowing your options is essential before making any decisions. You need to understand the university system in the Philippines and what each type of institution offers.
Types of Universities in the Philippines
The Philippine university system is divided into three types of universities: state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), and private universities and colleges (PUCs).
SUCs are government-run institutions that taxpayers fund, while LUCs are privately-funded institutions that local governments or other authorities have authorized. PUCs, on the other hand, are entirely privately-funded universities. All three types offer higher education programs for international students.
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for each type of university may vary depending on where you plan to study. Generally speaking, most universities will require applicants to submit a complete application form and certified copies of their transcripts or diplomas from previous studies.
Depending on your chosen program, you may also be required to submit additional documents such as letters of recommendation or a statement of purpose. Additionally, many universities require applicants to pass an entrance examination before being accepted into a program.
Living Costs for International Students
Living costs for international students vary depending on where they choose to study. Generally, living costs in cities such as Manila are higher than those outside major urban areas. It’s important to factor this into your budgeting when considering your study options in the Philippines.
However, if you plan to enroll in one of the big cities in Manila, looking for a Ortigas center condo for sale would be much more cost-effective than renting an apartment. This is because you will most likely stay in the country for a more extended period. It can be more affordable than renting, and you will have the added benefit of owning your home when you finish your studies.
Visa Requirement for International Students
Visas are required for all foreign nationals entering the Philippines for study purposes. The visa application process can be lengthy and complex, so starting early is essential and ensuring all paperwork is completed correctly. It can be confusing and intimidating, but the process can be easy with the correct information and preparation.
Gather Your Documents
Before you apply for a student visa, there are several documents that you must gather and prepare. These documents include proof of residence, passport pictures, birth certificate, and financial statements from your parents or guardian to show they can cover tuition fees and living expenses during your stay in the Philippines.
School records such as transcripts or diplomas from previous schools attended and any other documents required by the embassy or consulate where you will be applying for your visa are also required.
Submit Your Application
Once you have gathered all of your documents, it’s time to submit your application. This can be done online or at the nearest Filipino Embassy or Consulate office near you. Ensure all your documents are complete before submitting them, as incomplete applications will not be processed.
Attend an Interview
Once your application has been submitted, you will likely be asked to attend an interview with embassy staff if deemed necessary by their evaluation process of applicants. During this interview, they will ask why you want to study in the Philippines and what field you intend to pursue there. Answer all questions honestly and accurately, as this is crucial for the approval of your application.
The Bottom Line
Studying in the Philippines can be an incredible experience for any international student pursuing higher education abroad. With its rich culture, tropical climate, and diverse range of universities offering public and private education options-it’s easy to see why this Southeast Asian country is becoming increasingly popular among mid-career professionals worldwide seeking a new challenge!
However, prospective students must do their research beforehand when considering studying in the Philippines-ensuring that they familiarize themselves with both visa requirements and living costs ahead of time so that there are no unpleasant surprises down the line!
A key focus of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success. One of the most rewarding things you can do is organize a volunteer event. Not all events are the same though and there are keys to doing so if you live in countries like the Philippines for example. The following guest post is entitled, How to Organize a Great Volunteer Event in the Philippines.
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Are you looking for ways to give back to your community? Volunteering is a great way to make a positive difference in the lives of those around you. However, organizing a volunteer event can be a daunting task. This guide on organizing a great volunteer event in the Philippines will help you get started. Read on to learn more!
Choose Your Cause
Volunteering for events is a great way to get involved in the community and help with a cause. Whether you want to gain experience in the non-profit sector, build your resume, or simply make a difference, volunteering offers numerous benefits to individuals and organizations. Here are some of the most common reasons why people volunteer for events.
To Gain New Skills and Experience
Volunteering can also be beneficial if you seek new skills or experience. Many non-profits need volunteers with unique expertise or backgrounds that can be utilized during events or other initiatives. This could include anything from marketing and graphic design to event planning and finance. If you’re looking to gain new skills or add experience to your resume, volunteering at an event is a great way to do so!
To Meet New People
Volunteering is also an excellent way to meet new people who share similar interests and network with professionals in your field. Participating in volunteer opportunities often puts you into direct contact with like-minded individuals who share the same passion for giving back that you do – which can lead to meaningful personal and professional relationships down the road.
Prepare the Venue
The venue of your event should be well-prepared before volunteers arrive. Ensure sufficient space for the number of people expected to attend and that all furniture, lighting, and sound systems are in place.
Remember that comfort should still be a priority, so consider looking for a tent for sale in the Philippines that you can use to provide shade. Go for a big enough size tent that can accommodate everyone comfortably.
Create an Action Plan
Once you know what cause you want to support and where it will occur, create an action plan for your event. This should include details such as who will lead each activity, what supplies must be purchased or donated, how many volunteers are needed, etc. This plan will make it easier for everyone involved with your event to stay organized and ensure everything runs smoothly on the event day.
Recruit Volunteers
Now that you have an action plan, it’s time to start recruiting volunteers! You can reach out through various channels such as social media platforms, local radio stations, or even flyers at schools or businesses in the area. Make sure you clearly state why people should volunteer with your organization and how they can get involved – this will help attract more people who share similar values or goals as yours.
Prepare Supplies & Materials
Many factors go into organizing the perfect event, from recruiting volunteers to sourcing supplies and materials. Having the right supplies and materials is crucial to an enjoyable and successful event. Keep reading to learn what you need to have on hand before embarking on your volunteer mission!
First Aid Kit
Safety is paramount for any outdoor activity, especially when volunteers are involved. It’s important to have a well-stocked first aid kit with bare medical essentials like bandages, gauze, antiseptic ointment, aspirin, etc. Make sure the equipment is easy to access in case of emergencies.
Trash Bags & Gloves
Volunteer events often involve cleaning up local parks or beaches and require the use of trash bags and gloves. You should ensure you have enough trash bags for all volunteers and disposable gloves for each person so they can stay safe while picking up debris or sorting through refuse.
Stay Informed & Follow Up After Your Event
The last step is staying informed and following up after the event. Ensure everyone involved knows their job before and after the event so there are no surprises later. Additionally, take some time after everything has been wrapped up to thank your volunteers for their hard work; this helps foster an atmosphere of appreciation within your organization which can go a long way toward sustaining its success over time!
The Bottom Line
Volunteering is a great way to give back and benefit those around us while making new friends. With these steps outlined above, organizing a successful volunteer event in the Philippines should now be more accessible! Whether it’s helping clean up beaches or building homes for those less fortunate, start planning today and make a difference tomorrow!
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. As a business owner, you are always managing costs to maintain profitability. This is an important task as costs do not always stay the same. The following contributed post is entitled, Steps To Boost Efficiency and Lower Costs.
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The cost of living is rising and many businesses are still in the recovery stage in the aftermath of the pandemic. As outgoings increase, it’s more important than ever for company owners to try to maximize efficiency and improve profit margins. If you’re on a mission to lower costs and make your business more efficient and productive, here are some simple steps to follow today.
One of the best ways to save time, effort and money in 2023 is to update business technology. From machinery and devices to software and online tools, it’s possible to supercharge efficiency and output and enhance products and services for customers across every industry. Audit technology, highlight areas for improvement and research innovations and investments to see what is out there. Seek expert advice if you’re unsure how to modernize your business and focus on developments that will make a difference to your company. Upgrading technology can save your team time, reduce running costs, increase productivity and help you to gain an advantage over rivals to boost sales and customer numbers.
Automate where possible
Automation is a game-changer for businesses in all sectors. The aim of automation is to eliminate time-consuming, repetitive tasks, freeing up time for employees and workforces and reducing the risk of errors and mistakes. If you’re not already using automation software or tools, now is the time to find out how you can use automation to drive your business forwards. Solutions like contract automation software from Ontra accelerate processes, lower running expenses, strengthen negotiating positions and boost ROI. Search for solutions that are designed for your specific industry or field and make sure your team is aware of the benefits and how systems and tools work. Providing training is often beneficial.
Outsource
Outsourcing can make a dramatic difference to the way companies work. Outsourcing involves working with an external agency or a third party rather than taking on every task or activity in-house. Common examples of jobs and services that businesses outsource include managed IT services, accounting, shipping and logistics, waste disposal, cleaning and sanitation, marketing and administration.
The main benefits of outsourcing include accessing skills and services you don’t already have within your team, freeing up time for essential, core tasks and saving money on hiring, recruiting, onboarding and training. Working with a third party can also optimize operations and outcomes. If you hire a brilliant digital marketing agency to raise brand awareness, for example, you should find that your sales figures improve and your brand becomes more visible online. Paying for services monthly can often be a lot more cost-effective than adding employees to your team.
Many business owners are trying to reduce expenses while improving efficiency and output. If you can lower costs and increase sales, your profit margins will widen. To boost efficiency and reduce spending, upgrade your technology, automate where possible and consider outsourcing. New technology supercharges productivity, streamlines operations and saves time and money. Automation and outsourcing free up time for your core team and lower running costs.
“Your backyard is a place of relaxation and comfort. Whether you’re lounging in the sun or playing with your children, you want to be sure that it’s a safe environment for all those who inhabit it.”
Two focuses of my blog are Home/Living Discussions and Home/Property Discussions. While your backyard can be your refuge there are also quite a few potential hazards there as well. Numerous people have been injured in their backyards. The following guest post is entitled, Various Dangers to Be Aware of in Your Backyard.
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Your backyard is a place of relaxation and comfort. Whether you’re lounging in the sun or playing with your children, you want to be sure that it’s a safe environment for all those who inhabit it. Unfortunately, there are a variety of dangers lurking in the shadows. From pests to hazardous equipment, explore what potential hazards you need to be aware of in your backyard.
1. Pests & Animals
Depending on where you live, your backyard may contain various pests and animals that can pose serious health risks if not properly managed. Mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects can carry diseases such as the West Nile virus and Lyme disease, so make sure these pests don’t have any access to standing water on your property.
Termites can also cause considerable damage to your property if not dealt with promptly. You want to work with professional termite control services to ensure your home and property are safe from these pests. They can also help to identify any other pests that may be present on your property, from ants to rodents.
In addition, you may have wild animals such as raccoons, opossums, or snakes that could be living in your backyard. These animals can carry dangerous diseases and should always be handled cautiously. You should contact a professional wildlife removal service to help remove any unwanted animals on your property.
2. Hazardous Equipment & Materials
Your backyard may also contain pieces of equipment that could potentially harm someone if they’re not used properly. If a swimming pool or trampoline is present on the premises, ensure these items are inspected regularly by professionals for any damages-primarily if they haven’t been used for an extended period-and always supervise young children when they’re playing on them. Having a good family doctor like Dr. Christopher Cummins MD, who you can turn to for advice and help if you need it is also a good idea to give you peace of mind that you’ve got all the bases covered.
Additionally, be mindful of how much fertilizer or weed killer you use when tending to the garden, as these chemicals can cause health problems if ingested or inhaled incorrectly. Be sure to store these products away from any curious kids or pets! You should also make sure that any power tools, such as lawnmowers or chainsaws, are safely stored away in a shed when not in use.
3. Structural Hazards
You want to be wary of any structural hazards on your property. This can include anything from large tree branches close to the house that could fall in a storm to weak decks or railings. Have a home inspector come and assess any potential risks on your property, and make sure to get any necessary repairs done quickly.
Slips, trips, and falls are the most common backyard hazards. Ensure you keep any walkways or steps on your property in good condition to prevent anyone from getting hurt. Be sure to add extra lighting around these areas, making them easier to navigate in the dark.
4. Harmful Plants
Lastly, be sure to research what plants are present in your backyard and if they pose any potential risks. Some plants can be poisonous if ingested, while others may cause skin irritation. Here are some common plants that should be avoided:
a. Rhubarb
This plant is common in many gardens, but the leaves are extremely toxic if ingested. Avoid planting these near areas where young children, pets, or wildlife can access them.
b. Oleander
One of the most poisonous plants, oleander, contains toxins that can cause vomiting and tremors when ingested. You should always wear gloves when handling it and never burn the plant, as the smoke can be toxic.
c. Poison Ivy
This common weed can cause skin irritation and rashes when touched. Keep this away from any play areas, and wear protective clothing when dealing with it.
d. Nightshade
This plant contains toxic alkaloids that can cause nausea, vomiting, and even death if ingested. Keep this away from any areas where children or pets can access it.
Keeping your backyard safe doesn’t have to be difficult but requires vigilance and knowledge. By being aware of the potential hazards in your outdoor space, such as pests, hazardous equipment and materials, structural hazards, and harmful plants, you can ensure that everyone who inhabits your backyard is safe! Make sure to work with professionals, do your research, and be mindful of any potential risks when maintaining your outdoor space. With these tips, you can keep your backyard safe and secure.
Two focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and General Education. Careers are not necessarily static things and instead can be very fluid depending on any number of factors. The same is true for advancement in any organization or in a mid-career pivot. The following guest post is entitled, Taking the Next Career Step: How to Improve Your Chances.
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Career development is essential for people of all ages and experience levels. Evaluating and improving your career trajectory can lead to increased satisfaction in life, excellent professional stability, and enhanced financial security. This benefits both individuals and society as a whole.
Statistics show that 72% of American workers feel they are not doing work that matches their skills or potential. At the same time, eight in ten believe they could become more productive with better access to training and development opportunities. Furthermore, people who pursue career development opportunities are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs, have higher salaries, and be more productive at work. In addition, actively pursuing career development can lead to a longer-term impact on earnings; research has found that over 18 years, those who sought further education or professional certifications earned 22% more than their peers who did not pursue additional education or certifications.
If you are ready to take the next step in your career, there are several things you can do to improve your chances. Here are a few steps to consider:
Talk to Your Supervisor
Talking to your superiors is a critical part of developing your career trajectory. Doing so can help you identify your specific goals and the necessary steps. It also provides an opportunity to keep up with changing trends in your industry or profession and discover new opportunities for advancement.
Open dialogue with your supervisor can also help you develop skills necessary for workplace success, such as communication and problem-solving. Furthermore, talking to supervisors allows you to build relationships and networks, which often play a crucial role in helping you advance professionally. One study indicates that most job openings are filled through networking activities.
Also, having regular conversations with your superior helps ensure that both parties are on the same page regarding career development plans and expectations. This can be especially useful for employees who have recently changed roles or departments or been promoted to management positions. Discussing progress and expectations helps prevent misunderstandings and keeps both parties focused on achieving mutual goals.
Identify Desired Job Openings
Career development can be an effective way to move forward in your professional life. As you become more proficient and experienced in your field, opportunities for advancement may arise. You might find yourself looking for other job openings as a result of this progress in your career.
Additionally, the changing landscape of the modern workplace might necessitate seeking new job opportunities. The world is becoming increasingly globalized, with international companies operating on multiple continents and digital technology creating massive amounts of data that requires organized analysis and interpretation. With these changes come new roles and career paths, which may need individuals to update their skills or shift their focus from one industry to another. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for getting a better job:
Get Certifications and Education
Preparing for career development sometimes involves increasing your knowledge and skills. Additional certifications or educational qualifications can help you become more competitive in the job market and give employers greater confidence in your capabilities. Furthermore, certifications may also bring increased responsibility, such as management positions or roles with higher salaries.
Improve Resume
Applying for jobs will require you to have a well-crafted resume. Ensure your resume accurately reflects your educational qualifications, professional experience, and any certifications or awards you’ve earned. It should also highlight the skills and qualities that make you stand out from other candidates. If you struggle to create a well-designed work portfolio, you can get resume writing services to help you create an eye-catching resume.
Practice Job Interviews
It would be best if you also took the time to practice for job interviews. This helps you get comfortable with questions that employers might ask and gives you a platform for improving your presentation skills. It is essential to ensure that you come across as confident and competent, and practice can help you learn how to present yourself in an interview setting best.
Invest in Looking Good
How you present yourself will also factor into employers’ decisions. Investing in good quality, professional clothes can help you create a positive first impression. In addition, make sure your nails are clean and neat and your hair is styled correctly for the job role you want to get.
Create a Strong Professional Network
Building a solid network is another critical factor in career development. Establishing relationships with peers, mentors, and colleagues can help you gain insights into your field and introduce you to potential job openings. Please ensure your professional social media profiles are up-to-date and include all the relevant qualifications and experiences. Finally, consider joining a professional organization or attending industry events, as these can be excellent sources of information and potential contacts.
Final Thoughts
Career development is essential for increasing job satisfaction and financial security. Taking the time to evaluate your career trajectory and consider the steps you need to take to improve it can have beneficial long-term effects. By following these steps and putting forth consistent effort over time, you can build a successful career that brings increased joy and purpose.
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. There are a number of factors that contribute to the success of your business. One of the most critical is your business’ visibility. The following guest post is entitled, Making Your Company Visible: Where You Need Help.
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Business visibility is essential for the success of any company. Having an online presence and making sure your business is visible to potential customers can make all the difference in whether or not those customers decide to use your services.
Not only does visibility increase the chances of potential customers finding you, but it also helps build trust and credibility. Consumers are more likely to purchase from a business with an excellent online reputation. Maintaining an active presence with positive reviews will make all the difference in whether they choose you or a competitor. According to Bright Local’s Local Consumer Review Survey, 87% of consumers read online reviews before purchasing. Furthermore, 72% said positive reviews make them trust a business more, while 53% said negative thoughts would stop them from using that company’s services altogether.
These statistics demonstrate how important it is for businesses today to ensure their visibility across multiple online and offline channels, attracting new customers and growing their customer base. For that, you might need professional services like these:
Content Management
Content is essential to any digital marketing strategy and is vital to improving your company’s visibility. Content helps to engage customers, drive traffic to your website, and position you as a thought leader in the industry. It also helps build credibility and trust with potential customers, encouraging them to purchase from you rather than your competitors.
Creating exciting and informative content can draw attention to your business and its products or services. This can be done through the following elements:
Blogging
Blogging remains a powerful way to share your thoughts, ideas, and stories. If done correctly, it can help you to engage customers and build an active community around your brand. High-quality blogs are also great for SEO, offering valuable keywords and phrases to drive organic traffic to your website.
Social Media Posts
Creating engaging content on social media helps to draw attention to your business. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube allow you to connect with wider audiences that may have never heard of your business. You can use these platforms to promote products or services, launch campaigns or interact with potential customers.
Video and Infographics
Visual content resonates with audiences far more than plain text. Utilizing video and infographics to explain complex topics can help your customers understand what you’re offering in a more straightforward, more digestible way. Additionally, they provide an excellent opportunity for engagement and further brand promotion.
Testimonials
If you want to show potential customers how excellent your services are, the best way is through customer testimonials. Testimonials can help you build credibility and trust with new customers and ensure they feel more comfortable when making a purchase.
Search Engine Optimization
Content alone will not bring customers to your website. It would be best if you optimized it for organic search engine ranking. SEO increases the visibility of your content in the search engine results pages, driving more traffic and increasing conversions.
The right SEO strategy can help you rank higher than your competitors, allowing you to gain a competitive edge over them. However, building a strong SEO presence and staying ahead of the competition can be challenging. Hiring an expert in this field is the best way to ensure success.
By hiring a professional, you can rest assured that your content will be properly optimized for search engine ranking. This will help you reach the right people at the right time and ensure they return for more. You can also contact an experienced SEO agency to help you keep track of your competition and ensure your content is constantly updated.
Customer Service
Having excellent customer service is essential for the success of any company. Customers need to feel taken care of and valued and be able to reach out to your business when they have a question or concern.
Providing customers with an efficient way to contact you will help build trust in your brand and ensure their needs are met quickly and efficiently. You can hire a customer service representative or an experienced call center to handle inquiries from potential customers. This will help ensure that all queries are responded to promptly and help strengthen relationships with existing customers.
Final Thoughts
Businesses can improve their visibility, increase traffic, and attract more customers by investing in professional services such as content management, SEO, and customer service. With the right strategies, businesses can stay ahead of the competition and ensure their customers are satisfied with their products or services.
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. In today’s day and age, side hustles can be a way to express your passions, a means to making extra income, or a entry way to wealth. The following contributed post is entitled, Side Hustles That Provide A High Income.
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Nobody needs to become a side hustler to earn an efficient side income. Sometimes, attaining a great side income alongside your full-time career or commitments simply takes more expertise or professionalism.
Using this guide, you can discover the top ways to guarantee a great income.
A side hustle that will guarantee regular and sufficient income is gig-driving. It is a side hustle you can do whenever you have time, for one hour or many hours.
Various businesses require assistance with their deliveries. You do not need to be a professional to fulfill this job. Instead, you need a vehicle and spare time. You should be a reliable and trustworthy person so that you can fulfill the business’s requests.
You can attain professional tips for how to make gig-driving a success from the likes of Zarif Haque.
Selling high-value goods
Another side hustle that will make you good money is selling high-value goods. Although you might enjoy selling tops and books online, they won’t provide you with a high side income.
Hence, if you have various valuable pieces you no longer use, you could sell these online or at auctions to help you achieve that successful side income.
Expert freelancing services
If you have specialist skills at work, you could use these to make a side income at home.
For example, if you work in the marketing industry and know how to grow social accounts, you can offer these services to clients who need help.
It makes sense to use your expertise to earn extra money. It means you do not need to mix two different jobs and can continue using your knowledge outside of work to earn extra cash.
Cooking services
Should you be a keen cook or baker, you can use your passion to earn a side income. You do not need to be a professional to cook and bake things for people.
You can offer your services to family and friends and grow your clientele by creating a social account. Promoting your services online will allow you to attain more customers and earn more money through increased orders in time.
Sitting and walking
Guaranteed ways to make a sufficient side income is to sit or walk for people. This doesn’t mean sitting down and getting paid for it. Sitting means caring for someone’s house, dog, or children while busy. There will be various people that are local to you that will require assistance alongside their full-time jobs. You can sit their home or their dog and get paid for it.
Or, some people might require walking services that involve walking their dogs. If you are an animal lover, this will be a perfect side hustle.
Seeing as many side hustles will guarantee a sufficient side income without needing qualifications or expertise, you can guarantee to get started earning extra cash today. Starting today and not doubting yourself will help you become more financially free in no time.
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Starting businesses is not easy. There are special considerations for starting one in a big city. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Create A Successful Small Business In The Big City.
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Starting a small business in a busy city can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. A bustling city offers many opportunities for entrepreneurs, but it also comes with unique challenges, such as high rent and fierce competition. If you are considering starting your own small business in a busy city, here are some tips to help you get started.
First, you need to identify your niche. Determine what you are passionate about and what skills you have that you can turn into a profitable business. You should also conduct market research to determine what types of businesses are in demand in your area. A crowded city can be a double-edged sword for small businesses, as competition can be fierce, but there may also be a more extensive customer base to tap into. Finally, consider offering a unique product or service that differentiates you from your competitors.
Come up with a plan
Once you have identified your niche, it’s time to create a business plan. A business plan is a written document that outlines your business goals, target audience, marketing strategy, financial projections, and other important details. Your business plan should be comprehensive and realistic, and it should help guide your decision-making as you grow your business.
Next, you need to secure funding for your business. Several ways to finance a small business include personal savings, loans, grants, and crowdfunding. You may need to explore multiple options to determine which is the best fit for your business.
Get permits and licenses
One crucial step in starting a small business is obtaining the necessary permits and licenses.
Depending on your business type, you may need to obtain a business license, sales tax permit, health permit, and other licenses and permits. Make sure to research the requirements in your city and obtain all the necessary permits and licenses before you start operating your business.
Get help from the experts
Running your own company is not a test of how much you can do alone. In fact, a successful entrepreneur is one who has recognized their shortcomings and sought ways to move around them, such as by bringing expert help.
For example, you could set your inner city business up for great success by working with a company that offers digital transformation services. This will help you to refine your digital business transformation strategy by identifying new growth opportunities you may otherwise have missed out on. This, in turn, will allow you to reach new heights as a business owner.
If you’re in the real estate industry, partnering with a real estate web designer is a smart move. A professionally designed website tailored to your specific market can help you stand out, generate leads, and provide potential clients with a seamless user experience that reflects your brand’s professionalism and expertise.
Branding
Another way that you can get help from experts is to learn from them. For example, Angelo Dellomo has years of experience as an educator and environmental advocate, allowing them to provide a lot of different advice to small businesses. They also have an understanding of multiple industries, which means that they are a great source of information and advice. People like Cullen Fischel can also help, as they have years of experience in website design and marketing. If you intend to create a site, having people like this who can help is always a good thing.
Doing more research about how to succeed in your niche, as well as how to take part in community events and integrate sustainable practices into your business, can help you to plan ahead and build your success.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices Lead by Example
Beyond hiring outside help, tapping into mentorship and strategic partnerships can accelerate your growth in a competitive urban landscape. Consider seeking guidance from seasoned investors and operators—working with mentors like Timothy Stocksdale can open doors to capital, industry connections, and real-world advice you simply can’t get from a classroom. Many cities host entrepreneurial networks and accelerator programs where rising founders are paired with veteran backers; these relationships not only bolster your credibility with banks and landlords but also help you navigate regulatory hurdles, refine your pitch, and scale more efficiently. By surrounding yourself with experienced allies, you’ll gain the confidence and know-how to turn big-city challenges into springboards for success.
Taking out small business insurance is also an essential step in starting your own small business in a busy city. Small business insurance with coterie can help protect your business from financial losses due to unexpected events. Depending on your business, you may need different types of insurance. For example, you will need workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees. If you have a physical location, you will need property insurance.
If you provide professional services, you may need professional liability insurance. It is important to speak with an insurance agent to determine what types of insurance you need for your business. Insurance can give you peace of mind and protect your business in case of accidents, injuries, or lawsuits.
Marketing and branding
You also need to create a brand for your business. Your brand should reflect your business’s values, mission, and personality, and it should be memorable and recognizable. You should create a logo, website, and social media profiles that showcase your brand and communicate your message to your target audience.
Marketing is also a crucial component of starting your own small business in a busy city. You need to develop a marketing strategy that helps you reach your target audience and attract new customers. Social media marketing, email marketing, and content marketing are effective strategies for small businesses on a tight budget. You should also consider partnering with other local businesses or participating in local events to increase your visibility in the community.
