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.

Get Your Household Finances In Order This Year

A key focus of my blog is Financial Literacy/Money. Managing your household finances is critical as we are all businesses in and of ourselves. The following contributed post is entitled, Get Your Household Finances In Order This Year.

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Let 2022 be the year you will finally take charge of your family’s finances rather than allowing them to rule you. You realize it’s time to take financial freedom seriously. Here are six steps to follow.

Photo by Campaign Creators on Unsplash

Keep Track Of What You Spend

Begin keeping track of your family’s spending. It will hurt at first. When you put in the work and look at where your money is going, you’ll notice why your savings fund isn’t where you want it to be. Create a spreadsheet, use an app, or simply write it all down. Discovering where your family’s money is going is the first step toward altering it. Everything from a quick trip to the corner store to hiring lawyers must be considered.

Make Use Of A Budget

Budgeting is difficult, but it does not have to be a stressful one. The first step is to identify a budget type that works for you. Discover what works best for you, whether it’s a notebook, an excel spreadsheet, computer software, or a budgeting app.

Be Prepared For An Emergency

If you’ve been adulting for years, unexpected bills seem to arise out of nowhere and usually at the worst possible time. It’s easy to overrun your budget if you don’t plan for the unexpected. When things go wrong in life, having an emergency fund can come in handy.

How much money should you save aside for a disaster? The amount is determined by your family’s circumstances. If you have steady work and decent insurance, 3 months of costs may be sufficient. A period of 6-12 months would be great. What if you continue to owe money? Begin slowly.

Create a $1,000 emergency savings first, then start on debt repayment. As your debt decreases, continue to add to your emergency fund until it satisfies your needs. Your emergency savings should be significant enough to provide you peace of mind while you seek to take charge of your family’s finances.

Get Rid Of As Much Debt As Possible

Debt extinguishes all financial goals and dreams. It will depress you and cause a great deal of frustration in your household. Make a strategy to repay all of your debts, whether they are credit card debt, college loans, or anything else. If you don’t, you’ll lose control.

There are numerous approaches to dealing with family debt. Debt snowball and avalanche techniques We’ll get to debt management measures shortly. Create a plan to pay off debt and bring your family out of the financial hole you’ve created, whether you picked the debt snowball, avalanche, or hurricane technique.

Future Investments

After you’ve watched every penny, become a budgeting expert, devised a strategy, set aside emergency cash, and paid off all your debts, you can contemplate financial investments in 2022. How can you put money down for your family’s future?

Perhaps you wish to retire early or leave your work to start your own business. Have you considered creating a family vacation fund to travel the world? Perhaps you want to save for your children’s college so they shouldn’t have to struggle as much as you did. All of this is something to think about now that your family has reached financial success.

So sit together with your spouse, identify some short and long-term financial goals, and start to work. The effort required to achieve these objectives will be worthwhile.

Startup: How To Start Your Own Bakery

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A potentially lucrative business is starting you own bakery. The following contributed post is entitled, Startup: How To Start Your Own Bakery.

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Starting a bakery business from home can be a fun, rewarding, and profitable experience – but it can also be challenging.

Photo by Serghei Savchiuc on Unsplash

Here Are Some Tips To Help You Get Started:

Do Your Research

Before you start your bakery business, make sure you do your research and understand the industry. Learn about the different types of bakeries, what products they sell, what kind of equipment you need, and how much money you can expect to make. This information will help you make informed decisions about starting your own bakery.

Start Small

When starting a bakery business from home, it’s important to start small and grow your business gradually. This will allow you to test the waters and figure out what works and what doesn’t. It will also help you avoid any potential financial disasters in the early stages of your business.

Choose a Niche

In order to be successful, it’s important to choose a niche for your bakery business. This means specializing in a certain type of baked good, such as cupcakes, cookies, or loaves of bread. When you specialize in a particular type of baking, you can become an expert in that area and develop a following among consumers.

Invest In Quality Equipment

In order to run a successful bakery business from home, you need quality baking equipment. This includes ovens, mixers, dough sheeters, and other appliances necessary for baking. When choosing equipment, make sure to invest in quality brands that will last you for years.

Choose Your Recipes Wisely

Not all recipes are suited for baking in a home oven. Make sure to choose recipes that are feasible for baking at home, and test them out before rolling them out to your customers.

Build a Strong Team

In order to run a successful bakery, you’ll need a great team of employees. So take the time to find qualified bakers and pastry chefs who share your passion for baking.

Market Your Bakery

In order for people to know about your bakery, you need to market it effectively. This means creating a website, using social media platforms to advertise your business, and distributing flyers and brochures in local businesses and neighborhoods.

Offer Great Customer Service

One of the most important things you can do to make your bakery successful is to offer great customer service. This means greeting customers when they walk in, offering them samples of your products, and providing excellent service every time they visit your store.

Stay Organized

Running a bakery business from home can be chaotic if you’re not organized. Make sure you have a system for tracking orders, recording inventory, organizing your workspace, and ordering your custom plastic packaging. This will help you stay on top of everything and avoid any confusion or delays in shipping orders.

Be Patient

Starting a bakery business from home takes time and patience – don’t expect to become a millionaire overnight. It may take a few years for your business to become profitable, so be patient and keep working hard to promote your bakery.

Have Fun!

Running a bakery is a lot of work, but it can also be a lot of fun. Make sure you enjoy what you’re doing and take the time to celebrate your successes. With a little hard work and luck, your bakery business will be successful!

Tips for Businesses to Ensure Work-Life Balance

Two focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and Health/Wellness. No matter which career/industry you’re in, establishing a work life balance is critical as the workplace can be all consuming. The following guest post is entitled, Tips for Businesses to Ensure Work-Life Balance.

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Working long hours has become the norm for many businesses, but what happens when workers don’t have a work-life balance? The pressure to constantly be available and working can lead to burnout, which can cause employees to leave their jobs.

Businesses should ensure their employees have a healthy work-life balance to avoid this. Here are some tips for achieving a work-life balance at the workplace.

Set Boundaries for work hours

One of the most important things a business can set boundaries for work hours regarding work-life balance. Due to this, employees should not work long hours all the time. Instead, they should be allowed to set their working hours within reason. Setting boundaries will help prevent burnout and ensure employees can enjoy their personal lives outside of work.

Provide health-related benefits to give employees peace of mind

One way to ensure a healthy work-life balance is to provide health-related benefits to employees. These benefits can like health insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance. These benefits give employees peace of mind, knowing that they receive medical attention if they get sick. It also allows them to focus on their work without worrying about what will happen if they get sick.

Businesses can also put their employees at ease by getting a group insurance policy from a reliable company. They can also help their employees prepare for retirement by providing investment opportunities to build their retirement funds.

Encourage employees to take time off

Employees should also be encouraged to take time off from work. Employees can take time off from work by taking paid vacation days, sick days, and personal days. Taking some time off allows employees to take a break from work and relax. It also helps them recharge to return to work feeling refreshed and energized.

Encourage flexibility

Another way businesses can help employees achieve a work-life balance is by encouraging flexibility. Encouraging flexibility means allowing employees to work from home or come in late or leave early if they need to. This situation will help them better manage their time and still be able to get their work done.

Businesses should also consider offering telecommuting options. Telecommuting allows employees to work from home, which can be a great option for those with young children or elderly parents they need to take care of. It can also help reduce traffic congestion and pollution.

Limit email and phone notifications outside of work hours

While many people might think that checking work email or voicemail during non-work hours is no big deal, the truth is that it can be detrimental to one’s work-life balance. It can be tough to “leave work at work” when one is constantly getting notifications about emails or messages from work.

This situation can lead to people working long hours and not having enough time for themselves or their families. Businesses can do a few things to help their employees maintain a good work-life balance. One is to limit how many emails and phone notifications people receive outside of work hours.

Another is to encourage employees to take breaks and to leave the office at a reasonable time. Businesses can help their employees have a more balanced life and be more productive at work by doing these things.

Make time for team-building activities outside of work hours

In addition to setting limits on email and phone notifications, businesses can also encourage their employees to take breaks and leave the office at a reasonable time. Another way to help employees maintain a good work-life balance is to make time for team-building activities outside of work hours.

These activities could involve going out for drinks after work or participating in a team-building exercise like a paint night. By doing these things, businesses can help their employees to feel more connected to each other and less like they are just working together.

Reward employees for working reasonable hours

Businesses can also reward their employees for working reasonable hours. This could involve giving them a bonus or taking them out to lunch or dinner. It could also involve giving them more time off or allowing them to work from home occasionally.

By doing these things, businesses can show their employees that they appreciate the effort they are putting in to maintain a good work-life balance.

Achieving a work-life balance can be difficult, but it’s important for both the employees and the business. By following these tips, businesses can help their employees live healthier and happier life outside of work. These tips also allow businesses to help their employees have a more balanced life and be more productive when they are at work.

Your Business Needs To Stand Out In Order To Succeed

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. When you’re in business, you don’t want your operations to simply blend in with the crowd. You have to think of ways for to stand out. The following contributed post is entitled, Your Business Needs To Stand Out In Order To Succeed.

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Your business needs to stand out from all the others if you want to succeed on the market. There is no way around this as there are so many companies right now that it is always a difficult choice for potential customers. They have to look at a number of different factors to help them decide which route they should go down, and which business they should take a chance on. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the ways that you can make your business stand out and attract more customers. Keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.

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Fantastic Customer Service

First, you are going to need fantastic customer service. There are so many different ways to improve your customer service, starting with the way that your employees talk to your customers. They are people, not inconveniences, and if they have a problem, it is the job of your employees to fix it. We know that sometimes you get people complaining about things that are not your fault, and we know that some people can be rude and aggressive, but your staff need to maintain a professional tone throughout. Having said this, they do not have to deal with abuse, and it is okay to hang up and refuse to help someone who is behaving this way.

To elevate your customer service, you can do things like adding a live chat to your list of contact options, and having a number of languages available. For some people, English isn’t their first language, so they might find it easier to type their query where they can take their time, or speak in their own language.

Excellent Website

A second point that we would like to make is that you need an excellent website. If you notice, a lot of company websites are cookie cutters, meaning that they all look extremely similar. You don’t want this as it makes your business unmemorable which is the very last thing that you want to be. If you need some inspiration, you can look at some beautiful website designs that have been done fantastically and helped to bring in more conversions.

Of course, unless you have experience with website design, then you are going to need to hire a professional to help you. Choose someone who has experience in the field, and who can show you a track record of their work so that you can check they are right for you.

Up To Date Social Media

Have you even thought about social media? Living in the age of technology makes social media an absolute must. You aren’t going to be able to get through business life without utilizing social media for your business. To do this, you need to ensure that it is being updated regularly with enticing, engaging and informative content. This can include using polls to get answers and drive engagement on posts, or it can include using videos, photos and so much more in order to avoid it being boring blocks of text all the time.

Someone should be running the social media accounts, and that should be their job. This is a big job to manage as it has got to be done well, so it might even be wise to hire two people to manage this.

Traditional Marketing

Just because we live in the age of technology, does not mean that traditional marketing is dead, because it absolutely isn’t. There are still plenty of opportunities for this, and it’s still widely practiced because while it might be hard to believe, not everyone is on social media. This can include things like handing out leaflets, using billboards, looking at TV advertisements and so much more.

Speak to your marketing team about traditional marketing methods and which they think will benefit your business the most. Then, get to work implementing them to hopefully bring some more customers to your business! It might seem super simple and too good to be true, but we’re sure that you will see results.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that your business needs to do in order to stand out. This is going to be necessary if you want your business to be a success on the market like we know you do. As such, take the advice above, and we’re sure that you will be able to give your business the boost it needs to stick out sooner rather than later.

Running A Tight Ship Will Get You Everywhere In Business

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Despite what many think, running a business is not all fun and games. There are aspects of it that have to be closely watched. The following contributed post is entitled, Running A Tight Ship Will Get You Everywhere In Business.

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Have you ever heard of the expression ‘running a tight ship’? We’re sure that you have as it is a very common saying, and what it means is that you are managing it well. Things get done when they are supposed to be done, people don’t question you when you tell them to do something and so much more. Running a tight ship will get you everywhere in business, rather than letting everyone loose to do their own thing. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you can do to run a tight ship, so keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.

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Always Know What’s Going On

You should always know what is going on in every area of your business. You should have your fingers in all of the pies so to speak, because if something goes wrong, you need to know where and why. You can only do this if you have an understanding of what has been happening up until this point in some capacity. Who knows, you may even be able to shut down a disaster in the making before it gets this far if you know what’s going on.

This is especially important if you are a fleet owner. You need to know where your vehicles are, what they are doing, and all other important information pertaining to the success of the job.

Random Performance Reviews

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If you want to run a tight ship and ensure that everyone is always going what they should be, you should announce random performance reviews. If nobody knows when they are going to be called in for a review, then they should always be working hard. Studies have shown in the past that if someone feel as though they are constantly being watched, whether they are or not, they are always going to behave as if they are. In this case, it means they will perform better and provide the business results that you need.

Sticking To Your Budget

When you set a budget, you didn’t do this for fun. You did it because your business needs to stick to some kind of budget in order to continue to be viable on the market. As such, your department heads need to be submitting you with what the money has been spent on, and any overspending has to be approved by you prior to ordering. This will help to keep the budget firmly in place.

Hopefully, you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you should be doing to run a tight ship when it comes to your business. It’s important that you know what is going on in your business at all times, and that you are aware of all the things you need to be in order for your business to be a success. We wish you the very best of luck, and hope that you end up seeing success in your business.

Side Hustle Ideas For Creative People

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Many of us ponder starting side hustles that become income generators for us. What are some go ones though? The following contributed post is entitled, Side Hustle Ideas For Creative People.

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Nowadays, everyone has a side hustle they are working on in their spare time. If you have noticed that lots of your friends have extra cash to splash and have developed an entrepreneurial mindset, the chances are they have a side hustle. Using your spare time to earn extra money is a great way to boost your finances. Whether you are trying to pay off debt or saving for a down payment on a house, a side hustle could help you to reach your goal.

While there is no doubt side hustles are an extra way to generate an additional income stream, for many people, a side hustle provides more than just money. Working on a separate project away from a nine-to-five job enables people to focus on their interests and do something that gives them a sense of pride and satisfaction. Creative people can find it particularly hard to work a routine job and need an outlet for their artistry. Creating a side hustle provides the perfect creative outlet and also enables them to earn money at the same time. If you have a strong need to be creative, these side hustle ideas could be perfect for you:

Photographer

If you love to take photographs, taking this a step further could be an ideal side hustle. Working as a photographer could involve several different options. You may decide to take your own photos and then sell them at photography exhibitions. Alternatively, you may want to transform your photographs into artwork for products such as greetings cards, gift wrap, and stationery. Working as a wedding photographer is another option if you have the skills needed to produce professional-standard photographs.

Tattoo Artist

If you are a talented artist and love body art, training to become a tattoo artist could be your dream side hustle. Working as a tattoo artist is something you could fit into your evenings and weekends, as these are the times most people will likely want to book in to get their tattoos. Getting started as a tattoo artist does not happen overnight, so it is essential to be aware of the preparations you need to make before starting this side hustle. You will need to be trained in tattooing techniques, and you will need some equipment to get you started. Your basic kit will need to include items such as ink, needles, tattoo transfer paper, tips, grips, and tubes.

Jewelry Maker

Do you enjoy hands-on crafts and creating beautiful items for friends and family. If so, turning this passion into a side hustle could be a great idea. Jewelry making is an ideal side hustle for anyone passionate about accessories. The great thing about making jewelry is there are so many different styles and materials to work with and plenty of outlets where you can sell your makes.

Balancing a regular job with work in your spare time can be challenging, but who knows, what starts as a side hustle can transform itself into a lucrative full-time career.

5 Exercises To Help You Be More Peaceful

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. In today’s digital and face paced world, an important key is being maintaining your mental health and being peaceful. There are exercises that can help with that. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Exercises To Help You Be More Peaceful.

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Do you feel like you’re constantly on edge? Do you find yourself getting irritated or angry easily? If so, you may want to try some exercises that can help you be more peaceful. There are many different exercises that can help improve your peace of mind, and this blog post will discuss a few of them. You’ll also find some tips on how to get started. So if you’re looking for a way to reduce stress and anxiety, read on!

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#1 Yoga

There’s a reason yoga is so popular – it’s an amazing way to increase peace and relaxation. Yoga combines gentle stretching with deep breathing, and the combination of these two activities can be really beneficial for your mind and body.

If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of yoga classes available online or in your area. Just make sure to choose a class that is appropriate for your level of experience. Also, don’t feel like you have to do a full hour-long class. You can also try doing a few simple yoga poses at home to get started. Here are a few beginner poses to try:

● Child’s pose
● Downward facing dog
● Bridge pose
● Seated forward fold

#2 Meditation

Meditation is another excellent way to improve your peace of mind. In fact, research has shown that meditation can be helpful in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. There are many different types of meditation, so find one that works best for you. If you’re new to meditation, it may be helpful to find a class or workshop in your area.

Or, you can check out some of the many meditation apps available online. Once you’ve learned the basics, try meditating for a few minutes each day. You may want to start with shorter sessions and work your way up to longer ones.

#3 Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a practice that can be helpful in improving your peace of mind. It involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. This can be a difficult practice to master, but with time and patience, it can be really beneficial. There are many different ways to learn mindfulness, and you may want to explore a few different options before settling on one.

#4 Tai Chi

Tai Chi is a martial art that combines deep breathing with slow movement. This combination can be really beneficial for your mental and physical health. TCHI has been shown to improve mood, reduce stress, and improve flexibility. If you’re interested in learning this art, there are many classes available in your area.

#5 Gardening

Although not really considered an exercise, gardening can be a great way to improve your peace of mind. Not only does it provide you with a sense of accomplishment, but it can also be a relaxing activity. Gardening requires patience and focus, and it can be really helpful in reducing stress. If you don’t have a garden of your own, why not try volunteering at a local community garden?

In conclusion, there are many different exercises that can help you be more peaceful. These five are just a few of the options available to you. So if you’re looking for a way to reduce stress and anxiety, give them a try.

Is Your Lifestyle Unhealthy? It Might Not Be Your Fault

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. Our lifestyles have a direct impact on our personal health. There are many circumstances that in our control, while there are others that are not. The following contributed post is entitled, Is Your Lifestyle Unhealthy? It Might Not Be Your Fault.

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We live in a society that assumes that people have perfect control over the healthiness of their lifestyles. It’s up to individuals how much exercise they do and what they put in their mouths.

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Unfortunately, in many cases, that assumption is wrong. People don’t actually have a great deal of control over their health, or their lifestyles.

Consider diesel fume emissions, for instance. Today, there are millions of diesel cars on the roads, belching out filthy fumes that attack the airways and can lead to a variety of conditions, including cancer.

Sure, you could say that people should move to cleaner areas of the country. But is that possible? What would happen if everyone decided to do that? Apart from society collapsing, it would push up the price of rural properties significantly. What’s more, many people wouldn’t be able to do their jobs or find work, and would eventually have to return to the city anyway.

Psychological Warfare

We also live in a society that is engaged in psychological warfare against the individual. So many of the things that major corporations tell us to consume are actually bad for our health. Soft drinks, liquor, fast food, and cigarettes are just the obvious ones, but there are many other potentially hazardous brands on the list. Car companies, for instance, encourage us to be sedentary, allowing us to drive to work while essentially sitting on something that feels like a couch. Cleaning products contain all sorts of untested chemicals which are having untold effects on our bodies.

However, we’re stuck in a culture that tells us that we need all these things if we want to live a normal life. To keep up with the Joneses, we must live like them, too. Not doing so is a form of missing out.

Health Inequality

Of course, there are people in any society who have greater means than others to fight the temptations and put their lives on solid grounds. Individuals and families with more money, for instance, can move to healthier parts of the country with less pollution and more access to fruit and vegetables. Those with more knowledge can educate themselves about the environmental risks that they face and then take steps to mitigate them. And people with health insurance have incentives to live better to keep their premiums low.

Poor individuals, on the other hand, often don’t have the means to adopt behaviors that could improve their health outcomes. As philanthropist and physician, Michael Rashid, points out, less fortunate people often can’t improve their circumstances, even if they try.

The Bottom Line

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Therefore, in summary, your unhealthy lifestyle might not actually be your fault. While you can tinker around at the edges, it is hard to completely change your environment, unless you’re flush with cash. For that reason, most people’s health doesn’t suddenly change unless their environment changes.

The relationship is two-way: both affect the other. While people can take small steps to make themselves healthier, they also need the cooperation of the environment to succeed long-term.

3 Genius Ways To Lower Your Office Energy Costs

Three focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Workplace Discussions. If you’re running a business with a designated office space, you have to be mindful of your energy costs and usage. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Genius Ways To Lower Your Office Energy Costs.

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Typically, your office will have some pretty high energy demands. You use a lot of electricity every single day to do your jobs, not to mention the energy spent on your heating and cooling system. As such, you end up with extortionate energy bills. While you might be able to claim these as a tax expense, it doesn’t stop the fact that you’re spending a lot of money every month, disrupting the cash flow for your business.

Luckily, there are three easy ways you can lower your office energy costs:

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Switch to more energy-efficient appliances

What equipment do you use in your office? Mainly, you will have computers, printers, and other things like this. Well, you can save energy by switching to more energy-efficient versions of these things. Instead of powering up big computers and monitors every single day, use laptops. They won’t need to be plugged into a power source the whole time, reducing the amount of electricity that you use. Instead of a standard coffee machine that’s plugged into the wall, get something like a filter coffee maker that doesn’t have such high energy demands. Little changes like this will make a massive difference.

Upgrade the roof

A lot of heat gets lost through the roof of your office, meaning winter energy bills can go through the roof (no pun intended). Therefore, you can fix the situation with a roofing upgrade. Install a better quality roof with better insulative properties. If your roof is already pretty good, you may only need a little bit of commercial roof repair to ensure that it retains as much heat as possible. For a more extravagant idea, adding solar panels to your roof will help you subsidize your electricity bill with free energy.

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Spend less time in the office

This is the best tip as it can drastically reduce your office energy demands. Since March 2020, we’ve all become aware that working from home really isn’t that bad. As a result, your business may want to consider implementing a day or two per week where people can work from home. This is a genius idea as it actually provides two advantages. Let’s say people work from home on Friday or Monday, it makes them feel like they’re having an extra day off work every week. Yes, they are still working hard, but they don’t have to get up as early, they can feel more relaxed, and there’s no afternoon commute through traffic to get home. Obviously, from an energy-saving perspective, if your office is empty for a day or two every week, you are using way less energy throughout the month. This translates to a lower energy bill that’s easier for your business to manage.

There you have it; three genius ways to lower your office energy bills without making major sacrifices. All of these ideas are super simple for a business to implement. You can choose to implement only one idea, but combining them together will give you the best results.

What Are The Common Causes Of Equipment Failure?

Two focuses of my blog are Technology and Workplace Discussions. If you’re running a business or workplace that utilizes equipment of any kind, the upkeep of that equipment should be of your utmost concern. The following contributed post is entitled, What Are The Common Causes Of Equipment Failure?

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Machine or equipment failures are very common. However, high repair costs, health and safety concerns, and poor service delivery can harm your business. The world’s biggest manufacturing firms lose almost $1 trillion annually due to machine failures! As a business owner, you should expect your equipment to break down from time to time. But you can prevent the frequency by understanding the factors that cause your machines to reduce their efficiency. Here are three common causes of equipment failure you should know.

1. Lack of technical know-how

Several people come around your equipment regularly whose actions could have a huge impact on its performance. Machine operators are usually the ones to operate machines the most. When they are properly trained, these operators can understand operation procedures, conduct basic trouble to solve any minor malfunction, and know the health and safety practices to adopt when operating machines.

On the other hand, an operator that has not been rigorously trained and doesn’t fully understand why or how a machine works is likely to cause significant damage to it. You must organize regular training sessions for operators to always prepare for unexpected or new issues. At the very least, they would be able to identify issues that are beyond their skills and report them. As a business owner, you must never permit an operator to use a machine they are not qualified to run.

2. Poor maintenance

Poor maintenance is one of the leading causes of equipment failure. Most machines need regular maintenance to ensure that it performs at their optimum. However, most businesses fail to conduct regular maintenance checks, especially when things seem to be running fine, and they assume that operators would bring up any potential issues. Unfortunately, that’s not the way to go. It isn’t easy to spot early signs of dwindling performance and efficiency. Regular maintenance helps you track your machine’s performance making it easier to identify subtle changes.

As a business owner, preventative maintenance is your best approach to ensuring that your machines don’t fail. It reduces your downtown by up to 75%. Regular tune-ups will extend your machine’s lifespan. You must also train your operators to identify the standard components for mechanical parts that need replacements.

3. Overworking your machines

When you purchase your equipment, you want to get the most out of its functions. That means you have to run them at their peak performance level. However, overworking your machines can cause them to break down much earlier than they should. Setting its performance at the highest all the time can put a massive strain on its components. Instead, ensure that you and the other machine operators understand how your machine works and how to set its performance based on the type of job it has to do.

Although extremely useful, machines can be very unpredictable. Therefore, it is important to familiarize yourself with some of the potential causes of their breakdown and identify ways to reduce such occurrences, so that your business doesn’t suffer.