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Happy Easter!

Irin L — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 09:23:58 +0000

The 4shared team wishes you a Happy Easter Weekend!

4shared Recognized as the Top Cloud Storage by HostingAdvice

Irin L — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 17:01:37 +0000

In their talk with the CTO of 4shared, the HostingAdvice team members discuss the company’s history, the key 4shared benefits and what the future of cloud storage will be like.

For almost two decades of the history of 4shared, hundreds of millions of users have enjoyed utilizing our cloud storage, file sharing & media streaming features. Well, just recently our accomplishments have been also recognized by one of the leading media outlets covering the global tech news and innovations – HostingAdvice.com.

In their article, the HostingAdvice team explores the key 4shared products & features, and discusses the present & future of the world’s cloud storage market with our company’s CTO.

Check out the article via this link and share your thoughts regarding it in comments.

Happy Winter Holidays!

Irin L — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 10:17:53 +0000

The 4shared team wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[INFOGRAPHIC] 4shared: 2023 in Review

Irin L — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 10:54:36 +0000

2023 is coming to its end…
Let’s recall what we’ve achieved together this year – in the “4shared: 2023 in Review” infographic!

Happy Winter Holidays!

[INFOGRAPHIC] 4shared: 2022 in Review

Irin L — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 10:25:38 +0000

Another year is quickly coming to its end…
Let’s recall what we’ve achieved together in 2022 – in the special “4shared: 2022 in Review” year recap!

Easter Greetings from 4shared!

Irin L — Sun, 17 Apr 2022 07:14:17 +0000

The 4shared team wishes you all a Happy Easter!

[INFOGRAPHIC] 4shared: 2021 in Review

Irin L — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 12:22:15 +0000

2021 has been an exceptional year at 4shared!
Now that the year is approaching its end, it’s time for a quick 12-months recap!

Try out Improved Camera Upload Features in 4shared for Android

Irin L — Tue, 25 May 2021 06:02:55 +0000

Just recently we’ve enhanced the “Camera Upload” functionality in
your 4shared app for Android devices!

Aiming to make your 4shared experience on Android even better, we’ve upgraded the “Camera Upload” feature in our mobile app to streamline the backup of photos and videos from your device camera in your secure cloud storage at 4shared.

While the upload process has become even smoother now, we’ve also added a convenient sorting option by months to enable the faster and easier media search in your 4shared account.

Try out the upgrade today – install the latest version of 4shared for Android from Google Play!

Unlock new live music streaming features in 4shared for Android

Irin L — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 08:42:24 +0000

The past months have been a wild ride!
We’ve been working day and night to develop the new cutting-edge functionality in 4shared apps, and now it’s time we introduce the latest novelties in 4shared for Android!

Long story short, we’ve recently launched a brand-new feature for 4shared users on Android – “Live streaming.”

Not only does it enable users to stream live music shows by 4shared users near you, or currently popular in your country, but start your own live stream any time, in a matter of a few clicks.

Variety of live music streams for your selection

The “Music” tab in your 4shared for Android app now has a new section called “Live”, where you can select a currently live music show for instant listening on your device.

Choose a livestream based on your location and/or music preferences, and simply click on it to start listening. In addition, follow your favorite artists to keep up with their updates and check out the new Lives just as they’re launched.

Share your music vibe by creating your own Live

Starting your own Live is super-easy.

To do that:

1. Tap an audio file in your 4shared account.

Note! Only music files, stored at 4shared (not locally on device) are available for streaming in a live.

2. Tap “Start Live.”
3. Name your livestream and tap “Start Live Now.” That’s it.

Try out the new feature in your 4shared app today – download the updated 4shared for Android from Google Play!

[INFOGRAPHIC] 4shared: 2020 in Review

Irin L — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 10:54:22 +0000

This year has been anything but ordinary!
Now that 2020 is coming to its end, let’s look back at what we’ve accomplished together over the past 12 months.

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Rip It Apart!

Jo Miller, GPC — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 14:28:54 +0000

5 Steps to Start Your Grant Application

The grant opportunity has been announced. You have prepared for this! You have a project plan, you have partners lined up, you have all of your registrations and policies and procedures in place – you are grant ready. What is your next step in the grant application process? We all have our own rituals and processes to get started on the first draft of the grant application. Here is what has worked for me on my federal grants.

Read & Rip

Read! Download and read everything you can – ALL of the guidelines, regulations, general sections, NOFA/RFP, addendums, and anything else the funder mentions within the announcement and their website.
Read! Read it all, again!
Rip it apart! I go header-by-header, bullet point by bullet point and create an application outline.
Score it! I create a scoring matrix. The matrix allows us, and our reviewers, to score the full application before we submit it.
File it! I create shared draft folders and final version folders. The final folders are shared with a select few.

Once the grant opportunity is announced, you usually have between 30 to 45 days to complete your application. Grants are highly competitive. Take the time you need to create your grant application framework, it will serve you well throughout the chaos of grant application development through the day you submit your grant.

Are you looking for grant technical services or grant training? We are here to help you! Contact us at support@smartegrants.com or visit smartegrants.com for more information.

Why Grant Makers Want Mobile-Friendly Sites

Jo Miller, GPC — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 00:45:20 +0000

Why Grant Makers Want You to Have a Mobile-Friendly Website

Why would your funders care if your website is a mobile-friendly site? For that matter, what is a mobile-friendly website?

Responsive design websites are mobile-friendly, in other words, they adapt to all screen sizes, no matter what type of the device the user uses to access the website. In 2015, Google announced that more searches are done on mobile devices than on desktops. Health, social services and other grant funded programs provide users with access to information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through effective websites. How clients, clinics and policy makers access information has changed and continues to change.

How are Your Constituents Connecting to You and What They Need?

The Pew Research Center Mobile Messaging and Social Media 2015 gives us some clear numbers and significant trends (and grant makers are listening) :

Percent of google searches using a mobile device is now (2015) greater than the number of searches on desktop (Source: Google)
80% of internet users have a smartphone and 47% use a tablet to search the internet.
19% of Americans rely to some degree on a smartphone for accessing online services and information and for staying connected to the world around them — either because they lack broadband at home, or because they have few options for online access other than their cell phone. (Source: Pew Research Center 2015)
40% use their smartphone to look up government services
62% use their smartphone to get information about a health condition

Who is Smartphone Dependent? (Hint: it may surprise you)

Target demographics, populations most likely to need programs funded through grants, rely on smartphones for online access at elevated levels.

Younger adults (more likely to have young children) — 15% of Americans ages 18-29 are heavily dependent on a smartphone for online access.
Those with low household incomes and levels of educational attainment — Some 13% of Americans with an annual household income of less than $30,000 per year are smartphone-dependent. Just 1% of Americans from households earning more than $75,000 per year rely on their smartphones to a similar degree for online access.
Non-whites — 12% of African Americans and 13% of Latinos are smartphone-dependent, compared with 4% of whites
Smartphone-dependent users are less likely to own some other type of computing device, less likely to have a bank account, less likely to be covered by health insurance, and more likely to rent or to live with a friend or family member rather than own their own home than smartphone owners who are less reliant on their mobile devices
67% use their phone to share pictures, videos, or commentary about events happening in their community, with 35% doing so frequently.
56% use their phone at least occasionally to learn about community events or activities, with 18% doing this “frequently.”

Best Practices

If you haven’t already, take a moment to visit your organization’s website using a smartphone and a tablet. Is your website easy to access? Is the content targeted to serving your clients and partners easy to use and intuitive? Do you follow these public service website best practices:

Up-to-date Content Strategy – Defines topics, themes, and purpose of website content including user experience, search engine optimization (SEO), and website governance.

Contact Information – put contact information on every page

Dynamic Subpages – sub-pages are low maintenance and provide a general overview of a section to give the user a brief one-sentence description of what is on a page before viewing it.

Formatting – Content that is easy to find, scan or read ensures citizens/constituents get to the information they need and return to the website when they need more information. Clear formatting includes:

Subheaders

Lists – use numbered, alphabetized and or bulleted lists

Consistent – Place images, contact information, FAQs, resource lists, event links, etc. in the same place on each page.

Images- When possible, use images from the program and area or images with text and logos about the program. Stock images or clip art tend to be ignored.

Page Length – Shorter pages are better. Reduce the need to scroll to obtain key information.

Time Sensitive Information – Calendars, Emergency Alerts, News, Applications, Community Events, Meeting Minutes, Hearings, Policy Proposals, etc. should be easily updated by staff and readily accessed by constituents.

How does your website stack up? How does your local government’s website look on a mobile device? Do you know of organizations that are doing responsive websites right? Please share your links and thoughts in the comments below.

Grant Ready Organization

Jo Miller, GPC — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 20:05:18 +0000

EXCITING NEWS!

Our training section, Smartegrants, has partnered up with Udemy to help you get your organization on ‘board’ with grant readiness. We’ve developed an infographic to help guide you on your path to being a Grant Ready Organization. Smartegrants is our training and coaching arm. Our mission at Smartegrants is to cultivate leaders in the world of grants.

Grant Readiness is an essential part of grants. So, it is a topic we come back to time and again. In fact, we have a few other Grant Readiness posts here and here and here and a grant readiness assessment here.

KEYS TO COMPETE!

Grants are highly competitive. As with any competition, preparing to succeed is the first step toward success! We built checklists and ‘board games’ to help you be a WINNER in the grants game.

GRANT READY, SET, GRO!

A Grant Ready Organization (GRO) is an organization that is prepared to apply for grant opportunities. GROs have all of their records, registrations and audits in place, accessible, and up-to-date. GROs have engaged and gained support from leadership, policy-makers, and stakeholders. GROs align their mission, vision, and capacity with their understanding of community needs to build the foundation of their grant seeking strategy.

SET PHASERS TO GRO!

There are 3 phases to becoming a Grant Ready Organization.

Phase One: Type of Eligible Organization – determine if your organization is eligible to apply for grants.

Phase Two: Key Elements for Grant Readiness – accomplish the key elements to becoming a Grant Ready Organization that are common for all grant eligible organizations, including government agencies, nonprofits, grassroots organizations, and businesses. Use the Key Elements to Grant Readiness Checklist to identify the common element for grant readiness.

Phase Three: Grant Readiness by Type of Grant – follow the path to grant readiness specific to each type of grant source, the potential grant maker, and the grant application.

Now, find the GRO game board(s) designed for the type of grant funding you want to win and follow the path to prepare for grant competition success.

START AND PLAY AGAIN

The path to grant readiness doesn’t stop when you submit a grant. Grant readiness is a constant activity within every grant seeking organization. If you are not back on the ‘grant ready game board’ reviewing your checklist, taking steps to build relationships, understand evolving funding policies, building social media connections and so much more, then you are on the path to being unready. Get on the board, stay on the board, compete and win!

WANT HELP?

Does your agency or do your clients need help to become a Grant Ready Organization? Smartegrants is here to help you with tools, tips, and training. We’re gifting Smartegrants’ Grant Ready Organization package (valued at $390) to the first 5 organizations. Sign up here to get a free preliminary session for Grant Readiness and reserve your spot!

8 Steps to the DATA Act

Jo Miller, GPC — Thu, 28 May 2015 17:56:19 +0000

8 Steps to Implementing the DATA Act

The DATA Act aims at making federal spending data accessible, searchable, and reliable. The DATA Act isn’t just about federal reform, it also provides an opportunity to have open, public dialogue on how federal dollars are spent. This information will serve as a tool to inform management decision-making, improve oversight, and give key insights that can lead to innovation both inside and outside of the government.

Progress for the DATA Act

Recently, on the OMB blog, the Fiscal Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Dave Lebryk and OMB Controller Dave Mader announced the roll out of 57 Data Standards. OMB and Treasury have received and continue to seek input and feedback from partners in Congress, industry stakeholders, federal agencies, and taxpayers through their public GitHub collaboration space, 15 final data standards currently available will be used by all agencies for all federal spending data posted on USAspending.gov. The USASpending.gov website is a publicly accessible, searchable website mandated by the Federal Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (DATA Act) that offers the public access to information on how their tax dollars are spent.

DATA Act Playbook

OMB also issued guidance to agencies on Increasing Transparency of Federal Spending by Making Federal Spending Data Accessible, Searchable, and Reliable. And to assist agencies with implementation, Treasury created a DATA Act Playbook with 8 Steps to Implementing the DATA Act (infographic) that, if followed together, will help agencies leverage existing capabilities to drive implementation of the DATA Act.

Organize Your Team
Review Elements
Inventory Data
Design & Strategize
Implement an Executive Broker
Test Broker
Submit Data

They also announced that they have launched a repository for common data elements and a new section of Grants.gov with information about the grants life-cycle, which will test how data standards can translate to actual time saved in reporting and how to put all information about Federal grants in one place.

For more information about our efforts under the DATA Act and how the public can participate, please visit USAspending HERE.

Please share our smartegrants.com infographic and use the hashtags #Grantchat and #Grantgear

What Your Competitors Do With A Denied Grant Application

Jo Miller, GPC — Wed, 20 May 2015 15:10:47 +0000

WHAT YOUR COMPETITORS DO WITH THEIR DENIED GRANT APPLICATION

You’ve just received word that your grant application has been denied. After long hours dedicated to strategy, budgets, narratives, charts, tables, partners, and more, receiving a grant denial may leave you feeling like you never, ever, ever want to apply for another grant – ever – again. You may want to forget about your ideas, your project and your hopes. But that isn’t what your competitors are going to do!

What are your competitors going to do with their denial? They are going to seize it for all its worth! They are going to see this denial not as a failure but as a stepping stone to success. Your competitors are going to take these steps to move forward in their grant seeking success:

First Step – Your Competitors Contact the Grant Maker

1) Show Gratitude

They are thanking the grant making organization, the reviewer and the decision makers for investing their time in reviewing the denied proposal.
They are genuine and proactive in letting the grant maker know that they understand how competitive the grant process is and what a difficult task it is to distribute limited funds when the community needs are so great.
They congratulate the winners. If the funder posts the awards on social media, the denied applicant is a good sport. They follow congratulate and follow the grantees on social networks.
- More on gratitude and ‘grantitude’ here, here and here.

2) Ask for Feedback

They tell the grant maker that they are seeking feedback on their denied application and project design to identify weakness and strengths.
They do not to accept ‘we just didn’t have enough money’ as a complete answer. Although that statement might be true, they know someone was funded and those funded organizations did something different that got the funder’s attention and their money.
They ask the grant maker if there are comments from the reviewers that can be shared. If the grant is scored, as with federal grants, they ask for a step-by-step score. Your competitors ask what they could do to make their denied application stronger for other grant makers and or for this grant maker’s next round of funding. (NOTE: A grant application review is helpful for both denied applications and approved applications.)

Second Step – Your Competitors Contact Partners and Decision Makers

1) Show Gratitude

They are thanking the partners, policy-makers, and all of the good people who invested their time and energy – and their hopes – into the grant application for their contributions and support.

2) Get Real

They are genuine and proactive in letting the partners, policy-makers, decision-makers, and others know that they didn’t receive funding.
They are transparent with the feedback received from the grant-making agency about the reason(s) for denial.

3) Make the Plan, Work the Plan.

They contact the applicants that received the award to get feedback on how to best present their ideas to the grant maker and to get any other insights on securing funding.
They put the grant-makers and the grant awardees feedback and suggestions into action by engaging policy-makers, partners and community to address any weaknesses in project design.
They start new grant drafts, identify other grant opportunities and they apply and reapply – armed, each time, with a stronger application.

So, what do your competitors do with a grant that is denied – they build it into a great success!

What suggestions do you have for handling a grant denial? How have grant makers responded to your requests for feedback on a grant application that has been denied? Please share your comments, tips, and links to blog posts on handling a grant denial in our comment section below. You can also share comments and tips using the hashtag #grantchat on most social media platforms.

How to Thank a Funder on Social Media

Jo Miller, GPC — Fri, 15 May 2015 18:20:00 +0000

Thank a Funder on Social Media

Grant stewardship is all about establishing and maintaining relationships. Grant makers, including government agencies, foundations and corporations, have Facebook pages and Twitter handles to provide more information about their mission, accomplishments, grantees and investments. As a grantee or potential grantee, you have an opportunity to support grant makers in their mission. One way to support a grant maker is by showing your gratitude (or ‘Grantitude’™ ).

Should I thank a funder on social media if they are not on social media? The quick answer – yes. First, check to see if your funder or potential grant maker is on social media. If they are, you will want to follow that funder on social media where they have any kind of presence. Second, posting on platforms and networks with a link to the funder’s website can work in place of tagging their social media handle. Two keys to success when using social media to engage and thank a funder:

1) Connect – Follow and interact where they are, and

2) Communicate – Ask them about parameters in mentioning them on social media and provide them with an alert that they will be mentioned before you post something.

Some ways you can thank a funder on social media and show Grantitude:

YouTube

Express your gratitude to a funder when you receive a grant award and include information on the grant goals and where viewers can find more information about the funded project, whether they are a potential/existing funder or a potential/existing program participant.

Facebook

Take pictures of your program or your staff holding a “Thank YOU!‘ sign and post your award announcement on Facebook. Be sure to tag the funder, if they have a Facebook or other social media account.

You can link your pictures and or video to your LinkedIn page or post it your announcement on an appropriate LinkedIn group page. Is your funder on LinkedIn? If so, be sure to tag them in your post.

Website

You may want to create a ‘gratitude’ tab or page on your website. I know I love hearing about positive events, progress, community do-gooders, innovations and any sort of positive announcements and stories. How about creating a place on your website where you share positive stories about your organization, your programs, and your network? When you post a link to your appreciation video or a grant award announcement be sure to include a link to the funder’s site and send a quick note to the program officer guiding them to your post.

Instagram

Posting pictures of your staff celebrating a grant award and pictures of your program activities keep your network informed.

Post an infographic on your program or organization’s impact and show your funders’ names as part of the investment in your impact. You can ‘made possible through grants from [funder name], add their icon’s and links to the funders websites (with permission, of course) at the bottom of your infographic.

Do you use social media to thank a grant funder? Do you know an organization who has shown their funder gratitude in an innovative way on social media?

If so, please share a link in the comments or share it with us on social media using the hashtag #grantchat.

Are you looking for training on Grants and Social Media? We offer training through our Smartegrants.com website. Check out our offerings on social media and grants. We also cover this topic on our GrantChat.org site and in our chats. For a list of upcoming chats, read our posts or review our chat archives on grants and social media, go to grantchat.org

2021 Is An Employee’s Market Place

Jeff Nixon — Thu, 20 May 2021 15:00:53 +0000

Employees Market Place For 2021

If you are an employer looking to hire in this “new normal” marketplace there are some key things you need to consider. Today can certainly be labeled an employee’s marketplace. With the country opening up more after last year’s lockdown, it’s crucial to have a plan going forward if you want to attract the best talent. According to Insurance Journal,

As for hiring expectations, 56 percent of insurers surveyed in January 2021 said they expect to increase staffing levels over the next 12 months, and two-thirds expect revenue growth

Let’s look at what employers need to do to hire top talent in today’s employment market place.

Realize it’s an employee’s market for top talent

It is important to understand that potential employees hold the cards in today’s employment market. When you find the right talent, they will be in high demand. Counter offers from a candidate’s current employer are something that materializes often in this kind of environment. So be prepared for counter offers. Having a plan ahead of time will help you keep a candidate’s interest in your position more easily.

Offer a salary above average

If you want to be competitive as an employer, paying above average is to be expected. It’s much more expensive to keep looking to fill a current opening or potentially have the perfect candidate in your company’s hiring process who then gets lured away by a better offer from a competitor than it is to offer a competitive salary initially. So be prepared to offer above the average.

Speed up the interview process

Compare the employment market to the current housing market. When you find the person you want, you need to move quickly. Have a plan for quick communication among the people in your firm who have a hand in making the final hiring decision.

Retain current employees

Thinking about creating a culture where employees can learn and thrive will help the future of your business.

Cio.com said:

The costs of employee turnover are increasingly high — as much as 2.5 times an employee’s salary depending on the role. And there are other “soft costs”: lowered productivity, decreased engagement, training costs and cultural impact.

Investing in your current employees will help retain them. And promoting within your company is an obvious advantage in this kind of market. It makes better sense to keep your current employees happy and productive.

Flexibility on partial remote working

Because working from home last year was the norm, many employees have become accustomed to remote working and it is at the top of many employees’ wish list.

Monster.com stated:

In case you were wondering if remote work was a passing pandemic fad, consider that the top keyword search from candidates on Monster over the last few months continues to be “work from home.”

Being able to compromise on this front can give you an edge over other competing businesses who are looking to hire.

In conclusion, during an employee’s market, it is important to consider how to streamline your process to insure you win the bid for the top talent on the market. Considering these tips will help you be competitive in this employee market. Because we deal with these details daily, call Jeff Nixon to help you find and retain top talent.

The post 2021 Is An Employee’s Market Place appeared first on JL Nixon Consulting.

Pros and Cons in a Gig Economy

Jeff Nixon — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 15:42:51 +0000

Consider the pros and cons in a gig economy in 2021

The gig economy has been rapidly growing since the 2008 financial crises. According to IE University, “It’s predicted that by 2021, these gig jobs will actually outnumber traditional nine-to-five, office-based jobs. And by 2027, up to 60% of the workforce will consist of freelance professionals.” It is now 2021 and the pandemic has highlighted the benefits of working at home to many 9-5ers. Traditional employees on salary are now enjoying the benefits and freedom that working at home provides. In an article on Forbes, it states,

“Given that the pandemic has forced many offices and schools to close their physical doors, working parents have been forced to become both remote employees and homeschool teachers during the day. Without the option of having someone watch their children, many parents… have had to leave their 9-5 jobs to care for their families and have taken on gig jobs…How this trend could impact full-time work remains to be seen, but traditional employers may need to adapt and offer increased flexibility to full-time employees who have become accustomed to more flexible gig work arrangements during the pandemic.”

While some say the gig economy has increased in size and competition, others believe the gig economy has suffered. An article by fortunly.com states, “According to survey data published by Statista, 52% of gig economy workers lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic, while 26% of workers saw their working hours reduced.” The article goes on to say, “More than one-third of US workers (36%) participate in the gig economy, either through their primary or secondary jobs.” And gaging the extent of the gig size in the economy is difficult because organizing all the jobs that fit into the description is very broad. According to an article put out by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “You may have heard a lot of buzz about growth in the gig economy. But government data sources have difficulty counting how many gig workers there are.” And the article goes one to say, “Gig workers are spread among diverse occupation groups and are not easily identified in surveys of employment and earnings. But they are similar in the way they earn money.” Let’s look at some pros and cons of the gig economy in 2021.

Pros

For Employers: Increased Choice and Reduced Cost

Referring back to the article from IE University, it goes on to say, “For employers, the trend towards a gig economy also has a lot of substantial benefits—mainly increased choice and reduced costs. As platforms became more sophisticated and supply and demand better connected, businesses were able to find the best people for their jobs, regardless of where they were in the world. What’s more, they were able to hire people just for the job they needed. They didn’t have to hire people and pay them when they weren’t working, resulting in unnecessary expenses.”

Explore A Passion

“Being a gig worker allows you to explore a passion and see if it’s something more than a passing fancy, without losing your primary source of income.” –Flexjobs.com For someone who is considering leaving their career field, or is experiencing burnout, the gig economy is a great option.

Flexibility

The flexibility of having a freelance job, or project-based contract is attractive to a lot of people. Not only do you choose when you work, but what you work on, and for how long. You can choose where you want to work too, whether it be in a specific city or remote. The options are pretty much limitless as more and more jobs are being moved to online and global.

Cons

Lack of benefits

“Once you’re in business for yourself, you’re in business for yourself. And that means it’s up to you to provide the benefits. Yes, you can choose when you work and when you don’t work, but the reality is, you don’t get paid if you don’t work. And, as a gig worker, you likely won’t have health insurance or other benefits, either.” –Flexjobs.com

Lack of Consistency

Whether you are looking for a consistent income or work hours, you might not be able to achieve that consistency. “Landing enough work to provide a stable income from gigs alone isn’t always easy, or even possible. As a result, many gig workers find gigs adequate for part-time work but not a full-time career. Workers may struggle with looking for jobs, not knowing what—if anything—will come next. “Sometimes you’re not making any money because you’re not getting any work,” says Baseman. “That part’s not really in your control.” And even after you complete a gig, you may face periods of no income if there are delays in getting paid.” – U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Competition

“Although demand for gig workers has accelerated since the start of the pandemic, competition for gig jobs has also increased. Workers who participate in the gig economy as their sole source of income must now compete with one another, as well as previously full-time employees who have been forced into gig work. Additionally, as more and more Americans turn to the gig economy, workers face challenges in securing the benefits they once enjoyed. While this may be a cost advantage for some businesses that rely on gig talent, workers themselves will have to strengthen their personal brand and expand their skill set to secure the most viable opportunities.”-Forbes

In conclusion, the gig economy is here to stay, and we are likely looking at its increase in our economy. While it isn’t for everyone, it certainly is a competitive option for many different people for a variety of reasons. If you’re entertaining the idea to join in on the gig economy, make sure to weigh the advantages to the challenges. Call to discuss your options with Jeff at JL Nixon Consulting.

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Human to Human Customer Service

Jeff Nixon — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 21:35:28 +0000

We know that technology is here to stay and is constantly evolving. The outreach potential for businesses on social platforms is essentially limitless. Online automated services like direct marketing calls, filing for claims, and even establishing new policies are all available. And that is a huge win for businesses because production rates increase dramatically. But is it a big win for all your customers?

Some people love that they can do everything through websites and can even chat with a bot if they run into a problem without ever having to talk to an actual human. But each of your customers has a different preference. If a customer would rather speak to a person, even locating a phone number to call to reach the businesses seems impossible. Some organizations are doing away with call centers for their customer service entirely and moving it to chats or automation. A key question remains. Are all customer preferences being met? Are companies willing to accept the loss of profits and customers who desire person to person communication?

Direct Human Interaction Has Big Benefits

Michele McGovern with Customer Experience Insight feels that direct human interaction has advantages. Her article mentions that care is what matters most. A customers main concern is knowing their needs are cared for. And “cared for” goes beyond services being rendered. The customer experience that resonates (in a good way) is the one that feels like the business they choose cares about them and their concerns. Michele’s article goes on to mention other key reasons which direct human interactions are important.

– advocate for customers by anticipating and acting on needs

– reassure customers about their choices

– recognize and resolve confusing or complex situations, and

– create relationships.

Customers Value In-person Service

As technology progresses quickly, it is tempting to jump on all the new advancements in order to stay current and be competitive. But aside from tech, what more and more corporations are now realizing is that convenience for the consumer is a key component to overall success. Morgan Meyer with Kibo Commerce stated:

“The danger is that a patchwork of technologies can deliver an inconsistent series of interactions for shoppers, creating experiences that are memorable for the wrong reasons. And consumers still value live, in-person service; 83% of consumers said interacting with real people will only become more important as technology improves, PwC found.”

Offer Customers Convenient Service Experiences

The use of customer satisfaction surveys and product reviews are gaining enormous traction in the marketplace. Many customers spend lengthy times reading reviews on companies and products prior to making a final purchasing decision. More and more companies are recognizing the value of the customer experience.

Therefore, it is important for businesses to evaluate their method of communication, and the effectiveness of the message based on the client’s preference. A balanced approach between personal connection and streamlined automation can equate to greater profits. Ameyo.com suggests:

Customers today are beginning to feel that brands just don’t care about them anymore.

According to Kampyle, 87% of customers think brands need to put more effort into providing a more consistent experience. This is why customer service teams should focus on delivering a good overall customer service experience. Here are some innovative ideas to improve customer service experience:

Know Your Customer and How to Solve Their Problem
Foster a Customer-Centric Culture
Assign One Customer Service Representative to a Single Customer / Account

In conclusion, there are real benefits for in-person service. Direct human service is still valued by most consumers. And there are a lot of ways to offer a great service experience. As we keep advancing our businesses with newer and newer technology, we need to be cautious about losing one of the most powerful tools we have – our ability to care. And that is one thing that cannot be coded into a chatbot or AI.

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Is Customer Preference Still Important

Jeff Nixon — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 19:20:50 +0000

Is meeting the customers preferences important?

In an era with unlimited communication at our fingertips, the number of people that businesses can reach has never been higher and this is true of the insurance sector. Over the last decade the use of virtual assistants has become roaringly popular in business.

As stated by ProProfs Chat: It was estimated that by 2020, 85% of customer service interactions will be automated. What’s more, over 60% of US consumers prefer an automated self-service such as a website or mobile app for simple customer service tasks.

How do we strike a balance for customers service

In fact, it’s hard to find a national business that has actual humans answering the phones, or the call is answered by a call center overseas. But could we be sacrificing portions of our market in the name of “efficiency”? Are we losing personal interactions and customer satisfaction to maximize business reach? Is there a way to strike a balance between mass communication and customer preferences when it comes to how we communicate?

When automated services, chat bots, and robots started gaining traction, the potential for business applications became apparent. The way technology develops directly affects how we communicate with one another. As an example, today, there are several ways to communicate. We can call each other on multiple devices, through various apps, just voice or with video, we can simply text, email, or direct message. With all these options available at our fingertips, what still emerges and should be considered is consumer preference. Personality, age, and gender may all play a factor in how an individual chooses to communicate with businesses. The question that businesses and the insurance industry as our focus need to consider is “does customer communication preference matter?”

Customer Service Influences Reviews

At the heart of every business, including in the insurance industry, lies the purpose for their existence: service to the customer. For example, before Google and Yelp, reviews were based on local reputations built on personal interactions. And the most successful local businesses knew that a personal touch and connection is something to invest in and protect. Then as businesses began to grow and spread all throughout the country, reputations were still very important to maintain. However, is the personal touch as relevant and important today? Do people still want to have that regular, personal business feel that revolves around relationships? Is there a way to accommodate customer preference as to how they wish to be communicated with?

Michele McGovern with Customer Experience Insight stated:

Customers like to chat with you and your chatbots, but what do they like more?

Hands down, they want to talk to a person more than they want to deal with any form of artificial intelligence (AI), according to a new study from STARTEK.

I do believe there are ways to address the various customer preferences for contact and communication and still enhance your business. Next month, we will look at some of those ways. In the meantime, you may want to consider what preferences fit your customer’s tastes and desires. Call Jeff Nixon to discuss your ideas in more detail.

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Details Differentiate

Jeff Nixon — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 21:36:14 +0000

Communicate with the Audience in Mind

To prepare for a meeting with a client or an interview for that perfect next job, we spend a lot of time and resources on first impressions, interview prep, and even the outfit we choose to wear. But we don’t pay attention to much after that. However, what follows after first impressions, interviews, or outfit choice matters just as much. Details often escape our priorities when we feel like we checked some of the most important boxes already, such as having a fantastic interview. However, it’s important to spend time thinking through and organizing your game plan following that great 1^st impression down to the last detail. Let’s look at a couple of ideas to consider. Let your professional communication reflect well on you.

Always communicate with the audience in mind

It’s easy to get stuck in a “getting things ticked-off my to-do list’ mindset, especially, when it comes after a long day. Correspondence like follow-up emails, thank you notes, and texts are easy to mindlessly crank out. But they are vastly important because even the shortest note reflects on your professionalism. As explained on www.Magoosh.com in Know Your Audience Before You Write,

“If you do not address a certain audience appropriately, you could lose their respect, attention, and interest before they’ve gotten through your first paragraph!”

When you write a note with the audience in mind, consider things like being respectful, including enough details to make sense to the person you are writing, and proofreading. And although that doesn’t sound like much, if you pay attention to the small things it makes you stand out. Since the recipient doesn’t really know you or your ideas, be sure that you communicate to them with that in mind.

Dot your i’s and cross your t’s

It sounds so simple it’s almost silly to write, but poor grammar and poor communication are very common in the business world. When you are looking to hire someone or wanting to be hired, every communication however small is reflective upon you. The smallest conversations at the beginning are demonstrating your professional standard. So don’t just write bullet-point emails, thank you notes, or follow-up emails. Make your ideas clearly understood. And make sure you proofread.

Cultivate your professionalism by thinking about others

If you really want to stand out, think about taking the extra steps to help others and make their job easier. For example, when sending a document, be sure that you title the document so Human Resources can easily identify who or what the document references. For example, don’t just title the document “Resume”, but instead use your name as the title of a document for example, That way Human Resources personnel, who receive many documents daily, don’t have to open the document to discover who or what it’s referring to. Giving this small detail the forethought will help HR think more favorably towards you. It’s a small way to begin a business relationship that identifies you as thoughtful and organized. If you incorporate this way of thinking into all your exchanges, you are sure to make a good impression.

In conclusion, details matter. They are the icing on the cake when it comes presenting yourself for a job or as a representative of the company who a client will want to work with. Showing others that your professionalism extends to the smallest of considerations sets you apart. Making details apart of your plan will up your game. Don’t forget to let your professional communication reflect well on you Let Jeff Nixon assist you by discussing these details in a phone call.

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Creative Holiday Ideas for Unprecedented Times

Jeff Nixon — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 17:15:11 +0000

We can create special traditions for the Holidays 2020

This year has been unprecedented in many ways, but as it comes to a close, this Holiday season’s restrictions are wringing the hearts of many families all over the world. Certain family traditions are being ignored as people worldwide try to limit contact with others, and many live with worry over COVID-19. Depending on where you live, local restrictions can look quite different. Some are saddled with rigorous quarantine limits; others are living nearly normally with masks and social distancing requirements. Yet the good news is that adversity breeds creativity. While this Holiday season will hopefully never have a comparable one, we can still create special traditions for this unparalleled time in history. Here are some fun ideas for the Holidays 2020:

Go pick out a tree from a local tree farm

There may not be a lot of gatherings inside around a tree this year, but getting outside and picking out a real tree is a lot of fun for the whole family. And it’s easy to social distance outside on a tree farm.

Cookie exchange front door pick-up style

Who doesn’t love Holiday cookies? And in the past, companies, faith communities, friends, and families would have cookie exchanges, for fun or for a fundraiser. Individual packaging and porch pick-up help keep the exchange safer this year. It’s a fun way to celebrate with neighbors too! Many families have their own special holiday cookie recipe, so it is exciting to see the variety of cookies and different family traditions.

Handmade crafts and ornaments

For families who can’t be together but want to feel more connected for the Holidays, consider doing handmade crafts or ornaments to send to one another. There’s something about handmade crafts that communicates care and thoughtfulness in a way that other presents don’t. And it’s always fun to keep handmade crafts to look at later or keep using the next year.

Humorous Décor to Share

For families who normally pick out trees together or decorate together, consider picking funny themes for other family members’ trees and sending them or making funny themed ornaments to go along with it. There’s always a jokester in the family; this would be their chance to shine.

Matching PJs

For the last several years, matching family matching pajamas have become a fun tradition. Usually, it’s only within your immediate family, but if you can’t get together with your extended family this year, consider all picking out matching PJs and wearing them for a family Zoom or FaceTime.

Books on Tape

For grandparents, aunts or uncles who will especially miss seeing the little ones in your extended family, consider buying a book that records your voice reading the book as a gift for them. This is a great way to stay connected with the kids you can’t visit during the holidays. And it’s a great reminder for them that you are thinking about them.

Shared Recipes

For that special holiday meal, if you can’t all gather around the same table, share one recipe that each family will make for their family meal. It’s a fun way to feel connected when you aren’t actually together.

In conclusion, traditional holiday celebrations will look different for every family. But I hope even during the Holidays of 2020 when you can’t celebrate your normal traditions, you will find some connection in creative one-time 2020 traditions. Happy Holidays from JL Nixon Consulting!

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Holiday Party Strategies During a Pandemic

Jeff Nixon — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 16:38:43 +0000

Holiday Parties Will Look Different in 2020

The holiday season is swiftly approaching. Much like the rest of this unprecedented year, this year’s typical seasonal holiday parties will have to be different. Canceling Holiday celebrations would be very disappointing, particularly when you picture how isolating this year has already been for many people. But, keeping work parties safe should be a priority. Let’s take a look at some strategies we might want to implement this season when it comes to holiday celebrations so we can be both safe and still have fun.

In Person Holiday Party:

Take it outdoors. For businesses who have already gotten back to an in-person work environment, translate the safety measures you take at work to the party. Having a party outside allows for plenty of room for social distancing.
To keep the party smaller, you can have different time slots for small groups to arrive in intervals.
Play social distanced games, with a pandemic theme. Or have an ugly sweater contest, and the winner gets a bag of toilet paper.

Virtual Holiday Party:

Keep it entertaining. People will want a fun reason to hop on Zoom for a party after they have worked on Zoom all day. Consider hiring a local band or carolers to perform for your Zoom party. Or play a virtual game with the office crowd.
Keep it short. It’s a good thing to loosen up and have fun with co-workers even if it is over Zoom but taking time to go to a virtual party while remaining at home should be brief.
Do a virtual giveaway. It’s a fun way to incentivize employees and show them you care. With a lot of businesses struggling this year, create giveaways that don’t actually cost much, but are rewarding for your employees; such as time off, or extra vacation days.

In closing, every person and every business needs to make the holiday party decision that they feel is right for them. Whether it is in-person or virtual, there are still ways to make it safe and fun. After this trying year, it is important to have interactions outside of the office atmosphere to keep each other encouraged. Building and maintaining good working relationships are vital for any business to succeed, even during a pandemic. In closing, every person and every business needs to make the holiday party decision that they feel is right for them. Whether it is in-person or virtual, there are still ways to make it safe and fun. After this trying year, it is important to have interactions outside of the office atmosphere to keep each other encouraged. Building and maintaining good working relationships are vital for any business to succeed, even during a pandemic.

Even though this year’s typical seasonal holiday parties will have to be different, Happy Holidays from JL Nixon Consulting, Inc.

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Cyber Insurance Addresses Current Cyber Threats

Jeff Nixon — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 20:08:03 +0000

Cyber Protections Required for Cyber Threats

In a world where headlines about Tech are splashed across the top of every business-related news source, cyber insurance has become a major line of coverage for many insurance carriers and their data security conscious clients. As the pandemic continues to alter lives causing more people than ever to work from home and use mobile devices thereby increasing data breach risks, it is important to understand that cyber insurance is not a “one size fits all” coverage.

Data Breach Cyber Threats

According to IBM.com, the average cost of a single data breach worldwide is $3.86M. By contrast, the United States’ average loss for a single data breach is $8.64M. Healthcare security carries the most financial risk where data breaches average $7.13M. And the time to identify and contain a breach is approximately 280 days.

Cyber security insurance became more necessary as realizations over the NotPetya and WannaCry cyber-attacks in 2016 and 2017 demonstrated how disastrous cyber crimes can be on global economics. Carrier Management published an article on the NotPetya attack stating:

“The NotPetya attack dramatically highlighted the potential for systemic vulnerabilities, and how it can have a major financial impact on the global economy,” said Oliver Brew, head of client services at cyber insurance analytics company, CyberCube. “…the attack also illustrated ambiguities in cyber insurance policies, fueling the conversation around silent versus standalone cyber in a quest for greater clarity”, according to Brew.

Silent cyber insurance refers to cyber protections included in liability insurance or other policies. Standalone cyber insurance are policies dedicated and focused on cyber. Although cyber has been written into policies and there are even standalone cyber policies available, just purchasing a cyber insurance policy may not provide all of the coverage needed depending on the risk.

Although there have only been a handful of cyber-attacks to raise awareness regarding the deficiencies in cyber policy, the losses from cybercrime are enormous. Pascal Millaire, CEO of CyberCube said in an article for Insurance Journal:

“Cyber losses are worsening. He noted data released by UK regulatory authorities in 2019, for example, that ranked enterprise-related cyber losses in the country as higher than flood, Japan earthquakes, and most other catastrophes other than California earthquake and Atlantic hurricane-related losses.”

Help for Cyber Threats

However, the good news is there are ways for the insurance industry to get more involved with cyber policy.

Oliver Brew from CyberCube said, “The insurance industry can prepare by supporting clients to improve proactive risk mitigation strategies, develop realistic disaster scenario frameworks to understand the implications and manage capital to address exposures and maintain a sustainable market.”

In conclusion, it’s imperative for the insurance industry to educate consumers, employees, and management on the risks of business interruption by cyber attacks, and also how to combat potential security risks. Michael Millette, managing partner of Hudson Structured Capital Management stated for Insurance Journal:

“With increasing interconnectedness … the cost of a failed connection is higher and higher,” he said. “Cyber risks whether reflected through breakdowns in the cloud [or] web have a chance to disrupt all of our lives [in ways] they didn’t have 40 years ago.”

As the world around us continues to shift and advance, staying informed will only help keep the insurance industry at pace with the current threats. Jeff Nixon of JL Nixon Consulting, Inc. would like to discuss your thoughts.

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Work Promotes Happiness

Jeff Nixon — Sat, 03 Oct 2020 16:24:46 +0000

Earned success through work promotes happiness

When the founding fathers introduced the “pursuit of happiness” concept in the Declaration of Independence, they knew a foundational truth about human beings that how we choose to spend our time, both personally and professional, really matters for our general welfare and happiness. This was long before empirical data validated the concept. Arthur Brooks, a social scientist and Harvard Business School professor who has done groundbreaking studies on happiness, wrote in The New York Times,

“We can even construct a system that fulfills our founders’ promises and empowers all Americans to pursue happiness…It turns out that choosing to pursue the four basic values of faith, family, community and work is the surest path to happiness.”

These basic principles of faith, family, friends, and work, can be modified and then, when pursued, help us become happier. Arthur Brooks continues:

“The first three are fairly uncontroversial. Empirical evidence that faith, family and friendships increase happiness and meaning is hardly shocking. Few dying patients regret overinvesting in rich family lives, community ties and spiritual journeys. Work, though, seems less intuitive.”

With the obvious copious amount of time we spend working, it is important to find satisfaction in your work. Let’s explore how to achieve happiness from the context of business.

Changing values during life

In America, we have an intense drive to succeed. We think we know what steps are needed in order to reach our ultimate standard of success. For most younger people, that success would include a college degree, a steady job, a chance to climb within a company, and being financially sound. But later in life what happens? Dana Rousmaniere in Harvard Business Review: “If you’re midway through your career and feeling stuck, you are not alone. Maybe work doesn’t feel meaningful anymore, or your industry has drastically evolved, or your values and interests have changed.” Is there a remedy?

Change your perspective, change your satisfaction level

One of the most powerful tools we have as humans is the ability to change our mindset by changing our perspectives. While in business it might not be as natural to have this “work to live” perspective in our “live to work” American mindset, challenging our values within our profession can bring joy and happiness when there once was drudgery and contempt.

For example, focusing on valuing others above ourselves can bring encouragement and satisfaction inside our workspace. Considering others will always help us look outside of ourselves. In whatever job you are in, your effort affects other people. And then their success becomes your success.

And it’s also important to remember our standards for success can be rewritten. Arthur Brooks, in the New York Times article goes on to say,

“You can measure your earned success in any currency you choose. You can count it in dollars, sure—or in kids taught to read, habitats protected, or souls saved…If you can discern your own project and discover the true currency you value, you’ll be earning your success…. Franklin D. Roosevelt had it right: ‘Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort’…. In other words, the secret to happiness through work is earned success. This is not conjecture; it is driven by the data. Americans who feel they are successful at work are twice as likely to say they are very happy overall as people who don’t feel that way.”

If you are unhappy in your job or life, contemplate faith, family, friends, and work and evaluate your happiness in each area. Find ways to serve others and take time to evaluate your standard of success. There is no denying our work plays a part in our happiness with the right mindset. And it’s our right and privilege as Americans to participate in the pursuit of happiness. Contact Jeff to discuss your success experience.

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An Insurance Forecast: A Tech Takeover?

Jeff Nixon — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:22:33 +0000

Tech Takeover in P&C Insurance

Is customer preference and convenience producing a movement in today’s insurance world toward the use of artificial intelligence? COVID-19 has certainty highlighted the advantage of utilizing Insurtech. Shifts in recent months to streamline the insurance industry have shown forecasts and data highlighting these benefits. Let’s take a look at some Insurtech trends that will be prevalent in the future.

Chatbots

According to this article in Policy Advice, “ By 2025, 95% of customer interactions will be powered by chatbots.” Chatbots will not only be able to assist in customer interactions, but also will speed up processing time for claims. Also chatbots give 24/7 access and give customers an app to use for their specific needs which increases customer engagement. Business Insider writes, “Incumbent insurers are using chatbots to transform from passively engaging customers to putting customer engagement at the forefront of their business.”

Tailored Policies

Just as the customer experience is dramatically changing by the use of chatbots, insurance coverage is also evolving through the influence of Insurtech. When looking to the future, imagine specifically tailored policies for each insured or grouping of individuals with similar policy needs (think cell phone family plan packages). Ultra-customized policy packages will lower the potential of some customers being forced to overpay when they are grouped into certain risk categories. In addition, these tailored packages can include various kinds of tracking programs for individuals to utilize to reduce their premium. Investopedia wrote, “…Insurtech is looking to tackle this data and analysis issue head-on. Using inputs from all manners of devices, including GPS tracking of cars to the activity tackers on our wrists, these companies are building more finely delineated grouping of risk, allowing products to be priced more competitively.”

Smartphone Ease of Access

Insurance business models transforming to incorporate more tech will appeal to the millennial population that has been tracking the insurance industry regarding the ease of smart phone use for purchase and service of policies. Matthew Lawlor and Meghan Alpert note in their article Millennial Consumers and the Insurance Industry, “Only the most responsive companies will be able to capitalize on this new demand for insurance products. Now more than ever, the companies that aggressively challenge the status quo and adapt their quote delivery process to the evolving needs of the marketplace—which now includes millennials—may reap a considerable reward.” Insurtech will help bridge the gap with the younger generations.

The COVID-19 global pandemic has certainly accelerated the insurance industry’s assimilation of tech and innovations into the business. As companies continue to pursue a new future it will be exciting to see how this transformation transitions into reality. Call Jeff Nixon at JL Nixon Consulting to discuss your thoughts.

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Digital Consultant

Mathew Rome — Sat, 13 Apr 2024 12:38:43 +0000

A digital consultant is an expert professional who specialises in providing guidance and advice on utilising digital technologies to achieve business objectives. This role encompasses a broad array of responsibilities, ranging from evaluating current digital capabilities to devising strategies for enhancement and implementing solutions that foster growth and innovation.

The primary objective of a digital consultant is to aid organisations in harnessing the potential of digital tools and platforms to streamline operations, enrich customer experiences, and maintain competitiveness in the digital era. This involves grasping the distinctive needs and hurdles of each client and tailoring solutions that align precisely with their business goals.

A pivotal responsibility of a digital consultant is conducting comprehensive audits and assessments of an organisation’s existing digital infrastructure and capacities. This entails evaluating current systems, processes, and technologies to pinpoint areas ripe for improvement and innovation. By obtaining insights into these areas, consultants can craft well-informed recommendations and strategies for digital transformation.

Another critical facet of the digital consultant’s role is formulating and executing digital strategies. This includes defining clear objectives, devising actionable plans, and pinpointing the most suitable digital tools and technologies to achieve desired outcomes. Consultants collaborate closely with stakeholders across the organisation to ensure alignment and garner support throughout the strategy development process.

Implementation and execution are also integral aspects of a digital consultant’s duties. They oversee the deployment of digital solutions, manage project timelines and budgets, and offer hands-on support to ensure seamless adoption and integration. Change management principles are often employed to address organisational resistance and facilitate a smooth transition to new digital initiatives.

In addition to technical prowess, effective communication and collaboration skills are indispensable for digital consultants. They must be adept at translating intricate technical concepts into lucid and actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders. Cultivating robust relationships with clients and fostering an innovative organisational culture are also pivotal elements of the consultant’s role.

Continuous monitoring and optimisation are pivotal for the success of digital initiatives. Digital consultants employ data analytics and performance metrics to monitor progress, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions to enhance outcomes and return on investment (ROI).

A digital consultant plays a pivotal role in shepherding organisations through the intricacies of digital transformation. By leveraging their expertise in technology and business strategy, consultants empower clients to navigate the digital landscape and unlock fresh avenues for growth and success.

Getting Started with Winbuzz: A Newbie’s Guide to Online Betting

Mathew Rome — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 10:04:20 +0000

If you’re new to the world of online betting, diving into the plethora of options available can be overwhelming. However, with the right guidance and resources, getting started can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Enter Winbuzz, a leading online betting platform in India, accessible through Winbuzz, that offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of betting options for both beginners and seasoned bettors alike. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get started with Winbuzz, from creating an account to placing your first bet.

Creating Your Winbuzz Account

The first step to embarking on your online betting journey with Winbuzz is creating your account. Visit the Winbuzz website and click on the “Signup” or “Register” button to begin the registration process. You’ll be prompted to provide some basic information, such as your name, email address, and date of birth. Make sure to choose a strong password to secure your account.

Verifying Your Account

Once you’ve completed the signup process, you’ll need to verify your account to start betting with Winbuzz. Verification helps ensure the security of your account and prevents unauthorized access. You may be required to verify your email address or provide additional documentation, such as a government-issued ID or proof of address. Follow the instructions provided by Winbuzz to complete the verification process promptly.

Exploring Betting Options on Winbuzz

With your account set up and verified, it’s time to explore the wide range of betting options available on Winbuzz. Whether you’re a fan of cricket, football, tennis, or casino games, Winbuzz has something for everyone. Navigate through the different sports and events listed on the platform, and choose the one you’d like to bet on. You’ll find various betting markets and options to suit your preferences, from match-winner bets to more exotic propositions.

Understanding Odds and Betting Types

Before placing your first bet, it’s essential to understand how odds work and the different types of bets available. Odds represent the likelihood of a particular outcome occurring and determine the potential payout of a bet. On Winbuzz, you’ll encounter different types of odds, including fractional odds, decimal odds, and American odds. Take the time to familiarize yourself with these odds formats and how they affect your potential winnings.

Placing Your First Bet

Once you’ve selected a betting market and understood the odds, it’s time to place your first bet on Winbuzz. Simply click on the odds of the outcome you’d like to bet on, and it will be added to your bet slip. Enter the amount you’d like to wager, and Winbuzz will calculate your potential winnings based on the odds selected. Review your bet slip to ensure everything looks correct, and then confirm your bet to lock it in.

Managing Your Account

As you continue your betting journey on Winbuzz, it’s essential to manage your account responsibly. Keep track of your betting activity, set limits on your deposits and wagers, and take breaks when needed. Winbuzz offers various responsible gambling tools, such as deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and reality checks, to help you stay in control of your betting habits.

Exploring Additional Features

In addition to sports betting, Winbuzz also offers a range of additional features and services to enhance your betting experience. Explore the casino games section for a variety of thrilling options, participate in live betting for real-time action, and take advantage of promotions and bonuses to maximize your winnings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, getting started with Winbuzz is a straightforward process that offers endless opportunities for excitement and potential winnings. By following the steps outlined in this guide and exploring the various features and betting options available on Winbuzz, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a thrilling and rewarding online betting experience.

Embark on your online betting journey with Winbuzz today by visiting Winbuzz and creating your account!

Navigating the Reddy Anna Book Website: A User’s Guide

Mathew Rome — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 05:38:24 +0000

In the dynamic world of online betting, Reddy Anna Book emerges as a premier destination for enthusiasts across India. With its user-friendly interface and a wide array of betting options, it caters to both seasoned bettors and newcomers alike. This guide aims to navigate you through the Reddy Anna Book website, ensuring you make the most of its features from the moment you perform the reddy anna book login to placing your bets with confidence and ease.

Getting Started with Reddy Anna Book

The journey begins at the homepage of Reddy Anna Book, where you’re greeted with a sleek and straightforward layout designed for intuitive navigation. The website’s aesthetic is clean, with a focus on ease of use – making your betting experience both enjoyable and efficient.

Creating an Account

Before diving into the betting world, you’ll need to create an account. The process is streamlined for user convenience. Click on the “Sign Up” button and fill in the required fields with your information. Verification steps are in place to ensure the security of your account and maintain the platform’s integrity. Once your account is set up, you can proceed with the Reddy Anna Book login, accessing a world of betting opportunities.

Exploring Betting Options

Reddy Anna Book offers an extensive range of betting options, covering various sports such as cricket, football, tennis, and more. Each category is easily accessible from the homepage, allowing you to explore available matches and events. The platform also features live betting options, giving you the chance to place bets on ongoing games, adding an extra layer of excitement to your betting experience.

Depositing Funds

To start betting, you’ll need to deposit funds into your account. Reddy Anna Book supports multiple payment methods, tailored to the preferences of Indian users. Whether you prefer traditional banking methods or modern digital wallets, the platform ensures a secure and hassle-free transaction process. Detailed instructions for each payment method are provided, guiding you through each step of the deposit process.

Placing Bets

With your account funded, you’re ready to place your bets. Navigating to your sport of choice, you’ll find a list of upcoming matches and odds. Selecting a match reveals all available betting options, including outcomes, over/under scores, and more. Placing a bet is as simple as clicking on your chosen outcome, entering your stake, and confirming your selection. The website also offers tools and resources to help you make informed decisions, enhancing your betting strategy.

Managing Your Account

Reddy Anna Book’s user dashboard is designed for easy management of your betting activities. Here, you can track your open and settled bets, view your transaction history, and manage your account settings. The platform also offers customer support accessible from your dashboard, ensuring help is always at hand whenever you need assistance or have inquiries.

Staying Informed

Knowledge is power, especially in the world of betting. Reddy Anna Book provides users with a wealth of resources, including sports news, betting tips, and detailed guides on understanding odds and betting strategies. These resources are invaluable for both novice and experienced bettors, offering insights that can significantly enhance your betting approach.

Ensuring a Safe Betting Environment

Security and fairness are paramount at Reddy Anna Book. The platform employs state-of-the-art security measures to protect user data and transactions. Furthermore, it upholds strict fairness standards, ensuring all users have an equal opportunity to win based on their betting skills and knowledge.

Embracing Responsible Betting

Reddy Anna Book is committed to promoting responsible betting practices. The website includes features that allow users to set deposit limits, take breaks, or self-exclude if needed. Additionally, it provides information and resources on responsible betting, emphasizing the importance of maintaining control and betting within one’s means.

Navigating the Reddy Anna Book website is a seamless experience, designed to cater to the needs and preferences of the Indian betting community. From the moment you complete the Reddy Anna Book login, you’re welcomed into a world where betting is not just about the thrill of the game but also about user convenience, security, and responsible gaming. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or new to the scene, Reddy Anna Book offers a comprehensive platform that combines the excitement of betting with the values of fairness and responsible play.

Determining the True Worth of Your Plex Property

Mathew Rome — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 09:24:51 +0000

Investing in real estate has always been considered a reliable and lucrative way to secure one’s financial future. And in recent years, the popularity of owning a Plex property – a multifamily building consisting of two to four units – has been on the rise. This is due to the various benefits that come with this type of property, such as additional rental income, tax deductions, and potential for appreciation. However, as with any investment, it is essential to accurately determine the true worth of your Plex property. This is crucial not only for making informed decisions about your investment but also for ensuring long-term profitability. It requires a thorough understanding of the factors that impact the value of a Plex property, as well as a careful evaluation of these factors.

Calculate your plex’s market value.

Determining the market value of your Plex property involves a comprehensive assessment of combien vaut mon plex. One of the primary considerations is the location of your property. The demand for rental properties and the overall desirability of the neighborhood can significantly impact the value of your Plex. Factors such as proximity to amenities, schools, public transportation, and job opportunities can all contribute to higher property values.

Consider location and amenities.

When determining the true worth of your Plex property, one crucial factor to consider is the location. The location of your property plays a significant role in its value, as it directly affects both the rental income potential and the appreciation rate. Properties located in desirable neighborhoods with easy access to amenities such as schools, parks, shopping centers, and public transportation tend to have higher values.

Review rental income and expenses.

One of the key aspects of determining the true worth of your Plex property is reviewing the rental income and expenses associated with it. Rental income plays a significant role in evaluating the value of a property, as it directly impacts the potential return on investment. To accurately assess your property’s rental income, you can start by analyzing the current rental rates for similar properties in the area. This will give you an idea of the market demand and help you determine if your property’s rental income is competitive.

It’s clear that determining the true worth of your Plex property requires a thorough understanding of the market, location, and potential for future growth. By taking into consideration all of the factors discussed in this blog post, you can accurately assess the value of your property and make informed decisions about its management and potential for investment. Remember to regularly reevaluate your property’s worth as market conditions and trends change to ensure that you are making the most of your investment.

Using Virtual Trading Simulators in Share Market Apps to Hone Skills

Mathew Rome — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 07:46:45 +0000

Virtual trading simulators within share market apps have emerged as invaluable tools for both novice and experienced traders alike. These simulators provide a risk-free environment to practice trading strategies, learn about market dynamics, and refine investment skills. By offering a hands-on experience without real financial risks, virtual trading simulators play a pivotal role in helping traders hone their skills and build the confidence necessary for successful trading.

Hands-On Learning:

One of the primary benefits of virtual trading simulators in share market apps is that they offer a hands-on learning experience. Instead of theoretical knowledge, users can engage in actual trades using virtual money. This practical exposure is vital for understanding how trading decisions impact portfolio performance. Check for more on Best Trading App.

Risk-Free Environment:

Trading involves financial risks, and beginners can find these risks daunting. Virtual trading simulators in share market apps is to eliminate this apprehension by providing a risk-free environment. Mistakes made within the simulator don’t result in real financial losses, allowing traders to experiment freely and learn from their errors.

Experimentation with Strategies:

Traders can test different investment strategies within virtual trading simulators using share market apps. Whether it’s day trading, swing trading, or long-term investing, simulators provide a platform to implement these strategies without committing real capital. Check for more on Best Trading App. This experimentation helps traders discover what works best for their risk tolerance and financial goals.

Understanding Market Dynamics:

Virtual trading simulators replicate real market conditions and price movements. By using these simulators using share market apps, traders can gain a deeper understanding of how market dynamics, news events, and economic indicators influence asset prices. Check for more on Best Trading App.This knowledge is crucial for making informed decisions in live trading scenarios.

Building Confidence:

Trading requires a certain level of confidence. Virtual trading simulators allow traders to develop this confidence gradually. As users experience successful trades and learn from unsuccessful ones, they build a sense of self-assurance that’s essential for real trading with the help of share market apps.

Testing New Ideas:

Traders often come across new ideas, strategies, or techniques they’d like to implement. Before applying them in live trading, they can test these concepts within the simulator. Check for more on Best Trading App.This minimizes the risk of making untested decisions in the real market.

Real-Time Tracking:

Virtual trading simulators provide real-time tracking of trades and portfolios. This feature enables traders to monitor their performance closely, analyze their strategies with share market apps, and identify areas for improvement.

Simulating Market Conditions:

Some virtual trading simulators allow users to simulate different market conditions, including bullish, bearish, or volatile scenarios. This capability offers a comprehensive learning experience that prepares traders for a wide range of situations. Check for more on Best Trading App.

Educational Value:

Virtual trading simulators are educational tools in themselves. They provide insight into how markets function, the impact of news, and how various types of orders work with share market apps. This knowledge enhances users’ overall trading acumen.

Transition to Live Trading:

After gaining confidence and proficiency through virtual trading, users can transition to live trading with a greater degree of readiness. The skills acquired in the simulator using share market apps can be directly applied to real trading, leading to more informed decisions and potentially better outcomes. Check for more on Best Trading App.

Mastering the Art of Debt Management Towards Financial Success

Mathew Rome — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 09:41:58 +0000

Effective debt management is a critical linchpin in safeguarding one’s financial stability and averting the perilous consequences of unchecked or mismanaged debts. In the intricate dance of financial dynamics, loans and debts can prove to be astute tools, enabling individuals to bridge gaps in cash flow and ascend towards their fiscal aspirations. Yet, the crux of the matter surfaces when these debts burgeon uncontrollably, evolving into a formidable juggernaut that imperils an individual’s financial equilibrium.

In the grand tapestry of financial prosperity, the warp and weft of balanced fiscal health are interwoven with threads of meticulous income and expenditure tracking, alongside the strategic allocation of resources towards investments and savings. When entangled in the tendrils of overwhelming debts – be it the albatross of a mortgage, the echoes of student loans, or the shackles of a car loan – the imperative to promptly seize the reins of control becomes undeniable.

The stratagem of short-term financial solutions surfaces as an efficacious buoy, aiding in the salvage operation of a financial vessel inundated by the torrents of multifarious debts. Amidst this financial landscape, where credit cards’ allure often comes hand in hand with high-interest pitfalls, the beacon of debt consolidation illuminates a pragmatic course of action. This intricate maneuver involves coalescing the myriad debts from diverse credit card founts into a singular loan entity. The gateway to this pursuit rests in securing a short-term loan, a prudent step that invariably leads to the effective mitigation of debt-related tribulations.

One of the prime dividends reaped from embracing short-term financial solutions is the restoration of financial equilibrium. As the reins of fiscal command return to the grasp of the individual, a wellspring of balanced cash flow gushes forth, fostering the symbiotic coexistence of fiscal objectives and ongoing pecuniary commitments. Swift and expedient, short-term loans stand as steadfast bulwarks against unforeseen financial tempests, sans the collateral damage of jeopardized credit standings. Their utility crystallizes with a brilliance most pronounced for those nursing trepidations regarding their credit score or the webs of existing debts.

Beyond this, the aura of short-term financial solutions such as cash advances from trusted lenders exudes a redemptive potential for those wrestling with the precipice of insurmountable debts, staving off the dreary prospect of bankruptcy. A haven of solace and sagacity awaits those who embark on the journey to reclaim their fiscal sovereignty through these solutions, irrespective of the shadows cast by poor credit. It is an egalitarian lifeline, extending a lifeline to all, enabling a restructuring of debt obligations through a single, wieldy loan. The alacrity of this approach serves as a catalyst, catalyzing the swifter realization of a debt-liberated existence.

In the throes of modernity’s tumultuous tides, the rendezvous with fiscal equilibrium appears increasingly elusive. A panorama of economic upheaval and social disruption underscores the indispensability of short-term financial solutions as the proverbial torchbearer through the gloom, sparing individuals from the suffocating clutches of their monetary quandaries. Inculcating the ethos of prudent expenditure is not merely a recourse to manage debts but a blueprint to orchestrate harmonious financial symphonies.

The ultimate litmus test in the journey of borrowing lies in an eternal dictum: spend judiciously. The architecture of fiscal prudence necessitates the elevation of essentials above caprice, sidestepping the precipice of prodigality, and harmonizing one’s lifestyle with their financial means. Strategic dalliances in enduring assets that sow the seeds of long-term pecuniary abundance cast yet another ray of luminosity upon the path.

Harnessing the prowess of effective debt management strategies and adroitly wielding short-term financial solutions transmutes individuals from mere passengers into captains of their fiscal destinies. The indomitable spirit of proactive debt stewardship, punctuated by sagacious consultations when warranted, is the lodestar guiding decisions on borrowing and spending. Armed with this philosophy, one embarks on a transformative journey, navigating the route towards a horizon adorned with the insignia of financial emancipation.

Urinary tract injuries and the need for specialised treatment

Mathew Rome — Tue, 09 May 2023 04:58:29 +0000

Urinary tract injuries are a common yet often overlooked condition that can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. These injuries can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma, infections, and anatomical abnormalities. While many minor injuries can be managed with conservative treatment, more severe injuries require specialised care to prevent long-term complications such as chronic pain, incontinence, and kidney damage.

Unfortunately, urinary tract injuries are not always diagnosed promptly or managed effectively, resulting in unnecessary suffering for patients. This is why it is crucial for healthcare providers to be knowledgeable about the different types of urinary tract injuries and the appropriate treatment options for each. With the right care, patients can have a full recovery and avoid potentially life-altering consequences.

The importance of early diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract injuries

Urinary tract injuries are not uncommon, especially among people who engage in physical activities, such as sports and heavy lifting. One of the most common symptoms is kidney stone pain, which can be excruciating and debilitating. Early detection and treatment of urinary tract injuries are crucial to prevent serious complications, such as infection and kidney damage. The longer the injury goes undiagnosed and untreated, the more difficult it can be to manage. In order to provide the best kidney stone pain relief and prevent complications, specialised treatment is often necessary. This may involve a multidisciplinary approach, including urologists, nephrologists, and other relevant healthcare professionals, who can conduct diagnostic tests and develop a personalised treatment plan based on the individual’s condition and needs.

The risk of long-term complications when urinary tract injuries are left untreated

Urinary tract injuries, if left untreated, can lead to serious long-term complications, including kidney damage and urinary incontinence. The severity of the complications depends on the extent and location of the injury. In some cases, immediate medical attention can mitigate the effects of the injury and prevent long-term complications. Specialized treatment, such as surgery or the use of medical devices, may be necessary to repair the injury and restore normal urinary function.

Urinary tract injuries can be serious and require specialized treatment to ensure a full recovery. It is important for individuals who have experienced trauma to their pelvic area or who are experiencing symptoms such as pain or blood in their urine to seek medical attention immediately. With proper diagnosis and treatment, patients can regain their quality of life and avoid long-term complications. It is crucial to spread awareness about the importance of urinary tract health and to prioritize seeking specialized care for any related injuries or issues.

Making Your Upcoming Move More Environmentally Friendly

Mathew Rome — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 12:07:32 +0000

More than 31 million people relocate every year in the U.S. Box after box is packed, loaded up onto moving trucks, and driven across town or cross-country. Doing so generates a lot of waste. We’re talking millions of tons from cardboard boxes, wrapping supplies and surplus junk.

As such, moving can have a drastic impact on a household’s carbon footprint and significantly contribute to the current global landfill crisis. However, with a little planning and some creativity, moving doesn’t have to be as bad for the environment as we commonly make it. Below are a few words of advice on conducting an eco-friendlier move.

A great place to begin is by reducing the number of belongings you need to move. Odds are there are some items that won’t have a place in the new home. It’s important to dispose of these properly. For instance, any e-waste, such as dead batteries or old devices, should be taken to your nearest recycling location. Some electronics stores can also recycle old phones, chargers and appliances on your behalf. The EPA estimates only 5.6% of the 2.2 million tons of small appliance waste was recycled in 2018. When these electronics end up in a landfill, they can potentially leak hazardous chemicals or otherwise harm the ecosystem.

If you have unwanted items that are still functional, you could give them to someone in need or sell them in a yard sale. Donating to local services can make a big difference to those you help and in the amount of waste you produce. Like e-waste, a significant portion of furniture and furnishings are landfilled instead of being properly discarded or repurposed.

Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to get started on the actual packing. There are many alternatives to purchasing traditional packing supplies. You can rent reusable moving totes, seek out used boxes from local shops or use household containers to get the job done. Another great option is to save the packaging from deliveries. Over 90% of the packages shipped to our doorsteps come in some form of cardboard. Reuse these packing materials instead to save on money and on recycling demands.

The vehicle needed to move all your stuff can also be improved. There are approximately 50,000 moving trucks in the U.S., which gives you plenty of options. Consider selecting an electric, hybrid or biodiesel truck to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions. If you’re planning to use moving services, opt for one with a sustainability-driven business model to minimize your impact.

As individuals, protecting the planet comes down to the little choices we make. Use these tips to help do your part as you move on to bigger and better things. For additional ways to lessen the environmental impact of your move, please see the accompanying resource.

Infographic provided by True Friends Moving Company

Top 5 Tips for Choosing the Best Plumber

Mathew Rome — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 06:45:42 +0000

Plumbing issues often catch many homeowners by surprise and may range from clearing clogs to malfunctioning water heaters. You wouldn’t want to waste your time looking for a plumber for any plumbing problem. That becomes imperative during emergencies because every moment is precious, and the quality of work counts.

Knowing what you should look for can help to make the right decision and ensure the project is done properly. To help you choose the best plumber, the following are tips to look at:

1. Look at the Experience

Reputable plumbers must have enough experience. The longer a plumber has been in business, the more the expert is likely to deliver good work.

To be sure of a plumber’s experience, ensure you ask for proof of track record for the clients they served before. You may also read reviews from a plumber’s website to confirm this further.

2. Consider Emergency Needs

When choosing a plumber, ensure you are familiar with their availability. If a broiler was to break or a pipe was to burst, you would need an emergency plumber San Fernando Valley to provide you with services urgently.

Knowing a plumber’s response time is also a determining factor when hiring an expert. The last thing you want is to wait 10 hours for a plumber to come to your home if pipes burst at midnight.

3. Determine the Pricing

Although your major concern is that the cost is not very high, you should also be wary of the costs, which seem questionably low. The latter may show that the plumber plans to cut corners – meaning you are not going to get the long-term solutions you hope for.

At the same, you would want to ensure you get the services at a good cost. A good plumber will conduct an inspection and give you an estimate before they start working. They will also review the estimate while explaining everything related to the costs. Mostly, an expert doesn’t charge for anything you won’t need.

4. Check for Insurance

Skilled plumbers take every possible precaution to ensure they solve plumbing issues instead of creating more. However, accidents might happen anytime and should only be dealt with by insured plumbers.

They should also be insured for worker’s compensation and general liability. Such insurance coverage helps to protect subcontractors dealing with plumbing problems and cover your property.

5. Ask for Valid Licenses

Licenses act as written documents proving that the expert has the right training and skills to do their work properly. They may also mean the plumber is always compliant with the requirements and regulations of the state.

It can be cheaper to hire an unlicensed plumber, but you will be doing so at risk. A license will always guarantee that the plumber will return to fix a problem when something goes wrong.

The Bottom Line!

You will always have an opportunity to get efficiency and quality from a plumber if you choose someone reliable. Maintaining a line of communication with a good plumber and asking the right questions will ensure you get someone experienced and who knows what they are doing.

Franci Neely Helps Bring Cameroon Art Exhibit to Houston

Mathew Rome — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 07:21:13 +0000

If you had to make a list of some of the most fascinating art museums in all of Houston, the Menil Collection would undoubtedly be right at that op.

Located right in the heart of Houston, it spans over 30 acres of space and includes a main gallery building that is surrounded by four additional museums. It regularly holds exhibitions of all types, all in an effort to make art accessible to the widest possible audience.

One such exhibit is called “Art of the Cameroon Grassfields, A Living Heritage in Houston.” It is taking place in the main building and it runs from February 17, 2023 to July 9, 2023. It was made possible in large part thanks to the enthusiastic contributions of local philanthropists and art lovers, with Houston local Franci Neely being chief among them. All told, it’s a very exiting exhibit to have on display for a wide range of different reasons, all of which are worth a closer look.

Celebrating Art in Houston: An Overview

As mentioned, the exhibit itself debuted in February with a question and answer session from Cameroonian artist Herve Youmbi. It was certainly a night to remember, filled with fascinating insights and a unique perspective on the world. Those who attend the exhibit can continue to browse his various art displays that include not only head dresses but also things like hats, sculptures, royal stools, and more.

All of this is put together in an effort to not only appreciate the arts, but this unique cultural heritage as well. The official language of the country is French (although most people also speak English to some degree) and it was home to an estimated 29 million people as of 2022.

This is also another in a long line of examples of how committed Franci Neely is to bringing art to as many people as she can. Once upon a time, she actually wanted to pursue a career as an actress. After realizing that this might make it difficult to financially support herself, she decided to begin a career in corporate law instead. She worked tirelessly for over 20 years, finally reaching a position of partner with Susman Godfrey, LLP. This was one of the most notable boutique law firms in the United States with offices in many major cities – although Franci Neely was lucky enough to work primarily out of the office based in her home of Houston.

Once she decided to leave the legal profession behind, she immediately returned to her true passion: the arts. She helped establish the Houston Cinema Arts Society, for example. She’s also a board member of the Moody Center for the Arts and the Menil Foundation.

Franci Neely is also directly involved with the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. Here, she works on not one but two subcommittees that were put together in an attempt to increase the visibility of Islamic-based works of art as much as possible.

She’s also started the Franci Neely Foundation, which is designed to support the Islamic arts, photography, and film. Over the last few years, the Franci Neely Foundation has even created scholarships for young local musicians that want to take part in Nucleo London’s social action program.

Sources

Don’t Let These 7 Reasons Hold You Back from Buying Life Insurance

Erie Insurance — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Are you like the majority of Americans who don't have life insurance¹, but say that they know they need it? With the price of everything from home to college and grocery to daycare costs rising, it’s more important than ever to get life insurance to help protect your loved ones. According to the 2022 Insurance Barometer Study, from Life Happens and the financial and insurance organization LIMRA, 2 in 5 parents say they are barely or not at all financially secure. It’s crucial to be prepared with life insurance on your household breadwinner, as 44% of survey takers said they would feel financial hardship in less than six months if something happened to them. While cost is certainly a major factor (and it takes the top spot in our list below), some of the other reasons might resonate with you also.

It’s too expensive. Cost is the number one reason people don't have life insurance. The same study shows that women specifically cited expense as a roadblock to purchasing life insurance, even though they recognized its importance more than men (44% vs 38%). Life insurance is probably more affordable than you think—and there are lots of ways to bring the price into your comfort zone.
I have a health condition. The good news is that having a health condition doesn't automatically disqualify you from getting life insurance. If you overcame a serious condition in the past or if you are managing a condition with the help of a medical professional, you can still be covered.
I don’t have any kids. There are many reasons people with no children still need life insurance. Just a few include providing for a financially dependent spouse or another family member, having the money to pay for a funeral or being able to pay off a loan that has a cosigner. Life insurance can also help you leave a gift to a religious, educational or charitable organization near and dear to your heart.When you purchase life insurance, consider adding a Guaranteed Insurability Option (GIO) rider² which lets you increase your protection in the future, when you may have children or other reasons to increase coverage. By purchasing the GIO rider with your initial policy, you’ll be able to increase your life insurance coverage over time without having to answer medical underwriting questions.
I don’t work outside of the home. If you stay home to care for kids or other family members, it may require hiring someone to replace all that you do. And that could be pricey, so definitely consider buying life insurance as a way to cover those additional expenses.
I have a policy through work. If you have a group life insurance policy through work, you still need your own personal one. A work policy may not go with you if you switch jobs or retire.
I’m not sure what I need. Most people don’t—but our agents are there to help you. Our policies offers options like term life insurance that’s designed to last for a specific period of time and permanent life plans designed to last a lifetime. Your agent can recommend one that works with your life and budget. You can also get an idea of how much life insurance you need by using this handy life insurance calculator.

A Life Policy for Every Situation

easiest conversation to have

ERIE® insurance products and services are provided by one or more of the following insurers: Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company, Flagship City Insurance Company and Erie Family Life Insurance Company (home offices: Erie, Pennsylvania) or Erie Insurance Company of New York (home office: Rochester, New York). The companies within the Erie Insurance Group are not licensed to operate in all states. Refer to the company licensure and states of operation information.

The insurance products and rates, if applicable, described in this blog are in effect as of January 2024 and may be changed at any time.

Insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described in this blog. The policy contains the specific details of the coverages, terms, conditions and exclusions.

The insurance products and services described in this blog are not offered in all states. ERIE life insurance and annuity products are not available in New York. ERIE Medicare supplement products are not available in the District of Columbia or New York. ERIE long term care products are not available in the District of Columbia and New York.

Eligibility will be determined at the time of application based upon applicable underwriting guidelines and rules in effect at that time.

Your ERIE agent can offer you practical guidance and answer questions you may have before you buy.

Can Dash Cams Save You Money on Your Insurance?

Erie Insurance — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In times like these, we’re always looking for ways to save a little extra, right? This leads many of us to seek out what we can do to add some more discounts onto insurance policies and cut down on some recurring monthly expenses. While, in general, insurance companies do not offer a discount on auto policies for having a dashcam, there are some surprising perks to having one that could save you a lot of money!

What is a Dashcam?

So, what exactly is a dashcam and why would you want one? While often referred to as dashcams, their full name is dashboard camera. As the name suggests, these are small cameras that mount directly to your vehicle’s dashboard or windshield.

These cameras are designed to monitor images and sound both inside and outside the vehicle, depending on the model you choose, of course. Dashcams used to be used solely in police vehicles and semi-trucks, however, they are becoming rather popular in private vehicles.

Not All Dashcams are Created Equal

Like most things on the market, dashcams come in a wide variety of models, brands and host a range of different features. And like all other things, this causes them to range in price from a hundred dollars to well over several hundred dollars for higher-end models.

Many dashcams offer HD or even 4k video capabilities for crystal clear images, which is one of the most important features to look for. Many dashcams have removable SD cards that store the videos and overwrite the oldest as it fills while others upload their data to a cloud storage which is accessible through your phone on mobile apps.

All dashcams record on a continuous loop and most offer an impact detection feature where they start recording if they sense an impact. Higher-end versions can backtrack the recording a few seconds before the impact to try to capture the entire moment. These higher-end models can also come with parking motion sense recording even when they are turned off and things like GPS tracking of time, location and speed.

What Are the Benefits of Having One?

Okay, so how could something that doesn’t offer you any insurance discounts still save you some money? Well, think of it as an impartial witness.

“Dash cameras provide non-biased evidence of what occurred that led up to an accident.” said Bob Buckel, vice president of personal auto, Erie Insurance. “Our memories can get skewed after a collision, so having this evidence can assist the insurance company with understanding what factors may have contributed to the accident.”

Sometimes it is not always perfectly clear what happened just from looking at the damage on the vehicles. Sometimes witnesses' memories lapse or recall things out of order in a moment of high stress. And, unfortunately, sometimes people lie. Having a dashcam allows claims experts the chance to see what happened, exactly as it happened. This helps insurance companies to settle claims faster.

This benefit of being an impartial witness is not exclusive to just accidents you are personally involved in. Your dashcam can help someone else if it happens to see what happened in an accident that happened near you. Your footage can settle a claim and save someone else the extra hassle.

Dashcams Come With an Extra Level of Security

Dashcams can also act as a general deterrent, which can help you avoid any claims or out of pocket cost for damage from theft or vandalism on your vehicle. Seeing a dashcam mounted in a vehicle can be more than enough to sway the intentions of a would-be thief under the fear of the camera catching them and uploading the footage to a cloud storage.

Another hidden benefit comes from the side effects of having a camera monitoring your vehicle that we mentioned above, people drive more consciously! If you have a teenager that often drives your vehicle, it can help encourage safer driving habits. Let’s face it, we all are on our best behavior when we know someone is watching, same mentality applies with a dashcam!

In the long run, a dashcam could prove to be worth the upfront investment, not only in assisting with closing claims quickly, but also for general peace of mind and a sense of security over your vehicle. While we can’t promise to have eyes on your vehicle 100% of the time, we can offer better peace of mind and outstanding coverage with an Insurance policy serviced by an agent who cares. To learn more, contact us today.

Insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described in this blog. The policy contains the specific details of the coverages, terms, conditions and exclusions.

Eligibility will be determined at the time of application based upon applicable underwriting guidelines and rules in effect at that time.

Your ERIE agent can offer you practical guidance and answer questions you may have before you buy.

The Cost of Not Having Business Insurance

Insurance Neighbor — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 11:00:30 +0000

Running a business comes with many risks, from property damage to legal liabilities. While some business owners may see insurance as an unnecessary expense, the cost of failing to have adequate coverage can far outweigh the premiums paid. It is essential to understand the potential consequences of operating without business insurance.

Financial Losses from Property Damage

Property damage can occur unexpectedly due to natural disasters, accidents, or vandalism. Without insurance coverage, the financial burden of repairing or replacing damaged property falls entirely on the business owner. Consider the following scenarios:

Fire Damage: A fire breaks out in your office building, destroying equipment, inventory, and furnishings. Without property insurance, you would need to cover the cost of repairs or replacements out of pocket, potentially causing significant financial strain.
Theft or Vandalism: Your storefront is burglarized, resulting in stolen merchandise and damage to your premises. Without insurance coverage, you're left to absorb the losses, impacting your bottom line and hindering your ability to recover.

Liability Claims and Legal Expenses

Businesses can face lawsuits from various parties, including customers, employees, and third parties. Defending against legal claims and covering settlement costs can be a financial disaster without liability insurance. Consider the following liability scenarios:

Customer Injury: A customer slips and falls on a wet floor in your store, sustaining injuries. Without general liability insurance, you could be held liable for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, leading to costly legal proceedings.
Professional Errors: As a professional service provider, you make an error or omission that results in financial harm to a client. Without professional liability insurance (errors and omissions insurance), you would need to cover legal defense costs and potential settlements, jeopardizing your business's financial stability.

Business Interruption and Loss of Income

Disruptions to business operations, whether due to natural disasters, equipment breakdowns, or other unforeseen events, can result in significant financial losses. Without business interruption insurance, the financial repercussions can be severe:

Temporary Closure: A severe storm causes damage to your premises, forcing you to close your business temporarily for repairs. Without business interruption insurance, you would lose income during the closure, making it challenging to cover ongoing expenses such as rent, utilities, and payroll.
Supply Chain Disruptions: If your business relies on suppliers or vendors for essential goods or services, disruptions in the supply chain can affect your operations and revenue. Business interruption insurance can provide coverage for lost income and extra expenses incurred due to supply chain disruptions.

Protect Your Business with Insurance

The cost of not having business insurance extends beyond immediate financial losses—it can jeopardize the viability of your business and undermine years of hard work. By investing in comprehensive insurance coverage, you can mitigate risks, protect your assets, and safeguard your business's future.

Our agency can help you assess your business's insurance needs and find the right coverage to protect against potential risks. Contact your local agent today to discuss how we can help safeguard your business and ensure its long-term success. Don't let the cost of not having business insurance put your livelihood at risk – let us provide you with peace of mind.

What Is Cash Value Life Insurance?

Erie Insurance — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Understanding different types of life insurance policies and their unique benefits will help you choose the right option for you and your family. Term life insurance provides coverage for a limited amount of time and/or amount of benefit. Term insurance has no cash value.

In contrast, whole life insurance¹ is coverage that is in place your entire life, and it offers unique benefits, including the ability to accumulate cash value, which can be used to your advantage in a variety of financial scenarios.²

Let’s look at the features of cash value whole life policies, explore loan options and consider how term life insurance conversion may help you secure lower rates on a whole life policy.

The Benefits of Cash Value Whole Life Policies

Cash value whole life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance that not only provides a death benefit but also allows you to build cash value over time. This cash value component offers several advantages:

Flexible access to cash with tax-deferred growth. The cash value of a whole life policy grows tax-deferred, meaning you won't have to pay taxes on the growth unless you make a withdrawal from the funds.³
Guaranteed cash value. Some whole life policies offer the opportunity to earn dividends, which can be used to increase the policy's cash value or death benefit.
Potential for future reduced premium payments. Through the use of Reduced Paid-Up or Extended Term Non-Forfeiture options, you can use the cash value to pay for coverage reducing your overall out-of-pocket expenses.⁴

Use Life Insurance While Alive

Whole life insurance policies offer the opportunity to take out loans against the cash value, providing a flexible source of funds for various purposes. Some examples of how you might use a whole life policy loan include:⁴

Paying off high-interest debt. You can use a loan from your whole life policy to pay off credit card balances or other high-interest loans, potentially saving money on interest payments.
Funding a child's education. The cash value of a whole life policy can be used to help cover tuition costs or other educational expenses.
Investing in a business. A loan can be used to invest in a current business or to start a new venture.
Supplementing retirement income. The cash value can be used to add to retirement income, providing a source of funds during the golden years.

Loans can be taken against the cash value of the policy, not the policy’s death benefit. Cash value is not paid to beneficiaries; rather, beneficiaries receive the policy’s death benefit amount minus any loans and withdrawals you’ve made against the cash value.

Term Conversion: Lock in Lower Rates Now

Term life insurance is a popular and affordable option for many people, particularly people in their 20s to 40s. However, as you age, the cost of term life insurance increases. By converting a term life policy to whole life insurance, you can lock in your lower rates — based on your current age and the assigned risk class on your term policy — and take advantage of the cash value benefits whole life policies provide.⁵

Term-to-whole-life conversion can be particularly beneficial for those who anticipate needing life insurance for the long term and want to secure lower premiums. The conversion process is easy, especially if you already have a term insurance policy with us. No need for a medical exam; one of our agents can help you make the jump.

Yes, your premiums will increase. Whole life policies are more expensive than term policies as a result of the cash value whole life policies accrue. That’s why it is important to talk to an agent to ensure the policy you select matches your lifestyle, age and financial needs.

Boost Your Cash Value Policy

Whole life insurance can be customized. At our agency, in addition to selecting a policy limit, you have the option of choosing Whole Life Protector and Whole Life Accumulator coverage. Both policies offer a guaranteed rate of cash value growth, meaning you can predict the minimum cash value your policy will have over time.

Whole Life Protector, a cash value policy, offers guaranteed coverage for the life of your policy and includes coverage that can cover final expenses, unpaid debt and supplemental retirement income or leave an inheritance to loved ones.

Whole Life Accumulator expands on the benefits of Whole Life Protector and builds higher cash value over time.

These policies offer a range of benefits and features designed to help you secure your financial future and provide peace of mind for you and your family.

How much life insurance do I need?

Most people know they need life insurance, but it can be confusing to know how much is “enough.” If you are ready to see what we can do for you, give us a call to start a conversation with one of our insurance agents today.

Whole life insurance offers a multitude of benefits and financial flexibility through its cash value component. By understanding the various loan options, term conversion and specific products offered through our agency, you can make informed decisions and secure your financial future.

Insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described in this blog. The policy contains the specific details of the coverages, terms, conditions and exclusions.

Eligibility will be determined at the time of application based upon applicable underwriting guidelines and rules in effect at that time.

Your ERIE agent can offer you practical guidance and answer questions you may have before you buy.

The Surprising Business Risks You May Not Think About

Erie Insurance — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Risk control consultants are the preventative care professionals of business insurance. They can help you detect potential hazards to your business’s well-being and help you understand what actions you can take to keep things healthy.

Good news: Qualifying customers who have business insurance with us have access to customized risk control services. That’s just one more way we’re looking out for you. Learn more: How an ERIE Risk Control Consultant Can Help You

We asked our team of risk control consultants for an insider’s perspective on what consultants look for - and the surprising things they find.

How to Manage Business Risk

To get things started, let us know that you’re interested in focusing on risk control for your business. Our professional consultants can offer many resources to help, including a walk-through for businesses who qualify. They’re looking for ways for you to mitigate risks by identifying potential loss exposures and providing information on solutions you can implement to control and/or eliminate them.

Our consultants have specialized areas of knowledge – property, commercial auto, workers’ compensation, products liability and construction/contracting – to better meet customers’ needs.

Their keen eyes are quick to spot things you might expect, such as fire protection. However, there are a few less obvious risks that are equally as common and – in some cases – on the rise.

Types of Risk Your Business Could Face

You know the ins and outs of your business better than anyone. So, what might a risk control consultant be able to see that you might not?

Here are a few surprising trends Risk Control has noticed:

Lack of commitment from management. There are multiple rules and regulations, depending on the industry, that aim at providing safe workplace environment. A recent OSHA study found that non-fatal workplace injuries cost businesses more than $1 billion a week.

With that in mind, our risk control team says the first thing they notice is management controls to determine the commitment to workplace safety. It’s an important thing consultants look at, noting that often companies that have management support tend to have better safety records and also tend to be more productive.

Data breaches caused by your company. According to the Insurance Information Institute, credit card fraud and employment-related fraud are two of the top five ways consumers fall victim to identify theft. It’s the area of risk our risk control team says they see grow the fastest. Having iron-clad cyber security safeguards against hacks and the right coverage is the best way to prevent your company from experiencing, or potentially causing, a data breach.

Employees distracted behind the wheel. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s distracted driving study found that 64% of fatal crashes during 2021 were caused by just general distraction like daydreaming. Drivers of commercial vehicles are no exception to this scary statistic and our risk control team has seen a spike in commercial auto claims, which can affect your insurance rates and everyone’s safety. Does your business employ a no cell phone policy for your drivers? If your drivers have to use GPS, is it hands-free?
Placing agreements with the “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” philosophy. Legal agreements are often filled with legal terminology containing arcane language. Contracts can become even more confusing when they determine what risks a service provider, subcontractor or other party assumes during a business agreement. Contractual risk transfer is an important protective measure that may save a business money and time in the event of litigation.

Our Approach to Risk Control

Providing preventative plans addressing these risks and more is where our risk control consultants shine. Here are some examples of the support they may offer to business customers at no additional fee:

Access to Resources. For qualifying customers, consultants offer a wide range of risk control services, including OSHA Outreach Training Programs, customized written safety programs and disaster planning resources from The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.
Support that isn’t just for the big guys. We offer follow-up consultations to help businesses, whether you’re a large business with multiple employees, or a small business just getting your feet wet. If you want follow-up assessments or training for your business, ask our agents how they can help.
A close working relationship with your agent. Your agent is a business owner in your community, just like you. They know what it takes to keep a small business running—and what you need to protect it.

Schedule your risk assessment today. Contact us today to get started.

We asked our team of risk control consultants for an insider’s perspective on what consultants look for - and the surprising things they find.

Insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described in this blog. The policy contains the specific details of the coverages, terms, conditions and exclusions.

Eligibility will be determined at the time of application based upon applicable underwriting guidelines and rules in effect at that time.

Your ERIE agent can offer you practical guidance and answer questions you may have before you buy.

Spring Showers: Why You Need Personal Umbrella Insurance

Insurance Neighbor — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 11:00:54 +0000

Personal umbrella insurance is an additional layer of liability coverage that goes beyond the limits of your standard home or auto insurance policy. It provides extra protection if you are sued for damages exceeding the limits of your primary insurance policies. Here's why you should consider adding a personal umbrella policy to your insurance portfolio:

Protection Against Liability Risks

Spring brings blooming flowers and unpredictable weather, including heavy rain and thunderstorms. These weather events increase the risk of accidents and liability claims. Personal umbrella insurance can provide coverage for various liability risks, including:

Auto Accidents: If you're involved in a car accident where you're at fault and the damages exceed your auto insurance limits, a personal umbrella policy can help cover the additional costs, such as medical expenses and property damage.
Property Damage: Accidentally causing damage to someone else's property, such as a neighbor's fence or a parked car, could lead to costly liability claims. Personal umbrella insurance can provide additional coverage beyond what your homeowner's insurance policy offers.
Personal Injury Claims: If someone is injured on your property or due to your actions, you could be held liable for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A personal umbrella policy can offer increased protection against personal injury claims.

Benefits of Personal Umbrella Insurance

Adding a personal umbrella policy to your insurance coverage offers several benefits, including:

Increased Liability Coverage: Personal umbrella insurance typically provides coverage in increments of $1 million or more, significantly boosting your liability protection. This extra coverage can help safeguard your assets and future earnings in the event of a lawsuit.
Broader Coverage: Unlike standard insurance policies with specific exclusions, personal umbrella insurance offers broader coverage, filling the gaps in your existing coverage for a more comprehensive range of situations.
Peace of Mind: Knowing you have extra protection in place can give you peace of mind, especially during the unpredictable spring weather when accidents are more likely to occur. With a personal umbrella policy, you can face potential liabilities with confidence.

Why You Need Personal Umbrella Insurance

Consider these scenarios where personal umbrella insurance could prove invaluable:

Serious Auto Accident: If you cause a severe auto accident resulting in extensive injuries or fatalities, the medical expenses and legal fees could far exceed your auto insurance limits. A personal umbrella policy can help cover these expenses.
Dog Bite Liability: If your dog bites someone and the victim sues you for medical expenses and damages, a personal umbrella policy can provide additional coverage beyond what your homeowner's insurance policy offers.
Accidental Injury on Your Property: If a guest slips and falls while visiting your home, resulting in a serious injury and a lawsuit, personal umbrella insurance can help protect your assets from being at risk in a legal settlement.

Our agents can help you understand the benefits of personal umbrella insurance and find the right policy to fit your needs. Contact your local agent today to discuss how adding a personal umbrella policy can provide extra protection and peace of mind. Don't let spring showers catch you off guard – let us help you stay prepared.

What to Know When Driving Through a Work Zone

Erie Insurance — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Who hasn’t been zipping along when all of a sudden traffic slows to a halt?

When it does, you can bet on one of two things: There was an accident or there’s construction.

What To Do in a Work Zone

Road work is often the culprit in the warmer months. You probably already know that it’s important to stay at or below the posted limits when you’re in a work zone, not to mention, many states will ticket you for speeding in a construction zone. Yet there are a few other tips worth keeping in mind in order to keep you, your car and workers safe when you’re driving through a work zone.

Check ahead for delays. Visit your state’s department of transportation website or tune into a radio station that reports on the traffic to get a head’s up on expected delays. You can then consider avoiding a work zone by getting the scoop and mapping out a different route before you leave home.
Reduce distractions. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t be driving distracted or playing on your phone. Extra attention is needed when driving through a work zone, so lower the radio or turn it off altogether.
Merge when it's safe. When traffic is moving at highway speeds and there aren't backups, it makes sense to move sooner to the lane that will remain open. Otherwise, many states recommend drivers merge alternately into the lane, or in a "zipper fashion." Research what’s appropriate where you are before driving.
Leave lots of room between vehicles. You should be able to count out at least two seconds from when the car in front of you passes an object and when you do.
Never pass on the shoulder or drive across the median. This puts workers in danger—and is often illegal.
Keep your cool when it comes to tailgaters. No one likes a tailgater. If you get one behind you, resist the urge to lay on the brakes. Instead, pull over and let the speed demon pass. If that’s not possible (or you’re just plain not willing to pull over), turn your headlights on and off a few times to warn the tailgater. At night, it’s okay to give your brakes a light tap.

You never know how long it can take to make it through a work zone. So do your best to relax and to stay alert until you’re in the clear.

Unfortunately, accidents do happen in work zones. Having the right auto insurance coverage can make all the difference when you need it. Contact us today to review your policy or to get an auto insurance quote.

Insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described in this blog. The policy contains the specific details of the coverages, terms, conditions and exclusions.

Eligibility will be determined at the time of application based upon applicable underwriting guidelines and rules in effect at that time.

Your ERIE agent can offer you practical guidance and answer questions you may have before you buy.

What to Know About Hail, Roof Damage and Hail Fraud

Erie Insurance — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

A hailstorm just blew in through your neighborhood. Suddenly, there are people at your door telling you they can repair your home’s damage quickly and easily. What would you do? While some hail damage may be obvious, you can’t always trust that someone showing up to your door has your best interests in mind. If you’ve recently battled a hailstorm, here is what you need to know about hail, roof damage, homeowners insurance and common scams.

What should I do after a hailstorm?

The size and density of a hailstone will determine the severity of damage you’ll find after a storm. While some hailstorms can cause severe damage to your car and home, others can leave little to no harm at all. When the storm has passed and it’s safe to go outside, inspect any damage that may have occurred to your car or home. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) recommends contacting your insurance agent immediately if you suspect hail damage. Your ERIE agent knows the ins and outs of your specific policy and can help you determine whether you should file a claim to help cover the cost of repairs. To help your agent, be sure to record the date and timeframe the storm occurred and take photos that can help support your claim. For more hail safety tips, read our guide on what to do before, during and after a hail storm.

Common signs of hail damage

You may spot hail damage in a few different places on your property including roof, siding, windows, outdoor furniture and vehicles. Damage can look different depending on the object.

Signs of hail damage to a car:

Chipped or cracked windshield
Dents on the roof or other areas of your vehicle
Other dings or paint scratches

Signs of hail damage to a home:

Dents in gutters or outside vents
Chipped or cracked windows or skylights
Damage appearing on one side of the roof
“Bruises” or dark spots appear on shingles in a random pattern

While some damage can be easy to spot, you may not always be able to see the damage hail has done to your roof. An insurance adjuster knows the difference between roof damage from hail versus regular wear and tear. A trained and trusted adjuster can diagnose any potential problems.

What is hail fraud?

Having to deal with weather damage is bad enough. Unfortunately, there can also be fraudulent roofing contractors that emerge after a storm, sometimes called “storm chasers.” They often appear quickly after a storm and claim that your roof has been seriously damaged by wind and hail. Many “storm-chasing” contractors are transient, moving around the country following recent storm activity to increase their chance of landing a sale. The IBHS and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) recently teamed up to offer this list of tips to spread awareness of roofing contractor fraud.

What are the signs of hail fraud?

Storm chasers may point out pre-existing damage, create their own damage, or say there is damage when there isn’t any. Here are some signs that you should think twice:

“Free” inspection: Someone wise once said “nothing good in life is free.” While reputable contractors might offer free inspections with no strings attached, be cautious that some fraudsters might use this tactic to get on your roof and point out damage that isn’t there. Worse, some might create their own damage.
They pressure you: Those in the con business often pressure you to make a quick decision during a difficult or stressful time. Give yourself space and time to contact your insurance agent and make the right decision.
The contract has gaps: Your contract should be detailed and include an estimate on cost, work schedules, payment schedules, listed contractors and more.
Upfront payment: While it’s reasonable for any contractor to ask for a down payment, fraudulent contractors often demand all or a large amount of the payment upfront. Sometimes, they’ll take your cash and dash after performing shoddy work— or no work at all. Trustworthy contractors will often organize a payment schedule that works best with your schedule.

If you do find damage to your roof or other areas after a storm, a trustworthy contractor will work with your insurance company to help fix the damage.

Hiring a contractor after a hailstorm

As you begin your search for a contractor, here are some tips:

Get multiple estimates. Don’t rely on a single estimate as being the one with the best price—or the best work. Do some research and get estimates from three to four different contractors.
Ask to see their license and proof of insurance. Make sure both are real and up to date.
Ask for references. Has this contractor worked on similar projects? Do their references speak highly of them?
Take the right steps. Hiring a contractor can be stressful, especially when you’ve discovered some recent damage from a storm. Read through our full checklist of tips to consider when hiring a contractor.

Does my homeowners insurance cover hail damage?

Hail damage to homes can total hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on how long the storm lasts, the size of the hail and the amount of damage it causes. Generally speaking, most homeowners insurance policies cover damage from hail and wind caused by storms. Coverage can vary, however. For example, manufacturing defects that existed prior to the storm might not be covered under a hail damage claim. Check with your insurance agent about the specifics of your policy. Uncertainty is part of life, but that’s why you have insurance. Talk to an insurance professional from our team. They can tell you more about the options we offer and help get you a free quote customized for your home. ERIE® insurance products and services are provided by one or more of the following insurers: Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company, Flagship City Insurance Company and Erie Family Life Insurance Company (home offices: Erie, Pennsylvania) or Erie Insurance Company of New York (home office: Rochester, New York). The companies within the Erie Insurance Group are not licensed to operate in all states. Refer to the company licensure and states of operation information. The insurance products and rates, if applicable, described in this blog are in effect as of January 2024 and may be changed at any time. Insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described in this blog. The policy contains the specific details of the coverages, terms, conditions and exclusions. The insurance products and services described in this blog are not offered in all states. ERIE life insurance and annuity products are not available in New York. ERIE Medicare supplement products are not available in the District of Columbia or New York. ERIE long term care products are not available in the District of Columbia and New York. Eligibility will be determined at the time of application based upon applicable underwriting guidelines and rules in effect at that time. Your ERIE agent can offer you practical guidance and answer questions you may have before you buy.

Can I Buy My Parents Life Insurance?

Erie Insurance — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Picture this: You’re sitting down with your parents reviewing their will and other important documents, and you realize they don’t have life insurance.¹For some, this might not be hard to imagine – you may have experienced it already.

Life insurance is important for everyone, not just those with families or businesses. That’s because life insurance is for the living and can help protect and provide for your loved ones after you’re gone.

Now picture this: Your parents ask you to get them a life insurance policy. You might be wondering; can I do that?

Before you go any further, however, have a candid discussion about what life insurance can help them cover.

Protect Your Legacy

It’s hard to think of life without loved ones. When the time comes though, having life insurance in place takes the burden off the family so that they can focus on celebrating their loved one’s life. It can also help your parents set their children and grandchildren up for less worries by covering things like:

Final expenses. With the average cost of a traditional funeral and burial totaling around $8,000, funeral pre-planning and life insurance can help cover that expense for your family. While cremation is rising in popularity and a less expensive option, any extras (think nicer casket or memorial items) will increase the cost.
Home mortgage. If your parents are still paying the mortgage on their house, life insurance can help pay it off so the surviving spouse can stay in their home.
Income replacement. If one (or both) of your parents are still working, life insurance can ease the burden of paying monthly bills.
Estate planning. Whether your parents want to leave money behind for the grandchildren to use towards college or make a charitable gift to their favorite nonprofit, life insurance can help make that happen.
Business. If one of your parents owns a business, Key Person Life Insurance and Business Continuation policies can help protect their partner and ensure they’re financially cared for.

So, Can You Buy Your Parents Life Insurance?

Yes – with their consent. They must agree to the policy and be able to sign the paperwork. As their child, legal guardian, executor… whatever your title, you can get the process started. You’ll need your parents’ personal information and health history to do so. They may need to complete a paramedical exam depending on the type of policy and coverage they want.

Protection and Peace of Mind

Once your parents have decided they’d like life insurance, you can contact us. We’re your local advisors who will help you and your parents decide which type of life insurance policy best fits their needs: a term life insurance, whole life insurance or ERIExpress Life insurance policy.

If your parents already insure with ERIE, they may be eligible to receive a multi-policy discount when bundling two or more policies.² Talk with us about what discounts they may qualify for.

Insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described in this blog. The policy contains the specific details of the coverages, terms, conditions and exclusions.

Eligibility will be determined at the time of application based upon applicable underwriting guidelines and rules in effect at that time.

Your ERIE agent can offer you practical guidance and answer questions you may have before you buy.

What to Know About ERIE's Extended Water Coverage

Erie Insurance — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

What would you be most concerned about losing in a flood? It's different between men and women (of course). See the results from our latest survey.

We can’t say it enough: If it can rain (or snow), it can flood. Flooding can happen in a matter of minutes, or it may creep up slowly, but either way it can cause massive amounts of damage. Typically, nature handles excess water by sweeping it away into streams, lakes and rivers or just absorbing it into the ground. But we all know Mother Nature can be fickle, so when she opens the floodgates, it can be detrimental to your home, property and all your belongings.

Unfortunately, most people don't know that their homeowners policy doesn’t cover flooding. What's more, they usually don’t discover that until after a costly loss. Floods are the most expensive and destructive natural disaster in the United States, according to FEMA, and can occur in every state. At Erie Insurance, we’re here to bring you peace of mind, which is why we’ve introduced our Extended Water coverage.

What is Extended Water Coverage?

ERIE’s Extended Water coverage¹ provides protection for your home in the event of a sewer or drain backup, or from flooding such as inland flooding, tidal water, storm surge or mudflow and mudslide. This endorsement can be added to your ErieSecure Home^® policy (or bundle) and offers protection for your home, garage or other structures and personal property^²— including that stuff you’ve stored in your basement. To avoid losing valuables, make sure you know what not to store in your basement, because there are some things even we can’t replace!

Floods are devastating, they can damage homes both above and below ground, as well as displace families for extended periods of time. Extended Water coverage is designed to help cover things like:

Basements and other rooms
Water backups from sewers and drains
Repair and replacement costs for your home and personal property^³
Flood avoidance reimbursement (up to $10,000)^⁴
Temporary relocation costs, like a hotel or short-term rental^⁵

But Why Do I Need Extended Water?

As we’ve mentioned, flooding can happen anywhere, to anyone. Yet your typical homeowners policy doesn't cover it and only a staggering 4% of homeowners actually have flood coverage — as estimated by Milliman, an independent risk management, benefits and technology firm.

Sadly, many people assume since they aren’t in a high-risk area it’s not a needed coverage. But did you know that over 25% of flood claims come from individuals living outside high-risk zones? What’s even more earth shattering is just a single inch of water in a home is estimated to cost over $25,000 in repairs. Quite a hefty bill for such a small amount of water.

Insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described in this blog. The policy contains the specific details of the coverages, terms, conditions and exclusions.

Eligibility will be determined at the time of application based upon applicable underwriting guidelines and rules in effect at that time.

Your ERIE agent can offer you practical guidance and answer questions you may have before you buy.

Why is Visual Communication an Important Information Tool?

Nabeel Abu-Mahfouz — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 06:16:33 +0000

We come across various forms of Visual Communication as we go about our daily lives, from drawings, videos, and graphic illustrations we see on social media platforms and websites, to TV advertisements, billboards, signposts, and road signs. Whichever form the visual may take, its function is always to act as an appealing and interactive form of communication. In Marketing Communications, companies favour using visual communication materials for advertisements, marketing campaigns, and digital marketing purposes, as they are more effective in getting target audiences’ attention than other methods, such as auditory advertisement. Visual communication has also been proven effective for workplace purposes such as in presentations, conferences, and seminars.

What is Visual Communication?

Visual communication is the use of graphical representation of information to efficiently and effectively create meaning. It functions to capture informative, entertaining, educational, and thought-provoking ideas through visual elements. Forms of visual communication include infographics, images, videos, animations, graphs, charts, typography, slide shows, diagrams, among others.

As effective as this form of communication is, downsides could surface when shabbily thought-out and designed visual elements are used to represent ideas. Also, irrelevant graphic information added to the mix can cause confusion rather than provide clarity. In addition, overly-exaggerated visuals can take away from the idea in focus and distort understanding. In scenarios like these, the audience might lose interest in engaging, which defeats the purpose of this form of communication.

Importance of Visual Communication

The use of visual communication in different spheres is of the utmost importance because the idea behind a message can easily be lost through text and speech, especially when they are lengthy. However, visual communication helps to simplify ideas when working with any type of information. Below are some reasons why this form of communication is vital.

1. Convey Clearer Messages

People relate more easily to information created in either visual forms or which have visual elements embedded. This form of communication fosters idea clarity and enables faster information processing and comprehension. As the popular saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words; visual communications capture the essence of an idea or a message more concisely.

2. Capture and Retain Audience Attention

There is something about visuals that excites the mind. The target audience is more likely to pay close attention to information when presented to them in the form of images, videos, charts, diagrams, and animations. Most target audiences, especially in the digital space, have a short attention span. As a result, strictly text-based content is usually skimmed through or overlooked, and their message is missed.

3. Relay Messages More Quickly

Visual elements can pass across messages that will be understood and digested faster. Imagine driving, and all the road signs were written out in text rather than symbols, how long would it take you and other drivers to read those signs, understand their purposes and proceed with your commute? This is just one of the many instances where visual elements are better suited for conveying messages compared to other forms of communication.

4. Trigger the Expected Audience Engagement

Quite often, when we convey ideas, we expect feedback and engagements from the receiver(s). However, slow feedback and limited positive engagement is possible when messages aren’t delivered in an easy-to-understand mode of communication. Imagine being in a meeting where a colleague presents a statistical report without graphs or charts to classify figures; chances are you would leave the meeting more confused and barely remember the important takeaways from the report. Also, the conversation would be less productive, steering more towards clarification, rather than the expressing of opinions.

Visual communication facilitates quicker audience engagement because people are more likely to grasp the message with less effort. People are more likely to take a second look at images or videos and respond to them quicker than text-filled communication materials. According to statistics, articles that include images generate 650% higher engagement than solely text-based content.

5. Aids Easy Remembrance

Visual elements help paint mental pictures, which are easier to remember than a spoken or written conversation. Statistics have revealed that our brain processes image 60,000 times faster than text. We experience this in our daily lives as we most often remember images we see and the videos we watch better than the things we read or hear.

6. Visual Communication is the ‘Present’ and ‘future of Marketing Communications.

The following are some broad statistics regarding the effectiveness of visual communication, in comparison to other forms of communication:

91% of consumers prefer visual content over other forms of content.

94% of first impressions of a company’s brand and services will be based on some form of visual communication.

On the average, articles with images get 94% more views than plain text articles.

Today’s audience will only read 20% of the text put in front of them if it is 600+ words.

People usually look at the headlines and their associated images to decide if the written piece is worth reading.

Three DOs of Visual Communication

Quality trumps quantity every time. Keep it simple but tasteful.

Make content easy to digest, focus on appealing visuals.

Broad ideas are very good; it allows individuals to come to their own conclusions.

Three DON’Ts of Visual Communication

Do not make your visuals too wordy. To check this, try seeing if your visuals still make some sense when you remove the text.

Having too much stock/generic imagery; using your own unique images will attract more people.

Having a cluttered design! Avoid overusing visual elements, or their impact and ability to get across key points will be reduced.

Even in its simplest form, visual communication brings ideas to life faster and more dynamically. We continuously witness this as we encounter different communication materials as we go about our day-to-day businesses. If you pay closer attention, you might be surprised at how much of a difference this tool makes in your communication endeavours.

Enjoyed this article? Visit the 4P Academy Blog for more informative pieces on a variety of fascinating topics.

SOURCE

10 Stats That Show Why 2019 is the Year of Vsual Content. Poll Everywhere. https://blog.polleverywhere.com/visual-content/

The Anatomy of a Vaccine and its Significance in Pandemic Science

Sofia Finley — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 13:54:42 +0000

The COVID 19 pandemic has placed much of our society’s spotlight on science and immunological research, with the talk of vaccines leading topical issues across the globe. Before the pandemic, only researchers knew what a Polymerase Chain Reaction assay (PCR) could do, and now? A lot more people have become familiar with the term PCR and its use in testing for viral DNA. With the ravaging impact of COVID 19, so many companies, health ministries, scientists, and news agencies have been working tirelessly to make scientific discoveries and research undertakings revolving around the pandemic accessible to the general public. While presenting facts gained by science remains a step in the right direction, it is also important that researchers highlight the science behind those facts for educative purposes. In the case of vaccines, which take priority spot in pandemic science, the best way to understand how they work is to examine the history of their development.

A Brief Overview of the Human Immune System

The immune system has two main parts: the innate and the adaptive immune system. Our innate immune system is a sort of prevention system. It is, however, important to know that it does not develop or grow smarter in the same way that the adaptive immune system does. The innate immune system includes barriers such as our skin or nose hairs to keep pathogens out and serve as the body’s first line of defence. Nevertheless, should pathogens find their way into our bodies, the innate immune system is prepared. Our cells feature receptors on their surface, which act like ‘ticket-checkers at a concert. If something tries to enter a cell without the right ticket (or, in this case, the right protein attached to it), it can’t gain entrance.

Likewise, some receptors act like ‘bag checkers so that no one brings anything dangerous into the concert. These receptors are on macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils (white blood cells). They are specifically designed to produce a signal if one of many easily recognizable pathogenic structures is attached. Neutrophils are more abundant than other white blood cells, and they can identify microbes such as bacteria or fungi. Eosinophils are less common but very important due to their ability to identify and kill parasites, too large for other immune cells to fight against.

Macrophages are the most general of the white blood cells, able to target a variety of pathogens, in addition to breaking down dead cells. Furthermore, they are significant for activating the adaptive portion of our immune system. The innate immune system is built to work quickly and on anything that our cells deem ‘not quite right,’ but lacks some essential features. Nevertheless, the adaptive immune system makes up for whatever features the innate immune system lacks. First, the adaptive immune system can target specific pathogens, which is important if the body develops a widespread infection. It also serves as the immune system’s memory that takes the initiative to produce cells designed to attack a specific pathogen your body has successfully fought off if it should ever show up again.

_{Electron micrograph image showing the many types of blood cells present in a normal human’s veins}

The adaptive immune system is composed of lymphocytes, yet another type of white blood cell. Lymphocytes produce B cells and T cells. B cells go on to produce antibodies, which are proteins built to attach to a specific pathogen. These cells, which can be produced in large numbers, prevent the pathogen from subduing our ‘ticket-checkers in the innate immune system and mark the pathogen so that a white blood cell can identify and destroy it.

On the other hand, T cells can identify which of our cells have been infected. An infected cell will eventually break open and release a large amount of the pathogen that infected it. So, the job of the T cell is to either destroy the cell before that happens or tell the cell to fight back. T cells can also warn the neighbours of the infected cell to stay alert and ward off the pathogen when it attempts to enter.

Situations Where a Vaccine Can Help, and How They Do It

The immune system is truly remarkable, but sometimes a pathogen comes along that it just can’t keep up with. In such situations, the innate immune system does not recognize the pathogen, and the adaptive immune system cannot work quickly enough to stop the infection, and soon the body is overwhelmed. Vaccines are the best way to prevent cases such as this. Vaccines do not affect the innate immune system, but they can teach your adaptive immune system to identify and destroy a specific pathogen. One might ask, how does a vaccine accomplish this? We can uncover the answer by examining the major milestones in vaccine development.

Variolation and Smallpox: The 1600s

The first form of vaccination to be used as a process is called variolation. This process involved taking a small amount of an infected person’s fluids (usually blood or pus) and applying that to a small open wound on a healthy person. This form of vaccine came about due to the smallpox virus, Variola vera. Smallpox was extremely transmissible, with symptoms including fever, headache, back pain, and the eventual development of raised pus-filled sores (pocks).

The idea behind variolation dates back to 430 BC, when medical scientists discovered that smallpox survivors could not contract it again. As such, they appointed these survivors as caregivers to those infected with it. This eventually led to variolation, which became widespread across Asia, Africa, and Europe by the mid to late 1600s. Variolation works by introducing to the body a tiny amount of the pathogen. This gives your immune system enough time to respond instead of immediately becoming overwhelmed. That said, variolation was not without its problems. About one in every 50 people who received this form of vaccination would cause a new outbreak or die from the illness.

Edward Jenner and the First Smallpox Vaccine: 1796

Edward Jenner is famously known as the first person to create a vaccine. While variolation was simply exposing the body to a small amount of the pathogen and then hoping for the best, Jenner’s vaccine did something similar, but with one key difference. Jenner was a medical doctor who researched the properties of blood. He had heard something interesting about milkmaids being immune to smallpox. This piece of information at first might have sounded to him like an odd bit of superstition. However, after investigating the subject, he found that milkmaids were indeed immune to smallpox, but only after being exposed to cowpox from their herd.

_{A sketch of the hand of Sarah Nelmes after she became infected with cowpox.}

So in 1796, Jenner collected a cowpox sample from a milkmaid by the name of Sarah Nelms and injected James Phipps, an 8-year-old boy, with it. He recorded that James fell ill with a mild fever and would occasionally lose his appetite. The boy experienced no symptoms whatsoever! Nine days after his injection with cowpox, James was fully recovered, and Jenner injected him with smallpox. Although it took a few years after this experiment for the process to become an accepted way to immunize people against smallpox, it eventually became a revolutionary discovery. Jenner named his procedure after the Latin word for cowpox, vaccinia, calling it a Vaccination.

Louis Pasteur and the First Live Attenuated Vaccine: 1897

The name Louis Pasteur might be one you recognize for his role in coining the term pasteurization, from a process he discovered where milk is heated and cooled to kill any microbes present in the product. He, however, has a crucial place in the history of vaccines as well for developing one of the first live attenuated vaccines in the 1880s and 90s. The vaccine was for cholera, a bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhea responsible for rapid dehydration and death.

Pasteur discovered that, by growing the bacteria in culture (a jelly-like plate of microbe food) and transferring the weakest colonies to new plates every so often, eventually, you could produce a pathogen only capable of surviving in the most coddled of conditions (i.e. the culture). Pasteur did not know why this process weakened the bacteria, but it did, and injecting chickens with it led to their immunity to cholera. Nonetheless, his discovery revealed that growing pathogens for long periods in culture provides ample time for random mutations.

Viruses and bacteria are built to develop mutations at a high frequency. This predisposition and their small single-celled structure increase the possibility of developing a mutation that will allow the pathogen to be better at survival. This has led to problems like bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics or the many variants we see of COVID-19, but it has also enabled the production of vaccines. This method is so effective that attenuated vaccines are still used today for many common viruses such as measles, mumps, yellow fever, and some influenzas.

_{An agar plate containing microbe colonies in yellow. This plate was done using a method known as patch plating, where uniform colonies (dots on the lower right side of the plate) are isolated from a larger sample (left side of the plate).}

However, you may wonder how scientists are sure that a pathogen will grow weaker than stronger through mutations in the live attenuation process? Well, when scientists grow pathogens in a culture that gives them everything they need and makes the pathogen’s life super easy, it gets lazier and lazier over the course of many generations. This is because survival mutations help pathogens survive, but they also use up a lot of energy, so if they aren’t needed, it becomes more beneficial for a pathogen not to have them.

Development of Bacterial Vaccines: 1890 – 1950

Interestingly in modern medicine, live attenuated vaccines are used almost solely to vaccinate against viruses and not against bacteria. This is because of the somewhat unpredictable nature of attenuation. Viruses have tiny genomes, making them fairly easy to attenuate and to maintain product safety. Compared to viruses, bacteria have massive genomes, not to mention viruses and pathogens of their own, so there are often too many variables to produce an attenuated bacterial vaccine safely. The genomes in bacteria are so complex that, unlike viruses, it is nearly impossible to know what every one of their genes does.

So, after Louis Pasteur’s amazing discovery, vaccines took off, and scientists all over the world started attempting to make them. Viral vaccines came along quickly, but unlike Pasteur, other scientists had far less luck making effective vaccines against bacteria. It wasn’t until the 1950s and onwards, when genetics advanced, that live attenuated bacterial vaccines became possible.

Still, it is unlikely that you will receive a live attenuated bacterial vaccine because they are often just too complex to ensure their safety. It is difficult to say if they will result in consistent immunity. That said, this only explains why there are so few of them; live attenuated vaccines are still often used for well-studied bacterial diseases such as typhoid (caused by salmonella), and these are very safe.

COVID Pandemic: The Two Main Types of COVID 19 Vaccines in North America

Today, the world as a whole has a better appreciation for vaccines following the rise and rapid spread of SARS CoV2, a viral infection that has resulted in the illness called COVID 19. Now, with the increased availability of COVID vaccines thanks to the efforts of researchers and scientists, there is some hope that we are approaching the light at the end of the tunnel. The availability of these vaccines and, by extension, all the history behind the development of vaccines make the end of this pandemic possible.

Presently in North America, there are two types of vaccines available to help our bodies combat these infections. The first is the mRNA vaccine, produced by Moderna and Pfizer, respectively. To understand this vaccine, it’s important first to understand mRNA. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. This is a molecule built-in two twisting strands that are used to store instructions on how to build any living thing, including us humans. These instructions are referred to as a genome, and a copy of your genome is present in every one of your cells (except for red blood cells and platelets).

RNA becomes important when your cells need to read their instructions and create the parts as instructed. Our DNA is very delicate, so it is hidden away in a cell’s nucleus, where most of the cell’s construction equipment can’t touch it. Instead, the nucleus has special machinery to gently separate small sections of DNA and copy only the instructions your cells need. They ‘write down’ these instructions in the form of single-stranded RNA. RNA stands for ribonucleic acid, and there are many different types of it. The kind, however, that carries these instructions is called mRNA, where the m stands for messenger.

_{Timeline showing some of the key discoveries which led to mRNA vaccine technology.}

mRNA vaccines pump you (and, by extension, your cells) with the mRNA instructions to make only one part of the virus. Specifically, it will make a part of the virus that can be recognized by your adaptive immune system so that your B cells will learn to produce antibodies able to mark the virus for destruction. A good way to look at this is by using a metaphorical analogy. If the virus is an army that has come to invade your territory (body), then the mRNA vaccine shows you the flag that the army carries to help identify the army when it approaches.

Next is the adenoviral vaccine, the type which Johnson & Johnson and Astra Zeneca produce. This vaccine is also referred to as a viral vector vaccine. It uses a harmless virus as a vessel to deliver DNA to your cells. This DNA codes for a particular part of the virus, similarly to mRNA vaccines. Your cells will build that harmless protein ‘flag’ based on the DNA instructions, and your body learns to recognize this specific enemy.

The virus used to deliver the DNA will vary depending on the brand of vaccine being administered, but the key thing to know is that these are not viruses in the traditional sense of the word. When doing genetic research, scientists frequently use viruses as a way to interact with cells. This is because our cells don’t let in just anything. We have those ‘ticket-checkers receptors on all our cells, and if you don’t have a ticket or if your ticket looks like counterfeit, then you don’t get in.

It is hard to design a fake ticket, or in this case, a complex protein structure, so instead, scientists use viruses that have already made themselves some fake tickets. These viruses can be thought of like a pill capsule, and they have been emptied of everything they contain (meaning the bad stuff). These empty viral vectors can then be filled with the DNA that codes for the enemy flag. In other words, the virus portion of adenoviral vaccines is used as a shell that contains a vaccine in it.

Dispelling a Misunderstanding

An important thing to know about the two broad types of vaccines being used in the USA and Canada is that, though these vaccines utilize genetic code (mRNA and DNA), they cannot alter your genes or your genome by extension. None of the vaccines being used to fight COVID 19 can alter your genes, but since we’ve focused our discussion on North American vaccination, I want to continue in that thread. Earlier, I noted that your genome is stored inside each cell’s nucleus and that the nucleus doesn’t let very much in; that includes foreign genetic material. If something can’t enter the nucleus, then it can’t be inserted into your genome.

Finally, this blog article synthesizes some truly amazing research works that you can read up on if you want more information about this topic. Unfortunately, scientific research is not always an easy read, so to make life a bit easier, I recommend reading the abstract and conclusion (also sometimes titled discussion) sections and looking at the introduction for additional background information on the subject matter. Should you have burning questions about vaccines that this article or those cited here did not highlight, consider reaching out to a trusted expert in science or healthcare for their thoughts or advice.

Enjoyed this article? Visit the 4P Academy Blog for more informative pieces on a variety of fascinating topics.

SOURCES

Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th edition. New York: Garland Science; 2002. Chapter 24, The Adaptive Immune System..https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21070/

Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th edition. New York: Garland Science; 2002. Innate Immunity. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26846/

Pasteur, L. The attenuation of the causal agent of fowl cholera. Comptes rendus de l’Academie des sciences. 1880. (91), 673-680. http://icwdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/fowlcholerapasteur.pdf

Riedel, S. Edward Jenner and the History of Smallpox and Vaccination. Proceedings – Baylor University. Medical Center. 2005. 18(1), 21–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2005.11928028

Schlake, T., Thess, A., Fortin-Mleczek, M, et al. Developing mRNA-vaccine technologies. RNA Biology, 2012. 9(11), 1319–1330. https://doi.org/10.4161/rna.22269

Smith, A. Louis Pasteur, the father of immunology? Frontiers in Immunology. 2012. 3, 68–68. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2012.00068

Surat, P. What is the difference between a phagocyte, macrophage, neutrophil, and eosinophil? News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-is-the-difference-Between-a-Phagocyte-Macrophage-Neutrophil-and-Eosinophil.aspx

Zepp, F. Principles of Vaccination. Vaccine Design, 1403, 57–84. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3387-7_3

PICTURE SOURCE

Xu, S, Yang, K. Li, R., et al. mRNA vaccine era—Mechanisms, drug platform and clinical prospection. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, (21). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21186582

Bioprinting: A Fascinating Technology in Human Organ Fabrication

Nabeel Abu-Mahfouz — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 00:06:04 +0000

Over several decades, the world has continued to witness intriguing discoveries in medical science, thanks to technological advancements and their applications in medicine. However, in recent years scientists and researchers in medicine seem to have outdone themselves, especially with the discovery of Bioprinting, which enables the fabrication of human organ-like structures that allow cell regeneration. Though this emerging technology in medical science, researchers and scientists are excited to uncover more the full range of applications of Bioprinting as the technology continues to be further developed.

Basics of Bioprinting

Bioprinting is a relatively new approach that has made a significant impact in the field of medicine. Generally, Bioprinting works the same way as 3-D printing, but instead of using artificial materials to print inanimate objects, cells and biomaterials are used to build cells, tissues, and human organs layer by layer. Also, unlike 3-D printing which requires 3D modelling designs, Bioprinting uses layered medical scans of the individual who will be using the printed product.

What are Biomaterials?

Biomaterials are living cells that are retrieved from patients in need of 3D-printed organs. They are the basic requirement for all bioprinted materials. These cells are then cultivated to create bio-ink, which is the substance used to fabricate organ-like structures using 3-D printing technology. However, there are certain cells and tissues that cannot be recreated using Bioprinting. Examples of cells that can be artificially recreated include kidney and skin cells, and an example of cells that cannot be artificially created are adult stem cells.

Bioprinting Techniques

There are five major Bioprinting techniques which can be implemented. These are Extrusion Printing, Laser-based Bioprinting, Microvalves Printing, Inkjet-based Bioprinting, and Tissue Fragments Printing.

Extrusion Printing – Also known as pressure-based assisted Bioprinting, it is the most common Bioprinting technique. Biomaterial is layered one on top of the other to create a 3D structure. The biomaterials used in extrusion printing are usually pastes and solutions known as bio-ink, which is loaded into a syringe in the extrusion printer, which then prints by forcing the ink out with a piston.

Laser-based Bioprinting – This technique makes use of a pulsed laser as the energy source to load biomaterials onto a substrate. The process involves the evaporation of liquid biological materials which reach the receiving substrate in droplet form.

Microvalves Printing – The Microvalve is a simple droplet-based deposition technique where fluids are dispensed under pressure from tips by opening and closing a small elctronicaly or mechanically controlled valve.

Inkjet-based Bioprinting – This involves a non-contact printing technique that deposits precise picoliter droplets of bioink onto a hydrogel substrate. This technique uses the conventional inkjet printing process with desktop inkjet printers.

Tissue Fragments Printing – This involves a combination of bioprinting techniques with biological self-assembly to fabricate tissue structures by exploiting the intrinsic capacity of closely spaced tissue fragments. In this technique, tissues are deposited in close spatial organisation so that they merge to generate an organotypic structure.

Steps in Bioprinting

Regardless of the technique in use, Bioprinting has three major steps, which are pre-Bioprinting, Bioprinting, and post Bioprinting.

Pre-Bioprinting – This phase encompasses all that happens prior to the actual printing, such as researchers preparing cells and mixing them with their bio-ink, or setting up a live-cell imaging system to ensure there are enough cells to print a tissue model. Before Bioprinting begins, researchers also must create a digital file for the printer to read, which is largely based on CT and MRI scans.

Bioprinting – This is the stage where the main fabrication takes places with the use of cells, bio-inks and related equipment. Here, researchers load the printer cartridge with cells mixed into bio-ink, and proceed with printing the desired structure.

Post-Bioprinting – This is the final stage, after the organ has been successfully fabricated. At this stage, crosslinking occurs as most structures must be crosslinked to become fully stable. Reserachers perform crosslinking by treating the fabricated structures with either ionic solutions or UV light. Cell-filled fabrications are placed inside an incubator for cultivation. The composition of the fabrication determines the type of crosslinking researchers use.

Applications of Bioprinting

The applications of Bioprinting have spread to more areas since its emergence in the medical science field. Bioprinting is commonly used to do body part and organ fabrication, repairs, and drug research.

Bone – More than 2 million people require procedures to repair damaged bones or bone defects through bone grafting every year. This number of people is greater than the population of Calgary! Recently, a new process has been identified that involves Bioprinting the whole bone and coating it with special cells and gel from the printer. This allows the entire bone to be replaced in about 3 months. Printing a bone made up of common bone tissue found in the human body takes approximately 2 hours.

An artificial bone in the process of being 3D-printed

Blood Vessels – When scientists talk about blood vessels, they are mainly referring to our veins, arteries, and capillaries. There are tens of thousands of veins, arteries and capillaries in your body, and they require repair and replacement on a regular basis. Bioprintimg technology has helped greatly in the repair of damaged capillaries with the use of Bioprinted tubes that help with nutrient transfer. Over time, they merge with the capillaries, fixing them. Another method used to repair damaged blood vessels includes using a jelly-like substance that is approximately 80% dietary fibre, known as an agarose fibre template. This template covered with hydrogel is used to construct networks exhibiting blood vessel features.

A 3D-printed blood vessel to be grafted into a primate

Internal Organs – The organ transplant wait list can be fatal to many, but scientists hope that in about 20 years, through Bioprinting, the excruciating wait will be in the past. Currently, fully functional complex organs (such as hearts, kidneys, and livers) are ten years away from being created through Bioprinting. However, less complicated organs such as bladders are already possible. Less complex organs are Bioprinted using a 3D mould of the patient’s bladder, and are formed with cultivated cells from the patient’s bladder. In April 2019, the biomedical field reached a major breakthrough when a team of Israeli researchers used 3D printing technology to print an experimental heart from human tissue. That said, a fully functional heart or other more complex organs are yet to be developed through Bioprinting.

An artificial heart created through 3 D Printing

Drug Research and Development – In drug development, Bioprinting has enabled the production of improved in vitro testing during the drug research and development stages. In recent years, the application of this technology in the pharmaceutical field has helped organizations move from testing drugs on animals to developing a range of 3D culture systems and human tissue models for more efficient drug testing purposes. Consequently, companies have been able to better identify harmful or ineffective drugs before final production. In addition, this technology has led to drastic reductions in the cost incurred from clinical trial failures.

So far, the feats recorded from the application of Bioprinting are quite impressive but researchers have barely scratched the surface. This technology is poised to further improve processes in various areas of medicine as it continues to progress.

Enjoyed this article? Visit the 4P Academy Blog for more informative pieces on a variety of fascinating topics.

SOURCES

Bioprinting Explained. Cellink Life Science.2019. https://www.cellink.com/blog/bioprinting-explained-simply/

Mischa. Printing the future: 3D Bioprinters and Their Uses. Curious. 2017. https://www.science.org.au/curious/people-medicine/bioprinting

Hargreaves, B. Lonza and Allevi Pool Resources for 3D Bioprinting. Outsourcing. 2020. https://www.outsourcing-pharma.com/Article/2020/01/07/Lonza-and-Allevi-collaborate-on-3D-bioprinting

3D-printed Blood Vessel Working Well in Monkey Trial. YouTube. 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98_a4kZiPe4

Geraghty, T. How to Print Organs with a 3D Printer. Illinois Science Council. 2019. https://www.illinoisscience.org/2019/10/3d-printing-artificial-organs-medical-technology-biotech/

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Wikimedia Common. 2012. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0,

3D Printing Bone: a Revolution in Health Care! Interview with Pr. Kelly. Sculpteo. 2017. https://www.sculpteo.com/blog/2016/11/30/medical-3d-printing-pr-daniel-kelly-tells-us-about-3d-printing-bone/

Is Utilitarianism a Good Ethical Theory to Follow?

Nabeel Abu-Mahfouz — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 05:11:35 +0000

The term ‘Utilitarianism’ might seem vague to many who are not familiar with theories in Philosophy and Ethics, but it is a simple concept that tries to explain what our ethical obligations are in making decisions. Over the past few decades, there has been a lot of debate over normative ethical theories, a branch of Moral Ethics concerned with the criteria of what is morally right and wrong. Utilitarianism, which is one of the most commonly used moral theories to date, has garnered the most critique due to its seemingly controversial principle.

The Concept of Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is the moral theory that focuses on the results and consequences of an individual’s actions regardless of their intentions. Utilitarianism revolves around the principle of utility which promotes doing the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people. It is considered a hedonistic moral theory which states ‘good is equal to pleasant.’ Therefore, we should pursue joy and pleasure while avoiding pain. As such, one of the major arguments against utilitarianism is that it gives room for wrong answers to moral questions, thus permitting actions that are universally known to be morally wrong.

Critics have posited that an obvious flaw in the principle of Utilitarianism is that the morally right course of action in any situation is the one that results in the greatest balance of benefits over harms for everyone affected. Thus, an action is morally right as long as it produces maximum benefits for everyone, whether or not the benefits are derived through manipulation, acts of injustice, or deception. The main focus of utilitarianism remains the ‘benefit for everyone,’ and sometimes this can mean ensuring the safety of the majority, which is an advantage of this theory. Still, Utilitarianism remains a controversial moral theory that has led to many ethical dilemmas that we will examine through some examples.

First Example: What Restaurant to Choose

It is your birthday, and your parents are letting you choose a restaurant so that the entire family can have a feast to celebrate you. You love Italian food, but your family dislikes it; they love French cuisine, which you hate. You are conflicted about enjoying your birthday dinner at an Italian restaurant, because it would mean the entire family grumbling at the celebration. As a staunch utilitarian, you would have to choose your family’s preference of French cuisine, since their type of food would make more people happier than your preferred choice. In other words, you would sacrifice being happy on your birthday to ensure the majority is happy.

What choice would you make?

Second Example: Having the Courage to Save Yourself and Others, But Taking Life in The Process

You are on vacation in the Dominican Republic and go sightseeing around the city. Your bus gets stopped by a group of robbers. While collecting the passengers’ valuables, one of the robbers drops his gun under a bus seat, only an arm’s length away from you. After finishing the robbery, the robbers decide to kill everyone so there are no witnesses; they tell all of you to stand up.

Following Utilitarianism, you would have to reach for the gun and kill the group of robbers to save countless lives. It would be deemed an act of heroism for saving everyone, and an act of self-defense for saving yourself. However, not all individuals would be able to summon the ability to kill and have blood on their hands, despite that the robbers could potentially kill them.

What choice would you make?

Third Example: Choosing Between the Lives of the Elderly and The Young

This one is a classic moral dilemma. There are two sets of train tracks. The first set of tracks has five teenagers tied to it, while the other set of tracks has one elderly individual tied to them. You are in control of the lever that chooses the train’s path. You are approaching the fork and must make a choice, it’s too late to engage the breaks. Therefore, since the younger people statistically have more years to live and there are fewer elderly individuals, you would put the train’s path towards the elderly individual, letting them die. This example is much different from the previous one as now you have to choose between innocent people to kill instead of an individual who wants to cause you and others harm.

What choice would you make?

Based on the above examples, do you think Utilitarianism is a good ethical theory to follow? In my opinion, Utilitarianism is a topic that will continue to spark debates till the end of time, because its application varies based on situations, and the fascinating part is that you get to decide all by yourself if Utilitarianism is a good ethical theory to follow, should you find yourself in situations when you have to choose between ‘moral standards’ or the ‘greater good of everyone.’

Enjoyed this article? Visit the 4P Academy Blog for more informative pieces on a variety of fascinating topics.

SOURCES

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Normative Ethics. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/normative-ethics

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Driver, J. The History of Utilitarianism. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 2014, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/utilitarianism-history/

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (n.d.). https://iep.utm.edu/util-a-r/

Utilitarianism – Definition, Branches, and Criticisms. Corporate Finance Institute. 2020. https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/other/utilitarianism/

PICTURE SOURCE

Shikhar Sachdev. The Trolley Problem Explained. Shikhar Sachdev. 2017. http://shikharsachdev.com/trolley-problem/

Environmental Health: Why We Must Protect the Earth to Save Our Lives

Nabeel Abu-Mahfouz — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 06:44:11 +0000

Environmental Health has become more of an important subject of discourse globally following the offshoot of industrialization, climate change resulting from greenhouse emissions, pollution, and other environmental activities detrimental to human health and ea. Environmental health applies to humans and the earth’s entire ecosystem comprising animals, plants, microbes, and their various habitats, as well as landscape, weather, and other non-living components of nature. Despite nature being shared by all, the burden of protecting the earth must rest with humans because we are the only ones able to decide what environmental health and safety actually are. We are also the group most responsible for environmental damage, so we must take the lead in healing the wounds we create.

What is Environmental Health?

Environmental health is the science of implementing effective measures to protect human health and safety from poor environmental conditions. It is practiced through identifying, evaluating, and curbing the release of harmful and hazardous agents into different environmental components, like air, water, and food.

The discussion on environmental health was first initiated by the World Health Organization, WHO, in 1989. They defined it as the practice of assessing and mitigating environmental factors that are detrimental to human health. The global health watchdog led and sustained the conversation for years, providing research information and statistics on the impact of environmental hazards on human health. Today, several government-funded bodies, Non-profit organizations, NGOs, and private sector firms drive different campaigns to promote environmental health.

Facts and Findings on Environmental Health

With the increased awareness of environmental health over the years, numerous evidence-based findings on the effects of unhealthy environmental factors on human health have emerged. Some of the facts and findings are listed:

Environmental pollution leads to increased cases of illnesses like stroke, respiratory diseases, heart disease, and some forms of cancer.
More than 12 million people die every year due to unhealthy environmental conditions.
Over 90% of the world’s children breathe toxic air every day.
24% of the global disease cases are attributable to environmental factors. The environmental burden of diseases is 15 times higher in developing countries than in developed countries, owing to levels of exposure to environmental risks.
Children around the world contribute to only 10% of the world’s pollution but are prone to 40% of global disease.
Air pollution is the fourth-largest threat to human health, and approximately 92% of the world population lives in places where air pollution exceeds the safe limits.
Children are vulnerable to adverse health effects from indoor and outdoor air pollution resulting in an estimated 7 million deaths per year.

How Environmental Health Affects Our Basic Necessities

We are heavily dependent on our environment for survival, but systemic pollution, and other unhealthy environmental factors, threaten our unrestricted access to all of nature’s offerings. Below are three major necessities that poor environmental conditions affect.

The Air We Breathe: Harmful gases like nitrogen dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrocarbon, sulphur dioxide, and other toxic industrial waste chemicals are released into the atmosphere, polluting the air we breathe. Sadly, air pollution is one of the leading causes of severe health conditions such as cancer, stroke, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular system damage. So many combined factors cause air pollution. Even though industrial activities top the list, our simple daily routines like driving our cars and cooking with gas stoves also contaminate the air.

The Water we Drink and Grow Food in: Research has shown that water pollution, which results in water-borne diseases, is the leading global cause of death. Both everyday and industrial activities are responsible for contaminating our natural water bodies by releasing chemicals, oil, and other forms of waste. These actions cause critical illnesses, especially for people directly using water from such sources for daily purposes like drinking, cooking, and bathing. These individuals exposed to unsafe water are more vulnerable to infectious diseases like typhoid, schistosomiasis, diarrhea, cholera, meningitis, and gastritis. Water pollution also degrades the aquatic ecosystem, causing immense harm to sea creatures.

The Food We Eat: Food contamination of either plant or animal products due to environmental pollution remains a major challenge in countries worldwide. Despite what you might expect, excessive farm chemicals are a big threat to healthy farm yields. Also, from production, storage, distribution, and preparation, our foods are constantly exposed to different kinds of environmental hazards right up until we consume them. Consuming such foods can result in health conditions like hormonal and metabolic problems, nervous system issues, and various types of cancer.

Ways to Promote Great Environmental Health

A lot of us are familiar with the phrase “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” This phrase is a concise and clear representation of the steps we need to take to protect our environment. It is important that we make conscious efforts to cut down on the amount of waste we create as much as we can. Reusing items or repurposing rather than discarding them helps to reduce the harm we cause to the environment.
Avoid burning scraps and waste to reduce the amount of toxic gas released into the air.
Purchase more organic or eco-friendly products like recycled toilet paper, reusable shopping bags, stainless steel water bottles and a host of other recycled and reusable products.
Alter your daily routine of driving. Instead, take the bus and train sometimes or ride a bike if you can. This will help to reduce the amount of emissions released from cars.
Do not put hazardous waste like paints, pesticides, oil, lawn chemicals, batteries, and other materials in regular trash. Keep them in a secure space and dispose of them only on hazardous waste collection days.
If you live close to natural water bodies like rivers, streams or lakes , do not dispose any form of waste, especially chemicals in them, else you pollute the water.
Engage in tree planting because they help stop climate change. As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen in exchange. Trees store the carbon the absorb in their cells for as long as they live, and when they die the carbon is absorbed and sequestered deep in the soil.

While achieving a completely hazard-free environment might be near impossible, our conscious, consistent, and collective effort to adhere to the aforementioned points will certainly help bring environmental pollution down to the bare minimum. With one right decision at a time, we will inch closer towards saving the earth, and in the long run, it will reduce cases of diseases and deaths from environmental health challenges.

Enjoyed this article? Visit the 4P Academy Blog for more informative pieces on a variety of fascinating topics.

SOURCES

Definitions of Environmental Health. NEHA. https://www.neha.org/about-neha/definitions-environmental-health

Environmental Health. Healthy People 2030. https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/environmental-health

Preventing disease through healthy environments: a global assessment of the burden of disease from environmental risks .World Health Organization. 2018. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241565196

Imagery: An Unassuming Tool for Skill Mastery

Fady Hanna — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 08:16:44 +0000

Imagine grasping a complex, intricate skill, without actually performing the skill. Sounds somewhat improbable right? Surprisingly it isn’t, because imagery makes it achievable. Imagery is arguably one of the most under-utilized and underrated methods for skill perfection and mastery. From visualizing different scenarios to imagining experiences, imagery is not just useful for creating mental images and capturing the essence of our thoughts and interactions, but also for mastering skills. In skill development, it enables the creation of visuals in your mind on how to perform a skill as if you were actually doing it in real-time.

Imagery and its Impacts on Task Performance

Imagery is a term for illustration that involves the use of all five human senses. It is like going through the motions of an event in your mind while being cognizant of all your senses in the process. There are five major types of imagery, one for each sense, which are; visual (sight), tactile(touch), auditory (hearing), olfactory (smell), and tactile (touch). Imagery helps the mind pay attention to the different details that make an event more vivid. The more detailed the imagined event, the more likely the brain is to perceive it as a real event. This is why imagery is a very effective tool for individuals who are trying to perfect a skill. Putting your imagination to good use can prepare your mind better for tasks ahead by visualizing certain outcomes as if they have already been realized in real life.

Whenever you imagine yourself executing certain tasks, the brain strengthens the associated neural connections, even without you actually performing those tasks. This tool can help boost neurological connections for specific tasks that have been visualized. Research shows the effectiveness of imagery relies on the fact that the brain cannot separate imagined events from real events. As such, the use of imagery is instrumental in skill acquisition and development for professionals in all fields. In sports, for instance, imagery is a common psychological technique that athletes employ to improve their performance. Surgeons also use the tool to perfect procedures. Whatever the case, imagery can be applicable to individuals in many disciplines.

Imagery can be enhanced by listening to and watching others that have performed the tasks or achieved the results you aspire to achieve. This could be done by having one on one interactions with them, listening to audio recordings of them, watching them as they perform, or watching video recordings of their performances. This can help you paint more detailed mental pictures of how you can perform similar tasks and achieve even better results.

PETTLEP Model and the Effective Use of Imagery in Skill Development

The PETTLEP Model (stands for Physical, Environment, Task, Timing, Learning, Emotion, Perspective) is a structured approach to imagery, characterized by the application of vital components that make the visualization process more effective. The model provides a framework for the use of imagery by individuals to develop and master their skills. The model, which is centred on neuroscientific discoveries and findings in sports and cognitive psychology, was designed to offer professionals a set of guiding principles to foster productive visualization.

This model is considered very helpful in implementing an ‘imagery intervention’; which is a deliberate effort towards enhancing performance. The PETTLEP model stands for physical, environment, task, timing, learning, emotion, and perspective; all of which are the different, yet vital aspects that should be taken into consideration for an effective imagery script to best assist the individual. This methodology also provides a systematic approach to include all related senses and details of the event. Again, the more detailed the imagination the more likely the brain perceives the event as real.

An important aspect of a successful imagery session is controllability. It is important that the individuals are able to control how they feel, and that they are able to control their actions towards a successful performance. It is no use to imagine yourself failing, as that could reaffirm any anxiety you have about performing. On the contrary, you should aim to imagine the outcome you wish to achieve. So, when you imagine yourself being successful and in control in your imagery practice, you are more likely to do the same when it comes to the real experience. This gives credence to the popular catchphrase, ‘your thoughts become your reality.’

Research Findings on PETTLEP Model Trial on Professionals

In a bid to determine the effectiveness of PETTLEP intervention in sports, using penalty kick success as the focus of the trial, a group of researchers recruited 30 male soccer players with ages ranging from 19 to 34 years. All the participants in the study were professional players in the English Football League One. The players had never received imagery training before. They were randomly assigned to two groups; the PETLLEP imagery group and the control group (a group that did not use the PETTLEP methodology). Results from the trial showed a significant improvement in the performance of the PETTLEP intervention group from baseline. Additionally, players in the control group did not experience similar improvement in performance.

Another team of researchers highlighted the benefits of Imagery as a tool for novice surgeons. The trial involved 20 novice surgeons, 10 of which were assigned to a control group and 10 assigned to the imagery intervention group. The intervention consisted of a 30-minute imagery session prior to the assessment. The assessment comprised a virtual reality surgery that was conducted five different times. After an objective assessment of the performance of the surgeons on all five sessions, results revealed that the intervention group achieved better performance than the control group.

The positive results from the use and implementation of this visualization tool in different situations are proof of its effectiveness. One major advantage of the tool is in its application, which is not limited to any particular occupation but extends to multiple disciplines and professions. The deliberate use of the tool in a wider variety of occupations other than sports and medicine can result in unexpected improvement in the performances of individuals in those fields. Despite its usefulness, imagery has received underwhelming attention from groups that would likely benefit from it. Such a powerful and cost-effective tool needs further exploration both by fields that have practical experience with the tool, and those that are yet to give it a shot.

Enjoyed this article? Visit the 4P Academy Blog for more informative pieces on a variety of fascinating topics.

SOURCES

Arora, S. et al. Mental practice: Effective stress management training for novice surgeons. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 2011. https://www.journalacs.org/article/S1072-7515(10)01095-1/fulltext

May, J., Rhodes, J., Booth, A. Penalty Success in Professional Soccer: A Randomised Comparison between Imagery Methodologies. University of Plymouth. 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/16530

Forest Bathing: Fact or Fiction?

Sofia Finley — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 16:33:01 +0000

Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku, is the Japanese practice of performing quiet reflection in nature for as little as ten minutes or as long as a few hours. The term is made up of three characters (森林浴), the first means forest, the second represents connection within the forest, and the third means to enjoy the abundance of life. Historically, forest bathing emerged as an aspect of Shintoism, a religion in which gods resided in all aspects of nature. Because of this, forests are sacred places in which every rock, plant, and animal has spiritual meaning. This is what makes up the basis for Shinrin-Yoku, but there is scientific research to support this practice as well.

Short-term Benefits

Shinrin-Yoku has been an accepted healthcare prescription in Japan since the 1980s, though it has only reached Western society in the last two decades. Still, hundreds of studies have been conducted to explore the immediate effects of forest bathing on mental health and academic performance. In general, a study may require its test subjects to go for a walk in either a forest or in a metropolitan area, then have them perform an academic test or complete a survey on their emotional state.

Also, saliva samples are often taken from test subjects before and after Forest Bathing in order to test their cortisol levels. Cortisol is known as a ‘stress hormone’, produced in our bodies that increases when we experience stress. Testing the subjects’ cortisol levels helps the study to effectively measure stress and relaxation in response to stimuli. Meta-analyses have been performed based on these studies, and they cumulatively indicate that forest bathing has a positive impact on mental health and academic performance. However, because Forest Bathing was only recently accepted in medicine, there are still a lot of unknowns as regards its impact and long-term effects on physical health.

Long-term Benefits

Until more multi-year studies can be completed, the best way to understand the physical and long-term impacts of Forest Bathing is to examine the factors that could lead to such impacts. Much of the psychological benefits of Forest Bathing come from the visual and tactile experience of being in nature, but our sense of smell, in particular, makes this practice beneficial to our body. Many studies have been done on these effects, which have been condensed and compared in later analyses. These meta-data studies show that forest bathing benefits the immune system, cardiovascular system, and respiratory system; all in addition to contributing to psychological health. Forest Bathing is not meant to be an exercise, yet it strengthens the body.

So, how does it work? There are two compounds produced by trees that may be able to explain it. Pinene and Limonene are volatile organic compounds or chemicals produced by trees and vaporize in the air. Any given tree species may produce upwards of 200 different volatile compounds. This means that there are far more compounds involved in the benefits of forest bathing than only these two. However, these two are currently the most understood. Trees produce these chemicals to communicate with each other and their environment. For example, limonene is known to deter insect feeding, however, when it is released into the air, it also acts as a warning signal to other trees that an herbivore is nearby. It may also lead to the attraction of a predator of the insect.

The human body is also capable of responding to plant volatile signals through our sense of smell. Findings have shown that exposure to these volatile compounds helps to improve the conditions of people with inflammatory illnesses such as dermatitis and arthritis. It is also thought to be applicable as preventative medicine for cancer. Exposure to plant volatiles through forest bathing causes the body to produce more of the immune cells required for cancer prevention.

Don’t Take Our Word For It, Give It a Try!

Forest Bathing is an experience meant to engage all of the senses in order to facilitate healing. Understanding the individual components is important, but studies indicate that experiencing only one aspect of the sensory stimulation, such as the sight of trees or the smell of volatiles, will not produce the same results as walking in a forest would. Research on individual components of Forest Bathing is still important, but the beauty of this experience is that it cannot be bottled and sold. Interestingly, you don’t even need a forest to get the full experience. This nature’s therapeutic medicine is available to you at your local park or wherever you can find trees.

For more information on how Ontario Parks supports the practice of Forest Bathing, visit their blog for directions on how to try it at your local nature preserve.

Enjoyed this article? Visit the 4P Academy Blog for more informative pieces on a variety of fascinating topics.

SOURCES

Antonelli, M., Donelli, D., Barbieri, G., et al. Forest volatile organic compounds and their effects on human health: A state-of-the-art review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020. 17(18). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186506

Hansen, M. M., Jones, R., & Tocchini, K. Shinrin-yoku (Forest bathing) and nature therapy: A state-of-the-art review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2017. 14(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14080851

Kim, T., Song, B., Cho, K. S., et al Therapeutic potential of volatile terpenes and terpenoids from forests for inflammatory diseases. International Journal of Molecular Sciences,. 2020. 21(6).. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21062187

Plevin, J. From haiku to shinrin-yoku: A brief history of forest bathing. Forest History Today. 2018. Pgs 17-19. https://foresthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/3-Plevin_Forest_Bathing.pdf

Putra, R., Veridianti, D. ,Nathalia, E., et al. Immunostimulant Effect from Phytoncide of Forest Bathing to Prevent the Development of Cancer. Advanced Science Letters, 2018. 24(9). https://doi.org/10.1166/asl.2018.12804

Wen, Y., Yan, Q., Pan, Y., et al. Medical empirical research on forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku): A systematic review. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 2019. 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12199-019-0822-8

Coding: The Biggest ‘Game-Changer’ in Digital Technology

Lolade Odeyemi — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 04:47:12 +0000

The digital era has witnessed monumental advancements in technological innovations that have triggered a boom in the software industry, where coding and programming take centre stage. Although coding has been around for a very long time, its purpose and importance were barely visible to the vast majority of people using technological devices. However, the rapid evolution of technology coupled with increased human dependence on digital innovations has left the world in a constant state of playing ‘catch up’ with emerging trends in the digital space. This explains why the hype surrounding coding has gathered steam in recent years.

Coding in Simple Terms

Coding is simply the process of writing programming languages that computers understand and respond to. In other words, a code is the language computers or digital devices can comprehend to perform required functions. Codes are used to program apps on devices and computers, websites, and other technologies we interact with daily.

Ordinarily, computers and devices that run on software programs cannot comprehend human language and vice versa. So, it is safe to say that coding bridges the communication gap between humans and digital technologies.

Growing Popularity of Coding in the 21^st Century

Coding can be traced back to the 1950s, when programming languages like FORTRAN, LISP, and COBOL, were used to run computers. However, with new-generation programming languages like Python, JavaScript, and NoSQL, coding has become more prominent in this digital age of continuous human interactions with technological innovations. There is still a large chunk of the world’s population that isn’t aware of the existence or importance of coding, though there are a growing number of people outside of the software and IT sphere who have a good grasp of the concept and significance of coding.

Why Learn Coding?

As technology continues to shape our world, more and more businesses, both small and large scale, have continued to adopt and integrate computer-based information systems to drive efficiency and productivity in various sectors of the economy. As such, there is a rising demand for skilled individuals, who can develop, implement, support, and maintain these systems.

Now, here is the good news! Anyone can acquire coding skills regardless of educational or professional background. For people who are not in the digital technology and IT field, acquiring coding skills is a huge leap in becoming more marketable to prospective employers.

Thanks to the digital age, we can finally say goodbye to the era of computer programming and software skills being exclusive to computer geeks and science nerds. Now, people can acquire coding skills from the comfort of their homes with online materials like ebooks, video tutorials, and platforms where coding experts and enthusiasts provide step-by-step instructions to coding for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.

Interested in Coding? Check out these In-Demand Programming Languages

Python is a general-purpose programming language used in back-end development, app development, and data science.

JavaScript is the most popular programming language used for interactive website development, game development, mobile apps development, and building web servers.

Java – Java is used extensively in the Android mobile operating system. It is also commonly associated with the development of client-server applications

NoSQL – this is a programming language is used for database management, sales reports, and business management.

C# – developed by Microsoft, C# is a faster and more secure variant of C. It supports the development of applications for Windows, browser plug-ins, and mobile devices.

HTML – it is used for website development, website maintenance, structuring, and formatting of web pages and documents.

CSS – short for Cascading Style Sheets, CSS goes hand in hand with HTML. It is used in website development, website design, and web documents.

Having seen the role coding plays in this digital age, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say coding remains the future of digital technology. So, if ever there was a time to learn to code, it would be now! Go for it!

Enjoyed this article? Visit the 4P Academy Blog for more informative pieces on a variety of fascinating topics.

How Do Dwarf Planets Get Their Name?

Nabeel Abu-Mahfouz — Thu, 06 May 2021 17:58:09 +0000

Our universe is made up of many unique and complex elements, and astronomers have yet to completely figure out how to classify them all. Dwarf planets are one of those unique elements. They don’t neatly fit into already defined categories in the cosmos such as galaxies, stars, and planets, so scientists made them their own class, Dwarf Planets. There are currently five officially named planets in our solar system that scientists and researchers refer to as dwarf planets. They are Pluto, Eris, and Ceres, with Makemake, and Haumea joining the first three later on.

Interesting Facts About Dwarf Planets

Pluto is the most controversial dwarf planet, as it used to be considered the ninth planet of our solar system. It has been reclassified twice as a dwarf planet.
Since Eris is even larger than Pluto, it was once almost considered the tenth planet in our solar system.
Ceres was the first-ever object to be considered an asteroid in the solar system.
Ceres is located inside the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
One day on Haumea lasts 3.9 hours on Earth because it rotates much faster.
Makemake can reach temperatures to as low as -243.2 degrees Celsius!
There are six other objects in our solar system that are almost certainly dwarf planets, but are yet to be officially classified like the five above.

But have you ever wondered how these planets get their name? It may seem like something quite simple, but a lot of thought goes into a name. You might wonder about the factors scientists considered before classifying them as Dwarf planets. Well, the answers are outlined here.

Celestial Bodies

A dwarf planet must first be identified as a celestial body to be considered for dwarf planet status. By definition, a celestial body is a natural space object outside of the Earth’s atmosphere. Everyday examples include the Moon and the sun. Additionally, celestial bodies can have a mass that keeps expanding through the universe and can be classified as both known and unknown. Since dwarf planets are classified as small in mass, their celestial bodies are always known. In addition, a dwarf planet cannot be a moon.

Momentum and Gravity

A dwarf planet must have enough mass to assume a nearly round shape and achieve hydrostatic equilibrium. Two significant factors in play are the momentum and gravity of the planet. Momentum is the motion of a moving object, measured using mass and velocity. Gravity is the force that attracts a body towards the centre of its mass. An orbital occurs due to the momentum and gravity of the object. Therefore, for an orbital to occur, there must be a balance between the object’s momentum and gravity, also known as hydrostatic equilibrium. The illustration below depicts how momentum and gravity act on a celestial body in orbit.

Planet Orbitals

Another factor that contributes to dwarf planets is they must orbit the sun. An orbital is an orderly repeating path an object (in our case, a celestial body) takes around another one. This path tends to be in the shape of an ellipse, similar to an oval. Moreover, the orbital of a planet can determine important characteristics of a planet, such as its temperature. The diagram below depicts how the earth’s orbit affects the temperature of different geographical regions.

Dwarf Planets Have Not “Cleared the Neighbourhood“

If a planet does not “clear the neighbourhood” that means it does not have a unique orbit around the sun. To “clear the neighbourhood” a celestial body must have a gravitational dominance over the other bodies in their rotation with the sun. Since gravity is directly dependent on the mass of the celestial body, the body with the highest mass will have the highest gravity, and therefore the highest gravitational dominance over the others. Considering one of the characteristics of a dwarf planet is that they have just the right amount of mass to stay within an orbital, they cannot dominate it.

Now you have your answer! A dwarf planet is defined by being in orbit alongside a celestial body that clears its neighbourhood, and is not a moon. They appear like planets but they don’t meet certain technical criteria to be categorized as such. Until astronomical research unravels further features that might likely make them fit into other defined categories of outer space, Dwarf planets they will be.

Enjoyed this article? Visit the 4P Academy Blog for more informative pieces on a variety of fascinating topics.

If you would love to delve deeper into topics in astronomy or science in general, 4P Academy has a wealth of resources and offers great tutoring at your convenience. CLICK HERE to get started.

SOURCES

Coffey, J. Celestial Body. Universe Today. 2015. https://www.universetoday.com/48671/celestial-body/

Dwarf Planets: Interesting Facts about the Five Dwarf Planets. The Planets. 2015. https://theplanets.org/dwarf-planets/.

Apprendre un langage pour comprendre une culture

Caroline Baranger-McIlrath — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 18:02:09 +0000

Apprendre son langage comme la condition sine-qua-non à une compréhension plus intégrale et intime d’une culture.

Ma connaissance de l’anglais m’ a permis de voyager. Avant de m’installer et de travailler ailleurs qu’en France, je m’étais inscrite à l’université en région parisienne en vue d’obtenir un deug en langue, littérature et civilisation Britannique et Américaine. L’apprentissage d’un langage permet de lire des livres dans leur versions originales, et par là d’avoir accès à des textes qui resteront sans traductions bien qu’ouvrant sur d’autres perspectives et traditions. Je ne ferais mention ici des différences de grammaire, de conjugaisons, de lexique et de particularité linguistiques, qui amènent l’apprenant à penser en des termes nouveaux ou renouvelés.

Aussi on ne doit pas présupposer que les traductions peuvent délivrer tous les sens, significations, poésies et politiques du texte original, en fait la majorité du temps les traducteurs adaptent le texte original à la culture de leurs lecteurs. Par exemple, le mets d’une personne anglaise qui d’habitude à pour snack un biscuit qui ne se trouve pas en France, va être traduit et changé en ‘petit sablé’, biscuit qu’en France tout le monde connaît. C’est à dire que majoritairement les traductions vont effacer ce qui fait l’originalité d’une culture, ou bien le texte va comporter des références traduites littéralement mais qui sans notes du traducteur vont rester incomprises du lecteur (références historiques, ou politiques ou culturelles, sous-entendues, ou s’appuyant sur un allant de soi inconnu de l’outsider).

S’intéresser à une autre culture aussi enseigne comme tout dans la vie peut avoir été pensé autrement. Même des pays très voisins possèdent des infrastructures, des administrations, des habitudes et coutumes, des lois et façons de faire ou de s’organiser complètement différentes. Vivre dans un autre pays ou converser avec des gens venant d’un autre pays (et d’ailleurs aussi d’un même pays mais d’une autre région) va transformer les modes de pensée, simplement de constater que même les actes du quotidien, auxquels on ne pensent plus, peuvent être vécus et se faire d’une toute autre manière.

J’ai travaillé en France et en Angleterre en faisant un métier similaire. J’ai été aide-medico-psychologique, c’est à dire aide aux personnes dites handicapées. En France je dirais que notre formation était très médicale et psychologique, alors qu’en Angleterre le training était plutôt basé sur la législation et le droit des personnes handicapées. En fait pour un rôle apparemment analogue, la formation, et l’interaction pluridisciplinaire se révélaient contrastées bien que complémentaires. Connaître les deux systèmes est d’un très grand intérêt. Les rencontres internationales sont d’un enrichissement exceptionnel. Un de mes buts est de participer à un programme humanitaire commun entre pays africains francophones et anglophones.

J’ai été professeure d’anglais en maternelle en Chine, et pour rejoindre un article écrit sur l’hygiène dentaire sur ce site, une proportion de mes élèves souffraient de graves problèmes de caries. Se brosser les dents n’ait pas coutume pour tout le monde en Chine et aussi la consommation de sucre est élevée (pas de produits sans sucre en vente non plus).

Danser sur des mots et des images pour tenter de faire passer le message est magique. Les enfants chinois apprennent beaucoup de chorégraphies et chansons à l’école. Ce fut une de mes expériences professionnelles les plus positives, les institutrices ayant gardé pour amuser les enfants des vidéos chantées que j’ avais trouvées et téléchargées sur l’internet en anglais sur la nécessité de se brosser les dents quotidiennement ainsi que les supers chansons sur la météo et celles sur l’abécédaire.

Vous avez apprécié cet article ? Visitez le blog de l’Académie 4P pour plus d’informations sur une variété de sujets fascinants

CITATIONS

Étudier une autre langue consiste non seulement à apprendre d’autres mots pour désigner les mêmes choses, mais aussi à apprendre une autre façon de penser à ces choses – Flora Lewis

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MP Infographic

Rip It Apart!

5 Steps to Start Your Grant Application

Read & Rip

Why Grant Makers Want Mobile-Friendly Sites

Why Grant Makers Want You to Have a Mobile-Friendly Website

How are Your Constituents Connecting to You and What They Need?

Who is Smartphone Dependent? (Hint: it may surprise you)

Best Practices

Grant Ready Organization

EXCITING NEWS!

KEYS TO COMPETE!

GRANT READY, SET, GRO!

SET PHASERS TO GRO!

START AND PLAY AGAIN

WANT HELP?

8 Steps to the DATA Act

8 Steps to Implementing the DATA Act

Progress for the DATA Act

DATA Act Playbook

What Your Competitors Do With A Denied Grant Application

WHAT YOUR COMPETITORS DO WITH THEIR DENIED GRANT APPLICATION

How to Thank a Funder on Social Media

Thank a Funder on Social Media

2021 Is An Employee’s Market Place

Realize it’s an employee’s market for top talent

Offer a salary above average

Speed up the interview process

Retain current employees

Flexibility on partial remote working