Pandemic Widens Chasm Between Highly Motivated Workers in Talent-strong Economies and Brain Drain in Talent-weak Economies

December 7, 2021

Lausanne, Switzerland 9 December 2021 – Switzerland leads the top 10 economies in the IMD 2021 World Talent Ranking, showing a pandemic-induced trend in which employees are more motivated in more competitive economies and less so in non-competitive ones.

“This has consequences for leadership responsibilities, as it’s clear that talent attraction and retention is no longer just a policy issue. It’s also the responsibility of senior executives who need to realize their role in boosting worker motivation, which is not just driven by external factors such as salary, safety, or quality of life, but also by the opportunities leaders can provide for workers to reskill, to work flexibly, and to have the use of the best tech at their fingertips,” said Arturo Bris, Director of the IMD World Competitiveness Center, which is behind the research.

Sweden is 2nd (up from 5th in 2020 in the same ranking), Luxembourg 3rd (also 3rd in 2020), Norway 4th, and Denmark 5th. Switzerland has been ranked number 1 for five years in a row.

Researchers asked executives in 64 economies how high they perceived worker motivation to be. Taken as a median of the top-10 ranking economies, the answer out of 10 has evolved from 6.1 to 7.5 between 2020 and 2021.

The least talent-competitive economies showed a decrease in motivation. In 2020, the median answer was 5.7 vs 5.3 this year.

“Clearly, mobility issues throughout the pandemic have meant there is less brain drain – well-educated and skilled people leaving their country – everywhere since 2020. But there is not such a marked drop in talent-rich economies than predicted because there has been an increase in motivation. Talent-weak economies, on the other hand, are suffering even more from brain drain than is consistent with the blows of the pandemic and the need to find a job anywhere,” added Bris.

In the survey that contributed to the results, executives were asked if they agreed that brain drain was not hindering the competitiveness of their economy. Agreement was high in the top 10 ranking economies (a median of 7.3 vs 5 in 2020); agreement was low in the bottom 10 economies (a median of 4 in 2021 vs 5 in 2020).

Switzerland remains in the leading position as a result of its sustained performance in all three factors: Investment & Development (1st), Appeal (1st) and Readiness (3th). The country’s performance is strongly supported by public expenditure in education, the implementation of apprenticeships, the prioritization of employee training, and the overall effectiveness of the health system.

Sweden moves up to 2nd place (from 5th) thanks to improvements in its performance in Appeal (3rd, up from 4th) and Readiness (4th, up from 11th). Its performance in the PISA educational assessment, its availability of skilled labor, its finance skills, and plethora of competent senior managers and managers with international experience are key.

Luxembourg remains in 3rd place with a strong performance in Investment & Development and Appeal factors – 2nd in both. It enjoys a particularly strong performance in total public expenditure on education per student and its quality of education (measured by pupil– teacher ratio). Similar to Switzerland and Sweden, Luxembourg’s Appeal is enhanced by the high quality of life that it offers, combined with the reduced impact of brain drain and the availability of foreign highly skilled personnel.

Norway’s rise from 7th position to 4th is notable. Its total public expenditure on education (per student, 4th), quality of education (measured by pupil–teacher ratio in primary education, 5th) and the effectiveness of its health infrastructure enables it to maintain 5th position in Investment & Development. There have also been improvements in the availability of foreign, highly skilled personnel as well as a fair administration of justice and measures of environmental protection (i.e. exposure to particle pollution).

Denmark declines three places to 5th. Despite the decline, the country performs strongly in the Investment & Development (3rd and Readiness (8th) factors. It has good total public expenditure on education (per student, 6th), the implementation of apprenticeship programs (4th), prioritization of employee training (2nd), female labor-force level (12th), and the effectiveness of the health system (2nd). In terms of Appeal (18th), a robust performance in attracting and retaining talent (2nd), worker motivation (1st), the effect of brain drain (5th), and quality of life (4th) are offset by the level of collected personal income tax (63rd) and a high cost of living (50th).

A regional deep dive

Western Europe dominates the ranking. Improvements regionally in the past year can be observed in Eastern Asia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. Declines are apparent in North America, Southern Asia and the Pacific, Western Asia, Africa, and South America.

In Europe, Spain remains stable, in the same position it has been for the past five years – at 32nd – aside from a minor deviation in 2018 when it rose a position. Notably, Investment & Development has been on an upward trajectory each year since 2018 (from 36th then to 30th in 2021).

The United Kingdom rose two places in 2021, coming in at 21st – a position it had held in 2017 but then lost. Last year, it started to climb again. It made substantial gains in the Readiness factor this year, registering 13th vs 17th in 2020.

In the Nordic region, Finland, in 8th place, has seen its Appeal grow consistently – it was 24th in 2017 and 11th in 2021. Iceland (7th) remains in the top 10 for the third year in a row, having made a huge leap in 2019.

Eastern Asia realized a slight overall increase, exchanging second place with North America, which experienced a decline.

China rose four places to 36th, jumping from 32nd to 22nd in Readiness since 2018. In particular, it meets the needs of a competitive economy in primary and secondary education, and is enjoying good labor-force growth.

Singapore dropped three places to 12th. However, it improved by six places in Appeal; highly skilled foreign personnel continue to be attracted to the country, where remuneration of management roles remains high.

Japan fell another spot; it has been on an overall decline since it was ranked 29th in 2018. However, its Readiness leaped six places.

The United States improved one place at 14th. Its Appeal dropped from a steady 2nd place in 2017 to 6th. Its weaknesses lie in the areas of cost of living and collected personal income tax.

Over the past five years, six out of the 10 most-improved economies in terms of talent competitiveness have been in Central and Eastern Europe. Ukraine, Hungary, Croatia, Estonia, Slovenia, and Romania all rose at least 10 places between 2017 and 2021. Ukraine is the country that improved the most, rising 13 places to 46th in 2021.

The IMD World Talent Ranking assesses the status and the development of competencies necessary for enterprises and the economy to achieve long-term value creation. There are three major ways of grouping the survey questions that executives from 64 economies are asked: (1) Appeal – the extent to which an economy attracts foreign and retains local talent; (2) Investment & Development – a measurement of resources earmarked to cultivate a homegrown workforce; and (3) Readiness – what the quality of the skills and competencies that are available in a country’s talent pool are like.

Rank 1-64	2020	2021	1 yr Change
Switzerland	1	1	–
Sweden	5	2	+ 3
Luxembourg	3	3	–
Norway	7	4	+ 3
Denmark	2	5	– 3
Austria	6	6	–
Iceland	4	7	– 3
Finland	12	8	+ 4
Netherlands	10	9	+ 1
Germany	11	10	+ 1
Hong Kong SAR	14	11	+ 3
Singapore	9	12	– 3
Belgium	16	13	+ 3
USA	15	14	+ 1
Canada	8	15	– 7
Taiwan, China	20	16	+ 4
Ireland	18	17	+ 1
New Zealand	21	18	+ 3
Estonia	19	19	–
Australia	13	20	– 7
United Kingdom	23	21	+ 2
Israel	22	22	–
UAE	24	23	+ 1
Cyprus	17	24	– 7
France	28	25	+ 3
Portugal	26	26	–
Slovenia	30	27	+ 3
Malaysia	25	28	– 3
Lithuania	27	29	– 2
Latvia	33	30	+ 3
Qatar	29	31	– 2
Spain	32	32	–
Greece	37	33	+ 4
Korea, Rep.	31	34	– 3
Italy	36	35	+ 1
China	40	36	+ 4
Czech Republic	39	37	+ 2
Saudi Arabia	34	38	– 4
Japan	38	39	– 1
Jordan	49	40	+ 9
Kazakhstan	44	41	+ 3
Hungary	50	42	+ 8
Thailand	43	43	–
Botswana	–	44	New

Poland	35	45	– 10
Ukraine	42	46	– 4
Russia	54	47	+ 7
Chile	41	48	– 7
Croatia	53	49	+ 4
Indonesia	45	50	– 5
Romania	57	51	+ 6
Slovak Republic	61	52	+ 9
Turkey	46	53	– 7
Argentina	47	54	– 7
Colombia	58	55	+ 3
India	62	56	+ 6
Philippines	48	57	– 9
Bulgaria	55	58	– 3
Mexico	56	59	– 3
Brazil	59	60	– 1
Mongolia	63	61	+ 2
Peru	51	62	– 11
South Africa	52	63	– 11
Venezuela	60	64	– 4

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Dark Brown Hair Shades for Women

December 7, 2021

Dark hair looks great on most skin colors. With dark brown hair, you can choose the darkest shades or a lighter brown dye to make the style more attractive. Add some light to the hairstyle by including babylights or highlights.

Dark chocolates are some old classic colors that will never grow old. Young girls and older women also go for espresso shades and warm gold or red-infused hues. If you have decided to try dark brown hair shades for women, here is a detailed guide of some shades you would want to consider. Take a look.

1. Breast Length Dark Brown Hair

If you want a feminine and beautiful vibe, try this dark brown long hair, accessorized with tortoise shell hair accessories. Adding waves to the style makes it more stylish. It is easy to style because the color resembles that of natural hair.

2. Very Dark Brown Hair

The very dark brown color is not picky with skin tones. The hair is easy to maintain, and when taken care of, it looks very shiny. Use hair treatments and crèmes to keep it healthy. Be picky with the shampoos and ensure your condition after washing.

3. Brown Hair With Lowlights

Women with lighter skin tones look beautiful in this hair hue. According to LoveHairStyles, add caramel highlights to make the style pop and highlight the dark base.

4. Golden Dark Hair

Some women have naturally dark golden hair. You can also get yours dyed in a golden dark color. The color is warm and looks natural.

5. Dark Brown With Red Highlights

If you have dark brown voluminous, and wavy hair, do not fail to try the red highlights. They will look stunning on your hair type and texture. You can dye the highlighted parts back to brown if you don’t like the results.

6. Dark Ask Color

The dark ash hair color is not commonly worn, making it unique. It fits well with wavy and layered hair, and it looks perfect under the light.

7. Dark Caramel Balayage

Add some medium brown highlight on the shoulder-length hair to make the style pop. The hair is easy to maintain. You can let it fall on your back or hold it up in a bun.

8. Collarbone Length With Dark Brown Ombre

The dark brown ombre has a part of the hair-shaded bronze with a perfect transition of caramel. The hair hue is stunning, and it fits most skin tones.

9. Dark Brown Hair With Silver Highlights

Choose this style for the winter season because it gives winter vibes. Use a curling comb to add some waves to the style. They make it more voluminous, and the silver highlights pop more.

10. A Mixture Of Dark Chocolate And Dark Golden Brown Ombre

Dying your slightly curly hair into these hues makes it stunning. The mahogany rich looks on the golden brown tones make the hairstyle less bulky. The combination of these colors will work perfectly on medium-length hair.

11. Coffee Brown Medium Hair

We love coffee and there is no doubt about that. What about incorporating this lovely colour into your hair? It sounds good, right? If you have naturally dark brown hair, the coffee brown hue will suit you perfectly. Ask your stylist to give you a favorite flattering cut and wear it with confidence.

12. Red And Blonde Highlights On Dark Brown Hair

A combination of red and blonde highlights on dark hair never goes wrong. These colors look perfect on any hair texture and type, and they are not picky with the person’s skin tone.

13. Dark Auburn Brown

The dark auburn brown hair hue is not picky with hair length and type. You can add some curls to the tips to make the style more stunning.

14. Purple Highlights On Dark Brown Hair

Purple highlights are not too bright or too dark on dark brown shades. Mixing the two colors gives a stunning dimension. You can make the dark brown color the base to make the purple strands more visible.

15. Espresso Brown With Caramel Highlights

If you want a simple style that adds a statement, the espresso brown with caramel highlights is the perfect hair color. The light pieces make your medium-length hair more stunning.

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Fun Things to Do During the Holiday Months

December 7, 2021

While the holidays are always highly anticipated, they are also associated with high amounts of worry and anxiety. Before and during all the madness, there are several activities you can participate in that will help ease your stress. Be proactive in managing your own healthy self-maintenance by participating in leisure activities you love, whether it’s solo or with friends or family.

No matter what it is you decide to do, it’s a good idea to review your car insurance policy and make sure it’s up to date. If you find that it’s time to renew, consider searching online for the best deal on cheap car insurance – you can save a bundle and use that money to fuel your wintery adventures.

Cross Country Skiing

If you aren’t accustomed to skiing, gear up with cross country skis and all of the accessories so you can feel comfortable out in the cold. Different from downhill skiing, cross country requires skiers to rely on their own movement to propel across the terrain (as opposed to gravity). It makes for a great work out and is a peaceful way to enjoy nature.

Sledding

Sledding can be great fun if you prepare yourself for several uphill climbs and possibly a few bumps and bruises. Avoid sledding in areas where there are rocky hills, light poles, fences or trees, and do your best to keep a healthy distance from other sledders. Consider putting helmets on young children and always go down a hill feet first.

Bake Cookies

Holiday time is traditionally when people set aside hours to bake dozens of different types of cookies for themselves and their friends. Why not get a jump start on this activity and bake the cookies now – you can always freeze the dough! Or eat them all and bake more later.

Visit the Water

Regardless of the weather, sitting beside a body of water creates a harmony and peace that all enjoy at Thanksgiving. Whether it’s a small creek, a lake, river or even an ocean, take an hour or so out of your day to pack a lunch and enjoy the views, even if it means wearing a scarf and hat!

Rent a Mountain Cabin

Fall is the most beautiful time of the year to visit the mountains. Trees are alight with color and even if you get away for a weekend, you’ll appreciate the time to breathe and relax before all of the holiday gatherings and deadlines begin.

Visit Your Local Zoo

City zoos are open all year round, though the majority of people visit them in the warmer weather. Bundle up and take an afternoon trip to say hi to the animals, and you will enjoy infinitely smaller crowds, and a blissful and fun reminder of nature residing so close.

Join a Turkey Trot

Colder weather creates a sense of hibernation. Break out of the sluggishness by signing up for a turkey trot. A turkey trot is a 5K, half marathon or marathon in your local area. Find one that doubles as a fundraiser and you’ll be halfway to setting your own spirit of gratitude.

Start Holiday Shopping

Before the malls and the stores get too crowded, venture out to start your holiday shopping. You may be lucky enough to find some pre-holiday deals, and you’ll enjoy relative peace and quiet compared to traditional holiday shopping that starts in December!

Find Your Holiday Decorations

Unless you are super organized (which granted, some of us are), you will likely need to do a little bit of basement, attic or garage hunting to locate your holiday decorations. If you’ve lived in your home for several years, decorations may be scattered about in different locations. Take some time in November to find what you’ll want to put out over the next several weeks.

Go Geocaching

Geocaching is a great activity that blends education, fun, and exercise. Download one of the many geocaching apps and be on your way! With more than three million active geocaches around the world, you’re sure to find several nearby of various intensity levels.

Build a Bonfire

There’s nothing quite like sitting around a fire, and this is also true when the temperature dips. If it isn’t windy, have fun with friends and children roasting marshmallows and drinking hot cocoa. A perfect time to practice your holiday song harmonizing!

Although it might seem like the world has buttoned up and there isn’t much left to do during November, December and January, there are still plenty of fun activities to engage in before and during the holidays.

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Leeds-based Stories Flooring Sees Sales Increase by 45% as more People Turn to DIY Since Lockdown

December 7, 2021

Leading Yorkshire-based flooring company Stories Flooring, previously known as Lifestyle Flooring, reported a 45% sales increase compared to the same period in 2019.

They also noticed a huge 63% increase in organic traffic, as more people searched for improvements they could make to their homes since lockdown.

Leeds-based Stories Flooring has also employed more staff to support with the increase in sales and presume there may be more hires over winter with further local restrictions being put in place. Stories have also invested 100k in a new brand, website and order management system to facilitate the rise in sales.

Founder of Stories Flooring, Yarl Christie, says:

‘‘It’s great that more people are enjoying DIY as a positive way to spend time at home. There are tons of benefits that come with carrying out DIY, not just physically transforming your home but also the mental health benefits.

After seeing sales increase over summer, we felt it was the right time to create a brand that reflects more around who we are and what we stand for. ‘Stories Flooring’ will focus on the homeowners telling a story with their homes and the perfect flooring is the finishing touch.

Of course, we know we’re very lucky to be an industry that can continue to flourish and we’re constantly considering ways we can support smaller businesses during this difficult time.’’

Searches for ‘DIY materials’ spiked in March and then again in August – which were both times when tighter restrictions were put in place in the region.

‘Flooring’ searches took a slightly different trend, as they peaked in March but then continued to steadily grow across the summer months.

Comparing 2020 to 2019 for the term ‘flooring’, it is clear that more people are relishing home improvement projects this year and are seeking online stores to facilitate.

Stories Flooring
Unit 2 Wortley Business Park
Amberley Road
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS22 5BH

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The Evolution of Marketing Using Mobile Apps

December 6, 2021

Can you imagine spending a day without having access to your mobile phone? Neither can we! Anything is possible using smartphones. You can book a flight to Vegas, make a reservation at your favorite restaurant, buy tickets to an NBA match, get answers on Google, and much more.

Thanks to mobile phones, now small businesses can effectively create a marketing campaign and make it a success! The profit of a business lies in its marketing strategy, and how you market your services will determine how much revenue your brand generates in the long run.

Marketing can be viewed as a tool that is used to create demand, reputation, competition, and relevance. If you think that a useful marketing strategy will cost you a lot of money, you’re wrong. Your mobile phone is enough to have an essential marketing strategy.

On that note, let us look at the evolution of marketing or mobile app marketing!

What is mobile marketing?

Mobile marketing can be defined as a type of multi-channel digital marketing aiming to reach target audiences through cellular devices or mobile phones.

People have increasingly shifted to their mobile phones from the laptop or personal computer in the last decade. Mobile has emerged as the fastest-growing digital marketing channel and is forecasted to grow another 25 percent by 2023. Thus, mobile marketing aims to tap into this niche market and advertise products and services to smartphone users.

Mobile marketing can include a wide range of advertising types and formats, including social media marketing, mobile app marketing, etc. Mobile marketing is most relevant to app-based platforms.

Mobile app monetization stands out among several mobile app marketing features because it has dramatically shaped the advertising landscape.

The evolution of mobile marketing

To understand how mobile marketing works, we need to look at the evolution of mobile marketing and how it all began.

In 1973, the first and the most basic idea of an SMS channel was conceived by Martin Cooper, and however, his invention went unnoticed for two decades. In the United Kingdom in 1992, the idea of mobile marketing was created through the transmission of SMS.

A couple of years later, the first mobile phone capable of connecting to the internet was launched. This was the tipping point for mobile marketing. Gradually it became the ideal investment for businesses wishing to engage with their audience.

Since 2002, brands and businesses have started ‘SMS’-ing their customers about deals, offers, incentives, etc. This was a great strategy as network providers were determined to guarantee reliable delivery to customers.

As smartphones started to become smarter, and with the launch of the first iPhone in 2007, a new generation of apps was ushered in. This shifted the focus from SMS marketing to mobile app marketing. Apps were the channel through which users consumed the internet. Thus, most companies started creating their own apps.

The decade after 2010 saw the rise of 3G and 4G Internet. App developers started focusing on mobile app monetization, otherwise known as in-app purchases. This was a whole new level of marketing as mobile apps became seamless and engaging.

From 2017 onwards, mobile phone users receive an average of 100 advertisements every day through their apps. Therefore, the evolution of the marketing concept and mobile app marketing has emerged as the most successful form of digital marketing.

Why is mobile marketing important?

The mobile marketing industry is the only one that makes it possible to reach almost every person in the world. There are more mobile phones in the world than the number of living individuals. In fact, the estimated number of mobile users worldwide is expected to be 7.33 billion by 2023.

How Mobile App Marketing Works?

Several advertising and marketing formats are included in the mobile marketing definition, and mobile marketing goes beyond sending and receiving text messages and apps. Here are some examples that fall under mobile marketing:

Mobile apps:

Mobile apps are one of the most popular mobile marketing platforms. Almost every business has an app nowadays. With the right strategy and a practical roadmap, apps can become an opportunity to drive traffic and engagement with customers. For instance, the latest online casinos all have their own mobile applications which can be downloaded from various stores. These apps are a useful channel for connecting with customers, making them aware of exciting offers, and gaining useful feedback. The gaming apps, or any app for that matter, use GPS location to help developers understand their consumer base and create a geo-profile, which helps them create customized region-specific offers and ads. For example, betting apps know if there is a customer from Chicago and will ensure that they see more prompts and offers when the local team plays. Other marketing strategies used are proximity and in-app marketing (wherein you make in-app purchases to help progress in the game or enjoy the product more).

Mobile-optimized websites:

Websites that are optimized for the mobile phone are among the top choices. These websites should have an intuitive design, content that fits the screen and be free of mobile-specific bugs.

Push notifications:

Mobile marketing apps can also use push notifications to notify their customers about limited time period offers.

Traditional Marketing Vs. Mobile Marketing

Many have speculated that mobile marketing will soon replace traditional marketing. While traditional marketing has several advantages, the cons outweigh the pros. Traditional marketing is face-to-face and tangible. However, they cost a lot of money, are less engaging, outdated, and the results are difficult to measure. Thus, they are considered less effective.

On the other hand, users can be reached anytime and anywhere through mobile marketing. In addition, they’re better at targeting a niche audience, less expensive, the results are easier to measure, and there are hundreds of platforms and features to choose from.

Conclusion

The evolution of mobile marketing has come a long way since the 1990s! With the recent trends in the digital revolution, it is intriguing to wonder what the future of mobile marketing will look like.

It is clear that mobile marketing is dominating the industry currently, and there’s still enough untapped potential. If you’re a small business looking to reach its customers, mobile marketing is the easiest and cheapest channel to pursue. The ROI on mobile marketing is incredible, and there’s hardly anything to lose!

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How to Increase the Revenue of Your Business

December 6, 2021

Running a business is never, ever an easy task. It’s an ongoing pursuit of making it better than before and getting it to the next level. Of course, this takes time, patience, dedication, and more than anything else – knowledge on how to best run your business. That said, there’s nothing quite as rewarding as watching your business reach new heights. The business environment is always in flux, so in order to succeed over your business rivals in this ever-competitive market, you will need to stay up-to-date with business trends and best practices. And while a lot will depend on the branch you’re in, there are some important steps you can take to increase the revenue of your business and get it to the next level.

1. Never Stop Growing

You can’t just expect your business to grow on its own. It will only happen if you take the necessary steps and implement strategies that allow it to do so. And the only way to do that is to invest some time in business coaching so that you can see how you can do things differently. Every business reaches a point where they just can’t seem to get to the next level, and that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing something wrong – it’s just that you’ve reached the full potential of your strategy and you need to learn about new ways you can improve and grow your business, which will, in turn, increase your revenue. It’s a never-ending pursuit to make your business even better than it was before, but this is what will allow you to put your business on the map. Taking steps to leave your comfort zone will allow you to think about your business from a different perspective, so do whatever it takes to concentrate some time on learning new things.

2. Lower Unnecessary Expenses

This might seem obvious at first, but people usually go about this the wrong way. Things that help build the team spirit within the workplace and increase retention aren’t the costs you need to cut. Some of the main ways to lower expenses is to outsource non-core activities, use freelancers when you need to, and always negotiate. Non-core activities are everything your business needs in order to run smoothly, but that doesn’t create your end product. For example, bookkeeping, payroll, and customer service are all non-core activities.

Outsourcing these to a reputable company can free up your time so you can focus on the things that will help increase revenue. Freelancers are great for short-term projects that don’t need a lot of long-term commitment, and they’re usually more affordable than hiring someone full-time. Plus, you can find some really talented freelancers if you do your research. And finally, always negotiate – especially when it comes to getting a better price on services or products you need for your business. You’d be surprised at how much you can save by just asking for a discount. These are simple things that can help drive your business in the right direction in no time at all, which will in turn increase your revenue significantly.

3. Know Your Repeat Customers

While it’s important to always look for new ways to grow, knowing what works and what’s expected out of your business is equally important. Taking the time to focus not just on different ways to reach new audiences, but to really understand what it is that’s driving customers back to your business repeatedly is essential. Once you know this, you can start catering to their needs specifically to an even greater extent and give them what they want so that they keep coming back for more. It’s a simple concept, but it’s often overlooked – businesses are always looking to expand rather than focus on what’s already working for them. There are a lot of tools and strategies you can use to really get to know your repeat customers and what makes them tick, and once you’ve figured this out, increasing revenue will be a breeze. You can start by looking for simple software, extensions, and apps that can help you gather customer data and understand their behavior, or even send out surveys to get feedback. Once you have this valuable information, you can start implementing it into your business strategy so that you can provide a better experience for everyone involved.

4. Diversify Marketing Strategies

It’s important to have a good understanding of your audience so you can cater to their needs better. Once you know this, it will be much easier for you to effectively market your business. You can start by taking the time to think about which marketing strategies are working best for you and then brainstorm some new ideas based on that knowledge. No matter what industry you’re in, it’s likely that there are a variety of marketing channels you can use to reach your target audience. However, don’t spread yourself too thin by trying to use too many strategies at once. Start off by testing out a couple and then gradually add more as you see fit. Not every strategy will work for every business, so it’s important to be smart about this and avoid wasting time, effort, and money. That said, if you offer a range of products and services that cater to different demographics, it’s important to calculate this in your marketing plans. Things targeted at millennials will get a lot more engagement on social media sites, while traditional media is better suited to attracting a more seasoned group of people.

5. Update Your Online Presence

No matter how good your products and services are, if your online presence is outdated or unprofessional, you’re going to lose potential customers. In this day and age, it’s essential to have a strong web presence that accurately represents your business. This means having a website that’s well-designed, easy to navigate, and updated regularly. It also means having social media profiles that are active, engaging, and regularly updated. Finally, you should also have a blog where you can post updates about your products and services so customers can stay up to date on the latest developments within your company. Keeping your online presence relevant is important if you want to attract new customers while keeping the ones you already have engaged continuously.

Using these five tips, you should be well on your way to increasing the revenue of your business. Remember to focus on what’s working and expand on that, use a variety of marketing strategies to reach different audiences, update your online presence regularly, and cater to your repeat customers. Doing all of this while constantly looking for new ways to grow is the recipe for success.

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Neurology Rehabilitation Center

December 6, 2021

Abroad, rehabilitation begins in the department where the first stages of treatment were conducted and then continues in specialized rehabilitation centers. Modern rehabilitation is a complex, multifaceted, scientifically grounded, and technically supported process of staged functional recovery, but you must undergo it in the suitable hospital.

What is neurological rehabilitation all about?

The main goal of rehabilitation care is to restore lost body functions like, for example, speech and swallowing, or motor functions.

Specialists at the rehabilitation centers will help the person return to social and, if possible, professional life. The combination of targeted training and medications is aimed at reducing the limitations caused by the original disorder. On the other hand, it is about improving independence in the activities of daily living (washing, dressing, cooking), which is achieved both by reducing the limiting factors and teaching strategies. These help to cope with specific restrictions, in particular through the use of assistive devices.

Patients after stroke, trauma, and operative interventions can start early rehabilitation treatment even in the ICU. They stay in a hospital until the residual manifestations of the disease are managed and a patient can move independently and doesn’t show signs of severe mental and psychological disorders.

A multidisciplinary approach is used in neurological rehabilitation, with several specialists from different fields elaborating the treatment scheme. Rehabilitation hospitals use standard, conventional techniques, as well as the latest developments in rehabilitation medicine.

How rehabilitation is carried out in neurology rehabilitation centers?

Neurological rehabilitation starts when there are no life-threatening conditions and when there are no signs of rapid progression of any comorbidities. Rehabilitation services are indicated in the presence of movement disorders and weakness in the limbs, partial or complete loss of speech, as well as visual impairment, problems with thinking and memory, etc.

The neurorehabilitation programs usually include:

Consultation with a neurologist
Consultation with a neurorehabilitation specialist
Daily sessions with the neurorehabilitation therapists
Medication therapy
Physical therapy

The consultation with a neurologist includes examination and making a diagnosis based on complaints, medical history, and neurological tests. The neurologist also prescribes and adjusts medication therapy to stabilize blood circulation, improve function of cells of the nervous system.

The neurorehabilitation therapist plans a complex of therapeutic measures, taking into account a patient’s condition and the type and severity of the functional impairment. Following the appointments, a course of all the necessary rehabilitation procedures is carried out.

A follow-up consultation with the neurologist makes it possible to evaluate the success of the procedures and, if necessary, adjust the neurorehabilitation program and decide on the need for repeat courses.

Where to undergo neurological rehabilitation during a lockdown?

Rehabilitation is necessary for every patient who has suffered a stroke, brain injury, or other disease associated with damage to the brain or spinal cord. Some children even need rehabilitation programs from birth. Unfortunately, the rehabilitation services necessary for these patients are not available in all medical institutions and in all countries, so the question of going abroad arises.

Now you have the opportunity to undergo rehabilitation in the best centers in the world with the help of Booking Health. And don’t let the lockdown fool you: you can still travel abroad, and Booking Health knows how to do it. The company will organize the whole treatment for you and will deal with all of the organizational issues along the way. Booking Health will also help you get a medical visa for travel during the lockdown.

You’re welcome to check out the list of the best neurology rehabilitation centers, and reviews of our patients on the Booking Health website.

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Grow Your Business With Well-designed Online Store

December 6, 2021

The world we live in today is all about success and growth. Every individual is trying to exceed his fellow beings. All businesses are trying to beat one another. As a result, the environment has grown to be more competitive than ever. To make a mark in the highly competitive setting, one has to do something unique and different from everyone else to stand out. With E-Commerce reaching heights of popularity, every business has a rather obligation to provide online stores to attract more customers. You can easily grow your business by designing a user-friendly online store. The ui/ux design services are particularly crucial while designing a good web store. When developing an online store webpage, there are a few things to consider such as user experience, user interface and usability.

Importance Of User Experience

User experience (ux) is the emotions and thoughts a customer might have while using your product or service. User experience is highly crucial while designing a webpage because, in the end, it defines a brand. Any brand with more satisfied customers will flourish eventually.

A website can have a great user experience if

A designer knows the targeted users
Designed according to the needs of targeted users

Key To Better User Experience

A web page with a better user experience has two key points

Simplicity

The simplicity of a web store is highly crucial to improve user experience. For example, if you own a women’s clothing brand, your customers include a large percentage of housewives, who simply do not know technology. To make it easy for them to use your online store, you need to keep the interface simple. With the clothing items properly categorized and an option for search in plain sight.

Usability

Usability and simplicity are two different things. A simple website does not necessarily mean it will have great usability. Usability means that the website is optimized with the customer’s needs. This means that the website can be easily opened and used on different gadgets, like mobile phones, tablets, or laptops.

Importance of User Interface

User Interface is the means through which the user interacts with the software application. A great user interface means a great user experience. Proper optimization of the user interface will lead to a better working website or application.

A Well-designed Online Store

A well-designed online store is simply the one with a great ui/ux design. A poorly designed web page will mean unsatisfied customers and consequently competitor’s gain. A study has shown that a well-optimized ui can boost a web page viewership up to 200%, while a great ux can increase customer satisfaction up to 400%. To make sure your web store has a great user experience, always run a performance test. Such tests are critical to ensure that all the potential ux risks are completely assessed and catered to before your web store is launched into the market.

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The Wider Implications of Sudan Coup on National and Regional Security

December 6, 2021

By Olusegun Akinfenwa

The recent coup in Sudan poses a threat to national and regional security and could tilt the country towards another regime of dictatorship after a brief period of democracy.

On 25 October, the military in Sudan led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan took over the government in a coup. It also declared a state of emergence, dissolved the transitional government, and detained some top government officials, including civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, for their refusal to support the coup. Since the coup, civilians have been staging civil resistance against the military junta and demanding for reinstatement of the transitional council. The current political tussle can be traced back to the 2019 ousting of the former dictator, Omar al-Bashir whose 30 years of authoritarian rule was brought to an end following a 12-month intense uprising, which ushered in a joint military-civilian council.

The two-year rule of the council was however characterised by rancour and counteraccusation, as the two factions blamed each other for the deteriorating economic situation in the country. The 25 October coup was a culmination of months of in-fighting and mutual suspicion between the military component led by al-Burhan and the civilian faction led by Hamdok. The wider implications of the coup cut across various aspects of Sudan’s national affairs and could also mean another setback for democratic progress in sub-Saharan Africa.

Human Rights Violations

The military’s excessive use of force against protesters since the coup has once again shown that the country is still within the grip of authoritarian leadership. Reports show that At least 14 protesters have been killed, while many have been detained and injured by security officials.

A surgeon at Care Royal hospital, where many victims of the military clampdown are being treated, Salma Elkhazin, said it is “heartbreaking” to see those young people killed for demanding their rights. Many individuals taking part in the anti-coup protests have also been teargassed and maltreated by soldiers.

Sudan has a history of low in the human right and rule of law index, due to arbitrary detentions, unlawful killings, tortures, and other ill-treatments that are inherent in the system and used by successive governments to suppress dissent.

The long-existing human rights violations also include people’s communication rights. Within the past three years, the internet has been blocked up to four times. This has become a pattern used by successive leaders to deny people free flow of information and freedom of expression. On the day of the coup, the national connectivity only reached 24 % of ordinary levels, according to an Amsterdam-based privacy protection firm, Surfskark.

During the 2019 uprising against al-Bashir, there was a mobile internet shutdown for 36 days. Though there hasn’t been a complete shutdown this time around, the disruption shows that al-Burhan could be trolling the same path as past leaders in violating people’s rights of communication.

Economic Impacts

The takeover is also taking a toll on the already shattered economy, as many international donors cut their financial support and many professional associations down tools to take part in the ongoing demonstrations. A few days after the coup, the World Bank which had recently donated billions of dollars in aid to cash-strapped Sudan announced its suspension of funding. The US also paused $700 million in aid to the country, and the European Union threatened to follow suit. Sudan was also suspended from African Union following the “unconstitutional” power takeover.

Decades of political tension in Sudan denied the country access to financial support and debt relief from various international bodies. However, following the formation of the transitional government in 2019, it unlocked funds from the World Bank and International Monetary Funds. Other regional and international bodies, including the African Union, also lifted the ban on the country. But the coup now threatens these hard-won economic gains and renewed international alliances.

“Beyond development aid cuts, the military coup (even if reversed) profoundly impacts Sudan’s economy; recent growing investor and trade interest in Africa’s third-largest country, just freed from sanctions, is now dashed and will have a short half-life until civilian-led rule restored,” says William Carter, Sudan country director at the Norwegian Refugee Council.”

The continued demonstrations across the country have also affected economic activities and put the country in severe cash shortage as most cash machines and banks are closed. Sudan has been grappling with food shortage and a high unemployment rate, which were also exacerbated by the recent COVID-19 lockdowns and severe floods. The coup could worsen the situation and increase food insecurity in the country.

Threat to Democratic Rule

Additionally, the coup’s wider implication threatens the journey to democratic transition in Sudan and could also affect young and fragile democracies in Africa. The dissolution of the transitional council and declaration of a state of emergency is an indication that Sudan is still under the grip of dictatorship. Given the antecedents of the two leading figures in the takeover (al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan), it is hard to see a semblance of trustworthiness and civility in their rule.

In 2019, Al-Burhan was accused of being the architect behind the genocide in Darfur. He was said to have called himself “the Lord of the people of Darfur and authorised to kill them when, as, and how he wants.” Similarly, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces leader Mohamed Hamdan, who alongside al-Burhan anchored the military component of the recently dissolved government, was at the forefront of the scorched earth campaign in Khartoum’s 2019 massacre. Having these two characters at the helms begs the question: will Sudan experience a truly democratic rule anytime soon?

Two weeks after the takeover, al-Burhan re-appointed himself as head of the military-run interim governing body, and some other generals and civilians who also served in the dissolved council reappointed – a clear sign he is tightening his grip on the country.

At the regional level, the coup could mean another setback for the hard-won democratic progress made in sub-Saharan African since the 1990s. In the past one year, there has been a resurgence of power-seeking military officers truncating democratic rules across the region. Between August 2020 and October 2021, four military takeovers were recorded – Mali in August 2020 and May 2021, Chad in April 2021, Guinea in September 2021, and Sudan in October 2021.

If this pattern continues, more militaries from other African countries may want to continue experimenting with it as a viable option to grab power. This could throw the region back to days of political instability.

Between 1956 and 2001, there were 80 successful coups and 108 failed coups attempts in sub-Saharan Africa, which amounts to an average of four in a year. The region however recorded a significant reduction in military coups in the past two decades, as more countries embrace democratic governments. But with the incessant takeovers in the past one year, the milestone gained in civil rules is now being threatened.

The coup could also escalate the refugee problems in the region, especially the displaced people fleeing Tigray’s crisis, and communities in the Sahel and on Europe’s borders, as exodus from the country could increase.

Sudan’s Identity

Though the military claimed the takeover was necessary to prevent a civil war and promised to hand over power to an elected civilian government in 2023, concerns grow daily that the coup could threaten the transition to democracy. Within the past six decades since independence, Sudan has experienced various types of leadership, including hard-line Islamist sects, informal and formal armed forces, all claiming to be the will of the people.

But the 2019 uprising against the al-Bashir’s government and the witnessed demonstrations since the October 25 coup show that the true identity desired by the majority is a democratic rule. The 2019 protest leaders almost succeeded in achieving this goal until the sudden twist of fate that brought in the military-civilian transitional council. As the junta holds on to power, it remains to be seen if people’s wish for a democratic state will materialise soon.

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About the Author

Olusegun Akinfenwa is a political correspondent for Immigration Advice Service – a law firm based in the UK and offering immigration guidance globally, including the US Citizenship and Immigration process.

Playerz Casino » Bonus codes for NZ players 2021/22

December 6, 2021

Playerz casino is the 18th online casino brand operated by Genesis Global Limited. Launched at the beginning of December 2021, its popularity in New Zealand has reached high volume, just like it did with previous casino brands from Genesis.

The offered highest quality gaming experience is covered by a wide range of the latest real money casino games, attractive welcome bonuses with bonus codes and secured online casino NZD payments.

No matter if you are a new player, with the easy to use Playerz Casino interface, you will, after a couple of minutes of registration and deposit process, be ready to join your gambling adventure.

Playerz casino bonus

Playerz casino bonus codes for NZ players (exclusive)

What is the Welcome Bonus and Bonus codes at Playerz Casino?

The Welcome Bonus for NZ players is 100% up to NZD1500 + 50 free spins that can be used at Twin Spin online pokie by NetEnt.

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1st deposit; Bonus: 100% up to $300 + 50 free spins on Twin Spin
2nd deposit; Bonus: 50% up to NZ$400 (using bonus code WPL2)
3rd deposit; Bonus: 25% up to NZ$400 (using bonus code WPL3)
4th deposit; Bonus: 25% up to NZ$400 (using bonus code WPL4)

Claim exclusive welcome Bonus for NZ and find more info about Playerz casino here.

Promotions at Playerz Casino

The prominent promotion at Playerz casino is a first deposit bonus: 100% up to NZ$300 + 50 free spins.

Kiwis do not need to type any bonus code to collect this prize. The bonus will be automatically added to your account after the deposit. The minimum deposit limit to trigger the welcome Bonus is NZ$10.

However, the second, third and fourth bonuses come with the above bonus codes.

Besides the prominent welcome bonus promotion, Kiwis will enjoy two more climbs, including the monthly meet-up and Weekly Pocket Rocket bonuses. Lets’ find out a little more about them.

Monthly meet-up bonus (25% up to NZD 100)

A monthly meet up Bonus will be available for new and existing customers at any time during December and every following month.

All you have to do is head to the cashier page, make a deposit of NZ$20 and claim the bonus. As we have said, this promotion is active every month on Playerz casino.

Weekly pocket rocket bonus (25% up to NZD100)

To be eligible for the weekly bonus promo at Playerz Casino, you need to have at least two or more deposits at Playerz.

The second requirement to qualify for this promo is that you as a player have deposited and wagered at least NZD 50 in the last four days.

After you become eligible for this promo, go to the cashier page and select bonus from the drop-down box. This promotion is active on Playerz Casino every Thursday.

Playerz casino free spins on Twin Spins

Unlike many popular online casinos, Playerz casino has excelled at offering free spins on the slightly older slot game (Twin Spin).

After you make your first deposit, 50 free spins will be instantly added to your account. But you will only be able to use them for the given slot game, Twin Spin.

Free spins on Twin Spin are valid for 72 hours after activation. All winnings gained from free spins are subject to wagering requirements of 40x. The maximum limit for withdrawing wins from free spins is NZD100.

Bonus terms and conditions at Playerz Casino

Welcome bonuses, free spins and active promotions come with terms and conditions that players must meet to activate them and ultimately pay off the winnings gained through them.

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Deposits using Skrill and Neteller are not eligible for the welcome bonus.
Players need to deposit at least NZ$10 in one transaction to activate welcome and promotion bonuses.
Welcome bonus, free spins and promotion bonus wagering requirements are 40x.
Free spins are active for 72 hours after activation.
The maximum allowed withdrawal amount from free spins winnings is NZD 100.

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At Playerz Casino, there are more than 1300 different types of games.

Playerz casino is trendy by providing a wide range of big fat jackpots, with hottest titles from NetEnt and Microgaming such as Blazing Diamonds (WowPot), Mega Moolah, Immortal Romance (Mega Moolah), Cash Splash, Divine Fortune, Hall of Gods, Arabian Nights and so on.

Besides the excellent jackpot games category, players can enjoy many table games such as Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat. Let’s not exclude the great live casino section and video poker, online pokies and other games.

What is the VIP program at Playerz Casino?

Besides a fantastic games collection and attractive welcome bonuses and promotions, Playerz casino has prepared a unique VIP program.

Based on the time and money spent on this online casino, you will collect the loyalty points that players can exchange for different rewards.

The more points you earn, the higher your position on the tier ladder. The higher you are, the most valuable benefits and rewards you receive. These include free spins, cash, cashback, holiday trips, fastest payouts and so on.

Why join Playerz- Conclusion

There are unlimited reasons why you should register ta this online casino. First is top industry game developers’ massive collection of real money games.

The second and essential thing that is fantastic is to welcome bonus offers and promotions. Last is the high level of safety and security invested in this online casino with protocols that ensure a fair and safe gaming experience.

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