What children can teach governments about making graphs

December 28, 2020

By Craig Anderson, Emily Granger, Dr Lucy Teece and Maria Dunbar

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the year 2020 has been dominated by data. But with great amounts of data comes great responsibility to communicate it properly. Unfortunately, the accurate and clear communication of complex information has been an area where many have fallen short this year. The UK government in particular has been criticised for the graphs used in its coronavirus briefings.

How can we do better? Adults could learn a thing or two from children about how to make graphs that people can easily read and understand.

As part of Maths Week England, we challenged primary school children to create graphs about the things that were important to them. We received more than 75 entries of amazing charts relating to sport, sweets, toys, pets and almost everything in between.

Many of the graphs were so beautiful, colourful, and informative that we thought they could be used to teach media organisations and government bodies a few lessons about displaying data.

Here we present some of the children’s excellent examples to provide a list of dos and don’ts when it come to graph making.

Do: label your axes and provide a scale

The main purpose of a graph is to provide a clear, concise and accurate representation of your data. An important, but often overlooked, part of this is making sure that your graph actually tells your reader what they are looking at. Producing a graph without proper labels is a bit like building a car without an engine – it might look good, but it’s not going to get you anywhere.

Nine-year-old TaoHai used Lego to produce an excellent representation of the population of each of the world’s continents. The y-axis (vertical axis) is very easy to understand – each large check mark on this axis represents one billion people.

In contrast, the graph in this story by the Press Association uses a line graph to display the number of global COVID-19 cases and deaths in which neither axis has a labelled scale, This makes it impossible to interpret the lines. Another issue with this plot is that it tries to put both cases and deaths on the same numerical scale, despite them being an order of magnitude apart.

Don’t: hide the origin

If you’re using a bar chart to compare a set of values which are quite close together, it can be tempting to start the numerical scale at a number other than zero in order to highlight their differences more clearly. However, this can often be misleading – making the numbers seem smaller than they actually are.

Farhan, aged eight, compared the speed of their favourite cars from the computer game “Asphalt 8”. The lowest speed is 290.1km/h, but they nonetheless opted to draw each of the bars from zero – ensuring that the relative differences in size can be compared fairly.

example, the graph in this video from Balkan TV station N1 shows the proportions of mask-wearing in different regions of Croatia (mask wearers in blue).

At first glance, you might think that more than half of the people in each region do not wear masks, but when you look more closely at the actual figures provided, you realise that the scale on the x-axis has started at 75% rather than 0%.

This case is likely just a misguided attempt to differentiate between the regions, but many unscrupulous graph makers use this technique in order to deliberately mislead.

Do: keep it simple

The whole point of providing people with a graph is that it’s easier to digest than lots of big tables of numbers. A well-designed graph will allow the reader to glance at it and immediately understand the key take-home point. If your graph is too cluttered or provides too much information, then it’s going to confuse the reader.

Our school children did a good job of following this important rule. Most of the entries focused on presenting the count of a single variable, which left the reader in no doubt as to the main findings of their investigation. Holly, aged 10, raided the treat cupboard to count the frequency of each type of chocolate in a standard box of Celebrations. You can immediately tell that there are more Milky Ways than anything else.

Compare this to the slide below from the English Chief Medical Officer’s press conference on October 31. There is an overload of information here – we’re being asked to compare positive test rates in nine different regions of England across five different age groups over 24 days.

This plot also breaches another golden rule of presenting data by having a series of numbers on the graph which are too small to read.

Don’t try to reinvent the wheel…

When statistics is taught at school, we tend to focus on tried and tested data visualisation techniques such as bar graphs, line graphs and pie charts. These classical methods are popular and have stood the test of time for a reason – they’re clear, simple to produce and easy to understand. Of course, there is always room for innovation.

Professional statisticians tend not to recommend pie charts much in general because they can tend to lead to less exact interpretations compared to a bar chart. But we will make an exception for nine year-old Elise, who took the concept of a pie chart literally to display their friends’ and family’s favourite types of jam.

The main reason the pie chart worked is that it was still straightforward to understand the information being conveyed. That isn’t always the case though, as we can see from this BBC visualisation, which tries to use an animated flower to count COVID-19 deaths.

…but rules exist to be broken

Ultimately, however, each individual graph is judged on its own merits, and sometimes you can break some of the rules and still produce something fantastic.

Our competition winner was 10-year-old Lola, who constructed a wonderful 3D infographic displaying her daily exercise over a five-day period.

The beauty of this entry is that it is both simple and complex simultaneously – the lollipop sticks provide a straightforward representation of steps and exercise time, but for those who want to dig deeper, the actual data is also included elsewhere.

The article was first published in The Conversation

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About the Authors

Craig Anderson is a Lecturer in Statistics, University of Glasgow. He graduated with an Honours degree in Statistics from the University of Glasgow, and then achieved his PhD in Statistics within the same department under the supervision of Dr Duncan Lee and Dr Nema Dean. The title of his thesis was “Identifying Boundaries in Spatial Modelling”. After completing his PhD, he spent two years in Australia working as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney, working with Professor Louise Ryan as part of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS). He has now returned to the University of Glasgow as a Lecturer in Statistics.

Emily Granger is a research fellow in medical statistics at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Her research is on estimating the effects of different treatments in people with cystic fibrosis.

Dr Lucy Teece is a Research Fellow in Medical Statistics in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Leicester. Her research interests include prognostic modelling, survival analysis using competing risks, and the analysis of large electronic health records data. Lucy is an active member of the Royal Statistical Society and currently serves on the committee for both the Young Statisticans Section and the East Midlands Local Group, as well as on the RSS Council and is an RSS Statistical Ambassador.

Maria Dunbar is a PhD candidate in Statistics, University of Zürich. She is a public health researcher seeking to improve the health of large numbers of people at once. Experienced in infectious disease modelling and environmental epidemiology through working at the World Health Organization, Public Health England, and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. I work on the Swiss national science foundation-funded project SUSPend: Impact of Social distancing policies and Underreporting on the Spatio-temporal spread of COVID-19.

Flexible working: lessons from the great work-from-home mass experiment

December 28, 2020

By Jane Parry

For years, politicians and employers alike have talked up the promise of flexible working. And it looked like change was happening.

Last year, the UK government announced a consultation around whether flexible work should not just be available, but become employees’ default option in its annual Queen’s Speech. But 2020 rapidly became a hugely different year in Westminster and flexible working rights seemingly ground to a halt at the political level.

In the end it took the COVID-19 pandemic, with its attendant government-enforced lockdowns, for working from home to sit at the centre of an unanticipated global experiment and to become the catalyst for a real discussion about flexible work.

The changes set in place this year have radically highlighted how employees’ diverse commitments and characteristics affect their work on a daily basis. And employers have taken vast strides in appreciating how well-managed flexibility keeps workforces productive. Working arrangements that reflect these differences and keep all staff motivated and working to their best effect will play a key role in organisations’ survival and ultimately the UK’s financial recovery.

But in this new world of work, organisations cannot afford to let flexible working arrangements remain a perk reserved for their their higher-level staff after the pandemic.

Unequal privilege

Before the pandemic, we knew that flexible work was an unequal privilege in organisations – that you were more likely to get it if your work was highly valued, or if you had a sympathetic manager. Organisations had found that an accepted opposition to flexible work requests was that certain jobs simply couldn’t be done remotely. And so many much-needed flexible work requests faltered.

Now this thinking has been disproved. We have seen that most formerly office-based jobs can be performed from home.

Our research suggests that many people even think they are more productive away from the distractions of the office – incredible as this seems, considering that lockdown offered no normal working from home conditions. Children and very often partners were at home too, competing for space and time.

Yet productivity gains are borne out by the organisational evidence from lockdown. Our Work after Lockdown survey, which I carried out with colleagues, found that nine out of 10 people felt that they got more – or at least as much – done at home as they had in their offices. Seven out of 10 people who responded to our survey want to continue to work from home at least part of the week after offices reopen.

It will therefore be difficult for the managers who had been so suspicious of working from home to reinforce standard business hours now that they have seen their employees going over and beyond their role expectations for month after month.

We now find ourselves on the cusp of change. There is a desire for action and as organisations start to seriously engage for the first time in hybrid working, it’s becoming evident that this is not a binary discussion about whether work is performed in or outside of organisations. More important is how employees schedule their time and key to this is engaging with a much broader range of flexible working arrangements that reflect people’s different circumstances.

For so long, flexible work has lagged because organisations had not bought into its business case. Now, with the kind of looming recession that no one could have foreseen, the benefits of flexible work are very clear in the ability to help managers deal with complex working arrangements, maximise productivity and hold onto their skilled workforces when they will be most needed to weather the storm.

Sustaining productivity gains

It will be vital that flexible work is deployed in ways that are mutually beneficial to employees and employers. With workforce wellbeing at a low ebb during lockdown (our survey respondents scored 47.5 out of 100 on The World Health Organisation’s wellbeing index), it is critical that employers respond quickly.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s review of the evidence collected from member countries in recent years concluded that remote workers’ wellbeing is important in sustaining productivity gains.

Lockdown has made managers more aware than ever of staff diversity, with different home circumstances, styles of working and personality characteristics. Managers got more creative with their fixes and in the process developed a more sophisticated sense of workforce needs.

One of the key recommendations driven by the first wave of findings in our ESRC-funded research is that the right to flexible work should be extended to all employees from the start of their contracts. This will help employers keep their valued staff working effectively through the next challenging period of recession, whilst also negotiating a new relationship with the EU.

The article was first published in The Conversation

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About the Author

Jane Parry is a Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour and HRM, University of Southampton. She is a sociologist of work, and am particularly interested in what work means to people, how this changes over the lifecourse, and inequalities in people’s experiences of work.

Her PhD looked at how Welsh coalmining communities had responded to the labour market restructuring which followed the 1984/85 Miners’ Strike, and prompted a long-standing interest in occupational attachments and how these shift and interact with unpaid work. In the 2000s She worked in the Employment Group at the Policy Studies Institute, focusing on disadvantage and evaluations of labour market programmes. More recently She have been looking at age-friendly workplaces, and the changing working needs of older workers.

She is currently leading the ESRC/UKRI project Work After Lockdown, which looks at organisational learning around the crisis-driven working from home under COVID-19. She is currently a Parliamentary Academic Fellow undertaking a project on careers after parliamentary internships.

Top 5 Outdoor Leisure Activities For Families To Try Out In 2021

December 26, 2020

Introduction

Taking time out for family activities is something that just seems impossible. Overworked parents (professional work pressures), overburdened kids (school work), and too little time have come to define our existence. In fact, we are so busy with our lives, that even our partners or kids do not know what we are up to.

While the pandemic has brought everyone under the same roof, the pressures have not ceased to exist. Family members are all relegated to time in front of computer screens all day long. Parents are working remotely, while kids are availing of online education.

According to family counsellors and other health experts, it is high time, families intentionally and consciously make out time for themselves. This time should be spent engaging with productive and fun-filled healthy leisure activities.

Why Family Leisure Activities are Important in 2021?

We all know how the year 2020 has not been a great year for the human race. We have lost so many of our fellow beings to the COVID-19 pandemic. With so much negativity, uncertainty, and fear taking a hold of our lives, it is important that we distract ourselves with some family time.

Many experts state that staying indoors for so long has taken a toll not only on our mental well-being but on our physical selves as well. They suggest that families should plan some physical leisure activities in 2021, albeit with all the necessary safety precautions in place.

This is not only going to help in the release of positive hormones but also allow the bonding between family members to increase. In the following section, we are going to outline five great family leisure activities for you to try out in 2021.

List of 5 Fun-Filled Family Activities to try in 2021

1. Swimming-

Swimming is definitely a complete family activity, which helps in overall physical development. If you or your kids do not know how to swim, maybe getting private swimming lessons from Swimhub can help you do something which is fun and an important life skill. Learn to swim for kids is a good way to get the family together and so something that is entertaining and exciting.

2. Hiking-

If you want your kids to develop a love for the natural outdoors, hiking can be a great alternative. Hiking allows kids to appreciate natural beauty as well as develop physical stamina and endurance. You can also teach them things like using a compass, setting up a tent, learning how to cook with basic essentials, and a whole lot of other positive things. During hiking, it is best to use hiking hydration packs to have a sufficient water supply without the hassle of having to carry a huge water bottle on you.

3. Kayaking-

In the last few years, many families have taken to kayaking as a fun and healthy outdoor leisure activity. You can go for this, especially if you live in and around natural water bodies. However, knowing how to swim should be an important precursor to going kayaking. This can also be made more fun by combining it with some sport fishing and swimming in the lake.

4. Cycling-

The health benefits of cycling have been known to us for the longest time. However, what we did not know is how cycling is a great way for the entire family to bond together. With global warming and climate change being a harsh reality of our times, maybe cycling can encourage our kids to look for healthier and more eco-friendly alternatives to transportation.

5. Camping-

We have already mentioned that parents can teach their kids a lot about being self-sufficient in external conditions when hiking. Well, camping can also be a great way to spend some quality time. There are so many great campsites where families can spend the weekend, getting in touch with natural surroundings. Campfires, marshmallows, etc. make for great family time.

The Final Word

It is important that parents take the lead and invest in spending time with their children. This will not only be helpful in creating a positive bond but also allow families to overcome the depressing issues related to the pandemic. Can you add some more leisure activities, which families can do in the comments section below?

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Top 10 Credit Cards in the US and Their Benefits

December 25, 2020

Credit cards are also one of the most versatile and reliable financial tools to manage your personal finances. They can offer you the flexibility in paying-off large purchases and investments, improve your credit score and history and provide instant access to cash in times of emergencies.

Financial troubles caused by overspending and poor credit card management may bring you to a year of debt. However, these problems can be avoided by reading thoroughly fine prints and understanding applicable fees, interest rates, discounts, and rewards, to say the least. When used responsibly and with discipline, credit cards offer many positives.

Is it your first time getting a credit card? Or maybe, you’re on the lookout for something more flexible and easier on the pocket? Well, you might want to check out the top credit cards in the country and the benefits you can enjoy. Read on to learn more.

Simplicity (Citibank)

This is one of the best credit cards. By issuing such a card, you get rid of credit interest and transfer fees for the first 18 months. With such the best credit cards it is very convenient to pay off debts on other credit cards. As a matter of fact, the debt runs up crazy interest when buying goods and services on credit.

With this best credit card, you can get an account with a $12,000 limit. The card came in handy as some customers lost their jobs. The best US credit cards including Simplicity are enjoying great success. Approximately $5,000 can be spent on redeeming other cards, another $4,000 goes to move to a state where citizens are going to find work. You can even consider a payday loan affiliate program if you manage to find great leads.

Benefits:

no annual maintenance fee;
no late fee;
no penalty in the form of sharply increasing interest.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

This card is included in the list of the best credit cards in the USA. Capital One accumulates 2 points on every dollar spent. This is a good card when customers are going to spend a lot of money. They don’t need the points but don’t mind getting them as a bonus.

Venture Card is the best credit card often offered to those who travel a lot. Thus, the accumulated points can be used to pay for flight miles.

The Capital One Venture Card offers only 2 points per dollar. At the same time, with Capital One, you don’t pay any international transaction fees. As a general rule, cards without cashback offer the best financing conditions while cards with a refund function have the best interest.

Benefits:

sign-up bonus;
flexible redemption of rewards;
high-rate of remuneration;
no foreign transaction fees.

Platinum Credit Card (Capital Bank)

The Platinum Credit Card from Capital One is popular and one of the best credit cards in the United States. There is no annual fee for its use. In any case, the bank will refund the money if the card is stolen or lost. But a customer must report it in time. The best credit cards do not charge transfer fees. You are given access to a credit rating system so you can monitor your income. This best card was originally intended to restore credit score. Keep in mind that if you already have two or more Capital One cards, you won’t be able to take one more card.

Benefits:

additional guarantee on purchased goods;
car rental insurance;
traveling insurance;
27/7 travel and driving assistance;
refund of the price difference (if you find the same product cheaper in 60 days).

Secured MasterCard Credit One

This is one of the best credit cards for those who have been overdue or denied credit in the last 3 months. To get this best card, you must leave a security deposit of $49 to $200 at the bank. More is possible depending on the hardness of your case. This money ensures the bank if you do not repay the loan again. If you pay on time with the best credit cards, you will receive your deposit back one year after the card closes.

The initial credit limit is $200. It can be raised if you voluntarily put more money on the deposit. The interest rate on this card is 24.99% per year. There is no annual fee. You can raise the limit if you pay five months on time, but people often complain that it doesn’t grow.

Benefits:

rewards and signup bonus;
no annual fee;
option to switch to an unsecured account.

Blue Cash Everyday (American Express)

Many customers are attracted to these best credit cards. Blue Cash offers an exclusive bonus at the very beginning of the card purchase. Let’s say you spend $1,000 in the first three months and get more than $150 later. Interest on this card is 0% for the first 15 months.

Another nice bonus, the best credit card, implies a 3% cash return on the first $6,000 spent in stores and large shopping centers. This means that you can save at least $180.

Moreover, the Blue Cash Everyday Card has no hidden fees during the promotion period. But it is very important to close the card before the first 15 months.

Benefits:

introductory annual period on purchases;
leading cashback rewards;
bonus offer for beginners.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

This is the best credit card if you want to travel. It simplifies the purchase of air tickets, booking hotels, going to restaurants, excursions. All this turns into a cash refund. Back in the States, travelers receive a $2,000 refund and almost pay off the trip.

Benefits:

registration bonus;
permanent travel rewards;
decent annual fee;
additional bonuses.

American Express Platinum Best Credit Card

American Express Platinum credit card is one of the best deals in the world. Residents of Eastern Europe, Africa, and Latin America can only dream of such an offer. The use costs $450 annually and numerous benefits more than compensate for this amount. In particular, you are not charged a single cent in interest if you cover the balance in full each month. In addition, you get great discounts on the purchase of air tickets. You can pay with a card anywhere in the world and not overpay for goods and services.

Benefits:

new cardholders are ensured with bonuses;
high reward rate on certain travel purchases;
no foreign transaction fees;
lounge access;
airline fees credit.

Amazon Prime Store Card (Synchrony Bank)

This is one of the best credit cards. The card is intended for users with a premium account. The Amazon card allows you to pay for goods on credit without interest. The card gives 6 months of credit on purchases with a price of $149 or more. There may be a year of credit on purchases over $599 and two years of credit for select items.

Benefits:

Welcome Bonus;
Amazon gift card instantly upon approval;
Bonuses at restaurants, petrol stations, and pharmacies;
The reward on all other purchases;
No annual credit card fees;
No commission on foreign transactions;
Refund up to 20%.

Capital One Quicksilver Credit Card

If you are looking for more coverage, Capital One offers the Quicksilver credit card that comes with card fraud insurance. This best card offers 1.5% cashback. In the first 9 months, the annual rate is zero, and then 23.24%. In the first 9 months, there is also no commission on the balance transfer. The annual fee is $39. The limit is increased after 5 months of timely payments.

Benefits:

card fraud insurance;
attractive offer with the average cashback;
no commissions at first usage;
no risks.

SavorOne Cash Rewards (Capital One)

This is the best and most requested card with zero APR in 15 months and many other bonuses. You get 3% Cash Back on food and entertainment purchases, 2% on shopping. The card is best if you like to order food at home through special phone applications.

Benefits:

annual fee $95;
sign-up bonus is provided;
earn a one-time $300 cash bonus within the first 3 months from account opening;
cash-back rewards.

Conclusion

These credits cards are just some of the options available. Especially when dealing with your finances, it is always advisable to research and compare credit card products so you can choose what matches your needs, lifestyle, and financial capacity. And once you get your credit card, remember to use it responsibly to avoid unnecessary stress.

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How to Write a Real Estate Blog People Want to Read

December 23, 2020

Gone are the days when real estate agents were locally engaged. They would make phone calls and arrange meetings all the time. They still do that, but the Internet era imposes another standard for a real estate agent to become successful: an impeccable online presence. Having a great blog is part of the process of creating a personal brand.

All home buyers and real estate investors have questions. They ask their agents for answers, but they perform an online search before doing that. This is your chance to attract clients by giving them the information they need. Blogging is an important aspect of your content marketing campaign.

There’s a problem: there are too many real estate blogs on the web. Since the visitors have so much choice, they will give you about 15 seconds before deciding if they should read the post or bounce. How do you make them stay?

Tips for Writing a Readable Real Estate Blog

1. Write on Topics that Attract Your Target Audience

A successful blogger always thinks from a reader’s point of view. This is not some kind of essay that you used to write as a college student. You’re not taking topics that are mandatory for education. Instead of waiting for someone to assign you a complex research topic, you should focus on questions that home buyers have.

Here are a few examples that will help you create a content schedule:

What are the most modern housing trends at the moment?
What local businesses can I count on when renovating and decorating a home?
How can I find the most children- and dog-friendly neighborhoods in the area?
Is the local school district good?
How can I maintain my new home with minimum effort and finances?

As a real estate agent, you should provide information that’s universally useful. But your focus remains on the local target audience, so make sure to include such topics.

2. Create a Blogging Calendar

People want to read blogs that are active.

You may launch the perfect evergreen post that will get thousands of hits. Then what? If you don’t keep publishing content, the readers will simply forget about your site. They will turn to your competitors, and you don’t want that.

Frequency is the key to a readable blog. You don’t have to publish long-form posts all the time. You can break them up into a few chapters, which will hold the attention of your audience for an extended period of time. What if you cannot write a post by the schedule? You have two options: postpone it, but still write it; or do what you used to do when you couldn’t write a college essay on time: hire Edubirdie. A professional writer can take your instructions and deliver the content by your deadline.

When you develop a regular blogging schedule, you create a habit for your audience. They will visit your website each week, looking for something new. You’ll attract more new visitors thanks to the increased activity, but you’ll keep the loyal ones returning as well.

3. Be Unique!

If you take some time to go through a few real estate blogs, you’ll notice an industry trend: paraphrasing. Their authors check what the most popular bloggers in the industry publish, and they choose the same topics. Instead of writing unique content, they paraphrase it from a few websites, with the intention to avoid direct plagiarism.

Readers notice. They need unique topics, or at least an original approach to a well-known matter. You have to base the blog posts on your own research and experience. Paraphrasing someone else’s content without referencing it is unacceptable. Your target audience has already seen those popular posts; they want something fresh and you have to provide it.

Make the Blog Useful!

Remember the main rule for efficient blogging: each post should provide solutions for a particular issue that your audience faces. Based on that standard, you’ll choose topics that attract your audience. You’ll be able to create a content schedule that keeps your blog active, and you’ll always deliver unique content to grab the interest of your target audience.

Real estate blogging is fun when you do it the right way. Great posts will attract lots of attention to your website, where information about your brand is also served. If a reader likes what they see, they will contact you for further collaboration.

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About the Author

Robert Everett enjoys blogging so much that he loves writing about it, too. He maintains three successful websites, and shares tips with novice bloggers. This is Robert’s philosophy of life: if you start a project, you have to commit to it in the long term.

Top Strategies Politicians Use to Build a Following

December 23, 2020

Everyone has a strong opinion towards politicians, different parties, and everything involving the government. Whatever your stance is, understanding how ambitious individuals seeking a position in public office inspire a following is worth investigating. There is a lot to learn from famous politicians like Rich Stanek. As a former mayor of Chicago and presidential candidate in 2012, Rich Stanek has had plenty of experience. He had nearly 40 years in law enforcement, including 12 years as the Sheriff of Hennepin County. In his new book, “Learn from the Famous: How America’s Leaders Made It to the Top,” Stanek offers advice on how to use past mistakes as learning experiences and become a successful politician.

Hollywood might exaggerate the tactics that aspiring political candidates implement, but they are surprisingly close to the truth. Of course, with the advent of the internet, it is easier than ever to analyze which strategies work, and why. Here is a quick look at some of the methods that politicians use to build an impressive following.

Social Media

You likely already know that social media presence is essential for any campaign, political or not. However, it is not so much about which platforms a candidate uses, but more about how they take advantage of them.

One example, with the name redacted, involves a politician that took a chance at streaming content. They host weekly live chats on Instagram and stream video games on Twitch about once a month. Of course, these two methods have an exact target audience, young adults.

Text Message Campaigns

An estimated 5 billion people own cell phones around the world. That is slightly more than 70% of the population. Even though social media and internet-based methods of reaching out to an audience work fine, politicians are not looking for specific people; candidates want to reach everyone, as they are only looking for votes.

This is where text messaging kicks in. With a guide for political campaign SMS marketing, politicians can engage with every demographic. It is not perfect as it does not offer the same level of interaction you would find with some alternatives. However, this strategy still gets the job done and can even turn into a source of additional campaign funding if appropriately implemented.

The Right Vocab

Words are as much of a tool as anything else. They communicate meaning, of course, but are often left open to interpretation. This is why it’s essential to articulate properly and choose words carefully. Politicians know this and ensure they pick the right terminology when communicating with an audience.

The right vocabulary can inspire trust and move people. One example, where the name is redacted, is a popular figure that speaks their mind with no hesitation. This person often uses simple language and tends to repeat themselves, primarily when referring to high import topics.

These qualities of speech make it easy for people from all walks of life to understand precisely what is being said and trust the person that is speaking. You cannot gain a following if people do not comprehend what it is that you are saying.

Politics is Complicated

Politicians have used these strategies for quite some time now. While some date back farther than others, they are all useful in modern politics. Of course, there are plenty of other tactics to consider, but these stand out the most, and are considered tried and tested.

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Choosing An Online Casino Software Provider In 2021

December 23, 2020

The casino industry has experienced a massive leap from its early days caused as a result of technology that is proving to create lots of positive game-changing impact in the casino world. The advancement of technology has led to the development of online casino platforms, Virtual and Augmented Realities technologies, live casinos, gaming in cryptocurrency, cyber security and face recognition and many more. All of these innovations are making gaming in casinos more appealing and attractive than ever.

Choosing an online casino software provider is a very crucial factor that must be considered by any one that wants to create an online casino. However, with the disruptions caused by the global pandemic in the year 2020, 2021 seems to be a key year for the development of more online casinos. Lots of factors must be considered when choosing an online casino software provider because this can go a long way to determine the number of customers that you will get and in this article, King Billy specialists will provide you with some of the factors you must consider when choosing an online casino software provider in 2020.

Multilingual capabilities

One of the secrets of King Billy casino that has helped it to stand out massively from other online casinos is its ability to provide inline casino platforms that are multilingual. Any standard online casino platform must have this feature and one of the online casino software providers that can be trusted to design a platform that can provide multilingual capabilities is Microgaming. Microgaming was established in 1994 and is generally regarded as the first online casino software provider in the world. Microgaming has been able to design online casino software that can provide up to 40 languages. Hence, Microgaming is the name if you are in need of an online software provider with multilingual capabilities.

Sound effects

Since online casinos are virtual one of the things that can offer a different level of thrill and excitement to gamers is the presence of good sound effects. The sound effects of any good casino must be a combination of melodious songs and beats coupled with high audio volume to give the gamer the feel of a party house. Online casino software provider Betsoft is an outstanding name if you are looking at fantastic sound effects.

Timely update of games

Another factor you must consider when choosing a casino software provider is that you must choose an online software provider that provides regular and timely updates of games. If a customer keeps playing the same version of the game every time, it may become very boring for him or her. However, when games are updated, it can make the game to be more fun and exciting for the gamers. Online casino software provider Novomatic is widely popular for releasing new products and running updates of games on a consistent basis.

Bonus system

Bonuses and incentives are also very important factors that you must consider when you are choosing your online casino software provider. You can choose an online casino software provider that offers bonuses depending on the amount of games you are requesting for and a household name as far as bonuses are concerned is Playtech which have also built numerous partnerships with many tech companies.

High quality graphic contents

The ability of the online casino software provider to design online platforms of high quality graphic contents is another factor that you must consider when choosing an online casino software provider in 2021. A high quality graphic content platform will be very attractive and appealing to gamers and will draw more gamers to the site. Online casino software providers like Playtech are popularly known for developing high quality graphic games.

Choice of games

As the owner of an online casino, it is your right to decide the type of casino you want to run, in the sense that you will determine the most popular game in your casino. If you want the game of slots to be the most popular, Novomatic is the ideal option for you because they have a reputation of creating over 300 slots. Also, if you are looking for a household name in the development of progressives, NetEnt is the perfect brand for your platform. Furthermore, Play‘n’Go can be the trusted brand for video slots while IGT can also be dependable in the business of providing video slots.

Compatibility with PC and mobile devices

Another factor you must consider when choosing your online casino software provider is its ability to provide apps that are compatible with PC’s and mobile devices and NetEnt is one of the most trusted names to get the job done.

Conclusively, choosing an online casino software provider in 2021 is one of the most important factors as far as casino and gaming is concerned. If you have it in mind to start up a casino, you must consider all the factors listed in this article so that you will run a successful venture.

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How Understanding Your Customers Can Strengthen Your Supply Chain

December 23, 2020

As an electronic products manufacturer, you are probably well aware that competition in your industry is often cutthroat. Because your end users have so many options, you strive to obtain your wireless connectivity, circuits, sensors, microcontrollers, etc. from vendors like Silicon Labs Inc, upon whom you can rely for high quality and on-time delivery. Just as you are their customer, your end users are yours. In a similar way, maintaining a customer-centric supply chain will benefit everyone in the network.

Customer insights lead to better service

Step back for a minute, and think about the computers, televisions or cellphones you manufacture. What features make what you sell unique? How are buyers affected when quality, price or delivery time changes? Walking in your customers’ shoes can help you to grasp the real-life impact of an efficient supply network.

Buy-in is a must

For most electronics manufacturers, the supply chain they operate is intricate and multifaceted, involving a maze of raw materials providers, manufacturers, logistics teams, governmental entities and often fourth-party organizations. In an industry that all too often fixates upon low price or on-time delivery at the expense of quality, you must make it your business to ensure that all of the players in your network understand that customer service is your top priority. Of course, in order for that to happen, you need to have a clear idea of what your customers value so that you can motivate your entire in-house and third-party team to meet their requirements.

Make it happen

When you work together with everyone in your network to exceed customers’ expectations, you will be doing more than making buyers happy. You will also be establishing an environment where communication and transparency are built into your daily supply chain operations. By so doing, you will be well-positioned to discover potential problems and address them before they weaken your entire infrastructure. The end result will be a diverse team that works together to achieve a common goal.

As you contemplate moving toward a more customer-focused supply network, ask the following questions:

What financial resources will you need?
How long do you expect the changeover to a customer-focused supply chain to take?
How will these modifications impact your customers, and how will you measure outcomes?
How will your improvements make your company more competitive and profitable?
What internal and third-party stakeholders will be involved?
Who exactly are your customers, and what are their needs and priorities?

Generally, customer expectations will have to do with product features, availability, how it will be distributed/delivered, quality and value. The more specific the information you obtain from end users about their best-case scenario goals and product must-haves, the better able you will be to tailor your supply chain accordingly.`

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Christmas cancelled? Here’s how to cope

December 23, 2020

By Christian van Nieuwerburgh

Millions of people in the UK have had their Christmas plans changed at the last moment after the discovery of a new variant of coronavirus led the government to place parts of the country under new restrictions.

Many will be bitterly disappointed that their end of year festive plans have been disrupted and they find themselves separated from family and friends at an important time of year. Many others will be coping with grief after losing loved ones during this difficult year.

At the same time, our initial optimism about a potential end to the pandemic is turning to fear and concern as we learn about a new, more transmissible variant of the virus.

In this context, what can we do to maintain our psychological wellbeing, support others and manage over the festive period?

One critically important thing we can do is to identify proactive strategies for coping during this time. Each of us will need to identify our own overall strategy based on our way of thinking, our context and our life experiences. Six are presented here. It is likely that you will have already used some of them to get through challenging times in your life. You may choose to return to that strategy or adopt a new approach depending on your circumstances.

Keep calm and carry on

The positive thing about this approach is that people continue to function and can take pride in their ability to stay calm through adversity.This famous strategy involves accepting the gravity of the situation and putting on a brave face. The priority will be to try to keep things going – research shows that people who are calm under pressure are able to think better. With this mindset, it helps to focus on one day at a time. In other words, it is about making the best of a bad situation – Christmas and New Year festivities will proceed as planned, even if some of the celebrations will take place through Zoom.

Find silver linings

This strategy relies on our ability to see positives, even in very difficult situations. The focus is on finding benefits, appreciating what is good and being grateful for small blessings. Doing this has a positive effect on wellbeing. People with this mindset will acknowledge that they are more fortunate than many others during this festive season. For example, it is possible to connect virtually with a wider network of family and friends to celebrate.

The positive thing about this approach is that people are able to focus on the few advantages and opportunities that are available rather than being overwhelmed by all the negative aspects of the situation.

Stay focused on the future

This strategy requires the ability to stay focused on what will come after the pandemic is finally over. This means that people who think this way can remain hopeful because they spend time thinking about a time when the crisis is over. Thinking positively about the future can also have beneficial effects on wellbeing. For example, if families are not able to meet in person over the festive season, it can boost morale to think about a meaningful celebration in the future.

The positive thing about this approach is that focusing on the future acts as a reminder that the current situation is not permanent, making it possible to be hopeful.

Turn to faith

This strategy allows people to turn to existing faiths, religions and belief systems for practical advice, comfort and reassurance. The focus is on how to respond appropriately based on the wisdom, teaching and practices of the belief system. This can involve prayer, meditation, reflection and acts of charity, and is particularly relevant at this time of year. In fact, participating in religious services has been shown to support human flourishing.

The positive thing about this approach is that it can strengthen people’s existing connection to their values and beliefs in a way that will make it easier to cope with extreme adversity.

Redesign and start planning

This strategy acknowledges that plans and aspirations are often undermined by adverse events. The response is to redesign life plans and aspirations to respond flexibly to the new reality. People with this mindset will set aside time to take stock of the new situation so that they can start to plan accordingly. Setting goals and planning for a positive future can boost wellbeing. For example, it can boost positivity to start planning a celebratory event later in 2021 if it has not been possible to meet this month.

The positive thing about this approach is that people can feel more in control if they are actively responding to the changing realities.

Support and care for others

This final strategy involves turning attention to supporting other people through difficult times. People who adopt this strategy believe that “we are all in this together” and will focus on what we can do to support one another. For example, sending cards or getting in touch with isolated neighbours or friends during the holidays. Directing energy to comforting and supporting others will give people a sense of purpose and meaning. Supporting others can even decrease our own levels of stress. The positive thing about this approach is that the supporters and those receiving the care will both benefit.

These strategies are not mutually exclusive, and you may be tapping into a number of the approaches already. Or you may have other tried-and-tested ways of overcoming challenges that have worked for you in the past.

At this moment, it can make a significant difference if we proactively decide how we will respond to the extreme adversity we are facing. Whatever you choose to do, the very fact that you’re making a decision to meet this challenge head on will be a crucial first step.

The article was first published in The Conversation

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About the Author

Christian van Nieuwerburgh is a Professor of Coaching and Positive Psychology, University of East London. He is a highly regarded executive coach, leadership consultant and academic with an international reputation. He is a thought leader in the areas of coaching in educational settings, interculturally-sensitive coaching and the integration of coaching and positive psychology in professional contexts. In addition to significant experience of delivering consultancy and executive coaching to clients in the UK and internationally, Christian is recognised as a leading academic in the field of coaching psychology.

Why Everyone Can Benefit from Having a Budget

December 22, 2020

Making a financial plan is the most important thing that you can do to protect your cash and ensure that you reach your financial goals. However, a lot of people feel uncomfortable making a plan for the first time.

They either feel that they don’t have enough cash for a budget, or that they don’t want to restrict the way that they spend. If you’ve been putting off making your own budget up until now, then you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re going to be looking at some of the many reasons why you should consider planning your expenses more frequently.

1. It Stops Overspending

These days, we all have so many ways to spend, that it’s easy to lose track of how much money we’re actually using. You can make contactless payments in an instant with your card, and even make payments through your smartphone. Spending money without thinking about where it’s actually going could mean that you end up with some serious issues.

Overspending can lead to serious issues with your financial freedom, and even debts and fees if you’re not careful. However, a budget shows you where all your money is going and makes it easier to determine how much you can actually spend each week.

2. Getting financial help becomes easier

A budget is a plan that helps you to prioritize where you should be spending your money. It can stop you from going into your overdraft or relying too heavily on credit cards, which means that you’re less likely to face trouble when you actually need to get a loan fast from somewhere like Omacl Loans to help with some significant expenses in your life.

If you think that you might need any kind of personal loan going forward, then you should definitely consider starting your budget now. You might even be able to combine your financial plan with a strategy for better credit. This means that you’ll have more opportunities as you go forward into the next stages of life.

3. You’ll Reach Your Goals Faster

Budgeting doesn’t just stop you from spending money, it shows you where you’re spending unnecessary cash, and where you can find additional money for the things that you really need. A budget is a plan that helps you to prioritize your spending, whether you’re saving up for a new home or a car, or just trying to get out of debt.

Even if all you want to do is save money, your budget will show you exactly which steps you need to take to get to where you want to be with your financial situation. You can even set up automated systems that will enable faster saving for you. For instance, you could arrange to have a portion of your income sent straight to a savings account from your bank account when you’re paid.

4. It Reduces Worry

While we all have sources of stress in our lives that go beyond money, worrying about cash is very common for a lot of people. You might find that you spend a lot of nights thinking about how much you can reasonably afford to spend on things. Budgeting isn’t about limiting the spending in your life but giving you more freedom to spend on the things that actually matter. When you’re worrying less about your cash, you can actually enjoy the way you’re spending your money instead.

Having a solid plan for exactly how you’re going to spend your cash means you never have to panic about what happens if you suddenly run out of money and no longer have enough to pay your bills.

5. It’s Easier than You Think

Budgeting puts you in control of your money and allows you to make decisions about how you spend. It’s rarely as complicated as people think it will be when they’re first getting started with cash management. Budgeting can be as complex or as simple as you choose. You can decide whether you just want to plan what you’re going to do with your money with a piece of paper, or whether you want to use an app and a spreadsheet.

Once you take control of your money, you’ll find that making decisions about how to budget and where you should spend your cash starts to feel a little easier and this will boose your sense of self-pride. A lot of people find that taking control of their cash with budgeting actually reduces their feelings of stress, and helps them to get more done with their financial freedom.

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