What is Growth Hacking?

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September 1, 2020

The Age of Innovation is here to stay, along with all its buzzwords, one of them being ‘Growth Hacking’. Simply put, ‘Growth Hacking’ is an umbrella term for the various strategies that encompass growth in a business. Simple enough, right? Well, there’s obviously more to it than just that, or there wouldn’t be experts in the field. Still seem a little vague?

A Little More About Growth Hacking

It’s important to note that Growth Hacking is an adaptive way to grow your business. A key goal of Growth Hacking is to acquire more customers, using low-cost strategies. Essentially, as a Growth Hacker your job would be to grow your company’s customer base, with as small a budget as possible.

The Growth Hacker’s Mindset

If you decide your dream job is to become a Growth Hacker, it’s important to know the characteristics that would make you successful. Since this is a non-traditional, out-of-the-box concept, it’s only natural that you would need to be that kind of person to fit the role. You would need to be a creative-thinker, adaptive to change and savvy in budget planning – a multi-faceted person.

It would also help to have a background in marketing, as a key part of Growth Hacking, is, well, lead generation and client acquisition, which is an important function of marketing. In addition to being creative, you also need to be analytical and critical – after all, you would need to evaluate your strategies and adapt them as and when it’s required.

How It Works

By now, you might have heard about the Sales Funnel, the customer’s journey from awareness to eventual purchase. This is a key component of the Growth Hacking strategy, in that the essence of what you’re trying to achieve, is growing your customer base.

The Sales Funnel, especially in Growth Hacking, begins with Awareness, generating more traffic to one’s site. From here, the goal is to turn those site visitors into users or customers. Finally, retaining those customers for future business becomes the final step in the process.

Growth Hacking Strategies

Growth Hacking strategies form part of Advertising, Content Marketing and Product Marketing strategies. Content Marketing is a popular, cost-effective form of marketing, in line with Inbound Marketing concepts. Where Inbound Marketing is a deliberate approach, Growth Hacking is slightly more experimental, although both employ similar tools to achieve growth.

Growth Hacking Examples

1. Dropbox

There was a space in time when Dropbox used a referral campaign to generate new business. Remember that? That was a great example of Growth Hacking. It was a simple, cost-effective campaign that offered 250mb of extra storage space for every friend one referred. They grew from 100 000 users in 2008 to 4 million users in the beginning of 2010.

2. Airbnb

Airbnb is now a global entity. It’s crazy to think they started as a group of broke guys in San Francisco that let strangers pay to stay in their place when hotels in the area were sold out. Something that started as a crazy idea, has led to one of the most disruptive business models in our decade.

They went through conventional marketing tactics, like attending industry events and appealing to early adopters. But it was actually the simplest hack that improved and grew their business – photography.

By improving the quality of the photos on their site, they were able to grow their business. Interestingly, now, hosts with professional photos of their accommodation, earn 40% more than those who don’t.

3. YouTube

The Internet has evolved so much over time and Youtube has become one of the biggest inventions relating to it. Previously, uploading video content to the internet was a tedious task – having to convert file formats that would be compatible to the web.

Youtube created a platform that allows users to upload and embed content straight away, simplifying a process, making uploading and watching content accessible and easy. This in itself was a Growth Hack; by simplifying a process, one can grow a market.

4. Electric Surfboard Company

The founder of an electric surfboard company used a very clever little growth hack to drive awareness about his brand and consequently increase sales. As electric surfboards are big ticket items he chose a few upmarket beach locations in California and Florida where he got friendly with the lifeguards. Once he had built a rapport with these lifeguards he gave them each an electric surfboard to use both in their spare time but also whilst on duty. You can read more about electric surfboards on Beginner Surf Gear.

This achieved two things. Firstly, it created brand awareness because the lifeguards are positioned in prominent and visible positions on a beach, and are viewed by most beachgoers with a level degree of reverence. Secondly, whenever there was a rescue to be made the lifeguards would use the electric surfboard wherever possible which added an additional level of credibility to the brand. Needless to say, at the end of the first summer season the sales of his electric surfboard company had soared by over 280%.

Summary

Disruption. Another buzzword that flies around these days. It’s also a great way to describe what Growth Hacking is. In a world where the financial resources available to a company can determine their success, Growth Hacking provides a silver lining in a possibly dark cloud. Growing a business, whether a start-up or a large corporate is possible without seven figure budgets. Like growth hacking, product-led sales can be a high-ROI revenue strategy. For more information, visit https://www.paceapp.com/product-led-sales.

With creativity, critical and analytical thinking and collaboration between marketing, product and engineering teams, growth can be achieved. Whether it’s a disruptive campaign idea or a simple change like improving the quality of how you present your business, Growth Hacking is a broad topic, determined by a business, their specific problems and goals.

7 Best Places to Photograph in Los Angeles

By

Iva Aris

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September 1, 2020

Los Angeles is known as the City of Angels but also the city of endless photo opportunities. There are incredible beaches, theme parks, stadiums, museums, funky coffee shops, and endless modern architecture making this one of the most iconic cities in America.

It is nearly impossible to determine which direction you will be pulled in once you visit Los Angeles. There are literally countless attractions and places to take photos. Gregg Jaden is high on the list for the best commercial photographer in Los Angeles. He is @greggjaden_ on Instagram. Usually known for his travel adventures around the planet, he also frequents local treasures for some irresistible photos. Jaden gives us new perspectives while taking a break from landscapes and exploring the urban vibe of LA. “I usually shoot travel adventure landscapes but always take time for some urban vibes. LA is so diverse, I can shoot inside a cave at Palos Verdes and search for new angles around downtown all on the same day” says Jaden.

Gregg Jaden – The Broad Museum Downtown LA

For travelers seeking interesting angles at iconic locations shoot at a wide-angle to get the most architecture you can as you tour around downtown LA. A hot spot is a Broad museum. There are literally unlimited angles of this spectacular location.

“When I’m at known locations, I search for new angles and something happening that doesn’t usually happen to try to capture it in its natural element. The shots at Griffith and Santa Monica were all done spontaneously. These are people in their own moments captures as it happened” says Jaden.

LA is labeled as the third most photographed City in the World by Instagram. It is increasingly difficult to find a fresh angle.

Today, Los Angeles has been named the third most photographed city in the world by Instagram. Los Angeles is one of the most famous cities in the United States and of course also worldwide, thanks to its most representative places such as Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Disneyland, Santa Monica, the Walk of Fame, Downtown Los Angeles, among others. More and more people from all over the country seeking to visit and even move to Los Angeles increasingly motivated by visuals on social media.

Gregg Jaden – Ball-Nogues Santa Monica CA

Here is a list of the city’s most symbolic spots that tourists shouldn’t miss. In order to experience the essence of Los Angeles, it is important to explore each day. Tourist attractions can always be busy but some of the places off the beaten path will amaze your Instagram following beyond their wildest imagination.

1. Hollywood

The hike up to the Hollywood sign is probably the highest on the list among photographers. Don’t kid yourself this hike looks easier than it is. If it’s a hot day bring lots of water. Griffith Park is right where you will start your hike so plan enough time to do both locations. It can take all day or break it into 2 days. Shoot this one wide and telephoto. Try creative angles.

2. Best Photo Locations to Add to Your List

It’s imperative to visit Downtown Los Angeles and walk amidst its skyscrapers. If a tourist visits the civic center, he will be able to find out the nerve center of the city of stars. In this area, there are buildings that bear the emblem of the City Hall and Cathedral of Our Lady of Los Angeles. For those who like contemporary architecture, it is highly recommended to visit the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Bradbury Building, The Last Bookstore, Skyline/Freeway at the W 4th Street Bridge, and The Broad.

3. Palm Street

Palm Street is the exact street to take the picture with the palm trees lined up and the Hollywood sign in the background is on South Windsor Blvd between 4th and 5th Streets. This street is sort of a must-visit for anyone visiting Los Angeles.

4. Ocean Front Walk and Venice Beach

Anyone visiting the Venice area cannot leave without first taking a walk along its road called the Ocean Front Walk. There’s a kind of typical American muscle training at Muscle Gym which is famous for being frequented by celebrities like Justin Bieber or skateboarder Jay Alvarrez. The place is full of clothing stores, food stalls, ice cream parlors, gift shops, and even street artist shows. Next to the Muscle Gym, there is a large sports area with several volleyball courts, a bicycle area, and many basketball courts, where all kinds of people play games. This is one of the most interesting photography spots with the possibility of capturing a few NBA stars there.

5. Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills’ fame is due to the fact that many Hollywood star spottings happen here. It has been the backdrop of many TV series and films. In Beverly Hills, tourists will have the opportunity to see mansions on American trolleys (minibusses with the appearance of the old tram). They can also enjoy a walk through the famous shopping street Rodeo Drive and visit Warner Brothers (one of the most important film studios in the world). A photography opportunity you don’t want to miss is LACMA (Wilshire) at night.

6. Sunset Strip

Visiting the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles is almost a must. This neighborhood has its own charm and a very bohemian atmosphere. The city is known for its rock clubs, colorful billboards, “trendy” restaurants, and happening nightclubs. The Sunset Strip isn’t just nightlife … There are tons of boutiques and fashion shops where tourists can spend the day shopping for trinkets. Many famous locations along Sunset so do your research before you go.

7. Santa Monica

Bathing or having a drink on Santa Monica’s beautiful beach is another activity that will let everyone experience the essence of Los Angeles. Walking the streets and finding art displays around many corners. The famous wharf and Pacific Park fairground is a must-see.

There are thousands of places depending on what kind of photos you seek. Usually, most locations are online with easy to follow directions. Happy Travels!

All photos used with permission from Gregg Jaden

Flooding in Houston, TX

By

Дмитра Врачарић

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September 1, 2020

Being of tropical origin, Houston is highly prone to experience hurricanes and floods. The subtropical water bodies, support the formation of hurricanes, which is kind of a storm but has many adverse effects. In simple words, we can describe hurricanes as a storm with a maximum speed of constant winds as 74mph; the main reason behind this is the warm ocean water and humidity of the city. Apart from this, the usual coastal flood due to high tides is very common in the region.

Flood are so impactful here that they can simply submerge an entire vehicle in less than an hour. The main factor behind such impactful flood is the heavy rain that gets accumulated on the ground, due to constant high-density rainfall. Houston even experiences “flash flooding”, this means, a sudden flood due to tremendously rising water along a low-lying area or a stream. Flash flooding is extremely abrupt, such that the residents of the affected area don’t even get time to evacuate. Hence, it causes immense loss to life and property. Even driving attempts are failed during a flash flood, as the vehicle may also get submerged or washed away due to the swift flood water. This causes a lot of motor accidents, and the probability of death of the victims is very high.

As mentioned earlier, Houston is a flood-prone area, so some preventive and flood preparedness measures are pre-required if you are a Houston habitant. For evacuating, during any disaster, you need help and support from other individuals. Instead of being selfish, a disaster requires citizens to be sympathetic and vigilant. Even the Government needs to step forth to help its citizens by setting up evacuation camps and emergency shelters with an adequate supply of food and other everyday necessities. Houston has seen many such Floods, so the Government is also well-aware of the requirements of the flood victims such as medical help, food supply, motivation talks, running tests for infections, protection from water-borne diseases, and so on.

Helpline

The Government and the citizens of Houston have devised a disaster warning system from their past experiences; the citizens can send a “Reverse 911” call to warn the neighbourhood people about the occurrence of flood or any other disaster. They can even get to know about the recent weather broadcasting or disaster alerts by calling the City’s Office of Emergency Management at 713-884-4500 or by listening to the NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts made throughout the day.

Let’s have a look at the categories of flood encountered in Houston, TX:

1. Fluvial Floods

In common man’s term, fluvial floods are known as river floods. The most common cause is due to overflowing of an adjacent water body like rivers, streams, or lakes. The probability of fluvial floods increases after hurricanes or excessive rainfall. They can turn more adverse depending upon the amount of precipitation. If any of the dams get damaged, then the severity increases further.

2. Pluvial Floods

They can be further divided into two sections, namely, flash floods and surface water floods. Both flash flood and surface water flood are abrupt as well as unpredictable. They can happen anywhere, even if a huge water body is not present nearby. Heavy rainfall in a short span of time leads to flash floods. They are more prone in hilly areas, where water slopes down into the valleys and gets accumulated. Surface water floods are caused mostly due to the failure or blockage in the drainage system.

3. Coastal Floods

As the name indicates, coastal floods are more prone in the coastal areas, where high winds blow during the high tides; this is also referred to as storm-serge. Due to a large number of hurricanes in the Gulf, Houston often experiences heavy rainfall, that ultimately leads to a flood. That’s why water damage in residential, commercial, and industrial properties is a pervasive issue faced by the people of Houston.

Some safety tips that you must follow during a flood:

What to do before a flood:

Always store important legal and educational documents on an elevated shelf.
You can install a water level sensor, that will give you a signal or ring an alarm if the amount of accumulated water exceeds a certain height.
Keep the contact details of the water restoration company handy with you.
Always arrange for cleaning and inspection of the drainage system to avoid blockages.
Have healthy vegetation nearby, to avoid soil erosion.

What to do during a flood:

Turn off the main switch and other heavy electrical appliances as soon as possible.
If the water level is rising continuously, evacuate or go to the upper floor.
Take your valuable document along with you.
Do not come in contact with floodwater, it might cause skin allergies or infections.
Do not stamp any naked wire lying on the ground; it might give you a shock.
If you’re inside a vehicle when the water level rises, abandon it and move to the elevated ground.
Don’t walk through the flood areas. Only 6 inches of water is sufficient to completely sweep you away.

What to do after a flood:

Do not enter the subjected property, until cleaning has been done.
During the cleaning process, wear a mask, gloves and other protective equipment to minimize exposure to possible hazardous materials.
Take extra efforts, like boil water before drinking to avoid getting water-borne diseases.
Don’t turn the main switch on until an electrician has inspected your home.
Clean and disinfect everything that was in contact with the floodwater.

Most of the homeowners are unprepared; these allow damages to overtake their property. If immediate action is not taken, water damage will start disintegrating the property, and secondary damages will begin like mould and mildew formation, that might lead to the rejection of the insurance coverage.

That’s why it advised contacting a water restoration company if any unforeseen situation happens; they reduce the risk of secondary damages, the experts have the right knowledge about the tools and the chemicals required, they help in collecting evidence for supporting insurance claims, they know all the methods of controlling mould and mildew formation, and so on. Instead of wasting time and letting the damage increase exponentially, call for restoration service as soon as possible or visit our website for any help https://hallmark-mc.com/restoration-services/water-damage-houston-tx/

Dealing With Insurance During a Restoration Claim

By

Дмитра Врачарић

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September 1, 2020

Why-should-you-hire-a-personal-injury-lawyer-1200x707 — Source: igreatlocalattorneysweb.com

Nowadays, many people have become aware of the fact that disasters may occur at any time and anywhere. Even if you are staying in an area with a pleasant climate and weather conditions which is away from the sea-coast, that has not experienced any disaster in the past few years; then also there is some probability of disaster occurrence. From our end, we are bounded by the ways of nature, so we can’t avoid any disaster, but we can be well prepared to face them so that the severities of their causes are reduced significantly.

As a remedy, many insurance companies have come up with disaster relief schemes to help the victims financially in restoration. These schemes are a boon to many who live in disaster-prone areas, every year, more than hundred-thousands of disaster claims are made. Alas! A few of them remain unsettled due to the terms and conditions of the policy or lack of documentation and evidence from the Client’s end. Many legal issues are also raised by insurance companies, reporting false claims made by some consumers. That’s why we advise both the ends to be vigilant enough to read all the terms and conditions mentioned in the documents carefully before closing the deal.

For a disaster victim, it is very common to become nervous. Still, you must try your best to behave as a responsible individual and try to be strong mentally and collect proper evidence of the disaster so that you can make insurance claims, later. If you are inexperienced, you can always approach your restoration company for getting the best assistance in settling insurance claims. Chrome water damage experts from water damage restoration Austin, TX, provides the most prompt restoration service, they have an incredible record in settling insurance claims.

Some steps that you must follow while dealing with insurance companies:

1. Ensure the safety of human lives

First of all, you must deal with the outstanding danger; it may be a flood, a fire, an earthquake or any other disaster. If the disaster is very crucial, immediately evacuate the place, with your necessary belongings and documents. If you are not able to manage the disaster site, immediately call for a disaster restoration company. When the situation is under control, that is, all the human lives and the subjected properties are safe, you can begin the procedure of making the insurance claim.

2. Contact the insurance company

When the life-threatening phase of the disaster is over, and the situation is somewhat better, inspect the site yourself or refer the report generated by the restoration company and inform your insurance company about the sorrowful incident. Many a time, the insurance company sends a team of experts to inspect the disaster site and severity for settling the claims later, this ensures that your request is authentic and shifts your claim on a higher priority. If they don’t provide on-site services, call them personally and tell them every critical detail about the incident and remind them of the policy coverage.

3. Assemble and manage evidence

Any claim appears to be unauthentic without the support of evidence. If you want to get a decent amount from your insurance company, then the evidence produced should be detailed and well-documented. You can take photographs of the disaster site before cleaning is done. From the first expense only, maintain a proper record of the amount spent by you, file the bills also, so that your claim looks verified. If a restoration contractor is the incharge of the site, then your job is already done, you simply need to ask them for the report of the incident, they are well aware of the format.

4. Set up a meeting with the insurance provider

You must meet your insurance agent as well as the officer-in-charge of your claim so that all the concerned issues are clarified; there should be complete transparency between the three parties. You can even include the on-site inspector. Generally, the insurance companies only set up the discussion, but if they seem to be inactive, you may take the lead.

Don’t go for the meeting without the relevant documents, like the photographs taken post-disaster, the receipts from the restoration company, the report from the restoration company, the treaty of your insurance claim. Try to approach the insurance office as soon as possible, preferably within 48 hours of the disaster. Discuss every expense with the officer, even the post-disaster cleaning expenses, the officer will tell you the coverage that are included in your insurance policy. You need to be vigilant throughout, when you purchase the policy, be very clear with the coverage that you need and the coverage that policy offers. If any coverage is missing, then and there only you must ask your insurance provider to add it.

5. Be patient during the process

The insurance companies only credit the amount, after they have carried out a thorough inspection of the disaster site and the victim. They even cross-check the bills with the restoration provider or individual vendors. This process is time consuming and sometimes even takes more than six months. From your side, you must take specific care that are all the documents that you attached are original and in the proper format. However, there is a deadline in which they will credit your reimbursement amount, till then, you must be patient and co-operate with the insurance company pleasantly.

We understand that for an inexperienced homeowner or business person, this entire process of making an insurance claim is crumble some and time-consuming. That’s why we advise you to hire a restoration company; they even help you in settling insurance claims. With their expertise, they do the documentation correctly, and their reputation authorizes your request.

It is observed that the claims made through a restoration company are settled earlier than individual claims. This is because of the quality of the paper-work. Always remember that for making insurance claims, your paper-work plays the key role. If a single invoice attached is fake or unauthorized, the chances of your claim being rejected become high. You can call us in any emergency or visit this website! https://chromewaterdamage.com/.

All you need to Know about Classic Wow Gold and Gaming Benefits of It

By

Дмитра Врачарић

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September 1, 2020

The excellent news for WoW fans around the world is that your favorite game is here again. The new WoW Classic is available on both Mac and Windows, and if you want to have a full experience, you need to have an existing subscription. If you are an experienced fan, and you already have a subscription, then you don’ have to worry since it is active. If you are a new player, the good thing is that getting a subscription is not that difficult, and you don’t need the latest computer to play this game, and you can find everything you need to start at ssegold.com.

In short, World of Warcraft Classic is the same game as in 2006, two years after the game was published, and before the release of the first full expansion pack, The Burning Crusade. That is the point (Patch 1.12: Drums of War) where the original World of Warcraft, a pre-expansion add-on, was most effective, as it had several years of whipping bugs and improving gameplay below its belt. However, back then, it was a much more difficult, slower game, encouraging teamwork to take on difficult enemies rather than encouraging today’s solo-friendly play.

Inside this excellent game, there was a need for in-game currency. This need was satisfied with WoW Classic gold. You need gold to survive in the game, but also to buy everything you need to make your life easier. One of the ways to earn gold is to buy it with real money, but the other one is much more fun and cheaper, and for that, you will need a high level of character. To earn gold in-game, first, you need a fully leveled hero because then you will stop gaining XP and start earning game gold for finished quests.

There are a few ways of buying gold for real money, and you need to be sure that you are making a safe transaction. One of them is to use the mailbox delivery. That is the way that old gamers prefer, but you should be sure that you are delivering the right character name, and you can expect a slight delay. You should give your character name during checkout and wait for the money in the game.

It may sound a little tricky, but the best thing is that this is one of the most secure ways, and you don’t need to be online and wait. The second way is the auction house, which is a part of the game. The procedure is simple, as you should only tell the item name that you want and wait for them to add it to your character name. There is a fee you need to pay, so be sure that you are getting enough for you, and the charge, and for example, if you want to buy an item worth 150g, you will pay a value equal to 157,5g.

The Auction house also represents a very reliable way of buying since every buyer is anonymous. The third way is face to face buying, and that means that you should be online when the seller is sending you your gold. Since this is the fastest way, a lot of people prefer that type of transaction. Bear in mind that for you to get gold like this, you would have to meet the seller in Azeroth, so you could “whisper” to each other. So in this way, you already have to have a rare item, or at least “green” which someone wants to purchase for gold from you.

As in real life, in Azeroth, you should also be wary and careful. Some players inside the game might want to trick you if you are new, sell you an item that is worth less than you might think, or buy an item from you that is worth much more than you realize. I recommend making some reliable and trustworthy friends inside the WoW community and inform yourself about the value of variant items. You could say that the rules of common sense from the real-world apply here as well. If an offer is just too good, maybe you need to think twice as hard about it.

There are also many benefits of buying WoW gold since that is a currency you need if you want to be a top player. One of them is upgrading your weapon to defeat your enemies easier since upgrade gives a higher damage power or an increase in some other stats. Also, you could potentially get yourself some flasks or other consumables, which are often necessary for more dangerous raids and can give you the edge you need in combat. Of course, one should never forget the role play and swag factor since with gold you can change your appearance in numerous ways, and you could buy cool looking items for your house or even that epic looking mount.

Since its release in 2004, World of Warcraft was the first thing that would cross the gamers’ mind when someone mentions MMORPG games. It speaks volumes that even 16 years later, WoW is as dominant in the gaming world. So many real players are playing the game that the world of Azeroth has developed its real-live economy, with auctions, in-game currencies, and laws of supply and demand. Probably the best characteristic, and maybe the most addictive thing that is the outcome of that, is that you can earn your subscriptions.

Since you can earn gold in-game, and you can purchase subscriptions with gold, if you are a good enough player, you can continue to play the game with only the initial real-life money you have spent. So not only that gold can get you better equipment, fancy armors that will make all your friends jealous if you like playing the game and play it well, and long enough, you can earn enough gold to proceed to play as long as you want and enjoy this excellent game.

How Technology Solves Human Problems

By

Дмитра Врачарић

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August 31, 2020

Maybe the strangest thing about technology is that is solves some very human problems, like being too hot or cold, not knowing how to get from point A to point B, being sick, making payments for everyday items, and much more. The infrastructure of our modern world took plenty of years to create, so it’s no wonder that it does so much for us. What are some of the most basic needs we have, and how has tech come to our rescue? Here are the most central factors of human life that call for scientific, high-tech solutions?

Online Ordering of Goods and Services

The beauty of purchasing things online is that you can do everything from the privacy of our home or smartphone screen. You have the ability to peruse as many items as you like without being hounded by salespeople, can compare prices, read reviews, and hunt for coupons before checking out. The uniquely human task of shopping for necessary supplies, food, and medicine has been totally transformed by the web-based experience.

For example, all it takes to order something like a marijuana subscription box, one of the year’s hottest gift items, is to visit a site like Nugg Club, make a selection from multiple varieties, and place an order. Another advantage of ordering from a PC is the ability to purchase one of a kind, and hard to find items that are not available in retail stores. Marijuana subscription boxes are a case in point. You can’t walk into a brick and mortar store and get one. Instead, you need to find a website that offers them and get it there.

Programmable Thermostats

Source: A Path To Technological Satisfaction

Being uncomfortably hot or cold is something that has plagued mankind for thousands, perhaps millions of years. In the 2024s, all it takes is a $15 programmable thermostat to solve this age-old dilemma. The beauty of these little devices is that they appear so simple, but they do dozens of complex tasks that go a long way toward making a home comfortable. Their makers tout them as energy-saving units, and they certainly live up to that claim.

But even more than cutting household utility bills, smart thermostats are wondrous gadgets that can help our HVAC systems create exactly as much heat or coolness as we need at a given moment. Their small but agile memories are capable enough to hold data that tells the AC or heating unit to come on and go off with scientific precision. When it comes to low-priced, powerful gadgetry that makes any house comfortable and livable, you can’t go wrong with a smart thermostat.

GPS Devices and Traffic Apps

Whether you use a stand-alone GPS device or download one of the smart apps to your phone that does virtually the same job, there’s never been a better way to navigate busy urban areas, interstate highways, or rural roads that are infamous for lacking proper signage. Traffic apps are one of the “older” travel programs for city-dwellers who need help figuring out the ebb and flow of rush-hour on a given work day. For travelers and tourists, GPS and traffic tech are true lifesavers. Before the advent of this type of techno-guidance, anyone who was unfamiliar with a city’s terrain had to wrangle with books of paper maps and frustrating fold-out roadmaps that were endlessly confusing and always seemed to be outdated.

Virtual Medical Checkups

Getting help when faced with illness is a problem that’s been with humans as long as there have been humans. Many primary care physicians now offer video-conference check-ups, during which they can go through a list of questions and assess your general level of health. If the doctor feels the need for more information. you might be instructed to visit a clinic for a blood test or to have your vital signs read. Other than that, the medical community is veering into the universe of what was once called tele-health.

Contactless Payment Methods

The COVID pandemic pushed the development of contactless payments, but the machines and the tech have been around for at least a decade. If you shop at a store where you can pay by just waving a card over a reader, then you’ve already done a contactless transaction. When COVID began to spread, retailers who were still operating wanted to minimize human to human contact, so they ramped up their orders for contactless card-reading machines. Not only do the devices make transactions easier for customers, they also protect store personnel from having to accept currency and handle cards that are handed to them. That means less of a chance for viral transmission.

Vehicle Diagnostic

A decade ago, if you wanted to know what was wrong with your vehicle, you had to visit a mechanic and pay for a round of diagnostic testing. Now, with the help of a free app for your phone and a $6 Bluetooth-enabled device that plugs into your car under-dash, you can find out not only what’s wrong with your vehicle, but approximately how much it will cost to have it fixed, where to go for service, and how long the repairs will take. Yes, you still need to visit the shop, but you’ll go there armed with all the information you need to order specific repairs. Plus, you’ll already know the ballpark amounts for what the final bill will be.

Tax Software

Few normal people enjoy tallying up what they owe to the taxing authorities. Every April since 1913, U.S. citizens have been subject to income tax and had to send a written return to the IRS. For more than 20 years, makers of tax software have been perfecting their products. Finally, in the last few years, consumers have had access to inexpensive, easy to use tax applications that get the job done quickly and accurately. And, if you want the peace of mind that goes with professional preparation, you can save a few bucks by using the app first, and then asking a CPA or tax specialist double-check your work. Filing electronically has become commonplace, but taxpayers still need to prepare returns and make sure everything gets transmitted correctly.

How to Inspect Your Roof?

By

Дмитра Врачарић

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August 31, 2020

Roof damage is one of the most painful issues, as a sudden leakage from the roof may damage the drywall, the walls, the paint and the entire texture of the house. If roof damage is followed by heavy rainfall or snowstorm, it may lead to water damage issues. The accumulate water will again cause multiple problems. Many times roof damage is also accompanied by mould and mildew formation that causes respiratory disorders and other infections to the people who are exposed to it.

Sudden roof collapse may cause severe property damage and is dangerous for human lives; also, the debris and shingles may cause injuries to the brain and other delicate organs. Many of us even live in houses that have been constructed around 50 years ago, it is not a sin to live in old houses, but it is a fault to ignore the maintenance demands of such structures. The rocks and the materials used have an age and a limited tensile strength; such old structures have experienced strenuous climatic changes that cause their depreciation and make them subjected to damage.

To avoid any sudden impact of this depreciation, we must inspect the property frequently and make a note of the repair. As soon as, we encounter any issue, we must quickly arrange for its restoration. The roof has exposed the maximum to the climatic changes and rainfall that too perpendicularly, making it more vulnerable to damages. Hence, the roof must be given extra attention, and roof inspection must be carried out more often. You can carry regular inspections yourself, but there are many slight damages that may be ignored by you due to lack of experience. Hence, a profession roof inspection should also be arranged regularly. Companies like the Pisgah roofingandrestoration.com provides commendable roof inspection services as the technicians are well skilled and experienced.

Some tips for inspecting roof:

1. Start with the Gutter inspection

Carefully inspect every gutter present on your roof. Always ask your contractor for a report of the gutter inspection. A contractor must be familiar with how the gutters are attached. If gutters have linked the drip edges, you cannot replace them. If you need an installation of a new drip edge, then the gutter guard, if any, needs to be removed. This incurs overhead costs and time. The inspection should be extended to the structure present below the gutters to see the materials that were used for the initial construction of the roof. Companies such as coastlinefacilities.co.uk provide a full gutter inspection service as well as gutter clearing. They will provide a full inspection report on request.

2. Move to Roof Flashings

It is necessary to know the state and the type of the flashing, noting these minute details are impossible if one doesn’t climb up the roof; if the inspection report indicates these flashings will have to be replaced. A proper flashing makes the roof durable; if the flashings are not inspected initially, they will add to the restoration costs eventually and unexpectedly. If the flashings are not in place, they serve as the entrance for water. It appears to be a small and insignificant aspect, but if not maintained properly, it may cause critical under surface damages.

3. Check the Skylights

The maximum average lifespan of a skylight is twenty years. Mostly, skylights have to be replaced in every five or ten years. If you have a roof replacement, it is advised to get the skylights also replaced, so that you don’t need to organize another restoration, especially for the skylights. You can always include the replacement of skylights to your checklist, to avoid additional expenses of replacing the skylights separately.

4. A thorough observation of the Soil Stacks

Keenly observe the soil stacks for any cracks or ruptures. Similar to flashings, they are also minute, yet essential for the security of the roof. Always go for soil stacks that are made up of reliable and suitable materials like Silicon, never opt for cheap boot alternatives. Make a note of the damages around the soil stack also. If the solid stack gets damaged, you will have to spend a lot of time for its re-installation.

5. Check the Chimney

The chimney is also an important structure that cannot be examined without climbing the roof. A chimney has a saddle or cricket, to divert water away from it, to protect precipitation from getting inside it, during heavy rainfall or snowstorms. We must not ignore the chimney damages as any damage there will affect the roof and causes leakage in our home. Don’t go for any cheap temporary alternatives, as these may lead to sudden damage and you will regret your carelessness later.

6. Closely examine the Attic

The Attic should have a proper ventilation mechanism; else the excess heat will pass through it. The woods get rotten over time; they need to be replaced regularly. During winter, this heat leads to the melting of ice deposited on the roof and eventually causes water damage.

To ensure that you don’t forget anything, go through the checklist given below:

Check that the shingles do not have any curls and blisters. There should be no instances of missing or lose shingles.
There should be no rust deposits on the flashing.
The gutter system is working well.
No debris should be present.
Vent stacks are functional.
There are no obsolete rubber boots around the vent pipes.
No branches have started growing towards your roof.
The supporting materials like wood and timbers should be carefully examined for pests or termites actions.
The chimney caps and motor parts are in the proper place. (So that you need to climb up the roof again.)
Worn out antennas, solar panels and satellite dishes are discarded, and the present ones are properly connected.
There are no colonies of bacterial and fungal micro-organisms like mosses, lichens, moulds, mildews or any other decaying organism.

If you don’t want to experience any sudden consequences of roof damage, then you must regularly arrange for roof inspections. If you are not confident and experienced, don’t worry! Asheville Roofing provides a thorough roof inspection at a very affordable price and gives you a detailed report of the study of damages and the related expenses. Your safety, Asheville Roofing’s priority!

How to Start a Junk Removal Business

By

Дмитра Врачарић

-

August 31, 2020

Are you facing trouble in discarding off some unwanted items, and chattels? People and businesses need help in dumping away their broken furniture, and clearing out an attic full of trash or emptying an entire office.

The junk removal industry is competitive and it can be a profitable business to own. You might be thinking that it seems like an uncomplicated self-employment idea but you would want to know How to Start a Junk Removal Business.

You wont only be clearing out rubbish from people’s houses but also take part in local donations and recycling strategies.

Steps To Start Junk Removal Business

Once you’ve decided to start the junk removal business you may wonder where do I begin? Here we present some step by step points that you might need to take into consideration before starting your business so that you can get successful by useful tips of Scott from RidofitVancouver who is running his junk removal business in Vancouver and surrounding areas from last 25 years.

Let’s get started!

The guidelines for junk removal service business start-up are as follows.

Step 1: Plan Your Business

A clear, distinctive and complete plan is required for a successful junk removal business. It will help you to discover all the important things for its start up. For you, we have compiled all the necessary information which are as follows

What are the initial investment and ongoing cost?
Set your target market
How much you charge customers?
How to make a business profitable?
Name of your Business

Initial Investment And Ongoing Cost

You can start the junk removal service business by investing in the following things

A truck or big van
Basic tools for cleaning and supplies
Sorting place

For this purpose you can use your own truck, it can be new or used. Another option you can sign a contract with any good vehicle company to convey your professionalism to your customers.

Target Market

People and businesses both need junk removal services frequently especially construction and real estate industries. Except the industries, the residential areas can also be your target customers.

How Much You Charge Your Customers?

Pricing for your service depends upon the cubic feet garbage removed from your customer’s site. Sometimes it also includes fees if you remove any heavy items, any dangerous material or any emergency appointment.

The charges of junk removal service companies range from 139$ to 373$ for a single visit. For setting your charges you must need to consider the following thing.

Wages
Landfill and other disposal costs
Insurance
Fuel and auto payments
Office and marketing expenses.
Your competitor’s price

You can also get benefits from this business by selling scrap metal or get tax deductions in return for donations.

How To Make Business Profitable?

You can make your business more profitable by following these few strategies.

The best way to increase your profits is to finish your jobs efficiently and effectively in less time.
Organize your driver’s routes to save up your fuel costs.
Train your employees to finish the job in a few time.
Use trucks or vehicles with your brand logo that will create awareness among the customers about your brand.

Name Your Business

Selecting a unique name for your junk removal company is very important. Pick that name which attracts the customers. If you don’t have any suggestions about the names then visit business name generator sites that help you to create unique and attractive names for your business and also create your brand awareness among people.

Step 2: Form Legal Entity

It is important to establish a legal business entity like LLC because it protects you from being personally accountable in case your business is sued. Consider using a registered agent service to protect your privacy.

Step 3: Register for Taxes

Register for various taxes before opening your junk removal business. To register for taxes, you have to apply for an EIN first, which is easy to get.

Step 4: Open Your Business Bank Account & Credit Card

A business bank account and a credit card are necessary because if your personal and business transactions are mixed on the same account it will create confusion as well as they may put your assets in danger in case your business is sued.

Step 5: Setting Up Your Business Accounting

Keep a proper record of your expenses and income to understand the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate accounts makes your annual tax filing easy.

Step 6: Obtaining Licenses and Permits for Your Business

If you don’t have a proper license for your business you could be charged with heavy fines or your junk removal business may shutdown.

State and local licenses
Service Agreements

State and Local Licenses

To run a junk removal company you need different kinds of state and local permits and licenses. To get assistance about licensing requirements, you must visit your city, town or country’s clerk office or get assistance from the local associations of your country’s Small Business Association.

Service Agreement

For junk removal business you must contemplate requiring the customer to sign a service agreement. This agreement clarifies everything like mode and terms of payment, duration and service level expectations. This service agreement is used to minimize the risk of legal disputes.

Step 7: Get Insurance for Your Business

Just like license and permits your business needs insurance to operate lawfully and safely. Business insurance protects your company in case of loss. There are many insurances for different businesses with different risks. Study them thoroughly or choose General liability insurance if you are not sure about the risks.

Step 8: Define Your Business Brand

Your brand defines your company and how your business will be perceived. Your brand should be strong enough to stand out from competitors. For your junk removal business marketing keep these two points in mind:

Quality branding
Referrals

Quality brand and referrals are very important for your company.

Step 9: Establish Online Presence

Your business website will allow your customers to learn more about your junk removal company and the services you offer. The use of social media is a good technique to attract new clients or customers.

Running a junk removal business successfully is a challenging task. Considering these business set-up guidelines are not enough, you also need other traits to be successful. You need to have good management abilities, communication skills and also must have a good customer care service. By acquiring all these traits and guidelines surely you’ll be able to run your junk removal business efficiently and effectively.

How to Keep Your Swimming Pool in the Perfect Condition

By

Дмитра Врачарић

-

August 31, 2020

We know it is very challenging to maintain your body temperature during the summers. But in summers a properly maintained pool will freshen you for a long time and also become the cause of relaxation and recreation.

But public and casino pools become overfilled as everyone comes up there to freshen themselves. In this way owning a pool at your home is not more than a blessing.

Proper maintenance doesn’t end by just adding chlorine to the water as it just kills the germs and bacteria in water and does nothing else.

It doesn’t remove obstinate stains from tiles, concrete and other areas of the pool. If these stains do not remove over time then these stains will grow into a mold that makes your pool look older than actually, it is.

If you want to keep these problems away then execute proper maintenance daily. For crystal clear water in your pool follow these guidelines for proper maintenance or hire a swimming pool cleaning service company that will do it for you.

The upkeep set of instructions are as follows:

Removing the litter
DIY Cleaning
Pool Chemicals
Chlorination

Removing The Litter

To have a well-maintained and pristine swimming pool, you must pull out the leaves, dirt, and other litter from it. For this purpose, you’ll need a cleaner with features depending on the type of your pool either it is an above-ground or in-ground, size of it and quantum of litter. While purchasing a cleaner take a look at the filtration and plumbing system of the cleaner.

DIY Cleaning

The cheapest way to maintain and clean your pool is to do it by yourself with the assistance of a hand vacuum. For this purpose attach the vacuum with a skimmer box which creates suction and then operate it physically around the surfaces of the swimming pool. This will take only an hour from your busy schedule and it requires to be done once in a week.

For cleaning purpose you can either do it by yourself by acquiring a mechanical cleaner or hire a professional and experienced cleaner. There are a lot of cleaner service companies out there in a market. They will maintain and clean the pool for you. Moreover, they also look over all the things whether they are operating perfectly or not.

Chemicals

According to lasvegaspoolhelp.com, all the pools have bacteria because of water replenish, leaves, grass and humans. Without uniform sanitation, pools can cause serious health problems. The level of sanitation depends upon all these above factors and also the size of the pool.

Most of the people use chlorine to keep the water clean and in balance. But ozone gas, UV sterilization, bromine or ionization are also the other choices for sanitizing the swimming pool. But due to health concerns, it is recommended that you use chlorine for disinfecting your pool. There are 3 ways by which you can chlorinate your water which are adding chlorine by hand, by using salt chlorinator and by using a liquid chemical feeder.

Chemical Balance

The chemical balance of the pool water is also very important just like the disinfection. It is made up of 68% pH(acidity/alkalinity level), 16% total alkalinity and 16% calcium hardness. For a better and well-maintained pool, you need to keep an eye on the chemical level of water once in a week or daily if it is in high-use.

Maintaining pH Level

It is necessary to maintain the pH of water at the right level otherwise it may cause itchy skin, red eyes and can also lower the efficacy of the chlorine. The standard pH for pool water ranges from 7 to 7.8, while 7.4 is considered an ideal pH level. PH can be changed by the rain, water splashes, people swimming in it and also by the chlorine. Soda ash assists you to lift the pH levels while pool acids are used to lower the pH level of pool water.

Total Alkalinity

The levels of total alkalinity are also necessary to be maintained in its range. Otherwise, it can bring many problems to you. Its lower level can cause erosion to surface and corrosion to pool equipment and can also disturb the pH level of the water. Its recommended level ranges from 60 to 200 million parts. Buffer is used for elevating the level while acid is used to lower its level.

Calcium Hardness

For a well-maintained pool, it is necessary to maintain the calcium hardness levels. Because lower-level calcium hardness can destroy the equipment and higher levels can cause scale. It can not be measured by the domestic testing kits so for this purpose you have to take the sample of your pool water to a local shop for testing.

Testing Kits

There are a lot of testing kits available in the market. These kits are used to analyze the chlorine level, total alkalinity and acid level. You can also analyze these levels by using electronic testers by just dipping its strip into the water.

Chlorination

Chlorination By Hand

The most difficult and time-consuming way to disinfect your pool is by hand. For this purpose, you need to check the chlorine level of your water daily and add the required amount of chlorine to reach the appropriate level. This type of chlorination is best for the backyard pool.

Chlorination By Salt Chlorinators

This type of chlorination is best for the saltwater pools. These are convert common crystals of salt into chlorine gas with the assistance of salt chlorinator. These salt chlorinators operate automatically, you need to put salt only at the time of installation of salt chlorinators. Afterward, it cleans the pool on its own. The first dose of salt in pool water is about 4kg for every 1000 liters.

Liquid Chemical Feeders

These feeders run automatically and are inserted at the filtration system. It adds liquid chlorine on its own to the pool water. The simplest model of liquid chemical feeders adds chlorine to the water

which is set by you. While the modern models have sensors that detect the needed amount of chlorine in pool water to reach the appropriate level.

This summer season enjoy and relax in your swimming pool without any worries. We hope these tips on keeping your swimming pool in perfect condition will be beneficial for you.

Asbestos Removal: All You Need to Know About

By

Дмитра Врачарић

-

August 31, 2020

Asbestos is used in the construction of buildings because of its mechanical strength and insulation properties. It is not harmful as long as it remains intact, but when it breaks or crumbles, asbestos fibers spread in the air and they can cause harmful effects. These fibers should be removed as soon as possible to avoid any health hazards. In America, the use of asbestos has been reduced but not completely stopped.

Here, you will find all the necessary things you should know about the removal of it from your environment.

What is Asbestos

Asbestos, also known as “magic mineral” because of its beneficial applications in the construction and clothing industry. Asbestos has many types, it may be friable and non-friable. Besides its benefits, it is among the major and lethal airborne contaminants.

When remained untouched it is harmless, but when it is disturbed it can break or crumble easily, small fibers in it can be released in the air to corrupt it. These fibers can build up in your body over a long period and you may not find it until its too late. Therefore, even a small quantity of asbestos can cause harmful effects. According to an estimate, about 10,000 people die annually due to asbestos-related diseases.

The exposure to this can be very lethal and long-term exposure can lead to severe health conditions especially respiratory disorders, mesothelioma cancer, lung cancer, pleural plaque and can even cause death. These microscopic fibers cannot be seen from the naked eye and anybody can inhale or ingest them without realizing it.

It can act as a silent killer that’s why one must take substantial measures to eliminate it from the air. That’s why it is advisable to contact a professional to detect the presence of asbestos before building or renovating your house.

Precautions

If you suspect asbestos contamination at your place you should take the following precautions :

Do not touch any suspected contaminated material.
Keep the kids away from that area and limit the activities in the contaminated area.
Call a certified asbestos removal company like KD Asbestos for help. You can find one by searching Asbestos testing and removal companies near me or if you are near Vancouver area you can contact companies such as asbestosremovalanddemovancouver.com for help.
Do not sweep or vacuum suspected asbestos debris.

Testing of Asbestos:

Such testing is vital for your own and your family or employees’ safety. Asbestos cannot be easily detected because it can not be seen from the naked eye and it does not have any smell. That’s why you need to call a certified abatement company because only professionals can identify any type of asbestos.

A professional removal company will do thorough testing of the suspected areas. Samples must be drawn from every possible place for testing, every layer of roof, drywalls, and plasters is analyzed. Specialized tools, equipment, and techniques are used to collect and test the samples.

While performin these tests, a minimum of two samples must be taken. One sample is collected from the area of concern and the second sample is collected from outside or in the “controlled environment”. If there are multiple suspected areas then multiple samples are collected.

Once samples are collected they are transferred to the laboratory for testing. Samples are tested using special procedures and then results are drawn. After testing is completed, a report is provided which inform about the degree of asbestos in the air as

Non-elevated
Moderate
Elevated

Removal of asbestos:

Important things to consider before initiating the procedure:

The person for the abatement process must be a licensed abatement contractor and have the right equipment for the task.
If a non-licensed person is allowed to do the removal process, it may increase the health risk.
Most of the insurance companies will not take responsibility for any work regarding asbestos. It is important to be aware that all the costs of the procedure must be paid by house or industry owner.

The asbestos abatement process requires specialized gadgets. A sealed chamber is created by a polyethylene sheet at the removal area and negative pressure is applied to it. Respirators and protective suits must be equipped.

Occupants are not allowed to enter the area during the abatement process. Special vacuum cleaners are used which are designed for asbestos contaminants. HEPA filters are the key tool in the removal of it.

HEPA filters

HEPA filters stand for (High-efficiency particulate air filters), they are specialized mechanical filter designed to sterilize air by eliminating the airborne contaminants. HEPA air purifier and HEPA vacuum cleaners are used by professional companies for the removal of hazardous asbestos, molds, etc. to provide their costumers with pure air to breathe in. A sheet of fiber is installed in it which is capable of capturing asbestos contaminants. These fibers are solid particles that vary in size between 0.7 and 90 microns, while HEPA air filters can filter particles above and below 0.3 microns.

HEPA filter vs Asbestos

It is possible that asbestos is coming from an open-source such as a deteriorating wall or piping insulation, cracked ceiling, drywall joint compound, or some other source. Because HEPA air filters are designed to be absolutely effective only in the absence of any open sources of particle generation, it is impossible to completely cleanse the air before the contaminated area has been detected and handled masterly by trained and experienced professional.

Until the it has been remediated, the best you can hope for with a HEPA air filter is a minor reduction in the net density of fibers in the air by achieving equilibrium between particle production and eradication. That’s why it is important to identify and eliminate the source of asbestos first and then remove it present in the air.

Disposal of asbestos

It should be disposed of as indicated in the law to assure the safety of the environment and inhibit further contamination. These materials cannot be disposed of in normal dust bins and dumping sites. They should be properly packed in specific packaging and labeled before disposal at the allocated site. All the precautionary measures should be taken for the safe disposal of asbestos.