Category: General

Swimming pools are a great resource for both domestic and commercial use. It is easy to want a pool and think about having it installed in your premise for the sake of it. Most people think about the design and size that will be viable for their compound but there are so many more ways you can have your pool built to suit your needs. Beyond the two factors mentioned, there are other aspects of swimming pools that you can consider.

Functionality

Commonly, swimming pools are used as leisure in homesteads and even hotels. However, for the Olympic enthusiast, the fitness lover or the hydrotherapy patient, you can customize your pool to suit your needs. Whether you want an area to practice your strokes in, time your laps or work on a body part that needs more than the common exercise in order to have it functioning at an optimum level, you can make small adjustments in order to have your pool cater to you. What’s more is, whatever the use, you can always have it as a relaxation spot when you want.

Season of use

The ideal time to dive into your pool is on a hot summer day in order to cool off as need be. You may find it limiting to some extent if you are not able to use it during the cold seasons. This is where heated pools come in handy. By installing a mechanism that allows you to heat your pool, you can enjoy a dip or two even when the weather doesn’t allow for such an activity.

Type

This is in regards to both material and location. For instance, you can have an in-ground pool installed or have it above ground in order to play around with the aesthetics of the compound. When it comes to material, you can have a fully concrete pool or mix it up with some glass panels along various lengths. Alternatively, you can have a fully glass-panelled pool.

Unique features

There are several ways in which you can add an extra touch of uniqueness to your pool. One common way is to install a Jacuzzi on one side of the pool. Another method is to make your pool infinity-styled. This is perfect for areas that have spectacular views, such as overlooking the city or over vast lands.  You can take it a step further by installing a pool bar or a seated area, where you and your family or guests can simply dip your feet in and enjoy a laugh or two.

Make it even more unique by including a mini-waterfall for that wow factor.

Whatever the type, design or use you’d want your pool, you’ll be sure to be satisfied with the product when you have Crystal swimming pools installed. They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, not to mention can be installed using the unique feature you find will suit your needs best. Talk to a pool builder today and you’ll be enjoying your dip in no time.

• Winter is great time to renovate your pool or get a whole new one

The spread of the COVID-19 disease has seen people quarantined for weeks on end. While the movement of people has almost halted, many employees are now required to work from their homes. Apart from sending them information and updates about the disease, there is something extra you could send to keep them motivated and in high spirits. 

How about a couple of gifts in a hamper for your employees? All of the following gift hampers are readily available in Australia. Most of the drinks, treats, and delicacies are homegrown and made. All of them are tastefully wrapped in a signature gift box. The wrapping is finished with tissue, ribbon, and a gift card. 

Some Gift Ideas to explore

1. Boxed Treats

Try this gift hamper of boxed treats as it is perfect for all occasions. Inside, find the all-time favourite raspberry and white chocolate, salted pistachios, and mixed roasted pepper & olives antipasto. For people who love gourmet crackers and sesame seeds for improving metabolism, these are included in the boxed treats as well. 

2. Cheese and Wine Hamper

Who doesn’t like a glass of premium wine to unwind in the evening? Your employees are going to enjoy the 700ml bottle of Penola Estate Shiraz. Also in the hamper are wasabi peanuts, natural flavour crispbread and a 120g tin of sticky cheese. To top it all, there is some brie, dried muscatels, and a mixture of roasted peppers and olives. 

3. Shiraz and Savoury

While the packaging of this hamper is sophisticated, it is very affordable. The contents feature a bottle of Two Churches Chiraz from the legendary wine-making region of Barossa Valley. The marinated olives, salted pistachios, crackers and sesame seeds inside this box make it one of the best gift hampers for employees working from home. 

4. Premium Cheese and Wine Hamper

This is one of the high-end gift hampers, as it contains many assorted gifts. There is a 750ml bottle of Footbolt Shiraz, some brie, figs, walnuts, nigella, and a bowl of olives, handmade bites, cheese, peppery cheddars, and antipasto. What a way to keep your members of staff happy! These treats are nutritious and will do so much to improve people’s immunity too. 

5. Chocolate Box Hamper

Are you looking for a small, simple yet highly delightful gift hamper? Well, look no further because this hamper delivers love and care in a small box. The gifts include a premium 200g gift tin of white chocolate and macadamia, 65g pack of dark chocolate, 50g of salted caramel and a 160g packet of rich chocolate and walnut. 

6. Cheese and Wine Gift Basket

Here is one of the best hampers for employees working from home. The prominent gift inside is a bottle of Two Churches premium cabernet sauvignon wine. Delight your employees with crispbread, wasabi peanuts, crackers & sesame seeds, roasted pepper antipasto, balsamic relish, and dried muscatels. 

Conclusion

You know your employees better than we do. Feel free to order for a personalized gift hamper for each one of your members of staff. If the ladies love chocolate more than wine, you can find delightful treats for them. If the gents don’t mind a glass of good champagne or sparkling wine, surprise them with these gifts, and they will be happy hard workers.

Read More:
Why Gift Baskets Make an Ideal Gift
Things To Consider Before Buying Baby Gift Hampers

Getting youth involved in the community is important for several reasons. Firstly, it provides them with a sense of belonging, helping them to find a place where they feel comfortable and connected. Secondly, it keeps them engaged and gives them a purposeful way to use their time. Finally, it helps our youth to grow into responsible, accepting adults as they are likely to interact with a diverse range of people.

If you are wondering how to get your youth more involved in the community, or perhaps you are a youth yourself seeking more community engagement, consider the following list. We’ve compiled 5 items that demonstrate opportunities for youth to get more involved in the community.

1.      Join the local arts group

Local theatre companies are a great way to meet new people and get involved in community action. Even if a youth is not interested in acting themselves, there are plenty of ways to contribute. A theatre production requires a whole team of people not only the people on stage. To make any show a success, there has to be a lot of specific skills or experience. There also might be an opportunity to shadow somebody so that a youth can learn lighting or other technical knowledge about theatre. Regardless of the specific involvement, arts groups have a real sense of comradery that can be a great influence on our youth.

2.      Join a local gym

Many gyms are offering youth programs that are tailored to young people. It is a good way to establish healthy habits while interacting with other youth. Gyms typically offer a range of services so there should be something for everything. Whether your youth is interested in a boot camp or yoga is more their style, joining a local gym will help them to become a part of their community while also keeping active.

3.      Join a local sporting club

Becoming a member of a local sporting club is a great way for youths to experience a team environment. There are a range of options from football clubs to boxing clubs to gymnastic clubs – so many choices for our youths to choose from! Like joining a gym, becoming a member of a sporting club is a great way to interact with people of a similar age while also maintaining fitness. A team also teaches accountability, as members don’t want to let their team members down by missing training or games.

4.      Join a local youth group

Most communities have a local youth group that provides a safe space for young people. Getting involved is the perfect way for youth to meet like-minded people and join fun activities.

5.      Join Surf Lifesavers

Surf lifesavers is a good way to give back to the community by protecting people at the beach. Youths are able to learn responsibility, become educated on water safety and get active in the process. The best thing is that young people will be getting something from the program while also feeling as though they are contributing to a worthy cause.

These ideas should provide some inspiration for how youths can get involved in the community. It is beneficial for the youth as an individual as well as the broader community to include young people in a variety of projects and outlets.

Read Also:

• Time to get fit Sydney
• Why more women should consider boxing

Choosing the perfect gift for a loved one can be a daunting task. You get lots of pressure to either match what you got from them or get a better gift. Even if you get it right, some people might not be satisfied with the gifts you get them due to one reason or another. In a hectic world where we barely get enough time for ourselves, getting the ultimate present might prove tough. It is for these reasons that we thought it wise to compile reasons why gift baskets are the ideal option to present to friends or loved ones.

1. They are an Inexpensive Gift

Compared to other gift ideas, gift baskets are pretty inexpensive. Other than this, they also come in a wide range of prices, which means that you will get whatever you need within your price range.

If you intend to send the gifts to a lot of people, then this is the perfect way to do it with a wide variety of choices that you can put in the basket. This will ensure that everyone gets something that they like. For instance, the gift is meant for a family of 6, make sure the contents of the present are going to fit the different members of the family. The last thing you want to do is to send a gift, and then one family member misses out. To avoid such scenarios occurring, try to have lots of items in the gift basket.

2. You Can Add a Sentimental Touch

If you decide to order a gift basket, chances are, it will not have a sentimental touch. Companies that prepare them usually do it in mass, which means they miss out on that essential personal touch. This is something you can easily deal with by adding a few customized gifts that will give the recipient an indication the gift is from you.

Instead of having presents sent directly to the person you intend to reach, you can have it come to you first, add a note, a photo or some flowers.

3. Delivery Is Part of the Deal

Sometimes you might have lots of gifts to send to loved ones and friends or even clients. Having to do this on your own might prove difficult. Most companies that offer gift baskets usually deliver the products to the address provided.

You will not only save on the cost of delivery, but you will also get to use the time you would have spent preparing and packaging the gifts doing something else.

4. Opening Gift Baskets are Super Exciting

They look like miniature treasure chests that will give the recipient a splendid time opening, and they have a particular wow factor that is not present in other types of gifts. Your kids will be especially impressed by the way their presents are presented to them.

Conclusion

Giving gifts during special occasions or holidays is something that we have become accustomed to. All year round, there will be lots of opportunities to do this. With gift baskets, your work gets more relaxed, and you are sure to get your loved ones something they will remember for a long time. These gifts are not only less expensive, but they also give buyers the chance to customize them, further providing a personal touch. Try one, and you will not be disappointed.

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Healthy Gift Hamper Ideas
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In business, balance counts. The success of any business rests on how well its core mandates are balanced against the swing of the overall operating climate. One aspect of this climate that makes up a part of regular business practice is the implementation of accounts receivable. Accounts receivable refer to open and actionable debts that are owed to a company. These debts stem from the acquisition of goods and services by a client that have yet to be paid for.

How Does Accounts Receivable Work?

A company will sometimes provide goods and services to customers on credit. As soon as either one is dispatched, the company will record the transaction as accounts receivable as they await payment.

An example of this in action would be the case of a restaurant supplier. Once they have brought in whatever goods or services that they provide for the restaurants that they work with, and before the restaurant settles the money owed to the supplier, the transaction will be labelled under accounts receivable in the supplier’s balance book.

Creating an accounts receivable line that corresponds to a particular customer denotes that a relationship between the two has been established and a credit line formed. To keep track of a specific entry, the business that is extending the line of credit will draw up an agreement that dictates the period within which the debt must be settled. Some companies even offer discounts to those debtors that settle their accounts earlier than prescribed as incentive.

For the client, the debt will be denoted as accounts payable in their book with the same terms of payment listed for reference. It now falls to them to manage this payment within the given period with consequences for late payment laid out and enforced when if the need arises for such action.

Accounts receivable, despite seeming unresolved, are classified as part of a business’ assets. They can be presented as part of an agreement of sale, or in the instance where a loan application is to be submitted for approval.

What if an Outstanding Account Remains Unpaid?

With terms of payment clearly in place, the business that is owed will send out notices of an outstanding balance to its debtors. These notices typically come in the form of invoices.  Once an invoice has been sent, then a clock begins counting down to a payment deadline that has already been agreed upon. These periods vary and can go from 30 days to 90 days.

If it is discovered that a debtor is delinquent, one of the first steps to be taken would be the sending of reminders. These are aimed at ‘nudging’ the customer, in case they have forgotten to settle the debt. Reminders can be sent as frequently as you feel is needed for a certain period before further escalation is considered. The main point of note at this stage is to tread carefully to avoid the sentiment or accusation of harassment.

It is advised that creditors extend a ‘grace period’ of not more than 2 or 3 months to those that are overdue on their payment requirements. It has been observed that the longer it takes to collect an outstanding amount, then the more difficult it becomes to resolve the debt. If in this time, the reminders continue to yield no results, then escalation to actions like debt recovery does become necessary. Getting to this point will necessitate your informing the customers of the action to be taken. When you do so, you may also issue a caveat that allows them a window of opportunity in which they can still settle the account and stop further action.

If you encounter failure to elicit a response from the threat of debt recovery, or if the debt recovery process has been executed without much success as to the establishment of a line of communication, or extension of a positive action, will then lead to seeking legal recourse. More often than not, legal proceedings will compel the debtor to take some action.

All in all, the escalation of overdue accounts has to be balanced very carefully with the needs and requirements of the business as overdue debts affect the working capital cycle of your firm. As you begin the process, contact an experienced debt collection agency that will guide you as you set about recovering overdue debts. Remember to keep the health of your business at the forefront of your mind as you establish and execute an escalation that seeks to recover what is owed to you.

Read More:
A Professional Approach To Debt Collection
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Despite their seemingly restricted use, once installed, roller shutters are quite versatile in the scope of their function. They can serve several purposes, including insulation, security, fire retardation, and environmental regulation. In all, roller shutters have proven to be a popular addition to both homes and commercial properties in recent times. However, of all the functions that roller shutters serve, perhaps the most overlooked and often least understood would be their ability to reduce noise.

Made with aluminium and steel, roller shutters are excellent barriers. The methods used in their installation play a considerable role in this effectiveness. If they are correctly installed, with minimum gaps and a close fit, then their efficacy becomes much more apparent than if they remain mere additions on the outside of the properties’ many openings.

If roller shutters are manufactured without any enhancements but with high-quality materials, then the simple act of installing them will have a significant impact on the levels of noise within your property. When closed, roller shutters have been proven to reduce levels of noise penetrating property interiors by 75% or more! Impressive!

To get optimum outcomes, however, extra care must be taken to make sure that roller shutters are at their best. Especially vital in this respect is the type of material used in the production of the shutters. Good quality steel or aluminium that is made with thicker dimensions will always produce much better results than those of standard thicknesses. In addition to this, the mounting methods count. Setting the roller shutters up in mounts that have been carefully measured and securely installed certifies that the number of gaps are minimised. Minimal air-gaps mean fewer areas where noise can penetrate the inside of the property from. This, however, does not guarantee that the roller shutters will be completely soundproof. Air will still be able to find gaps to move through, bringing with it some noise from the outside.

The materials used in the making of the doors have already been mentioned, but there is also another alternative. Making use of insulated shutter doors has yielded satisfactory results. This process of insulation lends a measure of soundproofing to the roller shutters so that once they are installed; they will immediately keep out unwanted noise.

Unfortunately, merely implementing all the measures already suggested does not sufficiently bring out the noise reduction properties of the roller shutters. To achieve this objective, the whole system must be completely sealed to keep air from getting into gaps, thus bringing some noise in. Sealing the roller shutters is done by applying a sealant usually made of silicone between the headbox, the wall and the guides. When done in conjunction with other sealing projects around the property, including window casements and door gaps, this sealant can transform the roller shutters into a very significant barrier against noise pollution.

Enclose your property in a bubble of serene tranquillity by making use of a simple, yet complex multi-functional apparatus. Contact a manufacturer today that has the knowledge and the experience to guide you through the selection of roller shutters that will have the best noise reduction properties.

With a wide range of design to choose from, you would not have to sacrifice the overall look of your property to get the resultant benefits of a quieter, more relaxing atmosphere.

Read Also:

• Beefing Up Security and Convenience Using Roller Shutters
• Five Reasons To Invest In A Heavy Duty Security Shutter For Your Business

There are fewer things that top the feel and look of beautiful leather lounges. However, as with many good things, there are numerous myths surrounding leather lounges. In this piece, we set out to dispel some of the most common myths about couches.

1. It is tough to Clean

This is one of the most common myths. However, this is far from accurate, and in fact, most types of leather are easy to clean. Although some people prefer using some special cleansers to clean their leather seats, a clean piece of cloth is enough to clean them.

Avoid using detergents and soap on your leather seat; they can easily get discoloured or even get damaged through staining.

If you require extra protection for your seats, go for semi-aniline leather since it comes with a protective layer.

2.It Doesn’t Last Long

This is far from reality because leather furniture often outlives their owners and are passed down from one generation to another.

Most people often go for new leather seats not because their older ones are damaged but because they want to get a more contemporary design that has just hit the market.

3.It is Fragile

This is not factual. Leather is much more durable than other lounge making materials. Whether your home is filled with kids or you host lots of guests, it is still less fragile.

It is a sturdy material that requires considerable force to damage.

4.It gets extremely hot in hot weather and freezing in cold weather

While it is indeed true that leather gets pretty hot when it comes in contact with direct sunlight, it is not the case with seats at home. All you need is to ensure that your leather seats are far from direct sunlight. Apart from heating the seat, direct sunlight also causes it to fade.

5.It holds on to allergens

This is not true, and in fact, this is one of the advantages of using leather. Unlike other fabrics that can hide pollen and dust, this kind of material cannot. Bugs won’t find anything to hold on to in these kinds of furniture.

6.They are just for the wealthy.

Another myth that needs to be busted, because you do not have to be wealthy to have leather lounges. They are not only affordable, but they can outlast all other materials making them the ideal couches to go for, whether you are rich or not. Just be disciplined and save for something that will probably outlive you.

7.Kids and pets easily damage them

This material is sturdy, which means for it to be damaged by kids or pets, a lot of force has to be used. Keep sharp objects away from kids, and everything will turn out well.

Conclusion There are lots of myths out here surrounding leather lounges. We are confident that we have been able to help dispel some of them. While there are still numerous myths out there, these are the most common. Hopefully, if you believed them, then its time you get your facts right and get yourself a leather lounge.

Read Also:

• What’s the Type of Your Lounge Leather
• Leather Lounge to Transform Your Living Area