Many people spend a lot of time, effort, and fortune to decorate their bathrooms. Gone are the days when bathrooms were relegated to the back of the house and comprised nothing more than the most essential fixtures. Hotel and resort bathrooms are always great sources of inspiration. Some ooze with
Passing the Civil iteration of the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam is a vital step for any professional who wants to take their career forward and unlock the most promising opportunities. Thousands of individuals go through this process every year, and it is something which you will likely
Gyms have been growing in popularity in recent years with an increasing number opening. No one could have imagined how terrible 2020 would be for them. As the ongoing pandemic continues to affect our lives, gyms in the UK have had a stop-start year with several closures forced on them.
Winning a lottery prize of £1 million is a thrilling experience. But have you thought about what to do if you win the lottery? If not, then you have come to the right place. Here, we will tell you an investment strategy that can give you remarkable returns in 2020.
Blenheim Estate has created a series of new waymarked permissive paths that give access to its wider estate to help local residents enjoy their environment. To date, four circular walks varying from 30 minutes to two hours have been made available with start and finish points linked to their Hanborough
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt the UK, tradespeople are among those who have been advised they are still able to work under the national restrictions that came into effect on 5 November, including working in and around people’s homes. The news is certainly positive for the construction industry
Experienced business development professional joins growing UK structural steel contractor Elland Steel, a growing structural steel contractor, are excited to welcome Simon Jones into the team to spearhead the planned growth at Elland Steel. Simon will be looking to grow the already expanding customer base, specifically in and around London.
COVID-19 has challenged us all, testing safety, resilience, finances, and wellbeing alike. At our IWFM Impact Awards 2020 virtual ceremony in September, we celebrated some amazing examples of the powerful influence of our profession and its ability to adapt to these extraordinary circumstances with ingenuity, skill and often compassion. Ahead of Workplace Week International (9 to 13 November), we sat down with IWFM’s Head of Workplace, Donna Walker (DW), for a
Diets that are low in carbohydrates have been gaining lots of traction all around the globe for years. This makes a lot of sense as well. That’s due to the fact that they are linked to a host of significant health advantages. If you don’t eat a lot of carbs
Marco Verdonkschot, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, has commented on the potential impact of a second lockdown on the construction industry: “With rising case numbers and hospital admissions, the announcement of a second national lockdown was perhaps inevitable, but businesses will be hit hard once again. However,
Many people spend a lot of time, effort, and fortune to decorate their bathrooms. Gone are the days when bathrooms were relegated to the back of the house and comprised nothing more than the most essential fixtures. Hotel and resort bathrooms are always great sources of inspiration. Some ooze with minimal sophistication, while others go crazy with colours and themes while still accomplishing the jaw dropping effect. Tiles and fixtures combine wonderfully to achieve a bathroom ambiance like no other. Regardless of what you’re going after, here are some bathroom tile ideas to elevate your bathing space and turn it into a work of art. Stolen Bathroom Tile Idea #1: Stone Cladding Considered as a decorative covering, wall cladding comprises the application of one material over the other. If natural stones are used, it is referred to as stone cladding, and it follows the same principle of putting a thin layer of stone or, in this case, tiles that simulate stone on another layer. Tiles from Limestone UK can provide you with designs that can make your rustic or vintage style bathroom a reality. Complement it with some rustic bathroom lighting from Furniture Fuse to complete the vibe. Stolen Bathroom Tile Idea #2: Mosaic Tiles Mosaic tiles are also called glass tiles and are known for their intense colours that makes your design scheme vibrant. You can create your own eye-catching designs using the same colour palette or contrasting hues. Mosaic tiles can complement your bathtub, walls, and other bathroom fixtures. It can also become the centerpiece of your entire restroom. Mosaic tiles pique the visual interest of the observers. If you want to go extreme, cover your whole wall with tiles and even the small space between your basin and lavatory. Should you want to use mosaic tiles on your floor, use the anti-skip kind to avoid accidents. Head on to Mosaic Village for some tile designs and inspiration. Stolen Bathroom Tile Idea #3: Faux Wooden Tiles Wooden floorings provide an overall luxurious feeling; bathroom included, but hardwood is costly and is not a practical material for a bathroom. You can still achieve wood-like flooring by using some wooden tiles. ToppsTiles has a huge variety of tiles made of ceramic or porcelain. It is quite similar to the usual hardwood floors but won’t cause too much dent in the budget. Note that wooden tiles are elongated in shape, similar to wood planks for that realistic look and feel. Stolen Bathroom Tile Idea #4: Over The Shower Tiles Convert your bathroom into your very own spa and literally extend it over the edge. Extend your tile pattern up to your bathroom ceiling. The overhead design has two purposes – an artistic masterpiece for you while at the same time providing a layer from humidity. Stolen Bathroom Tile Idea #5: Patchwork Tiles A patchwork of shapes, textures, patterns, and vibrant colours on just a single wall of your restroom can give extra character and personality to your comfort space. With patchwork tiles, there is no restriction on which tiles you can use. Combine mosaic tiles and limestone tiles with marble and granite for a sheer finish. These Mediterranean-influenced designs can create an interesting story. Stolen Bathroom Tile Idea #6: Wall Mural in the Shower Have a theatrical and unique experience while having your shower by creating a mural in your shower using tiles. It can just be a simple floral mural, or you can take things further and go for an all-aqua theme. Kids will nag you for bath time when you incorporate some cartoon character inspired tiles like the ones in Zazzle. Stolen Bathroom Tile Idea #7: Contrasting Tiles Make the most of the colour wheel and use contrasting colours to make a pattern. Try the classic with black and white tiles or work on a deep grey colour scheme – coordinated colours, when done right and with the correct colour choices, make an interesting design. You can base your colour scheme on the current palette of your furniture. Stolen Bathroom Tile Idea #8: Floral Fantasy Turn your boring bathroom into a floral restroom by using floral tile accents. Pair them with subtle pastel or dark-coloured tiles so their design can really pop. Go for floral tiles that have texture on it. You can further create a floral centerpiece either on your floor or on one side of your wall. Florals are for both genders anyway, so it is a top choice for bathroom design ideas. Stolen Bathroom Tile Idea #9: 3D Shower Tiles Texture accompanied by movement results in playful 3D bathroom tiles. Let your imagination take over and incorporate tiles of all sizes, styles, and shapes. Make your illusion a reality and get those 3D tiles from 3D Tiles UK and make every bathroom experience an interesting one. Stolen Bathroom Tile Idea #10: Pastel and Candy Tiles Suitable for the young female who spends half her time inside the bathroom, these tiles ooze freshness and youthfulness. Convert your traditional white tiled bathroom into a pastel, bubble gum sweetness haven. Pastel and girly looking tiles with little hearts and butterfly accents is just a pretty place to be.
Passing the Civil iteration of the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam is a vital step for any professional who wants to take their career forward and unlock the most promising opportunities. Thousands of individuals go through this process every year, and it is something which you will likely be looking towards shortly after passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam early in your career. Of course pass rates can be perilously low, so there is no guarantee that you will make it through this process unscathed on your first attempt. Thankfully there are a few things you can do to increase your chances and hopefully come out on top when the big day arrives. Here is a look at a handful of strategies that are worth pursuing as you approach your Civil PE exam. Image Source: Pixabay Establish your eligibility Before you can even think about passing this test, you will need to make sure that you meet the criteria that the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) sets out for prospective applicants. As well as having already attained a passing grade in the aforementioned FE exam, it is also necessary for you to have worked for at least four years in the engineering discipline of your choosing; in this case, working in civil engineering will clearly be the best option. It is also worth noting that each state has its own engineering licensing board, with these bodies controlling their own registration procedures, which can differ from place to place. Being aware of these ahead of time will give you a greater chance of making a successful application. Take a prep course There are lots of PE prep courses available, as this guide explains. A good course can provide you not only with the information and resources you need to study for successful performance in the exam itself, but also with the structure you need to manage your preparations effectively and make sure that you have done as much as you can in the time you have available before the exam date rolls around. It is also necessary to factor in the points at which the Civil PE exams are held; in general they are twice a year, although certain PE disciplines are tested either more frequently or less often, so it is always sensible to work this out well in advance so you can plan your studies accordingly. A modern prep course will be a multifaceted experience that includes everything from live instruction from expert tutors to the provision of practice questions and even entire mock exams that you can take to gear yourself up for the real thing. Since the exam will last for eight hours and cover a total of 80 questions, it definitely pays to prepare thoroughly and put yourself through this process in realistic conditions, so that you do not find it as daunting or crumple under the pressure. Take a break One of the most important tips for exam success in any context, whether you are aiming to pass the Civil PE test or are facing any other educational hurdle, is to minimize the chances of burnout during the rigors of preparation. There is no doubt that hard work and expert guidance will set you on a course to exam success, but you also need to give yourself breathing room in between, especially if you are still working full time in addition to studying. This is where the merits of early preparation really come into play, as rushing to cram everything into the final days and weeks will rarely work in your favor.
Gyms have been growing in popularity in recent years with an increasing number opening. No one could have imagined how terrible 2020 would be for them. As the ongoing pandemic continues to affect our lives, gyms in the UK have had a stop-start year with several closures forced on them. Lockdown was the last thing that anyone wanted this year. We could see that the pandemic was getting out of hand, but such a drastic course of action has hit us all hard. The days of going to a local gym have been seriously disrupted. Why aren’t gyms allowed to open during a lockdown? Surely keeping fit is an essential part of life. Or is still being able to buy kebabs and fried chicken more essential? Most gyms are large enough for social distancing to easily take place and most gym owners already do all they can to make their venues spotlessly clean. The latter is important as touching gym equipment and then your face could see the virus being transmitted. As in many other areas of life, not everyone is following the rules. Some gym users are still not doing all they can to keep gym equipment clean. Yes, you might come into contact who is infected with the virus but not showing symptoms. But the same can happen when going to the supermarket or on buses where some people aren’t wearing masks. One reason given for the need for gyms to close has come from virologist Professor Jonathan Bell. He believes that vigorous exercise can cause people to “breathe rapidly and quite deeply.” This can lead to droplets being formed that can transmit the virus. Scientific advisory group Sage have stated that closing gyms and leisure centres could cut the R number by 0.1. However, they stressed that this estimation was “very difficult.” With scientific evidence like that, gyms have had no choice to abide by the strict government rules. It’s not good for those who wish to use the gyms, both physically and mentally. They can get some home equipment but would rather be in the gym, that’s what they are used to. People also see their routines changed and that can affect mental health. As for the gyms themselves, there are financial problems to deal with. That steady stream of new members isn’t happening during the pandemic. The Anytime Fitness group are probably regretting that name at present. They don’t agree with the decision to again close gyms. The closures have led to them calling for “comprehensive financial support” to help keep them afloat. With more lockdowns possible, gyms continue to worry about their futures. With the gyms being closed, more focus is now being turned towards home fitness. The amount of home gym equipment being purchased is on the rise. This has seen people seeking out the Best Home Treadmill as they strive to carry on exercising. With so many online sites offering such items, it seems there are still some in the fitness industry that are doing well.
Winning a lottery prize of £1 million is a thrilling experience. But have you thought about what to do if you win the lottery? If not, then you have come to the right place. Here, we will tell you an investment strategy that can give you remarkable returns in 2020. The housing sector is one of the safest and profitable areas to invest your money. This sector has immense potential that has always paid good returns to people. In addition to buying a real estate property, there are several other ways in which you can park your money in the housing market. Let us explore these options. What to do if you win the Lottery Here are some of the ways you can do after you win a hefty amount in the Lottery. 1. Invest In A Property Whether you invest for the first time or an experienced investor who wishes to grow its investment portfolio, real estate investment is lucrative to enhance your potential.You will benefit from the increase in property prices every year and monthly rental income. Looking at the current rental prices, an investment of one million dollars in a rental property can earn you a rental income between 60,000 and 100,000 dollars annually. Along with that, your rental property price will also increase. Thus, it will give you dual benefits. To invest in the housing market, you need to perform a detailed neighborhood analysis to locate a good place to invest in a rental property. You can find several options to rent a property, such as Single-family commercial spaces, and multi-family. Analyze available investment real estate properties for sale to find the best offer. You can even take the help of real estate investment tools to help you find the best property in accordance with your preferred location, growth potential, and budget. 2. Investment In A Land Now the next option can be to buy a terrestrial area. Hold the land for some years and then sell it for massive profits. In a place, you can even buy a home and sell it later when the housing market is at its boom. If you want incredible returns and are in no hurry to make profits, we suggest purchasing land a little far from the major city.Hold it for the long term, i.e., around twenty years or so, and sell it later. Choosing far areas is beneficial because cities have become very populated, and the property price is high there. The place outside the city is growing at a constant rate. Developers and builders will soon be exploring their areas. Many corporations also choose distant locations to set up their units, such as business parks, IT centers, etc. So, if you are thinking about what to do if you win the lottery of £1 million, then buy land of that much worth and keep it for twenty years.The sale of that land would solidify your affluent status. Go for agricultural land that is far from commercial hubs. You can get such places at ten or twenty times lesser than the price. Soon, that place will develop with common amenities and utilities as available in the commercial sector. With a lesser investment, you are going to make a large sum of money in the future. 3. Property Investment Trusts Real estate investment trusts, also called REITs, are indirect ways to invest in residential areas. These specialized firms collect money from interested investors to build, purchase, or manage property assets.They trade in various trusted publicly-traded REITs funds that are into investing in real estate properties. There are a few advantages that this method provides real estate investors: • As you are not directly investing in real estate, it needs less time commitment than what you incur when owning properties. • This method spread your risk across hundreds and thousands of properties. So, a sudden hefty maintenance cost would not break you. • These are highly liquid investments that can easily be purchased or sold in a few minutes. • They invest your money in the housing market via a tax-advantaged retirement account and pays above-average dividend yields than what you would get by investing in house stocks. 4. Crowdfunded Real Estate Crowdfunding is another method to invest in the housing market.There are times when an experienced real estate investor finds a lucrative opportunity but do not have adequate finances to either purchase or renovate it. So, they list the financing opportunity on a crowdfunding portal intending to raise capital from individual investors. In return, they will offer an equity interest in this project. This method involves high risks but can give you high returns. Go for this method only when you have a high-risk tolerance ability, and don’t think much about what to do if you win the lottery. Only those investors should invest in this scheme who do not need money in the near future. 5. Homebuilder Stocks Homebuilders companies engage in buying and selling of housing properties. A few of them also publicly trade on key stock exchanges.You need to note that homebuilders are more economically sensitive than rental properties. So, if any world economic crisis hits, your tenant will keep on paying rent (rental properties) but can lead to a decline in home sales dramatically. It is a highly profitable long-term housing investment strategy but not for short-term yields. Conclusion Investment in the housing market is indeed a smart investment decision in 2020. These are some of the best ways to invest in homebuilders and the real estate sector. Based on your needs and preferences, you can find a perfect investment strategy. You can even choose a combination of strategies to accomplish your investment objective.
Blenheim Estate has created a series of new waymarked permissive paths that give access to its wider estate to help local residents enjoy their environment. To date, four circular walks varying from 30 minutes to two hours have been made available with start and finish points linked to their Hanborough Gate development. Roy Cox, Blenheim Estate’s Director, said: “Spending time in green space, taking exercise in the fresh air and communing with nature are all well-proven ways of reducing anxiety and depression. The aim of the permissive paths is to share the estate with others and to promote the benefits both of exercise and interacting with the countryside for mental and physical wellbeing. “Rarely has this access to the outdoors been more important than now. The spacious immediate surroundings of Hanborough Gate combined with the back-door access to country walks, is a big draw for potential purchasers. “Our Rural Team have been hard at work clearing the various routes and putting up way-markers and signage. We are planning to provide additional interpretation and information about the routes and local wildlife in the future to provide a richer experience. “One of the real pleasures of living in this area is its rich history and heritage, and the outstanding natural beauty. We hope that by opening up new areas of the estate to local residents we will be able to share these fantastic open spaces with as wide an audience as possible.” Pye Homes, in partnership with Blenheim Estate Homes, continues to release new homes at its Hanborough Gate development, just south west of the Blenheim Estate in Long Hanborough. A total of 169 homes will be built by May 2022, which include help to buy, shared ownership and affordable rent options. Interest in the development has been high with buyers particularly drawn by the village’s rural location combined with accessibility with mainline trains direct to both Oxford (10 mins) and London Paddington (1 hour, 5 mins). Its location on the edge of Long Hanborough village and just five miles from Witney and Woodstock makes it part of a wider local community with Blenheim Palace itself on the doorstep. The development will incorporate play parks, a new doctors’ surgery alongside other local amenities including a dentist, pharmacy and Post Office. All of the properties benefit from superfast broadband as standard allowing seamless, high speed communication, essential in today’s working-from-home climate. Property is an integral part of Blenheim’s 10-year development programme that includes tripling the Estate’s contribution to the local economy and creating a £45m endowment fund to ensure the long-term future of the World Heritage Site.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt the UK, tradespeople are among those who have been advised they are still able to work under the national restrictions that came into effect on 5 November, including working in and around people’s homes. The news is certainly positive for the construction industry and homeowners in England, as it means people can take advantage of the new Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme, which will see the Government fund up to two-thirds of the cost of energy-efficient home improvements. The scheme is a key part of the UK’s green economic recovery following the pandemic. However, only TrustMark Registered Businesses can do work under the Government’s new scheme, meaning tradespeople and businesses who are not registered could be missing out on work. Simon Ayers, Chief Executive of TrustMark, explains, “There are certain steps that must be completed in order to become a Green Homes Grant installer. Firstly, the businesses must hold a PAS 2030 certification and/or MCS certification for low carbon installations, which can be achieved through UKAS accredited certification bodies. “They must also register with TrustMark which in turn, will allow them to register with the Government’s scheme administrator as a Green Homes Grant installer. “There are thousands of UK customers looking for someone to carry out work under the scheme right now, so it’s most certainly worth businesses getting involved.” The levels of work that will be created over the next decade to improve the homes we live in means a sustainable and growth driven market for businesses to operate within, an investment with rewards. To communicate this message, TrustMark has created a number of assets to make it easier for businesses to become Green Homes Grant installers, outlining the steps in more detail at: www.trustmark.org.uk/ghgvsopp And, since the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020, the Government and industry have worked hard to ensure written safety guidelines are in place. To keep everyone safe, TrustMark, has created Work Safe Safe Work: a three-part guide to help customersknow what to do before, while and after they have tradespeople working for them. “We know that many people have reservations about what is expected of them and what they need to do while the work is taking place to ensure it’s safe. That’s why we would recommend tradespeople send out the Work Safe Safe Work guide to their customers at least 48 hours prior to the work being done”, says Simon Ayers. “In providing such clear and simple information, the guide will keep both tradespeople and customers safe, while giving them confidence in this new reality we are finding ourselves in.” For further information, please visit TrustMark’s dedicated Green Homes Grant page for trades: www.trustmark.org.uk/ghgvsopp.
Experienced business development professional joins growing UK structural steel contractor Elland Steel, a growing structural steel contractor, are excited to welcome Simon Jones into the team to spearhead the planned growth at Elland Steel. Simon will be looking to grow the already expanding customer base, specifically in and around London. Simon had previously held business development and commercial positions at Bourne Construction Engineering and SCA Group. Mark Denham Elland Steel Chairman and MD comments: “Elland Steel has always punched above its weight as a structural steel contractor, driven primarily by our outstanding people and industry leading levels of expertise. As we look to further develop the business, I am personally delighted to add Simon to the team and look forward to working with him. He was the outstanding candidate and will no doubt bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and know-how into the business” Simon Jones, Business Development Manager comments: “The team’s expertise backed up by the existing client base means this is a really exciting time to join Elland Steel. The company’s ethos and vision make me confident that we are well positioned for further growth.”
COVID-19 has challenged us all, testing safety, resilience, finances, and wellbeing alike. At our IWFM Impact Awards 2020 virtual ceremony in September, we celebrated some amazing examples of the powerful influence of our profession and its ability to adapt to these extraordinary circumstances with ingenuity, skill and often compassion. Ahead of Workplace Week International (9 to 13 November), we sat down with IWFM’s Head of Workplace, Donna Walker (DW), for a social distanced chat about her experiences of managing IWFM’s team and head office during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you require any support in managing the impacts of COVID-19 and the return to work, we have a range of resources, including guidance, information and webinars, available here. 1. On 16 March – a week before the Government announced the first national lockdown – IWFM CEO Linda Hausmanis closed head office and moved all employees to remote working. Why did IWFM act at that stage and what were your immediate thoughts and actions in tackling the transition? DW: ‘We were keeping a close eye on developments and had already implemented 14-day self-isolation for anyone travelling internationally. Then I was notified by our landlord that another tenant in our building had sent home an employee who had flu like symptoms. After weighing up the potential risks and vulnerabilities of remaining in the office and reviewing our business continuity plans, we were able to make a decision quickly and act promptly. ‘Although we already had some in our team who regularly worked remotely, the technical infrastructure and system improvements we had invested in over the last two years enabled the whole organisation to work from home very successfully. The health, safety and wellbeing of our team is paramount and we were equipped to make the transition, so that’s why we acted as early as we did: we wanted to and we could.’ 2. What were your biggest challenges and successes when moving all employees to remote working? How well set up was IWFM for this transition? With uncertainty about the duration of the lockdown, what were your priorities in ensuring the maintenance, safety and preparedness of the building? DW: ‘We felt really well prepared, so the biggest challenges we faced were the factors outside of our control, particularly around connectivity: the reliability of our team’s home internet connections when millions were working from home and likewise for our key communication platform, Microsoft Teams. However, it all worked remarkably well and we were able to deliver the majority of our products and services with limited downtime or interruption. ‘Although our building was unoccupied, it remained open due to other tenants who faced different challenges and needed to access the building. We continued with our usual cleaning, maintenance and auditing with slight schedule changes to ensure we were working within the parameters enforced by lockdown. During the first national lockdown, we also had to undertake some repairs to our office space that were identified during an audit, so although everyone else was working from home, there were times we had to be in the office to resolve issues. Such is the non-stop nature of workplace and facilities management!’ 3. After the first UK national lockdown ended in June and organisations began welcoming people back into buildings, how did you go about ensuring that IWFM head office is a safe environment? DW: ‘We followed the guidance provided by government and tailored it to our situation. Our local BID (Business Improvement District) network provided free signage and touch-free devices for our team. We ensured our temperature control and air handling system was being maintained in line with new findings and worked with our cleaning providers to ensure they were operating in accordance with the new infection control guidance. We introduced a booking system for our people to work from the office where they needed to in line with official guidance that people ‘should’ work from home where possible. Seating arrangements remained at two metres throughout. Hand sanitiser stations were setup throughout the office. ‘People were advised not to visit the office if they displayed any symptoms and in any case to take their temperature before setting off. As an additional check, their temperature would be taken on arrival at the office. We also ensured that our team mainly accessed the office to collect equipment or complete a task that required office use, which resulted in minimal occupancy and reduced our risk considerably. When people use the word ‘safe’ or the term ‘COVID-safe’, I wince because how can anyone guarantee a 100% safe environment? You can implement measures with what is reasonably practicable, but you can’t account for behaviours being in line all of the time.’ 4. This year has been marked by uncertainty: we’ve experienced a three-month national lockdown, relaxed social distancing measures, local lockdowns, and now national lockdown again. What have been your biggest challenges and successes throughout this changing situation? DW: ‘Keeping teams motivated during the pandemic has to be one of the biggest challenges for any manager who would normally engage teams through physical and social interactions that help to bring about a familiar and tangible culture. The usual in-person conversations and moods that would take place or be picked up in the office can be missed when working remotely. ‘However, we have been able to maintain engagement levels through a variety of tactics, including regular all-team surveys and risk assessments, fortnightly all-team briefings, CEO coffee catch-up sessions, celebrating events like Mental Health Awareness Week, continuing with our quarterly training window, offering flexible working arrangements for those who care for the vulnerable, and celebrating personal anniversaries and achievements. We have also had a programme delivered through our social committee with activities like a virtual running club via Strava, virtual yoga and meditation, and ‘pub’ quizzes.’ 5. Beyond the immediate health risks of COVID-19, the subject of wellbeing has been a major concern throughout the pandemic. How has IWFM managed and monitored wellbeing during mass remote working? DW: ‘It was fortuitous that I had delivered health, safety and wellbeing recap training to our entire management team in January, so it was at the forefront of their minds when communicating with their teams. These conversations helped us to be proactive in supporting team members who were considered vulnerable in line with pandemic guidance. As a management team, we made it a priority to have regular interactions with team members via our virtual platforms and in person when lockdown rules were eased through socially distanced meetings in open spaces. ‘During remote working, the team were and continue to be surveyed at regular intervals by way of risk assessment and any concerning findings are addressed, managed and controlled in a timely manner. The team were given regular opportunities to collect furniture or order equipment through our Business Support team, who arranged to have items delivered to their homes. Team members who struggled to work from home due to childcare arrangements had the ability to work flexibly. Once lockdown eased, those who needed a break from their home space were given the option to book spaces to work in the office.’ 6. What lessons will you draw from this year? Have you learned anything that has surprised you? DW: ‘As workplace and facilities professionals, we sometimes don’t give ourselves enough credit for the things we do as normally we’re behind the scenes dealing with issues no one really thinks about until it becomes a problem. However, this unforeseen global crisis propelled our profession into the spotlight and we have managed extremely well considering the circumstances. I have learnt that communicating in different ways, even if it’s the same message, is key (and to repeat it a few times doesn’t hurt either) as
Diets that are low in carbohydrates have been gaining lots of traction all around the globe for years. This makes a lot of sense as well. That’s due to the fact that they are linked to a host of significant health advantages. If you don’t eat a lot of carbs at all, then it may help you shed excess pounds. It may help you keep your weight in check. If you don’t consume many carbs day in and day out, then it may benefit your blood pressure. It may even do a lot for your HDL cholesterol amounts. Remember, HDL cholesterol is the “positive” kind of cholesterol. If you want to come up with six tasty low carb lunch options, these can all work like a charm. Yummy Salads There are numerous mouthwatering salad options that can do a lot for people who do not want to chow down on many carbs at all. You can nosh on an Asian noodle salad. Making this salad requires roughly 25 minutes. Round up soba noodles, chopped red bell peppers, crunchy rice noodles, sliced green onions, peeled carrots and cooked edamame beans out of their shells. You should pair this salad up with a peanut dressing that’s spicy. You can make this dressing by combining black sesame seeds, extra virgin olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sambal oelek and peanut butter. Veggie quinoa salad calls for ingredients such as red bell pepper, quinoa, shredded red cabbage, chopped green onions, edamame, peeled carrots, chopped basil, chopped cilantro, chopped peanuts and chopped cucumbers. If you combine all of these elements in a large salad bowl, you’re totally good to go. Cold peanut noodle salad is another low carb option for lunch. You can make this delectable salad come to life by combining red bell peppers, spaghetti, roasted and salted peanuts, cilantro, carrots, cucumber and sesame seeds. If you want to add some flair with a delightful dressing, mix lime juice, sesame oil, garlic, sriracha, ginger, honey, sauce sauce, water and peanut butter. If you’re strapped for time, you don’t have to make this salad on your own. Just take the time to explore your choices in meal delivery services such as Home Chef. Learn more about Home Chef here. Other Low Carb Pleasures for Lunch Salads aren’t the only amazing lunch options for people who simply want to steer clear of carbohydrate consumption. Try your hand at summer rolls. If you want to make these rolls, you need to gather a carrot, rice paper wrappers, sliced purple cabbage, red peppers, a cucumber, cilantro, a sliced avocado, sesame seeds, cooked shrimp and green lettuce leaves. Put your rolls in a baking pan that’s round. Immerse the paper wrappers into water that’s warm for a maximum of 20 seconds total. Put these rolls on a classic serving plate. Chicken satay lettuce wraps also are ideal for fans of food items that are low in the carb department. Be sure to get your hands on chicken breasts, three garlic cloves that are minced, sweet chili sauce, lime juice, fresh ginger, soy sauce and, finally, sriracha. The actual wraps call for bell peppers, lettuce, sliced cucumber and sliced carrot. Preheat your oven to roughly 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Put the breasts inside. Bake them for a maximum of 25 full minutes or so. You can do so until the breasts get to 165 degrees. Give the chicken breasts the chance to cool down for a bit prior to cutting them up into strips. Zucchini boats are yet another top-notch choice for people who are keen on avoiding carbs during their daily lunches. If you want to relish this lunch pathway, then it’s up to you to secure ingredients such as zucchini, corn kernels, black beans, red bell peppers, brown rice, chili powder, cumin, olive oil, shredded cheddar cheese, jalapeno peppers, salsa, salt and chopped cilantro. Once you assemble these ingredients into “boat” form, you can preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, you can blend in a bit of cilantro. Add some salt, too. You should bake these boats inside of your oven for a total of 25 minutes. Switch the oven to “broil” mode. Cook the boats for five additional minutes. Wait for the cheese to take on a light brown appearance for optimal results. Give your zucchini boats the opportunity to cool down for approximately 10 minutes. Once you wait, you can “conceal” the boats using fresh cilantro. You’re ready to nosh on these nutritious lunch delights. Explore All of Your Choices The world is basically brimming with fantastic lunch options that also do not happen to have high amounts of carbohydrates. If you want to take charge of your health and physique, then a diet that doesn’t include many carbs may be ideal for you.
Marco Verdonkschot, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, has commented on the potential impact of a second lockdown on the construction industry: “With rising case numbers and hospital admissions, the announcement of a second national lockdown was perhaps inevitable, but businesses will be hit hard once again. However, the construction industry is exempt from workplace closures and this will hopefully allow recent signs of recovery to continue. “Driven by increases in new work (17.5%), construction output rose by 3% in August (the latest data available) to nearly £12,500 million, marking the fourth successive month of growth for the industry. Such sustained growth is a healthy indicator of confidence returning to the sector, with companies across the UK willing to commission fresh projects. New private housing has been performing particularly well and will be boosted by the news that such work is unaffected by a second lockdown. “The Prime Minister also announced that the furlough scheme will be extended until December, with employees still receiving 80% of their salary. While the number of construction workers on furlough has been dropping rapidly each month – the quickest proportionate decrease across all sectors – the latest data shows that there were still over 275,000 people on the scheme in July. Therefore, the extension of the funding will be greatly welcomed by many in the industry. “Despite being able to continue operations, the second national lockdown will undoubtedly put extra strain on the construction industry and we may see the rate of recovery slow down further. “However, the sector is proving to be incredibly resilient and has shown this year that it can rebound strongly after challenging setbacks. The government’s announcement at the weekend has given the industry a chance to continue its growth and hopefully it can end the year in a strong position.” For more information about IronmongeryDirect, visit: www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/