Business : BDC Blog News

Upgrade your living room with wall sconces

Some things never change, some others do. Your whole living room’s vibe, for instance. You can have a brand new room just by changing the lighting design and wall light fixtures. Follow 2022’s trends in order to upgrade your family room for the year to come. Some of these trends

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Top Tips for Expats

If you’re moving to another country, you’ve got a lot to think about. It’s not an easy thing to do and it may take you several months to organize everything you need for a smooth transition into your new home. Aside from packing up all of your belongings, you will

Read More »

Guide for Students: How to improve architecture Design skills

Architecture studies demand the students always to stay sharp, as the workload slowly increases year after year. Staying on top of all the assignments can be difficult, especially since they mean having a very structured approach to the matter and a creative one. Besides these issues, there is also the

Read More »

The Most Popular Translation Apps for 2022

Translation has been on a steady rise ever since the first migrations started. Bi or multilingual people have helped cross countless bridges and those that have facilitated much of the international efforts that we have today. In the past two decades, this trend seems to have been diminishing, at least

Read More »

5 Things to Consider Before Extending Your House

Once you’ve decided to make changes to your home, that feeling of excitement will grow and grow until you break ground on your latest project. Home renovation projects have a way of filling grown adults with such glee. There is just something so thrilling about changing or adding rooms in

Read More »

The Biggest Reasons to Opt for MEP Expertise

Whether you are a contractor, an architect or a landowner, consulting and working with the right M&E Consultants Mechanical and Electrical Engineers can ensure that your construction project will optimize the performance of your building while operating costs are minimized MEP consultants work along with the architects and building owners

Read More »

6 Ways An Employment Lawyer In Toronto Can Help You

Employers don’t always do things right when hiring and terminating employees. If you work in Toronto and have been fired or laid off, your employer should issue you a reasonable termination notice. In Canada, proper notice is based on various factors. These include seniority of the position, duration of tenure,

Read More »

Malta Becomes the First EU Country to Legalize Cannabis

European Union’s smallest member state is on the verge of becoming the first on the continent to allow adults to grow and possess small quantities of cannabis for personal use. On Tuesday, members of the parliament voted on the proposal, and the president is expected to sign it into law

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Austin Bail Bonds 4 Tips On Handling Bail

As with other states and counties, a person arrested for a crime in Texas is often taken to the local county jail. There, the defendant will spend time waiting for a meeting with the judge, who will set a bail amount for the defendant’s temporary release.  While the court acknowledges

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

Business : BDC Blog News

Upgrade your living room with wall sconces

Some things never change, some others do. Your whole living room’s vibe, for instance. You can have a brand new room just by changing the lighting design and wall light fixtures. Follow 2022’s trends in order to upgrade your family room for the year to come. Some of these trends are here to stay, others are passing, but they will all make your home trendy and stylish. Same goes for a hotel’s main hall or a restaurant’s waiting room. Choose the right wall light fixtures The living room is the most useful space in your home. This is where you welcome guests, share quality time with your family, help your children doing their homework, relax or plan for the next big adventure. This is why you need to make it comfortable, warm and bright. Also, try to brighten up the space with colorful and stylish accent pieces that will give a trendy vibe to the most important room in your home. How should you do that? Follow these trends for 2022 design, colors and styles. 1.   Back to the ‘70s A huge trend both in fashion and home decor is the Seventies’ vibe. How can you get it from wall light fixtures? Choose bright colors and simple lines in order to highlight a psychedelic wallpaper or a special feature in your living room. Happiness and nostalgia should be your guidelines. As opposed to the complex geometries of the ‘90s, vintage lamps inspired by the Seventies are simple yet optimistic. 2.   A recall to serenity Just like the serenity blue color is for Pantone, the serenity vibe in home decor is suited to give your home a peaceful and relaxed feeling. You can obtain it by using pastel colors, soft textures and an angelic light. In wall light fixtures, this translates into simple shapes, lots of cotton and silk, the paler hues of wood and a diffused light coming from the sconces. 3.   Industrial style wall lamps Industrial style is everywhere nowadays, but how can you find it in wall light fixtures? Just like pendant lights, sconces with a single bulb are perfect to achieve this goal. A rough, unfinished vibe creates the illusion of industrial design. You can arrange different light bulbs on the wall in order to create shapes, letterings and other brilliant designs. Just remember not to submit form to functionality: your wall lights should be as useful as they are beautiful. 4.   Geometric shapes This is the perfect kind of wall light fixtures for a minimalistic home. Geometrical lamps highlight the neat and tidy aesthetic of your space with a little sparkle. Choose a metallic sconce or a circular elastic fabric for your lamp and make it the centerpiece of your walls. If you want a more eccentric, creative style, try pairing up different shapes. A triangle and a circle, a square and a clean line will give a futuristic look to your living room. 5.   Sculpture-like design A designer wall light fixture is like a piece of art. The masters of lighting design find the perfect balance between form and function for accent fixtures that will illuminate both your home and your personal style. Choose unusual shapes, recycled materials, accent colors to create art with your wall lamps. Trust your lighting designer completely: they know how to leave your guests speechless.

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Top Tips for Expats

If you’re moving to another country, you’ve got a lot to think about. It’s not an easy thing to do and it may take you several months to organize everything you need for a smooth transition into your new home. Aside from packing up all of your belongings, you will also need to sort out your insurance, visas, finances, and accommodation. Despite being a complex process, becoming an expat will be one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do. Moving to a foreign country gives you the incredible opportunity to see unique parts of the world and explore new cultures. To help make your transition into becoming an expat as smooth as possible, here are some top tips to follow. Sort Out Your Insurance Heath insurance is a must-have when you’re moving to another country. You never know when you’re going to fall sick or get injured while living abroad. Having health insurance will significantly reduce your medical expenses if you need treatment. This is particularly important if the country you’re moving to doesn’t offer free national healthcare. Even if your new home country has a national healthcare system, you may not have free access to it unless you’ve lived in the country for a long length of time and you’ve got permanent residency. Make sure you find a reliable health insurance company, such as IMG Global that offers extensive insurance policies. Having adequate coverage means you can enjoy your time as an expat without worrying about potential medical bills. Meet The Locals and Other Expats Interacting with other people is key to getting comfortable in your new environment. This is particularly important if you’re moving to another country on your own. The worst thing you can do is isolate yourself and not bother making friends! Push yourself to go to local events or classes. This will give you the opportunity to meet the locals and other expats. There might be in-person or online clubs and societies that you can join with weekly sessions. Making friends with the local residents might be difficult if you don’t speak the language. However, attending local events is one of the best ways to learn the language. Or you can learn a little from their language through a language learning app on your mobile phone. Familiarizing simple words can help you converse with the locals, and learning their language will come smoothly. You can also find events that are specifically for expats if you’re not yet comfortable interacting with the locals. Expat events enable you to meet like-minded people who are in the same position as you. Look online to see what options are available and sign yourself up for at least one event a week to get settled into your new home town. Use Social Media In the wonderful digital world that we now live in, social media is everywhere. It’s a great tool that you can use to meet people in your new country or learn more about your town. You can find local events through Facebook or you can scroll through local hashtags on Instagram to find new exciting places to explore. Of course, you can also use social media to stay in touch with your loved ones back at home. Social media platforms have direct messaging options that are easy to use and enable you to instantly communicate with anybody, no matter where they are in the world. Learn The Language Learning a brand-new language isn’t easy but it’s necessary if you plan on living in another country permanently. Be realistic. You aren’t going to become fluent immediately. But even if you just focus on learning the basics to begin with, that’s a great place to start. Try to learn some of the most useful basic phrases before you move. This way, you can communicate with the locals from day one. You never know when you’ll need to ask someone for help. As you interact with the locals more and more, you’ll naturally start to pick up more complex words and phrases. You can also use phrasebooks or online language resources to help you learn more of the local language. Sort Out Your Accommodation Early On For obvious reasons, you’ll need to organize your accommodation before you move to another country. If you’re buying somewhere, you’ll need to do your research well before you actually move. Purchasing a property can take months to complete. If you’re renting or leasing a place, you will still need to get this sorted a few months in advance. You want to be certain that you’ll have somewhere to move into as soon as you land in your new home town. Research potential areas and consider the community, the local amenities, and the accommodation that is available. As an expat, finding somewhere that makes you feel comfortable and safe is important, and you won’t want to travel for miles just to get some groceries. Visit the area you’re moving to before you commit to signing a lease or purchasing a property if possible. You can also contact a relocation agent who will be able to provide advice about which areas are the best for you based on your needs.

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Guide for Students: How to improve architecture Design skills

Architecture studies demand the students always to stay sharp, as the workload slowly increases year after year. Staying on top of all the assignments can be difficult, especially since they mean having a very structured approach to the matter and a creative one. Besides these issues, there is also the issue of constantly improving the design, so here is a guide on how to improve your architecture design skills. Improve Your Design Skills 1.   Reduce Your Workload Staying atop all the responsibilities and still finding time to work on your hard skills can be challenging, so being effective with your time is of paramount importance if you want to find a balance that suits you professionally. You can reduce your workload using Writing Universe and then divert a part of your assignments to them and have professional writers take care of a portion of your workload. Use the time you’ve freed up to work on your design skills. 2.   Start With Architecture Around You As you have a stroll on your way to the lecture hall or when you travel, ensure you check out and absorb as much of the architecture around you as you can. We are not only talking about the Sistine Chappel or the Pantheon – rather, pay attention to modern buildings as well. For example, Zaha Hadid is known for using natural forms in her work, but seeing all the intricacies of her buildings in person is a whole different story. 3.   Use Short Form to Prepare for the Exams Preparing for any exam takes much longer than it should. The books are too long, and it can be hard finding scripts for all your exams. In that case, you should check out custom essay writing service reviews and choose a writing service that can shorten your textbook for you. This will save you days in the long run and can even save you time during the semester: instead of reading 30-40-page chapters, you can read 5, make notes and rush to the class as prepared as ever. 4.   Use Social Media for Inspiration Instagram and Pinterest have a very graphic focus that enables any photo to stand up. Use this to your advantage, as you can easily find architecture boards and feeds to follow and always stay informed of the developments in the area. Modern architecture also comes with modern exposure solutions. 5.   Use Online Courses It is widely known that just doing schoolwork is not enough to enable you to be the best that you can be. For this reason, it is suggested you also take up some online design courses during the semester or even during the summer if the semester is too busy. This will ensure you get to hear different approaches to the same topic and enable you to develop your critical skills when it comes to design. 6.   Take up a Summer Internship If you want to gain more practical experience in design and see how things are done in the real world, take up an internship program in your city and use the summer the best you can. Summer is a relatively relaxed time, and with little to no schoolwork to do in this period, it is best used to do some practical work and learn from those who work in the field. Final Considerations While it is true that architecture studies leave little time for anything else, being smart with your time and resources can help you free up some of that time. Use writing services to help you rather than take over 100% of your work. This way, you can work on your creative skills and ensure your practical design work is noticed. Ashley Carter Ashley Carter loves art in any form: from Dali to Beatles. She’s seen it all. In her free time, she loves reading about form and shape theory. She would love to work as a landscape designer in Europe one day.

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The Most Popular Translation Apps for 2022

Translation has been on a steady rise ever since the first migrations started. Bi or multilingual people have helped cross countless bridges and those that have facilitated much of the international efforts that we have today. In the past two decades, this trend seems to have been diminishing, at least to an extent. The rise of translator apps seems to have started what the early Chinese translator-gadgets started years back – the gradual shift from human to machine translation, at least for the least demanding translation. Here is a list of the most popular translation apps for 2022. Best Translation Apps in 2022 1.   Google Translate Google Translate is probably the most widely used translation tool there is. The app and the web-based service both allow for the translation of a text, and entire web pages, voice translation, and the app even supports direct translation from the camera itself.  However, if you’re into translating more demanding texts, such as dissertations, you may consider a translator service, the most professional form of translation. Human translators are the only way to translate all the intricacies and avoid sounding too robotic. 2.   iTranslate The iOS equivalent of Google Translate, the iTranslate app packs a powerful punch for all those needing instant voice-to-voice translation. The app itself is lightweight and has many positive reviews – a testimony of Apple’s efforts into its development. The app also enables text-to-text translation, and while some say that this is the best translation app out there, others sweat by other translation solutions. 3.   VoiceTra VoiceTra, a shortened form of Voice Translation, is exactly what its name promises it would be. This free app lets you translate individual words, phrases, and sentences into dozens of languages. It uses advanced algorithms to detect the intended meaning of every word in a sentence and presents you with a translation very close to what it would sound like in the language itself. 4.   Microsoft Translator Microsoft Translator is another translation app on our list. The app itself aims to be a very professional solution – a signature mark of Microsoft Corporation. While the app may do very good work, it still lacks localization capabilities, so if this is what you need, you may want to hire professional localization services online. Human translation, after all, is the best when it comes to all the hues of language expression. 5.   Dict.cc Dict. cc is the most popular translation option for students. As its name suggests, it enables the translation of individual words besides strings of words, such as sentences. The app itself is simple to use, and unlike other translation apps, it offers additional info on the term you’re searching for, such as the grammatical gender and the kind of the word. 6.   SayHi SayHi is a voice-to-voice translation service. Unlike other services, it enables you to modify the voice narrating the translation. This makes it unique and perfect for those with special translation requirements, such as the speed of talk for those trying to communicate via lingua franca. 7.   Trip Lingo Trip Lingo is an expanded translation app. While it offers a simple translation solution, the traveler aspect truly sets it apart. The app is available for Android and iOS, along with other translation apps for iPhone.  The app offers guides on cultural norms, among other useful facts about the countries you may be traveling to. Final Considerations Translation is necessary for everyday life, especially when you travel. Translation has accommodated many of the changes in the contemporary society that we see: from globalization to education. However, hiring a professional translator becomes a thing of the past, as translation apps take over the market of immediate, simple style translation. Ashley Carter Ashley Carries loves the arts and loves tech solutions to everyday problems. Dishwashers, washers, and the Roomba are the top inventions as this art lover does not have all the time in the world for these chores. ‘Tech making life easy’ is her mantra, and she tries to live by that daily.

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5 Things to Consider Before Extending Your House

Once you’ve decided to make changes to your home, that feeling of excitement will grow and grow until you break ground on your latest project. Home renovation projects have a way of filling grown adults with such glee. There is just something so thrilling about changing or adding rooms in your home – you have to experience it for yourself to understand. As exciting as these extension projects are, there are five things that you need to consider before starting them: 1. How Long It Will Take A typical extension project for your home can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months to complete. You must allow for surveying and design time, planning, and drawing time. That doesn’t include the time it will take to get the correct permits or find the best contractor for the job. Home extension projects should never be completed in a rush, take your time to complete the project, or else you might regret it later. Time is one of the important factors you need to consider before embarking on a renovation project. 2. How Much It Will Cost Budgets are a necessary part of any home renovation project, so take the time to decide how much you are prepared to spend to achieve your extension dreams. Be realistic and honest about the money you have available to dedicate to your project. Don’t forget to include VAT into your budget; this will reduce your spending power by around one-sixth of your total budget. VAT costs will be levied against materials as well as all builders’ fees. 3. How Much Value It Will Add Your home extension project needs to make sense for it to work. Don’t add rooms or extensions just for the sake of building on – make sure that your extension project will add value to your property. This is particularly important if you have recently bought a new house by browsing Toronto homes for sale. You might want to extend every room, but something will have to give. You need to weigh up the costs of these projects with how much value they will add to your house. 4. Laws By law, homeowners need to make sure that any new building or extension plans for their property have been approved by the relevant local authorities. These plans differ from place to place so be sure to check in with your local department to ensure that your plans are within the laws of your neighborhood. 5. Neighbors All renovation projects, no matter how well they are planned, will affect your neighbors. You need to ensure that your extension project doesn’t negatively impact their views or cause too much noise. It is the neighborly thing to do, to check in with them before commencing any building work. This might not be an actual law, but it will help you to curry favor with the people that you and your family will have to live next door to for years to come. The easiest way to do this is to let them know your plans, how long they will take, and what impact you can foresee for your neighbors.

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The Biggest Reasons to Opt for MEP Expertise

Whether you are a contractor, an architect or a landowner, consulting and working with the right M&E Consultants Mechanical and Electrical Engineers can ensure that your construction project will optimize the performance of your building while operating costs are minimized MEP consultants work along with the architects and building owners throughout the process of designing, analysing and constructing. They evaluate various system options by ascertaining the needs of the entire project. This allows the engineers to use the necessary systems that work and perform them as designed. There are several technologies and systems that go into an operational modern building. An MEP engineer can help to coordinate the systems of the building to ensure that a sustainable design is reached and the owner’s investments are optimized. Here are some of the major reasons why working along with an MEP engineer will considerably impact your renovation or construction proposal: Efficient Energy Conservation HVAC, plumbing designs and electrical help in reducing the amount of energy used in the building. However, an MEP engineer can further implement numerous energy management solutions that will potentially make the building more sustainable. By using environmental-friendly products, MEP engineers can improve the operations and design to minimize energy consumed Building Automation Centralized automated networks composed of software and hardware can control the building’s lighting, HVAC systems, security features and other things of utility. Automation systems ensure that the building works on an optimal performance while maintaining the safety and comfort of people in the building. MEP engineers will effectively design efficient systems that will help in monitoring the building’s performance and energy utilized. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems An MEP engineer will design and install an efficient system to deliver maximum outputs while maintaining standards that are healthy for the environment. Whether it is deciding upon UFAD systems or weighing the advantages of automation techniques to effectively help HVAC systems to conserve maximum energy. Efficient Designing for Long Term Benefits It doesn’t matter if you are simply renovating an existing building or are constructing a new one, an MEP engineer can help. They ensure that only the most cost-efficient methods and designs are used for the construction process. These methods will not only ensure modernity and advanced technology but will give your building a great chance of lasting long. MEP consulting engineers may also follow up every couple of years to make sure if your building is functioning at the desired level. This is called retro-commissioning. It is aimed to identify changes in your building’s operational needs to make sure that new systems are still operating as designed. Environment Quality of the Building The building’s indoor and outdoor quality has a serious impact on the occupant’s comfort and productivity levels. In the context of commercial buildings such as offices, it means that there will be lesser sick days, increased productivity and uplifted moods the majority of the time. This quality can be enhanced in several ways, whether it is utilizing natural sunlight or improving the ventilation system to eliminate odour and other pathogens. An MEP consultant will help you by making you recognize the best methods to improve the environmental quality of your building. Plumbing Plumbing includes the sewer, natural gas, fire suppression, drinking water and other waste systems. Consulting MEP engineers will ensure that the plumbing designs and machinery used are well-suited for your building. This will further result in integration of water conservation methods that will make your building more environment-friendly and cost effective in the long run. Water Conservation Continuing with plumbing, water conservation is of extreme importance to any building. The occupants of any building require water for a lot of tasks, ranging from drinking to washing. Efficient plumbing systems can help to lower the volume of water that your building consumes. MEP engineers can help you by incorporating designs such as insulated piping, improved HVAC systems and low-flow fixtures. Conserving and a healthy distribution of water will result in satisfied occupants as well as a reduced water bill. Safety and Protection from Fire Safety measures such as sprinklers and fire suppression equipment require expertly coordinated implementation. These systems need to ensure that the building meets any safety requirements set. Also, these systems need to fulfil the various areas of the building. MEP consultants can synchronize fire and plumbing apparatuses, to increase the building’s effectiveness and preparedness during a fire. Conclusion An MEP engineer can help you during the process of construction or renovation of a building. By taking various measures to improve the overall utility and sustainability of the building, they can ensure that both the occupants and the owners are satisfied in the long run.

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6 Ways An Employment Lawyer In Toronto Can Help You

Employers don’t always do things right when hiring and terminating employees. If you work in Toronto and have been fired or laid off, your employer should issue you a reasonable termination notice. In Canada, proper notice is based on various factors. These include seniority of the position, duration of tenure, similar employment, and salary range.   If you have an issue at the workplace, hiring an employment lawyer is the best way to protect your rights as a team member. You also get the right advice on the notice you’re entitled to and protect your legal rights to ensure you’re not exploited.   An employment lawyer in Toronto has the experience and knowledge required to handle workplace issues and help employees when they need legal assistance.   Here are five ways such a lawyer can help you:   1. Reviewing Any Job Offers You Receive  An employment lawyer in Toronto doesn’t only come in handy when you get fired. An attorney can help you when you’re getting started with a new career by reviewing your job offers and employment contracts before you sign them.    In doing so, the legal expert can check termination clauses carefully to ensure there are no loopholes. An experienced employment attorney like Stacey Ball and other similar firms review all the details in an employment contract and ensures you sign a document that places you in a good place even before starting the new job. 2. Filing Lawsuits For Wrongful Dismissal  Team member rights are stipulated in employment laws. If your employer violates those laws in the workplace, you need to talk to an employment lawyer in Toronto to get the legal counsel you need if you get fired illegally.   As a legal expert, your attorney can analyze the conditions surrounding your dismissal and review your employment contract and the law to establish whether there are grounds for filing a lawsuit against your employer.   Further, the lawyer can provide you with the legal representation you need if you decide to file a lawsuit for wrongful dismissal and ensure that you receive just compensation for illegal termination.   3. Pursuing Compensation For Workplace Injuries  Compensation for workplace injuries is among the many cases that employment lawyers in Toronto handle. If you get sick or injured at the workplace, an employment attorney can help you file a claim against your employer. The lawyer can pursue the matter to ensure that you’re compensated fairly for the sickness or injuries, including claiming payment for all initial medical costs, long-term recovery costs, and lost wages.   4. Negotiating Severance Package   If your employer fires you illegally, there will likely be attempts to offer you a low severance package to save money. An employment lawyer in Toronto can advise you with legal advice if the severance package your employer offers you is inappropriate based on the current law and context.   For employees who opt to retire early, consulting an employment attorney can help them prepare a gradual exit plan that meets their needs and those of their employers. Working with a lawyer also addresses any legal issues that can arise from a speedy exit.  5. Classifying Employees Correctly  When dismissing employees illegally, some employers try to limit liability by classifying full-time employees as independent contractors intentionally. Most do this because full-time, regular employees are entitled to more benefits than independent contractors.   Some benefits that employers want to avoid include statutory holiday pay, vacation pay, dental, and other medical benefits. An employment lawyer in Toronto can help you ensure you’re appropriately classified by your employer and enforce your rights in case you’re not.  6. Protecting You Against Harassment And Discrimination   Discrimination and sexual harassment are unfortunate incidents that frequently occur in the workplace. Employment laws protect workers from all forms of harassment or discrimination. Getting an employment attorney ensures that you get legal advice on how to handle these situations in the workplace.    If you’ve been discriminated against or become a victim of sexual harassment at the workplace, getting a good employment lawyer allows you to get the legal guidance you need to pursue justice. Employment lawyers can help you navigate a harassment or discrimination lawsuit since they’re conversant with the law.    Final Thoughts   If you work in Toronto, hiring an employment lawyer can help you safeguard your rights in many ways. The lawyer can help you get a fair severance package if you get laid off or fired unlawfully. The attorney can also negotiate a suitable early retirement package and ensure that you are compensated adequately if you get injured at work or fall ill.  

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How To Make Direct Marketing Work For Your Construction Business

Is your construction business slowing down because of many reasons? If you think that marketing strategy is not up to par And it is failing your business big-time, it is time to go back to the basics. The truth is that direct marketing can still work wonders in this age where people depend on the internet for almost everything. How Direct Marketing Can Work? Using an envelope supplier, you can start with direct marketing for your construction business. Email addresses are flooded with spam and most people do not read all the emails they get. But direct mailing can work a lot when it is done properly. Sending your business materials by mail can do a lot for your business. Ways To Make It Work For Construction Businesses People Want Quality When it comes to construction work they want to get done, most people want quality every step of the way. And it all starts with how you reach out to customers for the first time. With quality customized envelopes you can get your company logo embossed and then use it to send the marketing materials by direct mail. This will ensure that customers understand that your business is all about quality. It also is important that customers who want to buy luxury homes see the quality you offer them. Remain Local Another reason why direct marketing works so well for construction businesses is that it helps you stay as local as possible. Emails and online methods of marketing may be effective, but they can take away that ‘’local;’’ feeling that most people want when they are dealing with a service provider. Make sure that your construction company gets the best of the local market by remaining local. Address your customers by direct mail so that they know that you are an essentially local company. Use High-Quality Envelopes Direct mail does not always work. However, if you do it correctly, it can work very well. Use high-quality envelopes that are customized for your construction business. Hire a reputed envelope printing agency for the job so that you get envelopes that will speak up for your business. Strong Promotional Material For your marketing to work, the promotional material that your company writes up should be strong, clear and concise. This is super essential because unless the material is good, it is not going to show your business in a positive light. So make the effort to come up with great promotional material. Get Involved In Community Affairs To promote your construction business, it is a good idea to become involved in community matters. Whether you are a business owner that builds houses or does renovation work for existing houses, getting involved in local affairs will help people get to notice you. For this, you may have to spend some money making donations to local charities but it will be money well spent. To Conclude Choose your marketing strategy well and make sure you keep in mind that what people want most is the feeling of connection. Your business should be able to provide just that.

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Malta Becomes the First EU Country to Legalize Cannabis

European Union’s smallest member state is on the verge of becoming the first on the continent to allow adults to grow and possess small quantities of cannabis for personal use. On Tuesday, members of the parliament voted on the proposal, and the president is expected to sign it into law by weekend. Not For Profit The language of the bill allows anyone aged 18 years or older to grow up to 4 plants from cannabis seeds at their place of residence. It will be also legal to store at home up to 50 grams of finished product. As for public possession, the rules are going to be much stricter—you’ll be allowed to carry only 7 grams of dried flowers on your person. Personal cultivation will not be the only legal way to obtain the substance. The proponents of the initiative did their best to come up with a working system of legal distribution. It will be similar to that of Spain where there are numerous associations of smokers providing their members with cannabis. It should be noted that in Spain these associations, also known as cannabis social clubs, have quickly morphed into a kind of cafes, virtually open to everybody, including tourists. The Maltese government obviously hopes to maintain stricter control and not let social clubs turn into for-profit businesses. According to the law, the members of a club will have a right to obtain up to 7 grams at a time but no more than 50 grams per month. Some members of the club will be charged with growing the needed amount of cannabis for other members. Opposition Was Fierce While in many other countries and states that have legalized marijuana or only think about it the economic incentives play major role, authors of the legalization bill in Malta have always stressed that it wasn’t about the money. Instead, they have been touting the harm-reduction argument. Owen Bonnici, the country’s minister for equality, research, and innovation, said in an op-ed in the Sunday Times of Malta that the initiative is not meant to promote cannabis culture or the recreational use of the substance. The government is still committed to helping adults make healthier choices. However, legalizing the drug may resolve some issues associated with illegal trafficking. But the opposition wasn’t convinced. Malta’s Nationalist Party voted against the move, drawing on support from medical associations and the church. They complained that their requests to water down the proposal were ignored. Despite the strong opposition, the bill passed in the Parliament with 36 votes in favor and 27 against. Playing Into the Hands of Albanian Mafia? The critics of the new law also express doubts that it will help curb illegal trafficking. If anything, they insist, it can make life easier for organized crime. It is doubtful that any substantial percentage of cannabis users will decide to grow their own supply. On the one hand, it’s relatively simple, and a modern strain of cannabis grown from Gorilla Glue seeds for example can easily bring the 50 grams permitted by the law. On the other, it’s even easier to buy from someone else, and with laxer possession standards, the police will find it much harder to control illegal trafficking. Currently, the black market in Malta is dominated by Albanian gangs that smuggle cannabis through Sicily. They cultivate the plant in remote mountainous regions from Tropoje to Nivica, but have also created a network of grow operations in warehouses throughout Europe. Despite many high-profile busts of drug-trafficking rings in recent years, the police in Malta admit that the majority of illegal shipments find their way into the country. It remains to be seen whether criminal organizations find their place in the cracks of the new legal system or lose their profits and move elsewhere. More Legalization Efforts Expected in EU Next Year With its legalization initiative, Malta has beaten Luxemburg at the post, another tiny European state that wanted to be the first to enact reform. Now, Luxemburg will probably do it in 2022. And, more importantly, the new ruling coalition in Germany has announced its plans to legalize the adult use of cannabis and regulate and tax its sales in the nearest future. When enacted, the proposed law will create the largest legal market in the world, surpassing in size both Canada and California. Switzerland has also announced similar plans for 2022.

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Austin Bail Bonds 4 Tips On Handling Bail

As with other states and counties, a person arrested for a crime in Texas is often taken to the local county jail. There, the defendant will spend time waiting for a meeting with the judge, who will set a bail amount for the defendant’s temporary release.  While the court acknowledges that there’s no need to keep the accused in jail until proven guilty, the defendant has to provide a bond to regain freedom. Spending jail time can be overwhelming, and family members often don’t know what to do once they are caught up in the situation. Apart from approaching a lawyer, it’s in the defendant’s best interest to seek help from a bail bondsman in Austin, TX, and similar companies. Bail bond companies stand as guarantors before the court, providing the necessary funds needed to release a defendant as soon as possible. If someone you love is facing jail time, it’s imperative to know how bail bonds work and how to handle this legal option properly. Read this guide to help you navigate through the bail bond process with more confidence.     1. Choosing A Reputable Bail Bonds Company  The bail bond process starts after an Austin court judge sets the bail amount. Families can choose whether to pay on their own or seek the help of bond companies such as bailbondsbros.com. When working with the latter, families don’t need to worry about paying the bail amount in full. Bail bonds will only ask for a premium, typically anywhere from 10% to 20% of the total amount. This fee isn’t refundable. Additionally, some may ask a defendant to provide collateral to represent the entire cost.  These practices are standard in the industry, so don’t be surprised if you’re asked for these things in exchange for jail release. However, some do exploit the bail bonding system to engage in fraudulent transactions. Before committing, families must have due diligence. Visit the company’s office and ask for licenses or certifications. Like other states, cities, and counties, Austin bail bond companies operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  2. Making An Estimate Of The Bail Amount  Some states, like Texas, have a bail bond table, where a defendant can check the possible cost of bail. Information may be available on the state sheriff’s official website or you can ask the jail for more information. Generally speaking, bail bonds in Austin are not cheap. As expected, the more serious the charges are, the higher the amount you’re expected to pay.    If you’re facing drug possession or trafficking charges, your bail amount will depend on how many illicit drugs were recovered. In some cases, the court may ask you to produce as much as USD$250,000 for a drug trafficking case. Conversely, bail bonds in Austin for misdemeanors, like driving under the influence, can cost anywhere from USD$3,000 to USD$7,500.     3. Understanding How The Bail System Works   The court dictates bail bond amounts and the statutes applicable in your area. Texas law stipulates that the court must set the cash bail amount within 24 hours for misdemeanors and other minor offenses and 48 hours for severe offenses, which may include a personal injury lawsuit. Some states have a bail schedule or a list of the pre-set bail amounts for each violation.  In some locations, the judge is authorized to set an amount that’s higher or lower than the rate. The magistrate may even refuse bail by looking at the person’s criminal record and risk to the community.   Presenting bail bonds before the courts in Austin isn’t a form of payment. Instead, it’s a form of collateral, assuring the court that the defendant will show up during the trial schedules until the case is closed. Once a decision is reached, the court will return your bail amount, less the administrative fees.        4. Knowing Your Options  Austin bail bonds can take various forms. Apart from cash and credit card payments, the court may accept a valuable asset as collateral and a surety bond. In some instances, the judge may consider a “release on one’s recognizance.” If you don’t have enough cash, this may be the best option for you. Under this scheme, the court waives the bail amount, so you don’t have to pay for anything for your temporary freedom. The defendant will only have to sign a document assuring a diligent court appearance. This option is entirely up to the judge to decide. While a subjective exercise, magistrates look at critical factors in granting this release option. Factors may include a defendant’s criminal history (or ideally, the lack of it), community and family support, gainful employment, among other social aspects. In cases where the judge rejects a request for own recognizance release, the person in question can request a reduced bail amount. In Conclusion The bail bond system is a legal remedy that an accused person can avail of while the case is ongoing. By securing temporary freedom, the defendant can go on with their lives while waiting for the court’s decision.  Following the release, the defendant must comply with all the legal conditions to avoid problems down the road. Failure to do so could forfeit the bail amount and assets used as a surety bond. 

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