Common Mobile Phone Charger a Possibility

How many people have a different charger for every mobile phone either at home or at work?  Also when we buy a new phone how often do we have to buy a new charger?

I personally find this very frustrating and when I buy a new mobile phone I have to buy a new charger and what can I do with the old one despite the fact that it still works?  My old chargers normally end up at the local recycling centre.

I am sure that many of us suffer the same frustrations.  Now there may be an end to all of this thanks to the EU.  The EU is proposing to make mobile phone manufacturers make interchangeable chargers.

For its current range of iPhones, iPods and iPads Apple uses its own proprietary connector called “Lightning” but most other smart phones do have interchangeable micro USB chargers.

A provisional deal has been structured by MEPs and the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of Ministers to make universal chargers a reality.  The justification for this is that it will cut the costs for consumers and prevent unnecessary wastage.

Hopefully this will be one good thing that will come from the EU.

Beta Telecoms

01291 620189

http://www.betatelecoms.co.uk

NEW YEAR NEW YOU!?

We all know the importance of looking after our bodies with healthy eating and exercise. The new year is a time when hives of us don the trainers and start use muscles we didn't know we had in a bid to feel healthier! But, after a few weeks of lazing about over Christmas and early January, the enthusiasm to launch into a full-on physical programme could put you at risk of back and neck pain.

Exercise puts added pressure on our joints and muscles, which could cause issues for your back and neck if not introduced to your body in a safe way or if your body isn't ready for it.
Kick-start your New Year routine and maintain optimum posture with the following advice from the British Chiropractic Association (BCA):

PREPARE!
•    Before you begin any exercise programme, it is really important to check that there are no medical reasons why you cannot commence the activity, particularly if you are not normally physically active. Consult your GP if in doubt.
•    Make sure you get the right attire for your chosen activity.  Wearing clothes that are too tight when exercising could constrict your movement and lead to injury. You should also make sure you have appropriate footwear for the type of exercise you are doing – most specialist sportswear retailers will be able to guide you on this, but support is the key!
•    With all exercise, you need to warm up first.  Don’t go straight into it, start with lighter movements like walking or jogging to lessen the chance of muscle strain. When using weight use a light one first to get the technique right

Use Equipment Properly
•    When using weights, make sure your legs are at least hips’ width apart and lift with bent knees.  Never keep the knees straight, as this could lead to over-stretching and cause damage to your back.  Avoid bending from the waist too, as it will increase stress on your lower back.
•    A weight held at arm’s length can have the effect of being up to five times heavier, so try to work with weights closer to the body to help avoid injury.  Always face the direction you want to carry the weight and lift using a relaxed, straight back without twisting
•    If using machines, make sure the seat is positioned correctly for your height.  You want to avoid stooping or reaching when using equipment, or you could over stretch your back

Good morning,                 I’m Andrew Long from Cass Stephens Insurance.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
My children say

I just talk

For a living

I smile: then I sigh

And I always reply

Actually….

I Listen

I do talk about

Cover and Loss,

Risk and Excess

Establishing How

It’ll cost you less

And…

I can do the sums

For the premiums

But I’m here

On a more engaging

Mission

I’m a broker

I find

The insurance you need

That’s where

The Listening comes in

Protecting your interests

Every Day

So, Let’s have a chat

I promise you that

I won’t let

The talking

Get in the way.

So that’s me – Andrew Long – The Insurance Man. Let’s “schedule” in a chat and perhaps you’ll then be able to “endorse” me?

Remember what people really buy

According to Theodore Levitt, “People don’t buy quarter inch drills…”, which is probably a bit of a blow for Black and Decker. But, all is not lost, because “…they buy quarter inch holes.” And guess what we need to make a quarter inch hole?
 
The point is that customers are not interested in us or what we sell. They are interested in what they can do with what we sell. So, have a think about what it is you sell. Why do people really buy it?  If you’re not sure, why not ask your favourite customers?
 
When you stop talking about your product or service, and start talking about what customers can do with it, you’ll see your sales really increase.

Why cleanse rather than diet?

With January well under way the New Years resolutions are beginning to slack. According to 'statisticbrain.com', the top resolution for 2014 was to lose weight and 64% of those who make resolutions fail to maintain them past 6 months. 

Over the years, through all that we eat and drink, we ingest a lot of toxins (don't try to kid yourself- even you healthy eaters have toxins). Our bodies store toxins in our fat cells. If you yo yo diet, miss meals on a regular basis or cut your food (nutrients) intake significantly, your body will slowly lose fat and so the toxins will have nowhere to go. Thus, they go back into the system, making you feel deprived, miserable and tired. The body cannot cope with this for too long and so it holds onto the fat in order to store the toxins and you will put weight back on.

A toxic body will find it hard to digest or retain nutrients properly too, leading to poor condition hair, skin and nails, a lack of energy, lethargy, etc. 

To become truly clean you need to clear out your excretory system, which is responsible for removing toxic waste from your body. The excretory system is made up of three main detoxers  - your skin through sweating, your liver and kidneys. Cleansing removes the toxins from the body so that it can correctly absorb nutrients and as a result you will feel more energetic and awake, have better condition hair, skin and nails, in a better mood and just generally more 'well'. 

If you would like some advise on cleansing and to find out about our 9 day cleanse package you can contact me on 07789549566 or aspiretogether@hotmail.co.uk.

Slow Broadband – British Chambers of Commerce Joins List of Commentators

British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has commented that British businesses are being held back by unreliable and slow broadband.

Despite BT’s Super Switch Day in December where 5000 properties went live with superfast broadband as part of the Government’s planned commitment to provide superfast broadband by the end of 2017 to 95% of the country the BCC states that there are still problems.

BCC’s Director General, John Longworth, stated that broadband “is essential” and ranks with a stable electrical grid and good transport links.  Businesses need superfast broadband to make them competitive and able to operate in the global market.  Basically businesses deserve good superfast broadband.

There are businesses that are struggling to operate even on a basic level because of poor broadband and this is totally unacceptable to the BCC.

So you're a dressmaking newbie, where do you start?

As a teacher I'd say with lessons, of course I would, but if you don't fancy lessons then here's how you get started.

Buy a pattern, there are a a few big pattern companies about, all sell online and some you can buy in shops, here in the Forest of Dean the best shop is Zig Zags in Coleford and they stock New Look patterns. Wether you're looking online or in a shop have a good look through the pattern choices available and base your choice on 2 main factors.

1. choose something you will want to wear, sounds silly but if you choose something you're not really sure about, you'll make it up and then not wear it. So you'll have wasted time and money and dented your dressmaking confidence just a little bit more, every time you pick it up you'll think "nah" and put it down and it will put you off having another go.

2. choose something within your dressmaking ability, again sound obvious but I've known students try to make garments outside their skill range, they've got stuck, panicked, put it aside and given up. If you're a real newbie, never done it before then pick the patterns variously labelled as 'easy',  'very easy', 'basics', 'it's so easy' and the like. Some online pattern sellers categorise patterns so for example Jaycotts have an easy pattern section at http://www.jaycotts.co.uk/collections/patterns_easy this is a great place to start.

When teaching I usually make the students choose something a little outside their comfort zone pattern wise but then they've got me there to push them along!!

When you've got your pattern, read it carefully before choosing fabric, the packet will tell you what type of fabric to buy and how much, more of that another time.

If I can help more with pattern selection then get in touch at www.fashionrevived.weebly.com or 01594 861286

Caroline

Happy New Year!

How many of you have made a New Year’s Resolution? How many have already broken it? Some of us may try to lose weight, join a gym, do more charitable work or give up smoking.

Now is a good time to look at your personal affairs and consider making some important resolutions that could make a big impact on your life in the coming year.

1.      Make a Will – A Will is one of those things we keep meaning to make but never quite get round to. Making a Will is not difficult or expensive and it is the only way that you can ensure that your loved ones are provided for after your death in the way that you want them to be. If you have already made a Will, review it. Make sure it still reflects your wishes and your current family circumstances.

2.      Consider a Lasting Power of Attorney – there are currently 800,000 people with dementia in the UK and the number is steadily increasing. By making a Lasting Power of Attorney now, you can choose who you would like to make important decisions about your care, medical treatment and money, if in the future you are unable to make your own decisions, giving peace of mind both to you and your family.

3.      Review your business relationships – if you are in Partnership do you have a Partnership Agreement setting out your responsibilities, shares in the profit and losses of the business and what happens if you want to end the business? Review your Terms and Conditions. Do they define what you have agreed to supply and more importantly what you haven’t agreed to supply? Is the price clear? Is the extent of your responsibility clearly defined? Taking these simple steps now could help you avoid a lengthy and costly dispute in the future.

4.      Review your personal relationships – sadly January is the busiest month of the year for divorce lawyers. If you have come to the realisation that there are cracks in your relationship which simply cannot be repaired, then get some professional advice as to the options open to you. If you are considering moving in with a partner, sit down and discuss with your partner the basis on which you will be living together, who owns the property and what should happen if you are to split up. Get your agreement recorded in writing. If you are taking the plunge of marriage, consider whether a Pre-Nuptial Agreement is a sensible step.

Wishing you all a happy, peaceful and prosperous 2014.

Can you sell me?

The word 'advertising' is usually followed by a groan when mentioned within a Business. It is viewed as a costly,  time consuming inconvenience to most people so why should you bother?

If you question whether your Business can even be sold to people then the answer is “YES – WE CAN SELL YOU!”

Advertising works and it works well providing you find something that fits you. Explore all options including online directories, phone books, local papers, magazines & national publications. Don't automatically assume that the bigger the cost, the better the service either – always ask for details such as average visitor numbers, publications sold or distributed and look at their reputation. Gather as much information as possible.

Don't be baffled by figures or tied into anything without thinking about it – you may find something better on the next look. Weigh up your options, costs and involvement and find something that you think will give you what you're looking for.

Good advertising works by exposing your details through as many means as possible such as Websites, Social Media and networking. Make sure any Company you use understands what you do and what you want to achieve and be confident that they can help you achieve it.

Next time you question “Can you sell me?” Make sure they say “YES WE CAN!”

For more details about how to advertise with Forest Traders, please see www.foresttraders.co.uk