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When you think of an accident, the first image that comes to the mind is almost always that of a car crash. Road traffic accident is perhaps one of the most common types of accidents, and therefore, this association. If you were injured in an accident, you may make a claim to obtain compensation from the individual responsible for it.

What should you do if you suffer injuries in a car crash? The first thing you must do is seek medical help. The next task is to report it to the Gardai. If you want to make an injury claim to the Injuries Board Ireland, you need to fill up an application form.

One of the details you need to provide in this form is the identity of the respondent, i.e., the entity you hold responsible for the accident and your injuries. Different individuals or organisations may be responsible for a car accident; how do you determine the right respondent? Here are a few probabilities.

If the accident was caused by a reckless driver, he/she is the right respondent. You need to name him/her on the application form. You have to provide details such as his/her name and address as well as the name and address of their insurance company.

You may be able to find these details from the individual at the site of the accident. However, keep in mind that you may have to provide your details as well. If the driver causing the accident flees from the scene, you may still be able to get his/her details from the registration number of the vehicle.

If the accident was caused due to a defect in the vehicle, the driver may or may not be the only defendant. The driver and/or the owner of the vehicle may still be partially responsible for the accident as they failed to detect the problem.

However, they may not be the only defendants. The manufacturer or dealer of the defective vehicle or a part of the vehicle may also be responsible for the accident and your injuries. Again, a repair and maintenance service that has failed to notice the defect in the car may also be named as a liable party on the application form.

If the accident was caused by an uninsured driver, you must report the incident to the Motor Insurers Bureau Ireland. This is also applicable if you fail to notice the vehicle registration number and the driver flees from the scene of the accident.

You need to name the Bureau as the respondent in such cases. However, before this, they must ensure that the driver who caused the accident was uninsured. After you submit the application form, the Bureau may ask you for an interview or arrange a separate medical assessment by the Injuries Board Ireland.

The next question is – do you need to appoint a solicitor to make a claim? If you are sure that the negligence of the driver resulted in the accident, you may make the claim to the Injuries Board on your own. You need not seek the help of a solicitor in such a situation.

However, if you have a little doubt about the identity of the respondent, it is best to consult a solicitor. This is also a good idea if you think that your negligence is also partially responsible for the road traffic accident. Legal advice may help you determine the right respondent to name on the application form.

Failure to do this may result in complications later. You may end up with a claim against the wrong entity. Even worse, you may end up with no claim at all if you fail to name the right respondent on the application form.

A company can derive maximum benefits by overall adoption of green activities intended at minimizing environmental pollution. Poor environmental conservation may result in adverse conditions like global warming which have impacted negatively on a number of businesses all over the world. Some businesses have had to be closed down because they could not hit the required environmental conservation standards of going green. In order to go green, a company identifies the parts of its operations that impact on the environment most.

There are a myriad of potential benefits to a company that can improve its bottom line including reduced costs on power, waste hauling and trash hauling costs. This saves the company a lot of money. The following are some ways on how to go green and increase your bottom line.

Go paperless as much as possible

It is a common tradition with many companies to print business circulars like memos and job advertisements before circulating them. However, this is not the best option given a lot of paperwork is involved leading to accumulation of trash which is not environmental friendly. To cut down on paper trash, you should consider going paperless as much as possible by going digital in your advertising. For instance, forward emails instead of circulars.

Managed Printing services

Managing your printing services allows you to save on paper supplies. In addition to going digital as mentioned above, take measures like using both sides of paper to make copies and use single spacing rather that double spacing. Managed printing services in the long run helps to save on supply costs and at the same time saving trees. According to a recent research done by Portland office of sustainable development, a company can save up to 35% on paper cost, especially by using recycled paper which is much cheaper.

Buy green office products

Green office products are those environmental friendly products which are made from recyclable materials or the ones which help you save on the use of resources like power. For instance, energy saving bulbs is the best example of a green product you can incorporate into your office shopping list. Research has confirmed that energy saving bulbs can save about 75% of power compared to traditional bulbs. You should also embrace the use of recyclable paper which can help you save approximately 20% of your printing costs since it is cheaper than regular printing paper.

Conserve energy by powering down

The use of energy saving bulbs is not enough to cut down on energy utility costs at your work place. It is estimated that a business can cut down on power consumption by about 30% per year according to a research conducted by the US Small Business Administration. This can be achieved without compromising on quality of services a business offers or employee comfort. One of the best ways to conserve energy in the workplace includes installing energy-efficient windows and HVAC systems.

Adopt a composting program

This is the best idea for restaurants to go green by allowing them to minimize on the amount of food garbage and hence save on money. Composting programs turns food which would otherwise be thrown away into forms which can be disposed safely. This saves the business on the money it would spend on hauling trash bins.

The British countryside is stunningly beautiful. The lush, countless shades of green and the abundant wildlife, hilltop views and crisp, fresh air should be something we all get to experience often. Sadly, those of us trapped in towns and cities might not get the chance to escape to the country very often but here are some great reasons why we should:

1. Slower Pace

Rural living allows for a life taken at a slower pace. Getting out into the countryside allows us to alleviate stress and anxiety by just taking the time to life in the moment, take a deep breath of clean air and to stop and smell the flowers. Country breaks allow the mind and body to readjust to the simple pleasures in life – the early morning birdsong, the fresh aroma of coffee and baking bread or sitting by a lake and watching the wildlife. For a relaxing rural retreat, why not consider traditional Shepherds Huts. For more details, visit http://cotswoldshepherdshuts.co.uk/

2. Green-Fingered

If you can’t escape to the country then make the most of any garden space that you have. Gardening is good for mild exercise and mental health. Those who actively engage in gardening have a 12% lower mortality rate than those who don’t have a garden. Green space is crucial to our health. Studies have shown that looking after a garden that’s full of plants, flowers and anything else you want drastically improves both physical and mental health. You can even install your very own private Shepherd’s hut as a Summer house, workshop or haven of peace and tranquillity.

3. Organic

Being in the countryside also brings us closer to natural, fresh and organic food and drink. Vegetables from a garden patch, freshly-laid eggs and milk from the dairy farm all provide a much more nutritious, healthy diet which is good for both our immune system and our mental well-being. Knowing how much goodness you are consuming can boost your mood, making you feel better almost instantly. Growing your own fruit and veg at home boosts your confidence too as you feel more self-reliant.

4. Cleaner Air

Country air has far less pollutants than the air breathed in a city. There are less cases of allergies and asthma in rural communities and if you suffer with either of these conditions then some time spent in the countryside might be hugely beneficial to you. Fresher air and access to more nutritious food without artificial additives will work wonders for your health and well-being.

5. Exercise

It’s not always easy, convenient or that pleasant to take a daily walk in the city. Getting out for a stroll in the countryside is a pleasure and going up and down dale is really good aerobic exercise. Your cardio-vascular fitness will increase and exercise naturally causes the body to release serotonin, the feel-good chemical. A daily country walk will help relieve stress, make you feel good and keep you physically fit as well. The beautiful views are an added bonus too!

With the affordability of international travel and growth of the internet, it’s now easier than ever to immerse yourself in different cultures and trends in other countries. Food is one area that has blurred the boundaries of travel, where we are now accustomed to a wide variety of flavours and dishes from around the world.

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Focus on ice cream

One food item that enjoys universal appeal is ice cream. Although the popularity of ice cream isn’t likely to wane any time soon, there has been a recent shift in the trend for unusual flavours. For a long time, vanilla, chocolate and strawberry have been the staple ice cream flavours, but people are increasingly wanting to go beyond the ordinary and try something different. They’ve seen images on social media such as Instagram of exotic flavours of desserts, and want to taste them, too. To reflect this trend, manufacturers are starting to take inspiration from Asia, infusing exotic tastes into the ice creams they produce.

Exotic flavours

People are becoming more adventurous in their food tastes, and it appears that we’re more than happy to swap vanilla ice cream for something a little less ordinary. Ice cream manufacturers have begun experimenting with introducing exotic ice cream flavours that are popular in Asia, such as red bean flavour, toasted sesame or chocolate miso. According to the Guardian, particularly noticeable is the surge of matcha green tea ice creams.

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Big brand name Unilever has already pounced on creating exotic ice cream flavours, where it sells red bean Cornettos in China, kulfi ice cream in India and dung dung ice cream in Indonesia. It’s not just the flavours that are changing; ingredients such as mastic gum and ground powdered orchid root are being used to create a thicker and chewier texture of ice cream, like those in Turkey.

Although many people still enjoy traditional flavours of ice cream, incorporating natural raspberry flavouring, for example, from http://www.foodieflavours.com, lots of us are willing to sample new flavours, even just the once, to see what they might be missing out on.

This does not necessarily mean to say that the days are numbered for vanilla ice cream, but we may increasingly find that vanilla is being blended or infused with hints of little-known flavours from across the globe, to provide an extra element of intrigue.

There’s nothing worse than starting an exciting extension project, then having to put the whole thing on hold because of an unexpected snag. Let’s look at ten things you need to get sorted before you start work.

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1.      Your neighbour’s “right to light”

Your neighbour does have a right to get a reasonable amount of light into their home, but they can’t object to your extension simply because it spoils their view.

2.      WCs can go anywhere

The WC must have ventilation and it must have a wash basin in the same room, but it can go anywhere. Check out the building regulations at https://www.gov.uk/building-regulations-approval.

3.      Don’t make the ceiling too low

Ceiling height is no longer specified in the building regulations, but the ceiling needs to be high enough to accommodate adults without making them stoop. Don’t forget that people are getting taller!

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4.      Tell your insurance company

You must inform your insurance company that you are having building work done. Some insurers will suspend your insurance for the period of the work, but you can get a separate insurance policy if this happens.

5.      Give each room in the extension its own entrance

Try to avoid having rooms that can only be accessed through another room; it rarely works well.

6.      Conservatory conversion is tricky

You are likely to get involved in some complicated calculations about how much glass and how much brick is in the final building design. You will have to go to your local Building Control Department.

7.      Think about using the cellar

If you have an existing cellar that is ventilated, lit and planned properly, it can be turned into attractive extra living space.

8.      Remember to add bathrooms

If you are increasing the number of bedrooms, make sure you add at least one extra bathroom. Otherwise, buyers will be put off. Building regulations will apply, even if planning permission doesn’t.

9.      You will need to carry out the work under building regulations and get it inspected when you are finished. Make sure that rubbish is properly stored during the work; you can hire different sizes of skips from Swansea Skip Hire firms like http://www.pendragoncarmarthenshire.co.uk/.

10.     You need to wait 48 hours

Once you have notified Building Control of your project, you need to wait 48 hours before starting work.

Are you organising a conference, or putting together plans for a large meeting or networking event? It takes time and considerable effort to plan a large corporate event. Did you consider how having your event at a hotel with its own conference venue could help it go much more smoothly? Here’s why hotels with a conference venue combined are great for business meetings, networking events, conferences, and trade shows.

1. Event Management Assistance

Hotels with large conference venues are highly experienced in helping run events. If you experience any issues with technical items, or with finding the right size rooms for meetings or putting together a catering plan, the chances are the staff at a large hotel will be able to help you. Hiring rooms in a separate hotel and conference venue means you have double the amount of work to do.

2. Professional Staff

Large hotels with conference facilities can depend on professional staff to give your event a professional image. For example, you can have on-site access to waiting staff, a concierge, receptionists, technical help with AV equipment, and much more. A separate conference venue may require you to hire your own staff, which increases the expense and also makes it more difficult to coordinate.

3. Access to Admin and Conference Must-Haves

A large hotel with professional conference capacity will also usually have all the equipment you need for getting your conference up and running, and solving any problems you may have during the conference. There will usually be a business centre with access to printers and basic office tools, plus you can use the equipment you need to make the event a success including projectors, laptops, sound, as well as tables and chairs.

4. Convenient Accommodation

When your event lasts two or more days it is much more convenient to have everyone staying on-site so you don’t have to worry about people getting lost on the way to the conference, or having to get taxis back to a different hotel at the end of the night. You can often get reduced rates on accommodation when you are hosting a conference at a hotel, which helps you to deliver a good value service to your delegates.

5. Extra Amenities for Delegates

Staying at a hotel with conference facilities also gives your delegates access to other amenities that the hotel offers, for example a fitness room, laundry services, etc. Since everything is in one location it is easier for people to focus on the conference itself and not worry about the practicalities.

You might want to just deal with your business garbage without seeking help. Though it is possible, it could consume your precious time. For someone like you running a small business, there are other more important matters that you have to attend to. Therefore, it would be great if you can just let someone else handle this problem. You can focus more on other things to smoothly run your business.

The reason why you don’t want to hire a waste collection company is you think that it is an added expense on your part. The truth is that every business needs to spend in order to improve. This is called opportunity cost. You might say that you are not getting anything in return for this service. The truth is you are. Imagine not dealing with waste materials for several hours a week. You can use your time to advertise your business or deal with financial matters. You must not let yourself be bothered by a task you are not supposed to handle anyway.

Not expensive

You also have to understand this service does not have to be expensive. There are waste collection companies offering this service at a very low rate. You can just ask them for quotations if you are unsure of the price. They will let you know how much their services cost. It depends on the frequency of the collection and the bulk of waste materials to be disposed of.

Another reason why it is not expensive is that you can also sell recyclable materials in your waste. They will find a way to sell those items that can still be recycled. You just have to wait for them to give you back what you have earned from those items. Even if the amount is very small, it does not matter. After all, you were about to throw out those items.

Help improve your company’s image

Perhaps, this is the best part of hiring a waste collection company. You will give people an impression that you care about how your waste materials are disposed of. Over time, your company will grow. There will be more waste materials. Therefore, they need to be properly disposed of. If people know about this, then it will elevate the status of your company. Take note that people are patronising companies that are environmentally-friendly or have programs to help conserve the environment.

In short, it is time to give it a second look now. You need this service and you will get tons of benefits from it. Since you won’t spend a lot for this service anyway, there is no reason why you should still say no to it.

Most countries have a list of items that are banned from import. These contain the usual suspects, such as firearms, illegal drugs, poisonous or radioactive materials, and alcohol in some dry countries; however, some countries have unusual customs laws that you may not hear about until you fall foul of them.

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Whether you are sending a parcel to a family member or trying to take something forbidden through customs, some laws are not anticipated. Only by checking with each country can you be sure of the restrictions they place on imports. Here we look at some quirky customs from around the world.

Plastic flowers and wheelbarrows in Nigeria

Couriers in Bracknell need to know what is prohibited in Nigeria; for example, if they intend to transport either plastic flowers or wheelbarrows, they may be turned away. There is a good reason for such strange laws – to boost the local economy, the import of cheap items has been restricted in favour of encouraging people to buy locally.

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A Kinder Surprise in the US

The much-loved chocolate egg treat has been banned in the US since 1938, when inedible toys were banned if they were inside sweets. The risk is not worth the potential fine. A new egg has been designed whereby the toy is visible between the egg halves, enabling US citizens to enjoy a version of this treat.

Matching shoes in Mexico

To boost local manufacturing, Mexico has banned the import of matching shoes. Banning the import of shoes is also practised in India and South Africa in a bid to increase the manufacturing output. Couriers such as www.uk-tdl.com should consider this before facilitating the export of locally-made shoes to Mexico. It should be fine if there are just a few pairs, as the restriction applies to large consignments.

Dental products in Algeria

This custom seems very strange, as oral hygiene is such an important part of our health. We take it for granted that our toothpaste is suitable for use everywhere; however, you cannot use toothpaste that contains fluoride in Algeria. As this is an ingredient in almost every toothpaste available in the UK and Europe, it is best not to send or take any toothpaste there. Toothpaste is joined by dentures and retainers on Algeria’s list of banned items.

You might think that you’re totally in control when you’re out shopping. You know exactly what you want, where to get it and how much you’re prepared to pay. Or are you? Did you know that every step of your customer experience has been mapped out before you even step into a big-named retail store? How you react and what you’re most likely to purchase have been researched, tested and manipulated. A clever retailer will be tapping into your subconscious, engaging all your senses and here’s how they do it:

Smell

You might struggle to think of a time when a shop smell made an impact on you and that’s because it’s often so subtle that it only registers in your subconscious. According to scientific studies, our sense of smell is our most emotional sense. That’s because we immediately get a feeling with a smell rather than spending time analysing it. When more female scents are used in stores such as floral or vanilla scents – sales of women’s clothing doubled. The same thing happened with men’s clothing when more manly scents were dispersed. Next time you enter a store, have a good sniff and see if you can identify is scent is being used and how it makes you feel.

Sound

Normally we only notice music in a store if it’s far too loud but music has a strong yet subtle impact on our behaviours and purchases. Without realising it, that tune is working on your brain and either relaxing you into a lengthy browse or speeding you up into an impulse buy. Music affects our mood, for example if we hear classical music we are more likely to spend more on high quality items. Wine stores found that if they played French music, more French wine would be sold. If you have a product you want to shift, think about what sort of music would encourage people to buy it. For a range of in store music options, visit https://moodmedia.co.uk/sound-solutions/

Sight

Have you ever wondered why shops bombard us with visions of beauty and perfection? Whichever way you feel about the media’s use of beauty, sex and airbrushing, the scientific fact remains that people, and even babies, respond more positively to symmetry and well-proportioned features. It is known as the halo effect and is an automatic assignment of positive character traits to handsome or pretty faces.

Deep down in our subconscious we mirror the success and actions of the glamorous adverts we see, the neurons in our brain responding as if we were. This good feeling is what we experience subconsciously that makes us want to purchase what we see the models wearing or owning.

Touch

Were you aware that the way product shelf displays are arranged can influence your decision whether or not to buy an item? Customers want to feel and test drive products so gone are the days when ‘Please do not touch’ signs hung on every shelf.  This is especially the case with electronic devices like mobile phones that need to be held every day. Testers and free samples are used to satisfy this urge to feel what a product is like before buying.

In today’s employment market, finding the role of your dreams is a lot more challenging than it may have been in the past; however, difficulty should never serve as a roadblock. There are ways to get around this challenge and still operate within the role you desire most. Working alongside a recruiting specialist may be your best bet at accomplishing this goal.

Solid Relationships

In the same manner that top prospects look to recruiting agencies for assistance finding roles, top corporations also rely on these agencies to find talent. This constant interaction leads to lengthy and extensive relationships – companies rely on their recruiting agents to provide them with the best talent, and after building a solid relationship with a reputable recruiter they will know and trust their judgment more so than anyone else. These solid relationships can help get you in the door faster than you may have been able to do so on your own. One of the most reputable talent acquisition firms in Toronto is Argentus Search Group, who built a vast network of the top talent and companies looking for talent. This group is a recruitment agency specializing in placing exceptional talent in management positions. If you are considering moving to a new management position, but don’t have the connections to find exactly what you are looking for, visit Argentus.com for an idea of what might be available to you. In this tough climate, a number of viable candidates can’t even get in front of employee representatives to be considered for a role; however, when you work with an agency, much of the hard work is done for you and you get to take advantage of their relationships with exceptional employers.

Better Presentation

Recruiting specialists are in the business of selling candidates – they know how to make you look your best and provide you with the best possible chance of being hired. Both large corporations and small businesses want employees that not only shine on paper, but also in person. Not only will a placement firm take the time to find the best candidates for a role, they will also take the time to prepare their candidates to ensure they are presented in the best possible light. When you work with one of these specialists, from your resume for your interview, you can ensure that you will be prepared and presented competently and professionally – only improving your chances of securing the role.

Deeper Research

Having the right level of education and training is only the beginning when it comes to securing a role, you also need to perform a great deal of research to ensure you are being paired correctly. It takes research to find out what companies are best to work for, how much they pay, if they’re even hiring, and other important details. If you’re a working adult already consumed within your current role and other personal obligations, you might not have a lot of time to perform the level of research necessary to truly find the right match for you. A placement specialist can perform this research on your behalf to ensure you are paired with a job you know you’ll love.

A recruiting specialist can take much of the stress and obstacles that come along with the job search process off of your shoulders. If you want to secure the role of your dreams, don’t hesitate to rely on one of these professionals.