John Driver

Planning for your retirement is important, especially if you want to live comfortably without financial stress in your old age. Retirement planning has several steps with the end goal being to ensure you have enough money to live a fulfilling life even without the monthly income from your job. If you want to pave your way to financial freedom, we recommend you seek professional retirement planning advice to kickstart your journey. Below are some steps that you can follow to get a head start in planning for retirement. Step 1: Know when to begin retirement planning When should you start planning for retirement? The answer is simple, now! The sooner you start planning for your retirement, the more time your money has to grow. We often see young adults prolong planning for retirement because they feel like they have plenty of time to get around to it. This is however one of the most common mistakes people make. The longer you wait, the less money you may have for your years of retirement. However, with that being said, it is never too late to start planning for retirement, rather late than never! If you put a strategic plan in place, you might not have to play catch up for too long. Step 2: Determine how much money you require to retire The amount of money you will need for retirement is a function of your current annual income and monthly expenses. It is recommended that you expect to need at least 70% of your pre-retirement income as a retiree. Step 3: Prioritize your financial goals Saving enough money for a comfortable retirement may not be the only saving goal you have. Most people have other financial goals they strive to achieve before retirement. Often these goals are more pressing, for example paying off your credit cards, paying off the bond on your house or saving money to buy the house of your dreams. The key to achieving both pressing saving goals, as well as retirement planning is by prioritizing your financial commitments. If you have big financial commitments to fulfil in the immediate present, rather downsize the amount you put away for retirement instead of missing payments entirely. Step 4: Choose a realistic retirement plan Speaking to a professional retirement planning advisor will guide you in setting up a retirement plan that will be achievable and coherent with your current lifestyle. There is no logic in setting up a retirement plan that you cannot fulfil, it will only leave you feeling demotivated in your saving efforts and leaves you at risk of having no retirement plan whatsoever. The best decision you can make as a young adult is to start planning for retirement as soon as you start earning a stable income. The next thing you should do is seek out professional retirement planning advice to get all the best tips on ensuring a financially secure retirement. Start today to ensure a better tomorrow!

Most of us have seen and admired wildlife photography, either online or in magazines. There is nothing quite like admiring the beauty captured in fine art wildlife photography. However, what many people do not realise is the fact that the photographs captured by wildlife photographers greatly contribute to wildlife conservation on a local, national, and international scale. Wildlife photography gained much traction in the 1990s when it emerged as a hobby for safari adventurers. Although the photographs taken documented the raw beauty of wildlife, the photographers of the time could also capture the human-imposed threats animals were facing. Since the majority of the photographers were not scientists, nor were they in a position to prompt change or prevent illegal activities regarding wildlife themselves, they used their photographic skill to capture images exposing the human impact on wildlife. These photographs were published and created global awareness of the threats human intervention and activities posed to wildlife, in turn, some of these areas and animals under threat got the protection it deserved. Presently, we still see how wildlife photography is a powerful tool in promoting and prompting change amongst wildlife enthusiasts around the globe! Here are some ways in which wildlife photography encourage conservation efforts: Highlights Problems: While all of us can appreciate the face value of a beautifully captured image of an animal, plant, or natural landscape, photographers can use their skills and expertise to show the world the sad reality of what is being hidden. Photographers can document habitat destruction and animals which are at risk of going extinct due to abrasive human activities. Photography does more than capture a still frame, it is important to remember every picture has a story and wildlife photographers can use their images to be the voice for the animals that need to be heard. For example, in South Africa, photography is often used to bring illegal poaching of rhinos to light on an international level to raise awareness on the problem. Education: The leading benefit of wildlife photography would be the educational purpose it serves. Wildlife photography is used as a method to educate people about the beauty and vulnerability of animals and plants across the globe. Often, people are not aware that some species of animals exist, never mind the fact that these species may be facing extinction. Wildlife photographers can trek into the bushveld, dive to the ocean floor, and journey into the vast desert to capture the wildlife so many of us are unaware of. Many photographers travel the world to capture the sheer beauty of the native species of different countries as an attempt to further conservational efforts. Raises Awareness: There are many ways in which wildlife photographers can use their photography skills to raise awareness on the various threat’s wildlife face. Some fine art wildlife photography pieces could even be sold, and the proceeds could be donated to conservation programs. To raise awareness for our wildlife is vital and photographers have perfectly incorporated their passion, skill, and expertise to communicate the necessity of wildlife conservation to many people around the world.

The resource management system used to be primarily accessible to large businesses and ran on massive mainframe computers. With the advancement of technology, ERP systems have become accessible in customised packages at more affordable costs, following a prolonged development period. ERP implementation in small and medium companies can assist SMEs in operating their businesses with a long-term strategy and consistent development. Implementation of ERP software can reduce several challenges that small businesses may usually come across. Below are some of the major shortcomings that can be overcome with the help of ERP installation. Budget constraints Small businesses commonly function with lower profit margins than bigger businesses, but they may eventually need to expand, which can cost substantial amounts of funds. It is thus essential to keep track of your finances, especially if you are intending to expand your business in the future.  An ERP system may help you organise and store all of your important financial data. As a consequence, your management team will be able to keep a close tab on the company in order to minimise losses, evaluate the results of various strategies, and make prompt choices. Implementing ERP software will not only help SMEs address their financial challenges, but it will assist them in developing a long-term business strategy as well. Relying on a limited number of employees Compared to larger organisations, SMEs often have limited management staff and fewer employees. In a business, limited personnel may be needed to accomplish all essential responsibilities and occasionally perform several tasks. The increased workload may have an impact on employee productivity which can have a significant impact on the overall performance. It is also challenging for the staff since they need a variety of skills and expertise to perform certain responsibilities. SMEs can only increase their efficiency with the help of technology that streamlines operations. Management can be certain that business data is being delivered to all relevant staff and is retrievable at any time when implementing an ERP system. Requirement of IT support To resolve crucial technological difficulties, most start-up firms have limited or non-existent IT staff. The business database will be bound to increase as the organisation expands, which can be unsafe due to the rise in cyber-attacks. Due to the rising severity of these threats, your company may require professional and skilled employees to supervise the system network and data privacy in order to minimise data breaches or downtime. When you implement an ERP system, you will be backed up by a long-term IT provider who will look after your overall IT needs so you can concentrate on other business objectives. Advantages of implementing ERP software When it comes to the advantages of implementing an ERP system, they improve efficiency, reduce operating expenses, increase forecasting accuracy, elevate data security, and enhance collaboration. Conclusion Many SMEs are overlooking the benefits of digitalisation and automation, and as a result, are not realising their maximum potential as a business. Upon incorporating ERP technology into your company, you can increase productivity, scale up, and have an edge over your competitors.

The ease in our modern lives is all thanks to several common things hidden in plain sight, like extruded aluminium. Most people have no idea that aluminium extruded sections are the major component of automobile vehicles and many other things. Aluminium extrusions are found not only in the outer part, but also in the framework that holds every gear in place tightly. Even the computer that we use every day has aluminium extrusion in it. The process through which aluminium extruded sections are made is as fascinating as it is necessary. The more we learn about aluminium extrusion, the better we can understand what it is worth in the modern world. For this reason, we shall discuss the top five uses of aluminium extruded sections that are found in every aspect of our lives: In Construction Industry Construction and architecture rely heavily on high-strength materials such as stainless steel and aluminium. Aluminium is considered one of the most versatile metals on the market, which is readily available and quite durable. The physical features of aluminium make it a great match for use in construction sites and architectural applications. Since it is stiff yet lightweight, it can balance structures well and hold it all together through extrusions. Its weight-saving features ensure that you would need very little of it to build things like railings, balustrades, facades, etc. In Automobile Industry As mentioned earlier, cars, busses, boats, aeroplanes, ships, and bikes utilise aluminium extruded sections within their framework to be light, durable, and high-performance. This is why the global auto industry is one of the biggest users of aluminium extrusions. Automobile manufacturers prioritise using a material that can handle pressure on a long-term basis despite several environmental factors like heat, moisture, etc., and aluminium is known to be great for that. As Display Equipment If you have ever been to an exhibition or a trade event, you must have noticed countless display units and stands being used. Every single stand has aluminium extruded material inside of it because these sections can be customised as per the requirement. Aluminium extruded sections are created with an interlocking system that allows people to assemble these stands easily. Moving the stands from one point to another also takes less time. For Electrical Systems Aluminium finds one of its major applications in many electrical systems and equipment due to the simple fact that it is a good conductor of electricity. But that is not all, aluminium is also found in lighting such as LED fixtures because it can solve the thermal challenges faced by other alternatives. Radiators and photovoltaic panels are also manufactured with the help of aluminium extruded sections for their strength and corrosion resistance. In Transport Industry The successful transport industry functions a lot smoother due to the existence of aluminium extruded sections. Take aerospace as an example, which many of us use every single day for travelling across the globe. Aluminium parts keep it extremely light and durable so that it can handle more baggage and still maintain balance in the air.

You may have heard the saying “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”. This phrase is especially true when it comes to visual marketing. Whether you are an interior designer wanting to capture the perfect shot of your most recent projects, or an owner of a commercial business wanting to capture the essence of your newly renovated space, a professional photographer will be of great use to you. Visual marketing is how you attract an audience based on first impressions. Often people try to capture interior photographs themselves, but it does not quite do the space the justice it deserves. If a professional steps in, you can be rest assured that the beauty of the space will be captured in full. These photos can then be used for your social media marketing. As an owner of a commercial establishment, the more aesthetic the photographs of your space are, the more potential patrons you will attract! As an interior designer, it is absolutely vital that the true beauty of the space is captured. These photographs can be added to your portfolio and make for a great impression when pitching your services to potential clients! Excellent photography should be regarded as an investment into your brand, whether it be your hotel, lodge, or interior design projects. Professionally captured interior photography will display all the hard work you have put in, convey the talent that has gone into creating such an aesthetic space, as well as capture the essence and atmosphere of the given space. What you ultimately want to achieve with these photographs is to attract the right clients and maximise marketing. In order to achieve this, you must establish an open flow of communication with the professional photographer you choose. It is important for the photographer to understand what you want to achieve with the space and the thought that hides behind the end result. Once they grasp your vision, they will employ their expertise to accurately capture the essence of the space. Seeing as social media is free, the main expense will be the photography. Investing in powerful imagery is one of the most powerful ways to attract new clients. Those who decide to take on the task of photographing the space themselves often forget about the experience required to edit the photographs. Optimising each image for public consumption takes many hours. The way the camera captures a space, or an object is vastly different from the way the natural eye sees it. Adjusting the exposure, saturation, and shadows requires knowledge, expertise, and time. If you have a business to run, you might not have the necessary time at hand to complete the editing process properly. With all that has been discussed above, it is safe to say that hiring a professional photographer is the best option if you are looking to attract new clients and maximise your visual marketing efforts. It will only benefit your business.

You may not even realise you have damaged hair, but whether you spent last week debuting a new platinum blonde hairdo, or getting a blowout, you have probably racked up a bit of breakage from simple, everyday things. There are several different factors that can lead to damaged hair, some of which include using the incorrect products, going too long between trims, using heat styling tools that are on far higher heat settings than they need to be, and wearing your hair in an updo that is too tight. Luckily, there are several different products for hair breakage available on the market that can help you get your hair back to its strong and healthy state. Before we discuss these products, and why they are vital in your hair care routine, let us first discuss hair breakage a little further. Naturally, this topic can be quite anxiety inducing. However, there is a silver lining! Most of the time, hair breakage has to do mainly with one’s styling habits and their hair care routine, meaning it is entirely fixable. For example, if you are someone that needs to heat style their hair every day, that is completely fine! All you need to do is tweak your hair care routine slightly, by including a heat protectant spray, and not using the styling tool on an unnecessarily high setting. See, it is a win-win! You can still style your hair and live your life as normal, and your hair will not face extreme damage every day. So, what causes hair damage? Well, to not get too technical, hair breakage is essentially brought on when parts of the hair structure are altered, whether by chemically treating the hair, colour treating the hair, or heat styling the hair. This alteration then weakens the hair, which sets off a domino effect of noticeable results and further damage. Thereby, leading to unhealthy, dry hair. However, as previously stated, there is a silver lining. In most cases, the damage can be repaired by using the right products, some of which will be discussed below. First things first, you need to invest in a shampoo that will strengthen the structure of your hair and regenerate your hair while gently cleansing it. If you are serious about overcoming hair breakage, you need to invest in high-quality, professional products for the best outcome. Next is the conditioner. Whether you have chemically treated your hair, colour treated your hair, or heat style your hair often, you need to opt for a professional conditioner that will reconnect your hair bonds, restore your hair’s surface quality, strengthen and repair your hair, as well as deeply moisturise your hair. Finally, in terms of your hair care, you should invest in a mask or treatment. Think of this product like going for a facial. It is not needed every day but using it every so often will improve the health of your hair, further improving the structure of your hair. You may not even realise you have damaged hair, but whether you spent last week debuting a new platinum blonde hairdo, or getting a blowout, you have probably racked up a bit of breakage from simple, everyday things. There are several different factors that can lead to damaged hair, some of which include using the incorrect products, going too long between trims, using heat styling tools that are on far higher heat settings than they need to be, and wearing your hair in an updo that is too tight. Luckily, there are several different products for hair breakage available on the market that can help you get your hair back to its strong and healthy state. Before we discuss these products, and why they are vital in your hair care routine, let us first discuss hair breakage a little further. Naturally, this topic can be quite anxiety inducing. However, there is a silver lining! Most of the time, hair breakage has to do mainly with one’s styling habits and their hair care routine, meaning it is entirely fixable. For example, if you are someone that needs to heat style their hair every day, that is completely fine! All you need to do is tweak your hair care routine slightly, by including a heat protectant spray, and not using the styling tool on an unnecessarily high setting. See, it is a win-win! You can still style your hair and live your life as normal, and your hair will not face extreme damage every day. So, what causes hair damage? Well, to not get too technical, hair breakage is essentially brought on when parts of the hair structure are altered, whether by chemically treating the hair, colour treating the hair, or heat styling the hair. This alteration then weakens the hair, which sets off a domino effect of noticeable results and further damage. Thereby, leading to unhealthy, dry hair. However, as previously stated, there is a silver lining. In most cases, the damage can be repaired by using the right products, some of which will be discussed below. First things first, you need to invest in a shampoo that will strengthen the structure of your hair and regenerate your hair while gently cleansing it. If you are serious about overcoming hair breakage, you need to invest in high-quality, professional products for the best outcome. Next is the conditioner. Whether you have chemically treated your hair, colour treated your hair, or heat style your hair often, you need to opt for a professional conditioner that will reconnect your hair bonds, restore your hair’s surface quality, strengthen and repair your hair, as well as deeply moisturise your hair. Finally, in terms of your hair care, you should invest in a mask or treatment. Think of this product like going for a facial. It is not needed every day but using it every so often will improve the health of your hair, further improving the structure of your hair.

Outdoor lighting is an excellent way of creating a visually appealing and illuminated environment outdoors, along with providing additional safety in your backyard. If you are not sure where to begin, finding the ideal outdoor lighting for your needs might be a bit challenging. With so many varieties, functionalities, and styles to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. The simplest solution would be visiting the local electrical shop or contacting professional electrical suppliers in Cape Town who can help you in deciding which outdoor lighting would be ideal for your backyard. However, it is always a better idea to get familiar with common types of outdoor lighting that are available in the market right now so that you can make better decisions easily. Outdoor wall lighting Being the most common type of outdoor lighting, wall sconces can be easily installed in any place that has a wall and wiring facility. While producing ambient light, as well as more directed light in some cases, wall lights provide numerous options that can blend into your home's appearance or create aesthetic aspects on their own. Aside from the aesthetics of the fixture, an outdoor wall sconce's lighting capabilities are rather amazing. There are designs that wash walls in uplight and downlight for a highlighting effect on your house as well. Decorative outdoor lighting Due to the advancement in technology and the quality of materials used, even the string lights and porch lanterns are now presented with a more modern and aesthetic touch. Most homes use overhead lighting for ambient lighting, and it is the same for outdoors as well. Modern outdoor pendant lights and ceiling lights are usually available in a wide range of decorative styles, from classic to ultra-modern and everything in between that can perfectly go with your specific style. Security lighting  Outdoor lighting such as floodlighting, landscape lighting, recessed lighting, and solar lighting is required in some areas of your house for added security or safety purposes. Installing security lighting will provide well-lit areas that cover your driveway, entrance, garage, stairways, and deck area, as well as walking trails and some portions of your backyard that require you to keep an eye on from time-to-time. Landscape lighting  Landscape lighting is the most technically demanding of all outdoor lighting styles, requiring more planning and installation time than any other. Some of the variants are path lights, recessed ground lights, and deck and step lights. Path lighting can be installed in addition to wall lighting and can be put up around water features, garden beds, etc., while ground and wall lights are perfect for providing a unique urban look without putting much effort into the installation process. Step lights are also an excellent method to increase your home's resale value, visibility, and safety. Installing outdoor lighting has many perks from adding curb appeal to creating a cohesive look while providing added safety security to your home and backyard alike.

If you feel as though you are seeing CBD products everywhere, that is because you are! It is no secret that the popularity of CBD has grown immensely over the past few years since becoming legally available across the globe. However, with this sudden boom in demand and popularity, many consumers have felt left behind in exactly how it became so popular, and why. Therefore, to assist you, we will discuss this miracle compound and deep dive into all the things that made the rise of CBD come to pass. For starters, CBD is commonly known as Nature’s Doctor because, if you think about it, it can offer a wide range of benefits. However, before we discuss these several benefits, and get into who can benefit from this compound, let us first discuss what CBD is, and how it works. Unknown to many, the term CBD is derived from its full name, cannabidiol, which is a chemical compound that forms part of the cannabinoid family, and naturally occurs in the cannabis plant. So far, scientists have isolated 108 different types of cannabinoids in cannabis. The most popular known type is THC, thanks to its psychoactive properties. This is the compound that gives off a “high” sensation. Not to be confused with CBD, which is the compound responsible for providing various therapeutic benefits. So, now that you know the difference between THC and CBD, let us discuss how they work. In short, these cannabinoids interact with a person’s endocannabinoid system, which is a regulatory system that is made up of naturally occurring cannabis-like molecules. How the system works is the CBD will encourage the body to produce more of its own endocannabinoids, which helps with reducing anxiety, pain, and inflammation. These are just some of the various ways that CBD can benefit you. Since becoming increasingly popular, companies have decided to offer more CBD-infused products to ensure that everyone, no matter what their preference or need may be, will be able to benefit from this compound.  Today, you can find everything from CBD body oil, capsules, and health supplements to CBD sleep oils, eye serums, and pain relief topicals, each with their own unique benefits! The truth is you need not look far online to find reviews and testimonials singing the praises of CBD. Whatever you may struggle with, whether it be skin conditions, anxiety, insomnia, or stress, to name a few, you will be able to find a product that will help alleviate your symptoms. Additionally, with so many loyal supporters behind CBD, it is hard not to want to try it out yourself. So, what are you waiting for? The growth of the CBD industry is going from strength to strength. Are you going to give it a try, or simply be left behind yet again? If you are unsure on which product to opt for, or how strong a dosage to take, contact one of Nature’s Doctor’s (CBD) suppliers, and they will be able to advise you on what would If you feel as though you are seeing CBD products everywhere, that is because you are! It is no secret that the popularity of CBD has grown immensely over the past few years since becoming legally available across the globe. However, with this sudden boom in demand and popularity, many consumers have felt left behind in exactly how it became so popular, and why. Therefore, to assist you, we will discuss this miracle compound and deep dive into all the things that made the rise of CBD come to pass. For starters, CBD is commonly known as Nature’s Doctor because, if you think about it, it can offer a wide range of benefits. However, before we discuss these several benefits, and get into who can benefit from this compound, let us first discuss what CBD is, and how it works. Unknown to many, the term CBD is derived from its full name, cannabidiol, which is a chemical compound that forms part of the cannabinoid family, and naturally occurs in the cannabis plant. So far, scientists have isolated 108 different types of cannabinoids in cannabis. The most popular known type is THC, thanks to its psychoactive properties. This is the compound that gives off a “high” sensation. Not to be confused with CBD, which is the compound responsible for providing various therapeutic benefits. So, now that you know the difference between THC and CBD, let us discuss how they work. In short, these cannabinoids interact with a person’s endocannabinoid system, which is a regulatory system that is made up of naturally occurring cannabis-like molecules. How the system works is the CBD will encourage the body to produce more of its own endocannabinoids, which helps with reducing anxiety, pain, and inflammation. These are just some of the various ways that CBD can benefit you. Since becoming increasingly popular, companies have decided to offer more CBD-infused products to ensure that everyone, no matter what their preference or need may be, will be able to benefit from this compound.  Today, you can find everything from CBD body oil, capsules, and health supplements to CBD sleep oils, eye serums, and pain relief topicals, each with their own unique benefits! The truth is you need not look far online to find reviews and testimonials singing the praises of CBD. Whatever you may struggle with, whether it be skin conditions, anxiety, insomnia, or stress, to name a few, you will be able to find a product that will help alleviate your symptoms. Additionally, with so many loyal supporters behind CBD, it is hard not to want to try it out yourself. So, what are you waiting for? The growth of the CBD industry is going from strength to strength. Are you going to give it a try, or simply be left behind yet again? If you are unsure on which product to opt for, or how strong a dosage to take, contact one of Nature’s Doctor’s (CBD) suppliers, and they will be able to advise you on what would

The South African market is an emerging one and is driven by a substantial number of manufacturing companies in various industrial sectors. Almost all of them compete in a highly competitive market which makes it very important to get an edge over one’s peers. ERP systems are one such tool that allows manufacturing companies to gain an edge over their competitors. However, many manufacturers still wonder about the exact advantages these systems provide. This article aims to discuss five common manufacturing sector problems which are easily solved by ERP software companies in South Africa. Inventory level management Maintenance of correct inventory levels is essential to ensure that supply adequately meets the demand of customers. ERP systems provide managers with the transparency and inventory counts needed for improved production planning. Any shortages are flagged automatically by the system instantly. Ensures lot traceability Traditionally, manufacturers had to enter inventory numbers manually before the advent of ERP systems. Manual data entry brings with it inaccuracies when it comes to maintaining records involving multiple finished goods and numerous customers. With a seamlessly integrated ERP system, manufacturers can easily get forward and backward lot tracking where information is accounted for. Laws and regulations With globalisation, even South African manufacturers are diversifying and expanding into newer markets. With that comes complicated statutory compliance requirements with local regulations and laws. These regulatory directives and guidelines are there to protect the consumers and the environment from potential fraud, as well as hazards. ERP systems help companies avoid expenses related to compliance delays by standardising and automating best practices. It also helps maintain an audit trail, allowing companies to receive real-time compliance information. Manufacturing organisations can automate quality control through ERP systems that can ensure customer satisfaction. Material requirement planning To address the challenges of resource management, material requirement planning is a critical part of an integrated ERP. By utilising sales forecasting methodologies along with historical production data, ERP systems help in optimum utilisation of manufacturing components, capacity, material resources and parts. With proper material requirement planning, a company can reduce cash flow and increase profitability by calculating the optimum production schedule. Human errors Manual data entry usually involves the most human errors, which adversely affect the production capacity of an entire organisation. Unnecessary expenditure ramps up if resources are assigned to non-productive activities. To save both cost and resources for the organisation, an ERP system is ideal. It provides access to accurate data, including WIP, production capacity utilisation, current inventory levels, sales forecast and others. All of this data allows the organisation to plan and schedule its future operations in a way that yields the best productivity. ERP systems help manufacturing companies to create a better supply chain with enhanced inventory visibility. In case of organisations spanning across countries, an ERP system can streamline processes across multiple locations, empowering a global workforce. So whenever there are concerns over the integrity of business data, go for ERP systems to improve the processes of collecting and analysing data.

Digital marketing has indeed changed the landscape of world marketing. One of the elements of digital marketing is Search Engine Optimisation. When a business owner or entrepreneur gets this right, they can see an increase in website traffic, brand awareness, and ultimately, revenue. This forms the backbone of stronger growth and increased sales opportunities. The modern business landscape is such that every business needs an online strategy for brand awareness. If an entrepreneur hesitates and decides not to follow through on this, they will soon find that their competitors are taking over, especially in the case of B2B and B2C companies. In a country like South Africa, where the economy is slowly growing, small entrepreneurs need whatever resources they can get to be on a level playing field with large competitors. This is why SEO agencies in Cape Town are focusing more and more on small scale businesses and entrepreneurs who are time-strapped. There are four aspects of SEO that are particularly useful for time-strapped entrepreneurs. Content marketing strategy SEO agencies always focus on a well-crafted content marketing strategy that focuses mainly on writing blog posts based on specific keywords. This is done to inform and engage your target audience. Your brand's website will be transformed into something that both readers as well as search engine crawlers can navigate. This influences how high a site’s ranking will be in search engine results. Copywriting People tend to bounce from your site soon after landing on a page if your pages are confusing or contain uninformative material. Readers are more likely to read the whole site if it contains relevant, well-laid out, and informative content that makes compelling arguments. This automatically increases the average time a user spends on the site. The average time of people spending their time on the top-ranked pages is more than 3 minutes. Thus, it is crucial to write quality copy that can hold a reader’s attention. Linkbuilding Search engine crawlers consider the number of internal links which link existing content within the site as an important determinant of a site’s quality. A good SEO agency will help their client’s website to get links from high authority sites to bolster its quality. Local SEO Local SEO strategies involve all the components above but on a much more local level.  Such strategies focus on the brand’s immediate surroundings and market environment.  This includes blog posts covering local topics, such as links from popular local newspapers and related news. Contrary to what the situation was five or six years ago, small businesses with a local customer base still have to possess online visibility. The nature of potential customers has changed as they no longer stumble across a product they like or a service they need by simply strolling down the main street. Instead, the majority of today’s potential customers use their phone or computer to find what they need. This makes it essential for small entrepreneurs to invest in SEO strategies that will improve their organic search results, which account for half of all web traffic for B2C and B2B companies. 

  BSP pipe fittings are more common if you live in the following areas: South Africa, the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Uses of BSP pipe fittings are the same irrespective of the various types that you can see professionals work with. If you live in the United States or Canada, then you are most likely more familiar with an NPT pipe fitting instead of the BSP version of it. Both of these pipe fittings work the same way and possess a very slight difference when it comes to handling. As a standard, BSP pipe fittings are considered the most preferred pipe fitting, having threads with pitch and familiar-shaped peaks and valleys.     If your business requires the use of pipe fittings every single day, then make sure to read the following points on why BSP pipe fittings could be your best match.     Based on the thread type, there are two different versions of BSP pipe fittings available. One is called the British standard pipe taper (BSPT) and the other one is the British Standard Pipe Parallel (BSPP). Both versions of BSP fittings are structurally similar and the only difference can be seen in the BSPT ones, which are tapered, whereas the BSPP threads are made straight. BSP threads are inclined to a 55° angle which makes them easy to install.     BSP-type pipe fittings are much more reliable than their other counterparts, which are predominantly found in the form of NPTs. These can be easily cut onto a pipe of its respective size for a proper fit to seal all sorts of leaks. Professionals are well-aware of the harm in connecting a BSP with an NPT type.     As mentioned earlier, BSP and NPT, or NPS threads of pipe fittings, are not exactly what you would call compatible. That is because the thread forms found in these two types of pipe fittings are quite different. In case someone mistakenly connects these, the pressure-holding capability of the connection is going to be very weak.     Different types of pressure systems require a suitable way of sealing depending on their pressure holding capability. Experts do not take chances when there are concerning obstacles in their way of choosing any particular type of durable pipe fittings. BSPs usually offer the most secure sealing and work best for the oil or gas industry.     Pressure calibration is a tedious task that requires perfection in every aspect to ensure a tight seal, which is impossible to get if a different type of thread is interconnected with another. Even if you must interconnect two separate pipe fittings, then you might need a sealant and adapters to achieve a perfect seal.     BSP is more of an international version, which you can find pretty easily anywhere in the world. This type of pipe fitting is recommended during the transport of liquid, gases, steam, and even hydraulic fluids. Many industries that utilise pressure systems work with BSP pipe fittings as per standard.     The type of sealing system where BSP fittings are utilised is far more efficient, easily available, durable, and convenient to work with in various in  

All of us at some point in our lives will be faced with debt. Whether it is good debt or bad debt, the key thing to keep in mind when faced with debt is having a solid and effective debt management strategy in place to ensure you do not spiral and drown in the debt you have built up for yourself. The following discussion will elaborate on the differences between good debt and bad debt. Good Debt vs Bad Debt Many might argue that no debt is good debt. However nowadays, building up a good credit score is often the only way of being able to acquire large assets such as a home. Building up a good credit score entails building up debt which you pay off strategically and in full. There are however loans which people take out carelessly and the debt, which has to be paid off, offers minimal value to the person and lacks justification. Good Debt Good debt is the kind of debt that adds value to your own life or the lives of your family. This is the kind of debt which is usually considered to generate an income for you in the long run or boost your net worth. Let us have a look at a few examples of good debt: Taking out a loan to start your own business can be considered as good debt. You are taking a loan to start a venture which will hopefully be successful and will allow you to pay the money back and generate more of an income for yourself. A student loan or educational loan can be considered as good debt. You are taking out money to enrich your life and further yourself in terms of a career. By being educated, your chances of finding employment are increased, thus increasing your future earning potential. A loan of this kind is justifiable which is why it is considered as good debt. Taking out a mortgage loan to purchase a home. Purchasing a home can be considered as a valuable investment and, over time, one could resell for a profit or even get a tenant and generate an income via rent. It is therefore considered to be good debt. Bad Debt Bad debt would involve taking out a loan or borrowing money in order to purchase depreciating assets. These assets lose value immediately after purchase and do not generate you any form of income. Purchasing a car on debt would be bad debt. A car loses value the moment you drive it off the showroom floor. If you have taken out a loan with high interest rates, you will be putting yourself up for a loss as the car loses value. Using your credit card with high interest rates to purchase clothing or furniture is also an example of accumulating bad debt. These items also depreciate in value and it certainly does not generate you any form of income. The difference between good and bad debt should be quite clear after covering the points mentioned above. If you find yourself in a position of having unmanageable debt, contact a debt consolidation company and let them guide you through debt management in South Africa!  

With the online world continuing to grow, especially during the current pandemic that resulted in a worldwide catastrophe where many countries were forced to lockdown, stay at home, and work from home if they had the necessary means to do so, many businesses who had no online presence opted for an online presence so that they could continue working and keep their businesses up and running with little to no change. As such, online services became highly favourable, and services like ID verifications grew in popularity due to the results it can deliver us. But what is ID verification and why is ID verification so imperative? Well, continue reading this article and you will learn exactly why it is such an imperative service. But first, let us talk about who would require such a service. One person that would require it could be a potential employer that needs to verify that you are who you say you are. ID verifications can be done on people who are making large transactions, such as people wanting to register a car or house in their name, open up another savings account, etc. Companies who do not physically deal with their clients, but rather interact with them online are also a big player in using ID verification services, as it provides them with great clarity and allows them to either continue dealing with this client or to not deal with them at all. ID verification services are used to verify the identity of a person who is claiming to be who they are. Because of the online world growing, so is the potential of online scammers. People pretending to be other people so that they can scam others for whatever reason they have to gather whatever collateral they need so that they can achieve the end goal of scamming the person out of their money or other valuable information pertaining to one particular individual. So, you can tell by now that ID verification services are highly imperative, as the results they provide us with are of extreme value. ID verification services can also be used as part of AML (anti-money laundering) and KYC (know your customer) initiatives, which are certain requirements banks need to follow to ensure that they are dealing with a legitimate person who is not going to scam them or be a potentially harmful client. It is imperative that you only use ID verification services from legitimate establishments. Since ID verification services require the dealing of sensitive information, there are only a few registered establishments that are able to pull off this service. If you do not use an establishment that is legally allowed to do ID verifications, you run the risk of having that establishment scam you. Therefore, it is imperative that you only use ID verification services from banks and credit bureaus, as they are the establishments that are legally allowed to run ID verification checks.

There are many different types of fencing that you can choose from. When it comes to choosing which type of fencing is best suited for you, you must consider the reasons for fencing in the first place. Do you need fencing for residential or commercial use? Are you looking to install fencing for decoration or security purposes? How much money are you prepared to spend on fencing? These are the types of questions you should ask yourself before choosing what type of fence to get. After pinpointing what your reasons are for getting fencing, you can start looking at the different fencing types and choose one that best suits your needs. Types of Fencing Aluminium Fencing: Aluminium fencing can cater to most of your aesthetic needs. Aluminium fencing offers versatility in terms of style. Aluminium fencing also requires minimal upkeep. However, aluminium is not as strong as most people may assume, thus making this type of fencing not the most suitable if you are looking to fence for security purposes. Wood Fencing: Wooden fencing is one of the most popular fencing materials used. Wooden fencing offers a wide array of fencing options. The most common thought that comes to mind when thinking of a wooden fence is the picturesque white picket fence desired by many. However, wooden fences, especially picket fences, do not offer much security for the property. If your goal is to secure a premisses, you might want to look at other options. Wooden fences do however offer you different heigh options, but the higher the fence, the more expensive the fencing process gets. PVC Fencing: PVC fencing is by far the most affordable option. PVC fencing is also extremely durable and does not wear easily. It is again not the best option in terms of security, but it can give you a similar look as that of a wooden fence for a fraction of the price. If affordable aesthetics are what you are looking for, PVC fencing could be the best solution for you. Wrought Iron Fencing: Wrought iron fencing can be decorative and is a strong material option for fencing. This might not be the most cost-effective option as the upkeep on this fencing type is quite arduous. The iron needs to be treated every two to three years in order to keep up its appearance. If money is not an issue, and having a decorative fence is what you want, this is the fencing option for you. Palisade Fencing: Palisade fencing in Cape Town is the most popular fencing solution. Palisade fencing is made from strong steel pales which are secured to a horizontal rail to form a panel which is then mounted onto supporting posts. Palisade fencing is used for perimeter fencing and provides great security for any premises. With crime rates in South Africa at a constant high, this fencing solution is highly recommended. Palisade fencing does not require much maintenance and is very durable. With all that has been mentioned above, it is evident that you must know what your fencing needs are before deciding what type of fencing you are going to get installed.

In the past, it was set in stone that, in order to be considered successful, as well as be successful, one had to have a physical store or office. It was essentially non-negotiable. As the years have passed, and technology has changed rapidly, more and more business owners are becoming aware of the benefits of working remotely. Take the pandemic as an example, when the country was locked down, only essential workers were allowed to go to work. Other companies were forced to either close for the time being, or work from home. This made many business owners realise how much they could save by letting go of their physical premises or renting a smaller office. Of course, not all companies could do this, as some require a warehouse or access to a highly confidential database, etc. However, there are several industries that could hop on the remote bandwagon. The only issue that most business owners face when deciding whether to go fully remote or not, is trusting their employees to be productive at home, as well as trying to figure out how they will hold important meetings where presentations or training is required. Well, luckily, there are several companies that offer a prestigious coworking space in Cape Town. Since more people are starting to work from home, the coworking industry has seen exponential growth. It has always been relatively popular overseas but has only recently become a trend in South Africa. Typically speaking, coworking can be defined as a group of people assembling in a neutral space to either work on different projects independently, or in groups on the same projects. However, it is different to a traditional office workspace, as people in coworking spaces generally do not work for the same company. A business owner will often opt for such a space, as they offer the same amenities as a traditional office, such as Wi-Fi, printers, copiers, scanners, fax machines, fully equipped kitchens, and more! In addition to this, it is also far more affordable, as owners do not have to pay any setup costs, nor do they have to pay extortionate amounts to rent a small office block. If you are considering modernising your business structure and would like to try out a coworking office space, there are a few factors you need to take into account to ensure you opt for a company or space that best fits your needs. These factors include: Location: The location needs to be within a reasonable commuting distance for you and your employees. Budget: Determine what your budget is from the beginning so you can filter out spaces that are too expensive from an early stage, saving you time in the future. Work environment: You need to ensure that the space you opt for is able to fulfil your foundational business needs. Community: What is the community there like? Do you see yourself and your employees fitting in? Flexibility: How flexible are the packages they offer? Can you upsize or downsize at any moment on the number of desks you utilise, etc.?

A vast majority of people purchase their meat from butcheries. Now, you might be wondering ‘why not just buy meat at your local grocery store when you are doing your grocery shopping?’. Well, while it may be easier and more convenient than driving around everywhere, you just do not get the same benefits as when you go to a butchery. Luckily for us, there are a vast majority of butcheries that can be found in any country, the same can be said for butcheries in Cape Town. However, the fact that there are many can make looking for a butchery in Cape Town a blessing and a curse. Sure, you have a lot of options to choose from, but it makes finding that perfect butchery all the more difficult. In this article, we are going to discuss the many factors people should consider before selecting a butchery. So, continue reading as you learn some imperative factors to consider before choosing just any butchery. Butcheries are the places many individuals go to, to purchase all kinds of meats. However, there are some factors that need to be considered first before simply walking into any butchery. The most imperative factor about going to a butchery is the type of products you would require from the butchery. Perhaps you are looking for special cuts, or even game. You need to enquire first that the butchery in mind has the products you are looking for. Majority of butcheries strive to be far more efficient than the meat kiosk at your local grocer. This means that they will supply products that are special or unique. This helps butcheries widen their customer reach by supplying a vast range of meat products. Butcheries may or may not even have close business relationships with the farm owners who supply them their meat. This is a great advantage to the customers of that butchery, and for a few reasons. The butchery will be more likely to answer questions about the animals as they actually have some knowledge about the animals, especially when their business relationship with farm owners is strong. The quality of meat from a butchery as compared to a grocery store cannot actually be compared! Butcheries know the importance of high-quality products and meat is no exception, it is probably the reason such high-quality standards are needed to be a successful butcher. Apart from this, you also need to know what grades their meat comes in. You would not want to purchase meat that is low-quality or even of a low-grade, as you will only jeopardise yourself. As with any place you purchase food from, you will want to know what the hygiene process is like and what codes of conduct the butchery in question sticks to strictly in those regards. Picking a butchery is an easy process once you know what questions to ask the owner as well as what factors to consider before making your decision. In fact, if you keep this article in mind when choosing a butchery, you will find the process has been simplified.

In a modern cut-throat market, it can often be difficult for some small to medium sized enterprises to compete against each other profitably. ERP systems have always been an option for these kinds of businesses to bolster their performance. But there exists a lot of misconception among organisations around ERP implantations.  This article is aimed at addressing and clearing up these misconceptions to put forward, the real advantages of erp implementation are small and medium enterprises. The main aim of an Enterprise Resource Planning system is to provide better business intelligence. This inevitably makes the jobs of managers and employees a lot easier. It is also possible to integrate other systems with ERP platforms through an Application programming interface. Advantages of SMEs using ERP systems Reporting customisation: The ability to get custom reports frequently is a useful tool in business. Every organisation relies on reporting to track KPIs. For instance, one cannot simply know how long it will take for materials to work their way through the manufacturing process. In this regard ERP systems put everything into a single environment, making it possible to generate reports on the fly. Production becomes scalable: ERP systems can improve the level of scalability to business processes. ERP systems can significantly reduce the impact of any businesses going through a significant increase in volume. The automation itself contributes towards alleviating a large degree of the employee’s work. This frees up any organisation’s greatest resource: It’s manpower. Customer Service: Implementation of ERP systems can assist in customer relationship management, billing, physical distribution of goods, invoicing and reporting.  It helps to give the management an overview of the client’s details from prospect to sales, accounting and finance. They can also keep track of activities, communication history, personal information which improves customer handling and customer satisfaction. Costing: ERPs can make it possible for companies to increase their productivity by better managing supplies. As operations are related to inventory, products and supplies, ERP systems provide the necessary visibility to see how one problem is affecting the rest of the processes. This increases efficiency and offers a competitive edge. Integration: It's almost impossible to find a system which includes all the features required by a business. Howeve, most ERP systems from reliable vendors offer easy integration.  By integration, it means the process of including separate systems under a comprehensive platform with free flow of information amongst each other. Properly implementing this will give any organisation the ability to deliver real-time information to every single party in the enterprise. Conclusion ERP vendors now focus more on SME’s due to the close to saturation of ERP adoptions in large enterprises.  Additionally, globalization, partnerships, value networks and information flow across SMEs in the modern market require them to adopt ERP systems. The best ERP system should provide all of the above mentioned key qualities and it should help businesses to automate their core operations and offer better insight into each process.

Aluminium extrusion is a specialised process used to shape aluminium into objects with a precise cross-sectional profile. By utilising this method, the physical features of aluminium can be integrated and used, which eventually makes it very compatible and improves its use. South Africa's aluminium extrusion suppliers support their customers by designing and supplying those products. One can experience extrusion in an anodised, mill, or powder-coated finish. There are several advantages of utilising extrusion and some of the main advantages are listed below. Lightweight Aluminium is a lightweight metal, which makes it extremely easy to hold and move, as well as operate with. Lightweight implies less inertia, which saves energy and increases productivity. The use of an extruded section means that you only place the metal where it is required, which further reduces the weight. Surprisingly Strong Aluminium is undoubtedly stronger compared to other types of metals. Extrusion significantly increases this intensity, which, on the other hand, increases the ability of the metal to withstand a heavy workload. As such, implementing aluminium extrusion is a good choice for load-bearing applications such as in an aircraft. Eliminates Welding It requires experience and skill to make consistently good welds, plus you will also need fixtures and will have to sacrifice some pieces for practice. Conversely, several individual parts that would otherwise be welded together may be replaced by a single piece of aluminium extrusion. You can even build sections that interlock for a faster assembly. Inexpensive Tooling In South Africa, the tooling value offered by aluminium extrusion suppliers is shockingly cheap. Thus, designers do not have to limit themselves to the standard shapes. Due to cost-effective custom extrusion, designers can go for complex shapes and designs. Corrosion Resistant Aluminium easily reacts to oxygen just as iron does, but in a reverse way. Aluminium oxide forms insulation over the metallic surface, while the iron is weakened by the rust. This resists corrosion, so when you use extruded aluminium parts, there is no need to spend money on costly rust-resistant coating and maintenance. Aesthetic Value   The extrusion of aluminium enables the metal to be plated, painted, textured, and polished. So, while a designer operates with extruded aluminium, it gives them a wide range of choices when selecting finishes for the aluminium products. Reuse and Recycle Many individuals may not be aware that there is a market value for scrap aluminium. This assures that, when your extruded aluminium products reach the end of their life, you will no longer have to dispose it. In fact, those aluminium products would have some value. Easy to Work Most grades of aluminium are easy to machine, but with aluminium extrusion, it becomes exceedingly simpler. One can easily cut aluminium extrusion to length with the help of a hacksaw and even drill holes into it. It makes work easier and faster when a display or frame is being developed. Conductivity Aluminium extrusions are good conductors of electricity and heat. Therefore, they are highly preferred for use in radiators, electronics, air conditioning, etc. Contact your nearest aluminium extrusion suppliers for specialised and professional extrusion services.

Is your hair feeling lacklustre, dull, flat, and thin? Are you wishing you could go back to a stage where your hair was healthy, thick, full, and constantly growing? You could have male pattern baldness, or your hair could just require some extra tender, love, and care. Chances are you have tried a lot of products and possibly even said goodbye for now to all your heat styling tools, but you find your hair’s health has only improved slightly, then plateaued? Luckily for you, the products for hair loss in South Africa are plentiful, which can be considered both an advantage and a disadvantage. Many Capetonians who suffer from the various hair problems we have, often go through a plethora of products for hair loss before they eventually find products that are both problem-orientated and proven to show positive results. This is a process that can take a long time and it is also the main reason for this article - to improve the process of finding products for hair loss in South Africa that actually show considerable results. When it comes down to searching for products for hair loss it can feel a bit daunting. How do you know that this product for hair loss is actually going to be worth your time? This is the biggest concern for many women and men who want to improve their hair’s health, which can be due to improper care, genetics, or hormones, because they all play a significant role in the health of our scalp and hair. There are things you can do when scoping out which products for hair loss to choose to hopefully give you the desired results. The first is simply reading reviews of the products that you want to purchase. This will give you the opinions of many individuals who have used that product for a certain reason, and what their experience was with it. Another thing you can do to ensure the products you are considering are worth your while, is by learning more about the products itself. What ingredients does this range of products use to guarantee results? One product for hair loss that has certainly garnered a lot of popularity for its amazing results is Nioxin. Nioxin is a product for hair loss that comes in a few systems based on your hair’s requirements. The range consists of a shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in solution that targets specific hair concerns. Nioxin is certainly changing the lives of many who suffer from thinning hair, male pattern baldness and a range of other hair concerns. However, it is due to the many ingredients used in Nioxin’s products that ensure results. One such ingredient that Nioxin consists of is minoxidil. This is a type of medication that is applied topically to the scalp and improves the health of the scalp and the hair itself. It is also why Nioxin is the perfect product for hair loss and hair thinning.

A car is an important investment that you must take good care of. It is also essential to have a safe and hassle-free journey. There are times when you hear a disturbing noise coming from your engine, but you find nothing when popping the hood. Having a car diagnostic tool can help you in this situation and can help you to understand what is wrong with the car. When to Use the Car Diagnostic Tool? Car diagnostic tools will not fix your car’s problems on their own. If you want to make the best use of these tools, you will have to know when to use it. Here are a couple of situations – When the check engine light is on: The check engine light represents several problems that can take place in your engine, transmission, or exhaust systems. If you want to know what the light is indicating, you can use the diagnostic tool to get the job done. Record vehicle performance/statistics: There are a few higher-end car diagnostic tools that can do more than reading engine codes. You can use more advanced tools to take live data measurements of the vehicle’s systems. It will help you to fine-tune the setup. Tools you can use OBD-II diagnostic tool: This tool will allow you to read the diagnostic codes generated by your car when a problem is detected. There are also some scanners that are listed as ‘OBD2 scanners’. Post-1996 car: Vehicles that are manufactured after 1996 need to have the OBD-II port and diagnostic system to work with the car diagnostic tool. If your car was made before 1996, the issue may have to be diagnosed in the old-fashioned way, which is cracking the hood open or taking the car to a professional mechanic. Preparation of using a car diagnostic tool It is very simple and easy to use a car diagnostic tool. All you need to do is plug the device in and turn everything on. To figure out how to work the device, you have to find the right port. First, locate the OBD-II port of your car. It is usually somewhere underneath the dashboard near the steering wheel. However, some cars have their ports somewhere around the centre console or on the passenger side. Read through your car’s user manual for the specific details. Before you plug the diagnostic tool into the OBD-II port, make sure to turn the car engine off. Useful tips for you If you are using car diagnostic tools, these tips may be helpful for you – Some diagnostic tools are plugged into the OBD-II port. These tools deliver periodic updates on your car’s health. If you approach a mechanic after scanning your vehicle, bring the codes along so the mechanic can get a head start. Do not reset the check engine light until you find the error trigger. Otherwise, it may come back on later. Contact one of the several car diagnostic tools suppliers in South Africa for OBD adapters, cables, and more.

If you have ever experienced even the tiniest bit of frizz, you have most likely been told by a friend, family member, or hairdresser that you should try a keratin treatment of some kind. After all, it has been coined as the “miracle” way to take your hair from frizzy and dull to smooth and shiny in just one salon visit. However, just like every other time a friend or family member has suggested something, you may be left feeling a bit weary of whether to have a Brazilian keratin hair treatment done, since you have no way of knowing how it will react to your hair until after the treatment. Therefore, to assist you, as well as answer all your burning questions, we have compiled some of the frequently asked questions regarding Brazilian keratin treatments to put your mind at ease. For starters, we are going to tackle the difference between keratin treatments and Brazilian blowouts. Both treatments have the same goal in mind – to eliminate frizz and smooth out your hair. In fact, the name and some of the ingredients in the products are the only real difference between the two. Both treatments temporarily coat the outer layer of one’s hair to remove frizz, enhance shine, and even reduce blow-dry time. However, while they are incredibly similar in application and end-goal, they differ slightly when it comes to the intensity of the product. A Brazilian can keep your natural texture the same and just remove frizz, whereas a keratin treatment is heavier and takes away more volume and frizz, essentially calming the curl. At the end of the day, the treatment you opt for will be based off your own preference. While the keratin treatment calms the curl more, it also offers a deeper conditioning of the hair, as there are far fewer harsh chemicals in this treatment. The next burning question we will tackle is whether the treatment will make your hair pin straight. Over the past few years, the keratin formula has changed. In the past, these treatments were used to give clients straighter hair, whereas nowadays it is geared more towards enhancing shine, repairing damaged ends, and improving the overall manageability. Whether you are left with pin straight hair or not will depend on what you want the end result to be. If you want straighter hair, you can inform your hair professional and they can customise the treatment to suit your request. Finally, what should you know about the application? Well, in terms of how long you should wait before washing your hair after a treatment, this will depend on the brand used by your stylist. Different products will have different specifications, and different hair types will have different reactions to the treatment. Therefore, ask your stylist how long they recommend you wait before washing your hair after having the treatment done. There you have it! Everything you need to know about Brazilian keratin hair treatments. If you have more questions, feel free to ask your professional hairdresser, as they will be able to answer all your questions.

We are now living in the 21st century and technology is advancing at such a rapid rate, it’s hard to keep up with all the changes that are occurring.  Technology and medicine have gone hand in hand for many years and the consistent advances in the medical and pharmaceutical industries have saved 100’s of millions of lives as well as improved the lives of millions of people. This is thanks to the brilliant medical equipment manufacturers in South Africa and the rest of the world. As technology continues to improve, so does medicine which means that there is no telling what new equipment or devices will be developed next. Now, let’s take a look at some of the latest medical industry technological developments: Smart Inhalers: Inhalers are used to treat asthma patients and if used correctly, will be 90% effective. However not everyone uses them correctly, which is why the smart inhaler was developed. It tracks when and ow you use the inhaler and sends the data to your smartphone for review. 3-D Printing: 3-D printing has quickly become one of the hottest and hyped-up pieces of tech out there. These printers can be used to make implants, replacement joints and even artificial organs! These printers have the functionality to match an individual’s measurements down to the millimetre which means that the new piece will fit perfectly and allow for ultimate levels of comfort and mobility. Health wearables: The demand for wearable devices has grown rapidly ever since Apple released the Apple Series 4 Watch, which had an integrated ECG system to monitor the wearer’s heart rhythms. This is a great leap for the medical industry as it could potentially detect dangerous heart conditions much earlier than usual. Robotic Surgery:  Robotic surgery is normally used to assist with precision, control and flexibility in some minimally invasive procedures. This allows for surgeons to perform procedures that are otherwise extremely difficult or impossible to complete. As time goes on and the technology advances it could be combined with augmented reality (VR) which allows surgeons to see live updated information about the patient while they are operating. CRISPR: Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats is the latest advance in gene-editing technology. What this technology does is it “harnesses the natural mechanisms of the immune system of bacterium cells of invading viruses”, which is then able to remove the infected DNA strands. The system transcribes the specified DNA sequence into short RNA sequences which is then capable of finding any DNA that matches the transcribe and then it binds to it and essentially cuts it off, shutting off the target gene. As the years go by, technology in the medical industry will continue to reach new heights and solve new problems. People are living longer than ever and fewer diseases are deemed incurable. Jobs in the pharmaceutical industry are in high, high demand. Who knows where technology will be in the next few years or what kinds of new machines we will invent!

In this day and age there are so many different types and styles of towels out there that it can seem a bit overwhelming to know which ones or how many to purchase. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your households’ budget because if it allows for it, each different type of towel serves a useful purpose in effective housekeeping and cleaning. There is a rule of thumb when it comes to owning towel sets and that is to have at least 2 sets of towels per person living in the house. Luckily for you, if you would like to shop towels in South Africa, there are a few suppliers who have online stores for you to check out. Now that we know the general rules that are set out for all towel owners, let’s look at some of the different types of towels there are and what exactly you use them for: Hair towel:  These towels are used to quickly dry your hair after a shower without having to lug a massive bath towel over your head. They also come in different sizes to accommodate for different hair lengths. Finger towel: Finger Towels are not the most common set of towels that you can find as only truly classy home-owners understand the true value of a great set of finger towels. They are amongst the smallest towels that you can buy next to wash cloths and usually come in sizes between 11 and 18 inches and are used for delicate drying.  Let’s say that you wet your finger tips to tame a wild piece of hair, you can then use a finger towel to lightly dab your finger dry. Face Towel: As the name suggests, these towels are used for drying one’s face. This helps protect sensitive skin from exposure to certain particles that could clog pores. Bath towel: These towels are made for drying your entire body, they are made from cotton, tend to be thicker than other towels and are able to wrap around your body. Wash Cloth: Wash cloths or “Lappie’s” are most commonly used for wiping counters, cleaning up messes or drying your mom’s car. They are compact and have many, many used. Hand Towels: These towels are essential for bathrooms and guest rooms as they are slightly smaller in size and normally hang next to a mirror or just off the table for when you need to dry your hands. Beach towel: also knows as swim towels, these towels are slightly longer in length and are woven tighter than your average bath towel because it will be used as a seat on the sand and to dry off your entire body after swimming. Gym Towel: If you don’t want to get weird looks while you are at the gym using a bright pink swimming towel then getting yourself a nice gym towel is necessary. You will want to purchase a hand towel used to wipe sweat.

The slaughtering of livestock is something that has been going on for 100’s of years, all over the world. Now, many people think that these slaughterhouses don’t treat their animal’s with respect but in the USA, there is an act called the Humane Slaughter Act, which states that all animals need to be treated with respect and are to be killed with the least amount of pain and stress. When it comes to the actual slaughtering of the animals, there are three main stages: Preslaughter handling, Stunning and Slaughtering. At each stage there are safety procedures to follow which prevent the meat and the employees from getting infections. Preslaughter: This stage can be of major concern to the livestock industry as stress applied to livestock before slaughter may lead to unwanted outcomes on the meat such as PSE and DFD. Preslaughter stress can be avoided by keeping different animal groups separate, keeping the livestock cool and by avoiding overcrowding. Animals should have access to fresh water at this stage but no food 12-24 hours before the slaughter. Stunning: When the process begins, the livestock at restrained in a chute that limits movement, the animal is then stunned to make sure of a humane ending with as little pain and stress as possible to ensure the best possible meat. The three most common forms of stunning are mechanical, electrical and CO2 gassing. The reason for stunning is to render the animal unconscious so that the slaughtering process goes smoothly. The mechanical method involves firing a bolt through the skull of the animal using a pneumatic device or a pistol. Electrical stunning involves shocking the animal with an electrical current through the brain. CO2 stunning is when you expose the animal to a good amount of gas which then acts as an anaesthetic. Slaughtering: Once the animal in unconscious, they are usually suspended by a hook in the hind limb and moved down a conveyer belt to then follow the slaughtering process. Once on the belt, the animals are cut open with a knife to start the bleeding process. The knife is inserted into the jugular and the carotid artery as this allows for maximum bleeding from the animal. From this point on, the process differs depending on the species.  There are also some general safety rules when it comes to working in a Cow Slaughterhouse, these include but are not limited to: Avoid wearing loose clothing or clothing that has dangling objects like string or zippers as these can get stuck in machinery. Wear an apron to protect your skin and clothes from raw animal products. Always wear a hairnet. Wear the correct gloves, long pants and closed shoes for the job. Try to keep your knives as sharp as possible at all times. A blunt knife requires a lot more pressure to make the cut which may lead to possible injuries. Don’t come to work if you are sick.  You risk not only infecting your co-workers but also the meat that you are working with.

Since the pandemic hit, many people have opted for, or have been told to work from home. This means that it is now more important than ever to keep your work-station neat and clean, otherwise it will completely consume your space, leaving you flustered and unable to concentrate on your work. Even though it is hard to distinguish the difference between our work-life and our home-life, having a well-kept office can assist you with keeping balance in your life. What is more, if you do not have great cable management accessories to keep your cables in check, it can be quite a dangerous game. Whether it is a nosey pet, a troublesome toddler, or a glass of water, they all have the potential to cause disaster. One bite on the wrong cable and that sends a lethal shock through your pets’ body, one pull on the wrong wire and your toddler could cause your computer to come crashing down, and one drop of water landing on your power cable could cause it to short or even blow up your PC. When it comes to making an organisational system, it can often be tough to know where to begin because when starting from the beginning, the journey ahead can seem a lot longer and scary than it actually is. Even if you only plan on picking a few items to help clear some space, the sheer number of items to choose from out there can be quite overwhelming. So, to save you time and money, check out this list of the best cable management accessories out there: Velcro cable wraps: Used to keep lengthy cables and cords untangled and out of the way or to wrap up long headphone and computer cables, these Velcro wraps are essential for keeping cables organised. Zip tie mounts: If you are one of those people who believe that duct tape and cable ties can fix anything, then this accessory could be perfect for you! These simple adhesive-backed mounts allow you to mount these cable ties anywhere you would like. Therefore, whether you are coiling cables behind your desktop or wanting to hang them against the wall, these are the pieces for you! Joto cable management sleeve:  Bundling your cables allows you to keep a neat workspace. If you are looking for a reusable system that can bundle 8 to 10 cables together in one sleeve, then this Velcro sleeve is the option for you. It is made from flexible, form-fitting neoprene and comes in two colours. Bellroy tech kit: This tech kit allows users to keep all of their cords together in one place and tangle-free. It zips out flat for easy access and has many pockets inside. This bag allows you to take all your cables with you wherever you may be going without the risk of tangling them, damaging them, or losing them! These are just some of the great cable management accessories out there. Depending on your requirements, you should go do some research on which pieces will declutter your life best.