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Motivating employees to work harder is a challenge that every manager or business owner faces at some point. Whether your team is experiencing a slump in productivity or you want to keep your top performers engaged and motivated, it’s important to find ways to inspire and incentivise your staff to work harder.

Here are some strategies that can help you motivate your team to achieve better results:

Set Clear Goals and Expectations
One of the main reasons employees become disengaged is because they don’t have a clear understanding of what they’re supposed to be working towards. To combat this, it’s important to set clear goals and expectations for your team. Make sure everyone is aware of what their role is and how it contributes to the overall success of the company. Use SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) to ensure everyone understands what success looks like and what they need to do to achieve it.

Celebrate Achievements
Recognising and celebrating achievements is a great way to motivate your staff. When an employee or team meets a goal or achieves a milestone, make sure to acknowledge their efforts and celebrate their success. This can be as simple as sending out an email congratulating the team or hosting a celebratory lunch. Public recognition can go a long way in motivating employees to work harder.

Provide Incentives
Offering incentives is another way to motivate your staff to work harder. Incentives could include bonuses, promotions, or additional time off. However, incentives should be tied to specific goals and expectations, so employees know what they need to do to earn them. Additionally, make sure the incentives are attainable and realistic, so employees don’t become discouraged.

Encourage Collaboration
Collaboration and teamwork can be a powerful motivator for employees. When employees work together, they can achieve more and feel a sense of accomplishment that can be difficult to achieve on their own. Encourage collaboration by fostering an open and communicative work environment. Use team-building exercises to help employees get to know one another and build relationships.

Provide Professional Development Opportunities
Investing in professional development opportunities can motivate employees to work harder by showing them that you’re invested in their future. Offer training programs, mentorship opportunities, or tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees or certifications. Providing professional development opportunities can help employees feel valued and invested in the company’s success.

Motivating your staff to work harder requires effort, but the results can be well worth it. By setting clear goals and expectations, celebrating achievements, providing incentives, encouraging ollaboration, and investing in professional development, you can inspire your team to achieve great things. Remember, motivated employees are happier, more productive, and more likely to stay with your company long-term.

Visiting a local art gallery can be a wonderful and enriching experience. It allows you to immerse yourself in the creative works of local artists and gain insight into their artistic expressions, while also supporting the local arts community. There are many reasons why people are attracted to visiting local art galleries, and in this post, we will explore some of them.

Firstly, local art galleries provide a unique platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their work. These galleries often focus on featuring works by local artists from the North East, which can be a refreshing change from the usual commercial art scene. By visiting a local art gallery, you can gain exposure to a variety of art styles and mediums, including paintings, sculptures, and installations, which may not be as easily accessible elsewhere.

Secondly, visiting a local art gallery allows you to connect with the local arts community. Art galleries are often a hub for artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts to come together and discuss the latest art trends and events. By visiting a gallery, you can meet other like-minded individuals and engage in meaningful conversations about art, culture, and society. You may also have the opportunity to attend artist talks or workshops, which can deepen your understanding of the art on display and provide insights into the creative process.

Thirdly, visiting your local art gallery in Newcastle can be a relaxing and meditative experience. Art has the power to evoke emotions, inspire creativity, and spark new ideas. By immersing yourself in the art on display, you can take a break from your daily routine and let your mind wander. Art galleries often provide a peaceful and contemplative atmosphere, which can be a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

A local art gallery also supports the local arts community and economy. By purchasing art or attending events at a local gallery, you are directly contributing to the success of local artists and galleries. This support is essential for the growth and sustainability of the arts community, which plays an important role in shaping the cultural identity of a city or town.

Other reasons why visiting a local art gallery can be an attractive and meaningful experience include that local art galleries often showcase works that reflect the unique character and history of the local community. This can give visitors a deeper appreciation of the cultural and historical context in which the art was created. For example, a local gallery may feature works that are inspired by the natural landscapes, architecture, or social issues of the surrounding area. By engaging with these works, visitors can gain a better understanding of the local culture and its artistic heritage.

Another reason to visit a local art gallery is to discover new and emerging artists. Many galleries are dedicated to promoting the work of up-and-coming artists, who may not yet have gained widespread recognition. By visiting these galleries, you can discover fresh and innovative perspectives on art and culture, and support the growth and development of new talent.

Additionally, local art galleries can be a great source of inspiration and ideas for creative projects. Whether you are an artist yourself or simply looking for inspiration in your personal or professional life, a gallery can provide a wealth of creative stimuli. By immersing yourself in the art on display, you can spark new ideas, experiment with new techniques, and deepen your appreciation of the power of art to transform and inspire.

Finally, for now, visiting a local art gallery can be a fun and engaging social activity. Whether you visit with friends, family, or on your own, a gallery can provide a unique and stimulating environment for social interaction. You can discuss and debate the merits of different works, share your own reactions and interpretations, and connect with others who share your passion for art and culture.

A local art gallery, such as the Biscuit Factory art gallery in Newcastle can be an enriching and meaningful experience for many different reasons. Whether you are seeking inspiration, knowledge, connection, or simply a relaxing and enjoyable activity, a local gallery can offer something for everyone. By supporting the local arts community, you can help to create a vibrant and dynamic cultural landscape that enriches the lives of all who live and work in the area.

Hiring the services of financial planners can help you create the future you are striving for, effortlessly. Whether you need help managing the finances and budgets of your business or you would like to create a more defined budget for your family expenses, an innovative financial planning and investment management solution can help you achieve your goals.

While many entrepreneurs solely focus on saving up and reducing expenses, such services are a valuable investment.

Here at Gale and Phillipson, we understand that nurturing your business idea is a process that can require time and effort. Having to spend some of those precious resources crafting budgets and checking on cash flow can distract you from more important goals.

Having an In-Depth Knowledge of Financial Markets at Your Service
We know you are an excellent manager, an innovative entrepreneur, or a bright technician. However, to see your business booming, you don’t necessarily need to be an expert in finance as well – that is where we come in.

Financial advisors are those experts who are continuously building on years of experience in the financial markets. Today, they are working to put at your disposal all this expertise and knowledge, allowing you to make informed decisions.

While it might be challenging to foresee how market trends will evolve and change over time, financial advisors understand the dynamics of this complex environment. Whether you are thinking of leveraging these skills for your private goals or business objective, you can trust years of experience and resources.

Achieving Personal Goals
One of the main motivations for clients to hire a financial advisor is to make more sense out of their personal finances. Managing personal finances can be challenging, especially because often our career path is not as straight and upward as we had originally planned it to be.

Whether you are growing a business from scratch or climbing up the career ladder, incomes and expenses are likely to differ from year to year and from month to month.

However, opportunities come and go, and seizing the moments is paramount – both in your private and professional life.

Getting in touch with a personal financial advisor can be an optimal choice to understand better what are the best financial moves you can make to ensure a bright future for you and your family.

Saving and Budgeting Without Sacrificing
Saving for a house, a college found, a baby or the wedding of your dreams is something that we will all be doing at some points in our lives. However, in our society, often saving is considered a synonym for sacrifices and restrictive lifestyles.

If you don’t know where it is smart to cut down on and what is the area in which to spend more, it can indeed feel like a dissatisfying way of living. However, a professional financial advisor will look after both your happiness and your wallet.

These professionals will be able to point you in the right direction to create a budget that will allow you to enjoy any family holiday while seeing the numbers in your savings account increase!

Meeting Your Retirement Goals
Speaking about retirement plans and goals is something that we all try to avoid, as this always seems to be a very far away moment in time.

However, working towards the retirement of your dreams is a marathon rather than a sprint. The process requires constancy and commitment.

And, sometimes, it isn’t easy to focus on a goal that is so far away! Nonetheless, a financial advisor will help you create a long-term plan that you can effortlessly follow and not even think about the little sacrifices you will make along the way.

And, for such a little effort, you will be able to live your golden years exactly as you had pictured.

Counting on Your Business’ Cash Flow
Your business’ cash flow is one of the main concerns for managers and entrepreneurs alike. This is the field of the company and being low on liquidity can translate into a significant financial impact on your operations.

A financial advisor will help you manage your business finances in a way that will ensemble you always to have enough cash at your disposal to launch any project you have in mind.

Reduced Financial Risk for You and Your Business
Whether you have hired a financial advisor to have better control over your private or business-related finances, you can enjoy greater peace of mind.

Especially when it comes down to calculating the risk of certain financial moves, investments, and expenditures, it is recommendable to confide in someone with extensive experience in the field.

Professional Advice on All Financial Matters
Lastly, sometimes, you might just need a word of encouragement or find out a second opinion on an action you are about to take.

Here at Gale and Phillipson, we understand how important your savings are for you and the potential that each penny has when placed well. That is why from our financial advisors, you can always expect honest, discreet, and straightforward advice that is easy to understand and follow. Of course, the last word over your finances is always yours!

As the UK moves through the spring bank holidays, new research from eBay Ads UK reveals that Brits’ passion for their gardens has blossomed over the past two years, with over two in five (43%) people reporting using their garden or outdoor space more now than before the pandemic.

And consumers’ newfound relationship for their ‘small outdoors’ is set to continue, spelling a lucrative season for home and garden retailers as the Early May Bank Holiday and Platinum Jubilee bumper bank holiday weekend ignite Brits’ garden fever.

The research, which surveyed 1,000 UK consumers, finds that successive lockdowns have converted Brits into a nation of green-fingered enthusiasts. Over a third (35%) say they have kept up their gardening habits and hobbies acquired in lockdown, and almost a quarter (23%) report doing more gardening now since before the pandemic. And this newfound love is enduring: over a third (34%) also say they are now more passionate about gardening compared to pre-pandemic.

In fact, supporting insights from eBay Ads UK illustrate a clear growth in garden purchases on the platform during the pandemic. In May 2021, purchases of ‘herbs’ and ‘compost’ on ebay.co.uk were up 124% and 57% respectively compared to May 2019.

With the Early May bank holiday just around the corner, the insights also show that retailers should be prepared for consumer interest in all things cultivation to surge as Brits take to their gardens. Search data from ebay.co.uk from the Early May bank holiday last year (1-3 May 2021) found that searches in the Garden & Patio category increased 32% over the course of the weekend compared to the three days previous. Meanwhile, searches for ‘allotment’ and ‘greenhouse’ shot up by 62% and 43% respectively in the same time period.

While not all Brits are ready to get their hands dirty, they have still grown to better appreciate their gardens, with 43% of UK consumers saying they now take more pride in them than they did pre-pandemic. Almost a quarter (23%) spend more of their leisure time in their outdoor space now, and almost half (48%) of consumers surveyed say that quiet relaxing outdoors is their favourite way to use their space.

eBay Ads UK insights also indicate that brands should be prepared for consumers to splurge on outdoor furniture during their spring downtime, as ebay.co.uk recorded a spike in garden and patio searches on last year’s Late May bank holiday (29-31 May 2021). Compared to the three days previous, searches for ‘sunlounger’ rose by a massive 221% over the course of the long weekend, and searches for ‘deck chair’ and ‘garden sofa’ surged by 197% and 115% respectively in the same time frame.

With Brits now a ‘garden proud’ nation, the research reveals this trend is set to continue as the majority (79%) of consumers are planning on investing in their outdoor spaces in the coming months. Almost a third (31%) of consumers are planning to beautify their flower beds by buying seeds, plants and bulbs. Meanwhile, as consumers prepare to spend more time in their gardens to socialise, one in five (20%) plan to buy garden furniture and 17% are set to purchase barbecues.

Elisabeth Rommel, Global GM at eBay Ads commented: “It comes as no surprise to retailers that gardening bloomed during successive lockdowns, however, these insights show that the habits developed in lockdown are here to stay, and many of us are planning to keep up our green-fingered and garden-oriented habits for the longer term. With Brits interested in purchasing everything from gardening gloves for their shrubbery to furniture for hosting a backyard bash, retailers would do well to ensure they’re one step ahead and be prepared for consumers to celebrate and shop for these upcoming bank holidays.”

With the Queen’s Jubilee bank holiday on the horizon, it’s important for retailers to also note the party potential of Brits’ backyards as they come together to honour the occasion, and prepare to get stock ready for the celebrations. Almost half (45%) of UK consumers intend to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee bank holiday, whilst nearly a third (32%) have plans for hosting their own celebrations in the works and one in five (21%) are planning to make the most of the sun by spending this weekend outdoors.

The BBC are reporting that children as young as five use social media, despite most platforms having rules users must be over the age of 13. In an annual study into media habits, from Ofcom, highlighted the mini social-media mavens, with a third of parents of five- to seven-year-olds revealing their child had a social-media profile.

Among the eight- to 11-year-olds who used social media, the most popular platform was TikTok, with one in every three having an account.

TikTok is a “strictly a 13+ platform”.

A spokesman for the viral video-sharing platform said: “We have processes in place to enforce our minimum-age requirements, both at the point of sign-up and through the continuous proactive removal of suspected under-age accounts from the platform. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our community, especially young people.”

The report noted even younger children, TikTots as Ofcom dubbed them – were watching videos on TikTok, including 16% of the three- to four-year-olds. However, this could be children being shown videos by a parent or other older person and does not imply they have own accounts.

Ofcom strategy and research director Yih-Choung Teh said the findings were “really striking”.

“I have an 11-year-old and an eight-year-old,” he said, “60% of their peers have a social-media profile, which I find a bit surprising. Big-tech platforms set minimum ages in their terms and conditions – but it does seem that they aren’t really being enforced.”

But Mr Teh also said parents had to be aware of what their children were doing online. “It’s not always very easy to tell what they’re watching and I think, as a parent, we have responsibilities to have a good dialogue with our kids about what they are doing,” he said.

The survey also found 22% of parents of three- to four year-olds and 38% of parents of eight- to 11-year-olds said they would allow their child to have a profile on social media before they reached the minimum age.

“Many children could be tactically using other accounts or ‘finstas’ – fake Instagrams – to conceal aspects of their online lives from parents,” Ofcom suggested.

Instagram is an over-13’s platform and offers a number of parental controls.

But across social media many children choose to have multiple profiles on the same social media app or site the survey suggested.

Two out of every three of eight to 11-year-olds surveyed used multiple accounts or profiles on social media, the regulator said. “Among these, almost half (46%) have an account just for their family to see,” it noted.

The survey also found one out of every five of children aged 12-17, surfed in incognito mode or deleted their browsing history.

The just published Online Safety Bill makes it a legal requirement for sites and platforms that show pornography to prevent children accessing inappropriate or harmful material. But a significant minority may already be adept at working around technologies designed to prevent access to inappropriate material, the survey suggests.

One in 20 children “circumvented parental controls put in place to stop them visiting certain apps and sites (6%)” Ofcom said.

Mr Teh said those who were digital natives would often have skills beyond many of their parents. The key was “ensuring that we have a good awareness of the online environment, what tools that we can use in terms of parental controls, but also that we have conversations with our kids about what they’re doing”.

But the study also found the children had many positive experiences online. Despite significant concerns, 53% of the 13- to 17-year-olds told Ofcom being online was good for their mental health, while 17% disagreed.

The survey also found 70% of the adults were confident they could spot misinformation – but only 20% could correctly identify the tell-tale signs of a genuine post.

Among the 12- to 17-year-olds, these proportions were nearly 75% and just over 10%.