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Jason Obrien

Refrigerated Trucking 101: What It Is and How to Do It Right

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Refrigerated trucking is the transportation of highly perishable goods in temperature-controlled carriers, which are also referred to as reefers. This product delivery system is constantly increasing in popularity. If you’re looking to get into this business, here’s what you need to know about refrigerated trucking:

refrigerated truck delivering goods

Reefer Trailer Construction

The carriers of the trailers are usually constructed with metal and fiberglass. Their walls, ceilings, and floors are designed to not only provide heat insulation but also absorb odors.

The heavy construction is then fitted with refrigeration units, ensuring that the temperature required is maintained. A single carrier can be divided into several units. Each of these can be set to a different temperature. This facilitates the transportation of different types of goods at different temperature levels.

Goods Transported By Refrigerated trucks

Refrigerated trailers vary in load capacity–the big ones can take up to a maximum of 43,500 lbs. Here’s a list of some of the goods you can transport with your reefer:

  • Honey bees
  • Tobacco
  • Flowers
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Candles
  • Hazardous materials
  • Meat
  • Groceries

Depending on demand, you may want to specialize in one line of products or be a Jack of all trades. In other words, if transporting flowers alone can keep you busy throughout and pay your bills, you can stick to that line. But if flowers alone can’t give you enough returns, you can carry any of these products whenever you’re called to.

How To Find Reefer Loads

You need to know where and how to find loads to transport. If you can’t find a shipper that keeps you fully occupied with deliveries, a good alternative is to work with several shippers. This is very possible through the use of online load boards.

Typically, shippers and brokers post on the platform about the type and volume of loads they need to be delivered to various destinations. By being a member of such load boards, you can easily find reefer loads.

Make sure to sign up with a reliable platform that regularly vets the shippers. You don’t want to work with fraudulent people who can swindle you. A good platform also enables you to competitively price your services in correspondence with the current market rates, enabling you to make good profits.

staff setting temperature of refrigerated truck

Food Safety Rules And Regulations

When transporting food in refrigerated trucks, it’s important to handle the shipment with care to avoid contamination.

Thoroughly clean the carriers before loading new products. Doing so prevents cross-contamination of the current freight by the previous ones. Take note that contamination can lead to food poisoning for the consumers. In the worst-case scenario, this can cause death, for which you can be sued.

In this sense, it’s also good if you work with truck loaders who are well trained in safe food handling. This way, you can rest assured that you’ll deliver uncontaminated food to your clients’ customers.

Market Volatility

Seasons definitely impact the availability of loads to transport. Food and flower industries have high and low seasons. When its harvest time, fresh fruits and vegetables increase in the market. This means they need to be transported by certain dates or else they go bad.

As a reefer owner, you should take advantage of the produce season. Schedule your trips more regularly to make the most profits during these high seasons. Also, combine shipments from various clients to ensure your truck is filled to capacity. Just ensure that you don’t overload and break your country’s laws. You can be fined heavily, ruining your business’ financial standing.

When the low season comes, you can consider modifying your truck to also carry dry weight, which refers to loads that don’t require temperature control.

Keeping Records

Record keeping is very necessary for the transport business. Without proper records, you can easily mix up shipments from different clients, then fail to know the exact ones to be delivered to a particular customer. Delivering the wrong products to customers is a sure way of triggering complaints and conflicts. 

Additionally, proper records act as proof that you did what was required of you. For instance, if the goods in transit are supposed to maintain a certain temperature, you can use your records to prove to the client that you transported them at the required temperature. Should they go bad, then it can be attributed to other causes, and not poor temperature regulation.

Maintaining Cleaning Standards

As mentioned earlier, you should always ensure that your trucks are thoroughly cleaned before loading. Depending on what you’re transporting, you may need to take your cleaning procedure an extra mile.

Fruits and vegetables, for example, are likely to absorb odors. Assume you carried candles on one trip, followed by fruits and veggies on the next trip. If the candle scents linger in the carriers, the fruits and vegetables may absorb the strong smells, and end up tasting awful. So, on top of cleaning the carriers with water, you need to air them until the smells disappear.

Remember to avoid the use of corrosive chemicals since they can corrode metal surfaces and could harbor contaminants.

Preventing And Handling Breakdowns

Equipment can fail anytime. This means they should be closely and regularly monitored. Install alarms that alert you when there are system faults, such as penetration of outside air into the carriers.

On top of that, always schedule thorough check-ups before and after deliveries. Inspect your trucks for flaws in proper airflow, security seals, tire pressure, and wall damage. This ensures that your trips proceed with minimal interruptions.

It’s also important to travel with a professional reefer mechanic. Should any system break down, they can quickly correct the fault, allowing you to quickly get back on the road. This way, you’ll always be punctual with deliveries.

Tracking Shipments

Your clients will most probably be interested in knowing the location of their cargo at any point in time. So, consider installing digital video recorders in your refrigerated truck. This way, they can receive live updates on your whereabouts via the internet. Such transparency portrays you as an honest entrepreneur, hence clients won’t find it hard to stay loyal to you.

Conclusion

You now have information that can help you to successfully run your refrigerated trucking business. With the right approach, this can be a highly profitable venture.

This 5G Stock Is a Terrific Bargain Right Now

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Investors wanting to add fast-growing firms to their portfolios at favourable prices will benefit from the current sell-off in tech stocks. Several high-profile tech firms are currently on sale, including one that could lead you in capitalizing on the hot 5G trend.

Synaptics (NASDAQ: SYNA), arguably one of the best 5G stocks, is well-positioned to benefit from the spread of 5G networks and devices, as well as a number of additional growth opportunities. Furthermore, after a pullback at the end of April, the stock is currently trading at lower multiples.

Let’s take a look at why you should purchase this 5G stock right now.

Synaptics’ mobile business can rev up its engines once again

Despite market instability, Synaptics stock has been flying high in 2021, owing to the phenomenal development of its Internet of Things (IoT) division, which has kicked on the throttle in recent quarters. The mobile business’ contribution to Synaptics’ top line has dwindled in recent years, falling to only 25% of overall sales in fiscal Q3 from 54% the year before.

Synaptics’ mobile revenue fell to $81 million last quarter, down from $177 million the year before, a 54 percent drop. However, investors should keep in mind that the segment’s revenue was damaged by the sale of the mobile LCD (liquid-crystal display) TDDI (touch/display integration) business, which was finalized in April of last year. Synaptics’ quarterly revenue from that business was roughly $65 million.

Synaptics’ mobile business is poised for long-term development, therefore investors should be optimistic. Several smartphone OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) have awarded the business design victories for its OLED (organic light-emitting diode) touch controllers, including Apple for the iPhone 12.

Apple is one of Synaptics’ most important mobile clients, which is fortunate because the iPhone manufacturer is dominating the 5G smartphone industry. In the first quarter of 2021, Apple sold 40.4 million units of the all-OLED, 5G-enabled iPhone 12 range, accounting for 30% of total shipments. Apple’s excellent sales momentum can be maintained since millions of consumers are apparently waiting to upgrade to its upcoming 5G phones, sparking a multiyear upgrade cycle that would be beneficial to Synaptics.

Apple, on the other hand, is just one of several drivers for Synaptics’ mobile business. Synaptics recently announced that its second-generation OLED touch controllers are now in serial production, increasing the company’s technological edge over competitors. As a consequence, as CEO Michael Hurlston said on the company’s most recent earnings conference, they’re gaining momentum with prominent smartphone OEMs.

Things are going to get a whole lot better

Going by the midpoint of Synaptics’ forecast range, the company’s mobile business would produce $78 million in revenue this quarter, down about 35% from the previous quarter. As a result, this quarter’s year-over-year reduction in mobile revenue is likely to decelerate significantly. Once the new smartphone design wins go into production, and the impact of the now-divided LCD business fades away after this quarter, the firm should start putting on the pedal.

In a recent conference call with investors, CEO Michael Hurlston observed, “We’re sort of now at the bottom of our mobile revenue curve…from here, we will build.”

4 Reasons You Should Build Your Own Computer

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Building a pc is deceptively simple. Plus, in an increasingly digital age, learning computing skills can greatly benefit your future career prospects.

With more people learning coding skills now, getting ahead of the curve and involved with building computers is a smart move.

We look at four reasons why you should build your own computer.

It is Cost Effective

The cost of personal computers and laptops has become astonishingly high over the last decade. Even more so if you need a powerful computer for gaming. Building your own computer can dramatically reduce costs.

Starting with a computer kit such as a Raspberry Pi can help you create your computer for less money. In addition, starting with a kit will provide you with some of the essential hardware you need in one easy project.

It Facilitates Learning

Whether you already know how to code, or you are just starting on your digital development journey, building your own computer can greatly improve your skills and help facilitate your ongoing computing education.

Many computer kit companies such as OKdo run workshops or have video content to help you learn the skills you need to build a computer. If you are planning a career in software or computer development, learning these skills will be essential.

It gives you more Choice

When building your own computer, you will have complete ownership over which parts to use. With a store-bought computer system, you will not have the same level of choice and might end up with a computer that has parts not powerful enough to perform the way you want them to.

Choosing your own parts is all part of building a powerful computer that is tailor-made to your requirements. Which is ultimately the point of creating your own computer in the first place.

It allows you greater Control

When you buy a ready-made computer, you may need help from tech support to troubleshoot any problems that occur. When you build your own computer, you effectively become your own tech support.

As you know your computer inside out you will know how to tackle any issues or fix any faults that might pop up as you use your computer. If you have built the operating system your computer runs on as well, you will also be able to create and fix any updates easily should they happen.

4 Ways on How you can Secure Your Sensitive Data

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Technology has completely changed most of our lives in recent years. Billions of people all around the globe have access to the web, and they use it for all different things. People rely on technology to work, socialize, communicate with others, play games, the list goes on. It is hard to imagine life without technology. 

Unfortunately, there are many downsides to the technology we use. One of the biggest issues internet users face is cybercrime. There are thousands of cybercriminals out there that are looking for new victims, and with many people working from remote locations since the outbreak of Covid-19, there has been a huge increase in the number of cyberattacks reported. 

Most of the time, hackers are looking to steal sensitive data. They are known to extort money from their victims, and to steal their identity. This can ruin a person’s life, and catching the culprits is often very difficult for authorities. Most of the time cybercriminals are located abroad, so there is very little local authorities can do to help. However, there are many things you can do to reduce the chances of becoming a victim.

Invest in a VPN Provider

Investing in a well-known, secure VPN service can boost your security settings. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) will mask your original IP address and replace it with a new one. Cybercriminals find it a lot harder to hack computers if the person is using a VPN. Without knowing their victim’s genuine IP address, gaining access to their computer is not going to be easy. 

There has been a huge increase in the number of people purchasing VPN services since the pandemic began. Because a lot of folks are working from home instead of in an office, it is not surprising that so many people have been wanting to increase their security. People worry about sending confidential files and folders through a network without having a VPN.

There are a lot of VPN providers looking for new customers, so you can really get good value for your money. Avoid running free VPN services. Although it might seem like a good idea to employ a free VPN, your genuine IP address is at risk of being leaked.

Use a Virtual Data Room

In the past, businesses all around the world used Physical Data Rooms to store sensitive files and folders. However, over the past couple of decades, Virtual Data Rooms (VDR) have become a popular alternative. 

A VDR is a highly secure repository on the web that allows users to store, review and edit sensitive files. It allows multiple users to store data, and administrators can set different permissions so they are in control of the data that is stored in the room. They can decide what documents are allowed to be edited, whether or not the users are allowed to “copy” and “paste” files if the users are allowed to take screenshots, and who is allowed to use the data room. 

Businesses have been employing this service for several years. Most business owners feel VDRs are more secure than Physical Data Room. Physical documents can get destroyed or damaged over time, and they are not as convenient as VDRs. An employee can access the VDR whenever, and wherever they want. They don’t have to physically go to the office to store or access files located in a VDR. For more information about Virtual Data Rooms, check out https://www.firmex.com/.  

Store your Files with an Encrypted Hard Drive


Encrypting your hard drives is another popular way to secure your sensitive data. There is a lot of software readily available online that allows you to do a Full Disk Encryption (FDE), which is one of the most popular encryption methods. Without using an FDE, cybercriminals will find it easy to access your files and folders stored on your drive. 

Consider buying an external hard drive, or flash drive to store highly secure data. They can be used for confidential files and you don’t have to have them connected to your computer all the time. Encrypting all your hard drives, internal and external drives will make it a lot harder for hackers to gain access. To access these drives, cybercriminals will have to show your password. 

A lot of people use smart devices to connect to the internet, and many assume that they are a lot safer than desktop computers or laptops, but cybercriminals attacking smart devices have been increasing in recent years. If you store sensitive data on a smart device, understand that you are vulnerable to becoming a victim of a cyber attack too. A lot of smart devices allow you to add a micro SD card. If you invest in a micro SD you can secure your private data by encrypting it with a highly secure password. 

Use a Strong Password

One of the easiest and one of the most effective ways of securing your sensitive data is by using strong passwords. If you want to improve your current passwords, follow these steps:

  1. Do not use the same password twice: Have a different password for your email address, social networking profiles, your online bank account, etc. Although it’s easier to remember the same password, it puts your device and the files stored on your device at serious risk. 
  2. When you are making your password, make sure nobody sees you: Avoid creating a new password in a public place. If someone looks over your shoulder, they will be able to access your account. 
  3. Log off: Once you are finished using a device, don’t forget to log out of any accounts you have opened. If a person uses the device after you, they will be able to access the accounts you forgot to log out of. This can be extremely dangerous, especially if you are using a computer in a public area like a WiFi cafe.
  4. Don’t tell anyone what your passwords are.
  5. Change your password: People have the same email address for decades without changing their password. Consider creating a new password periodically, and don’t use the same password that you have used in the past. 
  6. Consider using at least 8 different characters when creating a new password. Make it even harder for hackers to guess your password by using upper and lowercase letters. You can add symbols and numbers too. 
    1. Don’t create a password that is difficult to remember, but don’t use one that is easy to guess either. 

If you find it difficult to remember all your passwords, you can write it down to remind you. However, be careful where you store it. Avoid storing it near your computer or your smart devices. Instead, consider storing it in the back of an old photograph inside a frame. 

There are strength analyzers online that will tell you if the password you have chosen is strong or not. 

Conclusion

In 2021, there will be around thirty thousand websites attacked each day. The majority of businesses around the world have experienced at least one cyber attack. Last year, ransomware cases increased by one hundred and fifty percent. People around the globe have lost vast sums of money, their private files and folders, and their identity to these criminals. Avoid being complacent, and make sure your security settings have been updated. 

7 Reasons A Forklift Rental Can Benefit Your Business

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If you own a business that requires moving heavy materials from time to time, you might feel uncertain about whether you should buy a forklift or rent one instead. Although it wouldn’t hurt to have your own equipment, there are several cases where forklift rental is the better option.

When you rent a forklift, you get the convenience of flexibility with the make or model, hire type, length of rental, and maintenance package. You can also reduce your operational expenses if you take this route.

crane with luggage in a warehouse

Read on to find out why you should rent a forklift for your business:

1. Cost-Effectiveness

There’s a right time for you to buy large equipment, especially if it involves a high cost. A forklift, in particular, can have a price tag of tens of thousands of dollars. Thus, it would make sense to look into other more cost-effective options first before acquiring one.

Buying capital equipment may drain your funds if you don’t plan for it well. You can only compensate for the cost if you manage to keep the equipment for a long time and maximize its use.

On the other hand, forklift leasing in Toronto or anywhere else can spare you from spending a significant amount of money. Unless you’ll use the forklift for your day-to-day business operations, your investment may end up just sitting in a corner waiting to be utilized. Instead of letting that happen, you can use your capital for other aspects of your business that require financial attention.

2. Flexibility

Aside from saving money, you get to enjoy the flexibility of terms if you decide to rent a forklift. Since you can hire a forklift depending on the demand and needs of your business, you can rent it for a day, a month, a year, or an indefinite period.

Although there’ll be a hire contract when you rent a forklift, it shouldn’t be a big concern since it would contain your preferred terms.

crane operator discussing work plan

If you intend to use a forklift only for a short period, forklift rental is the better option. After all, there’s nothing practical about buying a new forklift for short-term use.

3. Maintenance

Even if you don’t use it every single day, the time will come when you’ll need to have your forklift repaired or maintained. Maintenance and repairs on any equipment can be costly, depending on the damage or amount of wear and tear on it.

When you own a forklift and it breaks down, you have to spend on the labor and parts and consider the amount of time the repairs would take. You cannot forget the possible losses for your business, too. When your forklift breaks down, downtime can occur in your business operations.

However, when you rent a forklift, expert technicians from the rental company can do immediate repair. Forklift rental is the most cost-efficient option should unit failure occur because you’ll get a backup if there are mechanical problems. The repair team can quickly address the issue, and if they can’t, the company can provide you with a replacement unit.

Moreover, renting a forklift can help you avoid the recurring expenses associated with the periodic maintenance of the vehicle. When you choose to own a forklift, one of your responsibilities is to regularly send it for servicing and maintenance to ensure that it’s in perfect condition and keep your forklift drivers safe.

4. Scalability

Aside from the length of the rental period, you can easily decide on the number of forklifts you’ll rent depending on your needs. There may be times when you have to get more vehicles to meet your operational demands. Renting allows you to use any number of forklifts without spending too much.

On the other hand, buying your own forklifts may be a waste if you won’t be using some of them on lean seasons. By renting, you can decrease or increase the number of forklifts you’re using anytime.

5. Trouble-Free Compliance

There’s another issue you may encounter once you own a forklift: passing strict air quality standards. You don’t want to lose your reputation if you’re found violating air quality standards since that can be inconvenient and costly to resolve.

If you rent a forklift, you can prevent yourself from taking on the burden of following the regulations. Since reliable rental companies would want to save themselves from the issue of noncompliance, you can be confident that the forklift you’re about to rent meets all safety standards.

6. Operational Efficiency

Besides complying with safety standards, most forklift rental companies offer forklifts that are not more than two years old. Thus, you’ll likely get relatively new equipment with the latest features when you rent a forklift. This gives your business the advantage of completing various tasks more quickly because you’re not using an outdated model or version of the forklift.

As mentioned, you have to keep up with maintenance when you own a forklift. If the vehicle you have is outdated, you may have to purchase a newer model to ensure employee efficiency and safety.

A forklift rental company can help you conquer those challenges as they provide some of the most recent forklift models. There’ll be no downtime due to the malfunctioning of older models, which means your operational efficiency will stay intact.

7. Improved Productivity

As mentioned, owning a forklift would be impractical in the long run if you don’t use it every day. If you familiarize yourself with your daily operations, you’ll know when the busiest time of the day is for your business. Once you obtain solid data determining the most hectic periods for your business within a year, you can determine when to work with a rental company for a short-term forklift rental.

For instance, the busiest periods of your business may be during holidays such as Black Friday and the Christmas season. You can arrange the forklift rental for those particular periods only. As a result, you can boost your business’ productivity during those peak seasons and make good use of the vehicle as well.

Conclusion

Now you know how beneficial forklift rental can be for your business. While this article doesn’t aim to discourage you from buying and owning a forklift, there’s a perfect time for acquiring that kind of vehicle. Before anything else, you have to figure out how often your business would need a forklift. If you want to use a forklift without the hassles mentioned above, go ahead and look for a credible rental company in your area.

How Businesses Should Adapt As Restrictions Ease After the Pandemic

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The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world in so many ways, and businesses have needed to adapt in a number of ways to stay operational. Many businesses have had to temporarily close their doors owing to the negative impacts of the pandemic. On the other hand, many businesses have fought tooth and nail to survive amidst this global pandemic.

Now we’re seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, and there is talk of restrictions easing. However, businesses should be careful not to be complacent in seeing this as a return to “normal”. We must remember that many of the changes that occurred during lockdown were not temporary but will have a long-lasting effect on how a business functions.

Now that the restrictions are easing off, businesses need to re-evaluate how they will bring themselves out in the market in this new normal. There will involve not only functional changes but tools and systems and structural changes as well.

Review Work Models

During the pandemic, many businesses have moved to a remote work model. That is why when a business reopens after the pandemic, one of the first thing they need to do is review is whether they will continue with remote work, bring their staff back to the office, or a combination of the two.

Businesses should consider that their employees’ personal situations may very well have changed over the course of the pandemic and they need to provide workable solutions for everyone. They may need to introduce new policies depending on the current situation.

Be Prepared for Crises

Over the past year, businesses had to go through many crises and taking stock is necessary before you move forward with a new plan. It is essential that the new plan sets you up to be prepared for whatever crisis may be just around the corner.

Although restrictions are easing now, the past year has shown us that they may be re-introduced at any time. Therefore, your business must have plans in place to rapidly and effectively respond if this happens without threatening your operations.

Identify Scope of Failure

Businesses need to keep in mind that even though they have had more than a year to understand this situation, they could still fail. You might come up with different contingency plans to make your business survive. However, there can be drastic changes that could lead to the failure of those plans.

That is why you need to have backup plans that will lessen the blow. Develop plans that would help you continue your business as smoothly as possible. You need to take into consideration the past failures and the pain points that you have identified. Above all, make sure you are in a position to be flexible – that way, you’ll be able to deal with anything that life throws at you.

Ensure Proper Communication

Communication with your staff and stakeholders is essential once you decide to reopen your business in the context of the pandemic. Even if restrictions are being eased, your business will go through a lot of changes. Your employees and stakeholders are the two main pillars of your business, and they must be kept in the loop.

These two groups need to be assured that they are protected from ongoing mishaps. You will need to enhance your leadership role and look after your staff, customers, and others associated with your business.

Be sure to keep the communication consistent so that people know everything you plan on doing. Even if your organization has suffered losses during the pandemic, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need to let your staff go. You may be able to find solutions your staff can keep their jobs while helping to get your business back on track.

Keep Track of Other Risks

COVID-19 might be the only threat on your mind at the moment, but there are other risks to consider as well. Your business is vulnerable to many threats such as cyber theft, aggressive competition, market changes, and more. Don’t let COVID consume you to the point that you overlook the other threats facing your business.

You need to prepare your business and put yourself in a position to withstand various threats. Prepare your staff in the same way and emphasize different areas that need to be considered. Make sure you have proper contingency plans in place to deal with each threat.

Summing Up

A business needs to protect their greatest assets: their people. During the pandemic, many businesses have suffered huge losses and had to let go of staff members. However, with the ease of restrictions, businesses are slowly building up to return to their former self.

The pandemic has changed the business landscape, perhaps forever. It is important for companies to consider these changes and be adaptable to sustain their business in the long run.

How did Bike Sales perform in 2020?

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2020 was a tough year for the automotive industry. Dealerships were forced to close indefinitely while road traffic fell to its lowest levels in over half a century as Brits were ordered to stay at home as much as possible. Yet motorbike sales weren’t as heavily impacted as their four-wheeled counterparts.  

New bike sales dropped by just 2,796 compared to 2019, likely driven by a desire for Covid-friendly transport solutions and solo adventure. Some segments even saw demand increase year on year as people and businesses adapted to a new way of life, while overall bike sales in December increased by 58%.  

So what micro-trends emerged amid a relatively successful year for the motorbike industry? 

Scooters and mopeds put to work

Did you spend a lot of 2020 listening out for delivery drivers? As all types of businesses adapted to shifting consumer habits, many acquired extra scooters and mopeds for delivery drivers to cater for our increased demand. Scooter registrations rose by 11% in 2020, compared to a 7% drop for motorbikes overall.   

Cafes and restaurants in particular were behind this trend as people treated themselves on weekends or while working from home. Many consumers will also have invested in scooters as an alternative to packed public transport for commuting.   

Off-road bikes perform strongly

From trail bikes to quad bikes, off-roaders also had a strong year as people looked for different ways to entertain themselves, get outdoors and blow off steam in their spare time. Trail bike sales dropped by less than 1% in an extraordinary year, with manufacturers such as BMW performing particularly strongly.  

This segment performed even better in the US where off-road bike sales surged by a huge 47%, while the Australian market recorded similar patterns. The number of people taking out specialist insurance policies for quad bikes and other off-road vehicles is also likely to have boomed as a result.   

More riders switch on to electric

It’s no secret that electric vehicles are the future as the UK government aims to eliminate petrol and diesel car sales by 2030. It seems the electric bike market is finally catching up, with sales increasing by over 51% compared to 2019 and by almost 112% in December.  

This trend is only likely to continue as more manufacturers release all-electric models and the UK’s charging infrastructure is expanded, boosting confidence among riders. 

With the road ahead looking a little less bumpy for the UK, could the motorbike industry bounce back further in 2021?

5 Must-Have Office Supplies For An Organized Workplace

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Your office will never be a complete and functional workplace without its office supplies. It’s your office supplies that help you get the job done and keep your business operation running. Just imagine a workplace without office supplies. It would be the farthest thing from organised.

A disorganised office may have an adverse effect on your productivity, including your officemates. Working in a chaotic environment may confuse employees, causing them to make mistakes with tasks. A messy office can also cause delays whenever one or most of your employees spend most of their time searching for papers or documents from a pile of disarranged items. In simplest terms, a decluttered and well-arranged desk is fundamental for offices to ensure employees are inspired to do their jobs better and more quickly.

Suppose you’re working on improving the organisation of your office workplace. In that case, the first step would be to get products such as Index Office Supplies. You’ll find numerous choices of office tools that can help you keep your workplace organised and prevent any clutter in the future.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about which tools you should get, here are five must-have office supplies you can stick with first for an organised workplace:

Basic Writing Tools

Basic Writing Tools

Writing tools are the most basic. You’ll need these when labelling your files and other office supplies. Some of these essential writing tools include the following:

  • Pens – When purchasing writing tools, start with a basic ballpoint pen. They often come in blue, black, and red. They’re great and economical, and you can use them to organise your notes. Avoid gel pens. They may be thicker, but they’re often messy when not used properly.
  • Pencils – Aside from pens, don’t forget to get yourselves some pencils. Be careful with low-quality pencils as they often easily break almost every time you use them. To be safe, you can get mechanical pencils instead, preferably with 0.7 mm lead. Not only are they of good quality, but they’re refillable too!
  • Permanent Markers – Pencils and pens can’t do the job if you’re going to label or organize larger items or perhaps cardboard boxes. Thus, don’t forget to buy, at least, three to four permanent markers for your office. You and your employees can use them to label or write on cardboard boxes and to label files or even the food in your office pantry.
  • Set Of Highlighters – Lastly, don’t miss getting a set of colourful highlighters to organise and highlight your action items. You can use this to highlight major announcements in your meeting notes, errors that need to be redone, signatures you need to fill in, and your list of must-dos in your daily checklist.

Other items you may need with your writing tools include white inks, erasers, and the like.

File Folders With Labels For Paperwork

office supplies

Perhaps you’re thinking of going for an elaborate filing system to keep everything organised. Unfortunately, the more complex your filing system is, the less likely you and the rest of your employees can maintain it. For instance, some businesses tend to file everything and anything in fear of getting rid of something they may suddenly need one day. Thus, they end up keeping every bit of paper they see and stack these in their drawers. 

This system will only cause more clutter and take up too much space in your drawers. It’ll also be harder for you to locate important stuff when you need it. So, keep your filing system simple by purchasing file folders and label each of them properly.  

Self-Stick Notes or Sticky Notes

Another must-have office supply that can help keep your workplace organised is self-stick notes or sticky notes. In fact, sticky notes are so popular and useful that you can find an entire store aisle filled with different colours and sizes. You can use them to mark a page in a document or contract, write down ideas or essential reminders, label certain folders or bulletin boards, and take down instructions to be pasted on someone else’s desks.

When you see a sticky note, this will give you the impression that an important detail is being jotted down and highlighted, making it easier for your employees to take action. Remember, one of the best ways to improve employee efficiency is providing them the right office supplies.

Grouping Tools

One of the most common tasks in an office is filing papers or documents. This will keep papers on your desk in their proper place and ensure they’re organised and out of sight. Some of these must-have grouping tools you mustn’t miss during your shopping are:

  • Binder Clips – These come in different sizes so that you can bind sheets of paper together easily, regardless of volume. These will keep your files neat and secure too.
  • Staplers – These are widely used everywhere. They can bind your files more permanently than binder clips which you can disengage anytime. 
  • Rubber Bands – You can use them to bundle up and organise loose papers or products before storing the latter in place. Rubber bands are also excellent for keeping things secure during transport.
  • Tapes – Another essential tool for your office is a versatile office tape. You can use this to stick notes on walls or desks, fix minor tears on papers or small items, label documents, or keep computer wires out of sight.
  • Paper Clips – These are quite similar to binder clips. However, paper clips are only best for binding thin sheets of paper.

Envelopes

Envelopes are pretty similar to folders, but the best thing about them is they can keep papers organised and sealed in place. They are best used for managing confidential documents. You can secure the contents inside the envelopes by pasting the seal before keeping them away. Moreover, you can also use envelopes to keep your papers neat whenever they’re bound to be submitted to your customers, higher management, and co-workers, creating an impression of professionalism.

Feel Organised With the Right Tools

Once you have these must-have office supplies in your workplace, you’ll feel more organised and competent with your day’s work. So, keep your workplace together with these basic yet essential office tools. Get enough for everyone in the office.

Your Guide to Designing a Business Logo Like a Pro

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Your company’s logo is synonymous with the company as a whole. When you think of your favourite brands, what comes to mind? You may have automatically considered the Nike checkmark or McDonald’s big golden arch because they’re so memorable and impactful. Logos are critical to the success of your company. They provide a palpable visual symbol that people associate with you. Logos provide comfort, familiarity, and the essence of your brand.

If you’re getting your business off the ground, you have probably already started to consider logo options. How are you going to make yours stand out? You must create a unique, sophisticated logo that matches the personality of your business. Check out these tips to get you started.

Identify Why You Need a Logo

Some businesses don’t require a full-blown logo. All they need is their business name typed out in an appropriate, simple font. Ask yourself, what is the objective behind your logo? Is it to attract a larger audience? Is it to make a lasting impression on new and current customers?

Sit down with your team before you tackle anything else to get to the heart of this question. Once you start pumping out ideas, you’ll have a clearer vision for your company logo and why it’s a necessary component of your long-term marketing strategy.

Define Who You Are

Once you have a stronger understanding of the why part, the next step is to solidify the who. You already have a sense of who you are as a company and what your values are. But it’s never too late to regroup and narrow things down even further for your marketing and promotions campaign.

Get the team together to dig deep — how can you emulate who you are in a logo? Will it be a sleek typography design, or will there be additional visuals? Will you include a symbolic motif, such as a plant, animal, or something else related to the products you sell? How will such a symbol speak to your audience?

Be Aware of the Competition

Be mindful of what’s happening around you. What’s working for your competition and what isn’t? It would be best if you didn’t steal design ideas from anyone else, but checking out what’s popular and what’s not in your industry is to be expected. You’ll gain a better perspective of the direction you want to take with your logo.

Put It Everywhere

Once you’ve ironed out the details with your team and graphic designer, you’ll have a new logo to show off. So, what now? You put that logo anywhere and everywhere! The logo intends to promote your business and increase your brand’s reach.

Consider working with a professional screen-printing company and print your logo on t-shirts and other clothing items. You could also make your own face mask designs with your logo clearly outlined. Find a custom printing company that offers facial mask options in addition to traditional clothing.

Your brand’s logo is an extension of you and your business. By taking the time to ensure it perfectly encapsulates your values, goals, and style, you’ll generate long-lasting brand recognition and loyalty.

3 Pros and Cons of Doing Business in India

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There’s no denying that India is one of the fastest-growing and developing nations globally, and in terms of business, there are eyes on the country from all over the world. As the world’s largest democracy, investors, business ventures, and entrepreneurs are all keeping their eyes on India to see whether this is the country they want to expand into next.

However, even though the country has the fifth-largest GDP in the world and has ranked as one of the highest growth countries in the decade, there are still challenges to starting and operating a business within Indian borders that are holding people back. For clarity, today, we’re going to look into the three pros and cons about doing business in India.

Pro – The Economy Stable

Of course, we write during the times of COVID-19, which means we’re not really sure what any economy is going to be doing over the next few years, but generally speaking, and especially up until this point, India has one of the most stable economies in the world, which makes it a great place to do business.

This has been spurred on by a stable and reliable government, increased private consumption, government investment in different areas of the country, and its high rankings in global indexes like the World Economic Forum. All in all, on paper, India has a very business-friendly economy.

Con – It’s Not Easy to Get Started

Currently, it can be quite challenging to start a business in India, and it can be quite a lengthy process that can be offputting to many. There are many legal contracts that need to be filled out and processed, such as GST registration, lots of property forms that need to be registered, and so on. The cost of registering property is around 7.4% of the value, and with a 68-day registration period, it’s no wonder business owners may be waiting around for this process to be updated.

Pro – India is Digital-Ready

Lots of people like to argue that India is a bit behind in the times when it comes to technology. Countries like the UK and the US were 10 years ago is where India is now, and while they may have been true a few years ago, there’s no doubt that India is catching up at an alarming rate.

India is referred to by many as the technological powerhouse of innovation, and there are high-tech companies across all niches and industries that are springing up all over the place, including in telecommunications, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and many more.

In fact, such innovative practices have now placed India as a front-runner compared with the likes of the US and China, and from a business standpoint, this means there’s a ton of opportunities to get involved with.

Summary

As you can see, there are good points and bad points for starting or operating your business from India, just like there are everywhere in the world. The truth is, India has come a long way over the last few decades, and there’s no doubt that the country is or soon will be entering some kind of modern golden age.