Monthly Archives: December 2022

News

UK retail sector may see a challenging 2023

Written by Kunal Sawhney, CEO, Kalkine Media

Retailers in the UK have experienced a roller coaster ride in 2022. All have played their part in the UK economy, from the Russia-Ukraine war to skyrocketing inflationary pressures to a full-fledged cost-of-living catastrophe. As a result, retailers’ profits have been significantly hit due to these factors. Additionally, the overall macro conditions have shifted consumer preferences as households have been downgrading to survive the tough times.

During the pandemic phase, digital players have enjoyed a boom. Nevertheless, after reaching record-high levels, e-commerce sales have plunged as online players struggle to tackle the growing supply-chain problems and rising consumer returns amid the deteriorating macroeconomic environment. Lockdown’s pent-up demand has pushed the shoppers back towards a bricks-and-mortar experience. This would mean that the vendors with just an online presence would be worse off the net year than the vendors offering a hybrid mix to shoppers.

Sustainable fashion is expected to boom in 2023. According to a study by Thredup, a globally leading online thrift store, the second-hand clothing market is projected to expand by 127% by 2026. This growth would be three times more rapid than the overall market. Second-hand apparel is generally inexpensive, more ecological, and trendier among Gen-Z and millennials.

Retailers have gradually shifted away from high-street and departmental shops towards stores in retail parks. The running costs are comparatively lesser at retail parks and provide retailers with more space, which have together led to higher sales. Retail parks also have transportation linked around them which helps in efficient distribution. They are thus expected to become a significant part of the plan for the future of the high street.

Law

8 Law Jobs of the Future

If you’re attracted to law, you might wonder what’s in store after you get a law degree. And it’s a great question.

On the surface, a law degree makes you highly employable in various industries and positions. There are ever-evolving and rapidly developing technological advancements that should only raise the demand for specialised expertise.

However, on a deeper level, it’s not enough to have a law degree. You should carefully consider your career options, choose the right path and choose the one that suits you the best. 

Law occupations cover many fields, so don’t limit yourself to the most famous or well-known. Here are some legal professions that you can start considering.

 

Judges 

As a judge, you decide cases in a law court. In the UK, for example, you must practise as a solicitor or barrister for a minimum of five or seven years before becoming a judge. This is followed by some part-time work supervised by a veteran judge. 

It’s your responsibility to control hearings and trials in the courtroom. You must examine the facts, interpret the law, and make an unbiased decision in favour of one of the parties – or in a criminal court, direct the jury appropriately. Plus, you’ll decide the sentence a convict gets in criminal instances.  

In cases heard in court, as a judge, you’ll have the following duties:

  • Supervise case preparation and progress
  • Rule on legal challenges
  • Control hearing processes 
  • Give legal direction to a jury 
  • Sentence convicted offenders 
  • Decide rulings in appeal hearings.

Remember that it’s a competitive industry, with the number of applications for judicial jobs considerably outnumbering the number of appointments.

 

Solicitors

Companies and individuals usually reach out to solicitors for legal advice in the first instance. Most of them work for a law firm or partnership rather than for a company, unlike other industries. Firms, including law firms, are owned and managed by partners and senior partners instead of being run by directors and shareholders. Solicitors receive instructions from clients and advise them on the best course of legal action to pursue.

If you like to give well-researched advice, you might make a good solicitor. How? You should contact a legal recruitment agency to help you find your dream job. Specialists from companies like www.legalrecruitmentagencyuk.co.uk/legal-recruitment-agencies/birmingham can accentuate your qualities and skills in your resume and coach you before your interview. 

 

Barristers

In common law jurisdictions, a barrister is a lawyer who mainly focuses on courtroom advocacy and litigation. Their responsibilities include:

  • Representing clients in higher courts and tribunals
  • Studying the law
  • Drafting legal pleadings
  • Giving expert legal opinions.  

Solicitors consult barristers when specialist representation or advice in court is necessary. As a barrister, you usually represent a case in court, so you should use common sense, have rational thinking, and be persuasive to convince a judge in court to rule in favour of your client. 

This profession is much smaller and more competitive to get into compared to the solicitors’ profession, and often, most barristers are self-employed, working in a set of chambers, with cases being allocated by the Clerk. 

 

In-house Lawyers 

Barristers and solicitors aren’t required to work for legal firms or chambers. All giant companies, like BT, Amazon, and Vodafone, have in-house legal departments. If you pursue such a career, you’ll advise colleagues in corporations rather than external clients.

Whether you work in the public, private, or third sector, you’ll provide three core services, summarised as “CAT”:

  • Contracts. You will represent the organisation in its commercial negotiations.
  • Advice. You’ll offer advice across a range of the company’s activities, like acquisitions and mergers. 
  • Training and education. You’ll educate and even train business colleagues on relevant legal aspects.

 

Chartered Legal Executives

Chartered legal executives are certified attorneys who specialise in certain law areas and can counsel clients. You can work as one with or without studying for a degree, so there are many routes to becoming one. 

Qualification is accomplished through a professional body known as the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx). Many legal executives prefer to work as paralegals first and qualify in the process.

By being a chartered legal executive, the most common areas of law that you specialise in are:

  • Conveyancing
  • Criminal law
  • Company and business law 
  • Litigation
  • Personal injury
  • Family law. 

 

Legal Secretaries

Legal secretaries, as the name suggests, help lawyers with administrative tasks. This can include scheduling meetings, typing up legal documents like contracts and wills, and organising the work of a group of lawyers. 

While legal secretaries may not counsel clients, they are frequently the initial point of contact for clients, primarily at smaller law offices. Therefore, you’ll need strong people skills and organisational and analytical abilities. 

There are no formal qualifications or criteria for becoming a legal secretary; however, they can be advantageous. With the proper training, you can progress from being a secretary to becoming a paralegal or legal executive. 

 

Advertising Lawyers 

Attorneys in this profession guarantee that product and service advertisements comply with legal prohibitions against misleading, deceiving, or defrauding customers. Advertising lawyers often advise businesses on creating effective sales presentations while adhering to consumer protection laws and regulations. 

To pursue this career, you’ll need expertise in preventing and managing advertising-related claims. There may be some litigation to fight against in court, but for the most part, you will work as an advisor.

 

Admiralty and Maritime Lawyers 

Attorneys with expertise in admiralty and maritime law handle legal conflicts involving water vessels like ships and boats and sometimes get involved in offshore drilling cases. These lawyers frequently work with claims involving disasters, wrecks, or environmental pollution, and they occasionally manage class-action lawsuits.

The process of becoming a maritime lawyer differs from country to country. However, in most nations, being qualified to practise general law is sufficient to become a marine lawyer.

 

If you aspire to work in the legal system, you can make a more educated decision about which law school to attend by examining job opportunities. Researching different types of law and the responsibilities that the desired career has can help you determine what legal job suits you.

 

Business Advice, News

5 Ways Commercial Mats Improve Your Business

Using commercial floor mats across your property is one of the easiest and most economical methods to improve your working environment. Many people take floor mats for granted since they have been around for so long and forget that one of the simplest and least expensive methods to spruce up your office area and advertise your company is with these. Safety, cleanliness, and aesthetic appeal are just a few of the many advantageous features that commercial floor mats can provide for organizations. Whether you need to replace your current recessed floor matting or develop a brand-new mat solution, Mats Direct can help. Learn more about the benefits of commercial floor mats for your business and why you need them. 

1. Contributes To Overall Cost Reduction 

Floor mats safeguard the flooring from dirt and other materials individuals track in with their shoes. Innovations in materials and manufacturing have led to commercial mats that perform better than before. They also save you money by lowering maintenance expenses and the frequency of flooring replacement since they shield the floor. By lowering your chances of being engaged in a lawsuit due to slip and fall incidents, floor mats help to decrease accidents from falls and they save you money. Any firm would consider them a wise investment because of these cost-cutting opportunities.

2. Fosters Brand Awareness

A company’s initial interaction with potential clients can very well be at the entry mat. Promote your branding through commercial mats with the company logo and other branded messages and imagery. Everyone who enters your building will see your logo thanks to custom logo entrance mats. Your entrance is the first place clients and visitors will notice, and if it appears polished and professional, it can provide a strong first impression. 

You can use message floor mats to lead guests to certain areas within your business or to help foster a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. To establish or strengthen your brand, you can have them personalized with your business name, logo, and tagline. Floor mats with your logo and message will support your branding efforts and marketing campaigns. You should use it to provide clients with a quick overview of the culture and identity of your business.

3. Provides Practical And Inexpensive Advertising 

As the first point of contact for all clients, commercial entryway mats are ideal for showcasing and promoting your business to all visitors and passersby. If they like what they see, customers might want to enter your store and satisfy their curiosity, giving you a priceless opportunity to make a sale. The area outside of your store is yours to use without paying extra, unlike paid promotions like billboards and banners. You can make the most of it by using a fantastic logo mat that is intriguing and attention-grabbing. By having custom mats printed in vivid colours and high-definition designs, you can showcase your brand’s originality.


4. Utilized To Raise Staff Productivity

Employees whose jobs require a lot of standing up will greatly benefit from the extremely comfortable anti-fatigue mats. Business owners need to worry about more than just their clients. It is also important to consider their employees’ health and welfare. Consider implementing motivational floor mats with safety messaging in employee areas to promote employee attitudes toward the organization. Employee attitude will show in their work performance if they are in any way dissatisfied. By investing in anti-fatigue mats, these can be reduced to the bare minimum. Couple these mats with chairs behind the counter or in the break room for their comfort.

5. Provides Effective Visual Merchandising 

Aside from cost-efficient advertisements, commercial mats can essentially be used as marketing collateral to advertise your company to people who are on foot. This technique helps advertise your company’s goods and services in person as you purposefully place your advertisements in busy regions. In a retail setting, effective visual merchandising guides customers to other things that might be of interest while also assisting them in finding what they’re looking for and making purchases. A personalised logo rug can act as a point-of-purchase promotional tool, much like a sign or display can. In essence, your mat can be used as marketing collateral to market your company to walkers.

 

Conclusion

Commercial floor mats offer businesses a number of advantages, including branding and customer and staff comfort, making them a wise investment for any company. An affordable method of protecting any individuals that enter and exit your business is to use floor matting. A unique commercial floor mat can help your business space become safer, more useful, and more appealing right away.

Healthcare, Healthcare News, Law

Claims against the NHS have increased in the past five years, costing billions

As NHS Resolution’s annual report suggests, claims have surpassed last year’s cost of £2.2 billion, amounting to £2.4 billion. During 2021-2022, there were 15, 078 claims against the NHS – that means 40 claims daily. Moreover, 86.7% of the claims are successful, with the cost of medical negligence taking nearly 7% of the yearly budget. Obstetrics is the costliest area, accounting for 62% of the yearly claims, followed by emergency medicine and orthopaedic surgery, with 1,233 and 1,203 claims, respectively.

Understanding medical negligence

Patients trust doctors with their health and lives, but unfortunately, medical professionals can also make mistakes, which can sometimes have devastating consequences. That’s known as medical negligence and occurs when a healthcare provider fails to fulfil their duty of care. In some circumstances, this can lead to claims. In order to determine whether you’re legally entitled to compensation, it’s vital to understand some crucial aspects regarding medical negligence. 

 

Personal injury claims define negligence as a failure to be reasonably prudent and exhibit caution during work; however, the standard of care looks different for healthcare workers because expectations are higher. When a healthcare provider doesn’t behave according to the accepted medical standard, that’s considered a medical negligence case. Here’s a list of the most common medical negligence examples:

  • Misdiagnosis – for instance, this happens when someone is diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome instead of ovarian cancer;
  • Failure to monitor patients properly;
  • Incorrect administration of medication;
  • Incorrect use of medical devices;
  • Inadequate treatment;
  • Erroneous medical procedures;
  • Anaesthesia errors.

The mental and physical effects of medical negligence

Medical negligence can be truly damaging to patients. For example, someone who is misdiagnosed may undergo unnecessary treatment. Whether the effects are short-term or long-term, victims experience physical and psychological suffering. They end up resenting their clinician for dealing with a preventable injury and feeling a sense of injustice about what happened. This can make it challenging for them to adjust to their new life. Often, medical negligence victims and their families blame themselves for the unfortunate situation, making it much harder to accept things as they are and gradually move on.

Medical negligence can affect the body in different ways, causing:

  • Mental impairments;
  • Loss of limbs;
  • Disfigurement;
  • Chronic pain.

 

Regarding the mental effects, victims of medical negligence can experience a wide range of emotions besides anger and frustration, including:

  • Shock;
  • A sense of loss;
  • Social withdrawal;
  • Denial;
  • Anxiety.

 

Some patients can even develop PTSD due to such a traumatic experience. Consequently, they may have flashbacks related to the injury, avoid places that remind them of the distressing event, and become easily irritable if they are forced to have any interactions with hospital staff.

Legal considerations of medical negligence

According to Medical Negligence Claims Care experts, victims of medical negligence may be able to recover compensation for the harm they suffered. Any healthcare provider can be held liable for violating the standard of care, including nurses, dentists, and chiropractors. You may even be able to file a claim against the hospital itself. Even if the facility isn’t negligent, under the law, they must take responsibility for their employees’ actions. You can prove medical negligence by showing:  

  • The healthcare provider had a duty they didn’t fulfil;
  • You’ve experienced harm due to medical negligence;
  • You suffered damages that require compensation, whether lost wages or higher medical bills.

 

Depending on the situation, you may need a legal professional’s help to determine the standard of care and why your doctor failed to fulfil it. With a medical malpractice attorney by your side, obtaining evidence like medical records and proving your case will be easier. However, in some instances, there’s no need for further evidence of negligence, as the error is evident. Suppose a surgical instrument was left inside your body; that’s obviously a medical negligence case, as no competent surgeon would ever do that.

Medical negligence compensation may involve payment for:

  • Unnecessary treatment;
  • Loss of wages;
  • Emotional distress;
  • Medical bills that result from medical negligence;
  • Pain;
  • Wrongful death damages.

 

Some states have laws that restrict the total compensation you can get for non-economic damages like emotional distress. Whatever your situation is, it’s always best to seek help from a qualified medical malpractice attorney. They can assist you in understanding how much compensation you can receive for your losses and help you negotiate a settlement or file a case against the medical professional that caused you harm.

Is there a way to decrease the impact of medical negligence?

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce claims and costs related to medical negligence, and that’s by investing in better policies and having the right practices in place. Improving the quality of care costs significantly less than pay-outs, and it’s worth doing it to avoid multiple adverse effects, such as the loss of trust in the healthcare system.

Adopting the latest technology can also bring new opportunities and work as a solution to the current issues within the system. For instance, tech advancements allow doctors to give more accurate diagnoses, which can decrease the incidence of medical mistakes. Due to task automation, the process of getting care is more efficient, as prescription refills happen faster. 

 

All in all, technology helps doctors considerably, allowing them to provide better care for patients.

Negligence compensation claim costs can only be reduced if the Government addresses the root causes of the harm, which is, in fact, avoidable. The key is to invest in staff and adopt patient safety measures, as that would eliminate a lot of claims.

Our takeaway

Medical negligence cases have increased considerably in the five years, leading to costs that could otherwise be used to provide better patient care. 

Unfortunately, medical negligence cases happen frequently, so more needs to be done to prevent them. That means investing in a healthcare system that’s better equipped to treat patients effectively.

 

No one should ever deal with the devastating consequences of medical negligence, as it can significantly alter someone’s quality of life. Hence, medical professionals should strive to keep their patients safe at all times and avoid causing physical and mental damage.

 

HR, HR News, Recruitment

Prepare For 2023 – Essential Future Of Work Trends

The last few years were marked by a focus on customer and marketing practices. But the trends will bring a shift in the sector, and the next years will focus on the employee, HR, and the organisation. Businesses must learn how to acquire talent, retain it, and maximise the impact and value the workforce brings to an organisation. 

The working environment has fundamentally changed, and so have the expectations between employers and workers. No one denies the impact work has on employees and workers have on organisations. 

2023 shouldn’t be the year when companies let their guard down because the future is predicted to bring shifting political tides, a recession, and climate disasters. Their effects could be severe for companies that fail to adapt to the trend. In a challenging environment, organisations must tackle work trends to remain competitive in the market. 

 

Quiet hiring

Both employers and employees remember the quiet quitting headlines from 2022 when workers decided they no longer wanted to go above and beyond for an employer that didn’t appreciate them and resumed doing the minimum required in their jobs. When the workforce decides to quit quietly, businesses keep the employees but lose their capabilities and skills. In 2023 organisations are left to employ their best HR techniques to turn this practice into quiet hiring to acquire new capabilities and skills without hiring new people. 

How will this work?

– Companies will focus on internal talent mobility to ensure their workforces address organisational priorities. 

– Businesses will offer upskilling opportunities for the existing workforce to meet the evolving organisations’ requirements.

– Employers will use alternate approaches to bring in talent only when needed, so they’ll take advantage of freelancers and alumni networks. 

Companies find a balance between resignation and retention

Organisations worldwide are dealing with a push-and-pull pattern with their workforces as they try to call them back to the office and are dealing with the threat of resignations or actual resignations because workers prefer to work remotely. With people quitting their job for so many different reasons, the classic retention methods won’t be successful in 2023. 

Companies should make significant investments in staffing because their organisational impact will grow in time. Dealing with employee resignations is more costly than investing in retention techniques. The average cost to replace an experienced worker is 2x their salary. Most employers don’t afford to deal with high resignation rates, but unfortunately, the trend will continue. 

Instead of focusing all efforts on reducing employee turnover, businesses should prioritise practices that improve the employee retention rate. 

Mental health focus 

With the economic stress that’s going on worldwide from the possible recession, people are stressed out about the future and security of their jobs. And while employers have come a long way over the last few years and have embraced wellness and mental health trends, they still need to work to improve their range of benefits to meet their employees’ needs. 

Companies should also focus their efforts on creating injury recovery plans that integrate mental health treatment for employees because the impact of a workplace accident is extensive. It’s also crucial to improve workplace safety because workplace accidents can cripple companies that have to pay compensation to injured workers. Recently more and more people have worked with companies like https://www.accidentclaims.co.uk/ to claim compensation assisted by a professional. In such instances, employers have no chance of winning a workplace accident lawsuit. 

Pursuit of non-traditional candidates

For a long time, companies have discussed the strategic value of diversifying and expanding their talent pipelines. But in 2023, they’ll have to put those words into actions because the recruitment sector promotes two strong trends. 

– Companies fail to meet their talent needs through traditional candidate pools and sourcing techniques. Also, managers are less concerned about technical skills and industry experience because they’re aware that companies can acquire the necessary abilities at the job. 

– Applicants are charting nonlinear career paths. Over 50% of people report applying for jobs outside their current area of expertise, and the figure will climb in the next few years. 

To fill their available position in 2021, employers should become comfortable with assessing candidates on their ability to perform in the role they apply for and not on their experience and credentials. 

Companies push DEI forward

Even if companies have bolstered diversity, equity, and inclusion over the last few years, some workforces have shown signs of resistance. 42% of workers think their company’s DEI efforts are divisive. Ideological and political trends characterising DEI as discrimination against historically favoured groups or social engineering amplify resentment and resistance. Employee pushback can disconnect, disrupt, or invalidate corporate programs that aim to enable marginalised groups. Depending on the situation, the behaviour can be deliberate, subtle, or obvious; however, most of the time, it’s unintentional. 

While more and more employers ignore employee pushback because they are afraid to validate it as legitimate, leaving it unchecked can make it challenging to promote inclusion. In 2023 companies must address the opposition in the early stages before it disrupts their DEI programs.

Training opportunities

Workers that benefit from development and training opportunities tend to be more productive and engaged than those who feel ignored and underappreciated at their workplace. Studies show that businesses with high levels of engagement among employees outperform companies that don’t offer growth opportunities in terms of profitability. 

However, employers must offer training opportunities relevant to the business’ objectives and goals. 

Employee recognition

A simple but effective way to keep employees happy is to recognise their efforts and hard work. Rewards and recognition go hand in hand with motivation. When companies recognise their workers’ hard work, they make people feel appreciated and valued. In 2023 companies should develop all three types of employee recognition programs:

– Performance awards

– Non-monetary awards

– Cash rewards

Employers must understand that the only way to prevent resignation and boost retention is to compensate their workforce for their performance. 

The above trends can help companies create a great business culture that prevents employees from leaving. 

 

Automotive, Driving, Technology

How safe-driving technologies help prevent road accidents 

According to the World Health Organisation, many external factors lead to road accidents, from unsafe road infrastructure to inadequate law enforcement of traffic laws. However, most road traffic crashes are caused by driving under the influence of alcohol or being distracted while driving. Unfortunately, these occurrences are the leading causes of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years. 

Authorities mitigate halving the global number of deaths and injuries caused by road traffic accidents by 2030. Regardless of the measures that will be imposed, one efficient method to minimise casualties is introducing more safe-driving technologies into vehicles. This would significantly reduce human error and improve driving.

In the following paragraphs, we’ll discuss some of these technologies and learn how they can prevent accidents. 

 

Backup Cameras 

Backup cameras have not been a necessity until recently. In the US, all vehicles are required to have them installed as of 2018. This regulation came as a solution to children and seniors being gravely injured when drivers are backing up. But a backup camera isn’t efficient for that purpose only ― vehicles have blind spots that the review mirrors can’t reach, which can cause accidents when changing lanes, for example. 

Therefore, by improving the field of vision and eliminating any obstructions caused by pillars or seats, backup cameras can substantially reduce the number of accidents. Luckily, there are many backup camera options to choose from that you can find on Amazon, for example.   

 

Lane departure warnings 

Drowsy driving, or falling asleep when driving, is pretty common and leads to a high number of fatal car crashes. People who suffer from sleep deprivation or sleep disorders or take medications that induce sleepiness are prone to causing road accidents. When the drivers lose control of the steering wheel, they leave the travelling lane and become a risk to all other road participants. 

To minimise and avoid accidents caused by drowsy driving, installing lane departure warnings is one of the most efficient solutions. This system emits a loud alert when the driver leaves their lane so that they can avoid accidents. It’s recommended that lane departure warnings are paired with a lane-keeping assist to get the most out of these features. 

 

Forward collision systems 

Another common cause of vehicle accidents is the lack of distance between cars. When the driver in front of you presses the brake suddenly, and you haven’t kept enough space, the accident is imminent. But if the vehicle is equipped with forward collision systems, the system will warn you of any dangerous impending collision because the system detects the distance between you and the two cars ahead. 

Although this type of accident is common and cannot always be avoided, victims can file a personal injury claim. According to legalexpert.co.uk/personal-injury-claims/, every road user owes a duty of care to one another to navigate the roads safely, including drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Breaching this duty of care that results in serious injuries or loss of earnings allows victims to claim compensation to cover losses. 

 

Adaptive headlights 

The lights included in the car’s system are essential and efficient. However, they don’t provide proper lighting for drivers when going through curves, where accidents are most likely to happen at night. But adaptive headlights provide exactly what you’d expect ―adapting to changing roadway conditions to help better illuminate the path. In other words, these headlights follow the movements of the steering wheel so that you can see what’s in front of you regardless of the direction you’re going towards. 

Another headlight improvement you could have for your car is the auto-dimming feature. This 

feature automatically switches your headlights between regular and high beams, depending on the driving conditions. Depending on the type of technology used, these lights work by scanning the lights of oncoming traffic or ultrasonic sensors to map the road in front of you. 

 

Auto-steering 

Accidents usually happen when the driver loses control of the steering wheel. Luckily, there are solutions for avoiding such occurrences by making auto-steering a standard car feature. Of course, this doesn’t mean that the car will drive itself under any circumstance and be effective. 

We’ve already seen how even Tesla cars fail to detect children on the road. However, auto-steering functions would help drivers better control the steering wheel in specific situations to prevent a collision. This system works concurrently with the braking system so that the vehicle will apply the brakes and steer around potential danger in the car’s path. 

 

Autonomous cruise control

For people who take longer roads by car, it may be tiring to drive for prolonged hours, and this can easily lead to drowsy driving because most people want to arrive at their destination as soon as possible. Therefore, to avoid accidents caused by fatigue on long drives, installing autonomous cruise control in your car is essential. This feature automatically adjusts the speed of your car to help you maintain a safe distance from other vehicles in front of you. So, if you ever feel like you can’t concentrate that much on the road, the autonomous cruise control system will assist you in driving safely until you find a spot to sleep. 

 

Phone suppression technology 

One of the most common causes of road accidents is drivers using their phones while driving. Although it’s reckless behaviour, the truth is that many drivers do this to save time on business calls, for example. Luckily, special apps have been created to help drivers avoid looking at their phones or using them when driving. For instance, Zoom Safer is installed on the headset to screen text messages and calls. The app will announce calls over a speaker, so you won’t have to look at the screen. At the same time, it can block text messages and inform those texting you that you’re currently driving. 

 

Final thoughts 

Cars have been one of the most practical and essential technological advancements. However, if they’re not used properly, they can be the cause of injuries and even deadly accidents. Luckily, as technology improves, so do applications and apps that allow drivers to avoid accidents while making the most out of their driving experience. 

 

Cybersecurity, Data & Analytics, GDPR, News, Technology

How To Prevent a Data Breach & Minimise Your Exposure to A Civil Lawsuit 

Threat actors are increasingly targeting small and medium-sized businesses because they often don’t have cybersecurity measures in place, so hackers can evade detection. Phishing is still the most significant threat and has countless adverse effects, including but not limited to loss of money, damage to reputation, and disruption of operational activities. Personal and confidential data is stolen, and payment is demanded to prevent sensitive information from being publicised. After malicious actors strike, lawyers are rarely behind. On account of data breaches at the likes of Equifax, British Airways, and Ticketmaster, legal professionals have been quick to act by filing complaints seeking compensation in the name of consumers. 

If your company has a data breach on its network, your client may sue for the distress they’ve suffered, holding you accountable. Getting sued can destroy everything you’ve worked for so hard, so you must go the extra mile to protect your business. Your chances of getting involved in a lawsuit depend on your exposure. For instance, if you run an e-commerce store, you’re a target for cybercriminals looking for credit card data. Your website can be hacked, and this doesn’t take too long – roughly a few minutes. Having employees is another risk factor, as they make cybersecurity-related mistakes, which can turn out to be costly for your organisation. 

Lawsuits Can Be Costly in Terms of Money, Time, And Reputation

If a data breach results in a high risk of adversely affecting people’s rights and freedoms, it’s possible to make a data breach claim and recover compensation for economic losses. In the UK, the GDPR introduces a duty on all organisations to report specific incidents to the relevant supervisory authority. Every circumstance will be different, but anyone can make a GDPR data breach compensation claim if they can provide evidence they’ve suffered damages. If you get sued, the best thing you can do is reach out to a business lawyer. Needless to say, a lawsuit is costly in terms of money, time, and reputation. 

Litigation is an expensive proposition in terms of legal fees and your time and attention. Rather than diverting resources from profitable ventures, you should better make a compromise – in other words, make a settlement agreement. As a rule, a data breach claim can be settled in less than five months. Still, the outcome can depend on several factors, including liability, how badly the plaintiff is suffering, and the complexities relating to the cyber incident. A civil lawsuit will damage your reputation with the public, and others will be hesitant to work with your company. A poor reputation is all it takes to devastate your organisation. 

Critical Best Practices for Preventing a Data Breach 

A civil lawsuit is a professional hazard, yet a few simple precautions can minimise that hazard. Here’s how to improve the security of your data and prevent it from getting lost, damaged, or stolen. 

Identify Locations of Sensitive Information & Limit Privileged Access 

Your company collects and stores information that might result in a loss of an advantage or level of security if disclosed. Carelessness in monitoring and protecting it will leave you vulnerable to costly data breaches, so compile an inventory of all data sets. Above all, this inventory should be subject to routine updates to maintain the same rate of progress. Know where your organisation’s critical data is located, how it’s being accessed, and how it’s being shared. Not only is the amount of data immense, but it’s also located across multiple devices and in disparate locations. Ensure employees have only the necessary levels of access to do their jobs. 

Train Employees & Clients 

Identify the right topics, build or find training material, and create a schedule. Employees and customers must be familiar with the best practices regarding phishing, malware, and other cybercrimes. Slideshow presentations are suitable for building awareness as they immediately grab viewers’ attention and help them remember learning objectives. Remember that cybersecurity practices are effective only if everyone is on board, so training should be mandatory. Everyone knows it’s not a good idea to click on a suspicious link, but what if the threat actor impersonates someone in the organisation? People might make the wrong decisions if they’re not fully prepared or under pressure. 

Run A Data Breach Simulation

Test the strength of your organisational defences by organising a data breach simulation. Many companies run training exercises and role-play scenarios to prepare for a cyberattack. In the event of a data breach, they can respond quickly and know who’s in charge of what. A data breach simulation can feign attacks on endpoints, data exfiltration, malware attacks, and so on, so you’ll know for sure if your organisation is protected against unauthorised access and data breach. Put simply, you can test your security assumptions, identify security gaps, and obtain actionable insights. The best way to fight hackers is to get a good understanding of their methods and fix any vulnerabilities that can be exploited.

Monitor Infrastructure Using Advanced Tools 

Collect and analyse data from IT infrastructure, systems, and processes to enhance business outcomes (and drive value across the organisation). By leveraging advanced security tools, you can block potential threats and prevent data breaches from occurring and spreading. There are many cybersecurity solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, meaning you can maximise potential without sacrificing safety. Most of them are based on artificial intelligence. At any rate, these tools notify the appropriate staff to conduct further investigation and mitigation, giving them visibility into the network and enabling stronger data protection. You can’t assume your organisation is safe, so share ongoing security checks with the rest of your team. 

All things considered, a data breach can change the course of your business, so carry out due diligence. If a cyberattack takes place, insurance is your best bet to cover the losses and the costs of a lawsuit. For extra protection, it’s recommended to customise your insurance policy and add extra expense income so that you can pay for non-ordinary expenses following a disruptive incident. 

 

Automotive Tech, Driving Tech, News

How To Use Technology To Ensure Fleet Safety

Written by Terry Whysong

With the increasing need for efficient delivery of goods comes the need to operate large fleets of commercial vehicles. Companies are tasked with upholding their commitment to safety and compliance at all times. However, this can be difficult without the right tools. This guide will provide an overview of how modern technology can be used to ensure fleet safety and compliance standards are consistently kept at a high level. It will explore how companies can utilize technologies such as telematics systems, management systems, and various safety devices to improve fleet performance while still maintaining compliance. The guide will conclude by outlining the benefits businesses can reap from implementing these technologies.

Benefits of Using Technology for Fleet Safety

Technologies such as GPS tracking, telematics, and dashboard cameras can be extremely beneficial in ensuring the safety of fleets. GPS tracking can help fleet managers stay informed of vehicle locations, telematics can monitor driver performance, and dashboard cameras can record footage of any potential accidents or incidents. All these technologies have the potential to reduce costs, improve safety, and make fleet management more efficient. In more detail, let’s look into the benefits of using these technologies for fleet safety.

Improved driver safety

Technology-based fleet safety programs can help improve driver safety by providing drivers with access to real-time warnings and enhanced road visibility. Companies that use technology in their fleet management system can enhance the safety of their drivers by equipping each vehicle with dash cameras, GPS tracking, speed monitoring, and other features.

Dash cameras provide a level of security to drivers in the unfortunate situation of an accident or dispute; by recording events in real-time with high-quality images, any disputes or reports needed after are clearer and more straightforward to resolve. GPS tracking allows vehicle operators to monitor their route and optimize it if they know they will encounter rugged terrain at certain points along the way, as well as providing extra security should a driver become stranded on a remote stretch of road. Speed monitoring software can also be installed in vehicles that take into account weather conditions when setting maximum speeds, creating another layer of protection for all occupants.

By making use of modern technology such as these methods, companies enable operators and passengers to concentrate on their tasks, all while feeling safe knowing that extra precautions are taken in all terrain at all times.

Reduced accident rates

Using technology for fleet safety can help reduce accident rates by enabling fleet managers and drivers to monitor risky behavior more effectively. Through GPS tracking, real-time updates, driver scorecards, and various dash cam solutions, organizations can better understand driver behaviour and performance. By providing customized alerts, visibility into trends in driver behavior, and opportunities to provide feedback or coaching on issues that may arise during or after a trip, fleets are able to reduce the likelihood of an accident occurring.

The data collected from GPS tracking systems provide historical records that can give a view into driving habits over time. This helps organizations identify driver behaviour patterns, which could lead to targeted areas where additional training is necessary or preventive measures could be taken. Additionally, vehicles equipped with dash cams provide fleets with more comprehensive situational awareness in cases of an incident. Dashcam videos allow for easy identification of potentially hazardous driving patterns that need attention and help fleet managers follow up with appropriate corrective measures where necessary.

By utilizing technology for fleet safety purposes and paying particular attention to behaviors identified through data analysis, organizations can significantly improve road safety and mitigate potential risks on the road – resulting in reduced accident rates overall.

Improved fleet efficiency

The use of technology in fleet safety management has been shown to enhance significantly overall fleet performance and efficiency. By using a comprehensive fleet safety solution, companies can reduce their operational costs, ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards, and improve overall customer service.

Technology enables effective fleet tracking, vehicle diagnostics, driver monitoring, and reporting. GPS-based location tracking solutions can identify driver activity in real-time and history pattern trends such as over-speeding or route deviations. This data can be used to create encouraging measures like rewards or disincentives that will promote safe driving while ensuring compliance with organizational policies.

Besides improving drivers’ safety, modern technology also facilitates efficient scheduling, routing, and dispatching solutions that optimize vehicle performance and fuel consumption. By using route planning algorithms to ensure optimal vehicle utilization combined with web-based fuel cards for persistent data storage and analysis of fuel costs and consumption patterns, companies can save time, money, and resources and reduce losses due to accidents or mismanagement.

Additionally, technological interventions in the form of dashcams provide visual evidence for improved incident management and training activities during post-investigations related to road events such as accidents or incidents of impaired driving practices like distracted driving techniques due to texting while driving, etc. Dash cams effectively deter negligent practices on the roads while protecting company vehicles from any wrongful claims at a minimum cost.

Overall, leveraging technology for fleet safety is beneficial in many ways. For example, it not only helps improve driver productivity but also enhances operational efficiency, which results in more significant savings on transportation costs.

Types of Technology Used for Fleet Safety

When it comes to fleet safety, many different types of technology can be used. From tracking devices to driver monitoring systems, many different systems are available to help keep your fleet safer. In this section, we’ll explore the other techniques that can be used to ensure fleet safety. We’ll take a look at how each type of technology works and how it can help protect your fleet.

GPS tracking

GPS tracking technology is one of the most popular tools used to monitor fleet safety. This technology provides a real-time snapshot of vehicle location, the speed of operation, and the driver’s behavior on the road. With the help of a GPS tracker, fleet managers can easily maintain communication with their drivers, monitor their behavior, measure portfolio performance and instantly monitor vehicles that have strayed from their designated routes.

In order to maximize efficiency and maintain productivity, fleet managers must have access to accurate and timely data. GPS tracking allows for precise information on vehicle movements, such as speed, acceleration; distance traveled, and time en route. Beyond just providing a live view of vehicle activity, fleet management software with integrated GPS can also provide critical real-time alerts such as increased driving speeds or erratic driving patterns. As soon as the software detects any erratic behaviors, it sends an alert to the manager, who can then take immediate action to prevent any accidents from happening.

Other technologies that are often used in fleets, in addition to GPS tracking, include dashboard cameras for recording driver behavior and route verification data for verifying that vehicles are adhering to preset routes. Additionally, some fleets equip vehicles with devices that can detect when a serious accident has occurred so operators can be alerted much more quickly than relying on manual checks or waiting for an emergency call from a driver after an incident has taken place. By carefully monitoring driver behaviors through technological advancements, there is greater potential for safety improvement within fleets today than ever before!

Dash cams

Dash cams are an increasingly popular tool used in fleet safety. By providing visual evidence, dashcams can help fleet operators track their vehicles’ activity and identify reckless behaviors. Dash cams enable fleets to monitor safety compliance, document road trips, and use video evidence to resolve disputes.

Dash cams come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with some even being explicitly designed for commercial fleets. They are typically equipped with features such as GPS tracking, Wi-Fi capabilities, rear-facing cameras, and accident detection technology which can all be used to increase overall fleet safety. Dash cams that are equipped with accident detection technology can automatically alert dispatch when an incident is detected. This increases the overall safety of the vehicle by ensuring immediate reaction time.

In addition to providing extra footage of the roads, dash cams also allow employers to keep on-record driver’s logs which record things like speed, acceleration events, and braking behavior, which is key information for evaluating driver performance effectively. With this information, fleets can ensure their drivers stay within legal limits for all applicable regulations, such as speed limits or hours-of-service requirements, by providing instant feedback regarding behavior that may be out of line.

Ultimately, dash cameras provide fleets with increased safety monitoring capabilities by recording video evidence that can be used in training or dispute resolution processes down the line if needed. They make it easy for managers to monitor driver activity remotely and proactively intervene when unsafe driving may occur instead of after an accident has already happened — causing dashcams an excellent tool for any fleet manager looking to increase their overall operational safety!

Telematics systems

Telematics systems are computerized devices that use GPS technology to provide real-time updates to a central monitoring station. Telematics technology is used by fleets across the world to help ensure safe driving practices. It can include features such as speed limit monitoring, acceleration, and braking analysis, route tracking, vehicle location reports, driver behavior analysis, and more.

This advanced tracking and monitoring technology can enable fleet managers to respond quickly in cases of emergency or when safety violations occur. Through the careful analysis of data collected from telematics systems, fleet operators can develop better risk mitigation strategies, such as improved route planning or driver training programs designed to increase safety on the roads.

In addition to improved safety outcomes, fleet operators also benefit from increased operational efficiency thanks to GPS-based routing capabilities which can enable efficient routes for drivers that can save time and fuel costs. Data collected from telematics systems also allows for more accurate asset management by providing detailed insights into vehicle maintenance requirements based on mileage information.

Implementing Technology for Fleet Safety

Technology can be an invaluable tool for fleet managers and drivers alike when it comes to ensuring fleet safety. By incorporating suitable technology solutions into everyday operations, a fleet manager can ensure that drivers are using the best practices while on the road and that the vehicles are in optimal working condition. Let’s explore some of the most popular technologies that can be used to enhance fleet safety.

Develop a safety policy

Developing a safety policy for a business’s fleet is essential for ensuring the safety of drivers and passengers, as well as other vehicles on the road. The safety policy should include clear guidance about how the company will manage risks and demonstrate compliance with health and safety regulations. This can be done through developing, communicating, and enforcing safe driving rules or through implementing a fleets management software solution.

When developing a policy, businesses should consider factors such as vehicle maintenance requirements, essential driver training, and qualifications, driver’s hours of service guidelines, accident notification procedures as well as reporting processes. Furthermore, policies should outline consequences associated with breaches of rules, such as suspensions, annual reviews, and suspension of contracts when applicable.

Ultimately businesses need to ensure that their safety policy reflects their mission statement with regard to safety in order to motivate staff members to adhere to it at all times. When employees are aware of their responsibility when it comes to following company-wide safety standards, they can make more proactive decisions while on the road reducing potential risk potential accidents dramatically.

Train drivers on safety protocols

Training drivers on safety protocols is one of the most important steps toward having a safe and secure fleet. Education is the key when it comes to teaching new behaviours and instilling a culture of safety. Highlight topics such as defensive driving, proper loading and unloading of cargo, proper documentation for DOT regulations, preventing over-the-road fatigue, and operating safely in hazardous conditions (weather-related or otherwise). Maintaining driver education records is essential to ensure all training programs and policies are documented with regular updates.

Technical advancements in safety technology can also be implemented to assist drivers in avoiding danger. This can include GPS vehicle tracking systems, intelligent data logging systems, side underrun protection, and other features that can help reduce accidents caused by human error. However, technology should not replace a complete training strategy – rather they should work hand-in-hand to provide a better understanding of driver performance which will lead to improved safety results over time.

It’s also important to stay up-to-date with industry best practices when it comes to fleet safety so keep an eye out for developments in research, standards & regulations governing fleet operations. Implementing basic policies combined with advanced technical solutions will help keep everyone on the same page minimizing any potential accident risk even further.

Set up the necessary technology

If you want to implement technology to ensure fleet safety, the first step is to set up the necessary tools. This can involve purchasing a GPS tracking device, vehicle monitoring systems, dash cameras, and other equipment designed for fleet safety. Once you have the technology in place, it is important to spend some time training your staff on how to use it. It is also critical that policies are set in place outlining expectations for employees and ensuring their adherence to any laws or regulations applicable.

In addition to tracking devices, certain additional technologies like active driver monitoring systems can be added for extra security. Driver monitoring systems can alert supervisors if employees exceed posted speed limits or brake more aggressively than normal. Plus, dash cameras enable managers to review video footage of incidents if necessary — providing important evidence should an accident occur. Other available technologies may include personal travel assistance services that staff can access in the event of a breakdown — enabling someone reliable to assist them quickly without putting themselves in unsafe situations like walking at night or waiting on lonely roadsides.

By having the right technology on board, fleet operators are better equipped with all they need for a safe and efficient journey.

Conclusion

To sum up, utilizing technology to ensure fleet safety requires thought and diligence. Coupling established best practices and procedures for your commercial drivers with modern tools and technologies is the best way to identify hazards and mitigate risks. Technology can help you manage driver behavior, improve vehicle performance, reduce the cost of repairs, reduce fuel consumption, prevent wear and tear on your equipment, and keep your team safer overall.

When considering a technological solution for fleet safety management needs, it’s essential to review the available options carefully. Do your research by having a detailed list of needs and requirements in hand; this will help you narrow down potential solutions that meet its cost-benefit objectives. An excellent way to evaluate a potential solution is by first trying out its free version or trial mode before moving on to the paid version. Make sure you understand what features are included in each plan so that it can provide an appropriate level of protection that fits your budget.


About the author

Terry Whysong is an Automotive Enthusiast and the face behind TTR. He’s an avid reader, mechanic and loves writing blogs about car guides. You can find him on Linkedin

 

Games Sector, Gaming & Entertainment, News, Technology

Is the UK Leading in the iGaming Industry?

The online gambling sector experienced massive growth, and it is globally recognized for its popularity. The UK is actually a leader in iGaming since it also has a renowned gambling sector known for its rigorous standards since 2007.

Since the inception of the first casino site, the entire UK iGaming sector has gone straight to strength. Today it accounts for about 38.8% of the entire gambling sector revenue. So, it is safe to say that iGaming is a force to be reckoned with in the UK. Below we will learn the main reasons why it has achieved spectacular success.

The Popularity of Online Gambling

The UK Gambling sector in 2007 had a worth of around £8 billion. In 2022, that number has spiked to £40 billion. There are multiple reasons for this success. First, smartphones improved with their innovative features, new capabilities, and performance. The enhanced capabilities open more options for mobile gaming, which also apply to online casinos.

Mobile devices supported mobile data, which further increased the accessibility to online games of chance. Nowadays, we spend 155 minutes on our mobile devices every day. Smartphones are portable computers that support 5G, which even further enhances the interest speed and performance.                   So, it comes as no surprise that iGaming is even more popular than initially when it was only available on laptops.  Mobile casino apps, for example, offer one-point access to a variety of casino games.

Every iGaming provider has optimized the games for iOS and Android devices. Furthermore, online casinos are no longer a rarity. The demand for mobile gaming experience has done its part and almost every casino site is optimized for mobile use.

Regulations of the UK Gambling Commission

The regulations of the UK Gambling Commission are quite strict, and they also create a safe and fair gaming experience for UK players in online casinos due to their stellar global reputation. Many casino players feel safe when they gamble at a local online casino that is licensed by the UKGC. In other words, the work of the UK Gambling Commission provided a good foundation for the UK gambling market to continue to grow and expand, and the same applies to the iGaming providers that hold a valid UK gambling licenses.

They also enjoy higher repeatability and popularity among UK casino players. Moreover, the UK Gambling Commission also promotes responsible gambling and regularly supervises the work of its operators in order to ensure that they offer a safe and fair gaming experience that can also be regulated by casino players.

For example, you can self-exclude for a specific period of time on a gambling site, contact support agents if you have any additional questions about their bonuses and promotions, or limit your deposits and withdrawals. There are also strict regulations regarding the promotion of bonuses on the platform.

Payment Methods

Another reason why the UK is the leader in iGaming is the opportunities to make deposits and withdrawals with globally recognized and safe payment methods such as VISA, PayPal, Skrill and Neteller, Paysafecard, and MasterCard. In most cases, deposits and withdrawals and approved instantly, especially when it comes to advanced digital wallets.

iGaming platforms also accept cryptocurrencies which represent one of the latest innovations in the sector, and it offers another option for any crypto owner that wants to make deposits and withdrawals with their crypto funds.

Bonuses and Promotions

The UK iGaming sector is known for online bonuses and promos on online casinos, betting, and bingo sites.  There are plenty of different types of bonuses to choose from, like deposit-match offers, bonus spins, loyalty points, cashback offers, giveaways, and tournaments. So, based on your preferences, you can find bonuses that let you try different games or make your gaming experience more enjoyable.

They might have loyalty schemes that also include different loyalty rewards, and this is something that online casinos, for example, and land-based casinos, have in common, as there are iGaming sites as well as traditional gambling establishments where you are able to collect loyalty points and reap different rewards. The loyalty rewards might include everything from special bonuses to gifts, personalized rewards, personal account managers, higher withdrawals, and other options.

 

 

 

Construction, Construction News, News

Roann Limited secures another high value project with CField Construction

Specialist granite and quartz worktop supplier, Roann Limited, has secured yet another high value project, with London-based client, CField Construction.

The £34.1 million project comprises the construction of a mixed-use development, including a new business space, housing and an 11-storey building, at Liddell Road in London.

Roann Limited has been appointed to supply over 100 units of 20mm Artscut Titan Drift kitchen worktops to the properties, valuing over £235,000.

Roann Limited will finish on site in August 2023 and once completed, the properties will be returned to and administered by Camden Council.

Commenting on the project win, Scott Wharton, Sales Director at Roann Limited says “We’re thrilled to have been appointed as the lead supplier of kitchen worktops for this fantastic project. The properties being built will provide 106 mixed tenure residential units, which will be a great addition to the local area.”

“We’re securing more and more projects as a business and our client-base is rapidly growing, so it’s great to end the year on this project with CField Construction and we’re looking forward to continuing our work in 2023!”