Monthly Archives: June 2023

Europe, Transport, Travel

Looking to hike across Europe? Here’s why you need a rental car

Europe is a hiker’s paradise. From the rugged hills of Scotland to the rolling hills of Tuscany, Europe offers an array of hiking trails that cater to hikers of all levels. But, with so many trails, planning a hiking trip across Europe can be daunting, especially with public transport or taxis

Thus, as the best and safe option for hiking in Europe, renting a car is ideal. Renting a car is essential if you want to maximize your hiking experience. Renting a car from Car Rental Eindhoven airport allows you to venture to your destination straight as you arrive. 

 

The convenience of hiking with a rental car 

Accessibility 

Many of the best hiking trails in Europe are situated in remote areas that are difficult to reach by public transportation. Renting a car can give you the freedom and flexibility to explore these areas and access the trailheads conveniently.

Additionally, having your car allows you to bring all the necessary equipment and supplies for your hike, and gives you the freedom to stop at any time to take a break or enjoy the scenery. Renting a car can also save you time by allowing you to visit multiple hiking trails daily, without relying on public transportation schedules.

 

Freedom to Explore Lesser-Known Trails

Firstly, getting a rental car allows you to explore beyond the beaten path. While popular trails like the Camino de Santiago or the Tour du Mont Blanc are breathtaking, they can get crowded during peak hiking seasons. 

Imagine hiking through the lush green forests of Slovenia or the rugged hills of Romania without another soul in sight. A rental car allows you to explore and discover Europe’s hidden gems. In addition, it allows you to hike multiple trails in one trip. Europe is home to over 200,000 kilometers of hiking trails, making it impossible to visit them all in one trip. However, with a rental car, you can easily hop from trail to trail, exploring different regions and landscapes. 

 

Security and Convenience

Hiking can be unpredictable, and a rental car offers a sense of security and comfort. If the weather turns sour or you suffer an injury, renting a car means you can quickly get to a nearby town or hospital. Also, you can pause your trip anytime and anywhere you wish. Additionally, renting a car makes it easy to transport hiking gear and supplies, eliminating the need to carry heavy loads on foot. BB&L Car Rental offers a range of car sizes and models to fit all your hiking needs, from small and compact to larger SUVs. 

 

Affordability

A rental car is an affordable way to explore Europe’s hiking trails. Public transportation can be costly and limiting, especially in rural areas with few bus or train connections. Renting a car provides a cost-effective way to explore Europe’s vast and diverse landscapes, giving you the freedom to create your hiking itinerary without breaking the bank. Additionally, BB&L Car Rental offers competitive pricing and flexible rental options to suit any budget. So, you can choose a plan that best suits you.

Construction, Construction News

What Is OSB3? 5 Things To Know

When it comes to construction materials, OSB3 is a popular choice. But what exactly is it? And why should you consider using it?

In this article, we’ll cover the basics of OSB3 and provide five key points you need to know before deciding. We’ll dive into what OSB3 is and why it’s becoming a popular choice for residential and commercial construction projects. 

Let’s get into it! 

 

What Is OSB3 Made From? A Material Breakdown

OSB3 stands for ‘oriented strand board’ – an engineered wood product made from compressed and glued wood strands. It is readily available from most UK building material suppliers, such as MGM Timber. 

It is composed of flakes or chips placed in alternating layers to form boards with durability and strength similar to plywood. The strands used in OSB3 come from fast-growing trees such as spruce, fir, pine, and larch. 

These woods have high resin content, which helps create strong bonds between the individual pieces when pressed together under immense pressure. 

Due to its excellent load-bearing capacity, this process creates an extremely dense yet lightweight material ideal for construction projects like roofing and flooring. Additionally, OSB3 provides good insulation properties making it perfect for use in hot and cold climates. 

Its uniform composition also makes cutting into regular shapes easier than other types of lumber. Overall, OSB3 is a great choice for any project where strength and stability matter most.

 

Strength And Durability: Why OSB3 Excels

OSB3 is an engineered wood panel that’s built to last. 

The panel has excellent load-bearing capabilities to handle heavy loads without sagging or buckling. It is also highly water resistant and more resistant to natural decay like fungi due to its coating. 

The panels also have good fire resistance, making them suitable for construction where there is the potential risk of fire exposure. Finally, OSB3 is extremely durable; this material will last for decades when properly installed and maintained.

Because of these qualities, OSB3 makes an ideal choice for various applications, including flooring underlayment, wall sheathing, roof decks, furniture components and more. Its strength and durability make it the perfect solution for any project requiring long-lasting performance.

 

Applications Of OSB3: Versatility At Its Best

OSB3 is an environmentally responsible structural board combining strength, durability, and affordability. It has a wide range of uses in residential, commercial and industrial applications. Here are some of the key reasons why OSB3 is a versatile building material:

  • It’s strong enough for flooring or wall sheathing, providing superior protection against moisture damage.
  • It can be used for roof decking, which provides greater load-bearing capacity than other building materials like plywood.
  • Due to its ability to resist shrinkage and swelling over time, OSB3 can be used in outdoor projects such as decks and fences without compromising quality or aesthetics. 
  • Its uniformity makes it ideal for furniture manufacturing or cabinetry making, where consistency is important.
  • Because of its lightweight properties, OSB3 can be easily cut into strips to form intricate patterns – perfect for decorative accents around the home!

In short, OSB3 is an incredibly versatile product that offers stability and affordability for all kinds of construction projects. Whether you’re looking for flooring material or something more creative like patterned walls – this structural board will not disappoint.

 

Choosing The Right OSB3: Factors To Consider

Choosing the right OSB3 can be a daunting task, and there are many factors to consider when choosing the most suitable product for your project or application. Here are five things to know about selecting an OSB3 board:

1) Density is one of the main considerations when looking at different types of boards. The higher the density, the greater strength and stability you get from each sheet. It would help if you also looked at moisture resistance levels; some products may not be durable enough in wetter climates.

2) Look out for ratings such as fire performance, structural suitability and load-bearing capabilities – these will better indicate how well it will perform under certain conditions. This information can usually be found on manufacturers’ websites or data sheets.

3) Different sizes and thicknesses vary according to what type of job you’re doing – make sure you understand what size/thickness is required before making a purchase.

4) Don’t forget to check whether there’s any warranty associated with the product, too – this could save time and money if something unexpected happens further down the line!

5) Lastly, price shouldn’t necessarily dictate which product you go for, but cost-effectiveness is always important, so don’t neglect to compare prices between suppliers either.

It pays to do thorough research before buying any building materials, especially those used in constructing larger structures like houses or commercial buildings. 

Doing so increases the chances that you’ll select an appropriate product that meets all your needs while avoiding potentially costly mistakes later on down the line.

 

Common Misconceptions About OSB3: Debunking The Myths

OSB3 has been widely misunderstood, and several things need to be clarified. To begin with, the idea that OSB3 is only suitable for outdoor use is false; it can be used indoors and outdoors. 

Moreover, many people believe that OSB3 requires more maintenance than other materials, but this is different – in fact, it’s easy to maintain as long as you follow a few simple steps. 

Another common misconception is that OSB3 cannot absorb sound or reduce noise levels; however, this isn’t true either – its acoustic insulation properties make it a great choice for any setting where sound needs to be reduced. 

Finally, some assume that because it’s made from wood chips and glue, OSB3 must look cheap and unattractive; yet, when finished properly, it looks like any other type of wood panelling.

 

In Conclusion, 

In conclusion, OSB3 is a great choice for construction and other applications. Its versatility makes it suitable for all kinds of projects from flooring to wall coverings. 

We hope that this article has helped to answer the question ‘what is OSB3?’ and given you some ideas as to what you could do with it. What will you build first?

 

Awards, Healthcare, News

New Headline Partner Announced for the HSI Awards 2023

UK’s leading technology communications company Vodafone and the Health Service Journal (HSJ) are pleased to announce a strategic collaboration to drive the standard of healthcare excellence through the HSJ Awards.

This follows the creation of Vodafone’s new dedicated health team designed to bring together connected health solutions and digital transformation to improve access to healthcare and create better patient experiences.

HSJ, the UK’s leading source for health policy intelligence, is hosting the 43rd HSJ Awards in November. These awards shine a light on the outstanding efforts and achievements across the health and social care sector by giving the NHS a platform for sharing best practice, improving patient outcomes, and innovating drivers of better service. This year’s awards will also provide a well-deserved thanks to the sector as the NHS celebrates its 75th birthday.

Speaking about the partnership, HSJ editor Alastair McLellan said “HSJ is delighted that Vodafone have become the headline partners of the HSJ Awards – the largest and most prestigious awards programme highlighting innovation in the NHS. Over the last four decades, the HSJ Awards has grown to become the leading showcase of best practice in the NHS. The expertise and support that Vodafone will bring to the HSJ Awards will mean we can do even more to recognise, promote, and celebrate the finest examples of NHS care.”

Anne-Marie Vine-Lott, Head of Vodafone’s new Health division in the UK, added “We believe some of the biggest challenges in healthcare can be addressed through technology and we are honoured to become headline partners of the HSJ Awards. The awards recognise and celebrate innovation in the NHS and I’m looking forward to meeting the finalists and seeing the positive impact their ideas have had for patient outcomes and services provision.”

Deadline for entries for the 43rd HSJ Awards is 16 June. The shortlist will be announced on 14 August, and winners will be celebrated at the awards ceremony in London on 18 November.

For more information about the HSJ Awards, visit https://awards.hsj.co.uk

For more information about the Vodafone in Health, visit:

https://www.vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/news/new-vih-division-to-accelerate-tech-healthcare/

 

 

Immigration, News

Working in the UK with a High Potential Individual Visa

Almost three million visas were granted by the Home Office in 2022, a figure that represents an 11% slide on the numbers for 2019. Of these, 37% qualified as either study or work visas, meaning that the large majority of 2022’s visas were given to holidaymakers, refugees, and for “other” types of immigration routes. Of course, things aren’t quite that simple. As far as visas are concerned, there are categories within categories, including several new ones.

The High Potential Individual Visa

One of these fresh routes to the UK is the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa. Designed to attract foreign nationals with valuable skills to the UK, an HPI visa is a cornerstone of the country’s new immigration system, which now considers applicants on a quantitive or points-based scheme. The HPI visa was created to increase the attractiveness of the UK in the wake of its separation from the European Union.

A High Potential Individual visa is similar to a skilled worker visa, another new route to the UK that was introduced in 2020. The Reiss Edwards website indicates that a Skilled Worker visa allows stays from people with a minimum work-based qualification equivalent to A-Level. It permits residence of up to five years. In contrast, HPI visa allows people who have recently gained an academic qualification (like a degree, master’s, or doctorate) to either look for a job or start employment in the country.

As far as eligibility is concerned, individuals on an HPI visa need to have graduated within five years before applying and have a degree from a qualifying university. For 2022, the number of institutions on the latter list was forty. UK universities are not eligible on the HPI visa scheme but high-ranking American colleges like Harvard, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins University are included, alongside a handful of others around the world.

Financial Stipulations

Inevitably, there are a few more must-haves before a person can be granted a High Potential Individual visa. These include financial stipulations. For instance, hopefuls must have had a minimum of £1,270 in their bank account for the 28 days prior to their form submission date. Also, a £715 application fee, £210 to validate a qualification (via Ecctis), and a £624 health surcharge must also be paid.

Overall, recipients of an HPI visa may have to either own or part with around £3,000, which makes the scheme rather expensive, especially when monies for accommodation and travel are added on top. That still isn’t everything though. Applicants must be able to prove their competence in English if they’re not from an English-speaking nation. This is done either with a Secure English Language Test or evidence of a qualification taught in English.

Since its creation, the High Potential Individual visa has been well-received. However, it does have a number of drawbacks that foreign nationals should be aware of. For one, it’s a temporary thing. Recipients of an HPI visa will have to leave the UK once the terms of their stay have expired. Unfortunately, this means that it’s unlikely to be popular with people wanting to start a new life and/or career in the country.

In summary, similar to the skilled worker visa, an HPI visa provides an opportunity for the highly educated to find work in a new country. For more information on qualifying universities, visit the Gov.UK website. Alternatively, read our article about the UK’s points-based immigration system by clicking here.

Education, Education News

Education of the Future 

Enriching the practical experience of our students

Today, Cherwell College Oxford is rethinking the meaning of modern education and strives to offer their students things that they can immediately use in practice. Cherwell College has always provided and continues to provide a high level of academic education and powerful scientific knowledge. At the same time, Cherwell understands that modern competitiveness is built on the development of students’ unique abilities. Personal achievements and ambitions, the application of knowledge in practice, creativity and a flair for experimentation pave the way for the best future for students.

 

Access to the best modern higher education

This year, Cherwell College Oxford is partnering up with Berkeley, University of California. 

Cherwell’s pedagogy at pre-university level coupled with Berkeley’s Method of Entrepreneurship, as developed by Sutardja Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology (Berkeley UC) at undergraduate and postgraduate level, create a powerful synergy and a pathway for progression to higher education. Both employ a flexible approach to an educational process with the aim of creating a favourable environment for students to flourish and achieve high grades through focusing on the development of the individual in a competitive world of academia and business.

Cherwell’s pedagogy is based on the Socratic method of teaching (one to one and small groups) which develops reasoning, critical thinking, erudition, and provides a wholesome all-round educational experience, preparing students for university and life beyond.

 

Focus on technology, entrepreneurship and innovation

At Cherwell a lot of attention is paid to STEM subjects, as it is important to create the best opportunity for students to continue their studies in this area. Today, technology and entrepreneurship are closely linked, it is a powerful mix that inspires successful start-ups and is in demand in the world right now. 

Unique partnership with Sutardja Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology (Berkeley UC) will create academic pathways through traditional A-levels & Bootcamps in Oxford and California to enable students to prepare for higher educational establishments.

However, Cherwell’s diverse team and multidisciplinary ethos allow A-level and GCSE students with interest in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences to flourish both in class through excellent teaching, as well as outside of the classroom environment through unique initiatives and extracurricular activities, together with online courses as offered by the College www.cherwell-college.co.uk.

 

The educators of the world are now focused on striking the right balance between the student’s academic success and one’s ability for social integration through teamwork as well as supporting causes aimed at betterment of the environment or community we live in: this notion is well established through the universities application process and interviews where applicants are encouraged to show the ‘human’ side of oneself. That is why Cherwell College continuously supports its students in all their endeavours, making a special emphasis on social and teamwork skills, which is the foundation of their successful future.

Finance and Banking, Finance News, Pensions

Annuity sales are up but shop around for the best deal

Annuities are back in focus but it’s vital people don’t just get sucked in by the headlines and shop around for the best deal, warns Steve Butler, CEO at Punter Southall Aspire.

New data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI)[i] has revealed that sales of annuities surged 22% in Q1 2023 compared with the last quarter of 2022 – with 16,256 annuities bought – the largest number recorded since Q3 2019.

ABI also show more people are shopping around and switching provider for the first time since 2016, with more than 10,000 people buying an annuity from a different provider to their pension company, making up 64% of sales and totalling £847 million.

But ABI say one in three retirees are not switching from their existing pension provider and could be missing out on extra income[ii].

 

Steve said: “Annuities fell out of favour in 2015 when pension freedoms law created more flexibility in the retirement income market. In truth, rock-bottom interest rates at that time made them far less attractive in any case.

“Fast forward to 2023 and they make sense as interest rates rise, offering some certainty in a very uncertain time. Broadly, as interest rates rise, so does the value of an annuity. They are now at their highest level for 14 years, which does make them look more attractive.

“Their appeal is that they offer a guaranteed income for life which is a vital part of retirement planning. However the difference between the best and worst deals can be tens of thousands of pounds over a lifetime, so people need to be careful when purchasing an annuity and not just get carried away as they are back in fashion.”

 

ABI highlights that the gap between the top and bottom providers has widened – with a healthy 65-year-old now able to secure nearly 14% more annual income by securing the best instead of the worst rate[iii].

 

Steve adds: “Whilst it’s encouraging that more people are shopping around our message remains the same – everyone buying an annuity should be checking EVERY annuity on the market. People should never accept just one quote from their existing provider out of misplaced loyalty.

“Technology has made it extremely simple to check the whole of the market and there is a wealth of guidance and tools out there, such as our online calculator Pension Potential which searches the entire market and can show people how much their pension can buy, making it easy to see the right deal for them.

“Shopping around can significantly boost retirement income and just like people are now used to shopping around for insurance we encourage them to do the same at retirement. It could result in literally thousands more in retirement income, for a few minutes spent searching.”

 

[i] https://www.abi.org.uk/news/news-articles/2023/5/annuity-sales-surge-after-turbulent-2022/

[ii] https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/4116689/sales-annuities-hit-highest-volumes-years

[iii] https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/4116689/sales-annuities-hit-highest-volumes-years

Accountancy & Accounts, Finance and Banking, News

New generation of CFOs driving broader view of business performance and purpose

In the move towards sustainable organisations the role of the CFO is evolving beyond finance to include sustainability and social aspects of their operations

New research by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and BDO, the international network of public accounting, tax and advisory firms, has revealed how the role of the CFO is growing to include driving business decisions and reporting on the non-financial areas of their operations.

Over 100 CFOs and business leaders from around the world took part in roundtables and in-depth interviews to contribute their insight into how the traditional role of the CFO is changing, resulting in the report ‘Chief value officer – the important evolution of the CFO’.

To be successful and sustainable, businesses and other organisations increasingly need to combine economic, environmental and social equity. Those that don’t, face risks and their value can diminish – there is a very strong link between value creation and strategy. Using the breadth of drivers (financial, manufactured, intellectual, human, social & relationship and nature) to generate benefit for a wide range of stakeholders creates value.

With a focus for many organisations on purpose and value, contributors were asked to consider whether there is a trend to asserting the need for a new role of chief value officer and whether this a role that the CFO is already fulfilling.

 

The resulting three key findings from the report are:

  • The concept of value is fundamental to the management of performance in organisations and its adoption is a key element in their path to a sustainable future.
  • CFOs are increasingly adopting a value centric approach in their work and this represents an evolution towards encompassing the chief value officer role within a more traditionally financially focused remit.
  • The development path for those aspiring to be CFOs requires an increasingly broad range of experience which embraces both formal and informal learning activities: professional bodies and practices need to engage with this.

 

Helen Brand, ACCA chief executive, noted: “We already know that CFOs are increasingly acting as strategic leaders and advisers in their organisations. The CFO role is one that has moved significantly from the traditional view, while retaining the core responsibilities. Now there’s a real opportunity for them to satisfy the value agenda and evolve the role for the next generation of CFOs.”

 

Carly Bleathman, Partner – Business Services and Outsourcing at BDO UK said: “Our research highlights the exceptional role that CFOs are playing in developing their organisations. We commend the role that these individuals play and how they are truly embracing the broader value agenda. I know from my own experience that CFOs are truly chief value officers.”

 

Albert Lopez, Global Head of Business Services and Outsourcing, BDO Global said: “There are many CFOs from across the world who are embracing this wider concept of value and our research highlights many positive stories. Embracing the sustainability agenda and delivering against it is a key role that our profession must play to help ensure that we have a positive future.”

 

Lloyd Powell, head of ACCA Cymru/Wales said: “Creating sustainable organisations is a key priority for all organisations and CFOs have a fundamental role to play in delivering this. The perception of the CFO and the finance team needs to change from being Dr No to Dr How. It is pleasing to see how many finance teams are working towards this agenda.”

 

For more information, read the full report at our website.

Marketing, PR and SEO

The 8 Business Benefits Of Adverse Media Monitoring

In today’s interconnected and rapidly changing world, the need for businesses to stay informed about their public perception is paramount. This urgency brings us to the intriguing domain of adverse media monitoring. This underappreciated yet powerful tool aids companies in navigating the treacherous seas of public opinion. Adverse Media Monitoring—sounds like something straight out of a suspense novel, doesn’t it? However, this tool is not just for the pages of fiction but plays a critical role in the real-world narrative of business success.  

In this post, we will delve deep into the treasure chest of Adverse Media Monitoring. Buckle up as we navigate through the eight benefits this tool can offer your business: reputation management and strategic decision-making. Each of these advantages will be explored, offering valuable insights into why your business should pay more attention to adverse media. Learn more here: 

Understanding Adverse Media Monitoring 

Adverse Media Monitoring is a process that involves keeping a close eye on the media to track negative stories or content that could potentially harm a business’s reputation. It is like having a digital detective that works in real-time to monitor any adverse news or information that may be circulating about your company. By understanding Adverse Media Monitoring, businesses can proactively manage their reputation and respond quickly to any negative content or stories that may arise. It can help mitigate potential damage to the company’s brand and maintain customer trust and loyalty. 

1. Reputation Management: A Game-Changer 

Ready to step into the limelight? Here’s the first major perk of Adverse Media Monitoring. It’s a stellar tool for reputation management. By alerting you to negative press, you can swiftly address the issue. It’s like having a personal advisor saying, ‘Hey, this needs your attention – now!’ And in today’s fast-paced world, speed is everything. 

2. Crisis Management: Your First Line of Defense 

Speaking of speed, let’s slide into our next point: crisis management. When bad news hits, it hits hard. Adverse Media Monitoring helps soften the blow. It’s your first line of defence, providing real-time alerts that allow you to strategize, respond, and minimize damage quickly. Don’t let a crisis control you – take the reins with Adverse Media Monitoring. 

3. Competitive Analysis: Stay Ahead Of the Game 

Are you tired of always playing catch-up? With Adverse Media Monitoring, you’ll always be one step ahead. By tracking negative press about your competitors, you’ll gain valuable insight into their struggles. It’s a smart way to learn from other’s mistakes and avoid making them yourself. Turn the tables and let your competitors chase you for a change! 

4. Regulatory Compliance: Navigating The Maze 

Next up, we’re tackling the intricate maze of regulatory compliance. Adverse Media Monitoring helps keep your business in check. It alerts you when any media content suggests possible regulatory breaches related to your company. This way, you’re not just steering clear of PR nightmares but also potentially hefty fines and legal troubles. 

5. Customer Trust and Loyalty: Your Secret Weapon 

Nothing feels better than having loyal customers, right? Adverse Media Monitoring can help solidify that loyalty. By addressing negative press proactively, you’re showing customers that you care. Transparency earns trust, and trust translates into loyalty. So, in a way, Adverse Media Monitoring is your secret weapon for customer retention. 

6. Strategic Decision Making: Your Pathway To Success 

Looking to make smarter business decisions? Adverse Media Monitoring can light the path. It provides insights into industry trends, consumer sentiments, and potential issues. You’re better equipped to make strategic decisions that propel your business forward by staying informed. Who knew that a little media monitoring could be such a game-changer? 

7. Identifying Business Opportunities: The Window To Growth 

Eyes on the prize, folks! Here’s another advantage of Adverse Media Monitoring – identifying business opportunities. You can spot emerging trends, untapped markets, or potential collaborations by monitoring the media landscape. Adverse Media Monitoring is like having a pair of binoculars, always ready to spot the next big thing on the horizon. 

8.Improving Products Or Services: The Road To Excellence 

Finally, we arrive at our last point – product or service improvement. Negative feedback isn’t always a bad thing. It’s a gold mine for improvement. Adverse Media Monitoring can help you identify areas of your products or services that need enhancement. Think of it as constructive criticism, pointing you towards excellence. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Adverse Media Monitoring offers a range of benefits that can help businesses stay ahead of the competition and succeed in today’s fast-paced business landscape. From reputation management and crisis control to competitive analysis and strategic decision-making, Adverse Media Monitoring provides valuable insights and real-time alerts that enable businesses to respond quickly and proactively to any negative press or information that may harm their brand. By leveraging this tool, businesses can maintain customer trust and loyalty, avoid legal troubles, identify new growth opportunities, and ultimately carve a successful path in the business world.

 

FInance, Finance and Banking

Common Novice Mistakes in Forex and How to Avoid Them

Forex trading is a popular way to make money, but it can also be a risky endeavor. Novice traders are especially susceptible to making mistakes, as they may not have the experience or knowledge to avoid them. 

These are just a few of the most common mistakes that novice forex traders make. By avoiding these mistakes, you can increase your chances of success in the forex market.

Common Mistakes

One of the most common mistakes that novice traders make is needing a trading plan. A trading plan is a document that outlines your trading goals, strategies, and risk management rules.

It is essential for any trader, but it is crucial for novice traders who may not have the experience to make sound trading decisions independently. A trading plan can help you to stay disciplined and avoid making impulsive trades. It can also help you to manage your risk and avoid losing more money than you can afford.

Not Using Stop Losses

Stop losses are orders that automatically close out a trade if it reaches a certain price level. They are an essential risk management tool that can help to limit losses. Novice traders often neglect to use stop losses, which can lead to significant losses if the trade goes against them. A stop loss is like an insurance policy for your trading account. It helps to protect you from losing more money than you can afford.

Using Momentum Indicators in Isolation

Momentum indicators should not be used in isolation, as they can provide misleading signals. You should always use other technical analysis tools and your own judgment to make trading decisions.

Traders must know how to use momentum indicators, not considering the overall market trend. Momentum indicators can be exploited to identify trends, but they should not be used to predict the direction of the trend. You should always consider the overall market trend before making a trade.

Trading too large of a Position Size

New traders often make the mistake of trading too large of a position size. This can lead to large losses if the trade goes against them. It is important to start with a small position size and gradually increase it as you gain experience and confidence. A good rule of thumb is to never risk more than 2% of your account on any single trade.

Not Managing risk

Risk management is essential for any trader, but it is essential for novice traders who may not have the experience to make sound trading decisions on their own. There are a number of risk management tools that can help to limit losses, such as stop losses, position sizing, and diversification. Using these tools can reduce your risk and increase your chances of success.

Trading Emotionally

Emotions are one of the biggest enemies of traders. When you trade emotionally, you are more likely to make mistakes. It is important to stay calm and objective when trading and to avoid letting your emotions cloud your judgment. When you make a trade, it is important to think logically and rationally. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you.

How to Avoid Mistakes

There are a number of things that you can do to avoid making common mistakes in forex trading. Here are a few tips:

Do your research

Before you start trading, it is important to do your research and learn as much as you can about the forex market. This includes learning about the different currency pairs, how to read charts, and how to manage risk.

The more you know about the market, the better equipped you will be to make sound trading decisions. You should learn about the different factors affecting currency prices, such as interest rates, economic data, and political events. You should also learn about different trading strategies and how to use them to your advantage.

Start small

Don’t try to trade too much too soon. Start with a small account and gradually increase your size as you gain experience. This will help you to manage your risk and avoid losing more money than you can afford.

If you start with a $100 account, you should only trade with a few dollars at a time. As you gain experience and confidence, you can gradually increase your trading size.

Use a trading plan

A trading plan is a document that outlines your trading goals, strategies, and risk management rules. It is essential for any trader, but it is crucial for novice traders who may not have the experience to make sound trading decisions on their own. A trading plan will help you to stay disciplined and avoid making impulsive trades.

Your trading plan should include your trading goals, the strategies you will use to achieve those goals, and the risk management rules you will follow.

Use stop losses

Stop losses are orders that automatically close out a trade if it reaches a certain price level. They are an essential risk management tool that can help to limit losses. Novice traders often neglect to use stop losses, which can lead to substantial losses if the trade goes against them. If you are trading EUR/USD and your stop loss is set at 1.1000, your broker will automatically close your trade if the price of EUR/USD reaches 1.1000.

Manage risk

There are a number of risk management tools that can help to limit losses. Use them to your advantage. These tools include stop losses, position sizing, and diversification. Using these tools can reduce your risk and increase your chances of success.

For example, you can use stop losses to limit your losses on each trade, you can use position sizing to control the amount of risk you are exposed to, and you can use diversification to reduce your risk by investing in a variety of assets.

Following these tips can help you to avoid making common mistakes in forex trading and increase your chances of success.

 

Energy, News

Expert shares how to lower your business energy bills while the sun shines

As UK businesses face energy costs of up to 80p/kWH, renewable energy helps companies reduce their dependence on the national grid by installing solar panels, solar batteries, air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and EV charging points. Energy independence allows businesses to plan their finances in a climate where these energy prices remain volatile.

For many businesses, solar panels and a solar battery is the obvious route to renewable energy. Unlike residential properties, the power generation potential of larger, commercial solar panel installations means the payback on your initial investment is far quicker. Should you wish to sell your unwanted energy, the income generation benefits from selling this back to the National Grid also increase.

Chris Delaney, managing director of the UK’s fastest-growing renewables company, GreenBuildingRenewables.co.uk, explains: “Under the government’s Smart Export Guarantee scheme, licensed small electricity generators can sell their surplus energy back to National Grid buyers based on their current tariff rates. We usually suggest this isn’t financially rewarding for our residential customers, but for companies generating more significant amounts of electricity, it’s definitely worth considering.

Chris adds: “Alternatively, rather than selling back your surplus energy, you can install a solar battery which helps you capitalise 100% of the electricity you generate to provide additional power for lighting and powering equipment and machinery. This greatly increases the speed of payback on a solar panel system.”

As a result of the measures announced in the latest Budget, businesses will now enjoy the following benefits:

  • Complete expensing: This enables companies to receive 100% relief in the first year for qualifying new main rate plant and machinery investments made between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2026.
  • 50% first-year allowance (FYA): Companies can now claim a 50% FYA for expenditures on new special rate assets, including long-life assets, until 31 March 2026.
  • Annual Investment Allowance (AIA): This provides 100% first-year relief for plant and machinery investments up to £1 million. The AIA is accessible to all businesses, including unincorporated businesses and most partnerships.

How easy is it to install solar panels on the roof of your business?

Before you embark on any solar panel installation project, you should:

  • Understand your businesses current energy usage, including weekly and seasonal peaks and troughs in demand. This will help identify whether you need a solar battery to harness surplus generated energy.
  • Explore your future energy needs of your business – for instance, do you plan to expand production or floor space?
  • Conduct a solar panel survey to check the compatibility of your roofing at your business premises.
  • Research renewable energy financial incentives and any government funding initiatives.

How long does it take to install solar panels on a business property?

Chris explains: “As a rough guide, a 12-16 panel will take around a day, with extra time for commissioning. For larger premises, we’ll need to install more panels, possibly on different sections of the building. So this will take longer. Scaffolding is required and access to power supply and the batteries are fitted internally but take up little room.”

What are the PR benefits for companies adopting green energy solutions?

As our awareness of carbon footprints increases, the public relations advantages of demonstrating your environmentally friendly practices are significant. Many companies merely pay lip service to being green, but discerning consumers can easily spot greenwashing—when individuals or businesses claim to be environmentally conscious without providing substantial evidence.

Chris concludes: “If you are developing a sustainability strategy and aiming to reduce your reliance on the National Grid, implementing solar panels is an excellent initial step. It demonstrates a genuine commitment to investing in green energy that aligns with your business values. Additionally, showcasing the savings you achieve and the electricity you generate can create a compelling narrative in your year-end reports, website, and social media platforms.”