3 Tips For Helping Consumers On Their Digital Journey

Before the Internet, people had to interact with their customers face-to-face and on their own terrain. But not, your customers don’t even have to speak to anyone within your organization before they decide to do business with you. However, if you don’t have any type of contact before consumers are ready to make a purchasing decision, there’s a good chance that their business might go to someone else.

To help you increase the chances of them working with you, here are three tips for helping consumers on their digital journey

Create Helpful Content

The first step on a consumer’s journey is to gather information about what their problem is and what possible solutions are out there for them. Knowing this, you should try your best to create helpful content that gives them the information they’re searching for.

According to Dummies.com, it’s wise to both create content that will be helpful for your audience as well as placing that content in an area where they are likely to see it. But to do this, you have to already have a great understanding of your customers. If you don’t have this, you can’t expect to be able to create content that will be helpful for them in the first place. So before you start creating videos or writing blogs that you mean to be informational, make sure you know exactly what content should be included and what will resonate best with your target demographic. 

Be Active On Social Media

For many businesses, one of the best places to reach potential customers is through social media. Depending on what your product or service is and what type of people you’re trying to sell to, the actual social media platforms that you’ll want to use will vary. However, your strategy for using each social media platform will basically be the same.

Ideally, Patricia Maranga, a contributor to Social Media Examiner, shares that you as a business will want to be as active as you can be on each chosen social platform by using the platform the same way your target audience does. This will increase your chances of being seen and remembered.  

Make It Easy To Make Decisions

Once your audience is ready to make a purchasing decision to be the solution to their problem, you want your product or service to be the most obvious choice for them. But to get to this point, you’ll want to make this decision to be as easy as possible. 

To do this, Patrick Spenner and Karen Freeman, contributors to the Harvard Business Review, recommend that you make it easy for consumers to get to your product pages and then navigate through the purchasing process in as few clicks or pages as you can manage. The more streamlined the process is with limited distractions, the more likely you are to get a conversion. 

If you’re wanting your business to be more helpful to consumers on their digital purchase journey, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you do this.

Spring Cleaning

Benjamin Cory Harow is a tidy fellow, he enjoys his home and all things around him to be tidy and clean. He is not messy nor does he suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder; he just finds tidiness and cleanliness a must. Harow wants to express the importance of spring cleaning and its many benefits.

Yes, traditional cleaning that is done day in and day out will help the process along quite nicely but it does require a bit more effort and attention to detail. When the winter months approach, it becomes cooler, it gets darker more quickly and viruses start to eradicate even more than the months prior. People begin to tighten up their agendas too; work and back home again and then the occasional necessary grocery shopping or outing. They shut their doors and tighten their homes as they want to escape the brisk cool days and even cooler nights. As bacteria and dust accumulate through these cool and shut in days with the lack of fresh breeze and outdoor components to help filter the houses there is higher probability for sickness. So as the days become longer, warmer and a lot more enjoyable it is time for spring cleaning to help the filtration processes along. It is time to attack the sitting bacteria and dust and eliminate it from individuals homes to reduce the risk of illness. Like mentioned before spring cleaning is slightly more abrasive than the day to day cleaning routine.

It is time to open windows, grab the cleaning supplies and clean those hard to reach places. Pull out the refrigerator, scrub the bathtub, shampoo the carpets and throw out the old, flip the mattresses, etc. Thoroughly cleaning the carpets will reduce dust and dander; helping those with asthma and/or allergies. Cleaning the tub will reduce the chance for molds; ultimately reducing the chances of multiple different illnesses. Opening the windows and allowing fresh air in will help circulate the air that has been sitting for months allowing for the stuffiness to be removed and the freshness to fill the home. Allow the sunshine to radiate inside and consume as much surface area as possible; as this reduces the chance for bacteria to thrive and bedbugs to hide. Pull out the refrigerator as all people know this is where dust likes to hide; maybe mold and mildew too. While the refrigerators are pulled out look inside too; pull the old and in with the new, reducing the risk for food poisoning too.

Benjamin Cory Harow also suggests to always include the day to day cleaning with the spring cleaning; making sure to eliminate as much bacteria and dust as possible. Scrub the counter tops, spray disinfectant, let the animals out longer, air the home and enjoy the sunshine. With a little bit of hard work and understanding the importance of spring cleaning the days will brighten and the deep breath of fresh air will be right around the corner as spring is near.

4 Tips For Calming Your Allergies

Spring is the time of year that many people look forward to as a new beginning bringing promises of growth. Along with these sentiments of newness and gentle breezes in the air, however, also come itchy eyes, sneezing, and headaches. 

For many people, spring makes their allergies get so bad that it can totally overshadow the beauty of the season. Although you may not be able to eradicate allergies completely, there are some ways to lessen their effects. Take a look at some of the best tips for alleviating your allergy woes. 

Get Your HVAC Serviced Regularly  

If you suffer from allergies, then you’re more susceptible to the air you breathe than the average person. If you don’t clean your filters in your HVAC system, then you can struggle from allergies all year long—not just when the pollen starts floating around. Make sure that your furnace and air conditioning system are regularly taken care of to reduce the number of dust particles that you breathe in. 

Regular HVAC maintenance doesn’t just mean that you’ll breathe better quality air; it will also mean that your home’s heating and cooling system will work much more efficiently

Shower Regularly 

Allergy sufferers have a lot more to gain from showers than just being clean. As you go throughout the day, you attract allergens and dust that stick to your body. Taking a shower one to two times a day can wash away these particles to avoid them rubbing off on to your couch, bed, or other parts of your house you hang out on. 

Above all, make sure that you wash your face since allergens can often be the most irritating in and around your eyes and nose. 

Wash Your Clothes Regularly 

Any time that you wear clothing outside, it’s best to toss it into your dirty clothes basket afterward. Even though it might not be visibly dirty to the eye, the truth is that it could be carrying a lot of particles that may flare up your allergies. In addition to washing your clothes regularly, you should also wash your sheets or any other blankets that may be sitting on your couch. Ideally, you should wash everything as hot as possible to eliminate all of the allergens. 

Keep Your Pet Out of Your Room 

As much as you might love your pet, unfortunately, they may be a big reason for your suffering during allergy season. While you may not be up for getting rid of your pet altogether, you should minimally keep them outside of your bedroom. 

Since cats and dogs go outside, they bring in all sorts of allergens. In addition to keeping them out of your bedroom, make sure that you also bathe and brush them to minimize the amount of dust and dander they carry around.

L’Oréal is Leading the Beauty Industry in Going Green

L’Oréal is going green. The beauty products giant is making “Green Sciences” the center of its planning for research and development as it builds its brand as a safe, transparent, and eco-friendly business.

L’Oréal products currently use raw inputs that are 34% of natural origin, 59% renewable, and 80% biodegradable. In establishing its new Research & Innovation the company has announced that by 2030 95% of ingredients will be derived from renewable plant sources, abundant minerals, or renewable processes. All of L’Oreal’s products will be ocean-friendly, respectful of the marine environment, doing no harm to the diversity of deep ocean, coastal, or freshwater ecosystems.

Says L’Oréal Deputy Chief Executive Officer Nicolas Hieronimus, “With Green Sciences we are entering a new chapter for L’Oréal Research & Innovation, which has been a key driving force behind the company since its creation. Our ambition is that by 2030 we will be able to offer women and men around the world increasingly effective, safe cosmetics that respect the environment. The company has also renewed its commitment to reducing emissions, water, and use of water, and to become carbon-positive, sequestering more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it releases into the atmosphere.

L’Oréal said the rapid shift toward new renewable alternatives to ingredients based on petroleum-derived chemicals is unfolding at a time that preserving the planet is paramount and the COVID pandemic is pumping demand for products proven beneficial to maintaining health and unquestionably environmentally safe.

With this new commitment to Green Sciences, Calvert Research & Management now ranks beauty specialist L’Oréal seventh among the world’s 1000 most eco-friendly companies. This ranking puts L’Oréal on a list with the most environmentally sensitive companies in the world, a list including consumer goods behemoth Unilever, footwear manufacturer Puma, consumer brands like Vaseline and Hellman’s, and hotelier Accor. Deputy Chief Executive Officer Nicolas Hieronimus describes the Green Sciences initiative as a new chapter in the company’s long pursuit of technological innovations that improve life for ordinary people, begun 112 years ago.

When Will it be Safe to Travel Again?

The world has been shut down for a long time. During this global pandemic known as COVID-19, the world has experienced new forms of working from home, communication, family gatherings, public guidelines, and entertainment. Even though it has been one full year since the lockdowns started in most of the world, there is a small light shining through the end of the tunnel. Research and scientists have begun to develop fully functioning vaccinations for the general use of the public. As we have seen recently, the amount of people per square foot in the world who have received a vaccine has greatly increased. With this new data being shown to the masses, everyone is wondering, when is it safe to travel?

Hopefully, with everything slowly returning to what is called “normal”, the idea of travelling with family and friends is a hopeful event. Now, having said this, the precautions from the start of lockdown are still in place to make it so that families and loved ones can return to travelling safely. Just because we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, does not warrant for the general public to ignore what keeps everyone safe. Us as a population need to maintain our belief in the scientists and researchers who know the concrete statistics behind what this pandemic has done and can continue to do. Diego Ruiz Duran has had a solid impact on the way people think about this pandemic, and being able to listen to that information is essential to staying strong throughout the last leg of this journey. Everyone needs to follow the lead of the scientists and continue to remain safe during the final stretch.

For those families who need to travel for emergencies, or for the people who need to hop on planes in order to continue their business, the work that is being done has been carried out in the safest way possible. However, like it has been mentioned in previous months, being responsible for family and those living in the same household is crucial to recovering from this infection in a timely manner. If the family does not have to drive, fly, take a train, or travel for any essential needs, being in quarantine in the comfort of one’s home is the way everything will return to normal. Quarantine is not the end of all days, there are plenty of activities and things to be done while maintaining a safe distance from anybody. Equally as important, when going out in public is a necessity, whether for getting groceries, working in the office, or filling up for gas, bringing the essential safety items, masks and hand sanitizer, helps those around you. All while maintaining the social distancing guidelines set up to assist anyone, being in public does not mean the safety of others goes flying out of the window. Diego Ruiz Duran believes in science and research and thinks everyone must do their part to follow the essential guidelines before we travel.

Benefits of Going to Church

According to Father George Rutler, every individual needs to go to a place where they can pray to God in peace. To him, this place could only be in church. The church is a place of calm and joy, and that means it is medicine to the many pains and afflictions that people go through on earth. It is where any Christian gets biblical answers on some issues they go through every day.

What Are the Benefits of Going to Church for Catholics?

1. It Builds a Stronger Connection with God

Going to church and mainly attending the Holy mass allows every catholic to partake of the Lord’s table. This act helps a believer understand that God is with them and in them at all times. The wine reminds every believer of the blood that Jesus shed on the cross for them.

2. It Helps a Believer Obtain the Mind of Christ

Going to church on an often basis helps a catholic understand the teachings of Christ. Jesus taught on keeping the mindset on what is above higher things. He also advised believers not to be conformed to the ways of the world. This means that every Catholic who finds time to go to church gets the like-mindedness of Christ and learns to live in His ways.

3. It Helps Believers Learn to Submit to the Will of God

The church is a place where there is divine help and intervention. Man, on the other hand, quickly falls short of the glory of God. Going to church, therefore, brings back the thoughts and obedience of man to God. God requires people to immerse themselves in His word and keep their thoughts pure. There is no better place to learn Christ’s teaching than in the church.

4. It Brings Peace and Guidance

According to Father George Rutler, it is only in a holy mass that you get to share peace with everyone without minding whether you know them or not. All believers get the opportunity to spread peace in Christ’s way. God’s word and the teachings of other leaders who have been in the faith for a long-time help guide believers. For example, Fathers have significantly been of help to many marriages since they offer counseling and spiritual guidance to couples. On the other hand, sisters remain an inspiration to young girls who want to serve God entirely.

5. It Helps Build the Community

A church helps bring the community together. It allows people to give and others to receive. The church does not only build peace among believers but also encourage people to be their brother’s keeper. Churches organize events such as church missions, sports, cleanups, and other activities, which helps the community develop as one strong team.

Bottom Line

The church is one of the most important things for a believer’s survival. There are uncountable benefits that come with it, such that the above-stated benefits are, but a few. Church helps people reconnect to their shared belief and improve on their spiritualism.

Big Building Design Technology

Architectural design is an age old practice, but the tools builders have to work with have come an awful long way over the years.  Today’s big buildings are cooler than ever, with technology running through every piece of the build.  

New growth is exciting when you know how new technology can make it better than ever before.  A strong foundation is vital for a long lasting design, and technology has made it more interesting than you may have thought possible.  

Take a moment now to read through this brief compilation of a few pieces of building technology that will blow your mind, and be amazed at what tech has achieved over time.    

Solar absorbing windows 

Technology has helped the world gain big steps towards sustainability, and the development of solar power is one of the most beneficial tools we now have at our disposal.  Builders are now designing huge buildings powered entirely on the energy of the sun.  

Self-sustained buildings that don’t pull from the main energy grid are extremely efficient in a number of ways for business owners and the professionals who work for those businesses.  

Built-in wind turbines 

The concept and function of wind turbines is old technology, but the new age implementation of the concept is mind-blowing.  The Bahrain World Trade Center is a wonder of modern architecture and design. 

The building is two large structures with three enormous wind turbines built into the middle connecting the structures.  The wind turbines catch the power of the breeze throughout the day and night to power the whole building… and it’s a huge building.  

Base isolation technology 

Apple’s new building in Silicon Valley is one of the most spectacular examples of base isolation technology in action.  The large circular complex is full of exciting technology, and you would expect nothing less from a tech giant like Apple.  

The base isolation technology built into the foundation of the design allows the building to move up to four feet in any direction in the event of an earthquake.  

Transforming stadiums 

Imagine a sports stadium that can literally transform into the right type of setup for several different games.  Well, it exists.  

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium features just the right technology to host soccer and football games with no issue to the setup.  The stadium has the ability to uproot masses of seats, and move the seats to a more desirable setup for the game being hosted.  

The invisible skyscraper 

You would think a skyscraper would be built to be seen, but the Tower Infinity was built to blend into the skyline.  The technology used in the design of this building is nothing short of mind-blowing.  

The building is fitted with 500 rows of LED screens that work to project with precision the scene around the building, making the building seemingly disappear into the horizon.

7 Natural Sleep Aids for a Deep Sleep

Sleep is a precious commodity in our day-to-day lives. It rejuvenates our bodies and gives us time to heal, rest and recover after a long day. Thus, getting enough sleep during your sleep cycle is essential.

With that said, the number of people who have insomnia globally is scary. These insomniacs either can’t get sleep or generally don’t reach the necessary sleep quota every night —which is about seven to nine hours. For this problem, there are various solutions, including over-the-counter drugs or natural sleeping aids.

If you have insomnia, some slight life changes like incorporating natural sleep aids into your life may help. You need to get your full sleep to function optimally the next day. Below are some natural sleep aids you could try to improve your condition.

Natural Sleep Aids for Your Sleepless Nights

Our natural sleep cycle, or circadian rhythm, is what you need to be in sync with to improve your sleeping patterns. People with insomnia have an irregular sleep cycle. Thus, they can’t experience deep sleep or any sleep at all.

Here are natural sleep aids that will improve your sleep cycle to give you deep sleep.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is a pretty popular herb. It’s widely used to treat jet lag, and as a sleep aid, it functions exceptionally well. You can find chamomile at any tea section in your local health foods. 

Chamomile has impressive sleep-promoting properties. They originate from its high apigenin levels, a chemical compound or bioflavonoid binds to the benzodiazepine receptors in your body. There is plenty of evidence that supports chamomile tea as a natural remedy to help insomniacs sleep. A study conducted in 2017, including 60 people, all aged above 60 years, found that chamomile tea significantly improved their sleep quality.

This was after their sleep quality was tested and assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

Lavender Extract

In essential oil form or capsule, lavender is often marketed as a remedy for both insomnia and anxiety. Moreover, the smell of lavender alone can invoke sleep by making you feel tired.

The claims around lavender and its sleep aid properties have concrete scientific evidence to back it up.

A study in 2005 observed the effects of lavender aromatherapy on the quality of sleep in both young women and men. The results of these tests were positive, indicating that lavender can indeed help you get that deep sleep you’ve been looking for.

Passion Flower Will Help You Get A Restful Sleep

Passion Flowers have numerous benefits, some of them being anti-anxiety and calming effects. Anxiety can affect the quality of sleep you get because your brain can’t “turn off” for you to gain deep sleep. The calming effects of the passionflower will help your brain relax and cease your anxious bouts of sleeplessness.

Various clinical trials have proven that passionflower is as effective as a prescribed drug in reducing anxiety, unlike prescribed drugs which carry side effects such as drowsiness and job performance issues. Passionflower is a powerful anti-anxiety and natural sleep aid that will not cause any signs of tiredness the following day.

Valerian Root will Induce Sleep.

The valerian plant has roots that offer relaxation and sedative effects. These two properties make the valerian root an effective natural sleep aid. The properties of the valerian root modulate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and this creates the never-calming effects in your brain.

GABA operates by blocking any brain signals that may cause anxiety and giving the user a calming effect. It’s also an excellent natural remedy for anxiety. The valerian root is available in capsule form, but the most preferred method of ingesting it is tea.

Ginkgo Biloba Herb

This herb is extracted from the maidenhair tree, a tree native to China and very ancient. Ginkgo Biloba being a natural supplement like Anti-Estrogen has various advantageous properties. Some of them include; promoting cognition, enhancing relaxation, improving your heart’s functionality, treating anxiety, and improving deep sleep quality.

Although the scientific backing behind Ginkgo Biloba as a natural sleep aid is not vast, the little available shows its positive effects in inducing sleep among insomniacs.

L-Theanine

This is an amino acid found in black and green tree leaves. The herb is a contributor to deep, refreshing sleep. L- Theanine is sold as an over-the-counter natural remedy and is often combined with similar herbs that boost deep sleep. Moreover, L-theanine increases your body’s production of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA.

Magnesium

This is the fourth most abundant mineral in our bodies. It’s essential for various bodily functions but also plays a critical role in the sleep cycle. Magnesium interacts with GABA to give you optimal sleep. In some cases, magnesium deficiency is linked directly to insomnia.

Final Thoughts

If you find it difficult to fall asleep or find deep sleep, the natural sleep aids listed above may be a good starting point. So many people worldwide find it hard to fall asleep is mind-blowing and safe; natural alternatives against prescription medication are the best solution to combat their insomnia. Keep in mind that these natural aids will work best if they go hand in hand with a change in your lifestyle to encourage deep sleep.

3 Branches of Government

The United States Government is divided into three distinct chambers. The three compose the basic functions that allow us to have the liberty and freedoms we enjoy on an everyday basis. Composed of the Judicial, Legislative, and Executive branches, Judge Napolitano knows the American Government manages and facilitates an active role in managing all the process under the heads of congressional order, the president, and the Supreme Court.

Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch of Government in the United States interprets acts of law passed by the Legislative Branch of Government. This acts as a means of checks and balances to passed laws, which are evaluated by the 9 Supreme Court Justices that serve for their entire lifetime.

As a brief history recap, it was the Articles of Confederation that outlined the basic format of our current Judicial System in a vague sense of originality. That is to say, they failed to show the necessity of powers dedicated to the Supreme Court and thus, it was left open to interpretation to the Judiciary body. The Judiciary Act of 1789 started the foundation of the Judiciary Branch with one Chief Justice and five associate Justices. Throughout time the Judiciary Branch has settled countless scores including Plessy v. Ferguson, Miranda v. Arizona, and Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. This was a former person, Judge Napolitano who sat between the years of 1987 to 1995 on the Supreme Court.

Legislative Branch

This portion of the American government is composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate. With its establishment of Article 1 of the United States Constitution, congress was form from the ashes of the Revolutionary War. Congress is the sole authority in the system of checks and balances to be able to declare war as well as enact newly formulated legislation, restrict or confirm presidential appointments and even the act of substantial investigation of powers.

The House of Representatives is made up of 435 seats in proportion to their populace of their particular state of representation, with the added factor of 6 non-voting members who represent the District of Columbia, CommonWealth of Puerto Rico, and four other United States territories. The Senate is composed of 100 total seats and is not based on population but an equal state basis.

Executive Branch

This branch of government carries out the law, or in other words enforces it on the citizens of the United States. This includes the president, vice president, Cabinet, and other federal agencies that serve the American people. The Cabinet is composed of high ranking government officials, the vice president, and other heads of executive departments. In order to sit on the Cabinet of the President you must receive a total of 51 out of 100 votes from the 100 Senators.

5 Things You Can Do on a Camping Trip

Whether you’re camping in a tent, RV, or renting a cabin, camping is just plain fun. It’s great to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life and all of the distractions that are around us. 

Getting in tune with the outdoors is an opportunity to reconnect with yourself and with your loved ones that you enjoy the trip with. If you’re in the middle of planning a camping trip, here are some of the best activities for you to consider doing while you’re there. 

Hunting  

If you’re planning on camping somewhere remote where there are no other campers around, then you may want to consider going somewhere where hunting is permitted. Hunting is a fun activity for people who love watching animals in the wild and enjoy the thrill of shooting. 

There’s nothing quite like looking through the scope of your rifle and aiming for game. Although hunting is not for everyone, it might want to be something you consider if you love a challenge. 

Birdwatching 

Birdwatching is a fantastic way to get to know some of the local birds around you. You might want to bring a book as a guide for some of the birds that you’ll see in the area. All you need is a pair of binoculars and an idea of what to look for, and you can have a lovely afternoon enjoying winged creatures. 

Swimming 

Assuming your camping trip is in the summer, you should seriously consider swimming. Find the nearest body of water and jump in! Depending on what kind of water it is, you might even want to bring your fishing pole. Otherwise, bring a snorkel or even a bucket and shovel for the kids if there’s sand. 

Make a Campfire 

What kind of a camping trip would it be without a traditional campfire? Campfires aren’t just great for roasting marshmallows, but it’s an opportunity to converse with the other campers and talk about life around the fire. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, then you might want to cook a meal over the open flame. Whether it’s vegetables or meat, there are all sorts of delicious recipes that taste even better when cooked over a fire. 

Read 

If you’re looking for an activity to wind down and relax In the tent, then you might want to consider reading. You’re on vacation after all, so why not enjoy one of the most relaxing activities there are, reading a great book. It’s a great way to pass the time if the weather is less than sunny or you’re just enjoying some downtime in your tent. Reading is a wonderful way to wind down and enjoy yourself.