Receiving a well-written and well-structured email can be a pleasure but how often do you receive emails where you are not sure what the sender wants or what you are supposed to do as a result, or that fill your screen with dense badly-organised text? Most of us have been taught at some point that you need a beginning, a middle and an end when writing but here are a few more detailed guidelines to help you structure professional emails.

• Always open with a salutation – however formal or informal, from Dear Mr Jones to Hi all, it is important to address the person you are writing to

• State your purpose at the start of your email so that your reader knows why it is important to continue reading

• Use clear paragraphing – paragraphs break your email down into digestible chunks and signpost the flow and progression of what you want to say. Make sure there is a clear line break between each paragraph and try to avoid single line paragraphs

• Headings – don’t be afraid to use headings within an email and make them bold so that they stand out. Just like paragraphs, headings can help to guide your reader through your email. Headings in the form of questions can also help, particularly in information giving emails sent to large distribution groups, for example, Why are we making these changes? How will this affect me? What do I need to do next?

• Leading on from headings, bulleted or numbered lists are also very useful for outlining next steps and making processes clear. Lists also allow the reader to get a good overall view of the major points discussed in the email.

• Call for action – if you need your reader(s) to do something as a result of your email ensure that you close with a clear call for action explaining what needs doing, how and when – and ideally why it is important

• Sign off – where appropriate sign off your emails with an invitation for questions or comments, e.g. Please let me know if you have any questions or feedback about this new process.

Remember the look and feel of your email is often just as important as the content and if it is well structured it will be easier for your reader to digest and you will be more likely to receive the response you require.

The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) came into force on 28^th May 2018.  Many businesses both large and small still need to prepare for the changes. Here are 5 top tips to help you prepare.

Image Credit

1. Customer Journey

Think about the journey through your business that each customer takes and at what point may you be collecting personal information from them. Do you have a contact sheet on your website or an integrated CRM system? Look at each of these points along the customer journey and check whether you have the right protection and correct wording in place. Record any of your findings and any processes or changes that you put in place.

2. Where is your data?

It is important to find out and record where and how your data is stored. Make sure that you note all physical and electronic means. Once you have an audit of your storage you can check that they are GDPR compliant. Making sure you store your information securely is paramount and locksmith Doncaster companies such as https://www.danumlocksmiths.co.uk/ can help advise you on secure locks.

Image Credit

3. How do you destroy data?

Are you holding on to data that is no longer needed? If so, now is the time to think about destroying this information. It is also important that you have a process for destroying information in the future. Whether this is because it is no longer relevant, out of its time frame or a personal request has been made by an individual to have their data deleted under the ‘right to be forgotten’.

4. Update your security and data policies and procedures

A key element of GDPR is that policies and procedures must be easy to access and easy to understand. So now is the time to dust off your old policies and give them a revamp. You may also want to think about whether it is necessary for you to appoint a Data Processing Officer (DPO) and train them more substantially in the requirement for GDPR.

5. Seek advice from the experts

GDPR can be a bit of a minefield so make sure you are fully informed. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) have a dedicated section for GDPR which can be found on the following link https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/ . There are also many organisations holding GDPR workshops and seminars. It is worth investigating what is available in your area.

One of the most common poisons in the world is arsenic.  It’s actually only poisonous in large doses of regular exposure and also has certain benefits and has enjoyed a fair bit of popularity in colouring clothes and even face makeup.  It’s now used a lot as a conductor in Electronic Devices.  It was useful for wood paint and in pesticides but not so much now as it’s very dangerous to use.

Arsenic is a mineral and is minded like any other substance.  It’s usually taken from the dust found in gold, copper and lead when they are put through the smelting process.  Before we knew about it, was quite deadly to workers in the industry.  It Is thought to be in the top 16 abundant minerals on earth.  Most of that is in China with Morocco being a long way second.

Image Credit

Its most infamous use is as a popular poison.  There is a reason for that.  First off, it’s easy to get hold of due to its abundance.  The other reason it is used is that it was difficult to pin the guilt on those suspected of using it as the symptoms vary in the person being poisoned.  Having said that, two tests have now been developed so the King of poisons is not as widespread as it once was.  Why was it called the King of poisons?  In the murky world of royalty and aristocracy the slippery pole to the top of the family tree was littered with offed relatives.  Arsenic was the most popular, as it was easy to sneak into food.  As the people most likely to have the stuff to use it were the upper classes and the monarchy it got his royal moniker. It was the perfect secret killer as it was deadly but not easy to detect. Death was put down to lifestyle or some unknown illness.

Image Credit

Arsenic was not just used for doing in Kings and Queens, Viscounts, Dukes and Duchesses or other Aristocrats. It was known as far back as the Bronze Age that adding it to Bronze made it stronger and all the better for cutting or bashing your enemies into tiny bits. This was a vital age when faced with similar tribes. It’s also been used for the health and beauty. Elizabeth the first used to paint on her head as it was thought to give vitality. It wasn’t an assignation attempt, they really did believe that. In Victorian times women ate and arsenic mixture and also applied it their face along with a white chalk mixture and added vinegar. Why did they do that? Especially as now we have much better cosmetic procedures such as those done by the Belfast Dermal Fillers at https://www.glamskinclinic.com/dermal-fillers  They wanted to have a pasty appearance. The reason for this is that the “pale and interesting look” was very, very in in Victorian times as it meant that you were not some rural farmworker out out in the fields all day getting suntan and therefore poor. This all changed when the working populace found themselves stuck inside mills and factories the tanned look became popular again as it showed you had decent leisure time!

Nothing beats the smooth shine of a professionally laid polished concrete floor. If you’re considering this type of flooring for your home or business, you might be wondering what factors affect the cost of installation. Is your existing floor going to cause problems? Do you have any repairs that need to take place first? Let’s try to answer some of the commonly asked questions about this kind of flooring:

Existing Floor Quality

Where an existing concrete floor is cracked or damaged in any way, there will be some grinding groundwork that needs to take place before laying fresh concrete. This is to smooth out the area. This takes extra time and so will add to your labour costs. However, this additional time and cost should be offset by the knowledge that if you cut corners, a badly laid floor will cost more to grind in the future. The better prepared an area is initially, the easier maintenance becomes in the long run.

 What about repairs?

Before you go ahead, you will need to take some time to repair any damage to the existing floor, such as missing stones, holes and cracks. Other things that could hold up floor laying is if there are any bolts that need removing before work can begin.

After any repairs are completed, the floor will need to be left to harden before any further work can continue. It’s normally sufficient to just leave overnight, but again this will incur additional labour costs.

Image credit

The number of rooms

Of course, the more rooms you want doing or the larger the surface area – the higher the total cost will be. You’ll want to carefully consider where you want polished concrete flooring. Multiple rooms are awkward in that equipment must be continually moved. It’s feasible but it will bump up the cost. This type of flooring tends to work best when used in one large surface area. Each space will require edging and if you have multiple floors, this can add days to a project, so you’ll need to bear that in mind at the planning stage.

When you see the size of the equipment that’s used for laying the floors, you will understand why completing the task in a small, enclosed space can be challenging and awkward. However, if you have your heart set on concrete flooring in a compact area, a professional Polished Concrete Flooring firm like http://www.monstermixconcrete.co.uk/concrete-floors.php will do their utmost to accommodate you.

Type of finish

There is a range of finishes available to suit a variety of settings and environments. Some finishes are easier to apply than others and so your choice of finish will have an impact on the overall cost of the project. Grinding is a time-intensive task so if your finish involves this, such as an exposed aggregate finish, you will see a reflection in the cost.

Protection is vital for flat roofs as they cannot shed water as efficiently as other roofs. Follow these top tips to maintain your flat roof.

Image Credit

Inspect the roof regularly

Ensure you inspect the roof every few months, either by looking from a second-floor window or by using a ladder.

On asphalt-roll roofs look for tears, blisters, loose seams and holes, as well as rust or pitting on metal roofs. Ensure patches are added and repairs made in a timely manner to prevent leaks.

Some flat roofing can have a life expectancy of up to 50 years, but it is essential to inspect the roof regularly.

Protective paint

To protect asphalt-roll roofs against damage from ultraviolet rays produced by the sun, paint the surface with a reflective asphalt aluminium paint. This will reseal the roof against water and lubricate the roofing.

Image Credit

Revive the roof surface

After many years, asphalt roofs tend to become a jumble of patches and repairs. Revive the roof by brushing a layer of asphalt roof coating across the surface.

If your roof cannot be repaired, consult a company such as http://premiertradespeople.co.uk/trade-services-gloucester/gloucester-roofing/ for Gloucester flat roofing.

Fix blisters

If you discover any blisters on the asphalt roll roofing, trapped moisture is usually to blame. Cut down the middle of the blister using a utility knife, which will release the moisture. Allow the blister to dry, and then fill the cavity with roofing cement using a caulking gun. Hammer in a line of roofing nails along each side of this cut, applying more cement to the nail heads and the cut. Using a similar roofing material, cut a patch measuring a few inches wider and longer than the area of damage. Nail this patch on top of the repaired area, sealing with roofing cement.

Fixing aluminium roofing

A leak can be easily fixed using fibreglass mesh. Clean the area using a wire brush, following with a coating of roofing cement. Cover this with one fibreglass patch, and add a layer of more cement. Finish with a second patch and a final layer of cement.

Reflective roofing

When re-roofing a flat roof, consider installing a reflective roof material. Products such as this can lower roof temperatures by up to 38°C, which is especially useful during the summer and in warmer climates.

If you want to switch things up in your dining room, consider replacing your dining chairs. New dining chairs can completely transform the appearance of your dining room. They can be used to either update and modernise the room, or they can add a touch of luxury and class.

Image Credit

Here are three things you should consider when you are buying new dining chairs.

Make sure that the chairs will fit

Dining chairs come in a wide range of sizes, and some are very large, so it is important to make sure that the chairs will fit under the table before you buy them. Make sure to measure the height of the table so that you can accurately work out if the chair will slide underneath comfortably. No-one wants to be uncomfortably wedged into their chair!

If your dining room is small, you may also want to avoid buying chairs with tall backs. This is because they can make the room look smaller, especially if they have a dark colour that draws the eye.

If you want to buy Lloyd Loom dining chairs for your dining room, go to https://lloydlooms.co.uk/product-category/lloyd-loom-dining-chairs/.

Image Credit

Think about how often you will use the chairs

If you will be using the chairs on a regular basis, it is important to choose comfortable, durable chairs, but if you will only use them occasionally, you could go for slightly less practical chairs. For instance, chairs with velvet covers can look very beautiful, but it can be very difficult to clean them if they are spilled on.

If you use the chairs regularly, it is best to go for an easy-to-clean material such as plastic or wood. If you really want fabric covered chairs, go for a comfortable fabric that can easily be removed and washed.

Consider the style of the room

If you don’t want to replace anything else in the room, you will need to choose dining chairs that will fit in with the style of the room already. For instance, it would look a little strange if you paired a traditional mahogany table with glass chairs! Of course, this isn’t a problem if you are also replacing the rest of the furniture in the room, as this means that you can choose a completely new style for the whole room.