Archives for March 2022

What Does An Expert Witness Do?

March 31, 2022 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

You might’ve seen an expert witness called to the stand in one of your favorite law dramas, like Suits. But have you ever wondered what it is that an expert witness does?

An expert witness is someone that has extensive training and experience in a specific area. It could be a weapons expert, behavior expert, or expert witness in assets.

The role of the expert witness is to conduct their own research and deliver a fact-based opinion in a trial.

Their opinion should be able to be relied upon and trusted since they are an expert in the area.

Usually, an expert witness will build extensive experience over the years and provide assistance in more than one case.

Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash

Expert Evidence

The expert witness will be providing expert evidence – Expert evidence is essentially the expert’s opinion. The expert witness’ fundamental role is to assist the jury and judge in making a judgment by offering impartial expert/technical evaluation and conclusion on a given issue(s) based on the facts.

It should be that the evidence collected and analyzed can give a firm opinion and that the jury and judge can make a clear decision based on that evidence.

Duties

The expert witness’s duty is actually to the court, not either of the legal teams involved in the case. It is imperative that the expert witness is impartial and independent at all times.

They take an objective and unbiased approach to the case and only present opinions based on the facts of their own research and understanding.

An expert witness’s obligations to the court may clash with those they have to the client at times. From time to time, the expert’s opinion might differ from the one their client was hoping for – the duty goes to presenting the findings to the jury and judge as the witness sees them.

If the client tries to persuade the expert witness to change their opinion or conceal the detrimental opinion, the expert must oppose and, if necessary, cancel their appointment.

When new information is found, the expert witness is free to change their opinion – and sometimes, this will disrupt a case.

Privilege

The expert witness must provide all relevant instructions (s) in their expert report. Privilege does not apply to these commands.

Suppose a party instructs an expert before issuing proceedings and is subsequently appointed as an expert for the interests of the court cases. In that case, the instructions given before the beginning of the proceedings are normally protected from admission to the other party by privilege.

It is also common that the judge will request the two expert witnesses to meet and discuss why they are not currently agreeing, and perhaps this conversation changes the outlook of the entire care. Both witnesses here will issue a joint statement highlighting what they do and do not agree on.

An expert witness role is highly regarded, and it can be exciting and interesting too.
Perhaps becoming an expert witness isn’t for you, and you are still looking for your dream career: Effective Strategies to Build a Successful Career.

How Business Consulting Can Improve Employee Engagement

March 29, 2022 by Keith Coppersmith Leave a Comment

Employee engagement is one of the most important topics currently circling the world of business, as an increasing number of companies are finding that a good paycheck alone is no longer enough for keeping workforces loyal and satisfied. For that reason, organizations are looking for more effective and inclusive solutions for boosting engagement, and business consulting has proved to be an invaluable asset. Business consulting aims to guide companies through growth opportunities and help them achieve success, and here are some ways it could aid in improving employee engagement as well:

Encouraging communication

The first step to the process of business consulting is the discovery phase, where consultants aim to learn as much as possible about your company. During this stage, business consultants don’t only talk to owners and board members, but also employees. Teams are encouraged to share their opinions, viewpoints, and concerns regarding the company, as they are an important part of the business. In turn, this allows employees to feel heard and appreciated. Your company can greatly benefit from this aspect, as professionals who feel valued in the workplace are generally more satisfied with their job and more eager to devote themselves to their work.

Offering constant feedback

Through communicating with employees and leaders, business consultants gain a deeper insight into the company’s operations and processes. This gives consultants the opportunity to develop actionable strategies for improving the business, offering employees valuable feedback in the process. Honest and constructive feedback is another important factor in employee engagement. Constant feedback serves as a guide to employees, encouraging them to increase the quality of their work and stay on the right track in terms of the company’s expectations and main goals. Such guidance is quite advantageous for overall business results, but it could greatly improve employee satisfaction, motivation, and engagement as a result as well.

Building an imaginative business

Consulting can help your company in more ways than one. If you choose strategic business consulting services, for instance, you will be able to streamline communication and utilize creative thinking in an effort to make positive changes and create real, lasting value. This enables you to fulfill the potential of your people in order to reach success and do good. However, it could boost engagement in the process as well. By focusing on the purpose of your organization and maximizing the value of your business, you will be able to build a more imaginative and innovative workplace as a result. And teams that are happy and creative also tend to be productive and engaged.

Providing growth opportunities

Growth is one of the most important objectives of business consulting. The job of a professional consultant involves analyzing and evaluating business processes in order to identify potential issues and develop actionable plans and solutions that will open up new avenues to success. Of course, this provides the company with new growth and expansion opportunities through efficient management and strategy. But growth can also happen on a personal level during this process, allowing your employees to advance their careers. This is a brilliant motivator, as employees who feel they could grow and advance in their companies are often more engaged and dedicated to their work as well.

Creating a better work environment

Business consulting develops solutions to a company’s issues and provides new plans and strategies for streamlining business processes. Not only does this benefit the company, but it could also have a great impact on the employees. A significant percentage of professionals believe that their work environment affects their quality of life, which is why they often turn to calmer, happier, and more supportive workplaces. By facilitating productivity and innovation within your organization, business consulting could enable you to create a more agreeable work environment that increases employee satisfaction and creates a business atmosphere in which each employee is equally dedicated to achieving the company’s goals.

Keeping teams motivated

After all, the main goal of business consulting is to provide companies with greater opportunities for growth and success. Even though this might seem like an objective only leaders are interested in, the truth is that employees value the success of the company they work for as well. If the business continues to grow and increase its revenue, this could, in turn, provide employees with higher salaries, better benefits, and more relaxed work schedules. These are all wonderful advantages that serve as great motivators for engaging employees and encouraging them to boost productivity and efficiency, thus enabling all team members to work towards the shared goal of company success.

There’s no doubt that your employees are your company’s greatest asset, and their efficiency and productivity are absolutely essential for business success. But during the times when motivation drops and business processes become disrupted, business consulting can be the ideal solution for boosting employee engagement and finding new growth and success opportunities.

6 Factors to Consider When Planning a New Property Development Project

March 29, 2022 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

When starting a new property development project, many factors to consider to ensure its success. First, it’s crucial to have a clear plan in place, from the property’s location to the financing options available, before getting too far into the process. In this blog post, we will discuss six factors that you should consider when planning your next development project!

Photo by Becca Tapert on Unsplash

Location, Location, Location

The first factor to consider when planning your development project is the property’s location. You’ll want to choose a location that is appealing to potential buyers or renters and that is also convenient for you as the developer. Consider things like the surrounding area, traffic management, public transportation options, and local amenities when choosing a location for your development.

Why it’s Important

Location is vital for two main reasons: first, because it will directly impact the value of your property, and second because it will affect how easy or difficult it is to find buyers or renters for your units. For example, suppose you’re developing a property in an already popular area among home buyers or renters. In that case, you’ll have an easier time finding tenants once your development is complete. But, on the other hand, if you’re developing in a more rural area, you may have to work a little harder to market your units and attract potential buyers or renters. Either way, it’s essential to choose a location for your development that makes sense for both you and your potential tenants!

Financing options

Before starting any property development project, you need to have the financial resources in place. There are a few different financing options available to developers. The best option for you will depend on the size and scope of your project, your personal financial situation, and the current market conditions. Some common financing options for developers include traditional bank loans, private loans from investors, and government grants. Each option has its own set of pros and cons, so it’s important to do your research and choose the option that is best for you and your development project.

Once you have a clear understanding of the financing options available to you, it will be easier to create a budget for your project and get started on the development process.

Zoning Restrictions

Another factor to consider when planning your development project is zoning restrictions. Zoning laws can impact things like the type of units you’re able to build, the height of your buildings, and the amount of parking you’ll need to provide.

Before you get too far into the planning process, make sure to do your research and understand the zoning restrictions in place for the area where you’re developing. This will help you avoid any potential problems down the road and ensure that your development project is in compliance with all local laws.

Building Code Requirements

In addition to zoning restrictions, there are also building code requirements that you’ll need to take into account when planning your development project. Building codes are put in place to ensure that all structures meet specific safety standards, so it’s essential to be familiar with the requirements before you start construction.

Some common building code requirements include things like fire safety standards, energy efficiency requirements, and accessibility standards. So again, it’s important to do your research and make sure that your development project is in compliance with all local building code requirements.

Construction Costs

One of the most important factors to consider when planning your development project is the cost of construction. Construction costs can vary significantly depending on things like the size and scope of your project, the materials you use, and the location of the property. Therefore, before you start construction, it’s crucial to get an accurate estimate of all the costs associated with your project. This will help you stay on budget and avoid any unexpected expenses during the construction process.

Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

Project Timeline

Another factor to consider when planning your development project is the timeline for completion. Depending on the size and scope of your project, it can take anywhere from a few months to several years to complete the construction process. Therefore, it’s essential to create a realistic timeline for your project and factor in things like weather delays, construction delays, and other potential setbacks. This will help you stay on schedule and avoid any unnecessary delays during the development process.

Office Renovations that Can Revitalize Your Workspace

March 29, 2022 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

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Whether you’ve recently moved into a new office, or you’ve been in one location for a while, it may be time for a renovation. Regular renovations to update your office space are important for maintaining a healthy work environment.

An old, shabby office can reflect poorly on your company. It may also be unfit for purpose, either unpleasant to work in or actively detrimental to your employees. Some office designs also make it more difficult to work productively. So, an intelligent renovation can improve matters. Here are some renovations to consider.

New Doors

The doors in your office building take some punishment over the years. Eventually, it can become clear that your doors are past their best. They might look shabby and tired, or they might be damaged. A door that sticks or doesn’t open properly is a small irritant, but it makes your office a less pleasant place.

Eventually, it will come time for you to replace your door. Ideally, you should go for a sturdy and attractive option that meshes well with the rest of the room. Look for quality door and hardware suppliers.

Fresh Paint

You’d be surprised at the effect that a fresh coat of paint can have on the appearance of your interiors. A freshly painted office can transform a room, and can even make it seem larger than it is.

Whether you go for plain white, modern cool tones, or a warmer color, make sure that you pick a color that doesn’t make your office look dark and closed-in. If you can, something that suits your business branding could be a good move.

Consider Partitions

Many offices have opted for an open-plan office, but while many employees enjoy this setup, some prefer a more private working environment. To accommodate this, employers and owners could utilize partitions to allow people to create a sense of privacy without drastically changing the layout of the room.

Modern partitions are available in different sizes and styles, to suit any office. You can also use them to help plan your office layout to keep things clean and efficient.

Quality Furniture

No office is complete without good furniture. It can be tempting to always go for the cheaper option, but these options often break more easily. This means that you have to replace them more often than you’d like.

As well as that, poor-quality furniture can make employees feel unappreciated. It can even impair their ability to work and, in some cases, impact their health. Consider these factors carefully when replacing the furniture.

Updated Flooring

The flooring of your office can send a message about your business. If it’s dirty, stained, and worn down, then it could send the wrong message to your employees and potential customers. New flooring can truly transform your office space.Sometimes you can hire someone to spruce up your flooring by giving them a deep clean. However, if you still have the same carpets or tiles from a decade ago, it’s likely time to rip them up and start over.

Working From Home: Where Should You Work?

March 28, 2022 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

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The pandemic forced many of us to start working from home. Many businesses have since continued to allow their employees to work remotely. Meanwhile, more entrepreneurs are launching and running businesses from home, realizing that they don’t need to acquire office space to run a successful business.

Working from home has many benefits such as eliminating commuting time/costs, reducing business running costs and improving work/life balance. However, there are drawbacks to working from home such as home distractions and difficulty separating work/leisure. To make sure that you are productive when working from home, it’s important that you find the right space in your home to work from.

So just what is the best place in your home to work from? Below are just a few of the different places you can work and the pros and cons that come with each place.

Should you work in your bedroom?

If you live in a small property or share with lots of other people, the bedroom may well be the only place where you can find the space and peace to work. It’s also convenient being able to roll out of bed, open up your laptop and start the working day.

However, a bedroom isn’t the ideal work environment for everyone. Being confined to one room day and night could start to make some people feel imprisoned. Some people may even find it difficult to get to sleep at night because they’re still in work mode.

The key to keeping this space productive is to never work from your bed. Set up a desk in the corner (ideally by a window) and use this desk only for work so that you have a separate work zone and separate personal zone.

Should you work in the living room?

Sitting on a sofa with a laptop on your knee can be a cozy way to work. In a small apartment, living rooms are often better suited than a bedroom for working in – it encourages you to get out of bed and work.

At the same time, if you live with other people, they may want to use the living room for watching TV and relaxing. This could be very distracting. It’s best to only work from the living room when no-one else is there. You should also leave the TV off, or leave it on a music/radio channel for background noise.

Should you work in the dining room?

If you have a dining room, the dining room table could operate much like a desk. Dining rooms are also much less likely to be used by people than a living room and tend to not have the distraction of a TV. All in all, they can be very productive spaces to work from if you haven’t otherwise got a spare room to work from.

You will need to be prepared to clear away all your stuff before lunch or dinner if you usually eat here – unfortunately, you can’t treat it as a permanent desk. A dining room may also not be ideal if you have an open plan layout as you’ll still be distracted by people using the living room or kitchen.

Should you work in the kitchen?

A kitchen with a dining table or breakfast bar could be another great place to work from. It could serve as an office while still allowing people to use the living room and also getting you out of your bedroom. You also have immediate access to coffee, drinks and snacks.

Like a dining room, a kitchen isn’t ideal to work from in an open-plan home shared with lots of people. Other people may also distract you while making meals (if you all make meals together, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue, but if people make meals at different times, you could find that you’re constantly being interrupted).

Can you convert an unused room?

The ideal option is to convert an unused room into a home office. This could be a spare bedroom, a garage, a loft, a basement or a dining room you never use. You can take everything out and put in your own office furniture and equipment, turning it into a permanent work space.

Having a dedicated office space means no distractions from other people – no-one else will have a reason to use it while you’re working. You can also more easily separate your work life and personal life, getting into work mode whenever you enter your office and returning to leisure mode whenever you exit.

Just make sure to consider exactly how much work is needed to convert the space. For instance, if your garage or loft is currently full of clutter, you’ll need to be prepared to spend time decluttering it. Such spaces may also not have lighting, sockets, insulation or even adequate flooring – consider whether you need to spend money and time installing all of this.

You may not want to fully convert some rooms into an office in case you occasionally need to use them for another purpose. For example, it could be useful to have a spare bedroom that you can still use to accommodate guests, in which case you may not want to remove the bed.

Can you work outdoors/in your yard?

Some people may have the option to work in a yard or on a balcony. There are benefits to working outdoors such as fresh air and sun exposure, but you may also have to contend with the risk of a sudden shower, wind blowing away documents of sun glare preventing you from using your laptop.

The ultimate home office solution is to build a home office building in your yard. This could be a converted shed or a dry box turned into an office building. It will give you the feeling of leaving your home and going to a separate work place and no-one will be able to distract you here. You may even be able to invite clients over for meetings without having to invite them into your home.

Of course, such an office could be expensive to build and you may need to get planning permission if you’re building a new structure. If you’ve only got a small yard, it may also not be viable.

Finding the best space

The best option is likely to depend on the size of your home and who you share it with. You are likely to have more options if you live alone or if you have a big home with lots of rooms and ample yard space. If you live in a small home or live with family/friends, you may realistically only have the option of the bedroom or the living room. Try out different spaces to find out what works best for you.