In the past year, the number of marketers working from home increased a full 8 percent. This number is predicted to go up as more people work from home in the future.

Why is it that people taking marketing director jobs in particular choose to work from home? We investigated the answers to this question by surveying remote marketing workers. Over a third provided the same basic reasons for working in this way. Here are those reasons in greater detail.

1. No Commute or Travel Time

The number one reason workers chose to do marketing from home was to avoid commuting and travel time. Those of the participants who “WFH” or who work from home live in London, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, and Oxfordshire. Clearly, not having to endure a busy commute through London traffic is a huge benefit to them. Most WFH also appreciate not needing to put up with train or tube delays.

Any city employer offering WFH will improve their chances of retaining their staff. If an employee does not need to be physically present every day, then reducing traffic for the city as a whole is beneficial to everyone. Workers also enjoy staying home to balance work and life responsibilities. They can maintain the roles that they have at home without compromising their employment.

2. Better Productivity

The next most popular reason was being more productive. Even a WFH who stays at home once a week finds that they do better when they can stay home. Marketing involves a good deal of creativity. Giving employees more flexibility by staying home when they like is one part of promoting that creativity. Workers can enjoy fewer distractions at home and become more inspired. It is a natural part of their creative process. When in an open office space, they might be interrupted by distracting co-workers, impromptu meetings or office gossip.

3. Childcare Responsibilities

The third reason many people like doing marketing work at home is their children or other family members who they care for. When they are home they can handle picking up or dropping off the children at school or manage caring for a sick family member. All the while, they can do their work full-time around these responsibilities.

WFH enjoy flexible working arrangements especially if they have to take care of a sick or disabled partner, friend, or elderly relative. Carers Trust reports one in eight employees are carers. This number is going to rise year over year.

4. Mental Health Benefits

One more reason that participants state that working from home was beneficial was their mental well-being. People feel happier at home than in the office. A study by OnePoll.com found this to be true from 54 percent of those surveyed. Another two-thirds found they loved the lower stress levels.

Personnel Today conducted its own survey. They found workers from home felt free, in control and calm. For some people, the opposite was true. They felt lonely or isolated. A good balance between WFH time at home and time at the office is essential. One or two days of work at home is good for improving mental well-being as long as it is balanced with time spent in the office.

5. Freedom to Conduct Personal Business

Going to appointments, going to further education classes or keeping health and fitness commitments were other reasons WFH love working at home. People also like being available for postal deliveries.

The above findings show how beneficial working from home is, even if it is only one or two days a week. Employers are becoming aware that offering WFH is a great way to attract and hold onto employees. Working from home is certain to remain popular for marketing professionals who need to have both work and family life balanced as well as time to inspire their creativity.

There is no better way to observe the occasion of your anniversary than to have a truly luxurious party. Though it may be some time until you reach a true milestone in your marriage, there is certainly nothing wrong with toasting unions that are only a few years old. Anniversaries are terrific times to remember the great fortune you and your spouse enjoy for having found one another. They also provide a wonderful reason to gather friends and family, some of whom you may not have seen for a long while. The bottom line is that anniversaries are the perfect excuse for a party!

Three Key Tips For Throwing an Anniversary Event

1. Selecting a Theme

Most people are familiar with the sequential list of traditional gifts given for each year of marriage, including those made of paper, cotton or wood for those in the earliest stages of wedded bliss and those in precious metals and stones for pairs who have been together much longer. These customs can be a handy jumping off point for an anniversary event’s theme, and they can also facilitate tremendous creativity when it comes to decorations, favours and more. Keep in mind that there are also certain flowers and gemstones linked to each anniversary year, and these can prove useful in crafting a perfect colour scheme – why not check sites like Silver and Pewter Gifts for the gemstone that best suits your anniversary?

2. Organisation is Key

Start by choosing a date for the big event. Ideally, it will be close to the actual anniversary. Then, identify a venue so that formal invitations can be created and sent. Getting invitations to their recipients as early as possible boosts the chances of having a large number of guests at the event. A next step in the process is to make decisions about food, beverages and the type of entertainment needed for the party, as these factors really can make or break an anniversary event. Having a professional photographer on hand is a lovely touch that will ensure that the special day is never forgotten. Not only can the couple and those closest to them receive keepsakes, it is also possible to have photo options at the event itself that allow guests to create mementos of their own.

3. Seek Inspiration and Run With It

While planning an event of this nature may seem daunting, the payoff is sure to be worthwhile. Our team possesses vast experience when it comes to planning anniversary events, and we take pride in creating memorable parties that speak to the personalities of the couples involved. If you are in need of inspiration, look no further! All that is necessary is a bit of creativity, an open mind and an eye for detail.

A 25th anniversary event we were proud to help plan involved gourmet food from around the world, a stunning garden vista and an expansive marquee set under the stars. By the time 50th anniversaries come around, we often find that parties tend to incorporate multiple generations of guests requiring a variety of entertainment styles. These are all things to keep in mind along the way. Especially nostalgic couples may even wish to recreate portions of their original wedding day, something that can result in an extremely sweet and touching experience for everyone in attendance.

In terms of anniversary parties, there really are no limits other than the imagination, budget and desires of the spouses themselves. The options really are endless with regard to settings, refreshments, decor, music and more. In the end, it is possible for everyone to create an experience that embodies the love, commitment and joy that marriage represents.

When you arranged your Will, you might have had concerns about your affairs needing to be in order. The Will that you created reflects your situation at that time. However, it may not reflect your current situation.

After you made your existing Will, you probably felt some peace of mind. However, over time, your situations might have changed. Over a period of years, many people have significant changes in their finances and relationships. These changes in your life may require a few changes in your Will.

You might need to review your Will if you answer yes to any of the following questions. Since the last time you made your Will:

• Have you been widowed?
• Have you separated from your partner or divorced?
• Have you married?
• Do you have children? Do you have more children than before?
• If you had young children, are any of them currently adults?
• Are any of your adult children married?
• Do you have any grandchildren?
• Have you had any changes in your personal or family relationships?
• Have any of your Executors or beneficiaries moved or died?
• Have you acquired property in this country?
• Have you purchased property abroad?
• Has your property increased in value?
• Have you bought, sold, or started a new business?
• Have you sold a property and moved into a residential care facility?
• Have you received an inheritance that has increased the value of your estate?
• Have you made a will in another country to cover any assets you have abroad?

These are just some of the changes that may have occurred since the last time you made a Will. There are other types of changes that may have happened which could alter your situation in a way that may make it necessary for you to amend your current Will.

If you think you may need to update your Will, here’s are some things we need to do.

First, we must determine whether your change in your current situation would require an amendment to your Will.

The initial discussion about your Will is free. We’ll talk about your situation and your Will. We’ll determine if you need to schedule an appointment to sit down with one of our Will specialists.

After we determine which changes are required, we can give you an idea of the cost.

How Do I Change My Will?

There are two ways to amend a Will. The first way is with a Codicil. This legal document states any variations to your existing Will. This document must be signed and witnessed.

The Codicil is stored with your existing Will. This document is not appropriate for everyone, and our specialist will discuss this option with you before you proceed. Remember the Codicil is stored with your existing Will. The contents of both documents will be seen. If you don’t want the contents of your original Will to be viewed, the Codicil may not be the best choice.

The second method of amending your Will is to make a new Will. We have an information guide called “Making a Will?” which provides details about the process. This guide is included with our standard service.

We offer a variety of additional services, including Estate Planning, Inheritance Tax reduction, Trusts, and managing any claims against your estate. We’d be glad to discuss any other services you may need and the cost of these services, during the appointment.

Do I Need to Make a New Will if the Addresses of the People Mentioned in My Will Have Changed?

If you only need to change the addresses of the people listed in your Will, the process is straightforward. If we hold a copy of your Will and you want to make an amendment to the addresses of beneficiaries, Executors, or other parties mentioned in your Will, make a written statement confirming these changes. Sign and date the letter and mail it to us. We will store this letter with your Will. There is no additional charge for this service. The Executor of Will’s legal duties in the UK will be made much easier if you keep your will up-to-date, so it is always best to make sure that the details are correct.

Whenever you hire a nanny to take care of your child, that means you have become an employer. Therefore, as an employer, you must meet certain obligations like providing a pension, national insurance and paying tax for the nanny.

What Legal Obligations Do I Have as an Employer?

There are numerous obligations you need to comply with when you employ a nanny. The following are some of the most important ones:

Check For the Right to Work Within the UK

You are required to check that your nanny has the legal right to work within the UK. Check the identification documents of your applicant like identity card, birth certificate, and passport before you make a formal employment offer.

Tax Contributions

It is your responsibility to deduct and pay the income tax contributions of your nanny’s. Get in touch with HR Revenue and Customers and register yourself as a new employer and get a PAYE scheme set up.

Also, you will need to keep records on the payments that you have made, for your nanny and yourself.

National Insurance Contributions

You are responsible to deduct and pay the national insurance contributions of your nanny’s. They are payable on the salary of your nanny if she earns over a certain threshold. The contributions from your nanny and you are calculated as a percentage of the nanny’s earnings.

Liability Insurance

You need to have employer’s liability insurance, that covers you in case your nanny is injured while working for you or becomes ill. You might be covered already by other insurance policies that you hold, but carefully check that.

Employment Contract

Before your nanny starts to work, you should have a written contract in place, or within two months of her starting date. Include a description of the duties, and her hours, salary, and holiday entitlement.

If any of the details in the contract change, then your nanny and you should agree on them.

Payslip

You must provide your nanny with a payslip every month or week, that shows her earning, as well as whatever deductions, are made.

National Minimum Wage

Your nanny must be paid the minimum wage at least. However, you will probably be paying a lot more than that.

Live-in nannies charge around £300 to £350 a week. Slightly more is charged by day nannies, on average around £400 to £475. Keep in mind that your nanny might have salary expectations of her own based on the duties required and her qualifications, skills, and experience.

Paid Annual Leave

Each employee, whether part-time or full-time, is entitled to receiving the equivalent of 5.6 weeks of annual leave. In this allowance, you can decide whether or not bank holidays are included.

The holidays can be negotiated with the nanny.

Pension

If the nanny that you hire is between 22 years old and state retirement age and is earning over £10,000 per year, then you are required to set a pension scheme up for the nanny. You will need to make a contribution to the pension scheme every month based on the gross salary of your nanny.

Termination of Employment Notice

During a nanny’s first month of employment, your nanny or you should give a one week’s notice to terminate the contract. After that, usually, one month’s notice, although this can be negotiated with your nanny. Be sure to put the agreed upon notice period into the contract.

Maximum Working Hours

You cannot insist that an employee work over 48 hours a week. You might have heard the law called the working time directive.

If the nanny is over 18 years old, she can work over 48 hours per week if both of you sign an agreement. However, you cannot force her to sign the agreement, and she is allowed to change her mind any time if she gives you a week’s notice at least.

Statutory Maternity Rights

Your nanny is entitled to get maternity leave if she becomes pregnant while she is working for you.

If you are not sure of where you should begin with all of the responsibilities, there is assistance that is available. There are companies that will do your payroll for you, such as Payroll for Nannies, and make it relatively painless to pay your national insurance and tax contributions. Some offer pension services also.

So you think you already know everything about the best cooking oil around? Well, it turns out that there are a few hidden secrets of olive oil inside the bottle. From properties that completely debunk the myth about oil being bad for your skin to the sordid history that the oil has with the Italian mafia, the following are several facts on olive oil that prove that it is much more than simply a tasty supplement for your salad dressings.

Extra-virgin olive oil is unrefined and is the highest quality of all olive oil grades. In order to meet the standards for extra-virgin, olive oil needs to be left untreated by heat or chemicals, which helps the olive oil retain its flavour. Extra-virgin olive oils also must contain no higher than one percent worth of oleic acid, and that contributes to its richer colour and stronger taste of this oil.

So what else is important for you to know about one of the top pantry staples? We have collected 10 facts on olive oil that will help you feel more informed about this amazing ingredient the next time you are in the oil aisle at your local grocery store and feeling a little stumped.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Freezes Solid

Although it is a myth that freezing olive oil tests whether it is real or not (many other oils are able to mimic olive oil’s freezing temperature), olive oil, in general, will freeze. However, the exact temperature depends on the levels of oleic acid that it contains.

The Most Olive Oil is Consumed By Greeks

Over 5 gallons of olive oil is consumed by Greeks per person per year on average. That’s a ton of olive oil and completely dwarfs the per capita consumption in the US of a little over one litre.

Light Olive Oil Does Not Contain Fewer Calories

The term light oil doesn’t refer to the number of calories but instead the ratio of virgin olive oil versus refined olive oil. What gives the oil its distinct taste is extra-virgin oil.

Olive Oil is Available in Different Colours

Olive oil’s colour can slightly change over time since it oxidises. However, naturally, olive oil comes in a range of different colours from green to deep golden to pale yellow. The more chlorophyll contained in the oil, the greener that the product is going to be. Green oils have a tendency to contain higher amounts of antioxidants and an intense peppery flavour and a bit of bitterness as well.

Olive Oil is Made Out of Fruit Instead of Seed

A mechanical pressing of ripe olive fruit is used to produce olive oil and is made from fruit, unlike most oil, instead of from seed.

The Enemy is Heat, Light, and Oxygen

Olive oil is best stored in a dark, cool place away from heat and light, which will speed oxidation up, which causes the oil to turn rancid more quickly.

The Most Olive Oil is Produced By Spain

95 percent of the world’s supply of olive oil comes from the Mediterranean region, with 50 percent of the world’s total supply being produced by Spain. The second-biggest olive oil producer is Italy, which processes around 15 percent of the total. You can support olive farmers in Italy through companies like Nudo Adopt, too.

It is Safe to Use Cloudy Olive Oils

There are many reasons why olive oil may appear cloudy including being an unfiltered olive oil (means just that the pulp and sediment have not been removed) to chilling it (when olive oil is cold is can have a cloudy appearance). Unfiltered olive oil contains sediment that is just pieces of oil that provide the oil with added flavour.

You Can Use Olive Oil to Fry With

A majority of people warn about olive oil’s lower smoke point compared to corn or peanut oil, which are used more often for frying. After oil reaches its smoke point and may release toxic compounds that should not be consumed. Refined olive oil has a 486 degree F smoke point, which makes it well-suited for deep frying – but we do not recommend that you use extra-virgin olive oil, which does have a lower smoke point.

There are six important trends that are defining how digital agencies and our associates engage in business, and how they will provide and place digital content today and for the coming years.

Below, we highlight how digital agencies such as NRG Digital are seeking to augment their services to match with these trends.

1. More for the Same

Budgets are always constrained, which is not a surprise. Commissioners are looking to get more value with similar budgets. Agencies are hence called upon to provide more value and still achieve a profit on every project.

One solution we are trying with our clients while adhering to budgets is to come up with techniques to generate multiple assets from a single content piece. For instance, from a video about a client narration, we fashion out different media such as short clips, explainer videos, sound bites and various other content formats that can be deployed in various channels. In addition, we collaborate with our agency and clients to propose solutions they can employ to fully utilise the assets created and generate more value.

2. People-Oriented

There is an undergoing monumental switch within global and SME companies towards a people-centric approach and they are putting their communication resources towards this. This trend is full-fledged and is more prevalent now than it has ever been before. These initiatives are likely to gain more traction in 2019 and they seek better employee engagement.

Our agencies will come in handy by assisting our clients to identify content gaps and recommend areas where personalisation needs to be emphasised to improve engagement. There is enough scope to create content for large audiences and personalised content for specific niches. This dynamic makes it easier to produce an array of engaging content while still remaining within budgetary confines.

3. In-House Teams

These should not be perceived as a threat by external agencies; instead, they should be treated as opportunities. In-house teams have always existed. Now agencies just have to come up with ways to complement and collaborate with in-house teams instead of treating them as a threat. Open communication, introducing fresh concepts or tweaking ideas is an ideal point to start.

For us, we always strive to create enduring partnerships with internal teams, essentially becoming a part of the team. We are also aware that some projects are executed best when done internally. This means that in-house teams can allocate their budgets in an optimal manner to achieve the best results.

4. Get Over It

Always, there will be a person who can do the job at a significantly lower cost. However, an agency is all about delivering superior value and a different perspective. It is critical that our clients understand that the value of the service is more important than the cost. At times this proposition can be a difficult sell to video-savvy commissioners but an external agency will always have fresh ideas, new perspectives and better insight by being more experienced.

5. What Will Be the Impact of Brexit?

The confusion, predictions and ridiculous behaviour around Brexit are out of this world. Making a forecast on its effect on your business can be a fool’s errand that is not worth the effort. However, this is the best time to demonstrate the efficacy of your marketing and communication campaigns and fighting for a sizeable budget allocation. It is very easy to measure the performance of digital initiatives through various metrics. If you are not keen on metrics, identify key metrics that are crucial and start tracking and reporting performance of campaigns based on these metrics.

6. The Biggest Opportunity

Social media is still where exponential growth lies. With LinkedIn moving towards video there will be significant demand for high-value content that meets standards. Social media platforms will be focusing on smarter video delivery meaning agencies will have to come up with innovative ways to stand out.

In recent years, video content has now become a major trend in marketing, communications and human resource. In the coming years, video content will just become more entrenched. SMEs and global businesses should place video at the centre of their marketing and communication strategies to achieve success.