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job

Find craftsmen for company online

Find craftsmen for company online

All services that are directly related to the design, renovation or optimization of the workplace can of course be paid for from the company account and claimed for tax purposes. This also applies, for example, to disinfection work by a pest controller or a similar specialist company if the employees have become infected with corona viruses and the building is to be temporarily quarantined. With the help of an expert in the field of sterilizing rooms and surfaces, further downtime can be reliably prevented, and in many cases the office space can be used again to the usual extent the day after extensive disinfection. Proof of all cleaning work must be provided to the responsible health authority so that all employees can use the office space again without being physically impaired. Any regulations on minimum distance etc. remain unaffected and must also be observed in thoroughly sterilized offices.

Laying floors in the company: fall protection or protection against too much noise

There are various options for floor design in the office. Thermally insulating plastics are often used, which help to save energy and protect the environment in the long term. If stricter fire protection measures have to be observed in a building, this can also be implemented with a suitable floor covering. In some cases, this must comply with different regulations in stairwells than in the office itself. In large office buildings, however, the company owner does not always have to be responsible for this if he has only rented individual office rooms. Especially in an open-plan office where many people communicate at the same time, good soundproofing is essential to maintain the efficiency of the employees. Carpets in the office are less suitable, as they are mainly walked on with street shoes. As a result, despite regular cleaning, large amounts of dirt and germs can become trapped in the carpet fibers.

Where can I find the right service provider for my company?

Both a reliable caretaker and a new cleaner or competent IT service provider: You can quickly find a suitable company that can take over important work in your company via this free and absolutely new agency service from the Yellow Pages. It is now also easily possible online to find a suitable substitute for illness-related absences of individual employees or entire departments. For example, if the secretary was placed in quarantine and temporarily not allowed to leave the house, there are many typing offices at the company’s location via the popular business directory, which can step in at short notice and temporarily. This also applies to bookkeeping, although this branch of the profession is currently not doing so much freelance work. However, as digitization progresses, the number of newly founded start-ups is constantly increasing, so that it is becoming faster and easier to find a suitable replacement for absent employees on the Internet, across all industries.

If the company moves to a new location, the moving company’s movers can help pack the moving boxes. Many IT items such as computers or monitors must be stowed in suitable boxes so that they are unbreakable so that they can survive the company move undamaged. Whether it is worth transporting chairs and desks depends on the age of the office furniture. In many cases, however, taking the entire office equipment with you causes such high transport costs that, from a financial point of view, it is cheaper to write off old office furniture and at least buy bulky parts of the office equipment again at the new location. However, office equipment that is no longer required cannot simply be sold, and any profits made from such sales must be added to the company budget. Since the office furniture was paid for from the company account, it can be most economical to simply write it off at the tax office.

In this article on our website you can read what you as a company owner have to consider in order to ensure that a depreciation is posted correctly. Computers, monitors, telephone systems, office chairs, desks, etc. that are no longer needed must then be completely destroyed. This can be done, for example, at the nearest recycling center, where containers can also be borrowed, which can be set up directly on the company premises.

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Home Garden

Upholstery and sofa cleaning – let the professionals help you!

Upholstery and sofa cleaning – let the professionals help you!

Only an expert can guarantee cleanliness without damage

Although upholstered furniture and sofas are not necessarily sensitive, removing dirt can quickly lead to damage. This is particularly the case if there is no know-how in the field of cleaning. For this reason alone, it is advisable to have a professional help you with dirt. Professional upholstery cleaning and sofa cleaning can also be found on the Internet. So do not ignore the problem, but tackle it and ensure the required level of cleanliness. After all, there are a few reasons to value the condition of sofas and the like.

Dirt is not exactly conducive to comfort

Of course, it is not absolutely necessary to clean upholstered furniture and sofas, as they can also be used without appropriate care. However, you should think carefully about whether this is really in your interest. After all, it cannot be denied that a lack of cleanliness does not exactly have a beneficial effect on comfort. It is therefore better to get rid of dirt, as this also indirectly benefits relaxation.

Without care, it can even lead to vermin infestation

Dirt is not only unsightly, it can also lead to vermin infestation, for example due to food leftovers in cracks, and although there are measures to eliminate vermin, this is not exactly pleasant. While bed bugs can cause unpleasant allergic reactions, clothes moths and carpet beetles are problematic when it comes to feeding damage. Vermin infestation usually only occurs if insufficient attention is paid to care. Another good reason to get help from an upholstery and sofa cleaning service in Berlin.

It’s also about hygiene

Last but not least, it should be mentioned that the issue of hygiene should also play a role in the area of ​​furniture. This is especially true if the furniture is used regularly in everyday life and, in addition to dining tables, this is also the case with sofas, for example. Poor hygiene can, among other things, increase the risk of diseases and is generally not exactly conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Cleaning your upholstered furniture and sofas regularly or having them cleaned is part of the household somewhere. It is therefore important that you deal sufficiently with the topic and rely on professional solutions.

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Organization

Work organization: Flow – the special sense of time

Work organization: Flow – the special sense of time

With focus on the flow

But to do that, you have to love what you do. If you’re checking the clock all day to make sure you don’t miss the end of the day, you’re going to have a hard time ever getting into the flow. Then your private life is more important to you than your job.

But under this condition no flow can develop. The flow state requires the willingness to be able to absorb something, to devote oneself to it with all one’s heart. Therefore, concentrate fully on what you are doing at the moment. In other words: If you like your work, you will get into the flow faster.

Attention is in the moment

The flow does not happen when you dream about the future or when you think about the past, but only in the here and now, in the present. If you are in the flow, you forget the time and everything else around you. The handles are in place and the work is easy and relaxed.

Time seems to stand still. At that moment you are fully focused on what you are doing. Nothing disturbs, nothing distracts. However, it makes sense if you also switch off possible sources of interference: mobile phone, e-mail program, the Internet anyway.

Challenge creates flow

Not every activity is necessarily a challenge, just think of the ever-popular filing of files or other routine activities. Just try to find an exciting side in these works as well. Make it fun to do such things particularly well and quickly.

This approach alone changes your consciousness because you are what you think. If you approach such jobs with frustration or if you feel underchallenged, I can already guarantee you that the result will look appropriate. On the other hand, if you do it with fun, desire and love, you will get into the flow much faster. And best of all, if you can do it, you’ll even save time!

You can read more about the requirements that must be met for the flow in the article With the right work organization to the flow.

Categories
Travel

Tips for your dream vacation in Turkey

Tips for your dream vacation in Turkey

Turkey is Europe’s gateway to the Asian continent and offers you a unique cultural diversity. The two most popular holiday regions in Turkey include the Aegean coast and the beautiful Riviera. Here you will find a large selection of beautiful and, above all, endless beaches, modern hotels and numerous historical sights.

The Aegean Coast

The Aegean coast is located in western Turkey. The pleasant, Mediterranean climate is particularly appreciated. The region is characterized by hot, dry summers and mostly mild winters. The beautiful sandy beaches and the clear, turquoise water offer incomparable bathing fun for the whole family and also invite you to numerous water sports activities. How about diving, windsurfing, water skiing or sailing, for example?

Here you will find the important traces of the past, such as the remains of the city of Troy – one of the most famous places of antiquity.

Simply enjoy the Rivera

The Mediterranean region or the Riviera does not have to hide behind the Aegean coast. The subtropical climate with the golden beaches and a very good water quality also offer you pure bathing and holiday pleasure.

You live in modern hotels, can explore large amusement parks or use numerous shopping opportunities. And there are also numerous historical sights to be admired on the Riviera, which provide exciting insights into bygone eras.

Visit Istanbul

Istanbul is the largest metropolis in Turkey and should not be missed on any holiday in Turkey. The metropolis fascinates travelers again and again with numerous oriental bazaars, large and interesting museums, with impressive buildings and fantastic local recreation areas.

Little insider tips

If you are vacationing in Turkey, you should definitely plan a visit to Mavagat. Here you can cool off your feet in the icy cold waters of the famous Mavagat Falls.

Another highlight would be a trip to the mountains. Visit the famous Dim Cave and then dine at Dimcay Restaurant. The special thing about this restaurant – the tables and chairs are in a river. So you can cool your feet while you eat.

Categories
job

Listen actively & take away more: two clever approaches!

Listen actively & take away more: two clever approaches!

Active listening is an important skill that you need in your studies, at work and ultimately in all of life. This article examines the possibilities for promoting active listening and also deals with the correct structuring of spoken content.

From passive listener to active listener

The reason that many meetings and lectures are inefficient is due to the passivity of the audience. If you are not actively involved, the brain simply runs on the back burner and can absorb less.

However, there are two different approaches to changing from a passive listener to an active listener – one is creative and the other is particularly structured:

  1. Sketchnoting
  2. keep record

In the following, we will take a closer look at what is behind the two ideas and for which areas of application they are suitable.

What is sketch noting?

In order to remain mentally active during a conversation or lecture, the concept of sketch notes was developed. These are small drawings and snippets of text that are written down on the side.

In a sketchnoting tutorial you can learn the most important basic forms of the technique. However, sketchnotes are a very individual thing. They should help the listener to take the key facts with them and to remember them even after weeks.

The brain is already more receptive when listening, so that significantly more is stored in the memory. At the same time, you can also look at the notes and ideally you are immediately in the picture again.

Keep a log

Creating a protocol is less creative and relatively sterile. It is very well suited for summarizing the essential content of a meeting. One speaks then of a so-called result protocol.

There is also a history log. Here, exactly what was said is written down and it is useful for anyone who wants to read everything again. However, this can be very exhausting and not necessarily effective if you want to have a quick overview.

Which procedure is better?

Whether sketchnoting or the protocol is used depends on who the notes are made for. Sketchnoting is more of an individual thing. Others will hardly be able to understand what exactly is going on based on the notes. Minutes are a great way to let others know who weren’t present at a talk or meeting.

Tip: It may be advisable to combine both methods. The sketch notes, which are freely and creatively made on the side, can ultimately be turned into a result log that is also informative for other people.

Categories
Home Garden

Solid wood planks as flooring: properties and advantages

Solid wood planks as flooring: properties and advantages

What is solid wood

Wooden floorboards have been used as flooring for more than a thousand years! Such floorboards are made of a solid, processed piece of precious wood, which is made with the help of modern woodworking machines. After processing, each plank has the exact, determined size and dimensions so that they can be optimally adapted to each other. Solid wood floorboards are often screwed, nailed or even glued to a wooden substructure. However, some have special connectors for easier installation. These planks can be covered with protective varnish and designed in different ways.

Solid wood surface

Solid wood floors have an even surface. The panel thickness varies between 18 and 22 mm. The thicker it is, the easier it is to renovate and re-treat the floor using a scraper or grinder.
The surface of the wooden floorboards can remain “rough”. Such untreated soil draws a lot of moisture from the room and at low humidity levels it can dry out and shrink. If you want to keep such a floor in its original form, you should control the indoor climate and maintain humidity in the range of 50-65%.

can be covered with a lacquer, oil or with Polyx®-Oil. Varnish protects floors from moisture and gives them shine, while wood impregnated with oil can be characterized by reduced hygroscopicity.

Various types of solid wood

Solid wood is one of the premium flooring materials and has a fairly high price. Choosing the solid wood that is most suitable for your home is not an easy task. Various types of panels are available for sale, differing in price, color, size, processing methods and finishing coating. There are many categories of solid wood. The main criteria for distribution are the texture of the wood, its quality and the cutting methods.

The following types of wood are used most frequently: oak, wild oak, ash, walnut, beech, beech heartwood.
The gradation of types of wood appeared for the first time on the American market. They identified four basic types of sorting: Select, Natural, Rustic, and Country.

Choose: A mixture of the selected wooden boards without sapwood and wood defects with other boards that may occasionally have small amounts of light-colored knots up to 5 mm in diameter (the dark ones up to 3 mm). Differences in color can only be slight.

The Select grade is ideal for classic interiors where the floor needs to blend in with the overall calm style of the room without attracting undue attention.

Select wood grade is more expensive than other grades.

Nature: Wood with a varied texture but without strong color changes. Normally it is without sapwood, but sapwood is still allowed in this class (up to 5% of the board area). Light and dark knots must not have a diameter of more than 10 mm. Nature is a classic type of wood that comes into its own in various interiors.
The absence of color changes makes it look like a Select cultivar, but the presence of small knots gives the boards a nice wood texture.

Rustic: Differences in wood color and amount of sapwood are not regulated. Light and dark knots are permitted up to a diameter of 20 mm. The Rustic grade has one of the most colorful and vibrant markings. The tones of the boards can vary significantly. Sapwood is also reliable. This offers an interesting play of colors.
Flooring of this type fits perfectly in summer houses or cottages in the country, as well as in modern loft or country-style apartments in the city center.

Country: This grading includes wooden boards with no limitation on the number and size of natural wood defects. This is a real “artistic floor” drawn by nature. In different tones, country looks very different. With the light wooden boards, the play of colors is in the foreground, with the dark ones – a pronounced wood pattern.
Light country style is ideal for such interiors as pop art, art deco and kitsch. At the same time, country with a dark shade looks calm and solid. Characterized by an underlined wood structure, it fits perfectly with all interiors, including the classic ones.

How does solid wood differ from parquet floorboards?

Outwardly, these floors are similar, but they still have some differences. Parquet floorboards consist of three layers:

  • the top layer of precious wood;
  • the middle layer of cheap softwood;
  • the lower layer of a plastic.

This cover is cheaper but the lifespan is a little less. Solid wood and parquet floorboards are two strong and durable materials with good sound and thermal insulation properties. Both materials can be sanded. However, one can distinguish the following advantages of solid wood:

1) Due to its monolithic structure, it lasts longer.

2) It is an eco-friendly material.

3) Solid wood is harder and more durable.

Categories
Organization

Sufficient sleep – important for reducing stress among managers

Sufficient sleep – important for reducing stress among managers

Executives with a heavy workload in particular try to gain a few extra hours by reducing their sleeping hours. At first this seems like a good idea. But soon there are symptoms similar to those of shift workers, who have to accept health problems due to bad and little sleep and who also make more mistakes at work and have less ability to concentrate.

Survey results: lack of sleep alarming

Even if the need for sleep varies from person to person, the results of a survey for a major business magazine in Germany are alarming. Most decision-makers in key leadership positions get little more than six hours of sleep a night on average. With the statements of 519 top politicians, company bosses and heads of authorities, the survey achieves a certain representativeness.

Statistically speaking, top politicians sleep the least at night: 31 percent sleep only five hours or less a night. The free economy shows somewhat more relaxed numbers: here it is “only” 18 percent.

The majority complains about the negative consequences of lack of sleep

It is interesting that, according to the survey, the majority of those surveyed often complain about not getting enough sleep and rest. This is clear evidence that lack of sleep reduces well-being. The other results of the survey make this clear.

The constant stress has consequences: 57 percent of those surveyed have already experienced that negotiations were negatively influenced by the tiredness of individual participants, for example by sudden concessions. This underscores the limitations in performance due to lack of sleep.

How to find sufficient regeneration

Tip: Make sure you have a regular bedtime, e.g. B. always from midnight to 6 a.m. Your body gets used to this rhythm and can use the short time better for regeneration. Or sleep significantly more than six hours. Most people are safe with eight hours.

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Travel

Holidays in Germany: Popular excursion destinations and sights

Holidays in Germany: Popular excursion destinations and sights

Sights in Berlin

The German capital Berlin has long since acquired the reputation of a European cosmopolitan city and attracts millions of tourists from all over the world every year with its many theatres, museums, buildings and events. The city’s most famous attractions include the Brandenburg Gate, which symbolizes the division of Germany that has been overcome, the Kurfürstendamm, which is a lively shopping street with countless hotels, restaurants and shops, and the Großer Tiergarten, which is the third largest with an area of ​​2.1 km² inner-city park in Germany.

The journey goes to Bavaria

Another German city that offers a lot of sights is Munich. There are not only a large number of cultural institutions here, but also beautiful parks, including the Renaissance-era courtyard garden and the Olympic Park, which is used for many sporting and social events.

However, the city of Munich is by no means the only tourist magnet in the federal state of Bavaria. Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the leading sights in Germany near Füssen in south-west Bavaria. The magnificent building erected in 1869 for the Bavarian King Ludwig II comes very close to the idea of ​​a fairytale castle and can be visited almost all year round.

We continue to Hamburg

Hamburg, the second largest city in Germany, is the ideal destination for tourists who love the maritime. As the second largest port in Europe, the Port of Hamburg is rich in attractions, including museums, historic ships and monuments. Boat trips and other activities are offered here regularly.

The largest amusement park in Germany, which attracts more visitors than any other seasonal amusement park in the world, is Europa-Park Rust near Freiburg. Spectacular roller coasters, carousels, water attractions, playgrounds and interactive offers cover an area of ​​90 hectares. Hotels and restaurants take care of the physical well-being of the guests.

So why always wander into the distance? There are also great holiday and excursion destinations in Germany!

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job

Conduct conflict talks constructively

5 rules for constructive conflict talks

Rules for conflict talks

  1. Right at the beginning of the conflict talks, adopt the so-called OK attitude: “I am pleased that we are talking about the matter XY.” This sets the goals: a productive result and an improvement in the relationship(s).
  2. Start conflict talks with an inventory: On which points do we agree? Where do we see things differently? Prevent the usual conflict behavior in which the participants criticize, threaten or insist on their rights.
  3. Courageously address feelings: “Mr. X, what did you feel when Ms. Y took up the position as head of department?” This opens up a different (new) perspective for everyone involved.
  4. Question the interests on which the feelings are based: “I would like to take on a managerial position in the company in the medium term.” This allows those affected to distance themselves from the feelings and to bring order to their thoughts.
  5. Discuss as many possible solutions as possible: “… Contribute your specialist knowledge to Committee X… Carry out the next project as project manager…” You approach each other in a forgiving manner and use your energy to achieve factual results.

Practical tips for conflict talks questions

After every discussion that was exclusively or also about conflicts: Which positive changes – private or professional – did at least one of the conflict discussions lead to? This anchors the experience that conflict talks help you to develop further. Before the conflict discussion, put yourself in the role of the interlocutor. What are his motives? How interested is he in sticking with the different points of view? In this way you will find out that your counterpart is probably just as interested in finding a solution in a good and calm atmosphere.

Categories
Home Garden

The dream of your own pool

The dream of your own pool

What types of pool are there?

The first decision that any prospective pool owner must make is of course the type of pool. There is often no space for an indoor swimming pool. A spacious garden, on the other hand, can be optimally used with a pool. If you still want to design your garden in a natural way, you can opt for a swimming pond. An artificial pond for swimming has a chamber for water regeneration in addition to the swimming area. There, plants ensure natural purification. Anyone who likes to go on a resort holiday and wants to take a piece of this luxury home with them is more likely to opt for a classic swimming pool. There are many different variants of this – from the simple inflatable pool to models with a metal frame to the built-in pool that is embedded in the ground. In terms of stability and appearance, this is certainly the best option for most prospective buyers. However, most costs must be planned for.

Proper care of the private pool

Careful planning before construction can already save a lot of work. While a bit of shade is tempting, the pool should not be set up under trees as falling leaves and debris can spoil poolside fun. If you are not going to use it for a long time, we recommend a cover and an outdoor shower, where you can easily clean yourself before each bath, is recommended. But even if these instructions are carefully observed, a pool must be maintained regularly, because the wind can also blow dead leaves and soil into the water. Every owner should install a filter system that is tailored to the size of the pool. In addition, it is recommended to clean the pool at least once a week with a pool vacuum. This task can also be performed by a pool robot. As a daily ritual, nets are also ideal for keeping the water clean.

Clean water with chlorine

Before chemical additives are added to the pool, the pH value of the water must first be measured. This is the only way to determine the amount of chlorine that needs to be added for optimal hygiene. However, the entire procedure can also be carried out automatically. A pool dosing system for chlorine can be used permanently or only if nobody is on site for a long time to take over the pool maintenance. These dosing systems are available in different versions. Simple models float on the water surface. A certain amount of disinfectant is continuously released from these. Fully automatic variants for chlorine are simply connected to the filter system. Water analyzes are then carried out regularly and the correct dose of disinfectant is automatically dispensed into the water. The decision for such a system can also be made later, because it can be installed at any time.