The National Safety Passport CBT course delivers Safety Passport training at a fraction of the costs associated with the usual classroom delivered schemes.

Cognition Media have developed an e-learning Safety Passport program delivering all customers a substantial amount of hours and expense while keeping the highest standard of training. The program is totally transportable facilitating trainees to do it as and when around their other duties. No more need for loss of working time, travelling or overnight costs; a definate plus in the present economic climate.

At a cost of £69.99 (ex VAT) the computer based training program includes the nationally recognised EMSS Safety Passport card which can be validated online for authenticity. This will exceed employer’s compulsory need to deliver safety, health and environment (SHE) training at a fraction of the costs associated with the usual classroom delivered schemes.

The course has been validated engage the attention of the candidate and improve knowledge retention while making the learning a more enjoyable experience. Comments from both trainees and management has been absolutely positive:

You don’t have to sell this course to me, it’s a complete no brainer..SHE Manager

Good course, opens your eyes to Health & Safety..Key Accounts Manager

Thoroughly enjoyed the course, very informative; a must in safe working practices..Driver

Unlike some courses the content of this one is 100% relevant..Operator

This course is in bite sized chunks; allowing the day to day business of the branch to continue unaffected..Branch Manager

Please see the national safety passport web site for sales and further information.

Increase Your Deductible

Just like auto insurance, homeowner insurance policies have deductibles, and the same rule of thumb prevails, carry the greatest deductible you can . The higher your deductible, the more premium credit you can expect to receive from your company. Your savings could reach 25% by increasing the deductible from $500 to .

Improve The Security of your Home

The majority companies offer rate reductions for burglar alarms, dead bolts, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and Neighborhood Watch Areas. Dwellings with a fire and burglar alarm system hooked up to a third-party monitoring company receive higher savings than homes that did not.

Insuring several cars on the same policy with the same insurance company can save you ten to fifteen percent on your premiums. If you cover home and auto insurance quotes together, you can lower your premiums by another ten percent to fifteen percent.

Verify Distance To Fire Stations And Windstorm Areas

If you dwell in the country, youll very likely pay higher for your insurance than if you lived in city limits. Why? Its because of the distance to your fire station. If you live more than miles from the nearest fire station, and more than 1,000 feet from a fire hydrant, you will pay a higher rate.

Renewal Discounts and Claims Free Record

If you have not a claim under your policy during the past years, you receive up to a discount, depending on the insurance company. Plus, most companies will discount your premium if your policy has been in force for years.

Mortgage Free Savings

insurance companies target those who have paid off their mortgage and offer them premium discounts of up to 5%.

Savings for New and Renovated Homes

A majority of insurance companies offer a discount for new homes, and you can qualify if your home was built in the last 10 to 15 years. Also, a recently renovated home costs less to insure, so find out when the last major electrical, heating and plumbing update was completed on the home.

The easiest way to know if you are receiving the best rates possible on your home insurance is to go online and compare rates. Even if your home is mobile, you can compare and receive a very competitive RV insurance quote online and know that you are paying the lowest rates possible no matter what type of home you are insuring.

Your wedding is not just a celebration of your love; it is also a way to thank the special people in your life. Wedding favors, in particular, are the expression of that gratitude. It says “thank you for being there” — and also, is a token of affection.

That’s why couples should give as much thought to their wedding favors as they do to any other detail in the wedding.

Why give something boring and generic, which will only end up gathering dust in the corner of a closet? Make it special, make it beautiful, and make it unique—something that, when seen, will make them remember you and your wedding.

You’ll find many unique ideas for wedding favors. Here are just things to consider as you choose from the selection:

* Follow your wedding theme. Did you have a beach wedding? A little glass jar with sand and shells can be used as a paperweight. Add a romantic quote or a verse from a poem with a sea theme, and you have something appropriate and practical. Dried flowers pinned against a refrigerator magnet make a lovely garden wedding favor, while a Medieval themed wedding can have chocolate coins in a velvet pouch.

* Be nostalgic. Dress up a photo frame with a couple portrait, or a CD with your favorite music. Even an ordinary box, useful for odds and ends like paperclips or jewellery, becomes a touching wedding favor if it’s filled with potpourri and a personal note from the couple thanking the guest for “sweet memories”.

* Give something useful, but dainty. What about a champagne charm with a heart (to “toast” your new life), with a note that says that you hope that your guest will have many days as happy as this wedding is for you? A sachet with potpourri, to put into the closet, can also carry the scent of the flowers in your bouquet. These are things that they won’t buy for themselves, but will definitely appreciate — while carrying the theme of your wedding.

* Think “sweets”. Chocolates and candies are always a welcome souvenir, and can be wrapped to reflect the theme of your wedding. If you have a very elegant evening wedding, try rum balls in a small gold box; or if you have a seaside wedding, give chocolates shaped like sea shells. You can even ask some suppliers to form your monogram into a chocolate, or have chocolate handpainted to look like little bouquets of flowers.

* Even “ordinary” wedding favors become extra special if they’re presented properly. Try grouping your wedding favors to become part of the table centerpiece. For example, little boxes of chocolate, arranged in a tier, can add to the beauty of the reception area. Or, you can have chocolate rosebuds inserted into your regular floral centerpiece — now that’s a “sweet” discovery!

There are so many unique wedding favors that the problem isn’t what to give, but which one to give. And with the large variety, there’s bound to be one that fits into your budget and theme.

When you’re out in the wilds, you need to make sure that you’re equipped for every situation. We take a look at some of the items you might need.

MAPS / NAVIGATION TOOLS
If you’re looking to go off the beaten path or to a place that you’re unfamiliar with, having a detailed map and compass is vital. Poor weather conditions can easily disorientate you, so it’s important that you have navigation tools for your journey.

CLOTHING
No matter where you are in the world, you need to be dressed for the terrain and have comfortable clothing to suit the conditions. If you’re in the British Isles, you need to be prepared for unpredictable weather changes. Don’t leave home without your waterproofs! Layers of clothing are recommended and remember that it’s best to take extras, such as gloves and hat even if it started out feeling warm.

BOOTS
If you’re clocking up the miles, a pair of proper walking boots with moulded grip-giving soles will be a worthwhile investment. Make sure you wear the boots in before a long journey!

MOBILE PHONE
You either love them or hate them but mobile phones can be extremely handy in an emergency situation! When you’re out in the wilderness, you can use your mobile to get help in case you have an accident. Remember that some mobiles will not pick up a signal in remote locations, so it’s best to check with your network provider.

RUCKSACK
A rucksack is useful to carry your food, water and extra clothing. There are a variety of rucksacks available, depending on your needs.

FOOD & WATER
If you intend to be out for a while, make sure you take ample food and water. Use a water bottle or thermos flask, and always carry emergency rations such as energy bars.

FIRST AID KIT
You never know when a basic first aid kit will come in handy. Ready-made kits are available from outdoor stores.

CAMPING OUT
Of course, if you’re planning on staying out in the great outdoors so you can capture those glorious sunsets and sunrises, then you might wish to invest in a camera and some camping gear.

Be prepared for your expeditions so that they are a success!

Visit the author’s latest website Binoculars Bird Watching over at www.binocularsbirdwatching.net and check out the best birding binoculars.

Nobody can say in what direction the economic crisis will take us during the coming months and years, but I think it’s most likely we’re going to be living with it for longer than any of us would wish.

Being a small business owner, you are more directly connected to your staff and your customers than larger business entities, and this is a good thing, and a good thing to keep in mind.  Let me give you some general ideas on how to approach your business during unstable times.

1) Think outside the box. When your business declines and the future looks uncertain, your first instinct might be caution. But try to understand, if you do it in a sensible way, risk-taking isn’t necessarily irresponsible during a recession.

You can still make adaptations to your company, even substantial alterations of your business plan, without breaking the bank.

Try out new ideas; be creative and brainstorm!. Maybe try using some of the social websites like YouTube, Facebook, or MySpace to reach out to your local community online. You can focus on developing your local search marketing on the internet search engines or do some joint venture projects with other local merchants in your area. Necessity is the mother of invention! Coming up with innovative ideas to help guide your company through rough times and poor performing periods is not merely a proactive way to produce tangible cost-saving benefits. It can also keep your spirits up.

Of course, you might make mistakes. Realistically assessing what you can and cannot afford to risk is part and parcel of running a business.

2) Project confidence and steadiness. In a recession, people rightly get nervous. It’s not surprising that they would be drawn to someone who is assured and optimistic, someone who focuses on finding solutions instead of worrying and brooding.

Your staff and customers as well will respond to this. You might need to make some hard decisions, such as cutting staff, or changing your business operations in a manner your employees will find disruptive.

If they see you as a leader and a person of trust, it will decrease their fears and help maintain morale.

3) Keep your employees motivated, and make them part of the solution. It is absolutely critical to not let morale fall, and nurture a sense of productivity.

Declining business is troubling for all members of a business, not just the owner. But these uneasy times don’t have to be times of stagnation and gloom. Morale can suffer, especially if there have been layoffs. Work hard to make your employees feel they are contributing to a common goal by soliciting their opinions and holding staff meetings to keep them in the loop.

I talked about brainstorming in an earlier point. Your employees can and should contribute to that process. People who know they have a direct stake in the business are a great source of ideas.

4) Keep your customers in the loop. Keeping communication with your established customer base is of paramount importance when economic instability is afoot. Never forget that they are feeling the pinch just like you are, and will appreciate that you acknowledge their insecurity. Use your list of contacts to maintain open lines of communication with your customers, sending emails or snail-mail updates on any changes you might be making.

Use real time communications like Twitter to stay in touch with your customers (see Twitter for Business for more on Twitter). Regularly update your website with postings about ways you’re dealing with the economy and addressing customers’ needs. Don’t act like it’s business as usual if it isn’t.

If you respect the intelligence of your customers and are honest with them you will keep their trust. Don’t get me wrong: your customers need to know that despite hard times, your company is still strong and functional, and will remain attentive to their concerns.

5) Come up with ways to keep your customers’ business.

No matter how well your company is doing, customers respond very positively to rewards and deals for their continued patronage. It is important that you have some sort of loyalty program that can track and reward your loyal customers. And when they are pinching pennies, special offers to your most valued customers will mean even more, providing you with a competitive edge and encouraging loyalty.

So, to sum it up: if you keep positive, project leadership, team up with your employees to maintain innovative ideas and morale, and interact with your customers to reward loyalty and respond to their needs and priorities, you stand a better chance of not only handling the economic crisis, but thriving in it.