Author Archives: Frostie

Accommodation apps: how are traditional hotels being affected?

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The hospitality industry is bigger than you think, and with travelling becoming even easier, it is continuing to grow. The industry contributes towards a large proportion of Britain’s overall GDP – whilst employing a significant number of workers too. Overall, the total gross value-added contribution to GDP was estimated to be around £143 billion in 2014, which is 10% of the UK’s GDP. As well as procuring an indirect employment figure of 775,000 people while directly employing 4.6 million people, for every £1 million the hospitality industry directly contributes, £1.5 million is created and absorbed by other parts of the UK economy.

The hotel industry makes huge contributions to two key sub-sectors in the UK – hospitality and tourism. In the years between 2014 – 16, hotels (excluding the London area) experienced revenue per available room growth of 10.4% in 2014, which was forecasted to increase by 6.3% in 2015 and 4.2% in 2016. Year on year then, it is evident that the hotel industry is experiencing steady growth.

As smart technologies continue to interact and influence the hotel and B&B market, the future growth of the hospitality industry looks uncertain. Together with Shortridge, who specialise in hotel linen hire, we have looked to establish how this emerging digital market is challenging the way we use hotel spaces and how smart technologies may help benefit the hotel industry in the future:

The influence of smart technology

With the rise of apps such as Airbnb and Hostelworld becoming players in the market, the traditional hotel space’s ability to compete in the market is becoming compromised. This is because people who have a vacant space to rent for the night are often appealing to younger consumers who are more inclined to pay for ‘shared space’ accommodation at a cheaper price. Other influences of ‘shared spaces’ are interconnectivity, technology and smart apps and rising urbanisation. Now that users can simply log onto an app and then view many different properties in a convenient location, the idea of a stand-alone hotel becomes less appealing when positioned on a digital platform.

Figures suggest that hotel brands who are sticking to traditional methods of brand awareness are not having the same appeal in a technologically driven market. Research collected by BDRC Continental has suggested that apps similar to Airbnb outperformed hotel brands within a similar awareness scope.

Home stays

Both tourists and homeowners are benefitting from the trend of renting private space within someone’s home. Advertised as a way to submerge yourself into the host country’s culture, staying in a local home has become a cheaper and more quirky form of accommodation.

Figures showed that 9% of tourists and travellers in the UK have rented private space within someone’s home. Within Europe, this is lower than other countries, as France accommodated 11% of travellers in their homes and Germany accommodated 13% in their abodes. Within the European leisure market, it is clear this is an emerging trend and it is only expected to rise as millennials choose a cheaper alternative featured on a digital platform as opposed to more traditional hotels.

In the capital of London alone, over 40 million visitors have stayed in a shared space property found on an app and currently, there are over 30,000 spaces available in the city. This is, however, still lower than the amount of hotel rooms available in the capital – figured in 2015 at 138,769.

Perhaps in response to the growing interest in accommodation apps and homestays, low cost accommodation is set to increase by 29%. If hotel brands are to compete then, understanding that the app or digital platform is as important as the accommodation itself, is one way of fighting against the DIY hotelier revolution.

http://www.bha.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Economic-contribution-of-the-UK-hospitality-industry.pdf

https://www.pwc.co.uk/assets/pdf/uk-hotels-forecast-2016.pdf

http://www.londonandpartners.com/media-centre/press-releases/2015/20151118-london-sees-growth-in-hotel-development-as-new-properties-open-across-capital-for-2016

 

University Is Too Expensive and a Waste of Time, Say UK Graduates

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BY ASTRID HALL

One in four graduates now regret having gone to university, according to research.

A survey found the most common reasons to rue time spent in further education are paying too much for their degree, wasting their time and making bad choices such as not choosing subject or institution more carefully.

The study of 2,000 graduates also revealed nearly half work in a job where they could have reached the same level through a trainee or apprenticeship scheme.

And although an overwhelming 93 per cent said they enjoyed their experience of freedom away from their parents, nearly half agree their current job is in no way related to their degree.

Recent graduates are in over £18,000 of debt after a three-year course and stuck in an underpaid job unrelated to their degree.

Joe Crossley, Business Development Director, of Qube Learning who commissioned the study, said: “It’s natural for a lot of graduates to finish their degrees expecting to jump on the career ladder almost immediately, but this is often far from the truth.

“Many students feel the pressure to achieve a high grade otherwise they feel they risk being unemployable but when they finally secure a job, their qualification becomes redundant.

“It’s also surprising how few undergraduates are advised on alternative routes to university studies. With the amount of debt now accompanying higher education, other options, like Apprenticeships, need to be made more clearly available to people looking to pursue a chosen career.”

More than four in five agree there is an emphasis on achieving either a 2:1 or first classification with a third admitting they don’t even get asked about their degree in job interviews.

The research found just a fifth were made aware of apprenticeships as an option in place of undergraduate university studies following A Levels, with less than five per cent told about distant or online learning.

One quarter graduated without any qualifications useful to their career, with just under half admitting they could be where they are now without a degree.

The study found a list of degrees that Brits think are a ‘waste of time’ with Fashion, Drama and Media Studies appearing in the top ten.

Nearly two thirds of respondents who graduated with qualifications considered ‘pointless’ admitted their degree didn’t help them to secure their current job.

It was also revealed the university degrees that the nation believe to be the most useful, with 88 per cent agreeing a degree in Medicine beats a degree in Law or Engineering.

However, just under half of those who have studied a degree in Medicine said they could have gotten the same job through an apprenticeship scheme or something similar.

One in five said because of their studies they are now behind either those who did apprenticeships or those who went straight into work.

Two in five said they feel they are underpaid in their current job despite having a degree with less than one in ten using skills developed during their degree on a weekly basis.

One in ten have since changed careers since graduating and are now investing their time in new qualifications.

One in five admits to working in an unpaid role in order to get their current job with more than one in ten never using skills developed during their degree.

Half of respondents said time management was one of their most treasured takeaways from their experience compared to 29 per cent whose most valuable skills were the ones bespoke to their chosen career.

If given the option to go back and do it all again, nearly one quarter of grads would go down an alternative route to university studies such as an apprenticeship, online qualification or learning a trade.

Over half agree their university experience did more for their social life than their education, with nearly one in five leaving university having met their partner.

A sixth of graduates admitted to wasting their time at university and a further one third of respondents said the ability to make new friends was a key skill gained from their experience.

Joe Crossley, from www.qube-learning.co.uk continued: “It’s imperative that people from as young as 16 years old should be made aware of the educational choices that are out there for them. It does not have to be a traditional path of A-Levels and University, there is a huge amount of scope for individuals to learn a trade, through Trainees and Apprenticeships, whilst being educated at the same time.”

TOP TEN MOST ‘POINTLESS’ DEGREES ACCORDING TO RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY QUBE LEARNING

1. Acting

2. Outdoor adventure and environment

3. Office skills

4. Film studies

5. Dance / choreography

6. Drama studies

7. Celtic and Anglo Saxon Studies

8. Fashion merchandising

9. Media studies

10. Religious Studies

 

 

TheBruvs – Animated Comedy Series

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Why hasn’t there been a massively successful UK animated sitcom – in the style of US juggernauts The Simpsons or Family Guy?

That’s a question that got me thinking about 10 years ago. Just over two years ago I decided to try to do something about it. That is how TheBruvs.com was born.

Short, punchy comedy animations featuring a family of London villains trying to go straight in Essex – and failing, the films feature brothers Doug and Den, their dad, sister Janice, her son Jason and the lovely Chanterelle.

It’s my first proper venture into animation, although I was lucky enough to write a piece for Homer Simpson, no less, for a message to Simon Cowell on his This Is Your Life programme.

My background is news, current affairs, comedy and entertainment TV shows. Throw in projects with Jeremy Clarkson and some Top Gear credits and that makes up my CV – working with a lot of household names along the way.

But I wanted to do animation. I had the idea for The Bruvs and touted it round broadcasters and production companies. The costs and time involved with animation put all off.

Then I managed to persuade award winning animation director Eoin Clarke and sound and editing wizard Paul Richmond to come in on the project with me.

It is a passion project – which means persuading others to work on something with you on less than a shoestring.

We decided to have a go and put the films on YouTube. We also set up a website. And I had to get to grips with social media… setting up The Bruvs’ facebook, twitter, tumblr and instagram accounts.

Two years on and we have 17 films on YouTube – and 11 films running on the UKTV channel Dave and their on-demand service UKTVplay.

We have many more big ideas. I’m not saying we are anywhere near The Simpsons, American Dad or South Park but The Bruvs is growing and there has been a lot of positive feedback from round the world.

To have taken something – literally – from page to screen – is very rewarding. The instant feedback from the social media sites is also a great encouragement – on the most part. Our hope is to gradually lengthen the episodes and develop them and the characters into more of a sitcom style. We have many plans for all the characters.

Now we have music too – thanks to the very talented Stig Winslet and Pete Harbour – who have brought a new dimension to The Bruvs with songs about their antics. If something we come up with amuses us, we tend to put it into the films – subject to our budget and time constraints.

It’s still relatively early days, but The Bruvs are growing and are finding their feet on the world stage.

They have come a long way since they moved to Essex. It might be something in the water.

By Ian Brown

TV writer and producer / co-creator TheBruvs.com

THEBRUVS

CREDITS  

Writer : Ian Brown

Director : Eoin Clarke

Sound : Paul Richmond

Music : Stig Winslet, Pete Harbour

 

YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI5al_Dl4V0kh-dxBsbjyig

twitter / facebook : @TheBruvsTV

instagram: thebruvstv

 

Selina Siak Chin Yoke On Becoming a Writer

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I began writing out of desperation and a cherished dream. While recovering from breast cancer, I went into a chemo-induced depression without realising it. I had no idea what was wrong, only that the ground beneath me seemed to have collapsed. Months passed. When I still found no equilibrium, I went to see a counsellor at the cancer charity, MacMillan, who suggested a bout of creative writing.

Not long afterward, I recalled a dream I’d once had – of writing a novel loosely inspired by my great-grandmother who I had never met. Stories were re-hashed endlessly in my family about this formidable woman who, despite being uneducated, started a business at a time when few women in Malaya did so. She always seemed larger than life – a true role model in a profoundly patriarchal culture.

I began my writing project by doing research. I knew that what I wanted to write was a novel based on real historical events, possibly even on events which my own family had experienced.

Armed with the detailed outline of a story, I planned a trip to Malaysia. I pored through newspapers in the National Archives and interviewed anyone who would talk to me about the old days. Some who gave their time were family members: aunts, uncles and cousins, but a few were people I barely knew. Amazingly, I came across people who had actually met my great-grandmother. Their anecdotes provided a wonderful tapestry which fuelled my imagination further.

Spurred on by Malaysia’s heat and its panoply of aromas, sounds and colour, I began writing the first draft of The Woman Who Breathed Two Worlds, my first novel. The story follows the life of a mixed-race woman during a time of rapid change in Malaya. It is a complex and rich story about cultural identity, set in my hometown, Ipoh. As I described the modernisation of the town and how the protagonist tries to retain her cultural traditions in her rapidly Westernising world, I realised I was telling not only her story but the story of her country, Malaya.

In this way, the Malayan Series was born. My new novel, When the Future Comes Too Soon, follows on from the first book, but the two can be read independently and are very different. In this second novel Malaya is at war. There is a new protagonist, Mei Foong (the daughter-in-law of the heroine in the first book), who is thrown into a world gone mad. Somehow, she must find ways to keep her family alive. How she goes about this and what happens to her and her family lie at the emotional heart of the novel.

Their story is as much about betrayal, in its many forms, as it is about survival and love and what courage means. Sometimes, it takes extreme circumstances for people to discover what they’re made of. This is the case for Mei Foong, who finds her inner steel through war and suffering.

Selina Siak Chin Yoke’s When the Future Comes Too Soon is published byhen the Future Comes Too Soon and out now

 

 

Spoil Yourself – Enjoy the Pleasure of Essential Oils by Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Last month I wrote about Puressential essential oils – some of which are sold for therapeutic uses, to treat insomnia, head lice infestations and joint pains.

 

This month I was sent a lovely travel pack of Aromatherapy minis by Scentered which I am keen to share with you (well, not literally  – they’re mine, all mine, but I will share the experience with you until you get your own – which I would recommend.)

Essential oils are extracted from aromatic plants and it is believed that just smelling them can have positive effects on us, including changing our mood.  There have been a number of scientific studies, including EEG (brainwave) and imaging studies, which support this theory. So if you are feeling down, stressed, in need of inspiration or focus, why not give aromatherapy products a try? They may help and certainly smell amazing.

Scentered’s main products, which are 100% pure, are solid sticks of balm – a blend of moringa and shea butters to ensure a non-greasy finish, as well as long-lasting fragrance delivery. These are infused with different combinations of essential oils, in a handy twist-up container, which you can rub on pressure points such as the temples, neck and wrist.

Essential oils are often used to help sleep problems – the scourge of modern living. Scentered Sleep Essentials Set combines a balm stick, infused with Palmarosa, Lavender and Ylang ylang, with a silk eye-mask. Candles, scented with these and other relaxing plant oils are also available.

The first thing which hit me, when I opened the mini travel pack, was the amazing smell, which is quite addictive. The set, which is light and compact, contains five different balm sticks – each claiming to enhance your mood in different ways:

‘Be Happy’ for when you need a little cheering-up

‘De-stress’ – the clue’s in the title

‘Focus’ – to help concentration

‘Escape’ – for inspiration (I’m wearing it as I write this)

‘Sleep well’ – again, it speaks for itself

Scentered recommend you use these balms with breathing and mindfulness techniques for maximum benefit.

In this modern world of constant stimulation of 24 hour emails and social media, a little time out with yourself and some beautiful and powerful natural perfumes can do you more good than you may realise. Treat yourself.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co,uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

 

 

Do You Want to Wake up Looking Good With Minimal Effort?

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Well now you can with Miroblading and Permanent Makeup from El Truchan at Perfect Definition.

If low maintenance is your thing, microblading or a permanent makeup treatment could be just what you need to make your life that little bit easier.

Have permanently perfect brows, eyeliner or lipstick and wake up with make up every day. Whether you love a bold dramatic look to your makeup or prefer a low-key natural effect, there’s a permanent cosmetic treatment for you.

The beauty of Microblading or Permanent Makeup is that it really is for women of all ages. It is the perfect way to enhance the natural beauty of your face and overall look.

It is also a great alternative to minimising the time spent each morning in front of the mirror doing your beauty routine. Instead you can wake up with perfectly applied makeup, without having to constantly reapply throughout the day.

For older women, Permanent Makeup can be used as a successful anti-ageing treatment without having to go under the knife.

 

Microblading/Permanent Makeup Eyebrows

Due to ageing the muscle tone decreases and the skin starts to lose elastine making your eyebrows sag and droop, as you get older. Some women seek surgical face-lifts to lift the brows and give their face a more youthful appearance. However, expertly applied Hair Stroke Brows that ‘mimic’ individual brow hairs, in a shape that creates an optical lift, while complementing the natural bone structure of the face can be just as effectively used to make your eyebrows look great without the need of expensive surgery.

Additionally, years of over-plucking means that hairs will often be sparse, something that a surgical face lift unfortunately can’t treat. 

Permanent Makeup Lips

Lips tend to become thinner, colourless and lose definition with ageing due to the loss of collagen, a protein found in our skin. Permanent Makeup / Micropigmentation – creates the perfect lips, which are full, well defined and healthy, this alone is sufficient to give back the shape and definition that age has taken away from the lips while adding colour for further rejuvenation.

Permanent Makeup Eyeliner

Our eyes appear to be sunken as we age, due to the fat from the eyelids sinking back into the eye sockets. This is a direct result of bags developing under the eyes, creating the dreaded ‘crow’s feet’.

The loss of elasticity in the skin makes eyelids droop, taking the attention away from the eyes, which is why the use of expertly applied eyeliner is essential.

Lashes lend to get thinner and weaker with age as well and despite all the products in the market there is very little that can be achieved to prevent that.

Permanent Makeup eyeliner is ideal if you are looking to deceive the effects of ageing and accentuate the eyes.

El is one of the experts in the industry and will be able to advise you on the best shape and colour that’s suits you.

All her treatments are bespoke and every client gets treated individually to their own needs.

About El Truchan 

El Truchan is a fully Qualified, Certified and Insured Microblading, Permanent Makeup, Micro-needling and Medical Tattoo Specialist. She holds Advanced Practitioner qualifications in Permanent Cosmetics as well as an International Accreditation from The Society of Permanent Cosmetics Professionals. She is a member of SPCP and the Royal Society of Medicine.

El is also a Trainer at Nouveau Contour & KB Pro Academy for Microblading, Permanent Cosmetics and Medical Tattooing – part of the Nouveau Beauty Group – the UK and International leading experts in Permanent Cosmetics.

On the Medical tattoo side – El performs 3D Nipple & Areola Tattooing, Scalp Microblading and Micropigmentation – hair simulation, Vitiligo Camouflage Tattooing, Cleft Lip & Lip Features Recovery.

El also performs Facial & Body Aesthetics Micro-needling procedures including Wrinkle Therapy, Stretch Marks Reduction, Scar Relaxation and Pigment Recovery Stimulation.

For more information visit – www.perfectdefinition.co.uk or contact El directly – info@perfectdefinition.co.uk

El works from a number of London locations including –

BANK

Stonehealth Clinic

LG Floor,

36-38 Cornhill, Bank,

London

EC3V 3ND

 http://stonehealthclinic.co.uk

CANARY WHARF

Bouton de Rose

2 Cochrane House, Admirals Way, Canary Wharf,

London

E14 9UD

HARLEY STREET

Wimpole Therapeutics

2 Wimpole St,

London

W1G 0ED

You can also find more information on El by visiting her Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/perfectdefinition/

 

 

Six Lessons Every Company Should Learn from Start-ups

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At Bedrock HR Ltd we work with a growing number of start-ups and we’ve been thinking about what businesses at any age and stage can learn from the new kids on the block. These are some of our thoughts which we hope you find useful……

  1. Consider different employment types: Zero-hours contracts can come with a bad reputation, but in some cases they can really help fill a gap in your team, particularly with professionals looking for flexible employment; or local parents with young children who need a few hours a week. Timewise is one example of a marketplace matching businesses seeking part-time talent or try local Facebook groups of Gumtree for local resources.
  1. Grow with direction and purpose: Don’t fall into the trap of hiring just when things are busy and your team seems too small to cope. Make sure each new-hire fits with your longer-term strategy, your team shape and skills that you already have. Also consider the paths for promotion for the people you already employ, what future do they have in your company.
  1. Demand flexibility but give people some boundaries: People need to be flexible in their roles, but clarity on their responsibility is still important. As a minimum, make sure each employee has 5 key responsibilities; a long-term goal, a short-term goal and clarity on what they deliver themselves and how they deliver through others. 
  1. Be innovative with your support functions: when you’re small you don’t need in-house HR, IT or accountants and there are lots of people offering outsourced professional solutions to save you money. But you’ll also be surprised by the other favours you might be able to pull in from your networks, like PR, marketing or events management. Local business networking groups like BNI or local chambers of commerce are a good place to start. 
  1. Have an ideas culture, but also know when to make decisions one of our clients gets this just right. They have an open-dialogue in workshops that involve the whole team, but at other times they’re clear that some decisions are made just by the senior leadership. Your team will thank you when they’re not asked for an opinion on everything!
  1. Don’t neglect development: it’s tempting in start-ups to run as fast as you can for as long as you can. But to be sustainable, you have to stop and give energy to training and team-work. And this isn’t just for junior staff – CEO’s need development too. Consider using a coach or mentor if you’re a CEO, and find someone who you trust to challenge and support you when you’re feeling frazzled.

Bedrock HR Ltd works with businesses at all stages, typically with between 5-50 employees to provide a cost-effect outsourced HR solution. For a free initial consultation please contact us via www.bedrock.co.uk

 

 

The top ‘must sees’ for families visiting New York

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New York is a great choice for families. Right from the food – which kid wouldn’t love to eat at a typical New York deli or one its perfect pizza parlours? – to the many attractions, there’s bound to be something to keep your littles ones entertained with a vacation in the Big Apple.

If you’re planning your family visit to the city, here are some ‘must sees’ to put on your list:

American Museum of Natural History

One of the biggest museums in the world, the AMNH is guaranteed to tap into the imagination of your children. The showstopping exhibits that they’ll enjoy most are probably the dinosaurs. Don’t miss the fairly new addition to the fold – the 122-foot long Titanosaur is so big that it doesn’t fit into one room and is the largest creature ever to walk the earth. The 94-foot long blue whale model is pretty impressive too – and the Discover Room is especially good as a hands-on area for intrepid 5-12 year olds.

Broadway

The theater really isn’t just for the adults. In fact, if we’re honest, the best Broadway shows offer a heady mix of fun for all the family. Aladdin, Wicked, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Lion King are among the many shows on offer – book yourself in and prepare to be blown away.

Central Park

There’s hours of fun to be had in Central Park – the picturesque heart of this otherwise fast- paced city. Kids will love the ice skating rink in the winter – which doubles as an amusement park – and Tisch Children’s Zoo has a cute collection of potbellied pigs, goats and sheep as well as the opportunity for your little ones to unleash their inner animal by crawling, jumping and climbing until their heart’s content.

Rockefeller Center

From the Lego Store and Nintendo NY through to the NBC Studios tour right up to the awesome views at the Top of the Rock – the Rockefeller Center is full of fun for all the family. In the winter, you can enjoy its world famous ice rink too.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

If your kids like to get stuck into some creative fun, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan is the place to be. Primarily for younger kids, there are five floors to explore here – offering workshops, exhibits, performances and parties galore.

Coney Island

Coney Island is where it’s at if you’re young – or young at heart. There’s the beach, an amusement park featuring 50 rides and attractions and the New York Aquarium. Oh, and lots of hot dogs. Adults find it fun in a ‘hipster retro’ kinda way, kids just find it fun, period.

Bronx Zoo

With more than 5,000 animals in a 265-acre site, there’s plenty to keep your kids entertained at the Bronx Zoo. The gorillas are a constant favorite – and quite right too – while there’s a chance to feed the penguins and sea lions, see pandas and elephants on the Wild Asia Monorail and ride the bug carousel.

 

By Patrick Vernon.