One and Co

One and Co

Archives for January 2021

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Rick Andreoli Montreal – What Chelsea Fans Can Hope For With Tuchel

It was almost inevitable that Frank Lampard was going to lose his Chelsea job despite the fact that he should have been a better chance at the position. We all know however just how Chelsea like to go about things and the likes of Roman Abramovich loves nothing more than sacking a manager. Almost as soon as Frank’s announcement was made, Thomas Tuchel was drafted in having recently left PSG. Tuchel has had a successful career thus far, although this is rarely a precedent for guaranteed success in the Premier League.

During pre-season Rick Andreoli Montreal and I were actually discussing a potential title charge for the Blues. Now however they are currently languishing in 9th position, what exactly can Chelsea now hope for?

Champions League

Despite the tough start and in spite of changing managers, Chelsea aren’t actually that far away from the top 4 and it is certainly something which Tuchel will have his eye on. Given the fact that so many teams are currently losing points in the league there is certainly a chance that Chelsea could finish in those top 4 places. Now the idea of a title challenge which Rick and I had is long gone, but Tuchel will certainly be charged with keeping the team in the Champions League for next season.

Reinvigorated

Based on the experience that Tuchel boasts, that Lampard didn’t, we can certainly expect to see some players reinvigorated in terms of their play. We know that Tuchel has worked with the likes of Pulisic at Dortmund and he has also dealt with some of the world’s biggest players in Mbappe and Neymar. That experience will be absolutely essential in making sure that the likes of Kai Havertz and Timo Werner really reach their potential at the club.

Cup Chances

IT would be remiss of us to forget that Chelsea are still in with a shout of the Champions League and the F.A. Cup, and there is no reason why the new manager will not have an eye on these. The Champions League last 16 will see the Blue face a tough opponent in Atletico. We cannot forget however that this is a Chelsea team which is dripping with talent and once Tuchel gets his own mark on the team, we can expect to see some real progress. There is no reason at all that Chelsea cannot beat Atletico over 2 legs.

Big Spending

Chelsea fans will have to understand that this summer they can expect to once again go big in the transfer market. This could see some big arrivals for the club and Tuchel is no stranger to spending big amounts of cash, as the purchase of Kylian Mbappe showed.

Ultimately Chelsea fans may be sad to have lost Frank as their manager but the reality is that Tuchel is a fine replacement and they should be excited about the months and years to come.

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Brian Ferdinand: Boston Can’t Be Beat When It Comes to Launching a Business. Here’s Why

Are you considering starting a business, or do you plan to expand a business that you have already launched? Several factors are necessary for you to attain success. One of those is an in-demand service or product that will solve your potential customers’ problems. And another solution is the perfect location for releasing your offering. Although several large cities are excellent places for launching a startup, one of the best today is Boston, according to business and travel expert Brian Ferdinand in a recently released article. Let’s take a peek at why Boston is an excellent place for doing business.

Massive Population

The city of Boston, located in Massachusetts, boasts about 700,000 people. However, the Greater Boston area features 4.5 million–plus people, which makes it the 10th largest urban area across the United States.

The Boston area’s large population offers many benefits to businesses that are launched in the city or that relocate to it, explains Brian Ferdinand, the managing partner of SoBeNY and SoBeNY’s parent company, CorpHousing Group. For instance, you have a large pool of potential workers to recruit and hire from. This means that you can have a base of employees with diverse aptitudes and skills.

In addition, members of the area’s large population can easily purchase your services or goods. This is particularly excellent news for people who are in the service or retail sectors.

Innovative Spirit

Another reason why Boston is a no-brainer for creating or expanding a business? It possesses a spirit of innovation that cannot be rivaled by many other urban areas. The reality is, Bostonians today are responsible for many of America’s most innovative companies. In addition, Boston has earned a reputation across the American landscape for playing a critical role in bringing new technology to the forefront.

In light of the above, Boston is the ideal place for innovative companies and technology startups to establish themselves. After all, in this city, they can find a helpful and large network of business leaders who share their mindsets when it comes to business, technology, and thinking outside of the box to meet the needs of the masses.

All in all, Boston continues to offer a slew of advantages to individuals interested in running their own companies. As long as you identify an offering that Bostonians truly want, as well as tap into the area’s vast network of professionals and experts, you can be well on your way to achieving your entrepreneurial aims long term.

 

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Brian Ferdinand, Business Expert: Here’s What Makes Corporate Housing an Excellent Option for Employees

Do you regularly send employees on lengthy business trips? If so, you likely realize how quickly the costs add up. Thus, you might be seeking a cheaper accommodation option than a traditional hotel in 2021. For instance, you might have considered booking extended-stay hotel rooms for your workers. However, the reality is, you can save the most money by going the corporate housing route, according to business expert Brian Ferdinand in a recently released article. Let’s take a look at the differences between extended-stay hotels and corporate housing for business travelers.

The Drawbacks of an Extended-Stay Hotel

Extended-stay hotels were created to cater to travelers who needed lengthier stays than they would normally have in regular hotels. Some extended-stay hotel rooms offer basic amenities designed to make the rooms feel like home. For instance, they come with refrigerators, microwaves, and stoves. However, these homey touches usually end here.

With an extended-stay hotel, employees may end up having to purchase their own eating and cooking utensils. On top of this, their rooms might be small, and they’ll be forced to do all of their laundering in a room that other hotel guests share with them. In addition, extended-stay hotel guests might not have guaranteed, free parking spaces.

In light of the above, even when employees stay in the best extended-stay hotels available, they might still yearn for the comforts of home.

The Advantages of Corporate Housing

In his recent article, Brian Ferdinand explains that a top-tier corporate housing unit, which is generally like a furnished apartment, generally doesn’t cost any more than your typical Airbnb home does. However, it is a lot homier and more luxurious than extended-stay hotels are. In fact, when one of your employees stays in a corporate housing unit, he or she will no doubt feel as though he or she is at home.

Corporate housing units come equipped with the appliances that guests are generally used to using at their own homes. In addition, guests can take advantage of private yards when they stay in residential-area corporate housing units. Corporate housing units also come with designated parking as well as stylish interiors.

Unfortunately, many employers underestimate or simply don’t realize the benefits and value of the corporate housing unit option. However, as more employers begin to understand what these units have to offer, they will likely book these accommodations at higher rates in the months and years to come.

 

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Rose Burillo – Taco Time, Tasty Tacos To Try in Mexico

If you asked most people to describe Mexico to you in a word, most people would say the word tacos within their first 5 guesses. This is not only one of the nation’s greatest exports but in Mexico tacos are very much life, and that is something which hasn’t changed in decades, and shows no sign of changing at all. When I first moved to Mexico my good friend and Mexican chef Rose Burillo was absolutely amazing in showing me around and showcasing the delicious tacos around the city. I have since tried just about every type of taco that there is, and here are the top options which I would recommend that you try.

Tacos al Pastor

One of the most commonly found tacos in the city is tacos al pastor, a very low cost option which can be found everywhere. These tacos feature pork meat which is heavily marinated and then stacked on a spit, and gradually turned as it is cooked. These tacos are served with a small slice of pineapple and then have cilantro, salsa and lime added to them, cheap and super tasty.

Mixiotes

Mixiotes are one of the most flavorsome tacos that you can buy and after just one bite you will be coming back for more and more. Mixiotes are made using lamb or mutton which is heavily seasoned and marinated before being boiled in a bag which is what gives it the moist and strong flavor. When you buy mixiotes you simply pop the bag open, spoon the meat onto your taco and add some spicy chilies, onions and cucumber, as well as some salsa and lime, absolutely delicious.

Suadero

Here in Mexico you will find juts about every part of the animal being cooked, and despite the fact that the Mexicans love all the bits that most of us don’t, it is one of the softest cuts of meat which is the most popular. Suadero is from the part of the cow between the belly and the upper leg, and it is one of the softest cuts of meat that you can find. This is a real favorite in Mexico and because of the fact that the meat doesn’t feature any muscle or tough to eat sinew, it is loved by everyone.

Barbacoa

Barbacoa is usually served on a weekend and the meat is slow cooked mutton, which has been lightly seasoned. The meat is so incredibly soft and supple, and this is why so many people love it. For many this is a dish which is best served if you have a slight hangover, and it is really the very best comfort food that you will find. The barbacoa taco is served with salsa, lime, cilantro and freshly chopped onions, and it is absolutely delicious.

These are the top 4 tacos which I would suggest that you try when you come to Mexico, I can assure you that you will not be disappointed at all.

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Faii Ong – Tips on Making Friends as an Adult

The brilliant lifestyle coach and social media influencer Faii Ong uploaded a video last month which really taught me something about mental health in adults. The point that he was making was that so many of us struggle with mental health in our 30s and 40s because of the reduction that we see with regards to socializing. Now many of us come out of school or college with hundreds of ‘friends’ yet gradually of course we lose touch with so many. The lack of acquaintances in our adulthood is not necessarily the issue here, the problem is that we don’t have enough friends, which of course serve as a great way for us to live our best life and give us an outlet too.

As an adult it is no doubt harder to meet people, but there are many ways in which you can still make friends, let’s take a look.

Joining Clubs

Much like when we are kids, meeting people who share our passions is a great way for us to engage with others and to make friends. The best way to find people who do share our passions is to join a club which focuses on it. For example if you are a sports fan then you could join a tennis club or a pool club, if you like to read then there are book clubs you can join which will introduce you to people who share your passion. The point here is that in order to find like-minded people, you need to go to places where they celebrate your passions.

Following Up

Something which many of us are guilty of is not following up with someone after we have met them for the first time. We can often fool ourselves into thinking that everyone has their own right circle and that they will not be looking to meet up or to do something else, the reality however is that most people would love to be invited out or invited to do something.

Using The Web

The internet is a great way to meet people, especially through organized meet-ups. These can take place for any number of reasons, an event which someone has set up, the chance to go for an adventure with people or simply to meet up for a coffee and discuss the finer points of life. The key for you to make friends is to engage and become a part of this kind of event, this is how you can make friends.

Less Judgmental

If you met your oldest friend for the first time today, would you be friends with them? Perhaps so, but in most cases it is unlikely that they would become your best friend. This is because as we get older we become more judgmental and therefore we close ourselves off to people. In order to make a friend you don’t need to love everything about them, you simply need to get on and have shared interests, and that is it.

Focus on this post-lockdown for a much healthier lifestyle with an abundance of friends.

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Anouk Govil, New York State of Mind

Anouk Govil and myself decided that New York would be the perfect student city and so when arranging our college applications we both decided on the Big Apple as the perfect place. As far as a location goes this was perfect, not too far from our home back in Connecticut yet far enough away that we could find our independence. Both Anouk and I had spent some time in New York over the years but living there as a student would be an altogether different experience. To give you some background on this Connecticut is a relaxed place to live where we enjoy outdoor adventures, socializing and enjoying the laid back lifestyle. You can only imagine the shock that was in store for us.

Mayhem

The day that we arrived in New York we both believed that something big had gone down and that was why there was such chaos. We both began checking on social media to see what had happened and where we should avoid going to, yet Twitter told us nothing. We quickly realized that the only things which had ‘gone down’ was that we arrived in the city in the middle of rush hour. The city always has a blistering pace about it anyway but rush hour is all out war, where nobody wins.

Tourism

In other areas of the east coast there is still a lot of tourism but most of these tourists come to enjoy a relaxing break, here in new York the tourists are something very different indeed. The most difficult thing about this is that they are also very hard to avoid because there are iconic locations and sights to see throughout the city. Tourists here travel in packs of more than 50 and they can block up a sidewalk in a matter of seconds.

Manners

Back up in Connecticut we are the sort of people who wear our hearts on our sleeves and we pride ourselves on being kind and respectful to those around us, all of us with very good manners. As you can imagine then, people like us get chewed up and spat out in a city like New York where people simply do not have the time for too many pleasantries. This is not to say that the people are rude, this is not it at all, but any kind of chivalrous conduct will not do you any favors here. If you open the door for one person then you’ll be standing there as every other person behind them comes through. If you let someone cut in line then everyone will think they can do the same and so it goes on. The key to survival in this city, and that is how you should look at spending time here, survival, is to sharpen up your elbows, be direct and take whatever you can whenever you can. Do this and maybe you’ll get out alive.

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Diamond Environmental Services – What Do Waste Management Companies Do?

The last 12 months has not only seen the bravery and the great effort made by those incredible healthcare workers, but we have also seen unsung heroes like waste management companies providing a phenomenal level of support which has helped to reduce the spread of this horrible virus and which has helped to keep so many of us safe. We covered a company called Diamond Environmental Services last month, a waste management company who have been highly supportive over the last twelve months, and many of you had follow up questions around what exactly a waste management company does.

As is always the case on here, if you ask then you shall receive, and here is the low down on this industry.

Toilet Hire

One area of this kind of company is that they rent out toilets for events and for building sites. There are so many scenarios where a portable toilet is necessary and these are the companies which are able to both provide the toilet and to then take care of the cleaning and the replacing of that toilet facility. There would be no festivals without these companies.

Push For Recycling

It is all well and good having the tools and the knowledge which we do, in order to recycle the likes of plastic, glass and cardboard to name just a few. The fact of the matter however is that this knowledge would mean nothing if we did not have companies who were able to split up the trash and make sure that each piece of material gets to the right place where it can actually be recycled. This is yet another role which waste management companies play.

Thrills and Spills

If there is ever a waste spill or a sewerage leak then it poses a real threat to those in the surrounding area. In such a situation the local authorities will be looking to waste management companies to bring their resources and their knowledge to the situation in order to help with the clean up in the safest way that is possible.

Offering Advice

One of the most important roles which these companies play is that they offer advice to companies which are getting set up, to better understand what their waste looks like. For example, let’s say that there is a factory opening up to make parts for a mobile phone, and they are going to have a certain amount of chemical waste that they have a responsibility to get rid of in a green way. These companies will approach a waste management company in order to take their advice about the situation and for them to offer recommendations which they will then follow.

And finally these companies have been working hard over the last year to support local authorities and hospitals in the fight against Covid-19. Whether this is helping to sanitize the streets or getting rid of potential infected materials, they have played a key role for the public since the outbreak of the pandemic.

 

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Roger Wolfson – New Skills You Could Learn During Lockdown

Many of us felt that that turn of the year would see an improvement with regards to the pandemic yet sadly this is just not happening and many of us are once again facing a lockdown. Instead of dwelling on how frustrating this is or how sick we all are of this thing, today we are going to focus on something far more positive and take a look into some new skills which we can learn during lockdown. Mental health experts like Roger Wolfson have been warning just how important it is that we focus on our mental health during this testing time, and one way to do this is to have something to focus on, and here are some ideas as to what you could learn.

A New Language

Even if you only focus on getting to a level where you can converse, learning a new language during lockdown would be the most amazing way for you to spend your time. This is not only a skill which will test your mind, it is one which actually has a purpose and which you can use now and in the future. There are a wealth of resources online which you can find, many free, that will help you to raise your game and pick up a new language.

Chess

It is fair to say that watching someone play chess really does scream ‘classy’ and you can be that guy or gal if you focus your time during lockdown on picking up a new skill such as that. Chess is easy to understand the basics of, but it is a game which you could spend a lifetime playing and still not fully grasp every aspect of it, regarding tactics and strategy. This is a game which is fun and educational and which is seriously going to help with your mental health during lockdown.

Musical Instrument

Not having enough time is often the reason that people give for not picking up a new instrument, well now we have more time on our hands than we know what to do with. The choice of instrument is yours, the key is to buy it and then focus on investing time practicing the craft. It is true that some take to these things very naturally, but no matter how easily you take to the instrument, it is essential that you put in the hours and practice hard in order to keep pushing yourself and to get better.

And finally you could use this time to flex your creative muscles and learn to draw or to write a story. Again these are skills which we so often suggest that we are unable to do because we don’t have the time, yet the reality is that we now have an abundance of time and so investing it in ourselves seems like the best thing to do. Work hard and spend your time gaining a brand new skill, hopefully all of this will be over soon.

 

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Roger Wolfson – Reasons Why Couch to 5K Works

I was introduced to the ‘Couch to 5k’ app by lifestyle coach Roger Wolfson, and it turned out to be one of the best apps that I have ever used. Roger posted a video at the beginning of the pandemic about how people could stay in shape and he suggested this app, which was designed to get people running. Personally I have never ran before and the thought of running 5 kilometers was a scary one. I was encouraged however at so many comments on the video, from people who were saying just how inspirational the app was and how it helped them to achieve their running dreams.

I downloaded the application there and then, and I can honestly say that I now run 5 kilometers two or three times per week. I love the idea of this app, and here is why it works for people like me, who had no running experience at all.

Realistic Beginnings

For someone who was out of shape like me, it is amazing just how few people in the fitness world actually grasp what it is like to be in that situation. I have been to many gyms and they have put together crazy programs for me which I just couldn’t do, and which then stripped me of my motivation. What I love about this program is that it was designed by a beginner, and it is perfect for other beginners. The app starts off slow and to be honest the first week involves you running for 1 minute at a time, and walking in-between. The slow start means that you get engaged and you are more motivated to do it.

Actual Improvement

The program features 3 runs per week, with a rest day in-between, and this is a great way for you to measure your progress. For example in the first week, by day 3 you can feel the improvement that you have made, in just 3 runs. By the end of the second week however, the difference is absolutely amazing when compared with the first week, and so on. Being able to actively measure your improvements is huge when it comes to motivation, and that is what keeps pushing you to go again and again.

Clear Goal

Another reason why I think that this program works so well is that there are clearly defined goals and one huge goal at the end. Each week the intensity increases and you begin to run more and walk less, each day in reality has its own goal. Whilst this is happening, something that you know the whole time is that you are eventually working towards that magic 5 kilometer goal. What I love about this is that as you are accomplishing the daily goals, you are getting closer and closer to your big goal, and that of course continues to encourage you.

This is a great app for anyone who wishes to get started with running.

 

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3 Times When You Should Call A Handyman

If you own your own home, you likely try to take care of as much of the maintenance as you can by yourself. Not only does doing so help you to save money, but it also helps you to learn more skills now that can help you tackle bigger projects in the future.

Despite this, there are some times when it just makes more sense to hire a trusted and reputable handyman to come and take care of these things for you. So to help you know when you should turn the task over to someone else, here are three times when you should call a handyman.

Fixing Issues After A Home Inspection

When you’re in the process of selling your home or buying a new home, you’ve got enough on your plate to handle without having to fix every little thing that the home inspection turned up. So in a situation like this, Marian White, a contributor to Moving.com, shares that it can be much more convenient to simply hire a handyman who can take care of these things for you while you focus your attention on other aspects of your move. By doing this, you’ll ensure that everything is taken care of by the time you move in or move out without you having to worry about it yourself.

You Don’t Have The Proper Tools

Sometimes, even if you have the time and theoretical capabilities to complete whatever maintenance your home needs to have done, you may not actually have the tools on-hand to do so. If this is the case, Rachel Brougham, a contributor to the Family Handyman, recommends that you just leave this task to a handyman who can provide his or her own tools to handle the job.

While you will be paying for the labor of the handyman, you won’t be out the money for buying the tools you would have needed to do the work yourself, which may prove to be a more cost effective option anyway.

A Long Project List

Because you lead a busy life, it’s not uncommon for your to-do list to slowly keep growing and growing before you’re able to find the time to knock out some of the projects you need to get done around the house. And, since you’re not a professional at home maintenance or repair, your list might take you a few days or weekends of devoted time.

On the other hand, if you were to give that list to a handyman, Patricia Dreikorn, a contributor to Angie’s List, shares that you can take advantage of their experience with a variety of home improvement issues so that the projects will get taken care of quickly and correctly.

If you’ve been wondering if hiring a handyman was the right call for your home improvement or maintenance project, consider using the information mentioned above to see if doing so might be worth it to you.