Blog

Prior to meeting my colleague and dear friend Bharat Bhise I never really had much interest in American Sports in terms of being a fan. I had enjoyed watching certain sports but I never really thought about picking a team. Bharat was exactly the same with Premier League football and so together we decided that we should both pick a team to follow, mine would be an NBA team and his would be a Premier League side. It is hard to pick a team if you haven’t grown up supporting one, but there are ways in which you can decide who will be the right team for you.

Players

Both Bharat and I had certain players who we enjoyed watching, both present players and past players, and we decided that this would be the first consideration when picking a team to support. We decided that instead of making a decision based on who was playing for the team, that we instead would create something of an algorithm to select the team, and the players were a key part of that. If you are trying to find a team for you, think about the players you love to watch first.

Success

Many people want to support a successful team and if you fall into that bracket then this will greatly help you to narrow down your choices. It should be noted however that sports are a series of swings and roundabouts and the team who are winning today, may not be winning tomorrow. Take Manchester United in the Premier League for example, throughout the 90s and early 00s they were massively dominant and now they are struggling. Nonetheless if it is a successful team you want, use this to help you to slim down your choices.

Character of the Team

A key part of this decision should be the character or DNA of the club or franchise which you plan to support. For example Tottenham Hotspur are a team that always promise so much, get the hopes up of all the fans, and then eventually fail. Much like Spurs, in the NBA there is a team like the LA Clippers, who are always considered to be the butt of the league’s jokes. And a team with a characteristic which fits with your own, that way you can be sure that you’ll really get behind them.

Geography

The greatest joy for any sports fan is that you get the chance to watch your team play, which is why it also makes sense to pick a team that is near you. Working out of L.A. I knew that my choices were going to be between the Clippers and the Lakers, and based on which one best matched my character and had the players that I enjoyed watching, I decided upon the Clippers.

Using these tips you can choose a team which fits your character and which you can really put your energy behind.

If you have been injured you might want to claim compensation. Sustaining an injury can mean you have to take time off work to get the medical care you need. In addition to this, you might also have to rely on your medical insurance to pay those costly medical bills.

The good news is that you might be able to get some help. However, this all depends on the kind of accident you had and if someone else was at fault. If you think someone else was at fault for your accident you might be entitled to make a personal injury claim. However, there are a few things you need to do first:

Gather all the Evidence Together

Gather together as much evidence as you can. This includes any photographs you have taken and any witness statements. You might be lucky and get a witness statement but if you can’t, ask for the names and address of the witnesses, if they are still around. Some will be happy to give you their details, some might not.

Make a Note of What Happened

Now it’s time for you to make a note of what happened during the accident and after it occurred. You should also note down what the weather was like (if it’s relevant), what the road conditions were like, how much light there was, as so on. All of these details can help you with an injury law case.

Try to make a note of everything you can remember. The sooner you do this, the more likely it is that you’ll remember what happened. Chances are that in 2 to 3 days your memory of the accident will not be as good as it is now. So make sure you write everything down as soon as you can.

If another person was injured ask them to make a note too so that you have their perspective.

Ask for a Copy of your Medical Reports

You cannot prove to a court of law that you broke your arm, for example, in an accident if you do not have your medical records. The court might realize that your arm has been broken but you will have to prove that you broke it in the accident. This is why it’s essential you ask for a copy of your medical reports. The court will see that you have sustained an injury which means you’re more likely to receive compensation.

Ask for Legal Help

Finally, you will need to ask for legal help. It’s never a good idea to try to take a personal injury case to court by yourself. Ask for legal help so that a lawyer can represent you in court, should it come to it. They will help you to understand how successful your case could be and if it’s worth going to court.

If you have been injured in an accident and it was not your fault, use the above tips to get the help you need and deserve.

If you’re anything like most drivers, you dread seeing your car’s check engine light come on. Also, like most people, when the light does turn on, you likely think the worst and begin scouring for auto parts online, but do you even know what you are looking for? While that little dashboard light is intimidating, it doesn’t always mean the worst, and there are times when the fix is something simple. Therefore, before jumping out of your skin, take a minute, and review the top five reasons your check engine light might turn on.

1. Gas Cap

The first and most common reason for the check engine light to turn on is a loose, damaged or missing gas cap. While most driver’s don’t give much consideration to the gas cap, it is a vital component of any vehicle. Its job is sealing and maintaining pressure in your vehicle’s fuel system. Also, it ensures that fewer fumes are released into the atmosphere. Many times when that dread engine light comes on, it is because you didn’t put the cap on correctly. However, there are times where you might need a replacement cap.

2. Oxygen Sensor

A car tune up checklist should always include checking that sensors are working as needed because you can avoid a lot of hassle later on. Your car’s oxygen sensor determines the level of oxygen in your vehicle’s exhaust system, and if it is not working, then you may lose fuel economy or worse a catalytic converter.

3. Catalytic Converter

A check engine light might also indicate a bad catalytic converter. These devices are essential to protecting the environment from potentially harmful carbon monoxide. While faulty oxygen sensors or other devices typically cause damage to these critical components, it is vital you replace this part quickly to ensure performance and to stay within legal emissions ranges.

4. Mass Airflow Sensor

As with most other parts on this list, the mass airflow sensor is a part that helps protect and maintain your vehicle’s fuel economy. It does this by measuring the air coming into your engine and determining the required fuel to run efficiently. Unfortunately, if damaged, these devices not only lead to poor performance but also damage to spark plugs, the oxygen sensor and your catalytic converter.

5. Spark Plugs or Plug Wires

Last, a check engine light might signify that it is time to replace your spark plugs or plug wires. While there is a cost-effective resolution for this problem, if it is not resolved soon enough, then you risk damage to oxygen sensors and ignition coils as well as a clogged catalytic converter. Fortunately, most spark plugs and plug wires are relatively easy to access and are often inexpensive to replace.

While a check engine light often strikes fear in even the most knowledgeable driver, there is no need to jump to the worst conclusions. The resolution to the problem might be as simple as taking the gas cap off and making sure that it is properly seated. However, if that does not resolve your issue, then you can bring your vehicle to a local auto parts store and have a check engine light diagnostic done to find the culprit.

If you want to learn more about our blog, please click here.

Even though taurine supplementation isn’t an issue for most dogs, it could be for yours. The following article discusses the reasons why.

You might have been seeing a lot of information online about taurine and dog health. This may have caused you to investigate possible supplements and products that can boost your dog’s taurine levels. However, while taurine is a highly important amino acid that aids in the healthy functioning of the brain, heart, muscles, and eyes, your dog may not need taurine support.

Most dogs can synthesize taurine in their bodies from other nutrients. Giving dogs taurine supplements when they produce their own won’t hurt them, but it’s not necessary. Unfortunately, certain popular dog breeds have a nutritional genetic defect that renders them unable to manufacture taurine, and this can be a significant medical problem in the long term. Dog breeds that have this condition include:

• American cocker spaniel
• Retriever (golden and Labrador)
• English setter
• Boxer
• Newfoundland
• Saint Bernard

Taurine deficiency doesn’t cause outward symptoms, but it can lead to illnesses that do present signs. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is among the most serious long-term consequences of taurine deficiency, and its symptoms include:

• Fainting
• Coughing
• Heavy drooling
• Lethargy
• Weight gain
• Excessive panting

Do not hesitate to contact your vet if your dog is exhibiting the above symptoms – they are indicators of DCM, a life-threatening illness if left unaddressed. Fortunately, if the cause of this condition is taurine deficiency, it can be managed effectively through dietary taurine supplementation. Zignature dog food taurine quantities are quite high due to the natural concentrations of taurine in the farm-raised meats, but your vet may offer additional guidance based upon your dog’s particular wellness concerns. Do not change your diet without consulting your vet.

What, how much and when your dog eats will tell you a lot about their overall state of wellness. The following article discusses the eating habits of dogs – as well as common feeding habits – and what they mean and what they can cause in the long run.

Healthy dogs (and most healthy people, for that matter) love to eat. Dogs, however, don’t savor their food; they eat quickly and with great gusto, as this is a response borne over thousands of years of pack evolution. Dogs in packs – even those in loving and close packs – eat their food as though it is going to be stolen in a millisecond. Dogs still possess this instinct, so when they don’t demonstrate this behavior at their mealtimes, there is likely something wrong. Here are a few things that could be altering your dog’s eating habits.

• Illness. This is the first assumption you should make if your dog no longer appears to want to eat their food. Consult a veterinarian immediately if your pup’s appetite diminishes significantly.
• They become picky. While a sudden lack of interest in food is often a sign of illness, a lack of interest in their food but a keen interest in your food is a sign of pickiness. Your dog probably became picky because, at some point, they tasted what you’re eating, looked at their own dish and decided “Hey, I don’t want this, I want that!” You can correct this behavior by ceasing the table scraps altogether and leaving them no option but to eat their own, appropriate-but-less-tasty food.
• They’re on medications with appetite-reducing side effects. If your dog is taking certain medications and experiencing a reduction in their willingness to eat, ask your vet if there are any supplements or solutions that can correct this reaction. Lack of appetite can make it difficult to administer the meds.
• Your dog is stressed. Stress and anxiety can make your dog reluctant to eat. Determine the cause of their nervousness and address it immediately. If you can’t find a specific trigger, consult a canine behavior expert to come up with techniques that address their anxiety.

When it comes to your dogs’ eating habits, the most important thing to remember is the fact that their diet can either thwart or encourage significant health concerns, including obesity, diabetes, cancers and DCM. Zignature, Castor & Pollux and Nutrish are great, affordable and excellent quality pet foods with formulas designed to address different health issues, as well as the needs of various dog breeds, sizes and ages.

I’m a doggie enthusiast, blogger and pet parent to two beautiful and feisty rescue girls

To read more on topics like this, check out the blog category.

If you’re an experienced biker, you know helmets are your most important pieces of motorcycle protective riding gearWhat you may not know is that your head protection does expire. The majority of fatal impacts that happen during a collision are to the head. Motorcycle helmets can only protect you if their construction materials are still in good shape. Understanding how and when they deteriorate can save your life during a crash.

Does Your Helmet Have an Expiration Date?

While it may not have a specific date like a carton of milk, your helmet does expire. All head protection manufactured after 1974 has a production date stamped on it. Assuming normal use and wear, you want to replace your helmet after about three to five years.

Both the shell and the liner deteriorate over time. The expanded polystyrene foam used to make motorcycle helmets really isn’t that different from the material used in disposable cups. It’s excellent for dissipating force, but it isn’t especially tough. Eventually it does degrade, making it less effective at protecting you.

When you ride, your shell is exposed to heat, cold, precipitation, and debris. It’s made to resist sunlight, but UV rays break it down over time. Over time, the combination of these elements render your helmet unsafe even if you’ve never been in an accident.

Should You Replace Your Helmet More Often?

Three to five years should be considered the maximum lifetime of your helmet, there are reasons to replace it sooner. The most obvious one is if you’re involved in a crash. Any impact to your head protection is a sign you should purchase a new one. Marks or holes in the shell create weak spots on your helmet. Even if the outer shell appears fine, don’t forget that the EPS liner absorbs impacts. Damage to the EPS may be invisible but it makes the liner less effective.

If your helmet even falls from a significant height, you should consider replacing it. In general, a newer helmet is safer than an older one. The newer one not only has less deterioration, it often incorporates the latest advanced materials or design elements for better safety. If it works with your budget, consider a shorter helmet replacement schedule.

What Can You Do To Make Your Helmet Last Longer?

UV rays cause the most deterioration in your helmet. If you’re not wearing it, keep it in a cool, dark place. This can be difficult when on the go, but storage devices or covered parking garages can help.

Moisture can also be hard on your helmet, so do your best to keep it dry. Beyond weather, that means protecting it from your own sweat. Try to find helmets with comfort linings that can be removed to dry by themselves.

Head protection is one part of safety equipment where you should never skimp. If your helmet is showing signs of wear or is more than five years old, it’s time to replace it. Save money and get a great-looking model by finding a online store with a high-quality motorcycle helmet sale.

Search Engine Optimization – SEO in short – is the MOST critical component of your marketing mix. Online marketing is a pretty comprehensive and extensive process, so everything from social media marketing, email marketing, online reputation management, to search engine marketing, bloggers’ outreach and retargeting do matter. While you can always choose to bargain on some of the things, SEO and social media marketing are non-negotiable aspects. SEO is critical for promoting your website organically, while social media enhances its authority in the most effective ways. Brand mentions, shares on social media, better click through rate – all these things may have an influence on your website’s ranking, traffic and authority.

It goes without saying that you need to hire one of the best SEO services for your campaign, and in this post, we are sharing more details on how you can get that right.

Comprehensive services

SEO, social media, PPC and online reputation management – these four are often considered to be cornerstones of online marketing, and you have to ensure that your marketing mix includes all of these. Social media and SEO have many things in common, because despite the focus on paid marketing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, organic content on these platforms that does boost your SEO results. Find an agency that can utilize both these aspects for your brand and have a clear understanding of the equation between the two.

Clientele and client retention rate

When it comes to SEO, you need to understand one important fact – SEO is a continuous process. If you end up hiring the right agency for the job, chances are high that you will be working with the same agency for at least a few months or years, if not more. As such, it is necessary to check the range of clients an agency as worked with, and the more diversity you can find, the better, as it is an indicator that the company can handle both big and small brands alike. Secondly, find more on client retention rate. For example – For how many months on an average has an agency has worked with each client? How many regular clients do they have?

Approach to the job

As we mentioned earlier, SEO and social media almost go hand in hand. You need to know what an SEO agency can actually do for your brand in particular. This is critical because there is no secret sauce here, and the SEO strategies and solutions need to be transparent. An online marketing firm that has been around for a while and is experienced will never shy away from discussing their standard practices and strategies. It all really starts with a website audit, which you must insist on, to get a fair idea of what needs to be fixed. From on-page SEO to off-page strategies, everything should be transparent.

Estimate, and beyond

It is easy to understand why most brands and businesses are concerned about the costs related to online marketing, but the good news is both social media marketing and SEO don’t have to cost a fortune. Yes, social media ads come for a price, but you can keep a tab on the expenses and focus more on organic marketing. Before hiring an SEO agency, get an estimate, but don’t let the price be the only reason to choose an agency. Their expertise with the job, and the range of projects they manage are aspects to worry about, and they should be open to communication at all points.

Ask the SEO agency if they can actually send reports on a regular basis for tracking the growth of your website.

Mark Campbell is a well-known figure in the crowdfunding arena. As an entrepreneur with a long industry track record, he has helped to launch hundreds of products and was featured recently on Entrepreneur.com and Forbes. Currently, he is InventureX’s Marketing VP. Established in 2012, InventureX works with business owners who want to use crowdfunding to fund their growth. We interviewed Mark a few days ago, to learn more about his work and crowdfunding in general:

Crowdfunding is a familiar term to most people these days. Over the past half-decade, what changes have you noticed?

I suppose the obvious change is that, to be successful now as a crowdfunder, you have to run a high-quality campaign. It is not enough just to have a good idea for a business anymore. Because there is so much competition for financial backing from other shrewd entrepreneurs, a solid business plan has to be devised ahead of time, to have any chance of success.

Can you give an overview of the services that InventureX offers?

Basically, we work with entrepreneurs who have already launched crowdfunding projects, or who are intending to set these up. We deal with all the advertising, to maximize the visibility of campaigns and attract potential backers.

How does advertising help businesses to overtake their competitors?

Undoubtedly, effective advertising strategies are the best way for entrepreneurs to create a buzz around their ideas. Simply getting their business concept exposed to the right audience can be invaluable and boost the chance of other motivated investors discovering their campaign.

Regrettably, many excellent business ideas are not advertised properly – and fail as a consequence. This is why many people turn to us, because they realize that we will give them the publicity they require to supercharge their crowdfunding campaigns.

Tell us more about your company’s history

We started InventureX seven years ago and, similar to the people we work with, we encountered obstacles initially. Crowdfunding is an excellent way to keep control of your business and avoid running up debts — which are two things that many entrepreneurs struggle with. From the getgo, InventureX has redefined what is possible with online marketing and product launches. I was interviewed by Entrepreneur.com recently, where I explained how crowdfunding can benefit businesses, regardless of how big they are.

Why does Crowdfunding appeal to you personally?

Because it is a fast moving, constantly evolving sector that allows me to flourish. Frequently, because we serve so many different businesses, my entire day is a pure adrenaline rush. I have to evaluate a whole host of innovative concepts, then formulate strategies to make them happen. My job is more stimulating and dynamic than any other career I can think of! Having said that, we are not always rushed off our feet. Throughout the slower periods, I take the time to think about our longer-term goals, to make sure that our current tactics are still effective in the fiercely competitive crowdfunding space.