How Technology is Helping People Share the Outdoors

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Technology is all around us these days and it seems like there is an app to help share almost anything from car rides to spare rooms to clothing.  However, the outdoors are a little different.  Can technology really help folks share the outdoors.  We recently found a company trying to do just that.

Sometimes it’s nice to plan and discover outdoor adventures on your own.  But let’s admit it, it’s usually better when someone can show you where the most fantastic destinations are.  That’s why the founders of Gear Easy launched an outdoor adventure marketplace.  We caught up with Jason, one of the founders who explained “When I’m traveling in a new area or even my own backyard there are a lot of great outdoor activities that only a few locals really know about”.  Jason continued “we grew tired of the crowds at popular outdoor areas and were looking for a way to access more authentic destinations without hiring an expensive touristy guide company, and we noticed there were very few options”.

While Gear Easy isn’t the first company to go into this space, they are quickly becoming one of the largest. In just a few months since launching they have hundreds of registered outdoor guides in the U.S. offering outdoor activities as small as 1-2 hour hikes in the Utah mountains to week long treks through the Appalachians, all hosted by local guides. “We saw most of the competition were focused on established and expensive large outdoor guiding companies who already had a presence on the web.  Gear Easy’s focus is just the opposite, we offer more authentic adventures from real locals, many who guide part-time or as a hobby, at a much lower prices.  The positive response has been overwhelming because people value true experiences over cookie-cutter packaged tours” Jason stated.

Research shows Gear Easy might be onto something.  Millennials, America’s largest generation by population, are soon to enter their earning prime. With a majority of this generation now in the workforce, they currently command an estimated $1.3 trillion in annual consumer spending. Where will this generation direct their wallets?

Eventbrite’s nationwide research of millennials (defined as Americans born 1980-1996) conducted by Harris, reveals this generation not only highly values experiences, but they are increasingly spending time and money on them: from concerts and social events to athletic pursuits, to cultural experiences and events of all kinds.  Often, the authenticity of an experience matters, and buying a one-of-a-kind offering versus something mass market has an increasing appeal to customers.  In the technology enabled sharing economy, these types of customized products and services can often be offered straight from the creator or host at a much lower price.

Gear Easy’s marketplace is not without its flaws.  As with any sharing technology platforms, you could have a bad experience due to a non-professional guide or narrow minded customer.  The company has implemented customer ratings, instant chat and electronic waiver system along with scheduling technology to help ensure guides meet customer expectations.  They also encourage guides and customers to be safe and have the appropriate insurance and communication habits when adventuring in the outdoors.  At the end of the day, Gear Easy is a great platform, but all of the guides are independent service providers.  Even with the shortcomings and risks that come with sharing technology platforms, guides on the Gear Easy platform are excited.  Sean an outdoor guide offering day hikes said “I’ve spent years developing my outdoor knowledge and skills, Gear Easy gives me an opportunity to earn money doing something I already love to do and share my favorite hikes with like minded people.” When asked what he thought about the platform he replied “it works for me, it’s simple, and they take care of all the scheduling and transaction stuff so I can focus on giving my customers a great experience.”

Customers seem to like the concept as well.  The idea of being able to book in advance or on the spot brings a lot of flexibility to travelers.  When we spoke with Kate, who recently booked a wildlife tour with her friend, she said “it was one of the best parts of our trip because the activity was something I would never had found if I were just looking at traditional travel information.”  She explained that she was able to book the activity the day before and was able to chat with the guide right on the platform about the trip before paying.  She also had to sign a waiver just like with other activities she did during her week long trip, but she was able to fill it out and sign it right on the iPhone before they started.  Kate said she would definitely use Gear Easy again.

When asked about what’s next Gear Easy, Jason shed some light on their plans “we are focusing on taking care of our guides and customers.  This means improving our technology and customers service so users keep coming back.” He then elaborated “Gear Easy’s mission is to deliver peak outdoor experiences, or in other words, experiences that people dream about and keep them engaged in the outdoors.”  “We aim to evolve our outdoor experience platform to where adventures, gear and content all come together in one place for our customers, all backed by technology and advanced analytics.” He ended with “we are excited about the space and believe there will be increasing demand that can be satisfied by great service and simplicity oriented technology.  We are concentrating on the U.S. but when the time is right we will offer services internationally.”

We will see where all this goes, it’s definitely exciting to see how technology can bring people together to experience the outdoors.  If you are looking for an interesting adventure or you think you might enjoy being an outdoor guide, then you may want to look at Gear Easy.

How Do Trail Cameras Work?

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Most people want to know how do trail cameras work? Trail cameras are used for many different thing including hunters for tracking game, for animal viewing, for security purposes and for taking stills and making videos in the forest.

Due to a number of benefits, these cameras offer their users high-quality sensors, automatic sensing and still capturing as well as high-quality video making.

Trail cameras have a capability to work with a preset program that determines the quality, nature, and kinds of images or video that the user needs to capture.

Sometimes, for the beginners or the newbies who have never used a trail camera before it may be hard to understand how it works or how can they make the best out of their best trail camera under 150 that have certain features they may not know well.

It is better to understand how the main features and functions can help you get the required still pictures in a productive way without getting any blurs and missed target.

There are different kinds of trail cameras found on the market include:

  • Digital trail camera
  • Motion activated cameras
  • Night cameras
  • Security cameras and
  • Wi-Fi or wireless cameras

All these kinds of trails cameras come up with certain features that assure to capture the required images, time-lapse photos or videos in order to provide the detailed imagery that is required within the specified period of time.

The main features that make a trail camera work at its best include:

The auto-capturing functions and features

  • Preset recording options
  • Image quality
  • Memory limit
  • Light settings
  • Night viewing capability
  • Easy controls and buttons
  • The accuracy of sensing motion or sensors

You can select the kind of trail camera you need depending on the purpose for which you need it and make sure to specify the features you are looking for.

How to set up and use the trail camera?

Here are some basic things you need to know about how these trail cameras work for you:

  • Decide on the best location for the camera where you will mount it for capturing the stills or for recording videos so that you would not miss your target.
  • Make sure the mounting place is safe and is located at the correct angle so that you can get the exact viewpoint of your target.
  • Adjust the light settings and image quality and kind of images you would need. You can set the preferences in case if you need stills or videos within the time span that you will set on it.

Stills take lesser memory whereas continuous videos may require more battery power and memory so you need to make sure your camera has the capability to support the functions.

You may also go for a flashlight if you need clearer images but infrared detection is more beneficial if you don’t want to alarm the target by using a light.

When the camera is set up depending on your preferred settings, it stays ready to sense the motion and capture the images as soon as the target approaches. Make sure it has the sufficient battery life to provide the functions you need.

It is better to rule out the sensor faults by accurately setting up the level of motion that is to be detected in order to make sure the movement in bushes or movement caused by wind is not captured which is unnecessary.

The trail cameras promise to let you record the videos within the time or take the clear shot or still images of the target so that you can examine and analyze your target easily. They can give you a better understanding of the area you are exploring with clear pictures.

These cameras are also good for animal viewing and for studying the habitat of the wildlife. The quality and accuracy of the trail camera matter a lot because if the sensors and the image quality is not good, you may nto eb able to get the required images and videos to examine or study what you need and it will only be a waste of money.

Mountain Driving: Tech That Can Help You

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Are you a fleet driver who uses mountain routes every day during your job? If so, you will need more technology on your vehicle than just an APC or dashboard camera. Are you planning on driving to the mountains during your next vacation, or do you want to have a 4×4 competition in the mountains with your friends? You too need some extra technology to help you overcome the challenge of mountain driving. It is popular for off-road enthusiasts to go for an adventure and test their prowess driving in the mountains with their vehicles. Here is some technology that can aid you.

GPS Tracking System

Many people think that GPS is for fleet vehicles. While it is very crucial for them to monitor their vehicles live, it is also an important technology for personal vehicles when they are driving through the mountains. Anything can happen to you, and GPS will be used to track the location. Some mountain roads have unexpected dangers including vehicle theft, but a GPS will help you to locate the vehicle if it is stolen.

Automatic Transmission

Gone are the days when a driver had to understand the vehicle’s mechanical functioning in detail to get optimum performance. Then, the right advice would be to shift an SUV or truck into a lower gear to allow smooth mountain climbing. Today, you don’t even have to know how to use a manual transmission. Just put the vehicle in drive, and it will automatically shift the gear to suit mountain climbing. However, some vehicles with an automatic transmission do have an option to manually select a lower gear for situations like this.

Automatic Air Conditioning

Most cars that include smart options have automatic air conditioning. When climbing steep mountains, logic dictates that a person switch the air conditioning off to allow the engine to focus on climbing the mountain. However, more sophisticated vehicles can detect this strain and switch the air conditioning off or let the vehicle use an independent electric motor rather than the engine’s power. Automatic air conditioning can also be used to maintain a steady temperature even as mountain air becomes cooler with increased elevation.

Automated Braking System

Animals frequently cross mountain roads. Some come out of nowhere, and the next thing you see is a crash. ABS for sophisticated vehicles can stop the vehicle without your control and save you from injuries. Try as much as possible to actively control a vehicle that has this option whether you are a private driver or a fleet driver. Most of the road safety experts agree that this is very important.

Adaptive Lighting System

The only thing between a driver and a crash at night is the headlights. Today, vehicles come with amazing technology including adaptive headlights. They adjust to the surroundings and become bright or dim depending on the situation. Mountain driving at night requires the full brightness of the lights so that one can see everything ahead. The adaptive lights will come in handy in situations like this.

Mountain driving is fun and risky at the same time. The above vehicle technologies and capabilities will be essential.

Career Opportunities for MBA Graduates in Australia

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Did you know that an online MBA in Australia will provide you with a whole lot of competitive advantages when it comes to finding a job and being successful at it? If you have never thought about it before, the fact of the matter is that there are many different types of jobs and careers that you can get into once you get your MBA. It really does not matter whether you study on campus or online. The point is that your career opportunities will be virtually limitless with an MBA in your arsenal. So, what kind of jobs can you get with your online MBA in Australia?

1. A Sales Manager

Yes, to be a sales manager, you obviously need to be a good marketer, a people person, and you need to know how to make goods and services outshine the others. However, this is not the only part of being a sales manager. To be fully successful in the world of sales, especially in a higher up position, you need to have a strong grasp of resource allocation, financial planning, and other such things. An MBA can definitely get you on the right track.

2. A Product Manager

Another type of managing position that you can go into with an MBA is that of a product manager. If you do not know what this is, product managers are all about ensuring that products are produced in a cost-effective manner, that they are being marketed well, and that the products meet and exceed quality standards. Having an MBA in your arsenal will help provide you with the administrative, financial, and business skills needed to be a good product manager.

3. An Entrepreneur

Moving away from managing other people’s companies for a minute, with an MBA, you can start and operate your own business. Yes, there is more to running a business than business administration alone, but it is one of the best degrees to have under your belt if you plan on being an entrepreneur. Yes, there are some things which only experience can teach, but the rest can be learned from a solid Master of Business Admin course.

4. A Business Consultant

If you get your MBA online, you can also become what is referred to as a business consultant. Do keep in mind that there are many different types of business consultants out there. The fact of the matter is that consulting is a big industry, and every type of business, especially the larger ones, often require it for success. Whether you are permanently staffed in one business, or your run a consulting firm, it’s a job that is always in demand. People who run businesses have questions, and with an MBA, you might have the answers they need.

5. SO MANY MORE!

Yes, we have listed 4 of the best and biggest roles that you can fill after acquiring your MBA, but there are still so many more. For instance, could be an account executive, a business development manager, a finance manager, and industry specialist manager, a general manager, and so much more.

MBA Career Opportunities

When all is said and done, you have to realize that an MBA is not just some degree that you get after paying a bunch of money. It is an invaluable educational process that will get your ready for nearly endless career opportunities further down the road.

8 Tips for Choosing the Best Tactical Boots for Men

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A building might look grand and elegant because of the intense creativity used in it but what defines its strength and keeps it standing is the base or the foundation. The same applies to our body; it’s the same building with our feet being the foundation for it. It’s surprising for most people to learn that the human foott is a combination of more than 100 different muscles, 26 bones, and 33 joints!

What are Tactical Boots?

Walking barefoot is not an option for us, and it takes a lot of research and preparation for finding the best-fitted shoes for our feet other than selecting it just by going crazy for the color or design! One such type of shoes are the tactical boots which are mostly made for the armed forces because of the valiant physical excursion they go through, but it can also be a perfect option for the prepper or the survivalist or also any backpacker mostly spending the time traveling the road. So before you, go for another boot or maybe your first one, here are some tips to keep in mind for evading those painful mistakes.

Important Tips To Select The Best Tactical Boots

1.      A good fit

This is one of the most twisted parts of selection. It’s not just about feeling good wearing the boots but involves a few more intricacies to follow. Walking around the shop trying one is not the thing.Slip in the shoes without tying the laces. Try to slide two fingers in and see if they move in smoothly or not. Now tie your shoes and make some sudden directional movements and observe if your heel is moving or not. If they do, then you are up for good big blisters coming your way

2.      Surrounding

Buying the tactical boots also depends on the surrounding and the region! Maybe for someone living in the swampy area or the forest needs more protection from the things crawling beneath. For someone residing in the mountainous terrains,the shoes should be rugged enough to tolerate the climb. A desert needs utterly different kind  of boots to complete those treacherous dunes

3.      Climate and Gore-tex

You cannot avoid the climate factor before you select your tactics! The area you are residing or want to visit might be the one with the extreme climates or can be the moderate one too!It is advised not to take any risk and go for the waterproof boots with the Gore-tex lining. It will keep all the elements out along with the perspiration moisture in warmer days!

4.      Breathability

Going for the waterproof does not mean you will compromise the breathability of the boots. Many tactics on the pretext of providing waterproof attributes ignore the fact that our feet also need to breathe!The boots which do not provide these attributes will probably end up cooking our fragile feets

5.      Comfort and mobility

You will be fortunate to find a boot with excellent design and comfort to move around! Generally, this combination is rare and becomes a little difficult for the everyday guy to figure out, but it’s not the same with the sturdy backpacker or the prepper.They know exactly why it is the best idea to carry an extra-anatomical insole and not just relying on the cheap foam soles. You also don’t want your shoes to weigh like the dumbbells of a bodybuilder! It just makes it easier for moving around freely because boots can take you anywhere in comfort!

6.      Traction

One can never estimate the situation they are going to be in, and there can be adverse situations where you need to be confident and hold your grip. Tacticals with efficient traction are preferred in this case as it will help you to have a tighter grip so that you can use your mental power to get out of the situation instead of thinking how not to slip.

7.      Shock Absorption

Especially the travelers and backpackers or any armed force personnel who are in constant, rigorous movement can exhaust their feet muscle causing shock and fatigue. They should opt for tactics with shock absorption

8.      Laces or the zippers?

Tacticals with lace are great for those who are looking for a tight fit and secure holding specifically for someone planning for any strict outdoor activity. The one looking to roam around hassle-free should go for the zippers which will make them easier to open and wear them without tying or untying

There are many other factors which depend on individual preferences,and one of them includes the price. Tactical boots are quite expensive, and the person buying that knows. But the product should be worth the bucks paid!By following the above tips for tactical boots, you can easily select the best option available in the market.

Driving for Success in the Mountains: 4 Jobs That Might Be Suitable for You

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There are over 4.4 million Americans 16 years and above working as drivers and more than 30% of civilian jobs require some form of driving. If you are thinking of relocating to the mountains, there are several available occupations where you can use your driving skills and earn a living. Moving to the mountains has its benefits including proximity to nature, clean air, and a healthier lifestyle. Mountain living is also associated with lower stress and anxiety levels.

Snowcat Operator

Snowcats are important equipment in snow grooming to prepare ski trails and snowmobile pistes. Maintaining ski resorts entails lots of work to keep snow groomed and picture perfect for visitors. In addition to a valid driver’s license, you must possess a snowcat certification. Training is essential to operate the snowcat which requires precision skills and to prepare you to go on more difficult terrain and complex jobs. For example, sculpting terrain parks and operating winch cats are jobs that need special skills and training. The salary ranges from $11-12/hour.

Shuttle Drivers

Guests of resorts need to be transported around the premises whether it is to the gondola, ski lift, or to their hotels in town. Resorts require qualified drivers to operate buses or vans. If you are a licensed driver, this is a promising option as the outlook for bus drivers is expected to grow to 6% from 2016-2026. In addition to an hourly wage which can go up to $15.87/hour per BLS stats, some resorts offer free snowboarding lessons, access to amenities, and overtime pay. A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is required and sufficient vehicle insurance cover if working as an independent transport provider.

Delivery Driver

Whether it’s a package or supplies to the resort, delivery drivers are very much in demand with the number of jobs projected to increase to 4% in the period 2016-2026 according to the BLS. They may collect, transport and deliver small or big shipments in the local area or neighboring towns. Most of the time delivery truck drivers move merchandise from a supply and distribution point to businesses and individuals. They are important players in the logistics support of mountain resorts and towns. Median pay is $14.06/hour.

Snow Plow Driver

Road clearing is part of what makes a mountain resort accessible. Snow plow drivers have their hands full during the winter season. They need to operate machines to remove snow and ice to make the roads safe for motorists. The vehicles may also deposit salt to melt the snow or dump sand to improve traction for vehicles. Snow plowing is a full-time job in the winter and involves machine training. Some may drive for the Department of Transportation or resort companies. You can also work as an independent contractor to clear snow off driveways, parking lots or walkways. Snow plow drivers receive $9-$30 an hour according to JobMonkey.com.

Mountain living is a healthy lifestyle with physical and mental health benefits. If you love nature & the outdoors and decide to move, there are several driving occupations that you can take up from operating machines to transporting clients and goods.

Top 5 Green Jobs of the Future

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Over the past few decades, scientists have studied changes in the earth’s climate and concluded that the planet is undergoing an era of warming. Considered today as the biggest environmental problem of our time, rapid climate change represents more than just a change in the earth’s average temperature. Experts also predict that this trend will continue and include more frequent wildfires, longer periods of drought in certain areas, an increase in the number, duration, and intensity of tropical storms. A global drive to start implementing more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions has resulted in the creation and flourishing of green jobs.

Massive investments in clean energy and green alternatives ensure that a lot of new industries will stay on top of the game for the next few decades. There is definitely nothing wrong with wanting to earn a living while you are saving the planet. The jobs on this list represent a variety of interests, skill set, and educational background. Many of them also pay very well and will suit most people’s budget. If you are interested in pursuing a more sustainability-focused career, here are some of your top choices right now.

Clean Car Engineer

Transportation is one of the hottest green jobs category right now as the auto industry is succumbing to public demand to introduce to the nation’s fleet new vehicles that are more environmentally friendly – consuming less fossil fuel and produce minimal to zero pollution. This comes after growing public awareness about how much transportation depletes natural resources. Right now, transportation burns about two thirds of the oil in the USA and produces approximate a third of the country’s greenhouse emissions.

Clean car engineers are certainly in demand in the job market right now as the industry makes the shift to clean cars. They are tasked with ensuring the great look and feel of vehicles, and as well as the safety and security of new forms of transport. They may not be responsible for ensuring quality web traffic, but they are responsible for ensuring that the traffic we encounter in the future is powered by greener solutions, from alternative fuels to electricity.

Water Quality Technicians

Given the level of daily pollution, the increasing incidence of oil spills these days, and the current poor water treatments, water quality technicians are now more crucial than ever before. These technicians and technologists are often tasked with maintaining federally mandated and safe water conditions which humans and animals are okay to consume. They perform regular inspections and sample local water sources. Water quality technicians test for microbes and chemical contaminants in recreational, potable, and waste water to determine if the water meets local or global standards.

Essentially, these professionals are responsible for making sure that companies and cities around the world adhere to the designated standards for water quality.  Since water quality problems are still very much persistent, this is an increasingly important green job for almost every country in the world. Water quality technicians are working to generate creative solutions for a more sustainable future.

Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Lawyers advise clients on issues relating to air and water quality, hazardous waste, sustainability, and other environmental issues. They endorse better regulations and advocate for new policies that deal with clean water, clean air, global warming, land use and other environmental themes. Environmental lawyers are often responsible for making certain that companies are adhering to environmental regulations, although their primary tasks generally depend on where they work.

Environmental lawyers may work for non-profit organizations such environmental advocacy groups, or the government. They can also choose to go into private practice, performing consulting work and representing different clients in court. As climate change becomes more and more relevant in public discourse, experts predict that this profession will continue to flourish.

LEED-Accredited Design Professional

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is the most widely used green building rating system all over the world. It is used almost all building, community and home projects, ensuring an effective framework for sustaining healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. Architects, engineers, designers and professionals involved in the construction process can take the LEED Professional Exams and earn their certification. This certification is the gold standard for environmental engineering and building and is a recognized symbol of sustainability achievement across the world.

The trendiest building designs today include vertical forest apartments and forest buildings. These tall structures come decorated with plants, that virtually cover the whole building. If you are involved in the construction industry, there is no doubt that becoming a LEED accredited professional will improve your career path. From construction and design, to operations and facility management, LEED professionals are in high demand. Becoming an LEED accredited professional (LEED AP) means that your name is included in the directory of LEED APs and provides you with more credibility to employers or clients.

Urban Grower

Urban growers represent two large sectors in the expanding green-jobs movement: food production and green building. Across the world, urban growers are regarded as most people’s first window into sustainable living. They are responsible for maintaining local gardens and green roofs which come in various sizes are often supported by local businesses, communities, non-profits, churches, even schools. These urban gardens are able to deliver locally sourced foods that are better for the environment because the growers ensure minimal use of pesticides, fossil fuels, and other resources to grow and transport food to market from larger commercial farms.

Urban growers are tasked with delivering locally sourced food and agriculture to communities to help encourage or boost their sustainability. However, urban growers and their green roofs also help enhance the urban environment through offering better building insulation and thus minimizing energy loss, managing storm water, improving air quality, and offering a great space for recreation. From aesthetically manicured roof gardens designed for recreation to local community gardens offering produce for restaurants and other food businesses around the country, the demand for green roofs and gardens are expected to continue growing.

How to Get Started with your Food Joint

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Like any other business, starting a food delivery business requires a lot of planning and research beforehand. If the proper research is done, a food delivery business will always be a success, because food is a basic necessity which cannot be denied.

 Let’s have a look at different factors to keep in mind before starting a food delivery business.

Choose your food item

There are a lot of food items out there. Choose the food item that you want to sell and decide how you want to sell it. Do you want to sell it on a daily basis? Do you want to cater food for weddings and other functions?  Do you want to transport liquid food? Have a perfect goal in mind before you start off.

Do proper research of the market

The food delivery industry is very competitive. You must do the complete research before you begin. Have a good idea about the present industry at your place. Choose your coverage area and timings. Visit other food joints and analyze their working. Try to know more by talking to the owners of these local joints and understand what works and what doesn’t.

Have a business plan

Have a concrete plan about everything you want to do. Strategize everything after you talk to people.  Your business plan should include all predictable costs including the delivery insurance cost for the type of food that you intend to deliver.

License and other required permissions

Check the local rules, licenses and the other permissions required. Get information about the rules of the state. Get your food joint licensed by the state before you start off.

Purchase required equipment and logistics

Naturally a lot of logistics go into a business. The first requirement for a delivery business is vehicles. Purchase the vehicles required for the business. Invest in keeping the food hot either by using hot boxes or any other medium. If the food has to be kept in any cold system, arrange for a cold storage or refrigerators. Purchase other required items like bowls, spoons, forks, jars, dishes, utensils etc. Also purchase the materials required for packaging. Also make sure that the quality of food is good. Keep everything hygienic.

Promotion and advertisement of your business

Start off by promoting your business by your friends and family. Concentrate on both offline and online promotion. Promote on different social media sites. Try to share your post with all local groups, family groups and friend circle. For offline promotion, get banners and posters and try to advertise your food joint at market places (with prior permission from the authorities, of course.)

Technology

Your food joint will need an app or a website to communicate with customers and also to provide menu cards and other information about the joint. Keep the app or website simple and easy to navigate. Don’t keep it flashy or sophisticated. Take the help of a website programmer or designer.

Try a hand at partnership

Find people who are looking for collaboration or collaborate with any existing food joint which is already present. This might increase the chances of success of the restaurant. However this is an option.

9 Best Jobs for Ski Bums

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There’s nothing quite like living and breathing cool, crisp mountain air. This is exactly why there is a flock of people out there on those mountains who head out there for a once in a lifetime break and end up staying for a lot longer than their vacation. These adrenaline-stuffed thrillseekers are called ski bums and if you’re reading this, it’s likely you’re one of them. It’s a life that is fairly envied, being on the mountains. Waking up early to fresh powder to cut through while it’s still quiet and the sky is streaked with sunrise is something that burns in your memory – but it’s also why it’s addictive. While you’re busy staring at the breath-taking scenery, your mind is whirring away because soon, the next round of lift passes are due to be bought. Your salopettes are wearing thin and it’s time to buy a new set of boots. Skiing all year around may seem like a dream come true, but the cost is a huge consideration.

Living and breathing the ski life isn’t always snowflakes and sunsets, though, because as any ski bum will know, skiing is expensive. It’s not just a luxury break for most people, it’s a lifestyle, and to maintain a year-round ski season, any skiing fanatic needs to find a way to fund their time on the slopes. While you could dream about maintaining your era as an all work and no play ski bum, life doesn’t quite work that way. The good news, though, is that you don’t have to leave the slopes. It just means that it’s time to get a ski job that relates to what you love to do. You can surround yourself with your favorite scenery, people and sport, and you still get to pay your rent, enjoy eating and keep renewing those ski passes.

There are a lot of different ways to keep your skiing season going, and there are still a good few jobs out there that will ensure you have a bed for the night with your passion for skiing on show. Below, you’ll find some of the best ski jobs for ski bums out there who need a hand to keep their dream alive.

Rope Access Worker

Working alongside climbers and mountaineers, rope access work is making waves and becoming more and more popular. It’s an easy industry to get into, and you only have to invest a little within your own skills to get certified. You will need a level of training to ensure that you are safe on the mountains, but you could earn some big bucks in the camps and making bank so you can spend your time on the slopes for the year. You get to work with a thrill; suspended from a harness at all kinds of heights, and there are three different training levels which means that there is room for you to progress.

Rental Delivery

One of the downsides of skiing is the crowds when it comes to getting boots fitted and skis measured up. However, there is a market out there for those that don’t want to spend their time standing in line and waiting to be fitted. In many skiing towns there are services that will offer in-hotel boot fitting services, ski measurements and advice about snowsuit rental. You can spend your time away from those crowded rental stores and instead, deal with people directly. The good bit about this is that you can build yourself a network of regulars and get in with new crowds while still finding time to shred the mountain after work and before – which is the aim of the game.

Heli-Ski Guide

If you want to stay and work on the slopes – seriously, you can work anywhere but the slopes are life – then consider being a heli-ski guide. There’s nothing more adrenaline-inducing than the risky job of jumping out of helicopters at altitude to cut through the fresh powder down the mountain. It’s the breath-taking risks you take as a heli-ski guide that make the job so worth it; untouched skiing ranges, huge mountains and a hugely rewarding salary make your days skiing so much better.

Bartending

Almost every ski resort is littered with bars, restaurants, hotel bars and pubs. You don’t need to be a Tom Cruise in Cocktail to have the skills to work the bar, but the best thing that you could do is actually show up for work. You’ve got to have the skills to sell and the chops to banter with the customers. The more you have fun with the job, the bigger the tips and the bigger the tips, the more you can ski. The only real downside to bar work is the temptation to use your wages and tips to party with the others after hours, which could very quickly put the kibosh on anything ski-related. Those helmets don’t pay for themselves, you know.

Ski Nanny

Believe it or not, there are families out there that choose skiing as their haven every winter, which means that there is a role there for those who love children and have qualifications in nannying and childcare. If you have the skills, you could search around for a family who loves to ski and be on the slopes as much as you do, and spend time with the kids at the same time. It’s win-win for those who have a passion for steering children into sport, and it’s great for when you want to be on the mountain all day.

Ski Instructor

For those who truly want to be married to the snow, training as a ski instructor is a no-brainer. Not only do they get tipped extremely generously, private ski instructors get to network with people, teach something that they love AND spend all their time on the mountains. You could make enough money to see you through a couple of seasons and travel to where the work is in different countries if you wanted to. The first year is always a little hairy salary-wise, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t stick it out. It’s a rewarding job that gives you time to get to know new people while pursuing the thing that you love the most.

Ski Photographer

If you have a knack for an amazing photo, you could be in for a good job with this one. Snapping photos of excited vacationers at the top of a mountain is great for tourism. You could also be mixing in the various resorts snapping pics for their websites and social media; which is a big deal for these companies. Tourists and locals love to spend their time in the powder, which makes ski photographer one of the best ski jobs out there. Not only will you spend all day at the top of the mountain helping people to make memories, you have to get down again, which gives you a chance to ski as much as you want through the day.

Lift Operator

This one isn’t the most popular or the best job in the skiing world, but it does offer the chance for year-round employment and enough money to pay rent on a shared apartment. You could choose to work the night shift as a liftie and ski throughout the day, which gives you ample time to spend getting your heart racing. You can also do it the other way around, and the ski jobs should be plentiful given the huge number of resorts there are worldwide.

Ski Services

Every tourist has a question and every local needs advice, which is why skier services exists. These jobs see you answering to clients on the mountains, setting up special skiing events and working alongside ski patrol to ensure mountain safety measures are adhered to. Every resort needs customer relations and this role allows you the chance to mix with new clients to the mountain, have a steady contract with the resort and gives you the time to get on the slopes and be at one with the snow.

There’s nothing more thrilling than finding a ski job that can enable you to keep bumming around the slopes. Finding something to fund your passion is about staying focused, and the right ski job can help you do just that.

Searching for a Building and Construction Career

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The industry of building and construction is growing at a tremendous phase. With the technology on hand, most construction companies can build towering skyscrapers in less than a year. Many people are now considering a shift of career, and they are trying to learn more about building and construction by taking up courses at school or a university. Some are also taking up an online diploma of building and construction, to increase their chances of being hired by a reputable company that focuses on the industry. If you are still unsure whether to take up a career in building and construction, the following list might help you decide, showing the advantages of the industry:

  1. The building and construction industry offers a lot of jobs to the people. There are no job shortages in this industry because private companies keep on building new properties and skyscrapers. With the rising global economy and increasing demand for homes, the building and construction industry would need more people to complete different projects. Skilled workers are also in demand, despite the economic challenges that the world faced in the last decade. Additionally, statistics are showing that more than a hundred thousand people working in the building and construction industry would be retiring in the next few years, and the younger ones are needed to vacate these positions left behind.
  1. A career in the building and construction industry would generate a great deal of money. In Canada, for example, construction workers are earning $61,000 annually, which is far higher than the average salary in the country. Having a career in the construction industry would allow an individual to raise their family conveniently, while at the same time can buy anything that they wanted. Because of the demand for construction-related jobs, their salary has also seen an increase in the past decades.
  1. Those who wanted to enter the building and construction industry can start their careers earlier than those who are pursuing an education at a university. For those who wanted to become an apprentice after high school, all they have to do is to train, and they can start earning money as soon as they acquired their certification of being an apprentice. After receiving the certification as an apprentice, an individual must work hard to reach the top and become a skilled worker in the building and construction industry, which would also assure them of higher salaries.
  1. People who have been in the building and construction industry has more chances of creating a lifelong career. Starting in the industry at an early age would make it possible for an individual to gain a lot of knowledge in the field. They would also go under training and other seminars that would improve their skills in the building and construction industry. From being a foreman, one could advance their way through the top, eventually being a construction manager or the company owner. Those who managed to find their way through the building and construction industry could also learn new skills that would give them additional knowledge and information about the industry they’re in.
  1. Specializing in a career in the building and construction industry also provides a lot of perks and benefits. One of the perks of being in the industry would be the ability to travel anywhere. These people could also work in the place of their choice, as the industry is in demand anywhere on the planet. Those who are also in the industry never find their work becoming tiresome, as the workload is not monotonous, and they feel rewarded after finishing their projects.

If you wanted to start a career in the building and construction industry, start looking for a school or a training center that would be teaching you the basics. You would also have to start your career as an apprentice, and it will help you become successful in the industry later on.