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The Samsung Digital Discovery Centre has been relaunched at the British Museumdigital, Education, history, museum, samsung, Skills, smartphone, Smartwatch
Ten years after it was first introduced, the Samsung Digital Discovery Centre has been relaunched at the British Museum after an update to install new technology and create new digital experiences for visitors.
Alongside the updated room, the British Museum and Samsung have launched a new learning programme aimed at engaging teenagers, as well as allowing virtual visits to the museum for schools across the UK without them\ having to make the trip to London.
Called Virtual Visits, the Museum and Samsung hopes 35,000 pupils across the UK will be able to experience both the museum and its experts virtually over the next five years through broadcasting into classrooms in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The programme takes into account the national curriculum when building its virtual visits, and has tried to take into account the varying levels of technology adoptions in schools.
Many believe collaboration is the way forward when it comes to teaching kids digital skills – for example partnerships between local authorities, schools and technology firms – and it is also widely believed technology should not only be involved when teaching computing, but as a part of other subjects too.
For teenagers, the British Museum and Samsung have worked alongside young people to develop access to the museum's various collections in line with what this age groups wants – an age category which is apparently very difficult to keep track of.
As for the Discovery Centre, since it opened in 2009, 150,000 people have visited it, 25,000 of which were in the year before it was closed for refurbishment.
The Centre allows people to attend workshops, school visits and family drop-ins to learn more about the museum and use technology to explore its exhibits.
At a recent visit to the newly opened centre, which has been upgraded with a Samsung Flip, E-boards and Samsung Galaxy smartphones, tablets and smartwatches, I got to play around with the tech there, and take part in two of the experiences on offer – Emoji Match and Fun Family Photo.
Emoji Match
Emoji Match uses a combination of a Samsung Galaxy smartphone and smartwatch – one person wears the watch and the other is designated photographer. Participants visit museum exhibits, choosing an emoji on the smartwatch which matches how they feel about certain things on display.
The photographer takes a picture of the emoji next to the exhibit, with the idea that using emojis not only sparks up a conversation between participants, but can also be a fun experience regardless of the native language of the visitor, as pictures can cross language barriers.
Family Fun Photo
When down in the Digital Discovery Centre, I had my photo taken in front of a green screen, which I was then able to manipulate on a Samsung tablet to make it look like I was interacting with one of the exhibits.
I was given a written guide to help me with the software, and there were staff members on hand if needed.
As well as the chance to fiddle with the tech, I was given a list of possible exhibits I could use in my picture, the details of which were available elsewhere in the centre through large interactive screens.
The Centre has activities on throughout the year, and is free to visit.
Hartwig Fischer, the British Museum's director, explained the new virtual visits will help young people interact with exhibits and experts where they "ordinarily might not be able to".
The hope is by using technology alongside the exhibits, as well as giving people digital access to the museum, will spark a "lifelong curiosity in the history of the world".
He said: "The advances in digital technology have enhanced the learning opportunities within, and now outside, the Museum."
The idea of working alongside Samsung to introduce digital technology into the museum is to make exhibits more accessible, as well as make people more comfortable with using technology through walkthroughs in the Centre.
The introduction of augmented reality (AR) and video conferencing technology to the Museum might not seem like much, but it means lots more children around the UK can learn about what is housed in the huge columned building in London, and we all remember the lessons as school that were a little bit out of the ordinary.
As put by Francis Chun, president and CEO of Samsung Electronics UK&I said, the collaboration between Samsung and the British Museum has allowed both parties to "constantly trial new technologies that engage children and young people in innovative ways to not only help them learn about lessons in history, but enable them to better understand the present and prepare for the future."
Code Club: four perspectives on Code Club and the tech pipeline"computing curriculum", Coding, Curriculum, Education, schools, Stem
I went to a Code Club and polled the children in attendance to find out their opinions on technology careers, and I was surprised by their answers.
There is a debate among those in the technology industry about whether the computing curriculum is actually fit for purpose.
Despite teachers, parents and government officials alike claiming all industries will demand digital skills in the near future, there are concerns the computing curriculum is either too focused on coding, or not really focused enough on anything.
The mission to encourage children into tech roles, as well as give them the appropriate level of digital skill for other roles, seems to be an uphill battle that can only be won through further collaboration between schools, industry and government.
In some cases there are supplementary lessons, classes and clubs on offer to help encourage kids to learn more about tech in general – and some of these additional sessions tick the "collaboration" box I've mentioned above.
Are the kids attending these sessions engaged in technology, and how far do they go towards educating children about the sector and potentially helping to direct them further down the talent pipeline?
I recently attended a Code Club session at Lansbury Lawrence Primary School in London, during which I spoke to a volunteer from a local firm as well as the teacher in charge, and polled the class of eight-year-olds to find out their opinions on both Code Club and the tech industry – and most of what I learnt I had not expected.
The kid's perspective
My first surprise was the Code Club session was split down the middle when it came to gender – 50/50 boys and girls.
Whether the kids had previous experience of coding was mixed – some had coded before and some hadn't, bearing in mind I went at the beginning of term when the cohort at the Code Club was fairly new.
The boys were slightly more outspoken than the girls, which didn't surprise me as much, and the girls appeared to band together – which I thought was brilliant, because Girl Power.
My first question to the kids – what made you attend the code club?
With this question came my second surprise – all of the 15 children in the room had chosen to attend the code club, many because they thought it would be fun.
Although this wasn't the answer I'd been expecting, because if I'm honest learning to code strikes me as an activity children were more likely to be forced to do than choose to do, it was also brilliant to hear – kids are more likely to be engaged with something they've chosen to do rather than something they've been made to do.
Some said they had heard lots of good things about coding, and had heard about technology before, one girl even said she wanted to learn more about coding. These kids seemed to have a natural interest for tech, so hopefully that's a win for further down the pipeline.
Next I asked (or rather I got the teacher to ask, because I can't control kids to save my life) what they knew about technology jobs, and whether they would be interested in one.
Another surprise – the kids rolled off the names of many of the tech giants that are such a large part of our lives today, Apple and Sony among them, and claimed they thought tech was about making new products.
Some said it would be cool to see what goes on behind the scenes in the companies making today's tech.
Top on their list of priorities – making money, and being part of making cool stuff. Seems like the kids have it all sorted out.
The teacher's perspective
In the Code Club session I attended, the kids were working on a "fortune teller" project to code a random number generator using Chrome Books, a free online resource, BBC Micro Bits and Raspberry Pis.
The resource uses drag and drop elements to teach kids Java Script, which will manipulate the Raspberry Pi-connected BBC Microbit.
Bernie McNerney, the teacher in charge of the Code Club, and also the person responsible for getting more tech into the school, said there's "not much excuse" for failing to offer children extra-curricular coding opportunities.
There's an online hub where you can search for volunteers to help you out with the club – that's how Park Place Technologies, a local tech company, and Lansbury Lawrence Primary School ended up working together to provide the kids with coding know how.
Much like we all know from childhood, the lessons we remember are the ones where we got to do something fun or different – the ones where we got to set something on fire, or dress up, or put on an accent while reading in front of the class.
McNerney told me: "I feel like if I took it away, I'd be depriving them of using the computers in a fun way."
But teachers, understandably, are "reluctant" and "afraid" – McNerney said he's a bit of a geek, but he doesn't know how to code, and I've written before about how many teachers feel inadequate in the face of the computing curriculum, especially when it comes to coding.
Then, McNerney threw another surprise my way – while many people debate whether or not the curriculum is too focused on coding and not focused enough on digital skills, coding is just the "last pillar" of the computing curriculum, reserved for those who have made it to the bitter end.
The forefront of the computing curriculum is focused on digital literacy – and McNerney explained the Code Club sessions not only get the children thinking creatively about tech, it also gets them excited about it.
It teaches the kids to problem solve, and helps with other milestones the kid's need to work on at that point in time for other parts of the national curriculum, such as reasoning, learning, algebra, language and problem solving.
And in some cases, it might help address another pipeline problem – tech isn't accessible to everyone.
From a gender perspective I mentioned the split was half and half, and McNerney said if a girl considers dropping out of the club, he'll have a chat with the child's parents to find out why try and convince them she'd gain a massive amount from attending.
But the inaccessible nature of tech isn't confined to just a gender problem.
The volunteer's perspective
Tech also has a problem with attracting and retaining those from ethnic minorities and those from lower income households, for various different reasons.
For the Code Club I visited, Park Place Technologies, the aforementioned tech firm, provides the classes with volunteers who help the teacher answer the children's questions, and director of marketing in Europe for the firm, Simon Bitton, said he was interested in helping out a Code Club in this part of London in particular to help children who might not be from as wealthy a background as others.
He told me Code Club, as well as some other free-to-attend clubs, might "allow [children] further education through this free extracurricular club they might have to pay for elsewhere."
So what of Park Place's involvement? Bitton starts by pointing out the kids in these sessions may well end up in a technology career, and by placing themselves within these Code Club sessions in some shape or form, the kids may build up an affiliation with the brand early on – the firm is local to the school it volunteers in.
The firm also provides technology to schools in underprivileged areas around the world – in Ireland the firm provided a school running Coder Dojo sessions with refurbished laptops and power cables so they could better run the sessions.
At Lansbury Lawrence Primary School, volunteers from Park Place give up their time to help teacher Bernie McNerney, who started the Code Club off his own back.
Bitton told me: "We genuinely want to give back to the community and we wanted to do that through education. Education is at the heart of everything we do."
Part of that education is helping kids to become more "savvy" – like many, Bitton warns against the idea of kids as digital natives.
They might be used to using technology at home, but time spent at the school in Code Club sessions has them more "engaged" in processes such as logging in, and the club gives them an environment that's more fun, where they get to see a different side of their teacher and it's not as formal as a lesson.
Our very own… Caroline Donnelly's perspective
If you're a listener of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload Podcast, you'll know Caroline Donnelly, senior editor at Computer Weekly and Queen of cloud, is a Code Club volunteer as well.
The Code Club she works as is on a weekend, and takes place in the public library.
She's said before on the Podcast this can sometimes pose a difficulty – the kids are used to using touch screen technology. In many cases before they can get started with the coding learning they need to be taught how to use a mouse.
But this is a minor hurdle, and Donnelly said parents and participants alike are mad keen for the sessions – the sessions she volunteers for have around seven regular attendees (two of which are girls) who are all clearly attending because they want to learn more about coding and technology.
Kids will sometimes bring projects to do which they've found elsewhere, such as on YouTube or through other platforms like Coder Dojo or Hour of Code.
Donnelly said they even sometimes suggest projects "they've come up with themselves".
"Our club runs on a Saturday morning, when there are a lots of other extra-curricular activities vying for their attention and the fact they choose to spend their morning with us is sign they find the sessions fun," she pointed out.
"You soon pick up on the kids who are there under duress from parents, and they tend to come one week (possibly two) and then never again."
An emphasis on creativity is also encouraged, a connection often overlooked in some cases when it comes to the realms of technology, with volunteers explaining to children the project guidelines are a "jumping off point".
Donnelly said: "They should feel free to make [the projects] their own however they see fit, which they always do by tweaking the functionality or creating spin-off projects of their own using what they've learned."
So are the children at Code Club engaged? It certainly seems they are.
From the answers seen above it seemed to me Code Clubs across the UK are doing what they can to help tackle what I think are some of the tech pipeline's most common problems: gender imbalance, a lack of early engagement, and a lack of knowledge about what technology careers involve.
But do Code Clubs help to feed in to the future tech talent pipeline? It seems they may well be a good start, but as pointed out by Donnelly, it is much more likely kids will look towards tech careers if Code Clubs are supplemented by other opportunities such as classroom learning and other extra-curriculars.
She said: "Our kids are all aged between 7-11 and once they age out of our group it is hard to know if they will be given opportunities (either after school or within the classroom during normal hours) that will enable them to turn their interest into a viable career, but a lot of our kids do other coding-related activities outside of our sessions like attend maker sessions hosted by the library or the Raspberry Jam events in our local, so I am hopeful it will make a difference."
Generation Z – what have we done to you?IT skills, Skills, Work
GUEST BLOG: In this contributed blog post, Byron Calmonson, director at The Resourcing Hub discusses what the future of work will look like, and whether the next generation are ready for it.
The Resourcing Hub recently ran a Future Of Work workshop for children and young people aged 9-17 years to explore their views on tomorrow's world, opportunities and workplaces. Are they proud of us and what we have given them?
Some of the answers were not what we wanted to hear.
The research proved that this truly is an ultra tech-savvy, digital generation with a serious screen addiction. The moment they wake up they reach for their devices, they plug in to their head phones, they check their Instagram likes.
Generation Z's close knit relationship with tech means that they think it's OK to be on their phones during meal times or when they're spending time with friends and family. Their devices are almost an extension of them.
Device batteries must be fully charged and the Wi-Fi always connected or they may feel irritable and anxious. In fact, the availability of Wi-Fi is now viewed as more important than basic human needs such as food and sleep.
Many of us despair at the number of hours our children spend online. But who gave them those devices, and who pays the bills?
The uncomfortable truth is that we, their parents, are the generation who built this digital world which enables and fuels young people's screen addiction and online culture. Their reliance on tech, automation and digital solutions has been created by us.
What will all this mean for the Future of Work? Will our children have acquired the skills they require to thrive in the workplace of today and tomorrow? Are they equipped to communicate, to negotiate or even just to listen and to empathise?
Author and generational diversity consultant Jacqueline Cripps says: "We have created a culture that fuels technology addiction amongst our younger generations. We are operating in a world that has become dependent on technology and gadgets to live our daily lives. The impact this is having on Generation Z are significant – from challenges in interpersonal relationships, to a muting of soft skills, to rising mental health issues. If we don't find a balance between utilising the benefits of tech, and mitigating its risks, we are going to end up with a very troubled generation of young people."
The older generations have created so many complex structures that have served us well, but will not meet the needs of our children. For example, Christina Hammond-Aziz, private sector transformation director at Rainmaker, talks about how many of the financial products that form the cornerstones of our current banking industry and every-day lives will be irrelevant for Generation Z.
"Why are we still developing pensions for a generation that may never see a retirement age and mortgages for a generation that may never own a home?" she asks.
A further learning from our Future Of Work workshop was that Generation Z is a generation of worriers. They dream of becoming famous singers, YouTubers and footballers, but are also really concerned about pollution, plastics, climate change as well as the sharp increase in violent crime. And they fear political and economical instability.
They are growing up in a period where the Brexit debate is causing uncertainty for businesses, individuals and the economy.
It's time that we show Generation Z that we listen and that we care.
We should be investing things that will make a real difference to the futures of the younger generation. Our children want to be able to breathe cleaner air, put an end to cyberbullying and get a good quality education.
The workplaces we build for them cannot be all about technology and processes, but must have people, social values and culture at the core. Automation and digital solutions will play an important part, but in the Future Of Work people really do have to come first. Always.
I'm so sorry, Generation Z, we have let you down. Let's put this right before it's too late.
Why learning Stem skills from a young age is so importantCreativity, IT education, IT jobs, IT training, Stem
In this contributed post, MJ Chun, director of product, Anki, explains why children need to be exposed to science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) from a young age.
Coding was added to the UK curriculum in 2014 but we recently undertook some research which revealed 43% of parents struggle to help their kids with coding homework, meaning that children don't have the same support at home as with other subjects.
This automatically puts many children at a disadvantage when it comes to science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem). We all too regularly talk about the Stem skills gap and we know that businesses are crying out for Stem skills, but it's difficult to know what 'Stem' jobs will look like in the future because of the rapid rate of change when it comes to technology.
While those who have grown up with less of a natural affinity for Stem subjects may find them intimidating, it's important to remember that one of the most valuable skills that comes from Stem is creativity – something that all of us have to some degree. In addition to facilitating creative thinking, Stem subjects also involve skills like learning to problem-solve, being inventive and learning to fail.
In Anki's experience, Stem doesn't support one particular sector of jobs, but rather it empowers us to create new things which is a skill that is transferable to lots of jobs, not just those in technology.
Whilst the adoption of Stem subjects from a young age is important, what's also equally important is how children learn Stem. This doesn't just mean what they learn in the classroom but also the whole ecosystem around their learning which means how young people interact with parents, teachers and their wider communities.
Finding role models that children look up to as they learn, whether it's a parent, guardian, teacher, sibling or community member, can accelerate and support their learning too, as can having a tool that's interesting and fun, such as Anki's AI-powered robot Cozmo, to take the first steps into Stem with.
This could be from someone who is encouraging them to stick with it, or someone they may see who creates with technology or codes in their job. Having Stem role models can be especially significant for girls, who may not as easily see themselves reflected in Stem fields.
Many people think of engineers when they think of Stem subjects, but Stem learning and subsequent skills can support a wide range of different roles. Anki believes that coding and robotics are tools for self-expression and creation, tools that children can use to invent and create with throughout their lives.
By adopting Stem-based skills from a young age, children can then apply their tech fluency to an almost endless number of different scenarios.
Ultimately, society benefits by having a more creative and empowered workforce, made up of people who are ambitious, inventive and not put off trying new things in case they fail. The individuals who learn Stem from a young age will grow up with an understanding that Stem is a communal subject, involving communication, collaboration and systems of support.
The key is to cultivate these communities so that more and more young people grow up not only with Stem skills under their belt, but also with the other applicable skills that go hand-in-hand with them.
Are Millennials the Best Thing to Happen to IT?cybersecurity, IT, Millennials, Smartphones, Technology
In this contributed blog post, Mark Settle, CIO of Okta, talks about millennials and how they have changed the technology industry.
The millennial generation, born between the early 1980s to the mid-1990s, is widely recognised for being at the forefront of the technological revolution sweeping the consumer and business landscape. And, according to Goldman Sachs, their impact is only growing. In the US alone, millennials make up the largest cohort of employees, coming in at 92 million, compared to Generation X and Baby Boomers at 61 million and 77 million respectively. Of course, a demographic this large is going to have a massive impact in driving new technology and strategies in business.
Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Tumblr founder David Karp are just two examples of millennials who have become well-known and wealthy figures in today's business world. Millennials, with their unprecedented access to data and education, are changing how businesses are run. With more and more organisations looking to incorporate digital methods into the workplace, millennials can be an important asset in accommodating this shift.
Technology paradigm shift
For many organisations, traditional IT models and technologies have largely been the status quo. Take for example, how landlines and desktops are still omni-present in many offices. But as technology continues to evolve and bring unparalleled benefits to the enterprise, millennials have been a real driving force in changing the way corporate devices and services are used.
As millennials commonly use smartphones and apps in their personal lives, they expect the same in the workplace, and as a result, we're seeing the relaxation of corporate rules and a move towards a more modern technology infrastructure. Company-issued Blackberry devices, which relied on Blackberry's own (and limited) OS, are no longer commonplace. Now, it might be typical for an enterprise to adopt Android and Apple devices, some of which are employee-owned personal devices.
Additionally, the vast number of apps available on the market are also gathering momentum within the enterprise. For millennials tasked with company travel, their preferred choice is often services like Uber and Airbnb, which offer a convenient and cheaper way to travel than local taxi services and hotels. There is a growing acceptance within the enterprise to use consumer-based applications to improve business operations.
While this may cause initial concerns on the impact to IT, the fluidity in which millennials are using these devices and apps signifies a flexibility to existing IT models, and rethinking of the ways in which technology is secured.
Leading the path to a more secure workforce
Robust security must be key in today's business climate. In recent years, organisations have been hit by high profile data breaches and with the looming GDPR legislation set to enforce stricter penalties for the loss of personal data, ensuring the highest security standards is paramount. Introducing new security initiatives or outsourcing security requirements may be some tactics towards strengthening security, but securing the workforce and how staff embrace security will be just as important.
Unlike previous generations, millennials have grown up around technology and are more acute to cyber-security basics such as phishing scams. Millennials are also more likely to use growing cloud-based services, such as Slack and Trello, that offer wider security assurances through encryption and security certifications, while boosting workplace productivity at the same time. The level of security already built-in with these applications means that IT teams can invest time and resource in improving other security aspects of the business.
Millennials' experience of security with consumer applications in everyday life breeds a welcomed culture to expect the same level of security within their employer. Simple measures such as two-factor security authentication, which are common use in social media and banking apps can also be incorporated within work apps to ensure stronger security processes.
For organisations looking to capitalise on the benefits of technology innovation, the hiring of millennials will be important in supporting IT understanding and growth within the workplace. Millennial's natural relationship with technology puts them in an ideal position to help organisations' path towards more intelligent and secure technology solutions that can overhaul a business for the better.
Tech talent soars as specialisms thrive in digital ageDigital skills, IT education, IT jobs, IT recruitment, IT skills, IT training, Skills, Soft skills
In this guest blog post Andrew Gardner, senior divisional director at Reed Technology, discusses what technology talent the UK will need in a digital age.
Although we're only a few months into 2018, the growth of the tech sector shows no signs of slowing down. The ways businesses are using technology is rapidly evolving, and as such, the need to recruit highly skilled teams to programme, develop, maintain and operate this tech is increasingly important.
What our latest research shows is that as this demand has grown, so have advertised salaries for some roles. The latest Reed Technology Salary Guides show that potential earnings for some roles soared in comparison to the same time 12 months ago. If candidates have the right skills and employers are able to invest in salaries to attract the right employees, the tech sector can continue to boom.
If you look at the analysis of last year's advertised salaries across the sector, they actually grew on average by 1.6%. However, this doesn't tell the true story. Far from it. The real opportunities are revealed by major leaps for specialist roles such as Java Developers, which experienced a massive 9% increase.
These leaps are largely down to a combination of the demand for technical skills being high, with candidates possessing those skills becoming increasingly difficult to source. That said, the trend for these kind of roles isn't a recent one. For instance, in the last two years Full Stack, .Net and PHP Developers have seen advertised salaries increase by more than 10%.
With more than £6.8bn invested in the sector in 2016 alone, the UK continues to make a name for itself as a tech heartland as we spearhead the 'fourth industrial revolution'. As a result, this is reflected in advertised salaries and an increase of 12% in numbers of advertised jobs last year.
These figures indicate that the war for tech talent will not be letting up any time soon.
However, this doesn't mean that candidates can just walk into highly-paid work. With bigger salaries comes greater demand for diversity of skills. Employers are not only looking for highly skilled analysts and developers, they also want people with good management and commercial skills. Finding candidates with this mix of technical and commercial abilities will enable companies in the sector to continue to grow.
The sector needs people who are passionate, show a real desire to learn and both love and live technology. As Generation Z enters the workforce, we will see a new breed of candidates with a strong appetite for learning. Employers may need to adapt to ensure they attract the best and brightest new talent.
Naturally, having grown up in an era of smart technology, and being able to access anything on demand, Generation Z will be attracted to companies that are successfully using the most up-to-date digital technology. They will not be satisfied with being glued to a desk all day, and will expect an element of mobility and flexibility from their career.
This new generation are not only quick and flexible learners, who enjoy being in a fast-paced environment, but they live and breathe technology and will expect the same attributes in return from an employer. However, while businesses may need to adapt, the challenge for candidates will be to distinguish themselves from the competition.
For employers, to initially attract the best candidates it is important to be clear and manage expectations from the very beginning, offering long term, rewarding and successful careers with the organisation. They also need to highlight fantastic opportunities and the chance to upskill where necessary.
The technology industry is booming, and salaries, jobs and opportunities to expand skillsets are growing every year. The challenge now will be for candidates to take advantage of the opportunities available to them and businesses to not just be an employer, but a brand that is recognised, respected and attractive to those it wants to recruit.
GUEST BLOG: Growing Stem – tackling the data skills shortage"tech skills", Big Data, Data Analytics, Data Science, Engineering, IT skills, Maths, science, Skills, Stem, Technology
In this contributed blog post, John Brodie, CEO of Aquila Insight, discusses the importance of data skills and how science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) education can help tackle the big data skills shortage.
Big data will continue to play an even greater role in business and many companies that rely on data analysis across the UK will soon suffer from a recurring nightmare – a lack of employable people with sufficient skill sets under their belts to help analyse the vast amounts of data we'll see.
Research by IBM sets the scene suggesting we'll see the number of job vacancies for all data professionals increase by 364,000 to 2,720,000 in the run up to 2020 (figures based on the United States). Unfortunately we may not have enough skilled people to do these jobs.
With many changes on the horizon, the increasing lack of data-specific skills across the UK will start to look very interesting over the next few years, especially in the lead up to the likes of Brexit and the introduction of a more "millennial" workforce by 2020.
So if businesses are struggling to source the right people now, how will these factors further add to the growing recruitment issues and skills shortage many are already facing?
Invest in Stem
The Stem skills debate is ongoing – with no real resolution to the limited amount of investment in this area. So despite the fact that by 2020 half the work force will be millennials (in the US alone), if this reduction in Stem-related skills continues, new workforces will be unprepared for the complexities of digital roles now and in the future.
Recent trends, particularly in Scotland, have seen the removal of pure math and statistics courses. This is also coupled with the shortage of Stem teachers, with figures highlighting that Scotland is losing two science and maths teachers almost every week. We're now starting to see similar trends trickle to other areas in the UK. It's clear that businesses will face big challenges when it comes to recruiting the right analytical talent in the future, with the McKinsey Big Data Report of 2011 into the data analysis skills shortfall certainly showing itself to be true.
Data is growing at an exponential rate so this skills shortage will impact on businesses and of course their clients and brands. If something isn't done now to help re-balance this skills gap, businesses will find it increasingly difficult to draw insights from their customer data in order to make better decisions. This will result in their competitors from countries which see education in math and statistics as a priority gaining an advantage. Businesses have to rely on the acumen and analytical skills honed in Stem graduates to help us help customers get more value and better understanding from data.
Invest in data education
As a collective, businesses need to start investing more time in coming up with innovative ways to talk to and inspire the next generation of students on their employment options with math and science-based courses. Our industry must start educating young students about the vast array of roles that a maths-based education will offer them.
Highlighting why working in Stem-based job roles is a good career and nowhere near as dull as it's traditionally perceived, will be the first step in engaging those that have an interest in this area but are stuck thinking there's just a few routes in.
You don't have to go into an accountancy practice or crunch data in a bank – you can work with some cutting-edge retail brands or challenger utility or financial companies. In this digital age, all types of brands have a growing mass of data about their customers and more and more businesses are going to need smart people to help make sense of that data and enable businesses to make better business decisions.
Invest in talent
Into 2018, we're going to see a continued trend towards technology becoming more commoditised and even cheaper. Talent and the investment in people will eventually become the most expensive and the most sought-after element for companies looking to understand their customer base truly. We need fresh thinking and better marketing to develop and entice the next generation of data analysts – including removing the perception that data analyst equals geek. Analysts should become commercial business people, interacting with clients and not stuck in a darkened room!
If we don't get this right and start now, the bad dream will turn into a never-ending nightmare.
GUEST BLOG: Choosing a handheld mobile computer to improve warehouse operationsMobile devices, retail, Technology
In this contributed blog post Paul Reed, regional product manager for Zebra Technologies discusses the technologies retailers should be choosing to increase warehouse productivity.
In recent years, the dramatic increase in online shopping has had a huge impact on the retail industry. Long gone are the days when purchasing goods or groceries was done from Monday to Saturday, between 9am and 5.30pm.
This new approach to e-commerce and on-demand culture has many plus points for the consumer – convenience being the key driver. It also gives retailers a fresh challenge that they must meet to stay ahead of their competitors.
In the retail chain, there is one key demographic under more pressure than ever: warehouse staff. For warehouse managers, this advancement in retail culture has meant being subjected to immense pressure to get a greater volume of goods shipped on time.
Warehouses are evolving from simplified operations to tightly integrated profit centres. Logistics firms and retailers are now looking for new innovations to help them keep up with changing consumer demands.
In this sink-or-swim environment, it is important that warehouse managers adopt the right technology to ensure fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) remain, well, fast moving. The key to smooth operations is deploying the right handheld mobile computing solution. With this challenge in mind, what should warehouse managers look for tech-wise when doing this?
Design shapes functionality
Design is fundamental – specifically ergonomic design. We would advise avoiding the traditional design where the device scans an item and then the user has to tilt the computer to look at the screen. Newer designs enable warehouse operators to simply hold up the device in one position, with data capture capabilities at the rear of the device. Studies have shown that the removal of an up and down scan tilt action, and adding all touch software to the new product, can save an hour per worker per shift.
New mobile computing devices can be 33% lighter than traditional mobile computers, therefore these are the best options for warehouse staff under pressure. Lighter devices reduce worker fatigue, as minimal effort is needed to use them. Smarter solutions also feature a hands-free proximity scanner in a handheld device, which can be enabled from a hip holster, presentation holster or a cart mount.
Software and shelf life
On smarter mobile computing devices, the traditional "green screen" software found in most warehouse technology has also been replaced with "friendly touch screen buttons" – which means there is no need for a keyboard.
If the intended use for the handheld computer is purely for the warehouse, it is important to choose devices that are Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth proficient. NFC and Bluetooth are particularly important for the swift connection to printers, essential for the labelling of goods and items ready for dispatch.
Before purchasing mobile computers, it is worth speaking with your developers. This is to ensure devices can be adapted to suit specific warehouse needs. In the future, these devices will make better use of Augmented Reality (AR). This is already proving useful for selecting goods for dispatch in a more streamlined way and can even be used for staff training.
As well as design and software applications, it is vital that mobile devices have a good battery life. Our advice here is research devices that can function for nearly 16 hours, or two full shifts. Also check that the shelf life of the product is between three to five years, to ensure you get the most return on your investment.
The future
The introduction and selection of new handheld mobile computers has helped companies boost productivity. Ultimately, this helps businesses operate more profitably during challenging periods. The ultimate goal of inventory management is to optimise supply chain practices to minimise costs without jeopardising service to customers. While there are many factors involved in gaining better control of inventory, upgrading warehouse hardware has helped to manage inventory in a leaner way, especially when it comes to multi-channel fulfilment complexities.
GUEST BLOG: Connecting with the modern shopperai, Artificial intelligence, Brand, personalisation
In this guest blog Gavin Mee, senior area vice president of enterprise UKI for Salesforce, discusses how artificial intelligence may be the next step in connecting with the modern shopper.
Ever since a computer first beat a human opponent in a chess game, artificial intelligence (AI) has proven its potential to interpret and act on provided data. Deep Blue cemented its place in history in the 1990s when it beat chess champion Garry Kasparov in a tense, televised finale. And earlier this year, computer scientists went a step further and developed an artificial brain, "AlphaGo," to beat a human at 'Go' – one of the hardest games of logic and intuition on the planet today. The reason that Go is so difficult is that it requires continual learning of new techniques and accurately forecasting how your opponent will play.
It's an interesting game – and one that has implications for the retailer today, because AI is no longer just for gaming. As today's brands seek to personalise the customer journey to a greater degree, it's time for the smart retailer to think one step ahead and embrace AI.
For instance, AI-enabled e-commerce platforms can provide product recommendations to personalise offers to customers, predict which goods and services they are likely to want, and provide insights as to how smarter merchandising and product purchase correlations can enhance overall sales. According the recent Salesforce State of Connected Customer report, 45% of consumers and 57% of business buyers say that by 2020 they will switch brands if a company doesn't actively anticipate – and act on – their individual needs.
What's more, modern AI is easy to use – by everyone. Previous iterations of AI required data specialists and back-office IT teams to manage the technology and understand the insights. But no longer. New technologies offer solutions that a whole host of employees, from marketers and sales strategists to finance teams and customer experience experts, can use. For example, Salesforce AI technology, called Einstein, is fully embedded across all of our technologies so that anyone in an organisation using Salesforce can now benefit from having their own 'data scientist' in their pocket ̶ right on their phone.
In recent months, AI has moved into the mainstream to the extent that customers may not even know they're interacting with AI: Amazon's Dash services are just one example. AI is anticipating the needs of customers and this is vital in delivering the VIP experience they want.
Millennials, in particular want to walk into a store and get the red carpet treatment. A personal, 1-to-1, seamless experience is important to them and makes them feel valued. It's essential to remember however, that while personalisation is important to everyone, millennial expectations are markedly different to those of their parents.
For example, this younger generation is almost three times more likely to expect the stores they visit to know all about their online shopping and research on that retailer's website (42% of millennials feel this way vs. 18% of baby boomers). Once again, it's all about retailers' ability to blend both online and offline interactions into a seamless, customer-centred experience to deliver a personalised journey – the "star treatment" younger customers increasingly expect.
Don't forget, this demographic is demonstrating increasing spend and because of their age, offer retailers a unique opportunity to put a stake in a customer relationship which could ultimately span decades. It stands to reason, then, that a clear understanding of what millennials expect from their shopping experience should be front of mind for retailers
Expect to see more AI innovations in the coming year, because it's set to be big business, next year and in the years ahead. And remember, as a retailer today, it's never been more important to have insight into our customers – insight that gives you an incredible advantage to win the hearts, minds, and purses of customers.
GUEST BLOG: Addressing the skills shortage from the inside outIT jobs, IT recruitment, IT skills, IT training, Job Satisfaction, Oracle, Retention, Skills, Training
In this guest blog Ronnie Toerien, HCM strategy leader, Oracle Africa explains why giving all employees access to relevant training is the solution to the tech skills shortage.
The past ten years have seen a seismic shift in the workplace. Widespread automation and an increasing reliance on data have touched virtually every industry and changed job descriptions across the board.
Some have speculated this will result in many jobs being lost. For instance, 47% of workers in the financial services sector fear technology is putting their job at risk.
In reality, the situation is much more nuanced. Some jobs will indeed be taken over by automation technologies, but we will also see new roles created in an automated world. With some of the more mundane and admin-heavy tasks off their plate, workers can focus on more innovative value-driving activity.
There are jobs out there – EY's US operation has said it plans to hire an astonishing 15,200 new employees in 2017. The bigger struggle organisations face is to find and nurture the talent they need. According to ManpowerGroup's Talent Shortage Survey, 40% of employers admit to having talent shortages.
I've seen this for myself in South Africa, which is transitioning from a mineral resources based economy powered by low-skill workers to a service-based one that must be built on a broader base of skills. At present there are too few "high-value" employees to meet demand. This limits South Africa's pace of innovation and has bred a hard fought talent war. Talented staff can leave an employer that doesn't fulfil their expectations knowing they'll quickly be picked up by a competitor.
So how can companies square this circle of having posts to fill but not enough skilled people to fill them? In the words of Virgin CEO Richard Branson: "Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don't want to."
For me this boils down to one thing: ensuring employees feel supported when it comes to their career development.
Staff will rarely leave their job if they feel valued. Pay plays a part, as do non-salaried perks like gym memberships and flexible working, but companies need to show a deeper commitment to their people. A focus on training and learning is equally important, and this goes for employees at all levels.
Organisations hire their young digitally-savvy talent in the hopes they will develop and become the managers of tomorrow, but Oracle research reveals they are coming up short. Just 21% of non-managers feel they can advance their career with their current employer, and just 39% see a long term future with their company.
This is largely due to a perceived lack of learning opportunities. Educational programs, courses and training must be personalised and relevant, but just one quarter of non-managers feel their learning and training are linked to their development plan, compared with 60% of senior managers and directors.
Employees also want online and collaborative tools such as webinars, whiteboarding and enterprise social networking. However, Oracle also found that just 22% of non-managers have access to these resources, compared with nearly three quarters of their more senior colleagues.
HR leaders are feeling the pressure as they work to keep high-value employees on board in the face of a worsening skills shortage. Competitive salaries and attractive growth opportunities are two major parts of the equation, certainly when it comes to attracting new recruits, but a focus on modern and relevant training is crucial to addressing the skills shortage from the inside out.
Skills will become increasingly scarce and employees increasingly fickle as automation technologies continue to reshape the job market. Traditional HR approaches are being turned on their head under these conditions, and HR teams must take the lead in finding ways to strengthen their workforce and secure the company's future success.


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Welcome, Annie Thompson
Can I offer you a drink? Tea? Wine?
I'd like a cup of tea please, milk but no sugar!
*Hands a cup of tea to Annie*
Can you tell me a little about yourself? (inc if you use a pen name and why)
I'm Anne Thompson; I changed my name to Annie for writing as it has a bit more of a "ring" to it for children. I work in the social care field, mainly in day centres in Ipswich and Felixstowe. I moved from London to Suffolk to help father with my mother, who has a severe balance problem. I joined a writing group at Woodbridge Library and wrote some of these stories around the titles we were given.
What is the title and genre of your book?
It's called "The Peter Stories" and is a collection of short stories for children. They are mainly about how toys and situations help or hinder him (Peter – a young boy) with daily life. I suppose in a way they're mini – adventures.
Do you write in first or third person? Please explain why
Most of the stories are in the third person, but the one I did first, "Blue" was in the first person. I think this was because I wanted to try to get into the situation he was in, going through a terrifying experience of being in a washing machine, and how I imagined it to be. I feel third person is better for descriptions and dialogue.
How did you come up with the story?
Each story was based on a title we were given in our writing group, e.g "Come fly with me", "Against all odds", drawing on some personal experience, such as a trip to Portugal, and "Brave words" was based on the loss of my grandmother when I was young and what I would like to have done.
Some of the toys were toys I had, and others such as the two bears are my cousin's "mascots". "View of the sea" was for a competition of that title and "School Sports Day" was for an event at my present writing group where we wrote for or about children.
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
Write it down as soon as you think of it and carry a notebook at all times!
Listen to conversations and you can get inspiration from text messages (esp wrong ones) etc.
Enter competitions if you can and even if you have spelling difficulties or grammar, write it down, as someone can always help correct it.
What is your writing routine?
Unfortunately I don't write every day as I work three or four days a week and have three elderly relatives to keep an eye on but I try to do two short stories a month for Felixstowe Scribblers as well as enter a competition every so often if I can and am working on chapter 2 of book 2.
Do you have an editing process?
I read and re – read everything and I have a beta reader who checks anything which may enter a competition or be published, and the Peter stories go to an editor.
What do you enjoy the most/least about writing?
Most – it can be done anywhere and at any time, as long as you have a way of getting it on paper.
Least – you have to believe in your ability and I am not a confident person by nature. I find the selling difficult
Where can people find you on the internet?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Annie-Thompson-1419027841730124/
Is there anything else you would like to share with your readers?
I hope my stories will make people laugh!
Thank you for a lovely interview, Anne.

subset: commoncrawl


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It's got a peculiar taste. You just take a bite and get that hot taste. Whereas some people love it, others just hate it. That's what pepper is like. Of course not all of them will leave your tongue burning, but there's no doubt pepper carries this stigma.
The thing is that, if you eat it the right way and when properly prepared, it can be great for your health (and to lose that little extra weight on your waist).
"Several studies have been pointing out that pepper, whether it's black or red, contains important pharmacological qualities". Who tells me that is Thaís Barca de Moraes, a sports and clinical nutritionist.
She adds that such studies have shown that capsaicin and piperine (substances that can be found in pepper) promote several biological and physiological activities, including antioxidant functions, cancer prevention, anti inflammatory functions, increase of the basal metabolism and body fat maintenance.
And that's not all. It also offers analgesic and antibacterial effect, relieves allergic rhinitis, prevents rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol levels, contributes to endorphin release (improves your mood), clears blood vessels and helps control blood sugar levels. "Therefore, consuming pepper can contribute to the prevention and treatment of some diseases", concludes Larissa Leandro da Cruz, a nutritionist.
Great source of vitamins
That's what I said, my friend. Not everyone knows that peppers are full of vitamins. Because they're a source of vitamin A, they can contribute to better immunity, improve your taste, growth and sight. All that because vitamin A is related to many physiological processes that have something to do with cell proliferation and differentiation.
"Vitamin C, also contained in pepper, is a great antioxidant. It's also a predecessor of collagen, a protein sought after by both men and women, once it's connected with skin health and appearance. Plus, vitamin C helps with the absorption of iron present in plant products", explains Bruna Lyrio, a nutritionist at Clínica Tostes, in Rio de Janeiro.
Vitamin B6, in turn, acts as a coenzyme in the synthesis of amino acids and is related to the ingestion of proteins (which is great if you're seeking hypertrophy). Just watch out so you don't ingest the pepper alone. You should include other foods in your meal plan as well (also source of these and other vitamins) in order to achieve their recommended daily amount.
The minerals
Did you think that was all? Well, on the contrary actually! We've got a long way to go. You won't believe it. Now we'll talk about some minerals: Magnesium, potassium and iron. Magnesium is a mineral that is involved in the activation of a series of enzymes.
"It's essential for the formation of serotonin (improves your mood, reduces anxiety, irritability, nervousness and hyperactivity) and it's very important to the health of your bones, muscle contraction, the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and migraines", Larissa points.
Potassium is crucial to balance blood acidity. It alters neural transmission, muscle contraction and vascular tone. When there's a deficiency of potassium, you'll notice muscular weakness, cramps, fatigue, cardiac changes and mental apathy.
The iron is essential for the maintenance of the red globules. Together, these minerals in the organism also contribute to reducing the risks of cramps (associated with proper water consumption)", Thaís adds.
When it comes to weight loss
We've got to another quite interesting point here: Pepper can contribute to weight loss. According to Camila Rodrigues, a nutritionist at Acqua Brasil Spa, in Rio de Janeiro, capsaicin is responsible for it all and it can also boost your metabolism, making the process of burning fat easier.
What happens is that it raises the temperature in our organism (thermogenesis) and, in order to dissipate it, the organism needs to burn more calories. It's estimated that each gram of pepper makes your body burn around 45 calories.
Plus, pepper contributes to satiation. "It stimulates the release of noradrenaline and adrenaline in the nervous system, which contribute to the reduction of appetite. And we must not forget that the condiment activates cholecystokinin, which is also related to satiation", points Thaís Moraes.
Stronger heart and super immunity
Well, I guess we can say pepper is really mighty. Adding it to several recipes (when they match, of course) also helps with the reduction of LDL choleterol levels, the "bad cholesterol" and can reduce clots in the blood, since they're vasodilator. Therefore, it can reduce the risks of hypertension, heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases", points Larissa da Cruz.
This is our heart getting even stronger so that we can keep working out worry-free. However, in order to juggle exercises and work, our immunity has to be ready in case any kind of problem should come up (drop in temperature, viruses, bacteria in the air, etc).
Well, who would think pepper would help us here too? That's impressing! Thanks to vitamins we have mentioned before! I guess it won't hurt to talk about them one more time. Vitamin A – known for its anti inflammatory characteristics, which help with the maintenance of the mucus, strengthening the immune system – and vitamin B6, which increases immunity in general.
"Consuming pepper also stimulates mucus secretion, preventing breathing allergies, like rhinitis and sinusitis. As you must know, pepper is also a source of vitamin C, which increases the production of defense cells, which have a direct effect on bacteria and viruses, increasing, this way, its resistance to infections", Thaís clarifies.
Diabetes and prostate cancer
Pepper is effective even against dangerous diseases, fighting for our health. There are studies that prove that the nutritional properties of capsaicin can stimulate our digestion and speed up glucose absorption, which can contribute a lot to the treatment of diabetes.
What's more, there's a study published in the Cancer Research Magazine that shows that tumors located in the prostate that have been treated with the substance were 5 times smaller than non-treated tumors.
"The conclusion is that capsaicin reduces the production of PSA, a protein produced in large amounts by prostate tumors. Besides, the substance also reduces the growth of tumors related to testosterone", explains Andréa Romero, a professor of Nutrition at Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, in São Paulo.
She explains that it is necessary to ingest around three to eight fresh red peppers three times a week to achieve the results showed by the study. "The researchers worked with the extract of a Mexican pepper that contains a higher amount of capsaicin, known as habañero", she goes on. I've taken it down for my next run to the supermarket.
Hotness Scale
Yes, dear reader. Did you think I wouldn't say a word about the hottest peppers? This is important for you to pick the best pepper according to your taste. Thaís Moraes tells me that the "Scoville Scale" is used to measure the degree or level of hotness and pungency of peppers.
Take a look:
|Sort of pepper
|Little Beak Pepper (Brazilian kind)
|100 – 500
|Spicy Bellpepper
|500 – 1000
|Anaheim Pepper
|600 – 800
|Tabasco Sauce
|1,000 – 1,500
|1,500 – 2,500
|2,500 – 8,000
|5,000 – 10,000
|Wax pepper
|7,000 – 8,000
|Habañero tabasco
|10,000 – 23,000
|30,000 – 50,000
|Cayenne Pepper
|50,000 – 100,000
|Malagueta and Thai pepper
|100,000 – 200,000
|Jamaica Pepper
|100,000 – 350,000
|Chile Habañero
|350,000 – 577,000
|Habañero (Red savina)
|876,000 – 970,000
|Dosert Naga
|855,000 – 1,041,427
|Naga jolokia
As for the right amount of pepper (apart from the prostate cancer issue), all the professionals state that there's no study on the matter, and that that will vary from person to person. You just shouldn't exceed 3 to 4 times a day.
And that's important because, in case you get carried away, other than the burning sensation, you could worsen gastritis, ulcers or other gastric diseases. "In case of excessive ingestion, the best way to relieve the burning sensation is eating a piece of bread", André Romero instructs me.
Spicy Recipes
Well, now it's time to put all you've learned into practice. But how? With the recipes I've picked (with the help of the nutritionists, of course). Check it out!
Turbocharged Olive Oil
1 teacup extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves of garlic chopped
1 tsp lemon juice
Peppers of your choosing.
Remove the seeds and stalks of the pepper. Braise the garlic in olive oil until slightly brown. Place the peppers in a jar, leaving 2 centimeters free. Heat 1 teacup of olive oil. Stick a spoon handle in the middle of the peppers opening a hole. Slowly pour the olive oil so it penetrates well. Top the jar up with olive oil until there's 0.5cm free on the top. Close it tight. Let it cool. Keep it refrigerated.
Vietnamese Roll
Servings: 12 rolls
Caloric value per serving: 185 Kcal
12 circles of rice dough (for eggroll)
10 gray shrimps (cleaned)
100g of pork fillet cut into thin strips
1 japanese cucumber grated (finely grated)
½ cup of bean sprouts
100g rice thin spaghetti
1 average carrot grated (finely grated)
1 pepper (dedo de moça, a Brazilian kind of pepper) chopped
½ red onion chopped
1 clove of garlic chopped
Fresh basil chopped (to taste)
Fresh mint chopped (to taste)
2 tbsp oil
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp soy sauce
In a pan, heat the oil and braise the garlic and the onion. Add the pork meat and cook it for around 3 minutes. Add the cucumber, the carrot, the spaghetti and the bean sprouts. Cook it for 3 more minutes. Add the shrimps and stir all the ingredients together on high heat until the shrimps are cooked. Add the pepper, the soy sauce, the brown sugar and the chopped herbs. Add salt, if needed. Mix it well and let it cool.
4 lemons squeezed
1 tbsp ginger chopped
2 peppers (dedo de moça, a Brazilian kind of pepper) chopped
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp fermented fish sauce
2 tbsp sugar
Toasted peanuts: Around 100g
Water (if necessary)
In a saucepan, mix the sugar, the lemon juice, the oyster sauce, the fish sauce, the ginger and the chopped pepper. Cook it for around 5 minutes. Add water, if necessary. Let it cool. Add the chopped peanuts.
Moisten the roll dough, one by one, in hot water (quickly so it doesn't break). Take it out of the water and place it on a clean cloth. Add the filling and close by folding the tips inwards so the roll doesn't break, pressing it tight. Serve it with the sauce.
Malagueta sauce pasta
Servings: 4 portions
Caloric value per serving: 261.9kcal
400g penne or fusilli pasta
2 cloves of garlic crushed
50g parmesan cheese grated
2 malagueta peppers
400g peeled seeded tomatoes diced
3 tbsp parlsey chopped
1 tbsp oilive oil
In a pan, heat the oil and braise the two cloves of crushed garlic. Add the malagueta pepper chopped (or powder). Add the tomatoes and cook them for 5 minutes, ultil they're tender. Check the salt. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in boiling water and salt. Drain it and mix it with the sauce in the pan straight away. Add the chopped parsley and stir it for 1 more minute. Sprinkle it with the grated parmesan cheese and serve.
It's good for you
Have you made up your mind? If I were you, I'd try them all. This way, you can add pepper to your meals and improve your health. You have my word!


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My understanding north korea has been together part especially. Looking for long without the understanding of months and explained by south korea. As a rule, a traditional Korean woman carried a small silver knife.
Just imagine you meet someone you really like. You might hate it, but you have to get used to it. There are booths set up in busy areas in Seoul where you can exchange a fully charged battery for a small price. Avoid Showing Affection in Public You better avoid showing affection in public.
15 South Korean Dating Culture - Traditions and Customs
Korea has one of the highest literacy rates in the world due to the phonetic nature of the written language which was invented in the mid-fifteenth century to give one language to Koreans. Matchmaking is crazily popular in Asian countries, indifferently South Korea. The Confucian principles regarding respect for age, family, rank and tradition have ensured the continuance of this system.
5 Korean Dating Rules that May Surprise You
While in some other Asian countries men should pay the bill, this is not applied in South Korea. My friends must find me annoying by now since I always try to ask them how they are and if they are or slept well. Study on to connect with rob montz image. But until that happens, be prepared to be at her mercy. You might be up for a surprise.
10 Magazine Korea
Here are five unspoken dating rules in Korea that may surprise you. Or it can also refer to physical appearance such as height, skin color, long or short hair, long legs, even beautiful hand. Even in dating relationship, you have to respect the older ones. One day you might come to Korea and fall in love with a local.
6 Fantastic Tips for Dating a Korean Girl
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- Hm I am seeing very high maintenance.
- If you have anything to add to our country profile please contact us using the form below as we are keen to ensure accuracy.
- Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Your email address will not be published.
If you think the curfew will end once you come of age, put that away right now. Simply change the country name depending on which guide you are referencing. It might be normal to walk up to a stranger and introduce yourself back home. You may also name someone famous to be your ideal type. This will continue till the end of the day.
Notify me of new posts via email. It is one of the most racially pure countries in the world. In fact, it only gets worse. Call of duty that may surprise you understand what.
The language structure, grammar and vocabulary are similar to Japanese. Koreans are extremely proud of their relationships and showing the world how happy they are is one of their biggest passions. They use various ways to express their love. So i totally had explained by a south korea that i'm still not a date. For anyone is interested in reading more about our relationship!
Just make sure that you can trust your parents when it comes to choosing the right partner. You will be so much happier if you are faithful to each other and do not practice fornication and adultery. Give your jacket to them in the night, open the door for them, pull the chair for them, take her home after date. Think twice before you laugh at the idea. South Korean prefer to date within their own race, and still hesitant about interracial marriage.
- In fact, being in a relationship is something to be proud of.
- You can thank social media.
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- Just open a whole container and put a table spoon in it, then push it in front of him and he will go to town!
Korean culture is profoundly influenced by Confucian principles and this pervades not only personal lives, but also business. So i didn't have time to its unique dating in japan. Being in touch in Korea is a whole another level.
Have you set your sights on a lovely Korean lady? To make the most of your business acumen you must also appear trustworthy, honourable and respectable in a social and business setting. Man, Korean people are dedicated. Some of these arise from Korean culture and others from more recent pop culture and trends. One after another continuously.
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He skipped dating korean cosmetics firm when they might be part especially. Koreans share one language, with approximately seventy million people around the globe speaking Korean. Well, couple culture of the bow is almost no exception. Take the Culture Vulture's Quiz on South Korea and see how much you have learnt about the country, its people and culture. So it differs from culture and get married more immersive, a date.
8 Cultural Differences To Expect When Dating In Korea
After a long date the whole day, phone number for you still have to say good night and thank you for the day. Korean Cultural Centre on Facebook. Thank you for reading our guide to South Korea.
Well, which has historically funded dating is much different than. This is the most common indirect way to tell the world that you were dating. If you are used to it yet, dating profile name ideas you may find these things cheesy. We hope you found it useful.
Learn to Read Korean in 90 Minutes - FREE
Women in Korea were clearly divided into two camps along the dichotomy, and it is a one-way street. Dating in South Korea can be hard, frustrating, and confusing. Half an hour later you will get a reply saying that you partner safely arrived. Nobody wants a boring date or a boring boyfriend. You may date some pretty and sexy girls, but end up marrying the one with good motherly traits.
In case you ever heard, always spread love in every corner. Not that South Korean are conservative, but rules are rules, right? Be prepared to spend big on birthday gifts, and be prepared to also purchase gifts for each of the love-centric Korean holidays.
5 Korean Dating Rules that May Surprise You Korea-Canada Blog
As someone who works in Korea, you know how much leisure time you have. You go on your first date and everything seems to be perfect. This was also applied when you are dating. Here with me and get the institution of korea. They celebrate at least once a month.


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Lale: I like to describe Giant In My Mind as surrealist Bonnie and Clyde with the passion of Romeo and Juliet and the pace of Samson and Delila. The film is driven more by the beauty of the Australian landscape and the emotional journey of the characters more than the storyline. Dialogue accompanies the music and the movement of the film rather than the other way around.
Jan.s: Tell us more Lale. Where did you begin with the characterization?
Lale: Playing the role of Olivia was very rewarding. The director Fiona Trick allowed me a lot of creative license on my interpretation of the character. Many of the moments were only loosely based on the script and largely improvised. The camera often rolled long after the scene had played out.
Jan.s: Where do you think the Director's interests lay in taking the film in this direction?
Lale: I think Fiona Trick chose this approach as a way of allowing myself and co-actor Adam Drage to create fully rounded characters and to create a sense of realism. Risks were taken, and the crew of 14 people became very close towards the end of the shoot.
Jan.s: What kind of risks did you take Lale within the context of a particular shoot...would you like to give us an example... ?
Lale: There was a certain amount of risks taken in playing the role of Olivia. The nudity is something that springs to mind first. The scene where Mickey dies and Olivia spends three days alone in a silo was shot in complete nudity.
Lale: There was a certain amount of risks taken in playing the role of Olivia. The nudity is something that springs to mind first. The scene where Mickey dies and Olivia spends three days alone in a silo was shot in complete nudity.
Combining this with travelling through the 7 stages of grieving was a big challenge and would have been unimaginable had i not fully trusted Fiona and the rest of the crew. Adam and i worked particularly well together and were able to be very open with each other. We had similar ideas on the love between Olivia and Mickey and how it should be played out as guided by Fiona.
Some audience members at the screening mentioned that instead of simply watching a film they felt they had truly experienced something. The minimal dialogue created a space for reflection within the viewing. There were some different interpretations of the script as a result of this.
'Mickey and Olivia arrive at a derelict abandoned barn in the countryside. They have fled from their city lives after Mickey accidentally killed a man who had attempted to rape Olivia. They create a temporary home and adopt a peaceful country lifestyle, attempting not to worry about any consequences that may arise from the murder. They find happiness in caring for each other and embrace the romanticism of country life. They befriend an eccentric local farmer, jimmy who is very willing to help them out in any way. One night they are celebrating Olivia's birthday, later when making love, an unknown man shoots Mickey in the back. Olivia in absolute shock is unable to function for several days. With Mickey dead she struggles to find the motivation to go on. Olivia finds some courage amidst her grief to keep living'.
'Giant in my mind' is a 35minute short film by Fiona Trick.
For 6 days, 14 people pulled out all their love and creativity and made "Giant in my mind". The colourful and lively cast and crew drew attention to themselves whilst shooting on the south coast of NSW, in a small dairy town Gerringong (the director's hometown). We all left the city behind and surrendered to the mud, rain and river in the winter of 2010.
Sleeping in a beautiful farm house next to our location we forgot about the world outside the film and momentarily got lost in the magic world of Mickey and Olivia the two protagonists. The low budget film was assisted with a Kiama council arts grant and Metro Screens Jumpstart Grant and everyone generously volunteered their time and skills to the film.
The renegade filmmakers took a few risks along the way (in particular Jason the cameraman) and had a truly unique and memorable experience'.http://www.giantinmymind.com/wordpress/about/


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Here at Kona Coast Dental Care, we're ready to cater to all your family's dental needs. Our caring staff practices comfortable, health-centered dentistry with a strong emphasis on getting to know each patient. We are careful listeners & will explain beforehand what treatment is best for your individual needs.
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Trusted, Caring & Affordable Dental Care
As a family practice, we provide comfortable care for patients of all ages, from children to adults. From the moment you walk in the door, you'll benefit from our experience & detail-oriented approach, as well as our warm & caring treatment philosophy.
Comprehensive Dental Care in One Convenient Location
From routine checkups to cosmetic & restorative care, Kona Coast Dental Care is your Kona, HI neighborhood headquarters for all things dental. We look forward to showing you how regular dentistry can improve your life.
We Love Keiki!
At Kona Coastal Dental Care, we welcome children as young as age 1.
We Listen, Care & Explain
At Kona Coastal Dental Care, we take care to respond to your questions with detail & care.
Extended Hours
We have appointments before & after work or school!


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SPIRIT LAKE - Nearly two weeks into April and the Estherville Lincoln Central Boys Track Team finally competed in its first outdoor meet in Spirit Lake on Thursday.
The Midgets finished fourth out of 12 teams with 54 points with Algona winning with 93 points.
"I was very happy with the way the kids performed," said ELC coach Dick Barrett. "Going in, we had questions marks with injuries and illness. The athletes who performed gave a good account of themselves."
Article Photos
Sophomore Taylor Myers earned ELC's one first-place finish on the day, with his time of 10 minutes, 27.10 seconds in the 3200-meter run.
"Taylor had an excellent early season time in winning the 3200," said Barrett. "Also I was very happy with the way our sprint relays ran."
ELC placed third in both the 4x100 and 4x200 relays and fourth in the sprint medley relay.
Barrett also highlighted Jesse Wolfe's throw in the shot put as he threw a personal best, throwing 3 feet further than he had before. The coach said the shuttle hurdle relay team also gave a good effort.
"When they get the fundamentals down, they can be even better," said Barrett.
ELC was scheduled to host the 97th Running of the Estherville Relays on Friday. The event is postponed to Monday, April 23.


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Eminem Earns 100 Million+ RIAA Song Awards
Congratulations to Eminem! The "Rap God" from Detroit is definitely in a league of his own. Eminem has become the first rapper to sell over 100 million songs.
The RIAA announced the news yesterday, after "Lose Yourself" surpassed the 10 million units marker to earn the diamond certification. It becomes Eminem's third diamond single following his Rihanna collaboration "Love the Way You Lie" (12 million) and "Not Afraid" (10 million).
Congratulations to @Eminem! 107.5 million song awards. Three Diamond Songs. #RIAATopCertified https://t.co/sXt0Fz6Ke9 pic.twitter.com/Df9rxfC1BS
— RIAA (@RIAA) February 28, 2018


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Nothing is more important to collaboration than consistent, high-quality audio conferencing connections that you can always rely on. We have a saying around here at PGi: the spoken word is the foundation of collaboration. In spite of all of the advances in modern collaboration tools – features like white-boarding, screen sharing, video meetings and more – audio is still ultimately …Read More »
6 Habits for a Highly Successful Webinar
Webinars are great for distributing messages to target audiences without dealing with travel costs or scheduling conflicts. Even with limited budgets and geographically dispersed audiences, webinars can still be a very powerful tool. Since the popularity of webinars is consistently growing, how can you stand out from the others? Here are 6 things you can do during your next webinar …Read More »
How HR Can Benefit from Online Meeting Software
Human Resource departments are always looking for new ways to reduce the time it takes to fill open positions, simplify benefit communications and cut costs. This can become quite difficult when working with a global company. Luckily, innovative technology has helped many HR departments meet their goals. Online meetings offer a convenient and simple way to communicate with employees no …Read More »
Design from the Customer Up to Create Better User Experiences
At PGi, we have a long history of technological innovation. For over 20 years, we've brought industry-leading network, audio and software innovations to a wide array of business and collaboration solutions. But one of the most exciting areas of innovation here at PGi is in our product designs. We've always strived to put the needs of our users first and …Read More »
Free eBook – The Millennials Career Guide
PGi has just released a brand new, free eBook on Millennials covering how to get the job you want and learning how to keep and maintain that job. As a Millennial myself, I have been through the struggles first-hand. "Millennials are making their mark on the world, with some of the most powerful new business leaders coming from this often …Read More »
10 Tips for More Engaging Online Meetings
Keeping your participants attentive and engaged is a challenging part of any meeting, but with online meetings it can be even tougher. You don't know if your guests are paying attention or multitasking on their smartphone. With that in mind, here are 10 tips to try to make your next online meeting more engaging for you and your attendees: [slideshare …Read More »
Overcoming the Fear of Virtual Meetings
Have you ever been nervous or just plain frightened to be a part of a virtual meeting? Don't fret! You are not alone. So many different people, locally and globally, suffer from apprehension towards this newly adopted technology. All of those butterflies flying around in your stomach can be eliminated with the right mindset and training: Be Prepared No one …Read More »
The Convergence of Innovation in Tech and Business
The word "innovation" means different things to different people. For some, it's all about the latest and greatest gadgets and technology, from smartphones and wearable tech to cloud computing and big data. For others, innovation is the pursuit of more efficient processes and methodologies, thinking "outside the box" (to use a tired cliché) and disrupting organizational conventions in the pursuit …Read More »
10 Things NOT to Do in an Online Job Interview
In our busy world today, the online job interview has become the norm. Hectic schedules for interviewers and potential employees make it easier to meet face-to-face virtually. However, don't be mistaken—just because you are not physically in the same place as the interviewer does not mean you get a free pass to act and present yourself in a more casual …Read More »
Leverage Webinars Internally for Virtual Town Halls
When we hear the term "webinar," we tend to think of an online educational session, speaker or Q&A session designed to simulate an in-person event online. A company we like hosts the event, the topic piques our interest, we sign up and attend to gain some (hopefully) valuable new insights on our role, department or industry. But what about leveraging …Read More »
My Telecommuting Personality: The Multitasker
A recent PGi survey revealed that 80 percent of us work for companies that allow flexible work arrangements. Is your personality a perfect fit for a telecommuting career? We recently released a free eBook titled, "7 Telecommuting Personalities", which describes seven personalities of individuals who telecommute. As a telecommuter, it's important to realize your strengths and weaknesses so you can …Read More »
Four Companies Pushing the Presentation Boundaries
Throughout my years on Wall Street and working in investor relations, I have seen (and given) literally thousands of presentations. Despite all of our technological advances, the humble presentation is still often the best way to pitch your company, sell your product, justify your project or simply tell your story. As creative collaborators, we're always on the lookout for new …Read More »
Is BYOD Killing Collaboration?
BYOD is great for the user. It's a story of user empowerment. It's a story of increased user technical acumen, preference and choice. But BYOD can be a catastrophe for businesses, particularly the IT department which is already under siege from all sides. Their budgets are shifting, moving outside their department. CMOs are out-spending CTOs and CIOs on technology at …Read More »
4 Tips to Engage Your Webinar Audience
Keeping your audience engaged during an in-person meeting can be challenging enough. Now, try keeping their attention during a webinar. Computers, tablets and smartphones are full of potential distractions like fun apps, emails, phone calls and text messages. Things can go bad very quickly when you're hosting a meeting via one of these devices. As businesses continue to grow and …Read More »
What Conference Calls Looked Like in the Past
Effective communication is imperative to the success of any business. The tools and methods used to communicate have significantly evolved over the years. From the pony express of the 1800s to today's innovative voice and video communications, businesses have used their available resources to effectively communicate with others. Conference calls have been a very popular communications option. Party lines, one …Read More »
Evolve or Die Part 5: Swap Older Tools for Online Meeting Tools
Companies are spending big money to find quality prospects. The costs of advertising, content marketing, trade shows, list buying and email programs can add up quickly. It's also up to the sales reps to schedule a meeting with prospects and create a strong enough connection so they can close the deal. In the perfect world, you'd always be face-to-face when …Read More »
5 Things to do After an Online Meeting
Congratulations. You successfully prepared for your online meeting and it was a hit. Now that the meeting is over, you're done right? Not exactly. The steps you take after the meeting are just as crucial as any other steps you took while preparing for the meeting. 1. Record the meeting Meeting minutes are a record of the entire meeting. Normally, …Read More »
5 Videos that will Make you an iMeet Rockstar
Online meetings are growing in popularity. As businesses become more global, these tools are vital so they can continue to communicate and collaborate with clients and employees no matter their geographical location. As a result, companies all over the world are quickly discovering how iMeet can help drive their businesses forward. iMeet has several features that help make it the …Read More »
A Collaborative Look at the Internet of Things
Technology continues to evolve toward an ever-connected Internet of Things, with new wearables and smart devices being developed and announced at an increasing rate. The impact of this phenomenon over the next few years will be practically limitless, revolutionizing industries from health and wellness to shipping and logistics and everything in between. According to an ongoing Pew Research project in …Read More »
Is Telecommuting Policy a Sign of Corporate Success?
Telecommuting is a hot-button issue for modern businesses. Some believe it to be a killer of productivity and company culture and have outright banned it. Others embrace fully flexible work styles, designing entire workspaces around employees that come and go at will. Many businesses, however, find themselves in the middle. They've begun embracing some of the benefits telecommuting can provide, …Read More »


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Fluid Hosting Staff
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,302
Limited Quantity: Free Dual Opteron 246 Server. Simply Unbelieveable! Check inside!
Why not own your own server? For a limited time, we are now offering Rent To Own IBM rackmount servers. This is not just any generic server, this is IBM 1U rackmount server. Top notch quality server!
Limited quantity, first time first serve. So act fast!
Server 1: SM-IBM/RTO-1
- Dual Opteron 246 (2x2.0 GHz, 2x1 MB L2 cache each)
- 1 GB PC2700 DDR ECC Registered memory (up to 12 GB)
- 2x80 GB IDE
- 1200 GB monthly traffic on our premium BGP network (Internap, Mzima, and NAC)
- /29 block of IPs (5 useable IPs)
- Private VLAN
- 99.9% uptime guarantee
- $25 setup, $225/month
- Own this server after 24 months for free!
Server 1 Upgrade Options:
- Own sooner. Pay $250 ($275 total setup) additional setup fee and own this server after only 18 months.
- Want to own sooner? Pay $400 ($425 total setup) additional setup fee and own this server only after 15 months!
- Upgrade to 2GB memory: +$35/month, $0 setup
- Upgrade to 4 GB memory: +125/month, $0 setup
- Upgrade to 8 GB memory: +$295/month, $0 setup
Start Owning This server Now!
Server 2: SM-IBM/RTO-2
- Dual Opteron 246 (2x2.0 GHz, 2x1 MB L2 cache each)
- 2 GB PC2700 DDR ECC Registered memory (up to 12 GB)
- 2x300 GB SATA in RAID1
- 3Ware Escalade Hardware Raid Controller
- 1500 GB monthly traffic on our premium BGP network (Internap, Mzima, and NAC)
- /29 block of IPs (5 useable IPs)
- Private VLAN
- 99.9% uptime guarantee
- $75 setup, $275/month
- Own this server after 24 months for free!
Server 2 Upgrade Options:
- Own sooner. Pay $350 additional setup fee ($425 total setup) and own this server after only 18 months.
- Want to own sooner? Pay $550 additional setup fee ($625 total setup) and own this server only after 15 months!
- Upgrade to 4 GB memory: +85/month, $0 setup
- Upgrade to 8 GB memory: +$250/month, $0 setup
Start Owning This server Now!
- Windows 2000 Server/Advanced Server: $29/month
- Windows 2003 Web Edition: $19/month
- Windows 2003 Standard Edition: $29/month
- CPanel/WHM: $35/month
- CPPlus: $10/month
- DirectAdmin: $25/month
Remote Access Service
- Detailed MRTG: free
- Remote Reboot Access: $15/month
- KVM/IP Access (unlimited): $40/month
External backup space (daily and weekly):
- 15 GB: $25/month
- 30 GB: $30/month
- 60 GB: $40/month
Quesions and Answers
Q: When will this great offer expire?
A: Are you delaying your order? We only have limited quantity of servers available at this moment. First come first serve! We may end this offer anytime. So don't delay, act now!
Q: How long will the setup time take?
A: SM-IBM/RTO-1 can be setup within 48 business hours. SM-IBM/RTO-2 setup time is within 72 business hours
Q: What happens after the 24 months (or 18 months/15 months) term?
A: As long as you have finished your terms, the server will be yours. You can pick your server up or have us sent it to you. You will be responsible for all shipping, insurance, and taxes. Of course, to avoid any service interruption, you can simply collocate the server with us at discounted collocation price, as low as $105/month
Q: What happens if we don't finish the terms
You agree to return the server to us. Setup fee will not be refunded.
Q: Where will the servers be located?
A: Theser servers will be put inside our private cage in Equinix/Secaucus (just 15 minutes off Manhattan, New York City
Q: Are these servers managed?
A: This server is unamanaged. We only provide the server, power, and bandwidth. You will be responsible for the server management
Q: Do you allow IRC?
A: No, we don't. All IRC related activities are banned from our network. Plese refer to our Acceptable Use Policy in our Master Service Agreement for more details
Q: Can you tell more about yourself
[i]A: Sure. Fluid Hosting, LLC has been offering services to the public since late 2001. We are a small growing company, privately owned and is profitable. We currently operate and owned all of our high end servers and equipments inside our own private cage in Equinix/Secaucus data center (Equinix largest datacenter, a $300M data center boasting more than 200,000 square feet of total space). We also operate our own network (ASN 33552) currently consisting of Internap, Mzima, and NAC. In addition, we are fully staffed, 24/7/365 by well qualified, in-house support specialist.
Do to others what you would want others do to you.
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 46
nice offers
I hope you have something like this in about 2 years .. maybe my sites will be big enough for my own top notch server
My Blogs: Brandon Sheley - Alissa Sheley - Aaron Gillespie - jhP - Topeka Advertising - vBulletin Blogs
My Directories: Quality Link Directory - VBS Deep Links - vBulletin Directory
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Dr. Savan Zala
Some of my highlights
Dr. Savan Zala graduated as a Dental Surgeon from Guys, Kings & St Thomas' London in 2004. From an early stage, he adopted a multidisciplinary approach to dentistry, and began his journey by training within Oral Maxillofacial and Community Dental Services around Sheffield and Leeds.
Since then he has spent most of his time in private practice, with majority of his work being focused on Dental Implants, Advanced Restorative Care and treatment for the anxious/nervous patients. He has been placing and restoring dental implants for over 8 years, and has been involved within the postgraduate and teaching side of dentistry. More recently Dr. Savan Zala and has gained his Masters of Science (MSc) in Dental Implants.
Currently Dr. Savan Zala works as a General Dentist and a Visiting Implant Dentist to multiple dental clinics around the UK. In addition to this he is heavily involved in mentoring dentists to further improve their skills in dentistry, and encourages general dentists to explore placing and restoring dental implants.
Dr. Savan Zala is an avid squash and golf player, he is highly competitive in all sports, but he is always a thorough gentleman.


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Violations of environmental law, even minor violations, can have devastating impacts on a business. Violations cannot only tarnish the public image of a company, but an enforcement action can also subject the business to significant legal liability. If a company is the subject of an acquisition, the acquiring entity will require disclosure of past environmental violations.
Federal and state environmental agencies may seek to impose administrative or civil penalties for noncompliance. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has the authority to impose civil penalties of $10,000 per day per per violation. The MPCA may issue an Administrative Penalty Order ("APO") where it may assess a penalty of up to $20,000 unilaterally.
In many instances businesses may attempt to remain willfully ignorant of minor violations of environmental law. However, minor violations, when ignored, can quickly become more substantial and expose businesses to even more negative publicity, legal liability, and drawn out legal actions. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's ("MPCAs") Environmental Audit Program ("Audit Program") may be a good solution for a business that is unsure if it has, or suspects that it may have, a minor environmental violations.
The MPCA Audit Program allows a business to discover and correct minor violations before those violations become substantial and extremely costly. To participate in Audit Program a business must conduct an environmental audit or hire an outside firm to conduct the audit. Forty five days after conducting the audit the business submits a report inventory to the MPCA summarizing the results. After the report is submitted, the business has 90 days to correct the identified issues or submit a performance schedule to the MPCA.
Generally, if a minor violation is found and corrected within 90 days, there will be no penalty for the violation. Taking part in Audit Program has two major benefits for businesses. First, the problem was identified promptly and will likely not turn into a major environmental issue with all of the attached costs. Second, the business will in most cases be able to avoid paying any penalty for the minor violation. However, there are potential risks for participating in Audit Program. If the MPCA determines that the violation provided the business with "a substantial economic benefit, which gives the violator a clear advantage over its competitors," an enforcement action can be taken due to the violations disclosed in the audit.
Confidentiality is a major concern for most businesses when deciding whether to disclose a violation to a government agency. However, with the Audit Program, confidentiality, while still a concern, is less of an issue than with other disclosures to government agencies. First and foremost, the MPCA is generally not entitled to a copy of the audit, unless there is probable cause that a crime has occurred. Second, additional confidentiality protections can be put into place in advance of the audit through the use of attorney client privilege.
Finally, if a business decides to participate in the Audit Program, successfully completes an audit, and conducts any required cleanup, it can be awarded the Minnesota Green Star certificate. The business can then display this emblem for two years, which indicates to the public and potential customers the business's commitment to the environment.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") has similar audit programs where companies without a history of violations may be eligible for audit protection provided they meet certain eligibility criteria.
Please see the disclaimer at the bottom of this page that relates to limitations on this blog and to legal advice. As an environmental attorney who serves as outside environmental counsel to many clients Joseph Maternowski can assist with providing advice as to conducting an audit and making appropriate audit submissions. Mr. Maternowski is viewed by clients and counsel as a trusted legal adviser. Joe Maternowski also advises clients who are subject to an enforcement action. In this capacity he responds to Alleged Violations Letters (AVL) and Notices of Violations (NOVs) and negotiates with federal and state agencies on behalf of clients. To determine if your business qualifies for the MPCA Environmental Audit Program and to determine if participating in the program is the right choice for your business, please contact:
Joseph Maternowski
Hessian & McKasy, P.A.
(612) 746-5754


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One Stop Shop
Working with multiple dealers on a single project can be costly and inefficient. At V&H Trucks Inc. we strive to be the single source for all of your truck-related needs, including custom crane assembly and mounting. We offer the complete package for:
- Boom Trucks
- Piggy-back forklifts
- Full length Trailers & Pup trailers
- Custom built beds
- We can sell you the truck and our experienced manufacturing team can custom mount an IMT, Fassi, Prentice, Palfinger, or Rotobec crane of your choice with manual or remote control capabilities.
Our state-of-the-art crane assembly facility operates 24 hours a day to custom design and assemble equipment for the most job-specific tasks. If you name it, chances are we can assemble it for you.
On Time, Prompt Delivery
We have a large inventory available for prompt delivery which means we'll get our job done quickly so you can get to yours.