Member Blog

If someone dies leaving a valid Will, it is the responsibility of the appointed Executors to locate the original Will and carry out the wishes of the deceased person therein. If required, the Executors may need to apply for a ‘Grant of Probate’ to allow them to administer the estate. This is simply a court order confirming the Executors’ authority to deal with the estate and is required by many organisations to allow Executors to collect in/ sell large assets. This can include the sale of a property, sale of shares and to collect in large sums from banks and building societies.

The benefit of having a Will is Executors already have authority to deal with the assets of a deceased person from the date of death.

Dying intestate

If someone dies without leaving a valid Will, they have died ‘intestate’ and the Administrators of the estate may need to apply for a ‘Grant of Letters of Administration’. This is a court order that gives authority to the Administrators of an estate to deal with the assets of the deceased person.

The downside of someone dying intestate is no-one has authority to deal with a person’s assets until they have successfully applied for, and received, the Grant of Letters of Administration. The Administrators are essentially in ‘No Man’s Land’ until that point.

The collective term for Executors and Administrators is ‘Personal Representatives’ (‘PRs’). PRs’ duties can vary widely depending on the assets of the deceased person and how much work is involved in administering the estate. Some estates could be very straightforward (i.e. one property to sell and one bank account to close) and others more complex (i.e. many properties to sell/ many bank accounts, shares, premium bonds, insurance policies, many debts to be paid etc.).

Hatch Brenner offer a competitively priced service in respect of our estate administration services and a bespoke service to meet PRs’ needs. We can assist in probate matters (where a person has left a valid Will) as well as intestacy matters (where a person dies without leaving a valid Will).

What if I can’t find the Will?

The original Will and death certificate are needed to start dealing with an estate of a deceased person in a probate matter. If you cannot find the original Will, do not panic as there are alternative options available.

We would recommend you; look through the deceased’s paperwork, contact their solicitor or bank to see if they are holding the Will, make enquiries with the deceased person’s family and friends, contact their accountant or even consider a Will Search with Certainty, the National Will Register.

If an original Will absolutely cannot be found, a photocopy of the latest Will or strong evidence of the lost Will’s content should be submitted to the Probate Registry instead, together with the appropriate evidence in support.

Dealing with a loved one’s affairs when they die can already be a very stressful time therefore we are able to make enquiries such as these on a PR’s behalf if they wished to instruct us.

Storage of Wills

At Hatch Brenner Solicitors we offer free storage of our clients’ original Wills indefinitely. This gives our clients peace of mind knowing their Wills are safe in our strongroom. We send our clients a copy of their Will, on completion of a matter, for their records and advise them to inform their Executors of where the original Will is stored. This storage service is completely free of charge and included in our fixed fee cost when we are instructed to draft a Will. This storage process is also included for our client’s Lasting Powers of Attorney documents (‘LPAs’).

Ensuring your original Will is stored safely, and knowing exactly where it is located, is very important. If your original Will is lost, it could lead to circumstances where potential beneficiaries under the Will or an Intestacy situation argue and enter into protracted, expensive litigation to try and resolve the matter. Leaving a valid Will, stored in a safe place, gives everyone assurance that when the time comes, their affairs can be handled smoothly and their chosen beneficiaries have certainty of how the estate will be distributed.

Read more: Game over: Protecting your digital assets in your Will

Accidents at work can occur in a variety of ways and include slips and trips, working at height, defective equipment, manual handling, handling dangerous substances or those involving construction sites.

If you sustain a personal injury at work, you can pursue an accident at work claim for compensation, also known as an Employer’s Liability Claim.

A Claimant must show their employer contributed to or caused the injuries suffered as a result of a workplace accident. An employer may be liable for your injury for reasons including unsafe work systems, lack of personal protective equipment, unfit premises, insufficient training, co-worker negligence or damaged/unsafe work equipment.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Subsequent Legislation/ Safety Regulations

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to protect the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees as well as others on the premises which can include self employed workers, clients, visitors and the general public.

There are various regulations which govern workplaces and not all give rise to civil liability, meaning there is not an automatic right to compensation for breach. In addition the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 has made it more difficult for those injured at work to make claims.

It is compulsory however for an employer to have employer’s liability insurance in place to cover any claims.

Employers must also assess workplace risks and provide appropriate health and safety training.

Should I make an accident at work claim?

Being injured following an accident at work can have wide ranging implications – particularly on the individual’s financial circumstances. Claiming compensation can help cover losses incurred during your recovery period and will be important in safeguarding your financial future where your injury results in you being unable to work or undertake your normal activities. Pursuing a claim can also help improve workplace practices to prevent similar accidents taking place again in the future.

You can make a claim if the accident at work was not your fault, and occurred within the last three years.

What is an internal investigation?

Following medical treatment for your accident at work, it is important to make sure the event is reported to your line manager, and recorded in your company’s accident book. Evidence will be required to prove the accident was due to the negligence of your employer and may include witness statements, CCTV footage if available, photos of the location/equipment and photos and medical reports of any physical or mental injuries sustained. Be sure to keep the receipts or any expenses incurred for medical treatment or lost earnings as a result of the accident.

Will it affect my employment rights? Could I lose my job?

Whilst many employees feel uncomfortable and nervous pursuing a compensation claim against their employer, making a Personal Injury claim against your employer will not affect your employment rights and your employer cannot legally prevent you from making a claim.

Will my employer have to pay the compensation?

As employers are legally required to hold employer’s liability insurance, they will pay any compensation due via their insurance policy to meet the costs of your claim. The insurer makes the payment and not the employer.

Our Personal Injury team can help explain how the personal injury compensation process works and whether you have a claim to pursue. Contact Chartered Legal Executive Simon Bransby via simonbransby@hatchbrenner.co.uk or call 01603 660 811.

Nestled on the east coast of England, Norfolk is quietly one of the country’s international powerhouses. With the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries particularly strong in this area, along with construction and technical work, there are many opportunities for startups to grow and flourish.

With a business survival rate that consistently outperforms the rest of the country, and local grants available for support, there’s no better place in the UK to consider setting up your own company.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering Norfolk as an option.

International Trade

Despite Brexit now being over the finishing line, the interaction with buyers abroad continues unabated. In the Norfolk area, more than half of all businesses export overseas, both to the EU and further afield. Although there are more checks in place now, international trade is just as important as ever, especially for small businesses. Around 80% of companies from Norfolk who trade with countries abroad have less than 50 employees.

This reliance on international customers underlines the importance of learning exactly how Forex trading works. Smaller companies typically don’t have the large balance sheets to easily absorb unexpected losses, so it’s essential to plan for currency movement. It’s possible to use CFDs and forex trading tools to be able to do this, fixing pricing in advance to remove the uncertainty of large swings.

Strong Transport Links

Norfolk lies in a convenient position in the UK, making it easy to access the capital and the South East, with direct links to other parts of the country.The coastal location means that it’s much more cost-effective to organize exports and imports. When combined with neighboring Suffolk, Norfolk contributes significantly to the national £2.9 billion export business.

The biggest export destination for Norfolk business is The Netherlands, with exports worth approximately £392 million annually.

Having these established transport links and lines of export to European countries means that it’s easier for startups to get up and running.

Local Help and Support

Although there are many factors already in Norfolk’s favour, there are also local help and support schemes that can further boost your chances. These are in addition to the national schemes offered by the government to all startups and businesses in the UK.

Go Digital is a relatively new initiative, launched in December 2020. Aimed at micro, small and medium-sized business, Go Digital is available from Norfolk County Council. The idea is for companies to be able to identify digital opportunities and claim this grant to help with the implementation. In addition to the money, Norfolk Council is also making expert consultancy available on a 1:1 basis.

Other schemes which could help startups include the Small Grant Scheme. Exclusive to Norfolk and Suffolk, the Small Grant Scheme can provide up to 30% of the total costs of your plans, enabling expansion or new services to be provided.

It’s hoped that these grants and support will continue to attract new residents to the area, making Norfolk one of the best destinations for UK Tax.

Businesses have been moving more and more towards online commerce for decades. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this trend and pushed even more companies to do so. It has also shown that small businesses can successfully do business online, not just retail giants. Bringing your business online can have significant benefits, but there are also security considerations to keep in mind.

The Importance of Online Security for Your Business

Online security is an ongoing problem that requires an ongoing solution. Businesses in the UK lose billions each year to malware, hacking, and phishing. These techniques can give criminals access to sensitive information and bank accounts from your business. These attacks primarily target smaller companies because of their inability to implement sophisticated security countermeasures.

Perhaps even worse than draining your business bank account, online criminals could steal private information from your customers. Even if your business does not store payment information, the names, phone numbers, and addresses of your customers can be used to target them in subsequent cyberattacks. Your company might well never recover from such a lapse in trust.

Going Digital Is More Important Than Ever

It might seem outlandish to young people, but a time when a business had no computers is still within living memory for many. That transition to doing business digitally has been remarkably swift and has gone further than anyone could have predicted. Making effective use of digital resources and applying them properly to your business is pivotal to succeeding in today’s marketplace.

Understanding and implementing the synergy of digital technologies can make your business run much more efficiently. Implementing digital point of sale, accounting, inventory, and marketing can let you focus more on your business’s core. Your business will be able to get more done with the same resources and, at the same time, leading to growth and success.

Why Your Business Needs to Be Online

Some business owners feel that they shouldn’t be required to have an online presence. They see it as something that will detract from their business, taking the time that could be better spent elsewhere. This simply isn’t true. Setting up a website, or even social media, for your business makes it easier to discover. This brings in more customers from demographics you might not have reached before.

An online presence also makes it easier for potential customers to gather information on your business at their own leisure. Both social media and website hosting platforms have simple and easy to use marketing tools for your business to reach even more people. Online payment processors can also simplify payments and record-keeping while giving your customers a better range of payment options.

Diversifying Sources Of Income

Going digital allows you to diversify your sources of income in a relatively easier way. For example, if you have managed to generate additional cashflow it’s better to invest it through an exchange or even purchase Bitcoin. But before you invest make sure to do your research. Our staff recently heard about a new trading app named BitQT. A quick check revealed that it is a “fraudulent software” which is used by affiliate networks to promote get-rich-quick schemes.

Tudor Lodge Consultants is excited to be working on behalf of Steve Dechan (https://stevedechan.com/), making his expert insights into chronic pain and PPE more easily accessible, as this topic becomes more globally recognised. 

How Tudor Lodge Consultants is helping SteveDechan.com

 Our team has been tasked with helping Steve Dechan’s valuable insights into PPE position better on search engine rankings in a wider brand management project for SteveDechan.com.

• Keyword Research: conducting a thorough research into the world of PPE to choose the most relevant keywords for the brand and design a strategy in order to rank

• Content Generation: creating content tailored around specific relevant keywords to highlight Steve Dechan’s important work in the health sector and share his expert industry knowledge

• Link-Building Strategy: Link-building has played an important role in our wider brand reputation management, seeking credible news and health publications to share press releases and other relevant content. On one side, this press will help to boost public image and positively impact brand reputation. Simultaneously, this will help to establish SteveDechan.com as a more authoritative and trustworthy site, eventually gaining more credibility on Google.

About SteveDechan.com

Steve Dechan, former councillor-turned-businessman, is the owner of Platform-14, leaders in the pain management sector. The business specialises in medical devices for those suffering with chronic pain difficulties. As such, Platform-14 have established themselves as one of the key players in a rapidly growing sector.  

Scottish-born Dechan is an emblem of work ethic and commitment to customer service, coming from an extensive background of sales, insurance and commercial banking. A gifted entrepreneur, his first business was in the insurance sector in which he established the UK’s second largest student and travel insurer. After that, he made his first foray into the medical sphere by investing in a urology start-up.

Now recognised as an industry expert, Dechan shares his insights and helps to better understand different clinical settings and the complex relationships between patients and clinicians. His passions lie in distribution and his company works to improve the system of medical device distribution. 

See other resources:

https://techround.co.uk/interviews/steve-dechan-interview-my-take-on-the-link-between-pain-and-inequality-in-the-uk/

https://www.medicompare.co.uk/steve-dechan-comment-chronic-pain-an-outline-of-the-basics/

Tudor Lodge Consultants is delighted to be working with Omba Advisory & Investments (https://www.ombainvestments.com/). The company won the Emerging Manager category award in last year’s Private Asset Managers (PAM) awards. Since then, they have hired Tudor Lodge to help boost organic sales through SEO strategy.

How the Tudor Lodge Consultants Team is helping Omba

Our SEO team understands the importance of an exhaustive SEO strategy in order to boost rankings on Google and gain company visibility. As such, we have carried out:

●      Keyword Research: through in-depth research of the Family Office, Investment and ETF sectors, to find relevant, niche keywords where Omba could rank highly.

●      Link-building: establishing links is an extremely important part of an extensive SEO strategy. Gaining backlinks from reliable investment, business and news related sources help to establish Omba’s online authority and credibility. Subsequently, this supports the website when it is crawled and indexed by Google.

●      Technical SEO fix-up: this refers to an overall tidy-up to ensure that, at a technical level, we are performing highly for SEO. This involves updating meta-data descriptions to ensure that they are relevant and tailored to the desired keywords. The technical SEO fix-up extends to all featured images and their alt-titles.

●      Fixing landing pages: site structure is crucial for any SEO strategy. A key part of this is the landing pages, the pages seen when customers first arrive to the site. Consequently, it is important for these pages to have all relevant information as well as being well-designed from a SEO perspective (including keywords and headings in a clear structure).

About Omba

Omba Advisory & Investments Limited is a wealth management company working for High Net Worth clients and Family Offices. Their team is built up of financial experts from a range of financial services and technology backgrounds.

The team manages diversified portfolios to always strive to get the best offer for their clients. Investments are carefully and strategically made in order to manage portfolios in the best way possible on a long-term basis.

Omba specialises in ETF, building and managing international, low cost ETF portfolios. Currently, 100% of their portfolio is made up of ETFs alongside a small residual cash balance.

I was almost at the end of my presentation when a loud shout* punctured the air, its volume belying the tender years of the one from whom it had emanated. I barely batted an eyelid, and nor did anyone else in this virtual session; after all, the audible and visual ebb and flow of lives is par for the course these days.

Rewind though a few years and I would have been a little discomforted (the memory of an epic temper tantrum from my 18 month old mid-conference call is still fresh. That’s one of the risks I guess of setting up your own business with a toddler in tow). And go back further and I would have been absolutely mortified at this perceived – by me, and perhaps by others, but mostly by me – lack of professionalism. I have written previously about there once having been two versions of me – work and non-work – and any merging was a definite no, no. NO.

But as I said I barely batted an eyelid.

Because one thing that has emerged out of this period of our lives is authenticity: more and more, we’re just being ourselves. Firstly perhaps by accident, and now maybe by choice, we’re allowing ourselves to just be….well….us.

And this authenticity has become a recurring theme I have noticed of this pandemic.

Of course – in the example I highlighted – it’s in the many different ways we visibly share of ourselves: our lives, what matters to us, our priorities.  The way we put other things first – home-schooling, caring for others, health. For many of us, the thought previously of telling a boss that we couldn’t make a meeting or deliver a task because we had to help our kids with their studies would have felt daunting. Ditto, perhaps, having to stay at home because our own health and wellbeing overrides everything. But we’re starting to realise that this is ok. (More than ok, to be honest.)

And it’s in the conversations that we have. How often before has ‘how are you?’ been used not as a question but as a perfunctory greeting, warranting the response of ‘fine’ irrespective of what’s going on. Now though, things are feeling a bit different. Managers and direct reports, colleagues, staff and customers, friends, family – these days I often get the sense that when we enquire after people’s wellbeing, we mean it. And honest responses are frequently provoked by the question: after all, our levels of fineness will vary dependent on our circumstances.  

Communications too. We are seeing authenticity in the way that messages acknowledge the reality of the situation and the impact it’s having on people. And also in the way that often communications have an increasingly human angle, revealing a little of the people at the end of the laptop. This authenticity is allowing for greater connection.

This is a good thing. Because not only is it ok for us to be authentic, to be ourselves, it’s actually better for us. Authenticity in our conversations and communications create a depth of understanding, and empower connection on a human level. It’s better for our wellbeing too; when we are able to share what matters to us, when we feel safe and supported to talk about how we are feeling and fairing, our wellbeing benefits.

So as we emerge from this period of our lives – and we will – I hope that we can retain this authenticity.

*a shout instigated by home learning frustrations. Shout out to all the parents who have stepped into the role of surrogate teachers with trepidation – and the actual teachers who are keeping the resources and support flowing.

Change in the workplace is as inevitable as it is in life with the most common changes in the last twenty years being linked to technology. Though most workplace changes are beneficial, they can cripple your company if you are none-the-wiser on how best you should handle them. Most organisations grapple with the employee resistance and monetary needs that some changes introduce to their operations. Even so, unplanned change does not spell the downfall of all businesses because a few have learnt how best to adapt their companies to changes.

Below are a few tactics your company can use to remain afloat in the face of change.

Accept the notion of change

It is understandable for some people to become upset with change because it means embarking on new ideas. Even so, for you to move forward, you should first accept that change does occur. In so doing, you will not get stuck in past mindsets and be left behind by your competitors who embrace the industry changes. Other than this, accepting change enables your company to boost its productivity and keep evolving to remain relevant.

Predict and prepare for any changes while remaining focused on the present

Be ready to change your business plan to mirror any changes in the future. However, to successfully do this, you should have precise information on what is happening in the present so that you can continually develop new ideas to incorporate into your business plan. With a bird’s eye view of your industry, you can better understand any issues that might crop up and the changes that might arise. With this approach, you can change your plan in the shortest possible time to adapt to any unplanned industry changes.

Be creative

Few businesses have kept their doors open by doing what everyone else is doing. While it is important to keep tabs on social media and the internet to know what is going on, do not have a rigid mindset. Get a 360-degree of your company and learn about different cultures or ways of running companies in different environments. These steps will boost your creativity such that you can easily integrate changes to your operations without making the mistakes other industry players might make.

Watch your competition

When radical changes happen in your industry, you are sure that they will also affect your competitors. You can get some ideas on how to handle the changes by looking at how your competitors are handling them. For instance, in recent times, clients are quite intent on the décor of the companies they engage with since this shows how well they pay attention to seemingly small details. As such, investing in some interior products like artwork or wallpaper for your décor might be what will set you apart from your competitors that are still stuck on simple functional spaces.

Be in the loop about business environment changes

Most business owners or managers only focus on the controllable environment of their operations which is their internal structures. Even so, you should be in the know on the changes happening in your uncontrollable business environment, including the political, economic and social spheres. After all, the happenings in these spheres dictate the changes that will affect your internal operations. With a knowledge of the changes in your political, social and economic environment, you can better prepare your company for anticipated changes.

Maintain your pace

Adapting to change does not happen in a flash. Your pace might initially decrease as the organisation adjusts to the new normal. To match the changes to your operations, adapt them to mirror the pace of your operations. When you adjust the changes to match your pace, this hastens their adaptation.

There are several reasons why as many as 50% of businesses fail within five years, but one of the leading ones is a failure to adapt to marketplace changes. Thankfully with the tactics above, you are sure to minimise the risk of your company closing down because of changes that will affect it. There are also online platforms on which you can learn different ways of supporting your business for it to cope with changes that might otherwise cripple it.

Whether you want help to buy, sell or value a business, MHA Larking Gowen’s Corporate Finance specialists will work as your trusted advisor. They are transparent in their services to you; always making sure you know and understand what work is being done on your behalf, what we are charging and why.

With offices based throughout Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk and a reach that extends to all of the UK and overseas, MHA Larking Gowen possesses an extensive network of contacts. This, combined with access to the best industry tools available, enables them to get the best result. And you can rest assured, they always have their clients’ best interests at heart, taking the time to get to know your business and understanding the bigger picture.

MHA Larking Gowen is aware of a highly acquisitive buying organisation that is looking to acquire businesses that meet the following acquisition criteria:

The buyer is interested in:

• Environmental, Energy, Waste, Construction and Engineering focused
• Minimum EBITDA requirement £500k
• Offering either turnkey or bespoke solutions

About the buyer:

• Bespoke end-to-end solutions provider
• Large project work undertaken throughout UK and abroad
• Highly acquisitive group, and any locations considered

If you are a business owner, or have a client or contact that operates a business matching the criteria above and is interested in a potential sale, then please get in touch with Jack Minns at MHA Larking Gowen for a confidential discussion about how he might be able to assist with a full sale process or an introduction to the buyer above.

jack.minns@larking-gowen.co.uk

It’s time to embrace a new hybrid model of working – that is, part home, part office-based. Investing in your IT infrastructure now is therefore a great way to support employees in this new working world while future-proofing your business.

Essential software

To ensure staff are able to hit the ground running with anywhere working, mobile devices and laptops need to be supplied with preinstalled software. Microsoft 365 includes apps such as Outlook for access to emails; SharePoint for remote editing, uploading, and access to files; Phone System for receiving and making calls remotely, and Teams for conference calls and collaboration tools so the team still feels like a team. Microsoft 365 also ensures all cloud services are secure, easing any security concerns about employees accessing files remotely.

Workstation set up

It’s good practice to provide laptop and device stands to reduce neck and back injuries caused by poor posture and from extended periods of looking down. A healthy remote working set up also includes a separate keyboard and mouse as risers often make using the inbuilt laptop ones rather tricky. Encourage staff to assess their own workstations and request anything they need to make things more comfortable. It’s also important to make it easy for staff to transition from home to office working, so consider creating dedicated hot desks for your anywhere workers to minimise disruption.

Behind the scenes

Businesses need to be mindful of their entire IT infrastructure. It’s fruitless giving staff brilliant laptops and redesigning the office environment if the system can’t cope with multiple users logging in from multiple locations. Carry out server upgrades regularly or speak to your provider about capacity to ensure nothing goes wrong.

By investing in your IT infrastructure now, you’re future-proofing your business and getting ahead of the curve when it comes to this new hybrid way of working.

If you’re planning on making remote working part of your business and need a helping hand, call us on 01284 700015 or email quack@greenduck.co.uk.

The decision to take your business into the Cloud is a business decision.  It’s technology-based sure, but it’s just one of many technical solutions that you could implement to meet the requirements of your business.  Used right, it can help drive your business goals- but using it right, means using it securely. Security should inform, or at least be a key factor of your organisation’s decision on which Cloud model and which Cloud provider you choose- It’s not just an afterthought.

In the end, security is still your responsibility

The datacentre, the infrastructure or the server may not be yours, but your data is your data no matter where it is.  The data is still your business’ financial details, your HR details, your clients’ details and even your IP- whether stored on servers in your office or in the cloud -, it’s always your ultimate responsibility to make sure it is all sufficiently secured. 

Cloud service providers may well provide tools to help you secure your data, but it’s up to you to define your organisation’s security policies and to make sure that the controls required to comply with them are implemented to your defined requirements.

Shared security and different cloud models

OK – so the ultimate responsibility is yours, we’ve established that.  But if the datacentre isn’t yours, it’s not fully within your control – right?

That’s true.  So in practice, with Cloud Services you’re looking at a ‘shared responsibility’ approach to security.  So what does that mean?

It’s your data on their infrastructure, so it makes sense that the responsibility for overall security is split, and with public cloud being multi-tenanted by nature it’s in everyone’s interest that everyone takes their responsibility seriously.

Exactly where the line of demarc for responsibility is will depend on the cloud model being consumed.  Again it makes sense; under the bonnet of your ‘as-a-Service’ solution is, by design, not your concern, so you can’t actually secure it technically.  That said, it’s still ultimately your responsibility to make sure it does happen, which mean paying attention to service agreements, cloud provider published standards etc.

In the case of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions such as Salesforce or Office 365 for example where all you get is an application, your main responsbility is how you control access to that application and protecting the data within it.

At the other end of the spectrum, if you’re consuming an Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) offering such as Amazon EC2 or Google Cloud Platform (GCP) then your scope of security responsibility becomes much broader.  As you have more control over what is deployed and how, you now have to consider things like network and application security, patching of Operating Systems and applications and securing remote access- all this as well as the access control and data protection that lands on your plate with SaaS.

There’s a bunch of “in-between” too, and the only way you can be sure that your business is as secure in the cloud as it is elsewhere (and is secure as it needs to be) is to first recognise what your business is responsible for with every cloud service you consume.  Once you know the scope, your security and IT teams or partners can create, adapt and apply the requisite business security policies accordingly.

This is why security is such a key factor in deciding whether to use cloud services and which cloud services you should adopt, and also why it’s a business decision and not a technical one.

It’s always a balancing act- sure that collaboration tool is free and easy to use but does it mean you lose control over your critical data?  Add too many ‘hoops’ for your employees to jump through though and productivity will drop or worse, you’ll stumble into ‘Shadow IT’ territory as staff find their own, easier ways to work outside of the business’ control.

So cloud should be part of your business strategy, and your cyber security strategy should be comprehensive enough to secure it- but in order for your Cloud workloads and data to be secure both parties have a part to play. 

You pay your Cloud Provider to keep up their end of the bargain, and you really can’t afford not to keep yours.

Whether it’s the thought of having to care for an elderly relative, or pondering the prospect of how we will manage in our twilight years, maintaining one’s independence will surely be at the forefront of our minds.

While it might be something people dread, growing old is a privilege. The latter part of life can sometimes be the most rewarding if we are adequately prepared. It is no great surprise that as humans age, things start to get more difficult. The activities that we once took for granted can become more of a struggle, and we may need to ask for help or adapt. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean we need to lose our independence entirely. Planning for the future is important, so here are a few ideas that can assist us in maintaining our independence as we age:

Be Physically Active

Regardless of how physically active we were in our youth, everyone will start to notice differences in how their body works as they age. Much of this will be due to muscle loss, which actually starts to decline from the age of 40. The more active you are, the more you’ll be able to limit the effects of this. There is no need for vigorous exercise. Even going for a short walk or taking yoga classes can make a world of difference.

Keep Mobile

In addition to physical mobility, our ability to get about using transport is also key when it comes to maintaining independence in old age. For many seniors, the ability to drive safely becomes problematic. As a result, it’s a good idea to familiarise oneself with local public transport infrastructure and consider the possibility of using a scooter, such as those from East Coast Mobility, to get around.

Stay Mentally Stimulated

It’s normal to experience some degree of cognitive decline as we age. For example, you might find you need to start writing a shopping list so you don’t forget things, or you may need to have a diary to keep track of appointments. However, there are many things you can do to slow down the aging process. In addition to regular physical activity, mental exercises can also be used to strengthen the mind. Whether it’s reading, doing jigsaw puzzles or crosswords, these activities help to keep the mind engaged.

Embrace Technology

It’s easy to assume that technology is something that belongs to younger generations. However, making an effort to embrace technology allows older people to stay independent too. Social media platforms can help us maintain contact with family and friends overseas. Getting to grips with home technology by using smart locks and automatic lighting systems will help make life more manageable.

Pursue a New Hobby

There is no better time to pursue that hobby you never had time for before than in your twilight years. Whether it means traveling the world or taking up crochet, this is the perfect time to take up a new hobby without the pressures of life getting in the way. Trying out new pursuits will keep you stimulated, help you make new friends and can be great for mental health as well.

Aging is an inevitable part of life, but it doesn’t have to be branded as a negative experience. The sooner we start to take action, the easier it will be to keep our minds and bodies strong as we age. Making an effort to stay mentally and physically active will not only help us maintain our independence as we age, but help us handle many of the challenges that life throws our way as well.