Guest Blogs
Knowitall.ch often invites local experts in their field to contribute to their own blogs on our site. This means not only you will benefit from the useful recommendations that we make on our News pages, but you can also profit from some of the great advice and tips that these experts have to make on their favorite subjects. Whilst each of these bloggers has been recommended to us at some point during the evolution of Know-it-all passport and knowitall.ch, obviously we are not able to test out all the suggestions they make on their blogs, nor do we necessarily agree with all their opinions. So if you do find one of their tips useful (or not!), do let us know!
To make these blogs more accessible to you, we have now decided to group them altogether in one section, entitled Guest Blogs, accessible from our main menu bar. We will also post the most recent blogs on the home page of our site in the right hand column.
We are still building up this area of the site, and are looking for bloggers in a number of sections, including Your Home, Travel, and Leisure, so if you feel you have a useful contribution to make in either of these areas, and have the time to submit blog entries approximately every month, then please get in touch!
By Aurea Fagel, text and photos
Here comes the proverbial question everyone is begging to ask you now: ‘What are your summer plans?’
And this is no ordinary summer where we can just blurt out and say you are going to fly out to some exotic country or to your top beach destination.
This year, probably the best and more prudent answer would be: local and sustainable.
Yes, go Switzerland. And why not? You would be amazed at how much you have "under-discovered" this amazing country. For sure, there must be some place where you have not trekked, visited or eaten! And by not flying, you are also reducing your carbon footprints and perhaps even saving a bit of money. If there is a time to help our local business, producers and economy, it is now!
So here is a tip: challenge yourself to find that Swiss spot to conquer and claim. Your humble guide is here with a few ideas. In each of my articles, I will highlight one possible destination - either a charming village, a nature trek, a culinary fancy or anything Swiss under the sun. Have a great trip!
By Anna Lascols, Organizing Geneva
I recently discovered the beautiful world of Interior Redesign. Another whole new area of opportunities. An area that is so close to home organizing that exploring it seems obvious. I had the great opportunity to learn about this topic by leading the Manor Home Days Special VIP Event in Geneva, presenting the new spring collection to selected clients and explaining them how organizing and redesigning your home can be a life-changer. I am not an expert (yet 😊), but I wanted to share my first learnings with you.
If you follow me, you should know by now why getting organized has lots of benefits. You declutter, you sort, you let go of the superfluous, you surround yourself with objects that spark joy, you simplify, you find a place for every item you own. Sounds easier than it is, but let’s suppose you have managed to organize your space (during Covid quarantine?) or that you are organized by nature. Well, then nothing should hold you back to go the extra mile, add the cherry on the cake and redesign your place!
Redesign is a way to get some fresh air into your home. To rediscover your own space, to unleash this exciting and new touch you have been looking for and boost your energy. We tend to believe this only occurs when we move, we change our entire furniture or tear down some walls. But it’s not! You do not need much time, money, effort or architects to do this, you can do it yourself and you can do it now! How great would it be to move without moving after all this time being confined at home and looking at the same walls and the same objects?
Practically, sit down and take a second look at the objects you have chosen to keep. The idea is to work with what you already have at home, and make a few little changes. Take advantage of summer sales, change some textiles (e.g. pillow cases), decor items, combine materials in a new way, rearrange or paint your furniture, add some colors and play around with your lightening.
By Steve Long, InterSoccer, and Olivia Higgs, Intern
Covid-19 has made life a little hectic for all families the past few months, to say the least. Sports and Leisure Camps have finally been given the green light to go forward and InterSoccer Fun Football Camps are now up and running for the summer as well as many quality camps in the area. Our excitement for outdoor sports remained, we have never been happier to be back!
Being a parent is difficult as it is, but all camp organizers have ensured that health and safety measures are meeting the community guidelines. Following directives from the Swiss government, your children’s safety will be paramount this summer as everyone looks to get back to normal life.
Lockdown pushed families to the limits. Nonetheless, times are changing and slowly progressing to get everyone back to our normal routines. It’s important for this summer to make sure that your children are staying fit, healthy and most importantly of all, happy and having fun.
For children, after such a long period of time without social interaction and seeing their best friends, a perfect way is to pass some of the holiday is to join some of the fantastic summer camps on offer in the region.
By Claire Doole, www.doolecommunications.com
Until COVID-19 struck, my virtual training consisted of coaching over Skype for clients I couldn't meet face to face.
Today all my training is conducted virtually over numerous other platforms; clients highly rate the experience and learning and development departments are happy to be able to provide this opportunity for their staff's personal development while working remotely.
In the past 6 weeks, I have been running eWorkshops in writing, moderating, storytelling, presenting, media and job interviews and speechwriting.
This is what I have learnt about what makes a successful virtual learning experience.
EWorkshops not webinars
Clients are telling me they much prefer an eWorkshop, which is interactive and participatory rather than watching a YouTube video or attending a webinar, which is usually a PowerPoint Presentation with Q&A.
I know from my attempts to do yoga online that what I really miss is the individual feedback on what I am doing wrong!
With eWorkshops, participants can get that individual feedback just like in the face-to-face training room experience, as long as the group is no more than 8 people.
by Katie Harwood, Haut-Lac International Bilingual School
As the weeks stretch on and we adapt to our live under COVID-19 isolation rules, children might be beginning to ask more questions about the situation – Why can’t we go back to school normally? When will this be over?
It is entirely normal that they show some apprehension as isolation continues. So how can parents talk to their children about this in a way that comforts them and addresses their questions fairly?
Ask them how they’re doing every once in a while
Sit your child down and talk them through what’s going on, to see how much they know and understand of the situation. By asking the simple question ‘how are you doing’, you are giving your child the chance to say as little or as much as they would like. You do not need to delve deeply into it if your child doesn’t want to, but you are letting them know you’re there and showing them that the door is open should they need it.
Listen and respect their emotions
It might seem like telling a child that everything is fine will be enough to bring them peace. However, that could stop them from digging deeper and explaining how they are really feeling. Instead, listen to everything they have to say and tell them that it’s okay, even normal, to have these feelings. They will come and go like trains into a station, but you will be there for them to talk about it whenever they need to.
Avoid exposing them to too much of the news, but don’t deny anything
The news is a steady cycle of figures and statistics, and constant exposure to it can be anxiety-inducing for anybody. If your child wants to be updated on the situation, don’t hide anything from them. However, there is also no need to play the news in a constant stream in the background.
Mitigate your own response
Children are very sensitive and intuitive. If you are particularly anxious or affected by what is happening (which is entirely understandable), try to maintain a calm outward demeanour around children or they might adopt and reflect your emotions.
