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!

: Published: 15 October 2015

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By Sarah Santacroce at Simplicity

Yes, LinkedIn might be the Chamber of Commerce of the social platforms, but nevertheless LinkedIn is about building relationships. That’s why your profile picture matters, maybe more so than on other platforms. Read this post on how to get it right.

I’m sure you don’t go to the local networking event with a paper bag over your head. Well, if you don’t have a picture on your LinkedIn profile, that’s the impression you make. People want to see who they are accepting in their network. On LinkedIn more than on any other network. Look at the visual impact of your picture on the infrared shot below:

: Published: 15 October 2015

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By Nicola Ogilvie, Just Sew Geneva

This is not a question I have had to answer for myself as I always make my own curtains. Depending on how many curtains you are making and the size of the window or windows it can be a relatively easy and satisfying project or a big, slightly daunting, but even more satisfying project!

If you would like to learn how to make curtains for yourself, sign up for my next workshop series “Sewing for the home”. We will be making curtains, cushions and Roman blinds. For those with little experience we will start with simple cushions to update your sewing skills, then move on to piped cushions, curtains and Roman Blinds. The series is being held in my sewing room in Commugny, every Wednesday morning for 5 weeks starting 28th October and I have 1 spot left. You may come for the whole series or just for the morning that you are interested in. Take a look at my website: www.justsewgeneva.weebly.com.

However, if you have neither the time nor the inclination to make your own, I have checked out a few places in the area to see what they offer. I started my research with a Google search “rideaux Genève”. I was surprised how many options I found and spent last week touring around having a look at the shops and chatting with the owners. Some keep restrictive hours and some require appointments but the following shops I was able to visit.

: Published: 06 October 2015

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By Dr Graham Brown, Forth Capital

Many clients ask if they should transfer their UK pension to a QROPS (Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme) even if they think or know that they will return to the UK in the future. There are a number of reasons why a QROPS should be considered even if you are planning to return to the UK:

1) Avoiding Lifetime Allowance Charge

As discussed in a previous article, a transfer to a QROPS is a Benefit Crystallisation Event and so tested against the Lifetime Allowance (currently £1.25 Million) on transfer. If you have a pension close to this level you should definitely consider a QROPS transfer in case this level is reduced in the future or further changes are made.

2) Reduced UK Income Tax on Foreign Pensions

By concession, you will usually only pay tax on 90% of your foreign pension payments as 10% is exempt from tax.

: Published: 29 September 2015

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Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

By Debbie Croft, Croft Coaching

This phase really does feel like a rollercoaster to every woman: excited, energised one moment; sick or tired and fearful of the future the next moment; coupled with a changing body shape and rather adhoc emotions. It’s no surprise that it is a somewhat confusing period in our lives ….(imagine how it is for partners watching on!).

There are many factors that you will not be able to directly control, so focus on what you can control and influence, starting with a positive perspective and taking ownership. Here are a few pointers:

: Published: 29 September 2015

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By Alan Turner, Forth Capital

This year’s ‘Expatriate Market Pay Survey’ from ECA International has revealed expat pay packages to be at their highest in the east, and that Japan is the place where expatriates outside of the UK will be given the most sizeable financial package. The average package value for an expat middle manager is currently at 375,000 USD per annum making it the highest paying country, aside the UK, for international talent.