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National Flag Day of Canada is observed on the 15^th of February every year. This is since it was first celebrated on 15^th Feb 1996. It is a day that holds national status in Canada. However, while celebrating the day, there is a history attached that needs to be remembered. Hence, with the maple leaf flag being the symbol of Canada’s sovereignty and its pride globally. On the 15th of Feb 1965, the installation of the maple leaf was done officially on the flag. It signifies the value and importance of the flag for the Canadian nation, and being a symbol of national pride.

Canada is still a monarchy of the United Kingdom & got its independence from Great Britain in the year 1868. Canada incorporated elements of British flag and design in their own flag. This is while making gradual transformations to its original form in 1965. It was by the middle of the 20^th century that Canada realised that they needed some major updating & transformation regards to their flag. The idea was to show through the flag, that how they have marched towards their sovereignty and independence. More importantly, since 1868 when they officially got independence from United Kingdom. It also is a tribute to the relationship they have been with the United Kingdom Pre-independence and post-independence.

Colonel George Stanley, a very famous and renowned Canadian public servant. Surprisingly, Colonel was the first man to think about the redesigning of the Canadian flag. He eventually sparked a national debate among citizens of Canada. His vision for the flag was very simple. Hence, something easily recognisable and also served as a rallying symbol of unity.

1965- THE RAISING OF A NEW NATIONAL SYMBOL:

The year 1965 is a very important year in the history of Canada. With significance to the Canadian flag, the importance levels are huge. The new design and form of the red coloured maple leaf holds distinct attributes. Queen of England was the Monarch who made the official proclamation. Queen Elizabeth II on 28^th January 1965 made it an official documented proclamation.

On the 15th of Feb 1965, as it happened on Parliament Hill when Canada was celebrating the day for the first time. The official public ceremony of the inauguration took place. Near the parliament Hill, the gatherings were in form of thousands of people from various walks of life. Excited and happy to see the official ceremony of the inauguration of Canada’s flag. At the stroke of noon, as the Red Ensign was lowered. There was patriotism and pride that echoed & flew the air of Canada. The flag hoisting ceremony of the latest version of the National flag took place. On the symbolic occasion the PM of Canada, Mr. Pearson gave a speech full of hope and determination. He said with emotions of patriotism for Canada. “May the land over which these new flag flies remains united with freedom and justice. Furthermore, sensitive, tolerant and compassionate towards all.”

The showcasing of the new flag of Canada took place at Expo’ 67. It also marks the 100th anniversary of Canadian independence.

THE MOTIVE BEHIND THE CELEBRATION ON 15^th FEB’ 2021:

Linked up with the Canadian pride & honour attached to their flag. Its the National Day, and this fact holds the key behind the aims & objectives of the celebrations. A flag is not only a symbol of pride for the country. Naturally, it is also a key representation for that country in the international arena. It holds sentiments of unity, brotherhood, justice, patriotism, courage, national pride, and a sense of freedom. It also holds values of respect and honour for the nation, in the hearts of its citizens. This is a reason Canada is still celebrating the day with the same enthusiasm.

Canada is a country that has been celebrating its national pride and integrity with lots of joy. Hence, being a country that has shown and proved over the years to the world. They have truly been on the right track since their independence and especially since the last 40 years. A country that has emerged as one of the most prosperous nations in the world. Ironically, makes their inhabitants more proud of their national flag.

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Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love & romance all over the world & is still celebrated with huge compassion. Remembered in the name of St. Valentine, the day is celebrated on the 14th of February every year. Attached to the sharing of gifts is the meaning of love all over the world. Furthermore, sharing compassion through dance and music. As the saying goes “Love is in the Air”, the truth holds that love has no boundaries. Neither it has any religion and is a sentiment that defines the power of true bonding of affection.

People loved the idea of Valentine’s Day celebrations as they thought rationally. Ironically, that there should be a specific day for the celebration of true love. Valentine’s day is associated with a huge history behind it, as it was something found later by people. According to Elizabeth Nelson, a valentine day’s researcher and author of book on marketing the holiday. He says that there were days that people really loved the idea of Valentine’s Day celebrations. Furthermore, they celebrated the day in the most authentic of ways. However, these days it’s a bit different as the notion has changed towards being more commercial and media centric.

WHO CELEBRATES VALENTINE’S DAY & WHY?

Celebrated all over the world, especially in the most Western countries. These includes USA, Canada, Australia, U.K., New Zealand, France & Italy. Furthermore, many other countries in the West. All these countries and some more in Europe and North America gave this day huge prestige and values. Especially, in terms of accomplishing love and being romantic. This is the day that defines what true romance is. Ironically, for a loved one, fiancee, or a life partner. This is in form of giving a card and chocolates and gifts for e.g. a French perfume or a ring. Hence, just to make it a memorable day & a day of significance. “Valentining” is the practice that originated from medieval England. This is where kids go door to door asking for treats and sweets, similar to that of Halloween.

However, in the later days, i.e. modern times, the focus has changed from human interactions to exchange of cards via social media and e-mails. Before the internet the use of cards as gesture of love and true romance was the most common ways of valentine day’s celebrations.

THE INVOLVEMENT OF SOCIAL MEDIA WHILE CELEBRATING THE VALENTINE’S DAY:

In the modern days since the beginning of social media for e.g. Facebook and Twitter, the way of celebrating the Valentine’s Day has changed. However, in many countries the spirit of the celebrations is still the same & holds similar intensities. Forwarding attractive cards and video messages is a norm on Facebook. Also, used for private messages and special Valentine day’s tributes. Dedicating songs of love and feelings through social media is very common, and one of the best ways to show your feelings to your valentine. The feelings are so gorgeous and concrete that they can turn into lifetime relationships i.e. husband and wife. Hence, a valentine day has changed in modern times and occupies more commercial values than it used to since it started.

IS ROMANCE ALWAYS THE CENTRE OF A VALENTINE’S DAY?

The epi-centre of the day used to be romance only. It was in the ancient times when Valentine’s day celebration originated from West. Just transforming it into formal celebrations in the later years. Regards to sincerity of giving cards, there were questions that were asked.

An arranged marriage or a love affair turned into a wedding ceremony. This used to happen in the early 19th century when the Valentine day’s celebrations started. It was lesser amount of pretending and an attitude of flirt.

Hence, 90% of the time a valentine turned into a life partner in early days of the celebrations. However, with time and changes in the culture of Western nations, the celebrations have become more sort of formal rather than romance being the centre of the Valentine’s Day. In most Western nations, the probability and percentage of marriage has gone very low, and thus, it has directly impacted the valentine day integrity and the value of romance.

POS or Point of Sale is the key behind the operational environment of many fresh and old retail businesses. In a successful restaurant, hotel, cinema or any retail environment. It is indeed a necessity to have fully trained staff for POS systems. You must have the right team, trained to serve the client or customers in the best possible ways. Dealing with the POS issues in a timely manner. As well as taking the minimum possible time and acting smartly is the vital need of the POS environment. Hence, it is indeed a common framework in the retail sector.

Dealing with success in the retail environment means business for the client, the customers and potential business owners. Efficiency in operations and deliverable means that the system is aligned for maximum possible usage. Hence, while keeping in view the client’s requirements. As a prerequisite its best to manage and train the staff with all the key deliverable. On top of this , the mandatory procedures involved in the POS environment.

PRACTICE MAKES A MAN PERFECT:

‘Practice makes a man perfect’, a saying that is very true for people working in the POS environment. The environment holds values of perfection with practice being the key behind the success of the POS retail workplace. The best thing is to teach your staff how it works, if you have made your mind that you have to involve the staff with payment taking options. Talking to the staff about the POS software will always give them the confidence with practice at least for some time for every one of them will make them closer to perfection. All this will be an added advantage in the various businesses strategy while making sure that the time is reduced to a huge amount. Every step should be memorised step-wise so that their practice is a value addition for them at the workplace.

POS ENVIRONMENT: ROLE PLAYING & TEST RUNS:

Role playing & test runs are the best possible ways to learn the POS retail with a closer and much more realistic mindset. For example if you own a restaurant, you got to make sure that all the members of the staff can take orders, input the orders, and cash out tabs. The owner should also make sure that the practice of staff is done with discount options as well. These options includes coupons, splitting checks, and modifications to entrees.

Similarly, in the retail environment the member of staff can also practice transactions with discounts, the clearance items, returns etc. You got to have a look as an owner where most trouble is and continue to role play and practice at the same time. The main aim is timely operations of all transactions while making sure that the customers gets satisfaction.  

POS TRAINING – PICKING UP A TEACHER:

Picking up a teacher or a trainee for your staff is the most concrete of the steps. It holds importance as the trainee or a teacher in simple terms understands the use of the software. Furthermore, can also answer customer questions and queries. The person should also be able to answer to questions and queries of the people who are being trained. In retail businesses POS training is a must as it holds vital retail values.

REVIEW:

Just before you wrap up the POS training make sure that you allow enough time for the question and review session. To rise the interest levels in POS training or to make it mandatory in the company’s manual as part of the training. Try innovative measures like playing a game or start a staff question over the upcoming days. This is to help the employees retain all the information and continue to learn. As an owner there can also be an introduction of rewards as an incentive. Incentives and rewards are the best way to motivate the staff regards to their learning outcomes. This is especially worthwhile for small & medium-sized businesses.