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Your Guide to Online Professional Development 

June 23, 2020
online learning from short-term rentals in toronto

As Canada begins the deliberate process of reopening the economy, we’re left wondering whether key changes brought on by the pandemic will stick around for good. Will our new normal consist of online schooling, virtual doctor’s appointments, and working from home? Only time will tell.

What we know for sure is that things will never be the same, and even something as basic as short-term rentals in Toronto has been changed forever. And while the employment market has taken a hit, certain sectors have thrived under COVID-19, including areas within tech, supply chain manufacturing, logistics, and shipping. But what about everyone else?    

For employers and employees alike, now is the time to learn new skills while sharpening your existing set. We’ve done the legwork and gathered the best resources for you to build your knowledge and gain a competitive advantage in the post-COVID marketplace—all for free. 

It should be noted that the benefits of professional development extend well beyond the workplace—they empower you in your daily life. Learning improves your health and wellbeing, drives curiosity, and creates unexpected opportunities.

Let’s take a look at what free online learning resources are available to you while staying in a furnished suite in Toronto.  

Professional Development Courses Offered by Canadian Universities 

Canada’s leading universities are providing a wide variety of free online courses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participating institutions include: 

  • University of Toronto. UofT is using Coursera to offer online courses across disciplines, including topics such as programming, introductory psychology, and Aboriginal worldviews and education. They’re also providing a course on managing your mental health during COVID-19. 
  • University of British Columbia. UBC Is providing courses through edX on subjects such as coding and software development, novel-writing, climate change, and a wide range of business topics. 

Other well-known institutions, including Harvard and MIT, have followed a similar route. Take a look at what interests you:  

  • Princeton University. Princeton has taken the Coursera route, with 14 courses currently available. Its selection primarily revolves around computer science theory and computer architecture—the standalones include a course called Buddhism and Modern Psychology.  
  • Stanford University. Stanford’s selection is similar to Princeton’s, with 23 courses offered on Coursera. Start dates range from currently available to launching October of this year. Some highlights include Game Theory, Love as a Force for Social Justice, and Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity. 
  • Yale University. Yale is also using Coursera to offer its selection of 30 courses, many of which specialize in American law. Health-related courses include Introduction to Breast Cancer, Essentials of Global Health, and Health Behaviour Change: From Evidence to Action. 

More Resources to Boost Your Potential

A number of well-known organizations are currently offering free online courses and webinars to further your knowledge across a vast range of topics. Check out what’s available: 

  • The Linux Foundation Training. An expanded mentorship program was launched in response to COVID-19, offering free educational content on open source technologies. Check out their 45-page ebook introducing open source strategies and software for enterprises. 
  • CPA Canada. Their blog updates you on the latest podcasts, webinars, and training to expand your skillset. Keep yourself in the loop with a stream of relevant resources and reading material. 
  • LinkedIn Learning. Pick up in-demand skills from real-world professionals with over 14,000 courses to choose from. Free trials last for a month. Not sure where to start? Check out LinkedIn’s course on how to use LinkedIn Learning. 

A Quiet Space to Learn and Work 

short-term rentals in toronto for online learning

For many of us, the lockdown has been far from peaceful. With our usual outlets unavailable, little to no contact with family and friends, and the anxieties of a viral pandemic weighing on us at every turn, what we really need is a break from isolation. But we need to be careful. 

The solution is to find a space away from home (but not too far) where you can relax and focus while staying as safe as possible. Think of it as a temporary wellness retreat or a second home office. So, what’s the answer? 

Short-term rentals in Toronto allow you to work and learn without constant interruptions. In particular, a furnished suite by DelSuites lets you take a breath and unwind while providing you with everything you need to stay exactly where you are, from a fully-stocked kitchen and ensuite laundry to high-speed internet. Our furnished apartments in Toronto offer the luxury, comfort, and safety of a hotel—only without the hefty price tag and high turnover of guests. 

Are you looking for a calm space to rest, rejuvenate, and learn new skills? Book your suite today by visiting our website. Feel free to get in touch with our team if you have any questions. 

Business Travel, Community Events, Uncategorized

The Best Team Building Activities in Toronto

October 4, 2019
team building activities in Toronto

According to a recent study by the Kenexa Research Institute, companies with highly engaged employees achieved twice the net annual income of companies whose employees were not engaged. In addition, the researchers found social interaction outside the workplace influenced 50% of positive changes in workplace communication.

This means that initiatives that foster employee engagement (ie. team building activities in Toronto) are not only fun. They also have a significant positive impact on the bottom line.

Toronto is an excellent location for corporate team-building. It offers a wide range of options for exciting and memorable activities that will bring a team together. Therefore, here are just a few of the options for team building activities in Toronto:

SPiN Toronto

SPiN is a ping pong social club where you can host a tournament with your entire office, or enroll in ping-pong lessons. The club has two fully licensed bars as well as twelve ping pong tables, a full menu and a private party room. Playing ping pong can be a great ice-breaker and a bit of competition can really bring your team together.

Le Dolci

If your team members are obsessed with sweet treats, they will love the experience of taking part in a cake baking challenge at Le Dolci. The Grand Cake Challenge is a competition to create the perfect dessert and it’s hosted by a professional baker. Your group will split up into small teams of 4-6 people and will design, bake and decorate a sugary masterpieces. In addition, prizes will be awarded for teamwork, originality and execution.
team building activities in Toronto

PaintLounge

Take your team for a “social painting” experience at PaintLounge. You’ll get access to high quality painting supplies and you’ll be invited to play around with colours, lines and ideas.
This is a great way for your team to use the creative side of their brains and think in a different way than usual. You don’t have to be Da Vinci to enjoy this activity. In fact, you don’t even have to have any art-making experience at all. If you need help, the artist staff are always there to assist you.

Far Shot

How about axe throwing as a team building activity? This activity is quickly becoming popular for corporate team building and events and it will encourage your team to get outside of their comfort zone. Plus, there’s something extremely satisfying about learning how to deftly throw an axe and hearing it “thunk” as it embeds in the target.

Far Shot, located in Black Creek Pioneer Village, is one of the best places in Toronto to organize an axe-throwing team building event. They are experts at running large group events. The facility has catering, meeting spaces and its own brewery. Meanwhile, your team can also try archery, knife throwing and other games.

Planning team building activities in Toronto?

Delsuites offers high quality furnished apartments in convenient locations. Most importantly, the top notch amenities will make your team feel right at home. To learn more, contact us today.

Business Travel, Downtown Toronto, Uncategorized, Vacation Travel

The Essential Travel Packing List

October 1, 2019

When you are planning for a trip, it really helps to have a travel checklist you can follow along with – to make sure you don’t forget anything important.

Packing can be stressful and it’s easy to accidentally forget something important. With a checklist, you don’t have to think so hard. You can simply follow along with the checklist and make sure you have remember all the travel essentials you wanted to bring.

So, what should you include on your travel packing list? Your packing list for vacation will of course depend on where you are going and what you plan to do when you get there. However, there are a few essentials that you will likely want to bring along with you on any trip – which is why a general international travel packing list is helpful.

The key to packing light is to bring items that are compact and serve multiple purposes. For example, a sarong is a great travel essential. It can roll up very small but it can be used as a scarf, a skirt, a swimsuit cover-up, a towel and even a lightweight sheet or blanket. Another great item is a simple cotton dress that can be worn with casual shoes or sandals during the day, then dressed up with jewellery in the evening.

Also, remember that if you are coming for a long trip you might be able to find the items you need when you arrive. Most items are available in local shops and pharmacies abroad – with the exception of special prescription medication and some other personal items.

Travel Packing List: What to Pack for A Trip

Wondering what to pack for a trip? Here are some of the typical essentials that most travelers will want to bring with them on their trip. You can use this vacation packing list as a base for developing your own unique, personalized packing checklist.
travel packing list

Clothing Essentials Packing List

  • Socks
    Underwear
    Bras
    T-shirts
    Pajamas (although, these are not necessary if you are short on room. You can sleep in a t-shirt)
    Swimsuit
    Shorts
    Jeans
    Belt
    Dresses
    Skirts
    Sweaters (even if you’re in a warm destination, pack one lightweight layer for air-conditioned airports and buses)
    Scarves
    Sandals
    Running/Walking Shoes
    Purses/Handbags/Wallets
    Sarong
    Travel towel


    • Toiletries Packing List

  • Toothbrush
    Toothpaste
    Dental Floss
    Soap
    Deodorant
    Shampoo/Conditioner (some hotels will have it, but it’s not guaranteed.)
    Small packet of laundry detergent (so you can wash your clothes as you go)
    Hairbrush
    Hair elastics
    Hair products (gel, hairspray, mouse, etc.)
    Facial Cleanser
    Moisturizer
    Sunscreen
    Shaving supplies
    Contact lenses and solution
    Makeup/Makeup Remover
    Tampons/Pads/Diva Cup
    Birth control/Condoms
    Nail clippers
    Tweezers
    Hand sanitizer
    Bandages
    Antibacterial ointment
    Painkillers
    Insect repellant
    Imodium
    Motion sickness pills (especially if you will be traveling by boat)
    Cold and flu tablets
    Medications
    Anything specific to the location (such as antimalarial pills)


    • Electronics & Miscellaneous Items Packing List

  • Laptop
    Smartphone
    Chargers
    Adapter (research which type of electrical socket is used at your destination!)
    Digital camera
    Memory card
    E-reader
    Headphones
    Earplugs
    Tissues
    Gum
    Lip Balm
    Water bottle
    Sunglasses
    Important Documents & Travel Necessities
    Passport
    Flight confirmation
    Credit cards
    Emergency contacts
    Copies of passport/credit card, etc.


    • Tips for Maximizing Space in Your Luggage

  • Don’t leave packing to the last minute. Give yourself time to think carefully about what you should bring.
    Place the largest and heaviest items in first, then pack the other small items around them.
    Bring some laundry powder and wash your clothes in the sink as you go, so you can wear them more than once and don’t have to pack as much. (Wearing clothes with quick-dry fabric really helps with this.)
    Wear your bulkiest clothes and shoes while on the plane to save room in your luggage.
    Roll your clothes rather than folding them. It saves more space and eliminates creases.
    Bring a couple of canvas bags. They roll up small and can be used for dirty laundry, shoes or shopping bags.
    Pack items inside other items. For example, roll up socks and put them inside your shoes.
    Last but not least – if you want to pack light, simply bring a smaller suitcase. You’ll be forced to choose only the things you really need.

    • Share your packing tips with us!

    What do you include on your packing list? Do you have any smart packing tips you use when you travel? If there’s anything we’ve missed on this vacation checklist, let us know in the comments below.

    Business Travel, Uncategorized, Vacation Travel

    Tips for Packing Your Bags Without Stress

    September 6, 2019

    Packing your bags with everything you need for a trip, without bringing too much, can be a challenge.

    It’s easy to fall into the trap of saying, “I’ll bring this along, just in case.” Before you know it, you have a suitcase that is overflowing with “just in case” items and is impossible to carry. Bringing an over-packed bag with you can actually make your vacation more stressful. You’ll struggle to drag it around and you’ll have to pay more in excess baggage fees.

    However, with a few tips you can reduce the amount of stuff you bring with you and make packing a lot less stressful. Here are our helpful tips for packing your bags:

    Packing Your Bags, The Smart Way

    – Buy a smaller bag. We have a tendency to fill whichever bag or backpack we bring with us, so choosing a smaller bag will force you to be more minimal.
    – Packing cubes are your best friend. They will allow you to organize your clothes according to category (pants, shirts, underwear, etc.) Then, you can bring out only the cube you need rather than having to unpack your entire bag.
    – Choose clothing from lightweight but high-performance fabrics like merino wool, which will keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
    – When traveling in an unpredictable climate, bring multiple layers rather than one large coat. Bring your bulkiest coat on the plane so you don’t have to squeeze it into your luggage.
    – Make sure that everything mixes and matches. All your tops should be able to be worn with all your bottoms. If not, it’s not worth bringing.
    – Bring along items that do double duty. For example, a sarong can be used as a shawl, a swimsuit cover-up, a towel, a scarf and a blanket. A pair of dressy flip flops can be worn to the beach as well as out to a restaurant in the evening.

    Packing cubes are your best friend!


    – Stick with neutral colours so that everything will match, then add visual interest with scarves and accessories.
    – You only need to pack enough clothes for 7 days, even if you are traveling for months at a time. You’ll simply need to wash them at your accommodation (if you’re in a furnished apartment with laundry) or find a laundromat once per week.
    – Roll your clothing rather than folding it. Your clothes will take up less room and will look less wrinkled when you unpack them.
    – Roll your socks and underwear into balls and place them inside your shoes. Why waste the space within the shoes?
    – Don’t bother bringing toiletries you know your hotel or apartment will offer, or that you will be able to buy cheaply in your destination.
    – Pack the heavier items at the bottom of your suitcase, as this will make it easier to roll your bag. Also, it will be less likely to tip over.

    Last but not least, consider making a list of everything you packed and actually used on your trip. Next time you travel, you’ll be able to refer to your list and pack only the items you’ll need and nothing else.

    Business Travel, Corporate Housing

    What Should An Employer Include in a Job Relocation Package?

    April 9, 2019

    When a company seeks to relocate an employee, they often offer a job relocation package as an incentive

    After all, when an employee decides to uproot themselves and their family to start a new life somewhere, this is when they are at their most vulnerable. Offering a comprehensive relocation package to cover the costs associated with the move is a way of showing an employee how much you value them. It will allow the employee to relocate in a smooth, easy way that will allow them to focus on their job without too much hassle.

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    So, what should a job relocation package include? Here are some of the basic expenses that most packages will cover:

    Location Scouting Trips

    Many relocation packages will cover the cost of the employee taking a trip to the new location so that they can “scout out” the area and look for housing. This not only gives the employee a chance to look for a home, but it also offers a chance to get a sense of the new area and figure out which neighborhood of the city they want to live in.

    Home Sales/Buying Expenses

    A typical relocation package will include the costs of selling the home and purchasing a new one. This includes closing costs, real estate commissions and other expenses that are normally associated with buying or selling a home.

    job-interview-4010991_1920

    Moving and Storage Expenses

    Usually a relocation package will include moving expenses. This includes core relocation costs such as shipping cars, packing, household goods and unpacking. In many cases it will also include the cost of insurance for items while they are in transit.

    Some employers will simply reimburse their employees for the moving costs, while others will pay a lump sum that employees can use for moving costs.

    Temporary Living Expenses

    Most standard relocation packages will also include the cost of temporary living expenses for the employee while their family travels to the new location. For example, the employer might cover the cost of travel, mileage, hotel costs and food to get to the new location.

    The package should also cover temporary accommodation, such as in a furnished apartment, for at least the first month until you get settled into your new permanent home. (Delsuites furnished apartments are ideal for this purpose, as they are available to rent on a flexible, short term basis, they offer excellent amenities such as laundry and parking and they are well-located.)

    job relocation package

    Other Miscellaneous Costs

    Many standard relocation packages will also include a miscellaneous expense allowance. This could cover a wide range of things, including cleaning services for the old home, the cost of relocating pets and other expenses that may arise during the move.

    Make Your Employees Feel Welcome With A Job Relocation Package

    When you are providing your employees with a relocation package that covers all of the basics, you are ensuring that their move goes smoothly and that they are happily settled in their new home.

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