Author: anwaryusef

Anwar Y. Dunbar is a Regulatory Scientist. Being a naturally curious person, he is also a student of all things. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan and his Bachelor’s Degree in General Biology from Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). Prior to starting the Big Words Blog Site, Anwar published and contributed to numerous research articles in competitive scientific journals reporting on his research from graduate school and postdoctoral years. After falling in love with writing, he contributed to the now defunct Examiner.com, and the Edvocate where he regularly wrote about: Education-related stories/topics, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Financial Literacy; as well as conducted interviews with notable individuals such as actor and author Hill Harper. Having many influences, one of his most notable heroes is author, intellectual and speaker, Malcolm Gladwell, author of books including Outliers and David and Goliath. Anwar has his hands in many, many activities. In addition to writing, Anwar actively mentors youth, works to spread awareness of STEM careers, serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the David M. Brown Arlington Planetarium, serves as Treasurer for the JCSU Washington, DC Alumni Chapter, and is active in the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Ministry at the Alfred Street Baptist Church. He also tutors in the subjects of biology, chemistry and physics. Along with his multi-talented older brother Amahl Dunbar (designer of the Big Words logos, inventor and a plethora of other things), Anwar is a “Fanboy” and really enjoys Science-Fiction and Superhero movies including but not restricted to Captain America Civil War, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Prometheus. He is a proud native of Buffalo, NY.

How to Keep Your Business Offices Clean and Hygienic

My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. While your primary concern for your business should be growth and profits, you also want to make sure your premises are safe health-wise. The following contributed post is entitled, How to Keep Your Business Offices Clean and Hygienic.

* * *

Hygiene has always been an important part of good general health. But in the wake of Covid-19 a few years ago, we’ve seen even more of an emphasis being placed on protecting the health of employees.

Increased hygiene isn’t just good for your employees, but it’s also good for business. If people get sick due to catching something at the office, productivity decreases. Employees will either work while they’re sick, potentially making more people ill and working at a reduced level, or they will stay at home which has its own downsides.

Image Credit.

Hygiene and Handwashing Protocols

While it might seem odd to have to remind adults to wash their hands regularly, it’s an important and simple step that employers can take to improve general hygiene at work.

This is especially important in certain industries that involve food preparation or healthcare, but it’s a good practice to have in every workplace. Our hands carry a lot of germs and washing them properly is the best way to prevent disease from spreading.

Put posters in bathrooms and communal kitchens to remind people to wash their hands often, and use hand sanitizer stations to encourage people to sanitize their hands throughout the day.

Provide Plenty of Supplies

If people can’t find anything to clean with, they won’t be able to effectively keep their workplace tidy.

It’s the responsibility of the employer to make sure that there are plenty of cleaning and hygiene supplies throughout the office for people to use when they need them. This includes things like box wipes so people can easily access them.

As well as having supplies in storage, keep some supplies near the areas where they’re needed. So, if you have a kitchen, have some washing up liquid and other cleaning supplies nearby so people can tidy up after themselves.

This, combined with protocols to encourage people to keep their workplace tidy, will make things easier for everyone.

Hire a Cleaning Service

While it’s great if your workers can keep their workplace clean and tidy up after themselves, you will have to put more effort into keeping the place properly clean. It’s not your employee’s jobs to empty bins, vacuum, or do the bulk of the cleaning, so after a while, these tasks will also need to be completed.

The best answer here is to hire a commercial cleaning service. A lot of cleaning companies will work each day or throughout the week for a couple of hours at a time to make sure the office is always presentable and clean.

A clean workplace is important for a number of reasons, including increased hygiene and the productivity it leads to. You also want to make sure that your workplace is a pleasant place to work for your employees and an impressive place to visit for any clients or shareholders.

A cleaning service will make sure that your office is always clean and ready to go as they will keep on top of any potential issues.

What To Do If You Find Yourself In The Middle Of A Court Case

My blog focuses on Legal Affairs. Many people will find themselves in some form of litigation in their lives for any number of reasons. Depending on what it is, it can be life altering. The following contributed post is entitled, What To Do If You Find Yourself In The Middle Of A Court Case.

* * *

Pexels

There are many reasons why you may be requested to attend court. For example, maybe you’re dealing with family or custody matters or a personal injury case.

It may bring about many questions and uneasy feelings. You may be nervous about what to expect and how to proceed. The good news is that there are several actions you can take to help you prepare for the matter. Here you can learn more about what to do if you find yourself in the middle of a court case.

Document All Your Facts

It’s a good idea to first work on getting your story in order of what happened so you can clearly communicate this to your legal representation. You want to make sure that you can properly defend yourself in court. Therefore, you should spend time documenting all your facts. Gather all relevant information from what you observed, and any witnesses, and organize any pictures if necessary. You want to make sure that you’re fully prepared to tell your side of the story in court and ensure that you get a positive outcome.

Hire & Work with the Professionals

You don’t necessarily want to go at dealing with a court case all alone. While it is possible to represent yourself, it’s not always the best option. Instead, choose to hire and work with the professionals. For example, you’ll want to hire a lawyer who is on your side and can represent you in court. Do your homework in advance to find the most suitable person for the job. There is also an opportunity to work with and hire Expert witnesses. They have a lot of experience and knowledge dealing with complex cases and can return reports back to you in a timely manner. Their services also include a wide variety of types of cases such as family law, employment law, and criminal law, to name a few.

Educate Yourself on What to Expect in Court

If you find yourself in the middle of a court case you’re also going to want to spend time educating yourself on what to expect in court. There are many online and offline resources you can refer to so you can better prepare for your case. You can go online to read more about the court you are assigned to and its policies and procedures. You can also read up on the judge to whom your case is directed to so you know what to expect from this person. Be sure to arrive early, dress nice, and have all your paperwork and talking points in order.

Take Good Care of Yourself

Going to court can cause you a lot of additional stress and strain. It’s important that you’re in good health and feeling mentally stable when you are about to go to court. You want to make sure that you can represent yourself in the best possible light. Therefore, it’s important to take good care of yourself leading up to your court date. You can reduce stress by getting quality sleep and exercising regularly. It’s important that you remain calm and keep your cool in court.

5 Essential Tips for Running a Successful Hospitality Business

My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Every business sector has its own unique set of keys to success and the hospitality sector is no different. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Essential Tips for Running a Successful Hospitality Business.

* * *

Success in any business demands an in-depth knowledge of the industry and the needs of the particular customers that you’re likely to find in that industry. Few industries have customers that have needs quite as specific as the hospitality industry. People staying at hotels, B&Bs, hostels, and the like have many needs, so which do you prioritize? Here are some of the essentials of running a successful hospitality business.

Photo – CC0 License

Building Awareness Is Vital

Hotels and other hospitality businesses require a steady influx of people discovering them, learning about them, and recommendations from past visitors. Most of the tips here will help you win recommendations from your guests, but you should ensure that you make the effort to get noticed even without their help, through investing in practices like SEO for your website or paid advertisements.

The Customer Is King

Effectively, excellent customer service is something that needs to be prioritized almost at the cost of everything else. Make sure that your team is given the tools and means to attend to customer’s needs, where reasonable. Nothing can ruin a customer’s stay more than bundles of red tape making it difficult for your team to resolve issues on their own. Of course, you should have your limits as to what you will do to win the customer’s favor, but you should practice flexibility where it’s realistic.

Ensure Rigorous Cleanliness

Comfort is what you’re providing to your customers, so if you’re not able to maintain high levels of cleanliness and hygiene standards, then you should consider another line of business. Aside from ensuring that you train your employees often and perform audits to ensure standards, you should rely on outsourced experts such as hospitality laundry services to take care of things that aren’t within the job descriptions of your regular staff. Dirty is the worst thing a hotel can be, as far as most guests are concerned.

Help Guests Have A Better Stay In The Area

Most hospitality businesses are not themselves the end purpose of the user. People don’t stay in hotels because the hotel itself is what they want to see. They use them as a base to visit the area, whether for personal or business needs. Having the information at hand to help people make the most of the area is vital for any good hospitality business. Put yourself in the business of helping your guests have a better stay even beyond your front doors.

Don’t Forget The Amenities

Many of the points above should be considered the essentials, the must-have for success. While no individual amenity might be considered a must-have, perhaps outside of Wi-Fi access, having access to fitness centers, coffee and tea stations, and other bonuses elevate the guest’s stay to a degree that shouldn’t be underestimated. No single amenity is a must-have, but having at least some amenities should be considered a must-have in itself.

Hospitality customers are certainly demanding. However, that’s a reality you have to accept and even welcome to make it in the industry. Pride yourself on the level of service and attention to detail you provide and success can be yours.

5 Common Legal Mistakes Startups Make (And How to Avoid Them)

My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Starting any kind of business can be both exciting and rewarding. There is also the potential for mistakes, and the key is to avoid critical ones. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Common Legal Mistakes Startups Make (And How to Avoid Them).

* * *

Image: Freepik

Launching a business can be an exciting and certainly rewarding journey. However, as you lay the foundations of your startup, it is important not to overlook the importance of building a solid legal base. This planning phase can help you secure your business against legal liabilities, ensuring that you can continue trading securely and without disruptions as your startup evolves. Let’s look at some key mistakes to avoid below!

Failing to Comply with Property Laws

Whether you are looking to launch a digital-first business or expand a brick-and-mortar organization into the online space, it is important not to overlook the legal aspects that relate to the physical premises of your business.

If you are unsure how to secure your business’s location–be it an office, studio, or family-owned kitchen–it is important to work with specialists like those at the Taylor Law Group. A team of experts can help you better understand your legal liabilities and protect your business premises efficiently.

Neglecting to Properly Register the Business

One of the first steps to take when launching a startup is to register your business. Registering your business name and model is critical to establish the legal identity of your business. This step isn’t to be overlooked!

Here are a few key aspects to focus on:

● Choose a unique business name that is available and consider trademarking it.
● Determine your business structure such as LLC, corporation, or partnership.
● Register your business by filing necessary documents with state authorities.
● Apply for an Employer Identification Number for tax purposes.
● Register for all applicable state and local taxes like sales and income tax.
● Ensure you have all necessary licenses and permits for your business type.
● Open a business bank account to keep personal and business finances separate.
● Draft organizational documents such as an Operating Agreement.

Ignoring Intellectual Property Protections

Protecting your intellectual property is vital if you are looking to establish a successful business! This can help you safeguard your products, services, and creations from counterfeit and fraud.

However, it is important to keep in mind that intellectual property is an extremely complex area of law. Because of this, the best step to take is to work with a specialized attorney who can help you understand what you need to protect and how.

Overlooking The Importance Contracts and Agreements

Did you know that one of the key legal considerations businesses must make is what and how to contract? This aspect is critical. Contracts are your legal shield, and they play an essential role in helping you carry out your operations uninterrupted and safeguard your profits. At the same time, crafting a contract for each transaction or operation can become cumbersome.

To get started, be sure to partner with a specialist who can advise you on the activities in your business that will benefit the most from a contract. Then, work with a specialist to create contracts that are truly bulletproof!

Not Securing Adequate Funding and Financial Planning

If you are just getting started with a small startup, you may think that you don’t need a business plan. However, this mistake can cost you your business–and your ability to secure the funding needed for growth! A business plan can work as a guide for you as your business expands–and it also plays a major role in making you appear trustworthy in the eyes of lenders and investors!

How Tech is Changing the Way We Work

My blog focuses on Technology and Workplace Discussions. Technology is changing all facets of life. It is particularly changing the ways in which we work. The following contributed post is entitled, How Tech is Changing the Way We Work.

* * *

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-and-white-laptop-computer-on-brown-wooden-desk-356056/

Technology is used in every business in many different ways and it’s always developing and improving. Think back 20 years ago, how we used tech is very different to how we use it now. Nearly 20 years ago in 2007 the first iPhone was released. You look at the iPhone now it’s completely changed, it’s bigger, faster and most people own one now. In Los Angeles, they now have driverless cars, this was once a dream no one saw coming true and now it’s something that will take over the world in the years to come.

With all these improvements tech is changing the way we work. We now have programs like Teams, where we can video call and share our screens, enabling us to work across different countries easily. There are new software being developed like electronic data interchange software to improve speed and safety and AI (Artificial Intelligence) is growing very quickly.

Below we look into how tech is changing the way we work.

Remote Work

Over the last couple of years, remote work has become the forefront of a lot of businesses. Covid (dare we say it) changed the way we work and it’s not looking like it’s going to change back any time soon. Before covid, the idea that people can remote work and work from home was a pipe dream, now, most companies offer it as a perk, with a lot of employees working from home a couple of days a week. The main reason remote work is possible is because of the technology advancements we have had. With programs like teams, you can now call any of your work colleagues at any point and communicate about work. When on a call you are able to share screens as well as edit each other’s work, to make the collaborative process even easier.

Artificial Intelligence

One of the biggest technological advancements we have had is AI, short for Artificial Intelligence. Businesses are still trying to work out how to integrate it in their workflow, but it is extremely powerful and it’s here to stay. Using AI you can ask it questions and it will answer or do the work you need it to do. For example, you can ask AI to edit an image for you, you can ask AI to plan an event with you or you can simply ask it questions that you want the answer to. There are different AI providers, which means it can do a lot of things and it will be developed to do even more.

Improving Performance

Improvements with tech have certainly improved performance for people at work. Using the right programs, employees are able to perform their duties at work, quicker and more effectively. Time management apps are being used to make sure people are productive, whilst project management systems like Asana are being used to track the progress of projects. A lot of people are using AI (as mentioned above) to be able to do the tasks they don’t enjoy and new finance software makes tracking expenses even easier. Businesses shouldn’t be afraid of technology, instead they should find the correct pieces of tech which can help them develop and become better than their competitors.

Wellness

There is a big push on wellness at the moment and with new pieces of tech being released, employees are feeling healthier and more engaged at work. There are several fitness watch brands releasing products which can track your sleep, tell you how stressed you are, how hydrated you are, amongst other things. These stats are particularly useful as when monitored correctly, you can change your daily routine to feel better, when your watch tells you, you’re not at your best. Alongside watches, there are a couple of ring brands which are able to do the same. Employers are focussing on wellness as by looking after their staff and ensuring their wellness is good, they know their staff will be more productive and work harder for them.

When you look into the future, technology is going to have a big impact on how we work, just as it has in today’s world. In fact, every year, new things will be released which will change the way we work for the better.

Have you recently started using any new tech and if so what tech is it? How has technology changed the way you work? Is there anything missing in our article that you think we should be adding? Let us know in the comment box below, we look forward to hearing from you.

How the Tech Gap Could Be Driving Patients Away

My blog focuses on Health/Wellness and Technology. All sectors of our world are becoming more technological. A drawback of this is leaving people behind who cannot adapt. This is an issue in the healthcare sector. The following contributed post is entitled, How the Tech Gap Could Be Driving Patients Away.

* * *

Image credit

Here’s the harsh truth: if a small healthcare practice isn’t keeping up with the latest tech, it’s basically waving goodbye to its patients. Yes, seriously, if you want to run a successful healthcare business, you need to offer good services. But in order to offer good services, they also need to provide better tech (they go hand in hand).

Patients today want more than great care; they want speed, convenience, and the reassurance that their provider is ahead of the curve. If a practice looks stuck in the stone age while others offer faster results and seamless experiences, guess where the patients are going?

Overall, technology isn’t just a “nice-to-have” anymore; it’s the lifeline that keeps small practices relevant in a world that’s moving at lightning speed. So, with all of that said, here’s why staying ahead matters and how small practices can step up.

Patients Expect Quick and Easy Healthcare

Alright, so for starters, nobody has the patience to wait forever anymore. Patients are used to things like same-day delivery, instant streaming, and real-time updates in other parts of their lives. When their healthcare feels slow, outdated, or clunky, frustration sets in fast. So yeah, there’s going to be an expectation that people won’t really wait for things anymore.

This is why teaming up with local labs that use tools like Aperio digital pathology can make a world of difference. It’s still new, but nowadays, digitizing these slides has become more common, meaning these can be processed and shared a lot faster. So, instead of waiting days (or weeks) for test results, patients get answers sooner, easing their stress and making your practice look a lot better (and this does show you’re putting in effort, too).

Old Systems Waste Time and Patience

So, this is a weird comparison, but there’s a lot of truth to it: outdated systems are like that squeaky shopping cart everyone dreads. They’re slow, frustrating, and make the whole experience worse for everyone. Overall, clunky scheduling software, paper files, and outdated diagnostic tools create unnecessary headaches for both staff and patients.

Besides, the right technology simplifies everything; it’s probably what your competitors are using right now, too. Even small upgrades work if you’re just seriously lacking in funds for anything major.

Modern Tech Builds Trust

Believe it or not, patients notice when a practice is keeping up with the times, and yes, when it isn’t. If the office still relies on fax machines and phone call reminders, it sends a message that the practice might not be offering the best care available. Just think of it this way: when patients see that their provider cares enough to stay updated, they feel confident that they’re in good hands.

You Can Compete with the Big Guys

Yes, by all means, bigger healthcare systems have the budget to adopt the latest tech overnight. However, small practices can still compete by being smarter with their resources. Yes, that’s really it; for example, partnering with the right labs, upgrading where it counts, and prioritizing patient convenience go a long way toward leveling the playing field. All of these really do make such a massive difference!

5 Actionable Things To Do Today To Boost Your Business’ Sales

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Once you start a business, you have to figure out how to continue and boost your sales. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Actionable Things To Do Today To Boost Your Business’ Sales.

* * *

As a business owner, there are a lot of things that are important to you. However, your number one priority is selling. Whether you’re fairly new to the industry or you’ve been in business for years, increasing sales is always something you’ve got your eye on. But how can you make it better? If numbers have lowered recently or you’re simply looking for new and improved ways of making more money for your business, take a look at these actionable things you can do today to help increase your overall sales.

Before we dive into anything, it’s important to remember that there are a lot of factors that have changed the business world in recent years. The main reason was when the pandemic hit. COVID saw a large percentage of people switch to online sales not just because they had to to begin with, but now because they want to. If your business was running when the pandemic was announced, there’s a good chance you’ve already altered your business model to fit the changing world. And, there’s no telling whether you might have to navigate something like that again – so keep an open mind with these suggestions!

https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-blue-top-giving-box-to-man-in-gray-top-6962056

Research your target audience

You might think you know what your target audience wants from you, but have you ever actually put in the time to look it up? People’s needs and wants have shifted over the years, and it’s important to keep up with them. For example, 30 years ago, if you were selling a pink doll’s house with accompanying figurines, your target audience would be children (mainly girls) and you’d be able to market your packaging and adverts exactly to that. However, in this day and age, there might be collectors that would want that item, or young boys wanting to play as well as girls. This will now affect your packaging, marketing, and product placement in store.

Remember these three things when researching your target audience:

1. Demographics like age, gender, location and income level.

2. Lifestyle, interest and values

3. Buyer behaviors. Do they buy impulsively or do they spend time researching?

Now, there might be more than one set of people you’re targeting – and that’s absolutely fine! As long as you have the information above, you can then separate them into groups and market your product(s) in the best way possible.

Increase your online presence

You already know how important it is to be online in today’s business world, but how present are you? You might have a website with contact information and directions, but is that enough for your business?

Even if you’re primarily a brick and mortar store, what’s stopping you from expanding to the online world? Customers could then shop remotely and you could increase your sales massively.

If you’re already doing this, you might be wondering what you can do to help drive more traffic to your site and ultimately, to a shopping cart. The answer to that involves some serious SEO work, a great looking (and performing) website, and a lot of consistent time and effort. It is totally possible to achieve this by yourself, but if you don’t have the time or wouldn’t know where to start, you’re way better off using a company like Dynamic Intelligence to manage this side of things for you.

Ultimately, increasing your online presence can and will help you boost your business sales.

Don’t ignore the power of social media

Speaking of an online presence, don’t ignore social media either! While it is true that some businesses can benefit more from social media, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t! Even if you’re a small, locally run business, you’ll be surprised at what the power of social media can do, and it doesn’t take much from you either!

Once you’ve created profiles on the platforms you’d like to use, all you have to do is post updates about the business and what it’s got to offer. So, if you’re running a local vet clinic, you could send updates of renovations happening in your lobby or even (and with owner’s permission) images of the animals that you’re treating. Most owners will be more than happy to have their pets posted online!

In turn, local people (and customers) will follow you and interact with your content. And, you’ll be surprised how much that can benefit your business! A simple share with a few great words about your work could mean five new customers! Not only that, interaction with current and past customers is always nice!

https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-iphone-showing-social-networks-folder-607812

Refurbish your store

While there’s nothing wrong with a rustic looking store, there’s a big difference between rustic and just plain outdated. Could the reason you’ve lost some foot traffic be because there’s a similar store that’s modern and updated not too far away? If the answer is yes, then it’s probably time to make some changes.

It doesn’t have to be budget breaking changes either! Sometimes a good lick of paint, refreshed uniforms and a layout shuffle is all you need! And, if you “reopen” your store with a bit of flair like balloons and a new sign outside, you’re bound to draw more people into your store. Having a following on social media is also really useful for situations like this too!

Reconsider your opening times – or extend them!

Finally, while most people still operate on a 9-5 basis, do the people that want what you’re offering do the same? Think about cafes, for example. It makes sense that they’re open pretty early to late in the evening because many people, from truck drivers to nurses to friends meeting for lunch will always want a nice cup of something.

Think about your demographic and whether your opening times work for them. If they don’t, consider opening later so you can close later, or make any other adjustments that will help increase your sales!

Increasing sales for your business doesn’t have to be a mammoth task. Each idea described today is actionable right now, so why not get started and enjoy higher sales sooner rather than later?

The Secrets to Building Wealth: 3 Habits of Highly Successful Savers

My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money. Wealth building is something everyone wants to do, but it’s a thing that’s easier said than done. The following contributed post is entitled, The Secrets to Building Wealth: 3 Habits of Highly Successful Savers.

* * *

Building wealth isn’t just about earning the top salary or winning the lottery; it’s also about creating smart financial habits that stand the test of time. For highly successful savers, growing wealth is the result of being disciplined, having a plan in place, and being consistent.

Photo by Bich Tran: https://www.pexels.com/photo/savings-tracker-on-brown-wooden-surface-732444/

By adopting these three habits, you can take charge of your finances and set yourself up for long-term financial success.

Prioritise Saving With a Purpose

The best savers don’t just save money; they have goals in mind when they do it. Whether it is for retirement, a new home, or an emergency fund, every bit of money saved has a designated purpose. To start with, create a budget that prioritises saving and identify areas where you can cut back on unnecessary expenses and redirect those funds toward your goals. When you automate your savings, it is a great way for you to stay on track. Set up a direct deposit from your paycheck into a high-yield savings account or investment portfolio. Having goals in mind will not only provide you motivation but make it easier to measure your progress. For example, saving for a six-month emergency fund can be broken down into smaller chunks, making it easier to achieve.

Reduce Debt Strategically

Debt is a huge barrier when it comes to growing wealth. The interest on high credit card balances or personal loans can quickly drain your income and limit your ability to save or invest. That is why successful savers focus on reducing debt as fast as they can and as strategically as possible. One effective strategy for debt consolidation is using a financial tool that combines multiple debts into a single loan, often with a lower interest rate and more manageable monthly payments. Consolidation simplifies your finances and can save you money on interest in the long run. If you are struggling to juggle multiple payments or want to explore ways to get your debt gone faster, consider looking into debt consolidation. It’s a great step toward financial freedom, giving you more room to grow your wealth.

Invest Wisely For Long-Term Growth

Saving is important and should be considered essential, but investing is what truly builds wealth. Successful savers understand the importance of putting their money to work for them by making smart investments. The key is to start as early as possible and be consistent; even with just small amounts, compound interest can turn modest contributions into big wealth over time. Try to diversify your portfolio as much as possible by including a mix of stocks, funds, and other assets that align with your risk tolerance and financial goals. Look at your investments on a regular basis and adjust them as needed to ensure that they always meet your goals. It might be a good idea to seek advice from a financial advisor, as they can help you make the right decisions and maximise your returns.

Conclusion

Building wealth is not an overnight achievement; it is something that requires commitment and smart financial habits. By prioritizing saving, lowering your debt through tools like debt consolidation, and investing for long-term growth, you can start to build a financial foundation that is going to grow your financial wealth.

How Tech is Transforming Business Expenses

My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship, and Technology. As the world becomes increasingly technologically advanced, every aspect of our lives will become more digital. The business world is no different. The following contributed post is entitled, How Tech is Transforming Business Expenses.

* * *

Pexels – CCO Licence

If managing your business expenses is giving you headache after headache, and you often feel like you are drowning in a sea of crumpled receipts and indecipherable spreadsheets, it might be time to step into the future and start using technology to simplify the process or tracking expenses and keeping your accounts in good order.

With that in mind, below, we are going to take a look at some of the best technology that is transforming the world of business expenses right now:

1. Goodbye, Paper Receipts (We Won’t Miss You)

If you are still using paper receipts, what are you thinking of? They fade, they tear, they always seem to disappear just when you need them the most, and…well, they basically just make life harder than it needs to be. Your business needs to enter the digital age ASAP!

Receipt scanning apps like Expensify and Shoeboxed are really brilliant tools that enable you and your employees to simply snap a photo of any receipts, and upload them, and organize them, in an instant, so they never get lost and you never end up with a headache come tax return time, again.

2. Automated Expense Tracking: Your New Best Friend

Manually entering expenses is about as fun as watching paint dry, which is why automated expense trackers are a game-changer. Apps like QuickBooks and FreshBooks sync with your bank accounts, credit cards, and other financial systems to track expenses in real-time.

They categorize spending, generate reports, and even remind you when bills are due. It’s like having a financial assistant who doesn’t need coffee breaks (or complain about spreadsheets).

3. The Electronic Pilot Logbook: Flying High on Efficiency

If your business involves aviation—whether you’re managing a fleet or just one jet-setting pilot—an electronic pilot logbook is a must-have. Not only does it streamline the tracking of flight hours and certifications, but it also simplifies expense reporting for fuel, maintenance, and other aviation costs.

Pilots can log their flights digitally, upload expenses directly, and avoid the dreaded paperwork pileup. It’s a win-win for both the skies and the spreadsheets.

4. Virtual Payment Cards: Smarter Spending Controls

Corporate credit cards are convenient, but keeping track of who’s spending what can get tricky. Virtual payment cards are here to fix that. These digital cards allow you to set limits, track purchases, and even issue single-use numbers for specific expenses.

Not only does this keep your spending in check, but it also boosts security. Because nothing ruins a day like unauthorized charges on your account.

5. Expense Analytics: Follow the Data

Today’s expense management tools don’t just track what you spend—they help you understand it. Advanced analytics can reveal trends in your spending, highlight inefficiencies, and show you where to cut back. It’s like a crystal ball for your finances, but without the mystical mumbo jumbo.

As you can see, tech is significantly transforming the world of business expenses, turning what was once a painful and arduous process into something so simple that anyone can do it. So, say goodbye to expense headaches and hello to the future—your bottom line will thank you!

7 Ways to Overcome Common Technical Problems Online

My blog focuses on Technology. Much of our lives and business are online now. A such we are all subject to technical issues. A key is thus understanding how to troubleshoot them. The following contributed post is entitled, 7 Ways to Overcome Common Technical Problems Online.

* * *

In today’s always-online world, you can’t reasonably avoid using the internet for many daily tasks. Having a smartphone has virtually become a necessity, and with most elements of life that were once analog going digital, it’s important to learn how to navigate the online arena as efficiently as possible.

In this article, you’ll learn about seven ways to deal with the most commonly encountered issues you may run into in your day-to-day life, and how to protect yourself from scammers and hackers.

Image Credit: Pexels

Slow Internet Connections

One internet issue that everyone will have encountered at some point in their lives is a slow internet connection. It’s in moments like this that you realize just how dependent you are on the net for basic things, and it can grind your day to a halt when this happens.

Thankfully, a large proportion of internet connectivity issues can be resolved with some basic troubleshooting. Always try the following methods first, and if they don’t work, contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to troubleshoot the issue more thoroughly:

1.Restart your modem or router to clear any potential slowdown on the network.

2. Switch from Wi-Fi to using an ethernet cable if your device supports it – sometimes, whatever issue you’re experiencing is due only to the wireless element of the connection.

3. Close down programs or apps you’re not using to reduce slowdown, as sometimes, poor connection is due to certain applications hogging bandwidth.

4. Run a speed test: it could simply be that you need to go for a plan that offers more bandwidth, as you’re using more than your current plan is capable of for a smooth connection.

Make Use of Password Management Systems

One of the most frustrating problems everyone has dealt with is the forgotten password. Usually, this is resolved simply by accessing the ‘forgotten password’ protocol of a given account, whereby the service sends you an email to safely and securely change the password to something else.

Sometimes, however, this doesn’t go to plan, so it’s best to put things in place to make sure it doesn’t happen in the first place. Most browsers and smartphones now have the feature to save your passwords securely so that upon login, you simply tap a button to input the correct information – no remembering required.

Follow these links to find out how to do so in Chrome, Safari, and Firefox.

The Importance of Clearing Cache and Cookies

Filled-up cache and cookies are frequent cause of slowdown and general poor functionality when browsing online. Think of cache and cookies as small pieces of data that accumulate every time you complete a search and browse a website.

It can be useful to set your browser to auto-clear cache and cookies after you close the application – in each of the common web browser’s settings, you’ll find a dedicated section where you can set this feature with a click of a button (there’s also the option of tweaking these settings to your liking by installing dedicated browser plugins to manage them).

Image Credit: Pexels

Website Loading Errors (The Dreaded 404)

If you’ve come across the 404 error before when trying to access a website, your browser has tried to access a webpage but cannot find the server. This can be for a number of reasons, but some quick troubleshooting can often get you back on track:

1. Try refreshing the page, and if that doesn’t work, shut your browser down, wait a few minutes, and then try again.

2. It may be that the website is down: dedicated checking websites such as IsItDownRightNow are great resources to check for this.

3. Clear your cache and cookies as directed above – you’d be surprised how often this can solve the issue.

Use a VPN

Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can offer peace of mind that you’re safe online. These services work by encrypting all of your online data by bouncing your information across several different servers around the globe so that it’s as undetectable as yours.

This can protect you if you’re using public Wi-Fi hotspots, for example (prime areas for hackers to try and rob and scam people), adding protection for important tasks such as bank transactions and online purchases.

Of course, it’s important to note that you should still be as careful as possible; just because you’re using a VPN doesn’t mean you’re completely protected, so make sure you exercise caution at all times.

The Benefits of Using Temporary Phone Numbers for Online Sign-Ups

When you sign up for an account or service online, it’s often the case that you need to input a phone number for verification, and this is often an element people are uncomfortable with.

Instead, you can opt to rent a virtual phone number. This allows you to sign up without any risk to your own privacy or of any annoying notifications or spam messages.

These temporary numbers offer immediate verification, and many services offer highly flexible plans for those who need to utilize this sort of feature on a regular basis.

Image Credit: Pexels

On Phishing and Malware Scams

Some of the biggest cybersecurity threats come in the form of phishing scams and malware. The former is where a scammer tries to fool people into providing their personal information (they’re often executed via email), whereas Malware is similar, but encourages the user to do so by downloading dodgy software.

You can protect yourself by doing the following:

1. Avoiding downloads from unverified sources (often, your browser will warn you about this before you download anything)

2. Not clicking on emails from senders whose email addresses you don’t recognize.

3. Making sure that both your device (whether desktop or mobile) has up-to-date antivirus software. In the case of mobile devices, this is usually managed with the general software update.

Wrapping Up

There are, of course, many other problems that can occur online, but the above points cover the main ones. If you make sure to employ these strategies and practices, you’ll be sure to have a smoother online experience overall, as well as a much safer one!